A/N: I know, long over due! Happy early Valentine's Day to all! Enjoy being inside Junior's head! :] R&R would be nice, but not necessary.
Junior Davis
I'm standing in our bedroom, casually leaning against our drawers. I haven't had the chance to say thank you or apologize to Kris for the mess in the room and for her cleaning it all up. I was hoping I'd beat her home and do it myself. Obviously, this is not the case. On top of all that, my dad is insisting Kris and I be at dinner. He needs to discuss something, albeit something unpleasant. He likes to break bad news during dinner. Yet again, he was rude to Kris. It's like he doesn't get what I'm saying. Half the time he's abnormally polite to Kris and then the other half he's completely rude. The latter is usually all the time unless he's in a good mood, which is rare around Kris.
I continue to rant about my father being such an asshole until Kris stops me.
"It's all right, Junior. I know why he's angry, especially at me." she begins to say.
I stare at her, all filthy and tired, but still looking as beautiful as ever.
"What? Why?" I ask her. I don't understand how he can be possibly mad at her when she's been at Raintree since this morning.
She takes a deep breath, as if she's bracing herself to tell me some really bad news. I have no idea what to think. My father can be mad at just about anything and everything without anyone trying so hard.
"You know how I was over at Raintree today?" she asks cautiously.
"Uh, yeah. Did something happen over there?"
"Well, not exactly."
"What happened Kris? Just tell me. If it's bad, I'll try to help, ok?" I reassure. I want her to be able to tell me anything. She knows she can trust me.
"Jean bought a horse." Kris starts. She seems so nervous.
"All right? There is nothing wrong with buying a horse." I tell her.
"Yes, I know that. But it's not just buying a horse. It's the horse that she bought is the problem. The real, big problem."
"Ok. What's the problem with the horse?" I ask her. She's making me crazy with all the suspense.
She looks up at me with her sad eyes before looking down to wring her hands. I can tell she doesn't want to tell me, but knows she has to. I feel bad for making her tell me, but then again if I don't know, how can I help?
Suddenly, she stands up and looks me in the eye. I don't know where this renewed confidence comes from.
"Jean bought Avatar." Kris blurts out. "She bought your dad's horse." she adds.
I did not see that one coming. I forgot all about Avatar. You see, my dad was in debt. We needed money. Dani sold Avatar. When dad found out, he was pissed. But he lightened up when we told him he was able to bid back Avatar. He wasn't worried because he would've paid any price to get that horse back. Avatar is to my dad as Wildfire is to Kris, you can say. Now I understand why my dad is pissed and why he wants to talk, but I don't get why he's mad at Kris. It's not her fault. It's not even Jean's fault. I don't blame her. It's a public bidding for god's sake.
I pass Kris and decide to be the one to sit for a change. I'm not angry. I'm just surprised. I have no clue what to do next.
Kris approaches, kneeling right in front of me. "Say something, Junior." she whispers.
I stare into her seemingly endless brown eyes. She's worried. It's written all over her face.
"I don't know what to say." I tell her.
"I knew your dad was going to be mad."
"Of course. It's a given considering that's his beloved horse. Probably loves him more than me or Dani."
"That's not true and you know it. He just loves racing so much and he's made a real career because of Avatar. I understand that." Why the hell was she defending him?
"Yes, I get that. But why would he be angry with you. It's not like you had anything to do with it, right?" Right after I said it, I regretted it. I don't want Kris to think I'm accusing her of anything.
"Of course not!" she yells as she shoots up, staring me down. "I had no clue Jean was even thinking about bidding for Avatar. If I knew, I would have told you. Maybe even persuaded Jean to change her mind and back out."
She sits down next to me on the bed, facing me with her legs folded under her.
"It doesn't matter if I had no say in it nor if I knew or not. Ken connected it back to me somehow because A) he hates me, B) he hates me working for Raintree and C) he hates Raintree for bringing me here. Ken probably thinks I swayed Jean to buy Avatar to spite him. I know he's mad and I know he'll take it out on me, but thats not the real problem."
"Then what is, Kris?"
"It's how he'll be taking it out on me." she says under her breath. "That's the real problem."
I think about what Kris said as she walks away to clean up for dinner. She's right. My dad won't care if Kris had anything to do with it or not. He'll just think so anyway. He'll blame her because he can't blame anyone else. Him being as angry as he is was never the problem. He's nearly in a bad mood all the time anyway. Doesn't matter. How my dad will retaliate is a whole 'nother story.
