Her father walks into the room from the kitchen and starts asking her questions...again with THAT look in his eye "Alright where are you going? WHEN will you be home? I want you to text me when you get on the ferry home...and when it docks."
Fiona sighs, exasperated and passes her father the phone "We're eating here and then maybe taking a walk. It's a tiny town. Do you want me to turn on my locations in google so you can track me?" she jokes.
John looks like he might be considering it and Fiona protests "DAD! Chill! Oh my god...I've gone on dates before...."
John grumbles and looks out the window "Uh huh...so where is he?" He looks at the phone and sees the restaurant name and looks thoughtful.
Fiona rolls her eyes "I am going to HIM because I figured YOU would be like THIS. I like Vincent a lot and I don't want you to scare him off before we even go out once. I will text you. I will come home by eleven, and I'm leaving now." She snatches her phone back and stands on her tiptoes, giving her father a kiss on the cheek "Bye Daddy. I'll be fine. I love you."
John softens "I love you too..." He watches his daughter go out the door and then grabs his own phone.
Colleen watches all of this with a bemused look on her face, refusing to interfere. But when Fiona leaves, she looks at her husband, as he reaches for his phone. "If Herr Reinhardt ist not vorking, don't MAKE him." she uses a horrible German accent, clearly mocking her father-in-law.
Vincent looks in the bathroom mirror and again combs his hair. As he does this, the Catholic in him takes hold. He prays for a good date and prays also for his father's good behavior. After the second prayer he hears the bedroom door open and his father emerge.
"You changed clothes? Hot date?" Gino DiAntoni looks curious. Let me guess? That cutsie little blond?"
Vincent comes out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. "Daisy? Noooo. Not her." he stirs the pot on the stove, inhaling but not tasting. Not tonight. He hasn't drugged it, but he doesn't want to spoil his appetite.
Gino watches his son. "Probably a good thing." he decides. "That's too kinky, even for me. Foursomes."
Vincent drops the spoon in horror and picks it back up. "Jesus, Dad." he murmurs turning the fire off and setting the lid of the pot on top. "Just ... no Dad."
"Then who?" Gino demands. "You're crazy if you think I haven't seen that little cloud of girls following you half the time." he considers. "Not that butch redhead? O'Brian's kid?" he sounds horrified. "She's probably a bull dyke, you know."
Vincent goes through the cabinets, preparing to put away dishes. "Addison is NOT gay, okay?" he argues for his friend. "But not her, either." he sighs and realizes his father will find out sooner or later. "Fiona Reinhardt." he confesses.
Gino's eyebrows lift. "Ohhhh NICE!" he enthuses. "A little morbid, but ... if you can thaw that ice ... her mother is pretty hot. AND a professional, I hear."
With several loud clatters, Vincent puts the clean dishes away, deciding that ignoring his father was the better part of common sense. Glancing at the clock, he knows Fiona will be knocking on the door at any minute, and his father was still conscious.
John silently blinks at Colleen and walks out of her range for a moment to text Michael. "What are you doing tonight? I need a favour and it's in your town."
Fiona had given her mom a knowing smile before leaving and now fast walked to Vincent's apartment building. She saw a woman in a police uniform with chin length brown hair struggling with keys and groceries at the front door and smiles at her. "Can I hold one of those for you Officer?"
Darcy Lynch laughed "That would be great thanks. Are you about to buzz someone? I shouldn't really just let strangers in.....didn't you sing at the festival?"
Fiona beamed "Yes, yes I did. Um I have a friend in this building....I can still buzz him. I get it." She reaches for the buzzer after passing in the bag.
Darcy sighs "K who 's the friend? You don't seem like an ax murderer kid."
Fiona grins "Ax murderers look like everyone else you know. I wouldn't trust me..." she jokes "It's Vincent DiAntoni on the second floor...I think..."
Darcy laughs "Yeah I can point out his door if you want to help me get these part way home. Come on in. I'm Darcy, Darcy Lynch."
Fiona grins and takes two grocery bags"I'm Fiona. He's mentioned you." She looks self conscious after, remembering it had to do with finding weapons in the laundromat and follows the officer down the hall and up the stairs. Darcy points before taking her bags back hoping for the nice girl's sake that Vincent is home alone. They say goodbye and Fiona walks down the hall and quietly knocks three times.
Michael Reinhardt gets the text as he sits at his desk, taking a non-sanctioned break, he replies. "I'm working tonight. Until I go into the Chief's office and proclaim the town mine ... then I'm fired. Until then, what do you need?"
Vincent blows out a breath and is heading into the bathroom, checking his hair one last time. He hears the knock and tries not to look like he is bolting to catch the door before his father does.
Gino is in the kitchen, so he moves a few steps and opens the door without even checking the peep hole. He smiles at Fiona. "Well, hello there." he backs up and motions into the apartment. "Come on in. Fiona Reinhardt, right?"
Vincent blinks in horror and grabs his hoodie. "No time, Dad." he moves towards the door. "Dinner is on the stove. I'll be home by eleven." and he heads for the door.
