Chapter 11
Friday October 13th, 2007
Crosby, Texas
Indian Shores Road
McGuire Residence
12:15 p.m.
Elizabeth and Nick arrived in Texas on the seventh, just in time to attend Sunday Mass at the family church in Dallas with his parents, Bill and Jillian. Also in attendance, immediately throwing Elizabeth into the insanity of his large family, was Nick's sister Daphne and her husband Mark who lived in Dallas, and six children ranging in age from twenty-four to ten. The oldest Stokes sibling, Joel was there, his home in Ft. Worth, with his wife Mercy, their three children, their son and daughter's spouses, and three grandchildren. And then there was the second oldest sister, Maryanne who lived in Dallas as well, with her husband Richard and their three children. All of whom followed Nick, Elizabeth, Bill and Jillian home for Sunday dinner.
The rest of the week passed in a blur really for Elizabeth, she was dragged to lunch by Jullian, Daphne, and Maryanne at the Country Club, and there was a dinner with some of the county judges...the only time she actually got to really enjoy herself while having a heated discussion about the death penalty for sexual offenders. Other than that though, to be honest she was feeling rather...suffocated by Nick's family. And she was dreading meeting his three other sisters and their families...if they were anything like the siblings she had met so far.
So it was with a bit of trepidation, yet also relief at being away from Jillian Stokes who could probably convert Satan if she really set her mind to it...or drive him insane...she found herself walking up the steps with Nick to the front door of his youngest sister's house in time for lunch, the day before the anniversary party that had brought them to Texas in the first place.
"Don't worry," Nick smiled, "There is a bunch, but we're the normal side."
"Normal?" asked Elizabeth warily. "I'm beginning to fear what normalis."
"Is he trying to say we're normal again?" a soft voice drew their attention to the doorway. "Don't believe a word he says, they're all lies. We're dysfunctional as they come...we just put the Fun in dysfunctional," she added with a smile.
"Aubrey," Nick grinned before stepping forward to hug the woman, actually lifting her from the ground in the process. She bore a slight resemblance to Nick, but had their mother's hair color though her's was long and full of curls where Jillian's was short and slightly wavy. She was also exceptionally smaller than the rest of the siblings, all ranging between five-eight and up, and by Elizabeth's guess Aubrey was five-six max. But when Aubrey stepped up to her, she immediately saw the same eyes Nick and his father had.
"Hello Elizabeth," Aubrey smiled as she held out her hand, "It's wonderful to finally meet you. I'm Aubrey, a.k.a. that one's closest sibling in age...even if he was bigger than me by the time he was ten and I was fifteen."
"Hi," replied Elizabeth a little hesitantly.
"Don't worry, I don't bite, neither do the twins, our husbands, our kids, or our niece and nephew and their family...well, I don't know, then again Chris might bite...but he hasn't in years," she winked. "Come on in, everyone's here, but mostly for the food, so relax, they aren't after you. And if we start bugging you too much, by all means tell us to shut the fuck up and go away."
"O-okay," Elizabeth stuttered as Aubrey more or less dragged her into the house.
"Let her go Bri...I'm pretty sure she can walk on her own," one of four women in the kitchen ordered when Aubrey reached there with Elizabeth, and Nick behind her, in tow.
"Oh shut up Leona," Aubrey shot back before turning to Elizabeth and Nick. "You two want anything to drink?"
"Let them breathe," the woman who could only be Leona's twin, but with shorter hair, rolled her eyes as she walked passed them, a bowl of potato salad in hand. "Hey little brother," she added before disappearing around the corner.
"They're breathing, see, I'm not holding my hands over their mouths and suffocating them!" Aubrey defended.
"Not literally," a younger woman shot back before ducking as Aubrey tossed a towel at her. "Missed me Aunt Bri!" she grinned before skipping out of the room.
"Nick, I demand you save me from these women," Aubrey pouted.
"Sorry Bri, only woman I'm rescuing is the blonde beside me," Nick laughed.
"Oooo it's about time," Leona laughed. "Aubrey lost her protector! Steve is going to be happy as a cow in pasture."
"Bite me," Aubrey shot towards her sister before looking back at Nick and Elizabeth, "Well, if I gotta give him up to someone, I don't mind giving him up to you," she smiled. "Now then, honestly would you guys like something to drink? Name it and we probably have it..."
"Water please," replied Elizabeth.
"Coffee for me," Nick said.
"One coffee and water coming up," Aubrey nodded. "Nicky, you can give her the three cent tour..."
"Sure," Nick agreed before taking Elizabeth's hand and pulling her away and back towards the entryway. "You okay?" he asked softly.
"A little overwhelmed," admitted Elizabeth. "They're definitely different then the other members of your family."
"Yeah...but will warn you around Mom and the others...they tend to stay below the radar," he spoke as he led her down the hall, "And this is the girls' room, as you can see it's been ransacked," he chuckled as he opened the door revealing a Disney Princess themed room...that looked like a tornado swept through it.
"I can see," Elizabeth laughed as she took in the scene in front of her.
"Come on there's four more rooms back here then we got the other side of the house," he continued as he shut the door. "Then you'll get to meet everyone but don't be surprised if they pretty much say hi...and nothing else. At least initially...they want to give you time to adjust...well, either that or get you off your guard," he winked.
"O-kay," replied Elizabeth, not quite sure what to make of what she'd just heard.
"I promise, they're harmless..." he smiled before leading her on a tour of the rest of the house, pointing out the bedrooms then leading her past the kitchen where the fourth woman from earlier was pouring drinks, the others having disappeared.
"They're all out on the porch," she spoke up seeing them.
"Thanks Ariel," Nick smiled. "Ariel this is Beth, Beth this is Ariel, my nephew Tyrik's wife."
"A.k.a. the disowned nephew," Ariel chuckled lightly.
"Hi," Elizabeth said, a look of confusion crossing her face.
"Tyrik is Daphne's oldest son," Nick began. "He and Brittney, his older sister, have been disowned. Tyrik married Ariel here and adopted her faith, Judaism. Brittney married Maq, who's Cherokee and not religious at all. Needless to say my very religious sister didn't accept that..."
"Her loss though," Ariel shrugged, "She's missing out on four of her grandchildren. And seeing Ty do well in life..."
"I see," said Elizabeth, a slightly funny note to her voice.
"Well I'll see you out there," Ariel smiled as she lifted the tray with cups on it before moving past them.
"You okay?" Nick asked concerned after hearing her tone.
"I'll be fine Nick," Elizabeth said quietly. "It's just something your mother said to me shortly after we arrived."
"What was it?"
"That she was thrilled that her baby boy had finally met a good catholic girl and that it was a shame that I lost my baptismal cross on the trip down," Elizabeth said as Nick started leading her out towards the porch.
"Oh hell," Nick sighed. "Ignore her okay? She's...my mother is one of a kind...well except for the fact my two sisters are just like her. But don't let her get to you all right? Everything's going to be fine Beth, I promise."
"By the Goddess I hope you're right Nick," Elizabeth sighed.
Nick just smiled before opening the door to the porch, "Okay introductions," he began before pointing over to the far right...
"You already met Aubrey..."
