Bride and Prejudice: Brothers/Sister
by tarskeewee08
Michael strolled down the hallway looking at the paintings that lined the wall. He remembered as a kid how scary this hallway was and how John would chase him down here then slip into one of the many rooms that lined the walls only to jump out and scare him in the end. As lonely as they were growing up in this mausoleum having each other made it bearable.
Seeing the door open to the library he stuck his head in to see his brother holding a glass of brandy in his hand over the edge of the sofa and staring into the roaring fireplace. John's back was to him but he knew that his brother was in a lot of pain. Walking into the room he went over to the sofa and sat down.
John didn't flinch or acknowledge his presence he just drank some of his brandy and continued to stare at the fire. "The ladies are in the parlor meeting with the wedding coordinator" Mike said.
John remained silent.
"What's going on Johnny….talk to me"
"I almost lost her today Mike"
Michael frowned "Who?
Evangeline?"
"Yes…" he said rising going to the bar.
Michael watched him pour more brandy. John began to pace in front of
him. "Carla and that whole ugly mess has spilled over into my life
now and I didn't tell Evangeline about it."
"Johnny, you are going to have bring me up to speed, we weren't in contact for years remember…is Carla the redhead that was here the past couple of days?" Mike asked leaning back
John nodded. He told him the entire story of him and Evangeline. How he left and married Caitlyn then the subsequent women that followed. Mike had heard the watered down version but not the cold hard truth. He watched his brothers face darken with pain and guilt and understood why he chose to flee this family. He would be as tortured and miserable as John if he stayed.
John sat back down placing his brandy sifter on the end table then put his head in his hands explaining about Carla's role and how after everything he kept that from Evangeline.
"Johnny…you need to get away from this. You
need to walk away from it all."
John looked at his brother. "I
would Mike but that's not what Evangeline wants. She wants me to
face mum."
Mike cut his eyes and it was his turn to pour a drink. Walking over to the bar he poured him some brandy thinking of the right things to say "What do you want to do?"
John
shook his head sadly "Right now I want to go upstairs pack
everything and take her back to London."
"That's running
away Johnny"
He looked at Mike and frowned "Which is something
as I recall you did expertly."
Mike drank the smooth liquid and let it warm his insides, looking over to the fire he sighed. "Yet I carried it all with me when I left and it began to affect my marriage. If you hadn't come along making the first step I could have lost Marcie and my daughter. I shut her out and pushed her away without knowing why." Mike looked at his brother. "You can't run from the hold mum has on you. I know that now which is why we came back. I deal with the pain of my lonely childhood by dealing with this family."
John leaned back on the sofa and drank his brandy silently. "Why were we cursed with her?" he moaned.
Mike smiled "I think she feels she was cursed with
us, brother"
John looked at him confused "Exactly how were we
a curse?"
Mike stared into the fire "Come on John, she hasn't
exactly gotten her wish for the ideal family. Me the prodigal son and
you the defiant prince, she's been running scared of loosing
control." Mike said drinking his brandy and then looking at his
brother.
"Mum is a product of her breeding and old tradition. She lives in a crystal bubble. Our open defiance confuses her, she sees it as a personal failure. That's why she works so hard to try to control you."
John nodded "Funny thing is
I love mum and I want her to love me."
"Yeah me to Johnny, and
I think in her own way she does."
"I want a life with
Evangeline too Mike. I want to start my own family but I feel cursed,
I've done and lost so much I just know that somehow I will mess
this up too."
"That's fear talking Johnny, you can't mess up with her if you believe and trust in what you to share."
"I believe in her, I just don't trust that I'm
enough."
"Then you don't share anything, because you're
keeping yourself locked away from her. I did that and it eats away at
you it destroys everything around you. From what you told me you lost
her over 14 years ago because you didn't think who you were enough
for the love you shared. Well don't make that mistake again"
John sighed "Facing mum solves nothing! She doesn't listen and she sure as hell won't change."
Mike laughed "Are you kidding me? This is not about making her listen or change. This is about you telling her what's really inside of you and letting go of this hold that she has over you. Whether mum learns from it or not is up to her. This is just you saving yourself"
John looked at his brother sitting next to him smiling. "How in bloody hell did my kid brother get to be so wise?"
Mike shrugged "Hey I'm a
surgeon okay….you don't become one from being stupid!"
They
laughed and John finished his brandy "You know Mikey Evangeline is
everything to me, and she loves me man. Not all of this." He said
gesturing around the room. "But me John Thomas McBain flaws and
all. I have never felt love like that before."
Mike nodded "Its how I feel about Marcie, back at school all those gorgeous well bred bombshells that hung around waiting for my attention bored me. But a quirky bubbly bluntly honest redhead clerk in the library kept me wanting more. She didn't know who I was and didn't care man. All she knew was she thought I was cute and loved my jokes. It was so liberating being with her. It still is, I wouldn't trade my life with her for anything in the world."
John smiled listening to his brother speak of his wife. He had no idea his brothers pilgrimage home was to save his marriage. He didn't want to eventually project his insecurities into his relationship with Evangeline. If facing this gave him the ability to love himself and let go of his guilt then he was more than prepared to do it.