"Hold on, not so fast." Gino grabs his son by the arm. "Take some of these with you." he lifts the cover off of a dish on a shelf under a chalkboard and places three condoms into his sons hand. "No accidents, boy." he looks at Fiona with a smile. "You two have a great night."
Vincent takes the condoms. "Thanks, Dad, we will." and takes Fiona's hand and quick marches her to the stairs. On the floor below, he shakes his head. "I am SO sorry, Fi." he apologizes and, by the waste bin by the mailboxes, he tosses the condoms in.
Back at the Reinhardt house John replies to Micheal "Fi is coming to Cedar Point on a date. They're going to your lady's restaurant. Could you be a lamb and peek in on them? I don't know about this guy."
Michael Reinhardt looks at the message and chuckles as he replies. "Me, my charm, my good looks and my Glock can stop by for a dinner break, no problem."
Fiona Reinhardt looks at Vincent's father with a nervous smile "Uh...thanks...you too Mr. DiAntoni." she giggles a bit as they walk and then when Vincent throws them out with the fliers she scoops at the garbage and grabs them "Vincent..." She gives him a stern look "I'm not suggesting we use these...not ready for that at all...but someone else might like free condoms if he just wants to give them away. Your Dad's a piece of work." she laughs "But I'm going to drop these in my brother Logan's dresser." She pockets them with a smiling head shake "And my god...I hope our Dad's NEVER talk because mine would shit a cat right now. "
Vincent DiAntoni blushes. "Man, why didn't I think of that?" he wonders, but figures it was his father. "And no .. we won't be using these tonight, Fi. I'm no more ready than you are, I don't think." he blows out a breath and chuckles at her intended donating to her brother. Then he closes his eyes. "Fi .... my dad works for your dad ... at the Metalworks. They talk ... and sometimes drink together .. and ..." he face palms. "Your father is going to kill me, Fi. Cause my dad has no ... NO .. sense. His mouth is like a runaway train sometimes." he looks at her. "Your Dad knows your going out with ME?" he wonders if maybe the men have talked already.
Fiona Reinhardt: Fiona sidles up to Vincent and slips her fingers along the underside of his hand, attempting to hold it "He knows, and he's not going to kill you. You are not your father OK? He's a little..." she knows she's understating it "overprotective....but he'll get over it when he meets you I'm sure. Come on let's go."
Vincent DiAntoni takes her hand, but doesn't relax TOO much. "I know I'm not .. but HE doesn't know that." he sighs and leads her out the door. "Hopefully by the time I meet your dad it'll go over better." he leads them down Central, still holding her hand, if she wants that.
Fiona Reinhardt walks with him, holding hands and blushing a bit and then she sees the cop shop "It will. I know it. I met that Officer Lynch on my way into your building. She actually let me in. She lives above you guys?"
Vincent DiAntoni nods and walks with her past the cop shop. "Yea, she's cool. I think she worries about me. Well maybe my Dad too. It's not a storybook household." he sighs and moves to the corner of 2nd and Water. "I had Thanksgiving with her and her family."
Fiona smiles "That's cool of her. Did your Dad....." she thinks and then lowers her voice "go with you or did you....? " She remembers what Vincent said about his little junior mafia move. She glances back at the carousel and mutters "Oh damn I need to pick up my elf suit..."
Vincent DiAntoni looks very slightly uncomfortable. "I .. well I helped my father sleep all through Thanksgiving." he admits. "I like Darcy, so I didn't want her knowing my father any better than the APD already does." he sighs. "Which is why I wanted to pick you up. But ... at least meeting my father is out of the way." He looks at the carousel. "You know, I can't wait to see you in that." he teases. "Cute green tights. Bells on your toes. I'm getting pictures."
Fiona Reinhardt shakes her head "No I think your Dad was the better parent to meet today. Maybe it's a daughter thing. He NEVER pulled this shit with Logan. Still be tested with my younger brothers. So far neither of them have dated, that I know of. Pretty sure Seamus still sneaks out his lego boxes and builds so I'm not sure girls....or boys...are on the radar yet. Being the youngest, my parents kind of baby him ." She gives Vincent a little hip bump, still holding his hand "Bells on the toes huh? Whatever does it for you. I think the main challenge will be staying cheerful all day and not telling little kids Santa would be way more fun as a zombie."
Vincent DiAntoni nods. "Well, maybe I should meet your mom first?" he offers and then chuckles. "I've never been babied. Dad said it would make me a sissy to do all the shit I do to begin with, like tha'ts a choice." he rolls his eyes. He grins at the hip bump and laughs. "I don't now if is DOES it for me. Costumes .... well .. yea ... no ...." then he laughs even harder. "I think with the right motivation, you could smile all day." he offers.
Fiona Reinhardt blushes again and more so as they pass the love shop. she knew what was in there of course, everyone did by now. She tries to walk a little faster pretending it's not what they're passing and then asks with sensitivity to the topic "What about your mom? She had to have been a better parent....because look at you." She gives him a sweet smile "I have been smiling a bit more lately....no particular reason..." she says sarcastically. Suddenly they're in front of the laundromat and she looks in and then steps up to give Vincent a little kiss on the cheek "OK maybe a bit of a reason." She steps back quickly and shyly.
