Part 2 now updated. This was meant to be a one shot about Halloween but now it's going be a series about Ressler and his family and his evolving relationship with Liz. I was going to change the name of the story but I didn't want to confuse anyone about this story.
Part 2 - A Ressler Bowling Party. It's Donald's nephew's birthday party and Liz has been invited.
I hope you enjoy!
A Ressler Bowling Party
"She's coming right?"
Donald Ressler turned from the table he was currently draping an Avenger's tablecloth on towards his older sister, Dani. Today was his nephew Dean's 8th birthday party. And of all the things he asked for it was a bowling party. The idea of wearing shoes other people had worn grossed him out. Bowling had always been a Ressler family tradition that didn't die as they got older. One day his father bought him his own shoes so the complaining would cease. He still wasn't a fan of the activity.
"Yes, Dani. And please, don't embarrass me."
"Donnie," she chuckled. "I've been dreaming of all kinds of ways to embarrass you since I heard she was coming. Just accept it."
He gave her one of his smirks before speaking. "Then I don't feel so bad about buying Dean that drum set he asked for." His back was to her and he felt the rolled up ball of paper hit his back as he walked away to the arcade where his father and Dean were.
"I know you didn't!" Dani called after him.
"You'll find out soon enough!" he yelled back. He was still smirking as he leaned up against the Pac-Man machine Dean was playing.
"I swear you two will never grow up," Andrew Ressler chided his son.
Ressler, his father, and Dean continued to play video games until the first friend arrived. His mother and Mason had arrived at the same time. That was his cue to put his bowling shoes on and hide the bag that contained his very own personal bowling ball. Liz never needed to know. He would discretely put the ball away when she wasn't looking at the end of the party. And she never needed to know he was on the bowling team in high school. Not because he wanted to but because Missy Clark on was on the team and Donnie Ressler had the hots for Missy.
He was showing one of Dean's little friends how to line up the bowling ball when he heard the son of a bitch chuckle behind him followed by Liz's soft voice telling him to knock it off. When Ressler turned around he found himself face to face with Raymond Reddingon. And he wanted to crawl in a hole and die. There he was, big shot FBI Agent, wearing a Captain America t-shirt and his bowling shoes and there Red was with shit eating grin.
"I like this look," Red laughed as he passed a large box off in to Liz's hand. "If Captain America can't bring you home give me a call." He pulled an envelope out of his jacket and handed it to Ressler. "Don't let him spend it all in one place."
Liz rolled her eyes as Red walked away laughing. Then Dembe appeared with a bag that he dropped to Liz's feet. He said hello then was off. Opting to check the envelope first Ressler ignored the very familiar shaped bag. Inside the plain white envelope were 5 crisp one hundred dollar bills. He was pretty sure his jaw dropped.
"How much?" Liz asked once she set her gift down on a nearby chair. Ressler just showed her. "Well, there goes the awesomeness of my gift."
"I'm not giving my nephew Reddington's dirty money. You take it." He jammed it in to her hands then lifted the box that was lighter than he expected. Ressler walked toward the gift table and inwardly groaned when Sheila, Dani's best friend, slid up next to him. "Hi, Sheila. Dani is over there," he said pointing towards front counter.
"I know, silly. So, have you thought about that drink?" She had her hand on his bicep when Liz walked up. Her eyes slit and she was giving Liz the once over. "I know this great place we could go."
"Dani!" Ressler screamed over the music that was now playing. "Dani!"
"Ok, ok. I get the picture, Donnie." Sheila giggled then walked away.
"How long has that been going on?" Liz asked. She had taken a seat and began to open the bag Dembe set on the floor for her. As expected it contained bowling shoes and a ball.
"Since I turned 18. These things always go this way. If it's not Sheila messing with me it's Dani trying to hook me up with one of her friends." He stuffed his hands in his pockets while he waited for her. Once her shoes were on she stood up and followed him down to the lane with his mother. "My parent's reserved half this place. They didn't want it too crowded for Dean. They spoil him."
His mother was currently bumper bowling with Mason and his father was watching. His father noticed them first and jumped up with a smile on his face. He called for his wife who set her bowling ball down and a smile graced her face as well. Mason screamed like a mad man then ran full dash in to Liz, wrapping his little arms around her waist.
"You came!" his voice muffled.
"I did. I told you and your brother I would. I see the birthday boy is busy with his friends right now."
"He never has time for me," Mason whined.
"Can you do me a favor then? See, I'm really shy around new people and there are a lot of new people. Will you stick with me?" Liz smiled down at him then back up at Ressler. "Are these your parents?"
"Yes." Ressler jumped realizing he hadn't made any introductions. "Mom, Dad. This is my partner, Liz."
"It is so nice to finally meet you," his mother reached out and wrapped Liz in a hug. "Mason here speaks highly of you."
