Its never just a family dinner

Even though Hope could cook a meal as good as any average person, it wasn’t something she enjoyed doing—mostly because she always felt that she could use her time more efficiently doing other things, which meant that she mostly just ended up getting takeout. So, when Jamie had suggested that they should make a family dinner, invite everyone and sit in the garden, well, she had thought that they should find some caterer that would bring the food for this feast he wanted to make for people. That was, of course, before she realised who she had been talking about, which meant that there wouldn’t be anyone bringing the food. Luckily for her, Archibald had come to the rescue and helped prep all the meals.
The fairy had, despite the help, already done a lot of eye-rolls and inside chuckles with Jasmine until they had retreated to the backyard with the dogs and a glass jug filled with a homemade margarita and another one with mojito in it. With the increasing temperatures, it was essential to stay hydrated after all, sitting in the small terrace area with the most luxurious longue sets money could buy. “Just in time to get our feet up before the rest of the crew arrives in twenty minutes”, Hope mused, putting on her sunglasses before leaning back in her seat and closing her eyes. She couldn’t remember the last time she had actually taken the time to enjoy the sun on her face. Or even had this type of dinner for that matter—she was just happy that she was finally getting her chance.

“Why am I this nervous?” she whispered, trying to get her daughter in her seat for the third time. Jade had worked wonders, and for the weekend, she had her daughter home, a small trial for what was to come, Nadia happily chattering away, pressing her lips together and then laughing when tiny bubbles were produced between her lips, blissfully unaware just how stressed out her mother was. “Can you do it? Please?” she looked toward Jack feeling almost defeated that she couldn’t even do this—why was she so nervous today? It was like something was loaming, and this wouldn’t just be a typical family dinner, but she could, of course, just be imagining things.

“Okay, that’s it, out of my kitchen, honey. Would you please escort this brute out of my kitchen?” Archie pointed his knife toward his brother after having to tell him once again no when he tried to add something to what he was making—I’m just making it better! Yeah, right, he wasn’t having that, and then he would instead just do it himself.

Jasmine walked with Hope laughing a bit, excited about everyone getting here. It was after all the first big family dinner she ever had, so of course she was both nervous and excited. She had been texting Maya and Katelyn in their group chat for the past hours back and forth. But she sat down on the terrace area and leaned back with glass of water, one had to stay hydrated. "Oh yeah," she placed her sunglasses down and leaned back in the chair just feeling the sun's warmth dance over her skin. Of course it had been a weird ride after everything that had happened, but she was happy to have Hope here in the house, everything had seemed like falling more into place with her father as well, his entire aura and persona just seemed more at peace now that she was here.

This was Jack's challenge of the year by far, not in a bad way. But they had managed to have Nadia here for the weekend, and it fell on the family dinner Jamie had invited them to, and of course Jack had told Scarlett if she rather would stay home with Nadia, it was okay. But here they were trying to get Nadia in her car seat, or Scarlett was and Jack he just tried to watch some of these videos on youtube on how to do it. It was funny how you ended up wanting things in your life you never thought you would want, and here he had spent a day with Nadia already loving her more than he thought he was capable off. "I can try," he placed his phone in his shorts. Damn the warm weather was not his best friend. He placed a soft kiss against Scarlett's temple before leaning in the car to try put the seatbelt right on, luckily for everyone Jack was a rather quick study and with a few tries, and some small laughs from both him and Nadia, mostly because Jack made the most insane faces that had the little girl laugh. Then moving out of the car, "it's been done -" he looked at Scarlett, "hey it's going to be okay," Jack then placed his hand on her chin, lifting her head a little before placing a short soft kiss against Scarlett's lips. "Let's get going," he mused a little against her lips.

Jamie was feeling himself, it was clear to everyone who looked, but right now he was just lightly tormenting his brother. Till the point of Archie pointing his knife towards him, making Jamie raise his hands in defeat dropping the last ingredient slowly on the kitchen counter. Elenora who just mostly stood and observed, helping when needed, after all it was food for a lot of people and she could bring the tools, put things away and clean so there was a good flow here - and casually throw Jamie out of his own kitchen. "On it," she chuckled a little bit and pushed herself off the counter she was leaning against to walk over and place her hands on Jamie's shoulders to turn him around, and lightly push him outside to Hope and Jasmine. Not without Jamie complaining just for the sake of complaining, Elenora shook her head a little bit watching Jamie walk over and sit beside Hope. "I have been banished from my own kitchen, what a tragic day," he tried to sound dramatic but it didn't last long as Jasmine threw a pillow at him he caught, then both of them burst into laughter.