"And been dragged around by her!" Leona called.
"Shut up jackass," Aubrey shot back before turning to them. "Beth, this is my husband Steve," she began as the older gentlemen next to her waved, he had dark brown hair that was gray at the temples, green eyes and was about six feet tall. "And these four are ours, Eleanor and Roberta are eight..." she continued as the identical twin girls with their mother's caramel hair and father's green eyes waved. "And Tom and Josias are four," she added pointing to the identical twin boys with their father's hair and mother's eyes who just looked up at them before turning their attention back to the game they were playing.
"This is my next older sister Deena," Nick nodded towards the woman who looked most like him, well her and her twin. They both had the same hair and eye color as Nick, similar features as well...they took after their dad more than Jillian.
"Nice to meet you Beth," Deena smiled. "The one in the dog pile of kids over there is my husband Don," she nodded over her shoulder, where a head managed to pop up from the pile and he waved. He had Black hair and green eyes... "Aridai, wave or something!" she continued before the boy with black hair waved. "He's five, and this one is our youngest Miranda, she's two," Deena finished as she caught the girl with dark brown hair who was in the process of running past her.
"Hi," Miranda smiled up at them before breaking free of her mother and darting after another girl with the same light red hair as Ariel.
"I'm Deena's twin, and older than her," Leona smirked.
"By five lousy minutes!" Deena yelled.
"Five minutes is five minutes," Leona countered. "Anyway, my husband is Chris over there trying to BBQ..."
"A.k.a. the one who used to bite," Aubrey snickered.
"I did not..." the blonde haired man just under six feet yelled, indignant, from the grill.
"I plead the fifth," Leona looked around trying to appear innocent.
"I don'twant to know about my aunt's love life!" one of the men with Chris spoke up. "So please, move on!"
"Please," Nick agreed with a shake of his head.
"Anyway, now that we've managed to ick out the men," Leona chuckled. "Kaitlyn over there trying to pretend she can't hear people talking about her parent's love life is mine," she continued hooking a thumb over her shoulder towards where the sixteen year old with her dad's hair and the same eyes that ran in her mother's family was rolling her eyes before flipping the same man who had objected to talk of her parent's love life off as he laughed. "And Alaina is ours too," she continued nodding towards where the blonde girl was in the midst of a cartwheel across the yard. "We're the smart ones we live furthest from dear old Mom," Leona added with a wink.
"Galvaston," Nick whispered. "Deena lives in San Antonio, Ty in Clear Lake and Brittney lives within Houston city limits."
"Anyway then, suppose it's Brittney's turn..." Aubrey tossed a rolled up napkin to bounce off the head of the woman a few feet away, with Mark's black hair and blue eyes.
"Bite me," Brittney tossed it back. "Anyhoo, I'm Brittney a.k.a. the psycho Daphne's daughter," she smirked. "Tall dark and looks like he stepped off the pages of a history book over there is my husband, we all call him Mac for short," she added nodding towards the tallest man in the yard, six-two, with blue black hair that ended mid back, complete with a feather hanging on one side.
"Hello," he called before turning his attention back to the grill.
"Christy is ours, as are the girls," Brittney continued nodding first to the boy who was identical to his father in every way, only in a six-year-old body; then to the twin girls who shared his features. "They're names are Lessa and Ginny by the way."
"Hello!" the two girls chorused.
"And that leaves my little brother..." Brittney smirked.
"Who are you calling little!" he shot back. "Last I checked there are two more brothers younger than me!"
"Okay..." Brittney rolled her eyes. "My little brother who still acknowledges I exist...happy?"
"No, but it will do," he sighed dramatically before turning towards Nick and Elizabeth. "I'm Tyrik, or Ty as everyone calls me," he smiled, sharing the same hair as his mother and grandmother, same eyes too and was just under six feet as well. "Ariel is my girl, and our little one is Jessye," he added nodding towards Ariel then the little girl who was with Ariel now.
"And that's everyone..." Nick shrugged.
"And the hamburgers are done!" Chris announced a second later.
"Ariel you mentioned you were married to the disowned nephew, does that mean that everyone here has been disowned?" asked Elizabeth curiously.
"Nah, just me and Brittney," Ty smiled as he joined them. "The rest are all still acknowledged, they are technically catholic if they aren't as...obsessed...as my mother, grandmother and Aunt Maryanne. They get the hassle about still being in contact with Brit and I but they take it for some reason."
"It's cause we love you," Kaitlyn countered as she walked by heading for the food. "And someone needs to stop Jessye, she's about to eat a snail," she added over her shoulder.
"Oh hell," Ty groaned before taking off for his daughter.
"It's a bit crazy around here at meal times," Ariel smiled. "But yes, only Ty and Brittney are disowned."
"And all because you won't follow the same faith anymore?" asked Elizabeth, a hint of concern in her voice as she sent a worried look towards Nick.
"Because they chose to marry a Jew and Pagan and tell Daphne, Mark, and Jillian screw you and your beliefs and trying to tell us who to love. More though I think because Ty converted to Judaism and even took my name as his own, and Brittney refuses to even allow her children to be subjected to the Catholic faith, instead having taken Mac's faith and having the children raised in it."
"I see," said Elizabeth, her voice going flat.
"Don't worry...the only members of the family like that are Daphne and the rest of the family, Maryanne and family, Joel and family, and Jillian. The rest of the family doesn't give a care, even Bill doesn't and he still spends time with us when he's in the area, sends things to the grandkids and such. But Jillian is a difficult one to sway and we all gave up long ago," Ariel shrugged.
"I shouldn't have come," whispered Elizabeth as she got up from where she had sat down and started back towards the house.
Nick glanced at Ariel who was looking between him and Elizabeth in concern before taking after her. "Beth..." he began when he caught up to her in the kitchen. "Hey...don't panic..."
"Don't panic Nick? How can I notpanic after I what I just heard?" asked Elizabeth.
"Beth... listen to me. I admit my mother is... psychotic sometimes. But you know it doesn't matter if she accepts you or not. As you can see half of the family doesn't care if someone doesn't share their religion. Brit and Ty have both married outside the faith, truth be told Steve and Chris both don't believe in religion but they were raised Catholic and they attend when the whole family is together but the rest of the time they don't go. The girls...they're the same way basically, of the family, Donovan is more religious than the rest present but his is his Irish heritage. And we both know I haven't stepped into a church pretty much once since moving to Vegas...except as of late to be with you as you experience it. It doesn't matter that you were raised what most people would classify as pagan, Beth...not to me, not to anyone out there if they were to know..."
"It matters to me, Nick. I know what it's like to lose parents and I don't want to be what comes between you and yours," argued Elizabeth. "If your mother were to know the true extent of my religion she would see me the same way the Catholic Church has seen us for centuries. We're not just pagans to them Nick. What we do, our ceremonies, the church sees them as devil worship, as celebrating what they classify as 'original sin'. Think about what you walked in on that night in the mountains Nick. Granted I wasn't exactly a willing participant and you and I both know how much harder it has made it for me to have you touch me in that way, but what you walked in on that night is one of our oldest and most sacred of ceremonies. What was your first reaction when you walked through the gathering and into the cave, before you realized it was me? I want an honest answer Nick."
