My note…okay, I know chapter one wasn't that strong, but the story will pick up speed in the next few chapters. If I didn't mention before, the timeline is from the middle of May through the middle of June.

FATHER KNOWS BEST

CHAPTER 2: TABLE FOR SIX

The restaurant was packed, but luckily the group had reservations and were seated quickly. Robert arrived at the table first and pulled the chair next to him out for Ashley to sit, but she was so busy watching the waiter remove the chair across the table for Jimmy, that she hadn't noticed what her father was doing.

Jimmy pulled into the spot that was made for him and smiled up at Ashley who sat down beside him. Robert then looked over at Kate and offered her the seat he was holding out. She nodded acceptingly and sat down between her ex-husband and Jeff.

"The place still looks the same…hope the food is still as good as I remember", Robert laughed and reached out for the wine list.

"They still have your favorite Dad, the rigatoni with sausage and zucchini", Ashley stated as she peered over her menu.

"You remembered?", he replied, pleasantly surprised.

"Of course I remember", she answered quickly. "You used to order it all the time when I was little".

Robert laughed at the memory, "It was the only way your mother and I could get you to eat zucchini".

Ashley smiled. "Because everything tastes better off of your Dad's plate", she insisted, grabbing the piece of buttered bread off of his plate and taking a small bite.

Robert gasped and shot Ashley a look of mock disapproval, she giggled softly. "Or anyone elses plate for that matter", Jimmy laughed, looking between Ashley and Mr. Kerwin. "Ash steals food off my plate every chance she gets", he informed Robert, jokingly.

Ashley blushed and playfully swatted Jimmy on the shoulder as if he had divulged her deepest, darkest secret. She then looped her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder. Robert shared a smile with Kate as they both looked at the happy couple on the other side of the table.

The group settled into comfortable conversation over drinks and appetizers. "So Toby, Kate tells me you made Valedictorian...congratulations", Robert stated, raising his glass slightly to toast Toby before taking a sip.

Toby shrugged indifferently. "Thanks Mr. Kerwin, although I really don't think I deserve it", he replied quietly. "Liberty should be Valedictorian, but her grades slipped after, um after JT died...so I got it instead".

"Don't sell yourself short man", Jimmy protested, clapping Toby on the shoulder.

"No pun intended", Ashley quipped, not so subtly referring to Toby's height. He shot her a warning glare and she giggled. "But seriously Tobes...you do deserve it, you worked really hard this year", Ashley insisted and smiled sincerely at her brother.

"Yes, I was sadded to hear about you friend...", Robert began to say, but trailed off when he notice Toby look avoidingly down at his plate. Robert felt the need to lessen the awkwardness by changing the subject, "So, what do you have..."

"Ugh", cried the bus boy, who had accidentally nicked one of Jimmy's wheels with the side of his shoe, effectively tripping himself. Jeff was quick to jump up and steady the man and the bin of dirty dishes he was carrying.

"Oh, I'm sorry", Jimmy apologized, trying to scoot in closer to the table.

The man shook his head in utter mortification. "No Sir, it's my fault...excuse me", he replied bashfully and nodded appreciatively to Jeff before quickly scrambling into the kitchen.

Jimmy glanced behind him at the narrowed path that lead to the kitchen. "I'm in the way here", he muttered to Ashley, as he looked around for room to move.

"No you're not, you're fine", Ashley insisted, laying her hand over his, which was clenching the wheel rim. Jimmy gave her an incredulous look and she shrugged. "There's no where else for you to go...besides, he should've been watching where he was going", she added adamantly and reached for another piece of bread.

Jimmy smiled at Ashley, she returned the gesture and offered him a bite of her bread. They were both lost momentarily in each other and when they turned their attention back to the rest of the table...all eyes were on them.

"So, does that happen very often?", Robert asked curiously.

"Which part?", Toby asked with a chuckle. "The part where Jimmy tries to trip unsuspecting bus boys or the part where they both go into their 'dreamy' place", he joked, making a goofy face at Ashley when he said the word dreamy.

Robert shrugged. "Um, both...I guess", he replied questionably.

"A lot", the group jovialy stated in unison.

"Hey Jimmy, maybe your chair is just a magnet to wait staff with steel-toed shoes", Toby teased and the majority laughed along.

Mr. Kerwin outwardly smiled with the rest of the laughing table, but he felt uncomfortable with making light of what he considered a very serious subject. Luckily for him, their waiter had returned with their food. "Everything looks delicious", Robert spoke first, looking around the table.

Everyone nodded in agreement and dug into their dinners. "Ashley, did you want some?", Robert asked, pointedly holding his fork over his food.

"No thanks Dad...", Ashley replied, looking over at Jimmy and predictably jabbing her fork into his meal. "...I have plenty right here".

Jimmy smirked as he snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Ashley giggled softly and pressed her lips against Jimmy's. "Trying to eat here", Toby groaned, not bothering to look up from his plate.

The two broke apart, flushed and embarrassed. Ashley licked the dab of salty pasta sauce from her bottom lip and focused on her plate, Jimmy did the same...but you could see the formation of smiles breaking out across both of their faces.

Robert watched his daughter for a few minutes before Kate broke the next round of lingering silence and questioned, "So Robert, how's Chris doing?".

Eventhough he and Kate spoke on the phone at least a few nights a week, Robert was happy to be sitting here, having dinner and conversation with his 'family'. "He's fine, thanks for asking. Busy with work and renovating the flat", he replied between bites.

"Are you sure he doesn't mind you being away for so long, Dad?", Ashley asked worriedly. She was so excited when her father announced he was coming for a visit, that she never thought to ask about Chris.

Robert shook his head and smiled. "No Ash, not at all", he insisted honestly. "He's just sorry he has to miss all of this". Ashley smiled back at her father, satisfied with his answer. "And I'm pretty sure, since he couldn't make it here, he actually may have been looking forward to getting rid of me for a little while", Robert joked, then continued with an explanation. "You see, we've been disagreeing on how to redecorate the study, and I think Chris will take this opportunity to get his way".

A light chuckle flitted around the table. Ashley looked over at Jimmy. "It would kill me to be away from you for a month", she stated sincerely.

"Honestly Ash, I don't think I could even last a week without you", he replied slipping his arm around her again. Ashley melted at his sentiment and moved in to softly kiss him on the lips.

"Oh God, here we go again", Toby mumbled and rolled his eyes as he picked up the menu. "So, anyone for dessert...coffee?", he offered loudly. Kate, Jeff and Robert all nodded eagerly...but Ashley and Jimmy didn't hear a thing, they were already well on their way to the next course.

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Hmmm, it didn't look this short on paper...but at least I'm consistent. As we pick up speed in the story lines, we'll also pick up some length in the chapters. This one was still on the fluffy side, but the angsty-ness will be coming shortly.

Thanks to all who have read and reviewed, especially...Raina-Bess, Havocmangawip and Sunshyne08...you guys are the best!

Degrassi does not belong to me.