Hope looked toward Jamie, that joined them in the garden; she put a flat hand just over her eyes (even though she was wearing sunglasses, it was still hard to see anything in this weather); “oh no, what a tragedy”, she laughed, even more, when Jasmine threw a pillow toward him. She was filled with so much love that, for a moment, she thought she might burst with happiness.
“Come sit down, enjoy a cold drink, and just be happy that your brother wanted to make the feast you have planned,” she said, leaning forward to pour him a glass of Mojito, handing it to him with a soft smile on her lips. Then she leaned back into the seat and closed her eyes; she, for one, was going to enjoy the few silent moments before the entire army would show up, children and everything.

Scarlett tried to breathe while Jack placed a soft kiss against her temple, then turned and started working on the seatbelt, so Nadia was securely fastened.
But she only felt it was possible the moment she heard the click “why are they even making these things so complicated” she wondered before turning and chuckling when he placed a kiss against her lips. “Thanks, and yes”, she nodded, glad that she could show Irina, Nadia, for the first time, as it hadn’t been possible before. Everything would turn out all right; she had to believe it.

Aimee came running toward the parked car with Amelia and Reginald in it. “I know, I’m sorry, I’m so late”, she breathed as she got into the car seat and quickly fastened it. Of course, just as she had been about to walk out of the door, someone had called from the police station; it had taken all her willpower not to say that she would come in; she had promised, and she really wanted to be part of this family dinner, even though she might have asked a little too many times if they were sure it was all right.

"Oh I am," Jamie chuckled a little bit, he did as a matter of fact appreciate that Archie wanted to help him set the entire thing up. They hadn't had a family dinner since what Christmas, but this time it was different, people were actually coming together now, all of them. He had even invited Theo to join them, knowing he was the only one who had really spoken to his brother after all, but if Jamie could forgive Theo after having taken his hand and tortured his ex girlfriend - then who couldn't at least give the guy a chance? Jamie took a sip of the drink Hope got for him, this was the life.

Jack knew by now more so what it meant for Scarlett to get to be with Nadia, and he wanted to protect and provide that safety that made it possible. He just hoped he could. Then driving towards Jamie and Hope's home, actually rather excited about this. Not that it was a long drive to get there.

Reginald chuckled a little bit, just sitting talking to Amelia about a little bit of everything as they saw Amiee come running towards the parked car. "It's alright, we aren't running late," Reginald assured with a soft nod. Amelia just sat on the backseat giving her mother a warm smile, couldn't really believe that they were here together, even if they weren't in full number, they were here and had to celebrate that at least - right? "Then, lets get going, otherwise we are running late," she pointed towards the time, of course her father believed in being fashionable late when it came to waiting for Aimee.

If anyone was to arrive first and just on time, it would be Mariella, always completely ecstatic when it came to her family coming together, still adjusting to the fact that her brother and sister were together now - even if Jamie wasn't her family by blood and all. But if anything she had accepted it rather quick, perks of being able to feel the emotions between the two. "It wouldn't be surprising me if Jamie has convinced Archie to do the feast, then we will find him in the lounge area with a drink in his hand," she chuckled looking shortly towards Leon, before walking out in the back, then walking out the back of the house to the area where Hope, Jasmine and Jamie were sitting. "And right I was, hello," she chuckled a little before walking over to give each a hug, "Archie and Nora in the kitchen?" Not much of a question, she knew they were, which just made her chuckle a little bit. Then walking inside the kitchen to go say hello.

