Disclaimer: (sniffles) I…I…

Jay: Don't own the Teen Titans?

Me: Exactly! (bursts into tears and grabs a tissue box)

Jay: If it makes you feel better, you own me and this story. And no one's made a story like this.

Me: Tell the story kid!(throws tissue box at Jay)

Chapter 6

I Choke On My Chicken

I walked to the kitchen for some waffles in the morning. When I arrived I saw that Mother was already up and so was Gar. There were waffles, tofu bacon, and herbal tea for us all.

"G' morning Mother. Gar." I greeted cheerfully as I sat down.

"Wazzup Jay?" Gar replied and gave me a fist bump.

My mom started to eat some of her waffles quietly. I looked at her. Sometimes it felt like she wasn't there. And with Gar being Gar, he tried to engage her in a conversation.

"So Rae? What are we gonna do today"

"Do you wanna see a movie?"

"We could go out for dinner. The three of us."

"I like ice cream!"

"Gar SHUT UP!" Mother roared. She was so annoyed at him. "Why don't you pick one thing that we can do together." Mom stalked away with her herbal tea towards her room. I hadn't even looked up from my waffles.

"Dude. You made her mad." I said, pointing out the obvious.

Gar gave me a grim smile. "No way, Captain Obvious."

"Sorry for trying to make an attempt of an icebreaker." I replied.

"How long will she be mad?"

"Depends. As a friend she'll be mad for, like, 3 hours. As a boyfriend, maybe an hour. Give her some time." I suggested shrewdly.

"Thanks Jay."

"You're welcome. Can I ask you something?"

"Fire away."

"How much do you like my mom?"

Gar's eyes widened and he blushed. "A lot."

"Interesting." I mumbled, pretending to stroke an imaginary beard( Yeah, we know who this is. If not, look at my reviews).

Gar frowned suspiciously. "How's it interesting and why are you pretending to stroke a beard that isn't there?"

I laughed. "Oh nothing! I just don't believe it."

"But I do love Raven."

"Then prove it Garfield." I dared.

Gar stood up from the table. "I will. Loser gets to eat meat."

"Um no. Loser gets to prank Mom."

Gar shuddered. "You're sooo part demon."

"Thank you." I smirked and we shook hands.

This was a bet I would like very much to win.

After a silent lunch, I saw Gar leave home for awhile and then came back. I think he was holding something in his hands when he came back but Gar wouldn't show me. He ran to his room and hid it. I know he hid it because I teleported there and I didn't find whatever he had. So when I left his room feeling defeated, I saw Garfield knock on Mother's bedroom door. I flew upwards with my back on the ceiling and watched silently.

My mother partially opened the door with her white hood on. "Yes?"

She asked Gar in her monotone voice.

"Hey." he grinned happily. Mom raised her eyebrow quizzically. Gar stood there for a little bit. My mother looked at him awkwardly.

"Did you want something, Garfield?" my mother questioned.

Gar snapped out of it and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Sorry. I was wondering if you wanted to…you know…"

"I actually do not know until you tell me."

"Um, wanna go to Jump City for the day and do stuff?"

"Like?"

"We could go see a movie, go to the mall, have lunch there, or go to the carnival. And I planned a surprise for dinner."

My mom opened the door fully and took of her hood. She nodded. "Sure. Sounds…nice."

Gar sighed in relief. "That's great. Get dressed in normal clothes. That goes for you too you little eavesdropper." he grinned at me.

Mother stepped out in the hallway and turned to see me. She groaned. "Jay, what have I told you about eavesdropping?"

"You said eavesdropping was useful for finding out what other people are talking about." I answered with a perfectly straight face.

Gar howled with laughter. Mother rolled her eyes and gave me a small smile. "Go get dressed."

I scurried to my room and tried to find normal clothes. After 15 minutes, I settled on a dark green T-shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers. I rushed out of my room to find Gar wearing a blue v-neck shirt, jeans, and black sneakers. Mother was wearing a white long sleeved shirt, black jeans, and blue shoes. They both looked at me when I arrived in the living room.

"So, where are we going?" I asked.

"To the carnival." Gar answered ."Let's go! Last one there is a piece of rotten waffle!" he yelled behind him as he turned into a falcon. Gar flew away, leaving my mom and I behind.