"Honestly? I was shocked, surprised...and to be truly honest a bit disgusted that these people were out there having sex with other couples around for all the world to see. But that was beforeI learned anything about the religion, before I came to understand even a small inkling of what was going on there."
"And how do you think you're mother's going to feel Nick? What about the rest of your family?" Elizabeth demanded.
"My mother will probably be horrified, and so might Daphne, Maryanne and Joel. But you know what, the majority of my family isn't going to care. Just look out that window Beth, that's my family, that's the side I'm closest too, the ones that matter most to me. Well them and Dad...and he's the same way about all of this that I am, he's not as fanatical as my mother is..."
"Nick? Beth?" Brittney called as she entered the house. "What's up Britt?" Nick asked glancing over at her.
"Just came to see if you were coming back. The kids are all served, but Robbie's wanting more and you know the rule, not until all of the adults have gotten their food. And you're sharing the table with Mac and I..."
"We're coming," Nick agreed before she nodded and went back out. "Come on Beth...let's not fight about this right now, come, get something to eat. I'm sure you'll have a good time today. Knowing my sisters there will be games later and there's probably enough chocolate cake running around here to feed an army..."
Elizabeth nodded as she wiped away a few tears that had escaped, hoping no one would pick up on the fact that she had been crying, the stress of the week finally catching up with her emotions, letting Nick lead her back outside.
Once outside, they both quickly filled their plates before joining Brittney and Mac whose first name was actually Maquinna and he was Cherokee, Elizabeth learned. While eating he and Brittney told her about their lives, and his faith that she had adopted, Elizabeth learning that they shared many things in common, the beliefs of the Native Americans and Avalon.
Finding herself with a bit of an outlet almost, Elizabeth quickly joined the conversation, and a bit of a theological debate began, well just the differences. She didn't however say that she believed in the faith of Avalon, instead saying that her best friend did...not wanting to cause a rift for Nick's sake...just in case.
By the time dinner was 'over' Elizabeth felt much more at ease with the members of Nick's family. She had watched the others while eating, every bit the same as any regular family you'd meet, reminding her in a great many ways of her own 'family' that had been formed at Harvard so long ago in the way they interacted with one another. And it helped being able to learn about Mac and Brittney, and that those present tonight didn't judge them because of their beliefs. She still had her doubts, but she was not as concerned and fearful as she had been an hour earlier.
After the dishes were thrown away and fresh drinks were poured for the adults, they sent the kids out back to go swimming with Kaitlyn watching them. Gathering around the dining room table that had an extra leaf in for room, Elizabeth found herself seated between Nick and Aubrey. To Aubrey's left was Ariel, who sat next to Brittney. On Brittney's other side was Chris, then Don, Deena, Leona, Steve, Mac and then Ty was next to Nick. Deena grabbed the Oreos while Leona grabbed the M&Ms and Aubrey found Catch Phrase.
"Okay, should explain a few rules," Aubrey began when she got back, glancing over at Elizabeth. "First have you played before?"
"No," replied Elizabeth.
"Okay, so the point of the game is for your team to get ten points first. When the game starts it gives you a word," she began before hitting a button and bringing up a word. "Like here it's grapefruit, now I would want to explain my word so my team can guess what it is, but I can't actually say any part of the word so if I said fruit or grape it would be disqualified...on the other hand I can say anything to describe it."
"Like Ruby Red," Brittney spoke up.
"Or Citrus," Don continued.
"Or Juice or whatever," Nick smiled.
"If your team gets it you hit the arrow down here and pass it to the next person. That brings up the next word so they can try to get their team to guess. Make sense?" Aubrey asked
"More or less, just don't ask me to go first," Elizabeth said.
"Don't worry," Leona chuckled, "Aubrey always goes first."
"Okay then, now there is a timer, it's the button up here on top," Aubrey continued. "If the timer goes off when you're trying to explain your word, then you give the other team a point and you get a new word, start the timer again and we keep going. On the fun flip side, if you pass it and it's in their hands when the timer goes off, they have to give your team the point...with me again?"
"I think so."
"Okay well, why don't we just do a few times around and you can watch, then reset the score when you've got the hang of it? And will warn you, we do a lotof swearing, cursing out each other if it's handed off to us and the timer goes off...we're evil as hell. There's no family in this game, only your teammates..."
"Basically this is a game we don't play around Mom, but Dad is the undefeated master of the game," Nick smiled. "We so have to beat him some day," half the table sighed simultaneously.
"So...ready?" Deena asked with a smile.
"To watch of course," Ty spoke up as he stole an Oreo.
"Touch them again and you're dead," she snipped in his direction. "Also Deena is very protective of her Oreos," Ariel winked.
"I'll keep that in mind," Elizabeth laughed.
"Smart girl," Aubrey grinned, "Now teams will be, you, Ariel, Chris, Dee, Steve, and Ty against obviously Me, Britt, Don, Leona, Mac and Nick," she continued before Elizabeth nodded. Changing the word and starting the timer, she tilted her head once before starting, "It's a bird..."
"Sparrow!" Brittney spoke up
"Robin," Mac continued
"Duck," Leona grinned
"Duck?" Deena looked at her twin.
"Duck," Leona shrugged
"Duck?" Deena repeated shaking her head
"Goose!" Don interjected.
"Would you all mind shutting up so I can continue?" Aubrey asked rolling her eyes while Elizabeth giggled.
"Oh please do, oh annoyed one," Deena smirked.
"Shut up," Aubrey shot back before looking back at her word. "Talks..."
"Parrot," Nick suggested.
"Grey parrot," Don corrected.
"Blue and Gold," Aubrey interjected.
"Macaw!" Leona cried and Aubrey pressed the button before quickly handing it off to Ariel, just shaking her head.
Grinning Ariel just pointed inside her glass. "Drink?" Chris guessed.
"Soda?" Deena added
"More," Ariel smiled.
"Soda pop," Ty grinned
"Ummm you see it driving down the highway, it's got a bunch of wheels, they carry food and stuff..." Brittney began before a loud buzzer sounded. "Ugh, 16 wheeler," she sighed.
"That would be a point for us," Deena grinned.
"Make a bit more sense since you've seen it in action?" Nick asked
"You're all insane, you know that right?" laughed Elizabeth.
"Oh very much so, we're all certifiable," Steve grinned. "We've even picked out what beds we want at the institute."
"Billy would have loved you guys," Elizabeth commented.
"I think he would have," Nick agreed with a smile. "I'm sure Beccs will fit right in."
"Later you must tell us all about your family, now we play," Deena instructed. "So ready Freddy?"
"Sure, why not," Elizabeth said, taking the device in hand. "It's a solquid."
"Solquid?" Brittney asked after a moment.
"Not quite solid but not quite liquid either...solquid," Elizabeth shrugged.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, give me back the controller so I can start," Aubrey instructed. After hitting the buttons she began, "Beer comes in it."
"Bottle," Don spoke at the same time that Mac said can.
"He got it," she smiled as she passed it to Ariel who just pointed up at the ceiling, which was called out by Ty before Elizabeth grinned. "Fan?"