Vincent DiAntoni smiles, happily ignoring the Love Shop. "Hey, my mom taught me to do laundry, and cook and clean. She was fantastic. They got married cause my grandparents made my father marry her. Honestly I think she would have done better alone, but ..." he grins. "Then I never would have met you." he grins more as they pass the laundromat. The kiss makes him outright smile and he pulls her back for a quick peck on the lips. "I have my reasons too."
Fiona Reinhardt: Fiona pecks back and grins "I don't think they'll let me bring you to work though." She grins stupidly as they keep walking holding hands, in total bliss until they get to the shops and see a couple up against the wall. Fiona squints for a moment and then realizes it's Joey and Daisy intertwined. One of his hands seems to be wandering under her skirt and she seems to be reacting by throwing her leg around his hip. Fiona blinks and then turns to Vincent with a wide eyed look and mutters "Uauugh....some things you just can't unsee...maybe we should toss them your father's condoms?"" It's a bad joke and she knows it. Bliss to revulsion in 10 seconds flat.
Vincent DiAntoni laughs. "Why not? I could give musical accompaniment." he hums Kidnap The Sandy Claws, but then his gaze follows Fiona's and he sighs. "I really hope Joey has his own supplier." he rumbles, taking her into the Ferry Ticket Office. "He's been .... talking."
Fiona Reinhardt pulls her wallet out of her pocket while they wait in a short line and makes a face "You mean like gross jock locker room style?" Her voice is still low so only Vincent can hear her.
Vincent DiAntoni sees her wallet and lowers his own voice. "Exactly like that. In the schools locker room, no less." he reaches out to touch her wallet. "If we go Dutch, how about I buy the tickets and you buy dinner." he offers. "And next time, we switch." because unless she stabs him in the crotch with a butcher knife, he intends for there to be many dates.
Fiona Reinhardt looks very happy with Vincent's plan after an eye roll about Joey. She looks down at the wallet "OK....I can work with that. She tucks it back in her pocket and then self consciously rearranges the pile of condoms she intends to donate so they don't come flying out the next time she pulls out her wallet. Fiona inwardly grins at the fact that Vincent had said "next time".
Vincent DiAntoni takes out his BC Ferries Experience Card and pays for two tickets. As he heads for the ferry waiting area he chuckles. "And every second date." he elaborates. As they board the ferry and select seats, he sighs again. "Joey stopped me in the locker room on Tuesday to thank me for turning Daisy down. He said he took her for a ride and comforted her. REALLY comforted her, if you now what I mean." he shakes his head. "Now they're dating .. well .. dating might be the wrong word ...." he admits, as they have been seen all over each other even in the halls at school. "But me and you .... WE are dating .. the RIGHT way."
Fiona Reinhardt shudders a bit about the details of Joey's locker room talk. She gets an obviously uncomfortable look on her face when the car ride comes up, a bit triggered by that topic still. She leans a bit on Vincent and takes his hand again looking a little vulnerable and says softly "I think so too, thanks."
Vincent DiAntoni considers a minute when she leans into him, and then puts his arm around her. "Anytime." he replies, feeling incredibly lucky.
Awhile later, they walk into Sakura Sushi, laughing and talking and take a seat in a booth overlooking the ocean. Fiona finishes a thought from before they walked in "I totally ate that canned salmon. It was surprisingly good. You didn't even take one? Did you take any treats on Halloween?"
A Japanese hostess wearing glasses sees them and grabs two menus. She says something to the two chefs behind the counter, one is also of Japanese descent and could almost be related to the woman, the other couldn't look more different from her.
Eien glances up from his work. Tonight he is delivering any hot pots ordered, as the magic of the chef delivering meals has taken on a sort of magical tint. A couple of kids walk in and he tries to guess. It's one of the things that entertains him as he literally slices and dices.
Michael glances up from his desk as the bus pulls in. Standing slowly, he adjusts his uniform with exaggerated care and turns to Cody. "I'm off for dinner. Don't wait up, Buttercup." he considers hitching up his gun belt in a overly macho Codyesque manner and decides against it, heading out the door of the cop shop in time to see the door to Sakura Sushi close. He loiters a bit, not wanting to arrive TOO soon.
Vincent walks in and laughs. "Did you really?" he marvels, then shakes his head. "Nope. Honestly, I was way too into playing to even think about it." he replies as he looks around the place.
Fiona gives him a sweet look "The perfect Minstrel....although I feel kinda bitchy calling you that now." she laughs.
The hostess approaches the table with a tea pot, teacups and menus. Her accent is entirely Canadian. "Hello there. Can I offer you both some green tea to start?"
Fiona nods "Yes please." and accepts a cup and the pouring that ensues.
Stephanie leans back after pouring both and pulls the menus out from under one arm "We have a special tonight of hot pots. It's not in the regular menu but in the insert. It's a traditional Japanese hot pot, Nabemono, where you choose your meats, rice or noodles, sauces and get a plate of veggies to choose from and make a customized soup to share at your table. I'll leave you to think on it and come back shortly." she smiles cordially and starts back to the kitchen, clearing a table as she passes it.
