Rating: T
Spoilers: for series 5
Disclaimer: I do not own Primeval or the characters.
Chapter Five—last chapter
Dinner was fun. Jess sat next to Becker, across from the brothers, with the parents at each end. They had a wonderful dinner of roast chicken, and the conversation was lively and pleasant.
Jess had never seen Becker so relaxed. The Becker parents couldn't believe the change in their son, he was happy, joking, and present in the conversation.
Ashley told a joke.
"Wow, Hil actually laughed. You are a miracle worker, Jess."
"Watch it, Ash," said Becker.
Jess giggled.
"I'm sorry, man but you've been a zombie for a long time," replied Ashley.
"It's true," said Lionel. "You've brought him back to life."
"It's alive! It's alive!" cried Ashley, mocking old monster movies.
"Stow it," said Becker, "both of you."
"Listen to them, Alistair," said Mrs. Becker, "the bickering, the teasing, oh, it's so wonderful."
Jess laughed. "The sounds only a mother can love."
"Indeed," said Mrs. Becker. "So, are you seeing anyone, Jess? You're much too wonderful to be single, but then so is Hilary. Perhaps you're single together?"
Jess and Becker froze, blushing.
"We're busy with our jobs," said Jess finally. "That's why I don't date. We do hang out, though, me and Becker, uh, your son, I mean."
"Hanging out is good," said Mom. "It often leads to other things," she added coolly, sipping wine.
"I'm getting warm," said Becker. "Anyone else?"
They all laughed at him, except Jess, who took his hand, and his father, who poured him another glass of wine.
"You'll survive, son. We all do," he said, as Becker drank.
The brothers laughed, they enjoyed seeing their older brother squirm.
After dinner, they all sat and talked over coffee, until Becker said that they really had to go. Both he and Jess had early shifts.
"Together?" asked his mother, excitedly.
"Yes, mom. We work together, remember?"
His mother smiled.
"Dinner was lovely, Mrs. Becker, honestly. Thank you so much."
"You're entirely welcome dear. If we haven't embarrassed ourselves too much, do come again, and soon."
"Yeah, we like meeting Hil's friends," said Ashley.
Becker lightly punched him.
"Thank you, Ashley," said Jess sweetly. "It was nice to meet you also."
"Hope you don't think too badly of us. We're only a little like our big brother," said Lionel, with Ashley nodding behind him.
"Don't you two have college work or exams or something?" asked Becker.
They both smiled and shook their heads.
Jess giggled.
"Goodnight you two," said the General. "Jess, if I ever need back-up, I'm calling you."
She laughed. "You do that sir, goodnight."
Mrs. Becker hugged her. "Thank you," she whispered so only Jess heard, "for bringing back my Hilary."
Jess blushed.
"Bye Mom," said Becker, kissing her cheek. "See you later."
"Bye," called everyone.
Jess and Becker were in Becker's truck, driving home.
"Thanks, Jess."
"I had a lovely time," she said happily. "They're great."
"If you say so," he said with a laugh. "And you're OK?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, I was sitting there at dinner, watching you and them and everyone was happy and talking easily and it hit me."
"What hit you?" she asked.
"Why the heck am I doing this? Why did I ask you to meet my family?"
Jess was alarmed. Where was going with this? Was he angry with her?
Becker pulled the truck over and turned it off. He looked at her.
"I was wrong, Jess. I'm so stupid sometimes."
"Becker, you're scaring me."
He laughed. "I'm sorry. It's nothing bad, at all. Jess, we're close. We've been through so much together. I was broken and you helped fix me. When you texted me about the future predators and that you were alone and trapped, I needed to get to you. I needed to hold you and tell you that you were OK."
Jess was quiet.
"I hope it's OK to say all this to you, Jess. I'm a little slow, and I just added up everything my head and heart have been telling me all along. I needed you to meet my family, and not because we're friends. There was another reason."
"Becker, what are you saying?"
He looked into those beautiful blue eyes.
"I love you."
She broke out crying, slid across the seat, and plastered his face to hers. They kissed wildly, then more gently and tenderly. Finally, he held her quietly in his arms.
"I love you," she said.
He kissed the top of her head. "Want to meet my folks?" he asked.
She giggled.
The end.