“So”, Hope let out a soft breath and pulled her sunglasses down a little, looking toward Jamie “, do you think Theo will show you? I mean—“ she looked toward Jasmine with a soft smile; it had still been a sight to come home to, how she had heard her laugh with Theo in the garden, even if he hadn’t stayed long, because when she had tried to convince him to stay for coffee, he had however declined; telling them that he couldn’t stay away for too long.
Hope turned and looked at Mariella as she came walking toward them. “Hi!” she said with a big smile, showing some real emotion that she hadn’t done in ages, it felt like. She tiptoed over Jamie’s big feet “you could at least move them, you brute,” she laughed before she finally managed to walk over and pull her into a hug. “Yeah, of course, they are; I wanted to hire a catering firm, but Jamie wanted to do it himself, which meant he got Archie to do it”, she chuckled, shaking her head; “Hi Leon”, she gave him her hand, which he took “Hi,” he said with a big smile, before he walked over and gave Jamie his hand to say high and then walked over to Jasmine—Leon had heard a lot, but still hadn’t gotten the chance to meet everyone, as he had been so insanely busy after everything had gone down with Flora, Elias and Kailani. At least it seemed that it had calmed down now,
“Thanks for inviting me,” he said before walking with Mariella into the kitchen to greet Archibald and Elenora.

Scarlett took Jack’s hand that was on the gearshift, pulling it to her lips. She smiled. “I love you, you know”, she whispered; maybe the talk with Victoria had helped after all. She felt calmer about him joining the serpents, even though she was uneasy about it. She had, however, decided she would instead let him have this one and keep him than part ways.

Aimee smiled back, leaning back into the seat; “I just hope that I don’t fall asleep at dinner; I feel like I haven’t done anything else than work lately”, she hummed as the car started driving. Her eyes drifted toward the surroundings that they passed, feeling some sort of peace form in her heart. Something she hadn’t felt for a very long time.

Jasmine tilted her head a little bit, chuckling a bit. "If I say so myself I gave him a very convincing speech, and no one can say no to this face," she pretended to make some puppy eyes as Ella and Leon came in. Jamie looked down at his feet as Hope tiptoed over them, "there is nothing wrong with my perfectly sized feet," he pointed out before getting up himself to hug his sister. "Of course it did," Mariella laughed a little, giving Jamie a light punch against the arm. Jamie as well gave Leon his hand giving it a firm shake, and Jasmine rose to her feet as well to copy much what her parents did and gave Leon a greeting in form of a polite firm handshake. "Anytime," he replied then letting the two escape inside to the kitchen. "It smells amazing, what are we having," Mariella chuckled a little before sneaking over to her brother and hugged him from behind so she could sneak peak on what was on the menu for the day. "Well hello you two," Elenora chuckled a little then reaching her hand out to greet Leon.

It didn't take long before he made the turn down the street where two of his brothers lived, seeing another car through the rearview mirror. Reginald was just behind him, making him chuckle a little bit, then parking the car.
Reginald turned towards Aimee, "truth, you cannot fall asleep at dinners like this one, these are anything but boring. Far too many different people," he laughed a little bit, Reginald always looked forward to see his boys, and he was fairly protective over Juniper's girls still. "Like mother like daughter I guess," he laughed a little bit of Amelia who had fallen asleep in the back of the car on the way here, then waking up, "I'm not sleeping," she covered her mouth as she yawned. Then Reginald turned his head towards the door as he watched Jack get out of the car with his girlfriend. His girlfriend that looked awfully a lot like, no, it couldn't be. So, he just placed his hand on Aimee's shoulder, almost tabbing it a bit not taking his eyes of Scarlett - like he was scared she would vanish if he looked away.

Archie looked up briefly when Mariella and Leon stepped inside. He gave them both a smile and then looked back at what he was doing. “Well, we having black beans with cheese, a salad of fresh red cabbage, over there we have some bloody Mary crumpets with seafood, veggie bake and risotto, so there is a little bit of everything, and for dessert, we have Vanilla yoghurt panna cotta, and now both for you out unless you want me to bite your head off” he laughed, not nearly as stressed now that everything was coming together, and they just needed to bring out the food to the tables, but that he could do himself, making sure that everything was as it should be before he served it.

Hope stood there looking at her family; placing an arm around Jasmine, she pulled her in before she placed a soft kiss against her temple. “I’ll just go outside and greet Reginald; I really want to meet this girlfriend of his without it being a total shock for them both that they were supposed to be dead” she walked toward the front of the house when she heard both of the cars parking, she looked over and saw Nigel and Irina walking with baby Archie in their arms, and Katelyn bouncing beside them.