Evangeline listened to Eve and the coordinator talk about the place of the wedding and how they should go about planning it and rolled her eyes. Before she and John could meet with Eve she'd summoned Evangeline downstairs to this impromptu meeting. She didn't want to openly challenge the woman before John had a chance to speak with her so she tolerated this little get together. Eve would look up at her and smile politely and Evangeline knew that she didn't want to participate in the planning of the wedding. She just didn't want Evangeline to handle it on her own. The woman was a piece of work.
Marcie yawned and then smiled at her indicating she was just as bored. A servant came into the room interrupting. "Excuse me mam, but there is a telephone call for mistress Evangeline"
Eve frowned and looked at Evangeline wondering who would call her palace for her. Evangeline excused herself ignoring the questioning indignation from the Countess and followed the servant down the hallway where there was phone located. Taking the seat next to it she picked up the line.
"Hello"
"Hey sis!" Layla said
smiling
"Layla!"
"Yeah….good grief it's like Fort
Knox in there trying to track you down."
"How did you know
where to find me?" Evangeline asked excited.
"I spoke to Ming
this morning. She told me that you were umm getting married? Exactly
when was I going to be told about this?"
Evangeline frowned. Ming must have called Layla thinking that the information about Carla was going to drive her and John apart. She was trying to bring in reinforcements. "I was going to call you it all happened so fast."
"I see your face is all over the papers in London"
Layla said chuckling
"London? You're in London?" Evangeline
asked confused
"Yeah, had a small part and was going to surprise
you. When I couldn't reach you on your cell or at home I called
Ming. She called me back and gave me the run down."
"Oh…okay.
Well are you okay? Do you have enough money?"
Layla laughed "I'm fine and I should be in Dublin tomorrow so I will need you to have someone pick me up!"
"Wait…what do you mean you
will be in Dublin?"
"I'm coming to see you. Meet these
McBain's I don't like the articles I've been reading. People
aren't exactly warming up to your engagement sis…"
Evangeline figured that there was a smear campaign out there but she's been so isolated by the Palace she had no idea how her happy pending nuptial was being received by the real world. Since its less than favorable that explained Eve's open hostility toward her. Eve must be painfully aware of what people are saying about her family.
"Lay
I'm okay really"
"Doesn't matter….you are facing a lot
and I need to see for myself."
Evangeline smiled at her sister's
determination. "What airline are you flying?"
"British Air
and I should be arriving around 4pm your time."
"I will make
sure a driver is waiting for you sweetie. I can't wait to see you"
"I love you Van, I can't wait to see you too"
Evangeline hung up to see Ming coming down the corridor. Smiling she rose. "I was wondering when you would get here" she said hugging her.
"I had to nurse Sam back to health. The bloody fool damn near had alcohol poisoning trying to drink with an Irishman!" she said with her hands on her hips.
Evangeline laughed "Where is he?"
"In search of the boys of course, did you talk to
Lay?"
Evangeline narrowed her eyes on her friend "Why did you
encourage her to come here."
"Because that Carla shit pisses me off. Eve McBain is trying to force you two apart so its time she know who she's messing with." Ming said grinning "Besides wait until Layla gets a load of this place, its going to be a hoot!"
Evangeline shook her head. In the past six months Layla and Ming have formed a tight friendship. When she visited before Evangeline made up with John the three of them did the whole night scene in London. Layla loved Europe. After moving in with John Layla finally met him and warmed up to him instantly. But Eve McBain wasn't exactly someone that would take to Layla's spirit. With things coming to a boiling point around here bringing Layla on board was like adding gasoline to the fire.
"Now where is
everyone?" Ming said slinging her long black hair.
"In the
parlor" Evangeline said sucking her teeth.
"Let's go!"
Ming said walking away heading straight for the parlor. Evangeline
followed her and when they stepped through she saw the blood drain
from Eve's face.
"Countess McBain it's so good to see you again!" Ming said walking straight to her and kissing her cheek.
Eve looked at Ming shocked "Ming, dear I had no idea
you were coming by today"
"Well we are talking about my best
friend's wedding so of course I would come."
Eve looked at
Evangeline amused "So you two are best friends?"
Evangeline smirked "As a matte of fact Ming here is the one that introduced me to your son."
Eve flashed Ming a heated glare "Figures…."
"I
beg your pardon Countess?" Ming said feigning hurt
indignation.
"Please ladies have a seat…" The coordinator
said trying to regain control of the situation.
"Love too..." Ming said taking a seat. She turned and flashed a smile at Marcie "Hey Marcie"
"Ming hi!" Marcie said
smiling
Evangeline took a seat and looked at the color patterns in
front of her.
Ming turned her nose up then looked at Evangeline
"What color is your wedding dress Van?"
Eve blinked in surprise "Her dress will be white of course. She will be married in the traditional gown that all McBain's have worn"
Evangeline looked at Eve shocked. She had no idea that she would want her to wear her wedding dress. Ming cut her eyes "Where is this dress, maybe she doesn't' want to wear some 100 year old ball gown to her wedding."