~
Kris and I silently descend the stairs to the dining room. I can already smell the food wafting from the kitchen. As we approach, I see the dining table come into view. There are five white porcelain plates ready to be eaten on. Five sets of spoons and forks. Five water glasses accompanied by five wine glasses. The plates are set in a certain way where my dad has the head seat at the end of the table while two seats are surrounded by him on each side. This is for his benefit, of course. If I had a say, I'd sit Kris and me at the farthest edge of the damn table. I'll have to sit next to him, like usual.
"Looks like you've made it after all, Junior." my father says, appearing from the kitchen. "And you're early!" He turns to Kris. "Nice to see that you've cleaned yourself up, Kris."
I look at him with a raised eyebrow. He seems a little too cheery for my taste, but as I can tell by the set of his eyes and tense in his jaw that he's holding back. How will he break the news to Dani and Matt? Does Matt even know?
I take Kris' hand and lead her into the living room. We have plenty of time before Matt and Dani arrive. Besides, the food isn't even ready yet.
"Why are we going to the living room, Junior? I thought we were going to wait in the dining room for Matt and Dani." Kris asks me.
"We need to talk first. I need to know if Matt knows anything. My dad won't be mad at you alone. He'll be furious with Matt too. This could be a good excuse to call off Dani's wedding. At least for my dad. We'll see how Dani feels first." I aggressively whisper to her.
"I don't know if Matt had anything to do with it. Jean was the one who told me. Pablo didn't even know."
"Maybe we can still get out of this. Lets skip dinner Kris. We can escape while my dad is in the kitchen. He really doesn't need us here."
"Junior, we can't. If we go now he'll think I've got something to do with it. We have to stick it out. I have nothing to be scared about." she says this confidently, but I can tell there is doubt in her eyes. She just wants to make things better. To fix it and go back to normal. Kris doesn't know my father. He's vindictive.
"Are you sure?" I ask again.
"Yes. I can handle it."
Kris goes back into the dining room, leaving me alone. I sit on the couch right when Dani comes through the front door. Behind her is Matt.
"Speaking of the devil." I mutter under my breath.
"Oh, shut up Junior. Don't mess with me today, all right? I've had a rough day here with Matt." she says this annoyingly.
I look at Matt. He looks worn out and completely exhausted like he hasn't slept in days. His clothes are crinkled and his hair looks like it hasn't met a comb lately. The wedding errands probably didn't go so well.
He crosses over to where I am sitting and takes his spot besides me while Dani heads up to her room to clean up or change, nonetheless.
"Rough day?" I ask Matt. I should ask him about Avatar, but I'm not supposed to know about that. I'm not sure if I want to bring it up. This day isn't going to get any better for Matt. For any of us, really.
He lets out a heavy exhale as if he's been holding his breath the whole entire time.
"I don't know, man. Things are just getting too much with Dani." he says exasperated.
"What do you mean?" I ask him.
"Junior, this wedding is too much. She's making a big deal out of it. You know me, I'm not into the whole wedding stuff. I just want to get married, period." Matt tells me.
"Matt, this is one of the biggest days of my sister's life. Of any woman's life, man. She's getting married. You only get married once, of course it's a big deal, especially for her." I mean it's Dani. He should know her well enough by now considering they've been on and off for years.
"Don't you think I know that? It's a big day for me too. I'm going to be committed to someone for the rest of my life. It's a big step. Dani is just doing this over the top. I just want a simple wedding with family and some friends. She wants everyone there. Your family, my family, your friends, Ken's friends, practically everyone that is connected to us."
"Ok, I get you. Dani does know a lot of people. She probably won't invite all those people in reality." I tell him.
"Do you know how many people are on the guest list?" he asks me. I have no clue, so I just shrug. "There is over five hundred and fifty people, Junior! I don't even know that many people!"
Five Hundred people! What the hell is Dani thinking? She might as well invite all of California.
"Maybe I can talk to her." I tell him.
"That's not all. She wants to get married near the beach." he continues to say, ignoring my suggestion.
"What! The beach? We don't live anywhere near the beach?"
"Yes we do, about an hour away! How can we bring over five hundred guests to a beach that is an hour away!"
"Yeah, I see the problem." I tell him, slightly amused. It's a crazy idea, but this is Dani we're talking about. Anybody could've seen this coming.
"I mean it, Junior. This is insane. Since we're going to have a beach wedding, I can't wear shoes!"