Grinning Ariel passed it to Brittney who had Perfume, and then Chris got stuck with Hanger. The timer went off when Don started to say Arithmetic for Math, his next word being cage. Deena grinned and just said 'Ocean' and 'East coast' to get Atlantic, while Leona just grinned at her word.
"This is what Mom, Daphne and Maryanne read religiously."
"Bible!" Everyone at the table save Elizabeth cried with grins.
"So easy," Leona chuckled as she passed it off to Steve who got stuck with Paint, Mac had Jeans and offered, "Britt is wearing them" as his clue. It only took 'bra', 'shirt', 'socks', and 'thong' from Brittney herself for Nick to say 'jeans', while shaking his head at the knowledge his niece wore a thong. Ty's word was easy he just held up his foot, and Nick got stuck with Games, only to have his timer run out as he was about to hand it to Elizabeth. Sighing he tried again with Dishwasher then it was finally Elizabeth's turn.
"It's edible," Elizabeth said.
"Food," Ariel suggested.
"Underwear?" Deena stuck out before shrugging when everyone looked at her. "What? They make edible underwear... Just ask Britt."
"Don't need to know that about my sister," Ty groaned. "Chocolate," he added as a possibility. "It's sticky," Elizabeth said, "but also sweet."
"Melted chocolate?" Ty shrugged.
"I think we established it wasn't chocolate," Aubrey rolled her eyes.
"Caramel?"
"Marshmallows?"
"Syrup?"
"Body paint?" Deena added before shrugging. "What, I get this all from her," she pointed at Brittney who looked around at the ceiling.
"It's completely organic and what Nick might be considered," Elizabeth smiled.
"Well, it can't be what I was thinking," Brittney chuckled. "Course that is salty and has more uses besides being edible...and really just tastes downright nasty..."
"Britt, shut up," Mac shook his head while everyone else now was looking up at the ceiling trying not to crack up. "Sweethearts? But they aren't sticky..." Deena frowned.
Deena frowned, trying to change the subject before Elizabeth turned any redder.
"I got it!" Steve snapped his fingers. "Honey!"
"Here you go," Elizabeth said handing off the timer.
Just as Aubrey had it in both hands, the timer went off. "Yes! Point for us," Deena danced. "Go Beth, it's your birthday..." "Shut up, it's not your birthday," Leona smacked her arm. "Come on let's play people."
"Yes ma'am," Aubrey saluted before starting the timer.
They all lost it when it was Leona's turn three games later, and she had 'lap dog' as a word, but her clue was to stick her tongue out and lap like a dog then pat her lap...and then Brittney shouted out 'eating pussy'...and it all went down hill from there. They managed to get through two more words before the fact all the women were laughing so hard Aubrey and Deena were at the point of hyperventilating caused them to say enough is enough...and hunt down some paper bags for the two. After they got calm for the most part, they pulled out the cards and started a game of Bullshit that lasted well into the night, and by eleven all the kids had crashed and Kaitlyn was on her computer.
They switched games again then, teaching Elizabeth how to play Polish Rummy, and bringing out the real munchies: chips, more soda, even alcohol in a few cases; Mike's Lemonade and Wine Coolers making appearances. Then there was chocolate cake; three types of ice cream, more Oreos and someone produced a bag of Hershey Kisses, starting a wrapper war that continued throughout the game. Eventually they called it quits when the clock chimed three-thirty and all spread out to find places to sleep. Air mattresses were blown up; spots on the couch were claimed; even the recliners were claimed by Deena and Leona who immediately put their feet up, tilted the chair back and curled up on their sides, identical to each other while their husbands just shook their heads. Nick and Elizabeth found themselves with an air mattress in Steve's office, and Elizabeth couldn't help covering her face with her pillow as she laughed while through the house Deena started with "Goodnight Leona, Goodnight Don", and it went down the line from there, even Nick participating with 'Goodnight Britt, Goodnight Ty." Though she was far from expecting Ariel to say 'Goodnight Ty, Goodnight Beth' leaving her feeling suddenly very much more welcomed there as she drifted off to sleep.
Saturday October 14th, 2007
Dallas, Texas
Stokes Residence
7:08 p.m.
"Elizabeth? Are you decent?" Jillian called as she stuck her head into the room they had given Elizabeth when she and Nick had arrived the week before. "Elizabeth? Are you in here?" she called stepping into the room, closing the door behind her.
"I'm here Jillian," said Elizabeth quietly from where she stood in the doorway leading to the bathroom.
"Come here child and let me see you," Jillian said, pulling Elizabeth's hands from around her waist and pulling her out into the bedroom. Once they were out in the middle of the room, Jillian dropped Elizabeth's hands and proceeded to walk around Elizabeth, inspecting her from every angle. Elizabeth was dressed in a black evening gown that had a halter-top with a plunging neckline, revealing her ribcage between her breasts almost down to her belly button. The back of the dress started just above her waist and finished at her ankles. On the front left side of the dress there was a split that went up to mid thigh. "I'm glad to see I was right about the size and the style suits you beautifully my dear," she said when she stood facing Elizabeth once more.
"Thank you," Elizabeth replied quietly as she wrapped her arms around her middle once more.
"Come, sit on the bed," Jillian said as she steered Elizabeth towards the bed. "I have a gift for you," she said once they were both seated.
"A gift?" asked Elizabeth in confusion as she took the small velvet box that Jillian handed her.
"It's to replace the one you lost on your way down here," Jillian explained as Elizabeth opened the box.
"It's...it's beautiful," Elizabeth said quietly, hoping Jillian didn't pick up on the hesitancy in her voice. The last thing she expected when she opened the box was to find what she did. She opened the box and discovered a 14-karat gold chain with a 14-karat yellow and white gold crucifix attached to it.
"I know this can never replace the one you received at your baptism but I hope you'll treasure it just as much," Jillian said. "It's such a shame that the chain broke on your other one but when I saw this in the store this morning I just knew I had to get it for you."
"Thank you," Elizabeth said.
"Would you like me to help you put it on?" asked Jillian.
"That's alright Jillian. I still have to finish getting ready. I'll put it on then and if I have any trouble I'll get Nick to help me," Elizabeth said, not meeting Jillian's eyes, keeping her's on the crucifix in front of her.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure," Elizabeth said.
"I'll see you soon then," Jillian said. When Elizabeth nodded, Jillian rose from her spot on the bed and silently made her way out of the room, closing the door behind her, though not actually latching it shut.
"Beth?" Nick called a few minutes later when he stuck his head through Elizabeth's door. "Beth, are you all right?" Nick asked in concern as he walked over to where Elizabeth still sat on her bed. "Beth Honey?" he called quietly as he sat down next to her, running his hand gently along her arm.
"I can't do this anymore Nick," Elizabeth said quietly, her eyes still on the crucifix. "This isn't me."
"Beth, what is it?"
"I've tried Nick, I've really tried but...I just...This isn't me," Elizabeth said handing Nick the necklace.
"Where did this come from?" asked Nick in confusion as he looked down at the necklace briefly before looking back up at Elizabeth.