"Ming please…" Evangeline said trying to
silence her friend
Eve glared at Ming. "If it was up to me dear
she wouldn't be. But since it's what my son wants then so be it!"
Evangeline looked at Eve and the coordinator who was avoiding her eyes blushing.
"Enough of this! I have tried to be respectful of you and your traditions but I won't be insulted further. My wedding day is one that I will plan and everything around it will be chosen by me to satisfy my taste."
Eve snorted
"So I guess we will have collard greens and ribs on the menu!"
Marcie gasped covering her mouth.
Ming stood up "What did
you say to her you self righteous ignorant bitch!" she shouted.
Evangeline grabbed Ming's hand "Stop it Ming."
"Stop it? Are you going to let her talk to you like that!" Ming hissed.
Evangeline didn't want to fight. She needed John to work through his problems with his mother separate for the problems between them. "I can handle her, so sit and calm down!" she hissed. Ming looked at Evangeline hurt. Evangeline saw that rage in her friends face threatening to make her jump across the room and claw Eve's eyes out. Finally taking a seat in frustration she returned her glare to Eve.
Evangeline noticed the coordinator packing her things up quickly looking to escape the foray. "Eve, I understand you don't like me. Not because you know me, but because of your simple ignorant prejudices on who you think I am. But let me clue you in on something. Your son loves me and he wants to marry me. He will do it barefoot in a public courthouse if I wanted him too, so if you want to apart of it at all you will respect me."
"My son has made many a woman his fiancé, don't be so smug in thinking that you will actually get him to the alter!" Eve snapped glaring into Evangeline's face.
"Ladies it's been real nice" the coordinator said passing a card to Marcie and Ming, she didn't bother Eve or Evangeline since they were locking horns. Turning she excused herself and fled the room.
"I know all about John's failed attempts at marriage and the role you played in that. I'm not the least bit threatened or intimidated by his fear and insecurity in the love department. I am upset that you even now could careless about your children's happiness if it doesn't mirror your own."
"That is enough! Don't sit there and speak to me of my boys! You know nothing!"
Ming chuckled
"We all know your so called boys can't stand you!"
Marcie
shook her head "Guys lets stop this…"
Eve shot Marcie an angry look "I accepted your commoner status because in the end I knew you knew your place! But you…" she said turning on Evangeline "You American ghetto queen coming into my sons life and filling his head with frivolities, trying to rip him from his heritage and responsibilities won't be allowed into my family. I thought I could do it but there is no way in hell that I will! I am calling this wedding off!"
Marcie glared at her "What the
hell do you mean I know my place?"
"Who the hell you calling
ghetto?" Ming shouted
"Calling my wedding off? Are you insane?
Who the hell do you think you are!" Evangeline snapped rising from
her chair.
The men walked in the room to hear everyone shouting. Eve was now screaming that they all leave. Thomas McBain came into the room yelling over everyone. "THAT'S ENOUGH! EVERYONE SHUT UP!"
John, Mike and Sam looked at their ladies confused. Everyone else turned and looked at Thomas shocked. Eve went to her husband. "I want them all tossed off my property!"
Thomas shook his head "That goes for you to Eve! Shut up
now!"
Eve clutched her pearl necklace confused by the tone her
husband was using with her.
Thomas saw his wife's shock and
didn't care "No one will leave here. This is our son's home and
as long as they want to be here they will remain. You however owe
these ladies an apology. I heard some of things you said and I am
disgusted by them!"
Eve stepped back with tears in her eyes
"I will not apologize in my own home!"
"You will apologize
wife or excuse yourself to your quarters for remainder of their
visit!" Thomas said glaring at his wife.
Eve looked over at John. "Son, do you hear your father?" she said her breath shortened by her pressure rising.
John walked over to
Evangeline and touched her face "Are you okay sunshine?"
Evangeline
smiled then kissed his lips. "I'm fine."
Turning he looked
at his mother "We need to talk"
Eve let tears fall down her cheeks "How dare you!" she said looking around the room. "How dare you humiliate me like this in my own home? How dare you!" she screamed fleeing the room.
John went to go after her and his father got to him stopping him. "No John, give her time alone. I know you two need to talk but not now. Let her digest the fact that she isn't the one calling the shots anymore."
"Dad, I
need to tell her what's going on in my heart…"
"I
understand that son, but I know your mother. Right now she couldn't
take that on top of everything else. Please wait a while and give her
time to adjust."
John looked back at Evangeline for approval and she nodded agreeing with his father. "Okay fine. I'm just sick to death of all of this." He said pulling away.
Ming went over to John and Thomas "This is my fault, I shouldn't have challenged her the way I did"
"Nonsense and what is this about you and your husband staying a hotel. We have over 100 bedrooms here. I will have your things sent for. You will be staying here."
Sam came up "We couldn't impose, besides we are
only in town for a few more days."
Thomas waved the refusal off
"And those days will be spent here. This is settled." He said
walking out to see about his wife.
Evangeline saw John wringing his hands and as much as she despised Eve she understood that she was his mother. Right now he was worried sick about her. Going to him she pulled him into her arms. She held him as Sam held Ming and Michael held Marcie. Everyone in the room knew how precious loving each other was.