Behind the counter, Garrett slices into a chunk of tuna belly to prep for an order. He casually chats with Ein "So how's island life?"
Vincent shrugs. "I know when you're being bitchy." he protests. "And Minstrel is a lot better than Pookey Face, in my opinion." he laughs along with her and looks at the hostess. "Yes, please and thank you." when the woman explains the choices, Vincent looks at her, blushing very slightly. "What do you think? Share a hot pot?"
Eien grins. "It is very good." he admits. "But I always lived on islands. Trinidad. Japan.." he works casually. "How are the living arrangements with your brother's old roommates, Garrett-san?" he glances over at Stephanie, remembering his crush on her when he first arrived in Canada.
Fiona giggles "Alright Minstrel..." she looks at the menu insert describing the choices "What kinds of dead things do you like boiled?"
Stephanie notices Ein looking her way and smiles as she passes and then walks over to the dish area and unloads her clearing. She fast walks to answer the phone "Sakura Sushi?.....for delivery or take out......may I start with your name and address please....." she grabs a pen and order pad and the conversation goes on as expected.
Garrett snorts and then tries to come up with an acceptable answer "It's never boring..." he states honestly "And VERY random." He chops at the tuna and then sets it aside.
Eien chuckles. "That sounds very ... interesting indeed." he admits. "I am finding living with April to be very nice. Even though her father hates me." he shrugs and moves from slicing carrots to crushing garlic. "Do you need me to work tomorrow night, as well?"
Vincent grins. "I'm pretty open." he replies. "Avians, fish, seafood, cows and pigs."
Michael walks through the door just in time to hear the word pigs. He looks at Fiona, and then over to Stephanie on the phone, as he lets the door go to allow it to slowly close behind him. ""Did someone mention pigs?" he looks back at the kids, offering Fiona a smile and not even trying to add the 'fancy meeting you here' crap. Fiona was no idiot .... but he isn't sure she knows about her uncle and Stephanie Yamada, even if her father does.
Fiona was smiling at Vincent and about to answer when she heard her uncle's voice chime in. She stood up and hugged him "Uncle Mikey! We would never boil you....at least not in a lucid state" She exclaimed with her smile widening for a second before looking suddenly scrutinizing "Wait a minute....is this what......" She didn't even finished the question but just quietly huffed and then sat back down "You remember Vincent?" she offers wryly now. She was hoping to god her father hadn't asked him to get mug shots and prints.
Stephanie finishes writing out her order and takes it over to the prep counter and sticks up up for Garrett "Delivery. Ein's on hot pots so it's yours Gar." She had noticed Michael walk in and was fighting a non stop grin. She grabbed the order pad again and heads to the table with the teens that Michael seems to be talking to and addresses the girl and boy that seem to know him "Is this guy giving you trouble?" She says teasingly with a wink at Micheal afterwards.
Garrett saw his sister's boyfriend and brother's cop partner walk in and had given him a nod before answering Eien "I'm glad you're happy. There's nothing like it man." He thinks about the tomorrow question "Uh maybe....let me see about something..." He's about to go wash his hands and then check hi phone when Stephanie comes at him with an order. He chuckles and gets to the work "I'll get back to you on it Eien."
Eien nods at Stephanie and gives Michael a nod. A good man, as far as he could tell. "Sure." he replies to Garrett.
Michael moves to the booth and looms JUST a little bit over the teens. "I do indeed, remember Vincent." he replies, and grins when Stephanie comes over. "I'm being good! Honest!" he mock protests and then looks at Fiona. "I just got a little text message from my brother." he looks at Stephanie. "Who suggested I just check on the kids." he shrugs at Vincent. "You know, run your prints, take a DNA sample and offer you coffee in a darkened interrogation room under a single bare light bulb." now he looks back at Fiona. "Of course, the bulk of my story depends on what I am paid for it." he suggests to Fiona, deadpan, but joking. If she bribes him enough, of course Vincent will be perfect.
Vincent gulps, trying to gauge it all. He remembered Michael from a couple events, but had never seen him in uniform before. "Hi, Officer Mikey ... I ... I mean Officer Reinhardt." he begins and starts to relax a little. "My record's clean, sir." he reports.
Fiona starts laughing. She knows her uncle is kidding now. "What can we bribe you with? Sushi? Not telling Dad you ratted him out?" She smiles innocently now.
Stephanie beams at the girl, taking in the piercings and black hair as described by John. "You must be Fiona. I'm Stephanie, and you probably can't bribe Mike with sushi. In fact he might be sick of the stuff already...." she teases and then looks at Vincent "Don't let him scare you buddy. He's a big teddy bear...to me anyways."
Fiona beams at Steph "YOU'RE Stephanie? I thought we wouldn't get to meet you until Christmas." She looks at Vincent again "I'm sorry, I HAD to pick the restaurant Uncle Mikey's girlfriend works at. This is all my fault. And I think we'll have that hotpot thing. We're just deciding on meat. What do you recommend?"
Stephanie grins "Shrimp and scallop combo. It make a rich broth."
