Hermit Crab: Lol, your name. I love it. I want everyone to know that I do not block anonymous/guest reviews. Also, I do not reply to a lot of reviews but I do try to read them as they come into my inbox. So, even if you don't get a reply I've most likely seen your feedback and appreciate the time everyone takes to leave that feedback for me.
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There was always the chance that when you married someone you would not like the family you were marrying into. Many people took that gamble and many people were lucky to have great relationships with their in-laws. Jack was positive that she would not be one of those lucky people. While Andy had met and perfectly enjoyed her family, Jack had never met any relative but his mother. Her mother thought that was strange until she had explained that Andy's family was cold and distant. There were very high expectations for him and since he hadn't yet met those expectations he was more or less cast aside.
It didn't seem to matter that he was a decorated war hero with a stable and lucrative job in private security. All that mattered to Andy's mother, as far as Jack could tell, was that Andy was set to marry an American immigrant rising a teenager that was not her own. It was the general consensus among Andy's relatives that Jack was after his trust fund and nothing more. She thought it highly insulting and the one time she had met Andy's mother, Beverly, she had made it very plain that she found it insulting. She did claim that she was willing to sign over all rights to the family fortune before the marriage. It hadn't helped the situation.
Now, with their wedding mere weeks away, Jack and Andy had agreed to one last try.
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The restaurant was French, five stars, and catered to a clientele so exclusive that Jack was afraid to breathe too loudly lest she accidently break some valuable she couldn't afford to replace. The maître d' eyed her as if he just knew that her black dress and heels were bought at a department store and not a boutique. Andy, on the other hand, was wearing a Hugo Boss suit he'd bought before leaving for the army. It was a little dated but more appropriate than what Alex was wearing which was black slacks and a button down.
Jack fiddled the teen's collar worried that he wasn't up to par with the dress code. He just stood there and let her do it, knowing how nervous she was. Alex had made it quite clear that he thought this was a bad idea considering everything he'd ever heard about this woman. He sincerely doubted that one fancy meal was going to bury months and months of cold animosity. More often than not, Eagle didn't answer her phone calls. She hadn't been around once while he was laying in bed recovering from nearly being crippled. As far as Alex knew, she hadn't even asked about the limp but she sure had asked about the wedding and what it would take to stop it.
They were led through the restaurant to a table in the back where a dour looking woman sat sipping some fancy wine that Alex had never heard of and had probably cost an obscene amount of money. She pursed her lips at the sight of them which no one really acknowledged as they took their seats.
"Hello, Andrew," she greeted primly and stiffly.
"Mother," he replied and immediately buried himself in the menu.
"You should know that your brother will be joining us as well," the woman told the back of the menu currently hiding her son.
Beverly couldn't see Andy's reaction but Alex was able to see perfectly and he watched as the man's jaw clenched so hard that he was surprised they couldn't hear his teeth grinding together. Alex hadn't heard much of anything about Andy's brother but he had found some information about the man when he had investigated Andy. His name was Robert, he was five years older than Andy, and he was a very high-priced accountant. He handled the money of some Europe's largest corporations and his own bank account was by no means anything to sneeze at. Alex hadn't seen an account that size since he'd reviewed Yassen's bank account.
"Wonderful," Jack spoke up attempting to sound cheerful and failing miserably. Her smile faltered and finally slid off her face completely.
"How was the trip Mrs. Rosten?" Alex asked politely. He had far more experience with the type of person Beverly was and since Eagle wasn't planning on coming to his fiance's rescue, Alex did it for him. He was able to goad Beverly into a flowing conversation about the state of first-class on French airlines. Jack had never flown first-class in her life and the only time Eagle had been a passenger plane recently he'd been sandwiched between Alex and Tom as they went to America (he had been drinking as a result). Thus, Alex was the only one sufficiently capable or willing to make small talk with the woman. He didn't like Beverly or her attitude but he could fake it very well. Schmoozing rich people used to be part of his job.
Eventually Eagle's brother joined them. He wore a three-piece suit, Italian leather dress shoes, a genuine Rolex, and a sneer. He was handsome with thick blond hair, a tan, and muscles that Alex knew were pumped up with weights and protein shakes. Whether or not he ever used them for something other than showing off had not been in his MI6 file.
"Robert," Beverly greeted with a far more genuine smile than she had ever given them. "I'm so glad you made it. This is Jacqueline and Alex."
