It was dark outside by the time someone knocked on my door. Letting out a grunt, I turned away hoping they ould get the idea and leave. unfortunately they did not and I could hear the door open and shut. A weight shift indicated that the person was sitting on my bed and then warm arms wrapped around me. "Jack, sweetie. Will you be joining everyone for dinner?" My mother's sweet voice rang in my ears. I shifted a tad, but did not respond. "Melissa told me what happened. I'm sorry you heard about it how you did." She rubbed up and down my arm. "I don't blame you for being angry at me, but it would mean a lot if you came to dinner. Your friend, Ralph, is worried about you." I tensed. Figures Melissa would introduce him to my mother the first chance she got.
I slowly sat up and turned so I was facing the older woman. "I'm not mad at you." I stated and watched as my mother seemed to relax at that. "I just don't want to talk about it like Melissa does." Letting out a sigh, I shuffled out of bed and walked over to the other side, so I could help my mother up. She gladly took my hand, still seeming a bit worried. "It's okay mom." I reassured. "I just needed some time to myself."
She gave me a tight hug, squeezing me like if she did not she would lose me. "Okay sweetie." My mother cooed in my ear like she always did when I was sad or sick. She pulled away cupping my face in her hands. "Well, dinner is ready and Ralph has been wondering if you were joining us." A chuckle escaped her lips. "Poor deer is probably nervous being left alone with your sister. He even seemed scared to be alone with me." My mother's usual calm demeanor was returning as we walked to the dinning room.
Upon entering, I saw Melissa chatting Ralph's ear off and him looking only half interested in what she was saying. When he saw me, he waved and patted the seat next to him almost desperately like if I sat there my sister would shut up. I quickly took the seat, to which my sister sent me a glare. "So what did I miss?" I asked innocently, smirking towards Melissa.
"Not much." Ralph answered, turning all his attention to me. "I was just getting to know your family. They're real nice."
I could not help but laugh. "Come on. You don't have to lie." Melissa continued to glare at me, while my mother giggled as she set her napkin in her lap. "I lived with them, so I know the truth." I joked.
"You're no picnic either Jackson." Melissa snapped back. I could feel my face heat up from the childhood nickname she would use just to upset me.
"That's not my name and you know it." I muttered as I tried to hide my reddened face.
"Alright you two. That's enough." Our mother finally declared ended our bickering. "Now. Ralph, how have you been enjoying your time her so far?" She asked, ignoring Melissa and my grumbles. "I hope my children are treating you hospitably." She sent both of us a knowing glance as if to tell us she already knows the answer.
"I've been pretty tired from the trip, so I've spent most of my time in my room." I could not help but feel a tad guilty. "But, they've been welcoming." Ralph finished, grabbing a hold of my hand under the table and giving it a light squeeze. "You have a lovely home here also." He commented, not letting go of my hand. "Is your house back in home as nice as this one?"
My mother unfolded her napkin and placed it in her lap, a smile playing in her face. "Why, yes it is." She said grabbing a bottle of wine and pouring it in to her glass. "But, I think that's enough about our family. Tell me about yours."
I could feel a lump forming in my throat. Ralph, on the other hand, did not seem too fazed by her words. "My aunt and uncle are amazing." He said following my mother's example and spreading out his napkin as well. "They're not rich or anything, but they're happy and the kindest people you could ever meet." While he was talking, my mother nodded to the maid standing off to the side, to let her know she could start handing out the food. "My uncle is in the construction business and my aunt is working on a bakery." Not pausing when he was offered something, but giving a nod.
"Really?!" My mother and sister seemed perk up at the mention of anything relating to sweets.
"Yeah." I injected, digging my fork in to the meat on my plate. Ralph raised an eyebrow at me, coaxing me to continue, since I had to put my two sence in. "Her pastries are the best I've ever had." I replied, forcing food in my mouth so I would not have to answer any questions I might be asked.
Melissa picked at her salad like she could just imagine sinking her teeth in to a sugary delight. "Does she make any with a blueberry filling?" She asked hopefully.
I just shrugged as I shoved a fork full of food in my mouth, which my mother gave me a stern look for. Ralph on the other hand gave her a nod. "Almost any fruit filling you could imagine. She says it's all got the same principle and once you get one down it's easier to adapt to others." The way he talked about his family, it was easy to see how much he cared for them, even though his memory was lost. It gave me some hope in him remembering me the same way.
"You'll have to have her make me some when ever I visit Jack!" My sister exclaimed, folding her hands close to her face. "Which reminds me Jack." She said looking in my direction. "I'll be visiting soon, so tell that room mate of yours to behave himself." Our eyes locked, a hint of mischief in her gaze.
I swallowed my mouth full of food, took my napkin, and calmly whipped off my mouth. "I'll be sure to tell him to clean out the old dog crate on the patio."