Scarlett got out of the car, waving toward Hope as she saw her coming from the other side of the house; she didn’t notice the people in the car at first but walked over to get Nadia out of her seat. “See, much easier to get out of; that doesn’t make any sense”, she complained with a chuckle as she got Nadia up in her arms.
It wasn’t until she turned and faced directly at the car as she stopped, staring at two people just sitting there as if they were frozen in time—but it wasn’t them she stopped at, it was the woman sitting behind them that made her pause, it couldn’t be? How did she look so much like her.

Mariella laughed a little bit then ruffling her brother's hair a little bit, "I hear you, I hear you -- can't wait to get a bite of that through, sounds as delicious as it looks," she tiptoed up to see what he was working on before spinning herself around and grab Leon's arm showing them out of the kitchen. "A drink?" She then walked over to grab a drink for her and Leon, then watching Hope announce she was going out to meet Reginald, with Jamie and Jasmine in her toes. Ella's eyes glowed a little bit in the violet color for a brief moment, picking up on the strong combined emotions out front, but she quickly brushed it off. Perks of having gotten a bit better at controlling that emotional energy and how it affected her. "Still think your family has more dramatic dinners than mine? you have a show waiting for you," she handed Leon his drink, then took a sip of hers. But chose to not rush into what was going on, just waiting out here in the back as Elenora joined them for a drink.

Jamie waved at Nigel as he saw him coming closer, then turning his head towards the scene unfolding before him as Reginald's daughter Amelia stumbled out of the car looking at Scarlett. First now, Jamie realized just how much the two looked alike, their scent, they had to be related. But he didn't say much, how could he even have something to say about a matter like this? Obviously he didn't. So, he walked closer towards Nigel, Irina and Katelyn. Then seeing Roman coming running full speed with Mila on his back, first stopping as they reached the others. Irina moved her eyes towards Scarlett, perhaps just sensing the change in her friend's heart beat, enough to make her aware, not that she did much further than look, carrying her son in a carry wrap close to her, she just kept herself close to Nigel really, then turning her face towards Jamie giving him a warm smile then to Hope as they came closer.


Running a little bit late, Ayah was just more than thrilled that she had convinced Riggs and Aura to join her for this dinner. Even bringing Cordelia along. She knew they would be a tiny bit late, mostly because Aura for some reason had a minor meltdown about what to wear even if Ayah had said dress code was the least she should worry about. Then getting in the car really all together, it was the most odd yet filling sensation and she felt whole for this moment - having them with her. Then she for the first time in forever didn't care if they made it a few minutes late.

Archie laughed “out”, he ordered with a loving voice when she walked over to him even though he had just told her to go outside with the others. Not that she stayed long, and he watched how she and Leon disappeared with drinks.

Leon lifted a brow. “Yeah, what you have seen are the nice dinners, just wait till we are all gathered, and I’ll show you entertainment at its best”, and when he said entertainment, he, of course, meant a lot of work; primarily for him.
He stayed with Mariella, even though he could smell and hear the confusion happening outside; “But I think you’re right, something is happening outside”, he said, narrowing his eyes, but since it wasn’t his family, he wasn’t in a rush to see what was going on. Not that curious by nature, he instead walked over and sat down where Hope and Jamie had been sitting before.

Scarlett had no idea how to deal with this, especially not when the girl looking just like her came stumbling out of the car. Followed by Reginald and a woman she didn’t know, or she did, faded memories. “Well, everyone has someone that looks like them, don’t they?” she laughed, trying to brush it off before walking over and reaching out her hand “Scarlett,” she said with a big smile toward Amelia, not knowing what else she could do right now because her body and mind kept denying what she knew was true. It was just too much to bear because if she had a family all this time, why hadn’t they looked for her? She had always thought that those that had sold her off had been her birth parents, a lie she was still willing to believe.

Riggs was drumming the wheel, waiting for the girls to join him. He had been ready for at least an hour, and twenty minutes ago, he had announced he would go out and wait in the car. “Finally, all right, let's go”, he laughed, looking at his sisters, before driving off towards Aston.

