Chapter 11. Family, Family, Oh the Happy Family
Charlie greeted them at the door with a grin that spread from ear to ear and attacked them with hugs, even Benny, who had never been introduced before. Party festivities were riotous, various parents throwing out varying threats.
Naomi was quickly introduced to all of her cousins and even more quickly embraced as one of their own, especially by Dis, whose parents could not believe how quickly the notoriously shy young girl had forged their friendship.
Benny was introduced to the entire family and accepted and loved instantly. The kids were enthralled by his deep voice and asked him to sit an tell them stories about dragons. And so Benny entertained Lilli, Charlie, Mark, and Alex, Ami helped her mom and aunt set up the table, while Naomi gave the boys a hand in bringing in the seemingly endless mountain of presents for the twins.
Halfway through dinner a booming laugh echoed through the door. Lauren jumped to the door. "Justin!"
Naomi looked at her mom with piqued interest. "Who, Mom?"
Lauren took the tall, Viking-blond man by the elbow. "Naomi this is your Uncle Justin. Justin this is your other niece, Naomi."
Justin smiled and extended a thick hand to Naomi. "Nice to finally meet you. Thorin! How's that business degree coming my man?"
Naomi saw Vivian place a comforting hand over Thorin's. "John, don't."
Justin's smile faltered a bit, but his jovial tone never changed. "Well where are my birthday Prince and Princess? I have some very special presents!"
Charlie and Lilli sent a glance at their mother and then got up from their seats and hugged their uncle.
"Hi uncle." They chorused, and meandered back to their places at the table.
Naomi sat perfectly still, slowly realizing why he looked so familiar.
"You." she breathed.
John had placed himself in the seat between Lauren and Fili, quickly starting a conversation with her about where he'd been over the last year. Apparently he only came up for the twin's birthday sleepover.
Naomi couldn't shake the disturbing familiarity and subsequent onslaught of memories. The Durin boys didn't seem to like him either, if Thorin's constant glares, Fili's dark muttering, and Kili's relative silence whenever Justin was in the room was anything to go by.
After presents the family settled in for a movie and usually the three couples had he couch and the kids would sit or lay on the floor, Justin decided that he was going to sit between Vivian, who had been his ex, and his sister. About ten minutes into "Finding Nemo" Justin stretched, reached over and wrapped an arm around Vivian's shoulder, pulling her against him. Thorin glared at him with such intensity that, had Justin been paying attention, there was little doubt that Justin would have fallen dead on the floor.
Only a few minutes later Justin pulled the same stunt with Lauren, tugging her gradually away from Fili, earning another fantastically intimidating glare from the middle Durin.
The end of the movie signaled bedtime for the kids and much groaning and slowpoke behavior ensued.
Ami and Dis, who were used to sharing a bedroom, slept on the full-size bed in their room with Lilli. The three younger boys slept in sleeping bags on the floor of Mark and Alex's room and Justin got their bed. The guest bedroom was given to Lauren and Fili and Naomi and Kili slept on the futon in the living room again. Benny was the odd duck and opted for sleeping on the floor in the living room.
About midnight Naomi woke to Justin speaking in hushed tones. "Yeah. It's her, I'm sure of it. Tomorrow morning? But the- No, Zog. What makes you think that I care? I just don't want to see them hurt. I don't care what happens to 'em. Just don't want to see it is all. Yeah. I will. Tomorrow. 'Night boss."
Naomi couldn't control the shiver of dread that spread through her. She burrowed closer to Kili and tried to sleep more.
The next morning Justin seemed a little uneasy beneath his mask of jollity. Breakfast was Thorin's ham, bell pepper and cheese omelets, with fried potatoes and orange juice. The kids rushed to dress and wash as soon as they smelled Daddy/Uncle's potatoes. Breakfast was just another fiasco because of the Durin boys' way of cleaning up, the children trying to throw plates and help with the washing. Vivian buried her head in her hands and peered at Thorin through her fingers.
"This shit is all your fault. Your genetics. Nothing to do with me."
Thorin laughed and stuck his tongue out as he threw a plate to Ami, whose turn it was to do the dishes.
The rest of the morning was relatively calm as everyone was sitting and dozing off the vast amounts of food they had cumulatively consumed. Everyone but Justin.
Naomi could here him dialing something into his phone and speaking one word to the person the other end.
"Now."
A.N. Alrighty. this story is quickly drawing to a close and as such i would like to know whether or not you guys would like/ actually read the last 'Book'. I guess your decision would be easier after I post the next(last!) chapter but I'm putting it out there. i hope i get some feedback on this chapter! Until the Next my Lovlies!