"Jack!" My mother scolded. "Manners!"
"You little punk!" My sister butted in fuming. "How dare you speak to me like that! I'm your older sister and a lady!"
My poor mother began to rub her forehead, showing that she was not going to get any more involved in our fight than she already had been.
"I'm sorry." I mock apologized. "I forgot that I'm supposed to respect my elders." I shot back.
"If anyone belongs in a dog crate it's you and your misfit group you call friends! Especially the one you chose to become room-mates with! I mean really! What the Hell were you thinking?!" Melissa was almost shaking in anger.
"I was thinking it was a better change of pace than always having someone who thinks they're perfect!" I yelled back. "Now if you'll excuse me." I said calmly. "I'll be retiring to my room. The meal was lovely mother, thank you." I turned to Ralph. "You may stay if you like or I could walk you back to your room." I offered, still not looking at my fuming sister.
"I'll go back to my room too." He said awkwardly, before standing up. "Thank you for the meal Mrs. Merridew." My mother gave him a wave, her other hand still on her forehead. "Goodnight Melissa." Ralph offered before following me as I exited. "Jack!" He hissed and swatted my arm when we were out of earshot. "What the Hell was that?"
I rubbed my arm trying to sooth the small sting. "That was dinner with my family." I stated flatly, as we turned down the hall to our rooms. "That's usually how they end." I leaned against my bedroom door.
Ralph rolled his eyes. "Don't you think that's not healthy for her and your relationship?" I shrugged and he let out an exhausted sigh.
"So are you going to turn in or do you want to ditch this place and hang out on the beach, since it's cooler at night?" I asked giving him a smirk and wiggling an eyebrow.
Ralph looked up at me and let out a chuckle. "Well, if you insist, who am I to refuse." He played along as I pulled him through my room and lead him down to the beach. The sand forming to our feet with every step and the smell of salt water clouding our senses. "Wow." Ralph said breathlessly. "It's so pretty and..." He paused staring at the water in concentration. "It's familiar." He whispered.
"You want to go for a swim?" I asked remembering how much he use to love to swim.
"But I don't have my swimsuit on." He said blushing a bit as he watched me shed my shirt.
"So? Just swim in your pants. It shouldn't hurt them." I said walking to the edge of the sand and slowly submerging myself in the water.
Ralph thought about it for another second, but then threw off his own shirt and ran to the ocean, throwing himself in. He ended up splashing me in the process. When he popped his head up, I splashed him back, which caused a war. Fits of laughter erupted from both of us and we soon tired. "Hey Jack." Ralph said floating over to me on his back.
"Hmmm." I responded, my eyes closed.
"About your offer before." At that I flipped over and gave him my full attention. "I accept." He said, his head bumping in to my chest.
I smiled down at him, his emerald eyes looking at me with confusion, and I leaned down to kiss him. When I pulled back a light blush was on his cheeks.
"We forgot towels." Ralph said changing the subject, to which I could only laugh.
"Ahhhhchooo!" Maurice let out a loud sneeze, causing Bill, Robert, and I to all jump.
"Whoa man." Bill turned around pausing the game. "Are you alright?"
Maurice rubbed his nose on his sleeve. "Yeah, but I had an odd feeling someone was talking about me." He commented and the other two laughed at him.
"Who would be talking about you? I mean you'd think they'd have better things to talk about." Robert said, smirk on his face.
At that I piped in. "At least your ex has better things to DO now." Bill and Maurice winced. Robert sent a glare my way, but it did not faze me.
"Too soon Roger." Bill said patting Robert's shoulder. "You hurt his feelings."
"Well, his feelings need to toughen up." I replied flatly. "By the way when are you two leaving?" I asked becoming irritated at their constant presence.
"When you do." Bill laid back on the rug. "Oh wait, you like moved in since Jack left. Shouldn't you be babysitting Simon or something instead of this animal?" Robert smirked at that.
"Simon is more mature then him."
"Hey! I'm right here you two!" Maurice yelled. "I can hear everything you're saying!"
Everyone chimed in with: "Good!"
A/N: OMFG! I'm so sorry I've haven't updated in forever, but I've been dealing with a lot and needed to get it all together. Please forgive me! I tried to make up for it by making this chapter a bit longer than the others, plus a little extra at the end.
autobotjolt101: Thanks for being so patient. I promise I'll try to update it more. Thank you for reviewing.
CSIBakerstreet221b: It just got better for him! Yay!
Just Another Reviewer, BlueAnchor: Please a thousand times over forgive me! There is some fluff to make up for it.
Socialstudiesgeek16: I'm so sorry and I hope you forgive me.
Olissa: I feel honored that you lost sleep because of this story, and I'm sorry it took so long.