Mom rolled her eyes. "He hasn't changed a bit." she muttered and we flew after him.

We arrived at the carnival shortly after Gar changed back to his regular form. There were many game booths occupied by laughing children and bored employees. A Ferris wheel was in the middle of the carnival with people in the carts pointing at the ground. There was a Tunnel of Love with some nervous teenage boys taking their giggling girlfriends in there. I turned to the food booths. Parents were forced to buy food and snacks for their whining children and unwillingly handed over money to greedy employees. The famous Twirl-A-Round had a long line of people waiting to be the victims of nausea. Yup. Gar would take us here.

"Hey, Rae? Remember in that booth over there I won you the stuffed chicken?" Gar asked.

"How could I forget?" Mother rolled her eyes.

"C'mon! I'll win you a stuffed cow!" Gar exclaimed enthusiastically as he grabbed Mother's hand and pulled her to the booth.

So I was alone. Didn't matter. As long as I won this bet, Gar would be in trouble with my mom for pranking her. Besides, I had nothing to worry about. Gar wouldn't have the guts to show my mother he loves her.

I decided to go on the Ferris wheel and hang out there. Then I could go play some games at the booths and maybe go to the Twirl-A-Round. My time at the carnival was all planned out. Until I ran out of things to do.

I ended up not sticking to my plan. I bought cotton candy from one of the booths. I sat down on a bench listening to the sounds around me. I saw a family laughing and fondly tickling each other. Two goth teens walked by expressionless and eating popcorn. I also saw a man ruffling his son's head playfully and the blond boy smiling happily. I savored the cotton candy and these moments. After 20 minutes, I got up to play Shoot the Mumbo. 2 hours later, I walked out with a giant magic hat and an almost empty pocket. I blew $30 on that game and I was proud of it. Lastly, I decided to go on the Ferris wheel and relax on the cart.

An obese man wearing the signature yellow T-shirt of the carnival waited for more customers. His shirt did not even manage to cover his protruding hairy belly.

"Ya wanna get on this here Ferris wheel?" he asked with a Western accent.

I tried very hard not to laugh. "Yes. Here's a buck." I replied waving a dollar in his face. A meaty hand grasped the dollar and he stuffed it in his shirt pocket.

"Go on." Mr. Obese yawned in boredom as he pointed to the cart.

I got in and closed the door. I sighed in pleasure. The joy of being in the air without flying was simply delightful. I rested for a moment until I peeked and saw something engraved on the cart. I looked closer. It read, 'RobxStar'. Dad and Starfire were here.

I was hit with many conflicting emotions. Waves of sadness, burning hatred, unending frustration, and bittersweet pangs. Silent tears ran down my cheeks and I gave the sky a sad smile. I never realized that I was deeply tormented inside until now from my encounter with my father. I sort of ruined my mom's life. She could've ended up with Gar a long time ago if I never happened. But if I had never happened, Gar probably wouldn't be trying to win a stuffed cow for Mother.

I decided to move on. I couldn't stay on the same chapter. I didn't want to dwell in the past forever. But I did want to spend time with my dad. I missed all those things sons do with their dads. Go out to play football, hide secrets from Mother, eating ice cream, etc.

"I forgive you, Dad." I murmured. I wiped the tears away from my cheeks when the ride was over.

"Have a carnivialicious day, sir." the obese man grumbled in his Western accent.

I erupted in laughter. Sir? Carnivalicious? And said in a Western accent. I couldn't help it.

Luckily, Gar and Mother found me laughing at Mr. I'm-the-definition-of-obesity. Mother was carrying a stuffed cow, a stuffed pig, a stuffed horse and a stuffed sheep. She looked embarrassed.

"Yo Jay? We're going to go now. Coming?" Gar asked, ignoring my laughter.

"Jay? Why are you laughing?" Mother asked.

Behind them, a little girl's soda can exploded, drenching her in Pop Sizzle. She bawled to her dad. My laughter died down a little.

Mother scowled. "Control your emotions, Jay."

I stopped laughing. "Sorry Mother."

"Alright, let's go." Gar said as if nothing happened. But I caught him beaming silently.

Gar ended up making us go back home. He insisted he knew what he was talking about. So I went into my bedroom, unsure what to do. I bet my mother did the same thing in her confusion.