Garrett finishes and packs his delivery order and then stops briefly to send a text, smiling to himself as he types. There's a bit of a lift in him. You can see his previous depression is all but gone and he seems very joyful now, lighthearted. His text is to Ziven saying "Hey you. Do you work tomorrow night. I might be able to trade someone for a night off and I miss you." His cheeks flush and he quickly pockets his phone "K I'll be back shortly."
Michael smiles. "Well, I prefer the sushi Steph here makes for me." he hopes the kids miss the innuendo, as its delivered innocently enough, although Steph might understand. Then he looks between them. "Yea, don't tell him I refuse to interrogate a good kid. And don't tell him he may have forgotten, but I remember when HE was dating girls." he grins and looks at Vincent. "But just to throw my brother a bone, you probably already know if you hurt Fiona." he moves his hands in a sort of circling gesture that people use when going through the usual list. "I'll break .. well you pick a limb. I like you .. and so will John. I have no IDEA why hes being like this It's not like your the first boy Fiona dated. Sheesh." he suddenly looks like he remembers something. "OH .. and Steph, Fiona, Fiona, Steph." he does the completely unnecessary introduction now.
Vincent smiles, relieved. "Thank you, sir." he replies. "I don't plan to hurt Fiona. Not on purpose, anyway. But if I ever do ... just not the hands, please." he twiddles his fingers. "You might not have much left. I figure if I hurt Fi, she might break everything I got before you can even track me down, sir."
Michael laughs. "That sounds about right, Vincent." he nods, looking at Fiona and then at Steph. "I have the same philosophy with Stephanie here ... and she has one brother proficient in knives and another I partner with. They'd have to shoot and chop up my corpse." he looks at Fiona. "So if I vanish without a trace .... you know I fucked up big time."
Eien notes the mood shift in Garrett but doesn't see the reply, which is "Not at night, no. I have reproductive surgeries tonight and tomorrow but should be done pretty early. Missed you too." but he nods at Garrett's words and, having overheard Stephanie's suggestion, begins to prepare it for the teens.
Stephanie wiggles her brows "I don't need weapons. And it's nice to meet you both. I'll go put your order in and be right back." She didn't realize Eien was listening and is about to tack up the order when she looks what he's got on the chop board and just smirks "Well shit....you still got it. Garrett went out on that delivery?" She had been facing the other way as he left and wasn't sure if it was his door opening and closing or a customer's.
Fiona looks relieved. This was why she had such a good connection with her uncle. "I like her. She's a little vicious....... in a good way." She puts her leg beside Vincent's under the table, letting it lean before reassuring him "I'm not too worried about you but yes I would spare the hands. Although I might just put you in a sack whole and take you out for experiments." Her phone buzzes in her pocket and fishes for it causing one of the soon to be donated condoms to pop out and land right the table. She tries to do an oh so casual swipe and grab back, hoping no one but Vincent would notice and misunderstand. She laughs "It's Dad." She awkwardly clears her throat and texts back.
Eien looks over at Steph and pauses long enough to bow, deeply. "I do, Yamada-san." he intones with a slight smile. "And he did, hai. He should be back soon."
Vincent chuckles and lifts his leg, rubbing Fiona's under the table. "Thanks, I really appreciate that." He blinks when the condoms hit the table and quickly opens, then closes his mouth.
Michael watches them. They're so sweet. Then he sees the condoms and his eyes widen, moving from Fiona then to Vincent.
Vincent, panicked, blurts out. "Those are mine! I . I mean, my father gave them to me .. I mean ... I .... I ..." he begins to make a bit of a fish face at Michael.
Hie eyes widening a bit at the confession and listening a bit more, Michael looks at Fiona. "How ironic." his voice dry as the Sahara at the news its his brother.
Fiona rolls her eyes "Oh for fuck's sakes. Uncle Mikey, sit down....beside me maybe." She doesn't wait to see if he does but just lays it all out. She knows Vincent might squirm but she and her uncle have always been pretty upfront. "Vincent's father is a piece of work. That's why Dad's being a freak. He sleeps around so he assumes Vincent is sleeping around. He pushed condoms on him when I came to the door, in front of me, smiling even. No offence Vincent, but it was a little bit of a yuck moment. Vincent was going to toss them but I fished them out of the garbage, not for us. Uncle Mikey it's our first date, and we both know that neither of us is ready for that. And if and when we are, we won't be idiots about it. But I'm not stock piling for that. They do expire after all. I was going to give them to Logan because he does stay out overnight sometimes and I want him to be safe." Then she gets a bit annoyed by the whole thing "But even if these were for us for tonight, isn't that MY choice, I mean OUR choice? I don't think it's right for anyone to decide when that happens for anyone else. I'm old enough to know how it works and I'm old enough to know what I want."
Steph gives a little bow back and grins "This place is more fun with you in the mix Eien." She scuttles around refilling the basket of napkins and chopsticks for the front and then sets them down, standing on the other side of Eien out front. She can see and sense some tension from the table but isn't sure what's going on over there.
Vincent turns red, but listens, modding because he can't argue with a single word Fiona is saying.
