Kate was extra tired when she dragged her carcass into the loft. She could barely keep her eyes open. Rick alarmed swooped and carried his bride to the bedroom. He undressed her then kissed her good night. Kate feeling comfortable fell right asleep. Rick returned to his guests.
Alexis was amazed to learn she had an Aunt and several Cousins she never met.
Colin asked Rick. "How is Kate doing? I'm glad you got your head out of you're a$$ and married her."
"Well this was a hard day on her especially on her birthday. I guess the party is cancelled until she has time." Rick said dialing the folks at the Old Haunt.
"Brian Rick here go ahead and tell everyone she is not going to make it. Yeah she just got here and is asleep. No that is ok distribute the cake we can get something later. OK that is fine too. Bye Brian." Rick said hanging up the phone.
What was that conversation about Rick? Colin asked.
Oh the Old Haunt? It is a drinking establishment I own. We were going to have Kate's birthday celebration there.
"What did you have it when I was last here?" Colin asked.
"Dad has owned the Old Haunt for almost 5 years." Alexis added.
"Why did you not mention that to me before? Rick?" Colin asked.
"I did not like you before. You were after my girl!" Rick said.
"What Kate was fair game…I recall you were hanging out with some Airline attendant or something like that. Kate told me all about your adventures!" Colin said.
"We were going through a rough patch then" Rick said defensively.
Alexis noticing the tone of the conversation changing decided to steer it away from such a dangerous topic.
"Uncle Colin you say I have more relatives?" Alexis sweetly said.
"What Alexis…? Oh yes relatives. Um I have even more than you Yanks." Colin said.
Alexis was fascinated. She remembered Lanie talking about this dreamboat but never would she have had suspected he was her Uncle!
Rick was still mad at Colin for encroaching on his Kate. Starting to cool down he looked around and spied another interloper's gift.
"Darn Kate missed the gift from Erik Vaughn." Rick said out loud.
"Erik Vaughn sent your wife a present?" Jackson said.
"No it was addressed to both of us but I was waiting for Kate to opening it. I guess not tonight." Rick dejectedly said.
"Well we need to go Thanks for your hospitality." Jackson said.
"Dad, where are you going?" Rick arose in alarm.
"Well I had not thought that far ahead actually Son." Jackson said.
"Well you are going anywhere. There is still a spare room available here at Casa Castle!" Rick said.
"Oh I don't want to put you out or anything." Jackson said.
"Put me out? Are you crazy? I would love for you to stay." Rick said.
"Are you sure now Son?" Jackson asked one more time.
"Look if you ask me one more time I will get upset Right Mother?" Rick said.
Martha who had been supernaturally quiet this whole evening now spoke.
"Richard has been known to take on trained assassins with his bare fists. You should not get him angry Jackson." Martha said.
"That tale is something I have to hear" Jackson said.
"Does that mean you are staying?" Rick asked.
"Yes it does now tell me how this all occurred." Jackson said.
Rick proceeded to tell Jackson and Colin his acts of daring do when Kate's in danger.
"Hal Lockwood huh…? I remember him tough guy in the Dragons" Jackson said. "Of course his name was not Hal Lockwood then."
Rick listened closely to any intel his Father would impart. There was a story there and the storyteller in him wanted it all.
"Rick you need to beware Bracken's empire is crumbling and their might be some turf wars." Jackson said.
Rick knew about most of Bracken's connections.
"Dad Colin, you need to see my research." Rick said as they stepped into his office. Rick brought up his smart board and loaded Bracken's name as the target soon the screen blew into thousands of smaller boxes.
"Son I am proud of you. You have some connections even the CIA did not make." Jackson said.
"Yeah…?" Rick looked in awe of his Dad.
"Yeah look at this one the trading company with the Tangs. It is fully own by this trading company in Dubai. Which Bracken owned. This means the Tangs were owned by Bracken. Then there is this connection. Xe corp is a Merc force. I dealt with them before in Iraq. They were owned by him too. They are very loyal to whoever pays them. They have access to the CIA database." Jackson said.
Rick was feeling pleased with his 3 years of research into the Dragon.
Colin now spoke up.
"I don't suppose you have another room?" Colin asked.
"No but there is another bed in Alexis' room I suppose she is willing to share but beware she snores!" Rick said not feeling that hospitable to his half Brother.
"Nonsense Richard. He can have the spare room. Jackson will stay in my room." Martha said. "I will bunk with Alexis' snores!"
Rick doubted the veracity of his Mother's words but what goes on behind closed doors does not worry him at all.
Martha asked Colin on the qt if his Dad was still married.
Colin grinned and shook his head no.
Martha grinned back at him.
Rick looked at his half Brother and Mother suspiciously.
They both had the look of pure innocence.
Getting everyone settled Rick returned to his bedroom just as beat. He showered then refreshed he crawled next to his wife then went to sleep. She immediately gravitated toward him and his warmth.