After a minute, Gar quickly opened the door and threw a black suit and a red tie at me. "Put it on. Don't ask." he instructed and bolted away.

I looked at the suit. Why on Earth would I wear this? I thought.

Dunno, but I wouldn't like to go out in public with that on. Shy whispered.

Reason was silent. Put it on. It's got to be important.

I checked my alarm clock. It was 5:30. "I guess I'll put in on." I shrugged and took of my street clothes. I carefully put the suit on and attempted to tie the tie. I struggled for 30 minutes. Feeling very annoyed, I turned on my laptop to find a video on how to tie a tie. There were 30 videos on how to tie a tie. Seriously, don't these people have anything better to do? Like, working or having a life? Tactless smirked.

Be nice. I thought. I clicked a video and tried to do as the guy instructed. After trying for 10 minutes, I managed to tie my tie.

"Note to self: never wear a tie again." I muttered. I put on my dress shoes and waited in the living room for Gar and Mother.

Mother appeared first, wearing silver hoop earrings, a strapped dark blue dress, and black high heels. Her hair was neatly brushed. My mom wore a sweet smelling perfume that filled the room.

"Do you know what Gar planned for us?" Mother asked me.

I stopped staring at her features and shrugged. "You look nice, Mother." I complimented.

She gave me a warm smile. "Thanks Jay. You look nice too."

"Thanks, but it took me a long time to tie this tie. Is it okay Mother?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's fine. You sound so serious for an 8-year-old by calling me Mother."

I looked up at her. "Really?"

"Yes. You can call me Mom if you want."

"Okay…Mom." I tried. It sounded nice to call Mother Mom.

Gar nonchalantly walked up to us, wearing a black suit and a blue tie. His green hair was slightly less messy, as if he tried to comb it but failed. On his wrist was an expensive silver analog watch. Gar was wearing his signature smile with the fang peaking out of his mouth. "Hi. Are you ready to go?" he asked.

"Yes but you still haven't told us where we're going." Mom said.

Gar answered, "It's a surprise. We just need to fly a little to Jump City and I promise we won't have to fly until we come back. Let's go!"

We walked with him outside. A full moon lightened the sky and seemed to beam at us. The stars winked at us as well. Leaves started to whisper to one another as a slight breeze came by. The breeze nipped at our bare spots and caressed our cheeks. We flew towards Jump City, which looked beautiful at night. When we got closer, I saw a black limo parked on the street. A limo driver was waiting patiently for the passengers.

Gar landed in front of the limo driver and beckoned us towards him. Mom and I landed near them.

"Okay, get inside." Gar told us. The limo driver opened the door for us.

"Um, thanks." I thanked the limo driver. He nodded and shut the door when we were all inside. He went into the driver's seat and started to drive the limo.

"Gar, what are we doing in a limo and why are we dressed up?" Mother demanded.

"Re-lax, hon. We're going to eat dinner at Jump City's finest. "Gar replied. "Wine?"

"No thanks. Why?"

"Can't a guy just take his two favorite people out for dinner without a reason?"

"Hmm."

So that's as far as the conversation went. Mom was annoyed, Gar was happy, I was confused. Where were we going? That's when it hit me. Gar was doing this for the bet…so he wanted to take us all out for dinner and spend a lot of money just for Mother to win the bet! Right?

Before I knew it, the limo driver stopped in front of a hotel/restaurant. A beautiful fountain was in the front of the building with a space in between it for cars. Palm trees were aligned on the sides of the building. Rich people were dressed quite nicely in expensive clothing and went in and out of the building.

"You have arrived at your destination, sirs and madam." the limo driver said politely.

"Thanks John. Comeback when I call you." Gar instructed.

"Will do Mister Logan." John replied and drove off in the limo.

"Alright. Let's go." Gar said. He held out his arm to Mother and she laced his arm through his. I looked away and entered the building.

The floors were made of marble and were so shiny, I could see my reflection in them. Beautiful paintings were hung on beige walls. Potted plants were near the leather seats in the lobby. Employees were dressed up in white shirts and gray pants. They wore a green vest with a logo on it. They assisted the rich people and seemed really friendly. Probably wanted a tip.

Gar steered us towards an elevator. He pressed a button and we went down.

"Gar I'm not saying this isn't nice, but this is coming out of nowhere." Mom told him.