"Oh man! That is a big problem!" I say sarcastically. I don't mean to be insensitive, but Matt is hilarious when he rants. He's making me feel better, that's for sure.
"Come on Junior! I can't believe Dani. She said that we're going to need tarps for the wedding and have a ton of flowers too. Why would you need flowers at the beach for god's sake? I asked her about the reception and she told me we're having it back here at your place!" Matt is completely outraged.
"I can understand the tarps and flowers. But shouldn't the reception be at the beach too?"
"That's exactly what I told her, but she said that she didn't want people to get sand in their food."
"Oh yeah. Sand and salad don't mix." I say, chuckling to myself.
Matt looks at me like I haven't been listening to anything he's saying.
"What do you want me to do Matt? Tell Dani off? She's not going to listen to me. What are you worried about? My dad is paying for everything." That's if the wedding will even happen after tonight.
"The money is not the issue Junior. Well, it is. My point is that she's making this into some kind of big extravaganza. I want simple. I want something low-key and small. I don't need five hundred people I don't even care about."
"Then tell her, man. I'm sure Dani will listen. She'll understand. She loves you." I reassure him.
He stands up and paces back and forth. He keeps running his fingers through his already jacked up hair and I can't help but be amused. He is worrying over nothing, really. He should be worrying about what will happen once this dinner is over. He should be worrying about what he's going to say to his future father-in-law.
"I don't know Junior. Dani's really into this whole thing. I told her what I wanted from the start. Today, while we were at the beach, I just told her that I didn't think it was a good idea and she just snapped. She yelled at me about how I don't care for the wedding and that I'm making her do everything and not helping with the decision making process about anything. I don't understand her. She wants me to be involved, but when I speak my mind and state my opinions, she says that I'm not cooperating with her. I just don't know anymore, man. She's being really can't she be more like Kris?" he says.
He stops in his tracks, realizing what he has said. He looks up at me and I'm glaring. Not only is he doubting Dani and the wedding, but he's wishing for Dani to be like Kris. I am no longer amused. Not amused at all.
"I didn't mean anything by it, Junior. You can wipe off that look on your face." he tells me while sitting back down. "I just wish Dani was easier to please, like Kris. What I meant about wishing Dani was more like Kris has to do with the wedding. When it was your wedding with Kris, everything was simple. Just us, family, and close friends under a lighted tent in Raintree. No hassle over nothing. The reception was at your house because ours is too small. Kris didn't protest about anything and she loved it. She loved everything about her wedding and she even told me she wouldn't change a thing about it." he explains.
I nodded the whole time he was speaking. Don't get me wrong, I understand what he's saying. Knowing Matt, I know deep down he still has some feelings for Kris. He can try to justify his feelings for Dani with his explanations about Kris' preference in wedding ideas, but I know how he really feels. Matt knows it's all over. Kris is my wife now and I'll choose her over anything, whether it's my father, Dani or even him.
"Junior? Hey Junior? Have you been listening?" Matt says loudly, shaking my reverie.
"Yeah, I have. I get you. I understand, ok? But Kris didn't have any say in the wedding arrangements. I did everything. I planned everything. You can't compare our wedding to your wedding and you can't compare Kris to Dani. Kris is a simple person. I knew what she wanted, so it was easy to plan everything. Dani is my sister. She's complicated and she wants the best of the best. She grew up rich and spoiled and she'll forever be rich and spoiled. If she wants her wedding to be big, let her. A wedding is usually for the girl anyway. I centered the wedding on Kris' likes, so shouldn't it be that way for Dani? I know you don't want a big wedding Matt, but that's what Dani wants. What's really the problem? You can't be worried about the guests and the venue. You're worried about something else."
"There is no problem Junior. I just don't agree with Dani." he tries to reassure me.
"You don't agree with Dani or you don't feel the same way she feels towards you?"
He looks at me like he's just had a realization. "Come on Junior. You know I'm being faithful to Dani."
"That's not what I asked. Do you or do you not feel the same way Dani does? Tell me the truth. I won't be angry. Just be honest with me, Matt." I tell him as I look him straight in the eyes.
He waits before he answers as if he has to think about it first. "Of course I feel the same way Dani feels. I love her too."
"Are you sure? It sounds like you're not up to this wedding because of Dani."
"No Junior. I love Dani, I really do. I think I'm just getting cold feet. Maybe I'm just scared to commit because I'm going to be married to her for the rest of my life. That's forever, an eternity. 'Till death do us part!" he tells me, convincingly.