"Your mother just gave it to me," Elizabeth said. "She said it was to replace the one I lost on the trip down here and that she knows it will never replace the one I received at my baptism but that she hoped I would treasure it just as much. Nick, I've tried your religion. I've sat through Sunday masses with you and I attended the one when we arrived but you have no idea how hard it's been for me to not get up and walk out partway through. Nick, what your priests speak of runs counter to everything I was brought up to believe. I was raised in the ways of Avalon and the Goddess. The God your priests speak of condemn everything the Goddess holds dear. It's why Avalon is hidden amongst the mists the way that it is. At one time Avalon lived in peace with Christian priests."
"What happened? What forced Avalon into the mists?"
"The Lady of the Lake was a dear friend of the chief priest of Glastonbury until his death. He was barely cold in his grave when his successor decided to try to destroy Avalon and everything we stood for so to protect Avalon the Lady used every last ounce of strength and magic she possessed with the help of the Fairy people to pull Avalon into the mists so that it resides between the realms of the Fairy people and the realm of man. Avalon has remained hidden from all but those who know how to drop the mists ever since," Elizabeth explained.
"You speak as if you were there when it happened," commented Nick.
"Not then, at least not that I'm aware of," Elizabeth sighed. "It's a long story Nick," she said when she saw the look of confusion on his face.
"Beth, there's still a lot I don't know about you or your religion but I do know you well enough to know that you haven't been happy since you walked away from Avalon and the Goddess. It's a part of who you are, part of what made me fall in love with you in the first place. Go back to it if that is what will make you happy. As long as you're happy, then I'm happy," Nick told her.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure Beth," Nick reassured. "Come with me," he said holding his hand out a few moments later. "I'll prove it to you."
Not sure what Nick was talking about, Elizabeth took his hand and allowed him to lead her out of her room and down the hall into his own.
"Nick are you sure about this?" asked Elizabeth quietly as they stopped just inside the doors leading out towards where the party was taking place in the backyard.
"Of course I'm sure Beth," Nick said.
"What about your parents Nick. In the short time I've known your mother, I get the impression this isn't going to go over well," Elizabeth said worriedly.
"Beth, don't worry about it. I can handle my parents," reassured Nick, who quickly kissed Elizabeth on the lips to stop any further protest from her before wrapping her hand around his arm and escorting her out of the house and towards the gathered guests there to celebrate his parents golden fiftieth anniversary.
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph," swore Daphne when she caught sight of Elizabeth and her brother.
"Daphne, what's wrong?" asked Mark in concern when he heard his wife curse.
"See for yourself," she said indicating for her husband to turn and look in the direction she was pointing.
"Jesus Christ," cursed Mark when he took in the couple's appearance. "What do they think this is a Halloween party or something? Oh Jillian is going to flip when she sees them."
"I know. Come on," Daphne said, taking Mark by the hand and dragging him over to cut off Nick and Elizabeth before they got too far into the gathered guests. "What in God's name do the two of you think you're doing?" she demanded as she and Mark stopped in front of the couple.
"We were going to wish Mom and Dad a happy anniversary," replied Nick.
"Not dressed like thatyou're not," snapped Daphne, trying not to draw much attention to them.
"There is nothing wrong with our clothes Daphne," countered Nick in irritation, starting to garner attention from some of the surrounding guests.
"Maybe not if you were walking onto a movie set or something Nicholas. Those clothes are notappropriate for tonight. Mother is going to have a fit when she sees you," argued Daphne, unaware of her mother approaching behind her.
"Nick maybe we should just go," Elizabeth pleaded quietly seeing Jillian approach and not liking the look in her eyes, which vanished the minute she stepped up next to her daughter.
"Well, don't the two of you look..." Jillian trailed off as she swallowed, trying to find words. "Lovely," she finished as she looked over what Nick and Elizabeth were wearing.
Knowing that the quiet family party for his parents had the potential to turn into what it had, Nick knew that Elizabeth would never be comfortable in anything his sisters might pick out for her, no matter how good their intentions might be, so he had made sure to pack the dress she had worn at Sara's wedding.
Elizabeth was wearing a dress of pale blue-silver crushed velvet that was done over in gold leaf in a widespread arching diamond scallop and swirling design, with sprigs of berries. Down the center of the dress are eleven gold buttons. The neck of the dress was scooped with a one and a half inch band of trim made of the same fabric as her sleeves, and was edged in fabric corded piping of the same material. There were close-set yellow-gold flowers, with beads at the center, embroidered on the trim. The sleeves of the dress consisted of two parts, a shorter sleeve coming from her shoulder that was made of the same material as the dress and a lower sleeve that hung out from under the shorter top sleeve and was made of blue silk. The lower sleeve was a large bell sleeve that cascaded around her hands. The top hem of the sleeve falling at her wrist and the bottom of the sleeve extending at least a foot below Elizabeth's fingertips when her arm was hanging naturally. At the base of the upper sleeve was a band of the same material as the lower sleeve, allowing for a seamless flow between the two sleeves. This band was embroidered with the same gold flowers as around the neck, although the trim was embellished with trails of beads. Peaking out from under her dress were a pair of slippers that were made of a beaded pale blue-silver velvet that matched her dress.
Around her neck hung a cape made of dark blue velvet that was embossed with large medallions. It was lined in a yellow- off-white satin and was trimmed at the neck and front edges in a twisted gold cording. The bottom edge of the cape was hemmed with a blue velvet overlapping the lining by about one inch. It was fastened around her neck with a gold brooch that was emblazoned with a lion head.
Her hair was parted on the right side and pulled into two French braids that were set a little lower down on the sides of her head than were normal and were both fairly loose, the two braids becoming one part way down her back. On top of her hair rested a gold coronet that consisted of at least 7 pairs of daffodils that were set on a slightly darker gold filigree setting. The crown curved well over the top of her head.
Not wanting to make Elizabeth feel centered out in her gown, Nick had convinced Sara to help him put together an outfit that would complement Elizabeth's. He wore a tunic made of a rich blue velvet that ended halfway down his thigh and had a mandarin collar that had a single oak leaf embroidered in gold on either side of it. On the front of the tunic was a sheaf of wheat and more oak leaves flowing together in metallic gold thread. The tunic had a split up the front that ended almost at Nick's waist, and was cased in a yellow gold binding that extended down and around the band of yellow gold satin at the hem. The band was two inches in width and decorated in cord, being filled in with diagonally placed strips of cord that leant towards the center on either side of the slit. The cord also ran along the top edge of the band, just slightly lower than the seam that separated the band from the tunic. Around his waist were two twisted gold cords that seemed to tie in the back, forming a belt.
His sleeves were not quite full length, with a split on the outer part of the arm up to his elbow with a slight curve to them. The hem of the sleeves was edged in a flat yellow-gold cord. A satin blue undershirt could be seen under the sleeves of the velvet tunic, gathered into a cuff at his wrists. Around his neck hung a bright yellow-gold velvet cape that was lined in a paler yellow cream satin with a twisted gold cord along the seam and used to tie the cape around his neck. The back of the cape was embossed with embroidered golden arrowheads.