Michael DOES sit down beside Fiona and listens to her, glancing occasionally at Vincent. The boys reaction clearly tells Vincent that he is, most likely, a virgin. He sighs deeply. "Listen, you two." he begins. "I'm not going to come off as a hypocrite and say you two shouldn't do this because you're too young. I've seen younger parents than you two already." he pauses a moment.
Vincent nods. "My mother was sixteen .. and my Dad was seventeen."
Michael nods. "Yea. So you know what having a kid too young can do to you." he motions between them. "Neither of you is an idiot." he points out. "But for the love of all living green things, be CAREFUL, if you decide to do anything." he licks his lips. "You'll both know when the time is right .... just ... I did some pretty stupid things when I was your age. And Fiona, you're smarter than I am, okay." he blows out a breath and rubs at his chin. "Now tell your father I just spit in this kids soup and am hauling him off for jaywalking."
Eien chuckles. "Are those children friends of yours?" he asks, softly. "I can give them an extra ... ah .. show, maybe?" he offers. It's not Benihana, but he can still amuse an audience.
Fiona smiles a little "I've gotten the talk Uncle Mikey, more from Mom than Dad because he tends to clam up a bit if I even so much as put tampons on the grocery list, but thanks. We're in no hurry. We really just want to get to know each other." She gives Vincent a very sweet look "I'm still just happy he said yes." She takes out her phone and starts texting her father "If I tell him the spit thing he'll be onto us....maybe you just showed him pictures of the holding cell and made hulk like noises?" Fiona imitates what she thinks this would look like if her uncle were doing so "Mikey...smash!" It's much less threatening on her of course.
Stephanie looks curiously at Eien and nods "Alright then. Looks like they could use a bit of fun. I'm worried Michael is going all Uncle Cop on his niece's poor date. It was supposed to be in jest, but they look all serious....oh no...the hulk...that's better....but go....be dazzling."
Garrett texts Ziven back from the car "OK let's have some time together then...after all the snipping and tying? XOXO." He goes back in and walks by Eien while Steph has just said go and dazzle and just says "Yes please to tomorrow...and thanks."
Stephanie eyes her brother "What's tomorrow?"
Garrett blushes deeply "Just stuff...going out. I need to sort the freezer." he announces suddenly and then disappears into it leaving Stephanie standing there wondering.
Vincent looks relieved. That Fiona can talk to ANYONE about sex amazes him. "Yea. I mean we only really see each other at school and around other people, so its nice it can be just us, you know?" he looks back at Fiona a little shyly. "You beat me to asking." he chuckles at their plotting.
Michael nods at them. "Then carry on." he orders and nods. Chuckling at Fiona's imitation he begins to get up. "That's about right." he looms over Vincent and then softly slaps his shoulder. "Just treat her right, kid and all will be well." and he heads for the counter, as Eien passes him with the tray. He looks at his own phone as he nears Stephanie, who looks a little odd. "OK, now why has India sent me a text message for the third day in a row with a lunch order? Doesn't she have a boyfriend to feed her, or am I being used like a cheap food delivering whore?"
Eien makes his way past Michael to the table. "Good evening." he begins, bowing to them deeply. "I am Eien Fumetsu. Your chef for tonight. As you probably guess, I am not your typical Japanese chef." he suddenly changes from Japanese to a Trinidadian accent. "I was born in Trini, mon. So if ya hot pot be too spicy, dat may be da reason, ya?" he straightens and begins to tell them hot to eat the hot pot, switching up from his usual Japanese accent to his Trinidadian one. No doubt they have both seen him in and around Perkatory and both his look and his accent betray him as one of Buni's relatives.
Garrett has a reply waiting for him "Tonight or tomorrow night? Both I hope. XOXOXO"
Fiona beams at Vincent in his comment about her beating him to the asking. Fiona smiles at her uncle as he goes "See you Uncle Mikey, hopefully before Christmas." She then looks delighted at Eien. She does recognize him even though they've never spoken. "Very cool. Are you related to the coffee lady at the Perkatory? I've seen you in Alexandra. I'm Fiona. Thanks for the soup." She starts adding things into the pot one at a time, pausing to let Vincent make some choices.
Stephanie breaks out of her hard look at the freezer and pokes Michael "She's eating for two...and embarrassed about how hungry she is. Been there. Just let her think she's sneaking it and feed her. I'll put the order in..." She looks distractedly at the freezer "If I can ever get my brother to come out of the freezer......something's off with him today."
Vincent smiles at the performance, as hes never had anything like that before. "Yea, I've seen you too. I'm Vincent." he adds, and listens as he adds a few other things to the pot.
Eien grins and bows, still in his act a bit. "Ah soooo. Dat be me cousin Buni." he tells them, and finally bows deeply. "Enjoy your meal, and if you need me, just call." and he backs off and goes back to work.
Michael chuckles. "Alright, as long as I don't have to deliver it to her in some dark alley at midnight." he looks at the freezer. "What the hell is he doing in there?" he wonders, not having seen Garrett return ... or really leave, for that matter.