"Yeah, maybe you are getting cold feet. I thought I wasn't going to be able to marry Kris. Not that I wanted to back out. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to marry her. I was just scared I might mess up, you know? I was scared that I might do something that will hurt Kris and then blow it. Throw away a marriage. I don't want Kris to regret marrying me."
"What about now? Do you think you made the right decision by marrying Kris?"
"Yes. I don't even have to think twice. It's the best decision I have ever and will ever make. I love Kris so much. I don't want to ever risk losing her ever again. You know when we broke up before, I thought I was going to get over her. But I never did. No matter what I did, no matter who I was with. I've always loved her. Always. I will kill anyone who stands in my way when it comes to her."
"Do you really mean that Junior?" he asks me.
"Every word, man."
He nods his head with a serious look on his face.
"You don't believe me?" I ask.
"It's not that I don't believe you Junior. You can't control how other people feel." I don't know who he's referring to and I honestly don't give a damn.
"I know that, but Kris and I are married. No one can stand in the way of that anymore. It's already definite." I tell him confidently.
"Not everything is set into stone, Junior. Things change and people change."
"My feelings for Kris will never change and I'm sure Kris' feelings for me will never change. We made a vow to each other Matt."
"Ok fine."
"Are you trying to prove something to me?"
"No Junior." Matt says condescendingly.
"Hey, I didn't know you arrived." Kris said suddenly. I don't know how long she's been in the living room, but I know she's talking to Matt.
Matt turns to face her and smiles. "I just got here a few minutes ago. Dani's upstairs. Where have you been?"
Kris becomes instantly pale. She's been trying to avoid what she's been doing all day. I know she wants to get this whole damn dinner over with. I do too.
"Uh, I was just in the dining room waiting. I heard you talking to Junior so I decided to leave the table for a while. Besides, Ken told me to tell you guys dinner will be ready in five."
"Oh good. I'm starved." I say as I stand up. I walk over to Kris and take her hand. She squeezes my hand and I squeeze back to give reassurance that everything will be ok. I wonder if all this stress is affecting the baby at all. It's been a while since I've even thought about the baby with everything that's going on. But Kris seems to be fine. At least, for now.
"Why the sudden call for a family dinner anyway?" Matt asks as he comes toward us.
"Dad's pissed. Why? I don't know?" I lie. "He's always pissed. It could be the fact that we fought earlier today, but that's a different story you already know the ending to. Just be ready for yelling." I tell him. Giving him a warning is the best I can do.
The three of us head for the dining room where the salad has been already placed in the center. I take my seat, the closest to my dad while Kris sits besides me, farthest from my dad. Taking my advice, Matt sits across from Kris leaving the chair closest to my dad on his other side for Dani.
"You know, you and Matt were pretty loud back there. You two ok?" Kris leans over to whisper.
"Yeah, we're fine. Everyone is having a bad day, thats all."
She nods quietly. I want to know whats going on in her head right now, but now is not the time to ask.
From the kitchen, I hear my father stomp his way through until he reaches the table. He pulls his chair back, scraping the tile floor during the process, making all of us wince in discomfort. He sits down but before grabbing the wine he gives Kris a death stare and then gives one to Matt with more venom.
"Where the hell is Dani?" my dad yells. He sure doesn't waist anytime. I can feel Kris tense up at my side. I look up at Matt and he seems frightened; folding and unfolding his napkin nervously.
"She's coming dad." I say. Dani better hurry the hell up or I will strangle her myself.
"So, Matt." My dad begins. "What's new in Raintree, huh?" his voice is dripping with sarcasm.
Matt doesn't catch on. "Um, nothing really new Mr. Davis. Just training some horses."
"Horses huh?" dad questions. "Kris, pass me the salad. And may I ask what horses do you make Kris train?"
"Um, right now Kris is training my horse Augustus."
"Augustus? Is he new or something?"
"No. I've been training him for a while now." Kris pipes in.
What is this? Some damn horse interrogation. If he wants to know about Avatar, just ask away already. The suspense is killing us all.
"Oh, I see." My father says. He passes the salad back to Kris who takes some and passes it along to me.
My dad starts to make his way through the salad until a moment later, he looks up. I follow his eyes and see Dani making her way to her seat finally.
"Nice of you to join us, Dani. Took you damn long enough." I'm rarely angry with Dani. I like to make her angry with me, but tonight is just different.
"Don't start Junior. Just be thankful I came back down at all. If I had my way, I would've collapsed on my bed the second I stepped into my room." she said this bitterly.