Under his tunic he wore pale cream yellow hose that were the same color as the lining of his cape. His knee high boots were made of the same blue velvet as his tunic. They were slit down the back a few inches and turned down. They were edged doubly with the same cord from around his tunic and had a small loop at the right angle of the slit where the cording continued up.
And on his head he wore a gold crown that had five small crosses and six groups of oak leaves along the top. The wide band of the crown consisted of numerous sheaves of wheat and more groupings of oak leaves.
"Thank you Mom," Nick said, as he stepped forward and kissed his mother gently on the cheek, not seeing the look that crossed Jillian's face. "Happy anniversary."
"Thank you Nick," Jillian said when Nick stepped back. "Elizabeth, you're not wearing the necklace I gave you."
"Oh..." Elizabeth trailed off for a moment as her hand went to rest on the necklace Sara had given her at Disney World to go with her dress. "Forgive me Jillian but it just didn't seem to go with the dress."
"It went perfectly well with the otherdress you were wearing when I gave it to you," Jillian said icily.
"About the dress Jillian..."
"It wasn't suited to what Beth is comfortable wearing Mom so I suggested she wear something she was comfortable in," Nick said by way of explanation. "Now if you'll excuse us Mom, Daphne, Mark, we'd like to go wish Dad a happy anniversary."
"Of course," agreed Jillian as she watched Nick lead Elizabeth across the backyard, gathering the attention of the other guests as they passed in search of his father.
Nick and Elizabeth spent a good portion of the evening in the company of Nick's father Bill, who was taking great pleasure in embarrassing his youngest son by telling Elizabeth all about the things Nick used to do as a child. It was his opinion that Elizabeth was the best thing to ever happen to his son. She brought out a side of Nick that his father hadn't seen since Nick was a young child. There was a carefree, happy side of Nick that seemed to radiate off of him when he was around the young woman at his side. Sending his son to Vegas years before had been the right decision in his mind as it freed him from the control of his mother's beliefs and led to him finding the beautiful woman with him.
Dinner had been a rather interesting affair. The family was all seated at the head table of course, Nick and Elizabeth having originally been seated next to his mother, only to have her take his father's seat instead so that she was sitting next to Daphne and Mark. While Elizabeth enjoyed her conversation with Nick's father, it was the coldness that was suddenly coming off his mother that concerned her.
"Elizabeth, are you all right?" asked Bill quietly in concern when Elizabeth suddenly dropped her fork during dessert, her hands going to her temples as her eyes went blank momentarily.
"Beth?" called Nick, just as quietly.
"I'm here," Elizabeth said, her voice low with a tremble to it. "Nick I..."
"Why don't you take Elizabeth back up to the house Nick," Bill suggested.
"Thanks Dad, I think I will," Nick said as he stood up and helped Elizabeth to her feet. "Happy Anniversary Dad," he said before leading Elizabeth away from the table and back up to the house.
Sunday October 15th, 2007
Dallas, Texas
Stokes Residence
11:25 a.m.
"Nick, we have a problem," Daphne said as she walked into the kitchen where Nick was sitting reading the paper and eating breakfast.
"What's that?" he asked after he swallowed his eggs.
"Elizabeth's gone out for a ride," replied Daphne as she leant against the kitchen door, glaring at her brother. "On Khalasar."
"Okay," Nick said before turning his attention back to his newspaper and breakfast. "Aren't you even the slightest bit worried?" demanded Daphne.
"Why should I be?" asked Nick looking up at his sister once more.
Daphne stood there with her mouth hanging open in shock at her brother's lack of concern. Granted after the spectacle Elizabeth had caused the night before at her parent's anniversary party, Elizabeth was definitely not her favorite person but that didn't mean she wanted to see the other woman hurt. "Nick, Khalasar is probably the most difficult stallion in the barn. He's liable to killher and from what the stable hands told me, she took him out without even bothering to put a saddle on his back."
"Elizabeth's a competent rider Daphne, she'll be fine," Nick said, once more turning his attention back to his breakfast and newspaper.
"I can't believe you," Daphne snarled as she spun around and stormed out of the kitchen. "Now I'm going to have to go and check on her for myself since someoneneeds to make sure she's still alive enough for mother to kill her," she grumbled as she made her way out towards the stables, quickly tacking up one of the horses and setting off in the direction the stable hands said Elizabeth had gone an hour earlier. It wasn't long before Daphne came across Elizabeth, not believing what her eyes were seeing. "Are you outof your ever loving mind?" she demanded as she quickly dismounted and ran over to where Elizabeth was standing, drawing an arrow back on her bow, only to let it go prematurely when Daphne grabbed her arm and spun her around.
"Are you?" snapped Elizabeth right back as her arrow skittered across the grass.
Are you insane? Shooting off those things with Khalasar wandering nearby. My God, he's not even tied up to anything. What if you were to miss or he got spooked and you hit him with one of these things?" Daphne continued on in a rant.
"What makes you think I would miss? I'm not stupid enough to hit Khalasar and as you can see he's quite happily grazing over there and not anywhere near this tree. If he was to get hit, it would have been yourfault for pulling my arm the way that you did," countered Elizabeth angrily. "Now if you don't mind, I came out here to be alone, so why don't you hop back on your horse and leave me in peace and I'll bring Khalasar back when I'm good and ready to come back," she continued as she pulled another arrow out of her quiver and set it on the string of her bow.
"What the hell are you wearing?" questioned Daphne, a hint of disdain in her voice as she took in the long green dress Elizabeth was wearing.
"They were clothes the last time I looked," sighed Elizabeth as she dropped her arm after having released her arrow and having it hit home. "Now if you'll excuse me, I came out here to be alone so if you don't mind..." Elizabeth trailed off, hoping Daphne would get the message. With a sigh, Elizabeth turned around when it became apparent that Daphne was not going to leave her alone, and made her way over to where she had left Khalasar grazing, picking up the reins and quickly climbing up on his back. A slight nudge in the sides once she was settled and she and Khalasar cantered off, leaving Daphne alone in the field, save for her own horse.
Sunday October 15th, 2007
Dallas, Texas
Stokes Residence
5:25 p.m.
"It's about time you showed up," snapped Daphne in irritation when she saw Elizabeth lead Khalasar into his stall.
"What do you want Daphne?" asked Elizabeth quietly as she unbridled Khalasar before stepping out of his stall and closing the door behind him.
"I don't want anything Elizabeth. It's mother. She wants to talk to you...now," Daphne said taking a hold of Elizabeth's wrist and practically dragging her back up to the main house.
"Daph, you found Beth good, we've been looking for her, she promised to show us some pictures of her family," Aubrey said as she, Deena and Leona caught up with them in the doorway. "So we'll just be stealing her now before dinner is ready..."
"Sorry, Momma wants to see her," Daphne countered still pulling Elizabeth.
"Mom can wait," Deena shrugged. "After all, Beth is staying here we only get to see her today..."
"And for crying out loud, let go of her wrist before you bruise her or something," Leona continued.
"Look girls, you can have her after Momma's done," Daphne shot back.
"You ain't the boss of us Daphne Jane Stokes O'Connor, don't be telling us what we can and can not do," Aubrey snapped. "Now for the love of Pete, let go of her," she added stopping directly in front of Daphne and Elizabeth, Leona and Deena flanking her so Daphne couldn't get any farther.