Fiona smiles at Eien as he goes "Wow these towns are REALLY connected." She uses her tongs to pick up some shitake mushrooms but asks first "Mushrooms and green onions?" She had put green onions in last "And maybe some of this leafy stuff.....you cook right? I do too but lots of handed down recipes from Mom and Dad. I should experiment more...course my brothers might not eat it then."
Stephanie looks baffled "Organizing...apparently." She sees Eien return and flags him down instead "Oh good you're free. Michael has something for you. Do you want it on an order slip? I'm not putting it through the till, it's feeding my growing niece."
In the freezer Garrett breaks down and just calls Ziven, hoping he's not reaching into an animal at this very moment. It rings and Garrett leans against the wall, shivering a bit.
Vincent looks over the selections. "Both, please." he agrees and smiles. "I cook ... Italian ... some of these I've never seen or tasted before." he takes a mushroom and tastes it, delighted at the tastes. "We probably both should. You can use me as a Guinea pig." he volunteers.
Michael arches his brows, but otherwise does not comment, standing out of the way and sort of watching Fiona and her date.
Eien hears Steph. "No, I do not need a slip." he moves over to the prep area. "What does the baby want." he teases, showing his capacity for humor has own since leaving Japan.
Ziven sits down in his office and leans back. When his cell phone rings, he looks at it and smiles, answering. "Dr Ayala." he growls with good humor. "If this isn't a sexy sushi chef, I'm hanging up."
Fiona grins dangerously "Be careful what you offer. I might hook up electrodes.....Hey are you taking shops? I was thinking of signing up. It's an elective but it might be a nice break." She adds the mushrooms and sniffs at the broth "Oh yeah that was a good choice......mmmm." She closes her eyes inhaling.
Stephanie sighs "I'll figure it out later." She looks at Michael's phone "What is she asking for?" And then look up at Eien.
Garrett laughs weakly and then sounds really upset "Ziven. I have to tell them....my family. We never have secrets....and I'm.....I know I shouldn't do this over the phone...I'm falling for you. I know you're working...I am too....I'm in the .." He laughs "Freezer....it's fucking...freezing in here..."
Stephanie frowns towards the freezer now. It sounds like Garrett is talking in there. Is he talking to himself. Is he on the phone...in the freezer. She slowly starts to walk towards it, drawn to the mystery.
Vincent mock shudders. "Oh baby baby. It's that spark between me and you." then he laughs. "I probably better. My dad mentioned it, so I can get a REAL job." he rolls his eyes. He inhales also and grins again, nodding. "Well, we make great soup together. We never would have learned that at Perkatory or Sigh."
Michael snorts and pulls up the message. It's a single word, in all caps "BEEF!" he looks between Stephanie and Eien. "I don't think she cares, as long as it has beef in it ....."
Ziven listens, his eyes widening at the words and a smile creeping over his face. "Then I guess I'd better call my mother soon ... tell her the same." then he laughs. "Listen ... we'll talk tonight, alright. About falling and other things, okay? I have something for you." he chuckles. "And I'll make chicken soup in case you catch a cold in there." he sighs. "Tonight, lover. I promise." and he prepares to cut the connection.
Fiona blushes at the oh baby baby part and then laughs until he talks about his dad and the real job thing. She sighs derisively "Does he listen to the radio? Musician IS a real job. I mean what about that Kagiso guy right? It's probably not like that at the start but still...it can go there. I'm not sure if I want to be a professional singer for my whole career. I actually really like science. I love dissections...I know lots of people think it's gross. Maybe I'll be some kind of CSI or a mortician. I know I joke about morose things, but I really do find it kind of interesting. Anyway, enough about potential cadavers, think we can eat this yet?"
Stephanie creeps up to the door and then yanks it open suddenly as Garrett is hanging up his phone "Who the hell are you talking to in there?"
Garrett almost drops the phone "Jesus Steph were you there the whole time? A little privacy..."
Steph steps in and gestures around the space. The door slowly closing so the beginning can be overheard "Oh this will be private. We're in a fucking freezer." She grabs at his arm and pinches the soft place full of nerve endings place on the back, just above the elbow "Quit being such a freak show and tell me what the deal is!" The door suctions to a close as Garrett lets out an eep.
Vincent snorts. "Well, it never hurts to have a career to fall back on." he smiles when she talks about dissections. "Seriously?" she and he are in the same biology class. "I want to do that. I mean .. be a pathologist. Maybe I can help ... it seems a way to do it and NOT lose my patients, for one." he looks into the pot. "Lets see what we've made, Boss." he grins.
Michael hears Stephanie, then Garrett then nothing as the freezer door closes on them. He also hears Vincent and Fiona laughing as they talk over their dinner. As he looks at his phone again, he wonders if Garrett is about to get himself in big trouble. In the freezer no one can hear you scream.
Eien simply shakes is head as he considers the heartiest beef meal on the menu and begins to prepare it for India.
Fiona uses the utensils provided and ladles out a bowl each for them and then tests hers and smiles "Perfection." She muses about his pathology comments "I suspect you'd be better with the living than I would, but that's very cool." she watches him to see how he likes the soup.
Stephanie lets go but keeps her stance and look threatening "Are you embezzling cash, becoming a hit-man....sleeping with a married woman.....why all this frozen mystery?"