"Get over here." Andrew pulled Liz in for a hug as well.
Liz had just discovered yet another of his secrets. He grew up in a family of huggers. Donald Ressler, the man who everyone joked and said was a robot was born and raised as a hugger. She still hadn't figured out his bowling secret and he hoped she wouldn't. Then again, she was one herself it appeared.
"It's so nice to meet you both, Mr. and Mrs. Ressler. There's an office pool that Ressler here may have been raised by a pack of wolves. So, I can't wait to tell everyone that isn't true."
"First, it's Lori and Drew. Or Andrew. Second," she said now addressing Ressler. "Are you still being a tight ass at work? I thought we discussed this."
Ressler simply shook his head at his mother. Today was just going to be a blast. Before his mom and Liz could discuss he changed the subject and grabbed Mason to begin their round. They decided to play guys versus girls while the rest of Dean's party went on a few lanes down. Dani's single friends were watching him and he just wished they wouldn't. He had always been uncomfortable with the amount of attention they gave him.
They played a full round with no major disruptions. Ressler had to admit he was really enjoying himself with Liz and his family. No one made any major attempts to embarrass him, yet. Dani had been preoccupied watching all the rug rats and his mother was too busy trying to bowl like a pro. So, it wasn't until it was cake and present time did he get nervous.
Ressler, his father and Liz sat back a ways while the gift opening was taking place. There was far too much commotion going on for Ressler or his dad to want to get in on it. Liz watched Dean with a smile on her face while the two men talked. When he got to Liz's gift he screamed thank you to her over the noise of his friends.
"Good job on the Legos," Andrew said to Liz when Dean proudly held up his gift. "So, Liz. Tell me. Does this guy treat you right?"
"Dad. We aren't. We're not," Ressler tried to say. His voice sounded harsh, not at all how he meant it.
"I know that. She'd be a damn fool to date you, son." Andrew laughed. His father, like everyone else in his family loved to tease him. "As a partner at work."
"Yes, he does. I don't think I could have asked for a better partner. Except in the beginning. He wasn't very nice."
"Donnie…," Andrew began then playful swatted at the back of his head. "Always be nice to this one."
The gifts were all opened and his mother had distributed the cake. It was truth time now. Would they embarrass him or would they just leave it alone. His mother came by with cake for all of them and took a seat next to Liz. He listened as they made idle chit chat but then Dani came strolling by with a glint in her eye that showed she was up to something.
He'd know that look anywhere.
"I think you broke Sheila's heart, Donnie," she said ruffling his hair as if he were a child. "She keeps asking about Liz here."
"Do we need to get a restraining order out against her for Liz too?" Andrew spoke up for his son. "Danielle, sweetie. Your friend is a basket case."
Truer words were never spoken. The minute Ressler was 'legal' she was all over him. She didn't care that she was 4 years older than him and in college when he graduated high school. She would always hang around him acting like they were soul mates. He really didn't understand why Dani didn't get rid of her.
"She's harmless. Besides, who would I go wine tasting with?" Dani frowned. "She's the only fun friend I have."
"I like wine tasting. We should go sometime," Liz offered.
Lord no. Anything but Dani and Liz drinking together. Dani had no filter on a good day. Add wine to it and anything Liz ever wanted to know was right there. And there it was the. The beginning of the end for him. Dani eagerly accepted and he dropped his head to the table the minute the two of them pulled out their phones to exchange numbers.
He excused himself, unable to watch Liz and Dani begin what would be a disastrous friendship. Disastrous for him. He had no doubt the two of them would be great friends. But, the damage done to his reputation could be disastrous. He found himself watching Dean laughing with his friends and Mason sitting in the mix, which was very uncommon. When Dean was with his friends he usually excluded his little brother. Dean and Ressler locked eyes and smiled at each other for a minute before he turned his attention back to one of his little friends.
"Could you give me a ride home?" Liz was behind him now, startling him.
"Yeah about that. How did you end up here with Reddington?"
Parents were now arriving to collect their children so Ressler took that as his cue to start picking up the mess while Dani spoke with the parents. Liz shrugged and followed him as he tossed plates in a garbage bag.
"A lot of my stuff is in storage. I never bothered to ask where. I needed my shoes and ball." She lowered her head for a moment then looked up at him all serious. "And no cracks about me owning my own stuff."
Oh, no cracks would be made. She still didn't know about the ball that was his and the bag hidden under a chair. They had made quick work of cleaning and all that was left was for the gifts to be loaded in to Dani's car. Ressler was swapping shoes, hoping Liz wouldn't catch him with his bowling bag, when his dad appeared with his customized ball. Liz only raised her eyebrows when he put them away with a huff. He said he'd be back and left to load his sister's car.
When he was done he found his mother and father with Liz with their backs to him. He hung back to listen to their conversation, knowing full well it was rude to eavesdrop but didn't care.