"Oh, for crying out loud, you three are worse than children," Daphne rolled her eyes before letting go of Elizabeth's wrist only to grab onto her sleeve. "Happy now? Now move."
"No, she should be able to make her own decision about what she's wanting to do," Deena argued. "If she wants to go see Mom she can damn well walk there on her own without you pulling her around like some dog on a leash."
"Mamma's gonna tan your hides for this," Daphne countered.
"I'd like to see her try," Leona smirked.
"Like to see who try what?" Jillian asked coming down the hallway, Maryanne and Mercy with her. "Elizabeth dear, Daphne said she was going to tell you I wanted to speak with you. Why don't we go into the sitting room..." she continued sugary-sweet but with an icy look in her eyes.
"You heard Momma, now let us pass," Daphne told the three who glanced between Elizabeth and Jillian before simultaneously sighing and stepping aside so Daphne and Elizabeth could pass, but they quickly took up the rear of the procession leading to the sitting room.
"You wished to see me, Jillian?" asked Elizabeth quietly, her voice oddly flat.
"I did. I'm very disappointed in you Elizabeth," Jillian said as she perched on the edge of one of the seats in the room, Daphne, Maryanne and Mercy taking up similar positions in chairs nearby, making it look like Elizabeth was facing a firing squad as she stood facing them and in a way she was.
"I see," replied Elizabeth.
"A good Catholic girl like you, pulling a stunt like you did last night," Jillian said shaking her head. "It's unacceptable my dear, and I won't allow it to happen again is that understood?"
"You're right Jillian, it won't happen again," replied Elizabeth.
"Mom, it wasn't that big of a thing," Deena spoke up as she, Aubrey and Leona stepped up to stand along side Elizabeth, Leona on one side, Deena and Aubrey on the other. "So, she didn't wear the dress you picked out, what's the big deal? She looked nice."
"She looked a lot more comfortable than I was feeling," Aubrey added with a shrug.
"And you know she's not your child you can't exactly go around judging her actions as a Catholic girl...or tell her what to do," Deena added, before Daphne, Maryanne and Mercy all gasped, even Leona and Aubrey looking over at her surprised.
"Go sis," Aubrey whispered under her breath.
Jillian could not believe her daughter had the nerve to say such a thing to her face but before she could say anything, Elizabeth cut her off.
"It won't happen again...because I'm leaving," Elizabeth said.
"Leaving?" Aubrey, Deena and Leona parroted. "Where are you and Nick going?" Aubrey continued with a frown. "You can stay with us," she added quietly.
"Aubrey Cecila," Daphne hissed.
"I'm leaving Nick," Elizabeth said, a hint of sadness in her voice as she held in the tears that so desperately wanted to fall. "Last night during dinner, I had a vision of what might happen should Nick and I remain together. I won't allow that to happen for his sake. I am not doing this for you Jillian, I am doing this for Nick."
"I see," replied Jillian skeptically. "How do I know you will not return to him when you both return to Vegas.
"You don't," replied Elizabeth. "All I can do is give you my word that I will not be the one to initiate things between us. Nick has helped me through some troubled times, but the Goddess has shown me that we are not meant to be, not this time."
"The Goddess?" Maryanne repeated shocked.
"Mary, Mother of God, you're a pagan, one of those witches, aren't you?" Daphne demanded with disgust.
"Daphne," Leona hissed. "She's the woman your brother loves, what does it matter what her religion is! Same for you Mom!"
"Leona Catherine," Jillian spoke harshly before turning back to Elizabeth. "Fine, I'll take your word. But mark mine Elizabeth, you disrupt my son's life, you take him away from eternal salvation...you'll wish you were never born."
Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment. /-/Mother Goddess, give me the strength to do and say what I must,/-/ Elizabeth prayed silently. When she opened them once more, it was like she was a whole other person, and there was a strange energy in the room that seemed to be radiating out from her, her eyes appearing to glow in the light of the room. "You cannot threaten me Jillian as I do not fear death, in fact I've welcomed it more than once. You have my word as Priestess of Avalon that I will not pursue your son but know this. Should Nick pursue me, I shall not dissuade him. This is not the first time we have met, nor shall it be the last. Pray for your son's eternal salvation if it gives you comfort. Nick's soul does not belong to your vengeful God. In time he will learn that his soul belongs and always has belonged to the Goddess and to Avalon."
"Then why are you leaving?" asked Deena, confusion mixed with concern in her voice.
"The Goddess has shown me what may be should I choose to remain with Nick, that is not a future I wish to spare him," Elizabeth replied before turning her attention back to Jillian. "I believe I should return this to you before I leave," she said handing a small box to Jillian before turning and starting to make her way from the room.
"I welcomed you into my home with open arms Elizabeth and how do you pay me back? By lying to me. If I had known at the time you were one of them,I never would have allowed you to set foot in this house." Jillian said causing Elizabeth to stop in her tracks and turn back to face her.
"I never lied to you Jillian," countered Elizabeth. "You never asked me if I was Catholic, Jillian, you merely assumed I was. You even went so far as to assume I had lost my baptismal cross and proceeded to buy me a new one, which I am now returning to you. I tried your religion Jillian and everything your priests proclaim is ridiculous in my opinion, but I have never once said a negative thing about you or your beliefs and yet because I worship the Goddess, I'm branded a Pagan and a witch when all life flows from the Mother Goddess. Your faith sees sex as dirty and a sin, mine reveres it as a new beginning, as a rebirth of the spirit. I pray your God is as merciful as you believe him to be, for your sake Jillian. Do what you can to keep Nick and I apart as I will see him again, if not in this life, then in the next," Elizabeth finished, spinning and storming out of the room, only to stop short as she made her way across the foyer when she heard Nick's voice coming from one of the other rooms. As quietly as she could Elizabeth crept towards the door she heard Nick's voice coming from and peaked into the room seeing Nick surrounded by his brother and brother in laws, his father sitting on one of the couches.
"What about that Texas redhead you said you hooked up with for a night when you were visiting some friend in the hospital?" Elizabeth heard Joel ask Nick.
"Jules?" whispered Elizabeth in disbelief. "He couldn't..." she trailed of turning her attention back to the conversation on the other side of the door.
"It was a one night thing Joel," Elizabeth heard Nick counter. "I had no idea she was Elizabeth's friend..." Elizabeth never heard the rest of what Nick was saying, her mind racing as images flashed before her eyes, images of Nick and Juli acting strangely around each other after she'd woken up in the hospital. Suddenly feeling quite ill, Elizabeth stumbled back from the door, looking around her as she tried to decide what to do, finally turning for the front door and making her way as quickly as possible from the house, the front door closing behind her just as Deena, Leona and Aubrey came out into the foyer looking for her.
Sunday October 15th, 2007
Dallas, Texas
Stokes Residence
5:29 p.m.
Nick was sitting with his father playing cards as he waited for Elizabeth to return from her ride. After the party last night he knew she needed time by herself to come to terms with the events of the past week and everything else that had happened since she had woken up in the hospital.