Mariella chuckled a little bit, "looking forward to it," she shook her head a bit taking a sip of her drink as they sat down. Trying to resist her urge to head out front and check everything out, already able to detect just who had arrived. But for now, sitting here next to Leon, moving her arm around his neck to place a soft kiss against his cheek, "yeah there is, but well, I will give them five minutes to sort it out amongst themselves," she loved them, but Mariella also knew she didn't need a foot in everything right away. She would feel it either way at some point, so she wasn't in a rush. Mariella let her fingers play with his hair around his neck, exhaling a little bit with a warm smile folding on her lips - still feeling very happy about this dinner happening, also as well as being able to bring Leon with her for this.

Amelia wanted to say a thousand things, but nothing stung like the feeling like not being remembered. Not when you were so sure. The fairy tried to fake up a smile for that comment, but it hurt. And she just lifted her hand slowly up and then grabbed her sister's with a firm grip. "Amelia," she finally spoke blinking a little bit. "I think she is more than that love," Jack whispered with his lips close towards her hair, not making his voice to loud. "She is absolutely lovely," Amelia tried to change the topic after the had felt her father's hand on her shoulder, telling her not to push it. Not yet at least, they didn't know what had been done to her or undone, and pushing it could have some sort of price they shouldn't be paying right now. "Nice to meet you Scarlett, I'm Reginald," he reached for her free hand as well. Wanting nothing more than to take his lost child in he had thought was dead for so long, embrace her - but he just push aside his needs for now at least. He then placed a hand on Jack's shoulder giving it a little squeeze before walking over to greet Jamie and Hope with open arms in a tight up, before seeing Nigel and Irina finally making it up to them and thereby gave his other son a warm hug and Irina a warm smile, as his eyes wondered to his grandson. "There is someone I would for you all to meet," he then gestured towards Aimee. "These are my boys, Nigel and Jamie - you already encountered Hope briefly, and Irina -- and I'm guessing you have spell-bound Archie to the kitchen?" He let out a soft deeper chuckle, not surprised. Then looking over at Katelyn, Roman and Mila taking their sweet time. But he let the kids fool around, besides they were still missing a few family members.

Ayah gave her son an apological smile as she finally managed to get Aura and Cordelia out the door. Then locking up and headed to the car, Cordelia placing herself in the front seat next to her brother, giving Ayah and Aura the place int he back, Cordelia was the first one started laughing a bit after they finally started to drive, followed by the two in the backseat. At least, with a quick trip through a portal and they would be there in no time. Ayah was excited for this, never had she thought this, moments even like these ones, a car drive - would be possible, and here she was, feeling so utterly grateful.

Scarlett knew it was more than that, but how could she face the consequences of knowing what had happened when she had used such a long time to come to terms with it? And the way she had dealt with it had been making a new story for herself, especially after the family that she had thought would give her a place to stay had given her a room to call her home; they had sold her at the first chance they had gotten. With everything that had been going on lately, it was easier to play ignorant than to acknowledge what was right in front of her. So afraid to be disappointed yet again, she couldn’t bear it; “thank you, this is Nadia,” she said with a soft voice as Amelia called her lovely; she was, the way her chubby cheeks were rounded because of the extra air that her daughter had pulled in to make bubbles with her lips.

The others looked around, watching the interaction, and didn’t know what to say or do; it didn’t matter, however, as Reginald quickly wandered around to hug everyone, or at least those of the people that weren’t occupied with playing around, which of course made the atmosphere a little lighter.

Aimee stepped forward and started greeting the people. “Hello”, she said before walking toward Reginald again, placing herself by his side. Now, she had never been one for big gatherings; the family wasn’t something she had wanted after she had lost Reginald and the girls. Her eyes wandered toward her grandson on her daughter's arm, a daughter that kept looking at her—the fear and torment almost pulled the old Valkyrie apart.
But she cleared her throat and turned her gaze back toward the people. “I’m Aimee,” she laughed, as Reginald hadn’t really announced her name, “your father's new, old girlfriend” Hope couldn’t help but laugh, what a beautiful mess it had turned out—but as she stood there side by side with Jamie, she knew that everything would turn out for the better now. Even with all the in-betweens.

It hurt, Reginald would admit as much. But there wasn't much he could do about it, other than letting Scarlett perhaps open up to the idea of it all. That meant not pushing, and let things happen in a more natural way. Now, Reginald had been in a little contact with Juniper after the split, when it came down the life of the forest in the north area, he was worried. He was also worried about the bubbly young girl playing around with Mila and Roman, but Reginald found comfort that in for now they had stopped the virus from spreading further, for now. Reginald pushed his mind back to the current events. The dinner that was going to let everyone hit pause for a second to the world problems.