"Don't let him fool you. He's a lot more fun than he puts on. The job means everything to him though. He's always been two people. Donald Ressler, FBI and Donnie Ressler, family jokester. You'll be lucky if he lets you know Donnie," his mother explained.
"We are thankful he has a friend like you," his father added.
"Now." Lori patted Liz's knee. "What are your plans for Thanksgiving?"
Of course they would invite her. They didn't know how to not meddle. But, then again he had told his parents a lot about Liz. How she had no family that they knew off. And she was on her own now that her husband left her. Telling them he left her was a lot easier than the truth. His mother was one for taking in 'strays' as Dani called it. Not one of their college friends ever spent a holiday alone if Lori Ressler had anything to do with it.
"Oh, I'm fine. I'll either grab something or maybe meet up with a friend."
"Nonsense," his mother's voice firm. "We eat lunch at 2 but gather much earlier. Donnie is usually there the night before if he can make it. Just bring your sweet self."
"I couldn't intrude." Liz shook her head.
"It's not intruding, Liz!" Dani said as she brushed by Ressler, shaking her head at his eavesdropping. "Mom and I could use an extra set of hands in the kitchen."
"You really don't want me in the kitchen." Liz looked back and caught his eye.
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Ressler joined the group. Dean and Mason were not far behind. They began to beg Liz to join them for Thanksgiving. It was clear she was fighting a losing battle. Not many people could fight off the Ressler charm. Finally, she looked up at him. Her eyes questioning. She wanted to know what he thought of it.
"I'll pick you up Wednesday after work," he offered. "They live in the boonies. I stay all weekend so pack a bag for a long weekend. I can't be held responsible for anything that happens."
"Oh, Liz it's so fun. We build snow forts. And play games. And watch Christmas movies all night. We even get to help Grammie and Grandpa put up their tree," Dean said excitedly holding her hand.
"Well, how can I say no to any of that?" Liz beamed.
She was smiling and appeared happier than he could remember in a long time. He finally looked at his watch and realized it was getting late and he had things he needed to get done before work tomorrow. Grabbing his and Liz's bowling bags he said his goodbyes and made his way out to his car. Liz wasn't far behind. When he got in the driver's side she turned to him, hesitant.
"We can say something came up. I don't have to go. I just couldn't say no to Dean. That kid is too cute." She had her fingers to her lips. A sure sign she was unsure or thinking.
"My family can come on a little strong. The idea of a weekend alone with them can seem like pure torture. And sometimes it is but they really are great people. My mom would more than likely bring Thanksgiving to you anyway if you don't show."
"I'm afraid," she admitted as he pulled on to the road. "I'm afraid of wanting something I can't have. In just the short time I've known your family I've fallen in love with them. They aren't my family but I feel like they are. I can't feel that, Ress."
He didn't answer for a while. Her words sinking in and he was trying to understand what she was saying. They were just friends. That's all they could be right now. And even if he found himself thinking about her in ways he shouldn't he doubted she felt anything else. It was probably her just being worried of growing close to people only to have them walk away.
"I mean, you are single and any girl would be lucky to have you. When you find her she won't want me involved," Liz added as if knowing he was trying to figure it all out.
They were quiet again until he pulled up to her hotel. He put the car in park and still said nothing. Instead, when she reached for the handle he locked the door. He wasn't sure what he was doing but he wanted her to listen.
"You will always be my best friend Liz," he said. The word best friend flowing off his tongue. "And you will always be welcome with my family. At first I was terrified at the idea. My mom was right. You don't know Donnie. But I want you to." He reached out for her hand. "No one is going to tell me I can't keep my best friend in my life. And my family is a big part of my life."
"I'm your best friend?" she squeaked.
"Yes. I know that sounds so high school."
Liz just smiled and threw her arms around his neck. He embraced her back. When they finally pulled away he could see the emotions on her face and he really wanted to lighten the mood.
"If you tell Reddington any personal information about me due to your new friendship with my sister I will revoke your best friend card." He got out of the car and grabbed her bowling bag. "I mean it Keen. Whatever you learn about me isn't to go beyond me or my family."
"Sure thing, BFF." Liz bro punched him in the arm and took her bag from him. "I really did have a great time today."
Before he could respond she leaned in and he expected another kiss on the cheek but instead her lips connected with his. It took a moment to react but he found himself kissing her back. His hand now at the base of her neck. The kiss didn't last long but it definitely was worth every second. When Liz pulled away she just smiled and walked to her room leaving a stunned Ressler behind. He hadn't had a best friend in a long time but he was sure that's not how they say good bye.
Tomorrow at work could be interesting. As he got back in his car he could only smile. He wasn't sure what he felt for her but he knew that kiss hit him deep. And the idea of her spending Thanksgiving with his family scared and excited him. Now, he just had to make sure Reddington didn't find out and kill him.