Robert nodded politely to both of them, ignored his brother ignoring him, and sat down. Jack was finally able to break into the conversation when it turned to tennis, something Robert liked. Jack had played in high school and conveniently left out that she used to practice on a court that was so run down the net was a fishing wire and there was more grass than court. Eagle managed to scowl silently through it all.
He only removed his attention from his fancy fish when Alex kicked him under the table and subtly indicated the waiter's station by the kitchen door. There, in a full waiter's suit, was Wolf. He was opening a bottle of wine which he then left to breathe as he moved on to some other menial task. He was doing everything he could to appear busy without leaving his vantage point. Alex looked at Eagle, silently asking what the other man was doing there but Eagle just shrugged. He scanned the restaurant, more than likely searching for the rest of K-Unit. He spotted Fox clearing the dishes off a table. Snake was nowhere to be seen and Alex surmised that his scarred face had banished him to the back.
Eagle stared at Wolf until the man looked at him. Surprise crossed the soldier's face and then a look that clearly said, Crap. He looked to a table just a few feet from them and Eagle and Alex both scanned it's occupants. Alex had no idea who those two men were but Eagle leaned over and very carefully whispered, "Weapons dealers."
Alex decided to ignore it. Clearly, K-Unit was here to observe, possibly to follow the two. Their table was more than likely bugged. Alex hoped there wouldn't be an altercation with Eagle's snooty family sitting in the restaurant. Unfortunately, as Wolf walked by to do something covert Beverly demanded his attention to complain about her chicken.
"This couldn't possibly be organic," she complained. Wolf tried his best to sound as if he worked there but Alex was more concerned about Jack who looked gobsmacked by his sudden appearance. Alex giggled into his plate. Eagle stepped on his toes. Beverly had moved on to the silverware. Apparently, her's had water spots on it.
"Why didn't you say something before you ate?" Wolf asked, genuinely confused, and Alex snorted, shoulders shaking. Wolf glanced sideways, clearly indicating he wanted to move on. Beverly was patently offended.
"Watch how you speak," Robert snapped, glaring at the offending service provider. Wolf wasn't impressed.
"Or what?" he asked. Robert looked very surprised. This was clearly not the reaction he was used to getting.
"Or I'll have you fired," he threatened. Wolf shrugged and walked away.
"Robert, I need to speak to the manager," Beverly said but as the man leapt up to find that poor, unsuspecting manager, Eagle cut in.
"Sit down, Robert," he ordered. His tone was sharp and highly reminiscent of the tone Alex had often heard during training. Either Eagle was trying to be authoritative or he was at the end of his patience; it was rather difficult to tell. Alex automatically looked down at his place setting which was currently waiting for dessert and Robert sat.
"Andrew," Beverly started but whatever she wanted to say died on her lips when Eagle glared at her. Alex had been on the receiving end of that glare more than once and it always made him fall quiet too.
"Drop it," he seethed. His family were shocked. Whether it was because he was defending a really discourteous waiter (which Wolf definitely looked like) or because he was basically telling them to shut up was left to be determined. Alex had a feeling it was a mixture of both.
"Honestly, Andrew," Robert said, looking downright disgusted. "The man deserves to be reported."
"Leave it alone, Robert," Eagle reiterated, clearly hoping to keep his family out of whatever the SAS was doing. There was no telling what could happen if the men they were watching got uncomfortable. Eagle glanced at their table nervously and Alex spied Snake in the kitchen as the door swung open and shut. He had headphones clamped over his ears but he was watching Alex's table very intently. He briefly wondered if they had managed to bug them once they found out Eagle's family was there. It sounded like something they'd do just to be nosey, and he eyed the salt and pepper shakers with suspicion.
"What has gotten into you?" Robert asked. "I remember a time when you would have seen the man fired." Alex looked at Eagle with renewed interest. The man never talked about his life before the army, at least, not with him. Jack didn't seem too surprised by the comment and all that it might mean. Had Eagle been an ass in a previous life? Alex kind of wanted to know. Did he used be like Robert is now?
"Shut up, Robert," he snapped fidgeting in his chair. Alex saw Fox at the waiters station staring quite openly at them. K-Unit was definitely listening, something Eagle probably knew as well.
"What? It's true. Remember that flight attendant who spilled your special Sake? I've never seen someone cry so hard, so quickly."
"That's enough," Alex said, interrupting just as Eagle opened his mouth.
"This has nothing to do with you," Robert snapped at him. Alex shrugged and stood up. He walked towards where the restrooms were, looked back to make sure no one was looking, and slipped into the kitchen. Snake glared at him.