"Let's go out in the backyard," Jamie gave Nigel's shoulder a little squeeze, then nodding towards Jack for them to go out in the back. Perhaps it was best before things unfolded. Or at least let people feel less attacked while standing out here not even able to get out the car before getting into something.

Reginald nodded. Just about to head towards the backyard, he sensed another strong energy coming in closer. So, he stood by for a moment watching the car driving closer. "I will be with you just in a moment," Ayah's car, but what was it with that energy? He wondered. He had a terrible gut feeling that Scarlett wasn't the only blow he was going to take tonight. Jamie looked towards Hope, then Aimee, then back at Hope - slightly worried about Reginald, but chose not to act to obvious about it.

Hope nodded, placing her arm around Jamie’s waist and following the rest of the people into the backyard, where it would seem that Archie and Elenora were setting up the last things for the people. “Hard at work, Nora?” she laughed as she let go of Jamie again to help with the last things that needed to be placed for them to be able to start eating. “It really looks good”, she mused as her hands found Archie’s shoulders from behind, giving them a slight squeeze; then, she took the last plates and walked outside. “Sit” she guided Scarlett and Jack toward the part of the table where there was a highchair for Nadia to sit in. Scarlett let out a soft breath and placed herself in the middle of Jack and Nadia, almost in the way shielding herself from the truth that she didn’t know how to face at this very moment. At least it helped that Reginald and Aimee didn’t seem to have come back.

“You want me to wait with you?” Aimee asked when Reginald had picked up on something that made him stop; all the others had gone back to sit in the garden. Of course, she would let him face this on his own he would rather that. Still, she also knew (despite how many years there had gone by since they had been together the first time) that Reginald wasn’t a man that would easily ask people to stay behind with him—always facing the dangers and consequences alone.

Riggs finally drove into the street where this family dinner was being held; a soft hum left him as he let the index fingers drum against the steering wheel “seems like we are the last”, he joked as he parked the car, seeing two people waiting for them “doesn’t seem we’ll get the grand welcome comity” he got out and gave Aimee and Reginald a smile “sorry we’re late, the girls had a mid-what am I going to wear- crisis” he joked as he reached his hand out “Rowan, but goes by Riggs, nice to meet you” Aimee quickly took his hand and gave it a firm shake “Aimee” she introduced and then looked toward the girl stepping out of the car, she was almost the spitting image of Amelia and Scarlett, it was almost eerie how much they looked alike; which quickly made her conclude that this was Reginald’s relative in one way or another.

Elenora chuckled a little as she put some of the final things on the table, "nah, it's the only time he dares bossing me around, so I let him," she teased looking over at her husband with a lighter laugh, and blew him a kiss before looking at Jamie and Hope, then giving Jack and Scarlett a warm smile as they came closer with their daughter. Jack walked over and gave Archie a quick squeeze on the shoulder as a gesture, since he still was all around putting things on the tables.

Irina looked around walking over to greet Ella and Leon who sat so peacefully waiting for the rest of the gang to join in. "Ayah is here," Mariella slowly got up, wanting to greet her sister. After all with this bunch of Blanchard's, she could go out and greet her older sister while Hope helped set the remaining tables. She let Leon decide if he wanted to keep seated or walk with her, waiting a little bit before walking out front again, closer to Reginald who stood by this new girl of his. Still weird not seeing him with her mother by his side.

Ayah chuckled a little, even if they were the last it didn't matter. They weren't that late, now were they? She hoped not. Then getting out of the car when it was parked, all the girls walked out. "Reginald," Ayah greeted Reggie, then looking over at her sister coming in closer as well. Reginald chuckled a little by the boy's comment, he was really his father's son. "Reginald," he introduced himself to Riggs. "I'm a friend of your father actually," he informed then looking towards one of the girls who stepped out. Looking just like Scarlett and Amelia - but Katherine as well. Reginald blinked a little for a second. Reginald took a sharper breath in as they came closer. Cordelia held her hand out towards Reginald, "Cordelia, nice to meet you," she greeted the people outside, followed by Aura who did the same. Mariella narrowed her eyes a little bit sensing how puzzled Reginald was. There was something going on clearly.