"What in God's name were you thinking last night Nick?" demanded his brother Joel as he and Nick's brothers-in-law came into the room.
"What are you talking about Joel?" asked Nick in confusion as he sat back and looked up at his brother.
"Don't play dumb Nick, you know exactly what I'm talking about," argued Joel.
"Actually Joel, I don't," snapped Nick in irritation as he threw his cards down and got to his feet, his father sitting back.
"That ridiculous looking get up you were wearing last night Nick, that's what we're talking about," Mark said. "Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was for everyone to see the two of you dressed like that? Do you have any idea how humiliated your mother and father were because of the two of you?"
"Actually I thought Nick and Elizabeth made quite the stunning pair. Her dress was simply beautiful," Bill said from his spot.
"Thanks Dad," Nick said, turning to look at his father briefly, who nodded, before turning his attention back to his brother and Mark. "For your information, that dress was a gift to Elizabeth from her best friend and due to her upbringing something she was infinitely more comfortable in than anything Mom, Mercy or Daphne would have picked out. I saw the dress they'd picked and I saw Elizabeth in it. Yes, she was beautiful and the dress fit her perfectly but I could also see just how uncomfortable it made her feel. I was not going to force her to wear something like that seeing as she's uncomfortable enough just being here with the lot of you, no offence Dad."
"None taken son," Bill said.
"And as for me being dressed the way that I was, it's because I knew that by suggesting Elizabeth wear that dress she would get singled out and be the focus of attention and I wasn't going to put her through that alone. If people were going to stare at her then they could stare at me as well and for your information I was more comfortable dressed like I was than I was when I was wearing my tuxedo when I went to find Elizabeth before the party," argued Nick.
"You weren't supposed to be the center of attention Nick," countered Richard, Maryanne's husband. "The party was for your parents, not you."
"There was never supposed to be a party in the first place Rich," snapped Nick. "It was supposed to be a small family get together, not a party that included half the town."
"He's got a point," Don spoke up. "And Dad's right, she did look fantastic, they both did."
"And it wasn't like they were trying to be the center of attention," Steve added rolling his eyes. "Just because no one around here can appreciate a nice outfit for what it is...doesn't mean Nick and Beth were trying to take the attention away from Mom and Dad or whatever you're thinking."
"I want to know what happened to my brother's taste in women," countered Joel, looking back at Nick.
"Nothing's happened to it," argued Nick angrily. "Elizabeth is a wonderful woman."
"She's a Pagan!" yelled Mark.
"How the hell do you know that?" Steve asked surprised. "I haven't heard her mention her religion to anyone...and even if she was, what the hell does it matter? Nick's got wonderful taste in women..."
"She's smart, well educated, sassy as all get out...can handle being around our family," Don added with a smile.
"And who cares if she's not Catholic, last I checked neither was your son-in-law or daughter-in-law," Chris pointed out.
"I don't have any sons or daughters-in-law," Mark huffed. "And how I know is none of your business," he snapped.
"What about that Texas redhead you said you hooked up with for a night when you were visiting some friend in the hospital?" Joel asked before Mark and the others could take that line of thought any further, having seen Elizabeth pass by the door a second before.
"It was a one night thing, Joel," Nick countered. "I had no idea she was Elizabeth's friend at the time we met. We ran into each other in the hospital cafeteria, started talking, found out we were both there visiting a friend. I was terrified I was going to lose Elizabeth since she was barely hanging on, one thing led to another and when we discovered we were both there for Elizabeth, we agreed it would never happen again. She realized that I was the Nick her best friend was crazy about, the one to finally make her friend happy. It was a mistake, one that will never happen again. I love Elizabeth and I have every intention of marrying her."
"Smart man," Chris grinned as Joel, Mark, and Richard just stared at Nick in shock that he planned to marry a woman Jillian would never approve of.
Before anything else could be said, Leona, Deena and Aubrey came into the room. "Have you guys seen Beth?" Leona began anxiously.
"Not since this morning," replied Nick, turning to face his sisters, worry entering his voice. "Why?"
"She just faced Mom," Aubrey admitted with a sigh. "We saw her come from this direction and disappeared out the front door...we were hoping you knew if she was going riding or out for a walk or something..."
"Oh hell," Don, Steve, and Chris groaned sharing a glance, if she had overheard any of their conversation at all after getting God only knew what from Jillian...
"Damn you Joel," swore Nick before he turned and bolted out of the room, quickly making his way out of the house.
"We're going to help," Deena began.
"Not so fast," Jillian's voice echoed somehow as she stepped into the room, Daphne, Maryanne and Mercy with her. "Leona Catherine, Deena Jeanne and Aubrey Cecila; what in heaven's name wereyou thinking back there?" she demanded angrily.
Sunday October 15th, 2007
Dallas, Texas
Stokes Residence
6:22 p.m.
Twenty minutes after he left, Nick returned to the house having found no sign of Elizabeth anywhere. Finally resigning himself to the fact that she could return to the house before him, and be left alone with his family...he headed back. After all she left all of her stuff there...
When he did pull back into the driveway, the last thing Nick was expecting was to see his father out, watching as Aubrey, Leona and Deena loaded their children into the cars, Don, Steve and Chris walking over to the car as he opened the door. "What's going on?"
"We're heading home," Chris spoke up after glancing back over at the three sisters. "Jillian really lost it in there...we've had enough Nicky."
"We've all be discussing it for a while now," Steve continued before Nick could say anything. "Well, us husbands have. Every time we get together at least one of the girls ends up at the point of needing medication to get through the next few weeks. We can't do this anymore, it's killing them..."
"Be careful in there, we kinda flat out told Jillian screw you, your fanatical religious beliefs and repeated the statements to Daphne, Mark, Maryanne, Rich, Joel and Mercy..." Don warned.
"What are you going to do?" Nick asked with a sigh, it had been going on for years, the ability his mother had to get to his three closest sisters...and it had been a concern of the four of them for years what it might do to Leona, Dee and Bri in the long run.
"We're gonna move, thinking of heading closer to you, perhaps not Las Vegas itself, maybe into California...Ty and Mac might pack up and follow too...we all need to get away from this...Dad knows he's welcome anytime but we told him flat out Jillian isn't allowed in our house anymore and we're not letting her do to the grandkids what she does to the girls," Chris explained.
"Well, let me know if you guys need any help moving or finding a place..." Nick nodded after a moment as he looked over to see his sisters in a group hug with their dad, the three sobbing while Bill cried, just not as hysterically. "Jesus, why is she like this?"
"God only knows," Steve sighed as he placed his hand on Nick's shoulder. "I don't know what she said to Beth, but if it was anything like what she said to Bri...she's gonna need you Nick, I hope to God you find her soon...Jillian's really lost her mind."
"Good luck Nicky," Chris and Don agreed before giving him a hug, then heading over to their cars. A few minutes later Bill and Nick stood side by side watching the caravan leave the driveway and head out for the main road, neither really wanting to go back inside.
Half an hour later when Khalasar was returned, the bearer never speaking once before leaving, Nick knew that she wouldn't be coming back. And he let his mother, sisters, brother and their spouses know just how much he hated them at that moment.