He shrugged and beamed at her. "Anything for you too."

My mom blushed and instinctively reached out for a hood that wasn't there. Mumbling something about men, she got out of the elevator as soon as we got to our floor.

"Hello." said a blond waitress.

"Hi. Reservations for Garfield Logan." Gar responded smiling. That guy sure does smile a lot.

"Of course. Right this way please." she beckoned and led us to a table near the ocean. There was a heat lamp nearby and a candle in the center of the table, which had a white tablecloth on it and plates and utensils. A small bowl of caviar was to the left of our plates.

"Thanks." Gar nodded. He pulled a seat for Mom to sit in and then went to his own. I sat in my chair, oblivious to what was truly going on.

"What would you like to drink?" the waitress asked and gave us menus.

"Herbal tea please." Mother requested.

"Pop Sizzle for me." I said.

"And I'll have champagne." Gar finally told her.

"Alright." the waitress spoke and left to get our drinks.

Mom nudged me. "We're at a fancy restaurant, and you order Pop Sizzle?" she scolded.

I shrugged. "It tastes good."

Gar merely chuckled. "It's fine. It's a treat for Jay." he cut in, unconcerned. Gar ignored his caviar (he's a vegan) and Mom and I ate our caviar.

A few minutes later, the waitress came back with our drinks. "Have you decided what you want to order?" she asked us.

"I'll have the vegan lasagna." Gar announced.

"I would like the grilled fish with mashed potatoes." Mother said.

"And I'm gonna have the pan roasted chicken with a side of ricotta ravioli." I requested.

"Coming right up." the waitress said, scribbling our orders down and rushed to the kitchen.

While we waited for the dinner, we talked and laughed. Being here and spending time with Mom and Gar was really fun. Gar told lame jokes and my mother and I groaned but some were pretty decent. They told me more stories about their Titan days. Gar told me about the pranks Uncle Cy and he pulled on each other. Mother rolled her eyes and told me about the time they went to Tokyo and how they all freaked when Starfire kissed the random Japanese teen. I laughed at that. I felt like we were a family. A weird, powerful family. I was having so much fun, I didn't notice the waitress came.

"Here's your vegan lasagna sir." the waitress said to Gar and put his meal in front of him.

"Thanks." he replied, and grabbed his fork to start eating.

"And here's your meal." the waitress continued and gave Mom her grilled fish and mashed potatoes.

"And last but not least, the little guy's meal." the waitress smiled at me and gave me my roasted chicken. My mouth began to water as I picked up my fork and knife to start cutting it.

"Is it good Rae?" Gar questioned. Mother nodded and ate some more fish.

He turned to me. "What about you, Jay?"

"Good." I replied, taking another bite.

"That's good buddy." Gar responded and ruffled my hair affectionately.

We ate in silence, and then from time to time we talked about how great this was and how nice of Gar it was to take us out. I knew Mom wanted desperately to know why we went out in the first place, but she didn't pursue this question. Gar scowled at my chicken every once in awhile and I rolled my eyes when he did. That guy's been missing out on meat for most of his life. He told me he used to eat it, when he didn't have his powers.

Gar and Mother finished their dinner before I did and talked with each other for a bit. He looked a little nervous to me, but I dismissed it. Maybe it was the heat lamp causing him to sweat a little.

Gar cleared his throat. "R-Rae?"

"Yes?"

"We've know each other for most of our lives."

Mom looked at him. "Yes we have."

"And you're the greatest thing that's ever happened to me. You're beautiful, dependable, funny, and strong. I loved you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. I always pursued the dream of trying to make you laugh, to make you smile because you look beautiful when you do. It's been amazing dating you and I want to be more than just your boyfriend."

"W-what are you trying to say?" Mom stuttered. My eyes widened.

"Raven Roth, will you marry me?" Gar asked and pulled out a ring with a small amethyst stone on it.

"I will." Mother whispered and Gar kissed her.

I started to choke on my chicken. "Agh!" I groaned. So they broke off their kiss quickly and Gar had to do the Heimlich maneuver on me.

We all started to laugh and Mom kissed Gar again for real this time. My face reddened and I looked away in embarrassment. But at least they were happy. And I haven't died from choking on chicken.

Hahahahahaha! Wow Jay, way to choke on your chicken when your mom gets proposed. I hope you liked it!