"Well, I'm sorry to hear you're having a bad day Dani, but I think I can speak for everyone when I say we are all having a bad day." Ken says this to Dani, then turns to Kris. "Don't you agree Kris?"
Kris turns to Ken, "You can say that, Ken. But I think you are having the worst day of all of us."
I have no idea where Kris has gotten this sudden burst of confidence to talk to my father that way, but I'm proud of her for doing so.
"Dad, what the hell is going on anyway? Why did you call for a sudden family dinner? I have so much other things to do! Didn't I tell you I wanted to pass on this family dinner fiasco?" Dani said in anger.
"Maybe your fiance can all tell us the good news, right Matthew?" My dad says.
I don't know why he can't just say it. Why is he holding all his anger back? What the hell is he waiting for?
Dani turns to Matt, "What is my dad talking about, Matt?"
"I don't know Dani. I don't even know why we're even here. Junior just said that your dad is pissed." It's obvious in Matt's voice that he's scared and knows nothing.
"Damn right I'm pissed! How dare your mother! She knows how much I love that horse and she goes behind my back and buys the horse anyway! Who the hell does she think she is!" my dad suddenly yells.
The whole room is quiet and I can tell Matt and Dani are stunned.
"What are you even talking about? My mom didn't do a thing!" Matt slightly raises his voice, but Dani holds him back.
"Save it Matthew!" Ken says to Matt.
"And what about you, Kris! I'm sure you know all about this whole thing!" He points to her.
"Stop it dad, Kris knew nothing! She told me! Jean decided to buy Avatar all on her own!" I yelled back
"What!" Dani and Matt say in unison.
"You heard me. Jean bid against dad for Avatar and she won. She's Avatar's new owner now and Raintree is his new home." I tell them.
"I can't believe my mom didn't say a thing. And you knew Junior? Kris? Why the hell did you not say anything!" Matt yells at us.
"I didn't find out until today! Jean just showed me and Pablo when I arrived. I told her it wasn't a good idea! I told her Ken would be angry!" Kris answers back.
"You could have warned me before I stepped into this dining room! At least I won't feel like a complete idiot!"
"Matt, if I told you then it would be like you knew about it the whole time! I was only trying to make things easier for you!" Kris yells at the top of her lungs. She's seething in anger as well. She needs to calm down.
"Enough!" my dad suddenly yells as his chair scrapes across the floor and he pushes his plates away. "I don't give a damn if you knew then or now! The fact that Jean has my horse is the problem!"
"Dad, it's my fault. I'm the one who sold Avatar." Dani speaks up since hearing the news. She seems so disturbingly sad like she really believes it's her fault.
"No it's not Dani." my dad reassures her. "You were only helping me. It's Kris' fault!" he screams while pointing at Kris.
"My fault!" Kris questions while standing up to face my dad. "I had nothing to do with this plan of Jean's. She wanted this, I didn't!"
"Lies! You planned with her behind my back! You've even got Junior in the little palm of your hand!"
"Dad, that's enough! Kris didn't do a thing!" I yell, defending Kris.
"Junior's right, dad. I don't think Kris will risk something like that." Dani says softly.
I look over at Dani and silently tell myself to thank her for sticking up for Kris.
Matt hugs Dani, comforting her in the process of all this distress. Dani must be really stressed out.
"No. I know this girl doesn't like me! And I don't like her either!" my dad continues his rant against Kris. "Because of you, my life has been a living hell. I've lost my son to you! And now I've lost
Avatar too and it's all your fault! You have done nothing but brought problems to this family!" my dad yells so loudly my ears ring.
Kris bravely stands in front of me. "I have done nothing but love Junior and you know that. You just can't accept the fact that your son chose me over you! You can't accept that fact that Jean chose Pablo over you! You can't accept that you're losing Dani to Matt and that you lost Avatar to Jean! You can't accept the fact that everything you have has been ripped out of your hands! You can't accept the fact that you're a complete and utter failure!" Kris says this all in one shout, directly at my father.
I don't know if it's because I was so caught up in what Kris said or if I was too shocked at Kris' outburst, but I was not prepared for what happened next.
Ken swiftly raised his hand and slapped Kris' left cheek with the back of his hand, making a loud smacking noise as his hand connected to her skin.
Kris must've been stunned because she was not prepared for the blow. She lost her balance and fell to the ground.
I was too late to react before I saw Kris crumple to the floor at my feet.