"Go back to your table," he ordered. Wolf appeared so suddenly, Alex nearly dropped into a fighting stance he'd learned at Brecon Beacons. Wolf smirked as he aborted the movement and straightened up.
"You can't be back here, Cub," he said.
"Well, I can't sit at the table any longer," he replied, grabbing the headphones out of Snake's grip.
"Hey!" he protested.
Alex slipped them on. He could clearly hear Beverly berating Eagle's new job in a somewhat subtle manner.
"Really, guys?" Alex asked, annoyed, tossing the headphones back to Snake. "Get bored listening to the people you're supposed to be listening to?"
"Those guys are talking in code so we sent the transmission to headquarters to decipher. What's happening at your table is much more interesting," Wolf told him.
"Yeah, nobody's ever met Eagle's mom before. Now we know why."
"Why don't you just leave him alone?" Alex snapped, glaring at them. Both soldiers looked at each other in surprise.
"Cub," Snake began but Alex cut him off.
"No," he said, sharply. "If Eagle wanted you to watch him get verbally humiliated by his mother he would have invited you to watch. Get those damn bugs off the table or I'll tip off those arms dealers that the SAS is watching them."
Alex didn't give them a chance to respond and slunk back into the dining room, glared at Fox as he wiped wine glasses clear of water spots, and slipped back into his seat at the table. Beverly had moved on to the wedding.
"Honestly, what's the rush?" she was asking. As Jack tried to explain that they didn't want an overly long engagement a waiter (a real waiter) brought their desserts and quietly disappeared with the pepper and salt shakers. Eagle visibly relaxed and squeezed Alex's shoulder quickly before turning his whole attention to his dessert.
"Is this about the guardianship?" Robert asked. "Because the family isn't going to support someone else's child." Jack's fork went straight through her lava cake and screeched on the china plate. She placed her napkin on the table and stood up to go to the restroom, visibly upset. Alex saw Fox watch her go in concern.
"That isn't fair Robert," Eagle said. "You know I've never asked for any money for Alex."
"I want that in writing," Robert replied, coldly. Alex gritted his teeth, trying not to snap and hit the guy in the face.
"You can have whatever you want in writing," Eagle told him. "I'm done with you."
"Oh really?" Robert asked, clearly not believing it.
"I haven't used any of the trust fund money for years," Eagle said. "What makes you think I'll ever touch it again?"
"Oh I'm sure someone will start dipping into it," Robert said.
"Jack wanted a pre-nump," Alex said, reminding them of the fact that Jack had been the one to suggest it in the first place. "And we're perfectly capable of getting along without you or your money."
"This had nothing-" Beverly started.
"To do with me?" Alex asked, cutting her off. "This has everything to do with me. You don't want the two of them to marry because she isn't some perfect rich girl from a family that could give you something. And you certainly don't want him to attach himself to me, 'somebody else's child'. That's fine, you can have that opinion. Just don't expect us to sit here and take it."
He stormed away from the table, intercepted Jack as she re-entered the dining room, and pulled her from the restaurant.
"Really, Andrew?" Beverly asked him after a nearly a minute of tense silence. "You could do so much better." He glared at her with everything he had.
"You are such a bitch," he snarled and left before either of them could respond.
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Later that night, as he lay in their bedroom, Jack curled around him, he spared a thought for why he left his family in the first place. Maybe now, after seeing them for herself, Jack would finally understand why there would be no reconciliation between him and his family.
"Are you alright?" she asked, quietly.
"Yeah," he said. "They won't come to the wedding, you know."
"I know," she said. "All the boys will be there though. That's good enough isn't it?"
"It's perfect," he said, thinking about K-Unit and all of his other army friends whose RSVPs had been floating in over the last couple of weeks. Most of them had marked 'Maybe,' a box they had insisted be printed on the invitations to account for people who might have to leave at any moment for any reason.
However, he was seriously considering the possibility of eloping.
"They'll cut me off completely the second those guardianship papers are signed," he told her.
"Why do they hate the idea of Alex so much?"
"I don't know," he said, honestly. "Just one of their weird hang-ups. They're probably waiting for the day they find out you disappeared with half my money and left me holding the kid."
"Please," she snorted. "Like you could handle that kid without me." He laughed just as they heard Alex's window slide open. Jack was up in an instant. It was too cold to have the window open for any other reason than mischief and he watched as his fiance whipped around the corner attempting to cut the kid off before he got too far. He fell asleep to the distant sounds of Jack scolding him for whatever she'd caught him doing and didn't even hear when she came back to bed.