Garrett rubs at his arm and laughs a bit "No nothing like that." He sighs "I'm falling in love with someone."
Steph's face flips from anger to awe and then confusion "Why is THAT a secret? Who is she?"
Garrett gulps "It's a he. It's not bad, it's just different.....I didn't expect it..."
Stephanie looks surprised for a second and then processes "OK....." She softens completely "We're not going to judge you Garrett. Come here..." She pulls him into a hug and they shiver together "But it's really cold in here. Can we not judge you with a cup of tea in room temperature?"
Garrett laughs and sort of cries at the same time, relieved "Give me a sec. I'm a bit overwhelmed."
Stephanie hugs him hard and lets him have time. Eventually Garrett breaks the hug and wipes at his eyes and face until all is clear "OK tea...Michael and Eien probably wondering what the hell.."
Stephanie looks at him and smiles "They'll understand if you want to tell them, especially Michael. Come on."
The both step out looking calm with small smiles on their faces. Stephanie pushes Garrett away from going back to working and over to an empty booth and then nudges Michael "Sit with him for a sec please. I'm getting tea."
Vincent hums in pleasure as he tastes his soup. "I might be better with people, but ... after the Daisy mess ... I feel like I have less patience for certain types." he shrugs not really wanting to bring that girl up but. He's far from jealous. Disgusted might fit better. "I don't think I have much of a stomach for ... not idiots but ... just ... I don't even know what to call it.
Eien finally watches as Yamadas begin to come out of the freezer. An odd family, but he loves them. "I will deliver this." he says, packing up India's order. "It is slow tonight, until the movie lets out."
Michael puts away his phone and nods, sitting in the booth against the wall with Garrett. "OK .... what'd you do?" he coaxes with a grin.
Fiona makes a face "There will always be THOSE types unfortunately. Aside from what she's doing right now, I got it with her....I mean she had feelings for you. I have feelings for you. How could I kinda not just feel bad for her?" Fiona laughs a bit "There was a point at which I thought you had a thing for Addy, You kept bringing her up that day we had lunch at my house....I was a little sad about it all the way back to school but I would have been happy for your guys if it HAD been her of course."
Stephanie clinks away in the kitchen, getting them cups and a pot. The hot water is always on of course.
Garrett blushes and stammers as Michael asks "I....uh....I met someone. I was trying to figure out when to start talking about it so....yeah...I guess that's today..." He runs his hand through his hair nervously. Steph said "especially Michael" but he had no idea what he meant by that so Garrett was stalling.
Vincent nods, thoughtfully. "Well maybe but ... she got all mad at me and runs off to Joey? I know some girls do that and there HAD been some talk about Daisy, I just sort of ignored it." he looks at her curiously. "Addy? I like her but ... no. I asked about her cause shes my friend. So I was worried with her Dad in the hospital and everything." he reaches out to touch her hand. "It's .... well, it's you I liked and wanted to go out with. You're pretty and nice, once you get past the exterior. Probably the biggest reason was that you DIDN'T follow me around like some kind of groupie, throwing yourself at me like you would do anything to be the girl seen on my arm."
Michael considers the words. "When to start talking about it?" he murmurs and runs a finger along his chin. "So ... it's what? A guy?" he guesses casually, because the wording just seemed to be like he had, at times, heard himself telling his family ... of course it turned out differently, but ... he was always trying to figure out 'when to start talking about it' and doubted people would think like that over a regular relationship or even if a guy got caught up with a married woman or some woman in even a disrespectful profession.
Fiona wraps her fingers around his when their hands touch and gives his hand a little squeeze "I figured it out." She giggles and then let's go of his hand gesturing behind her at her back "The uh...tattoo day helped.....anyhow...not much of a groupie but I honestly do find them amusing. You could start a cult. Actually that would be kind of fun. Ask them to chant random shit that means absolutely nothing...."
Stephanie waves to Eien as he goes and then returns and puts cups out and pours just as Garrett stares at Michael like he's some kind of mind reader "Shit......uh yeah....how did you get to that so fast?"
Stephanie purses her lips and just scoots in beside Michael, taking her cup and sipping, letting him choose what he reveals or not.
Vincent laughs and sips more soup as she talks about her back. He blushes and swallows hard. "Yea .. it .. that'll stick in my memory." he chuckles. "Maybe I could." he agrees. "I'll have to wait a little while. See, I might have to tell them I have a girlfriend, but they can flutter if they want." he looks into his soup and fills his spoon again.
Michael leans into Stephanie as she joins them. "Well ... I got there from .. well .. " he inhales and exhales. "Living as a gay man until I fell in love with your sister." he admits. "I didn't expect it, but it feels perfect for me, even if I'd never been with any woman BEFORE her."
Fiona smiles and sips her tea after a full bowl of soup has been decimated on her side "Girlfriend...I like that." She grins "So did you have the same affect on girls back in Toronto?" It's half a tease but half a curiosity.
Garrett just stares at Michael wide eyed for a long time and then finally gets out "I never would have guessed." He chuckles "And like the flip side of me...although I guess that just makes us bi right. I mean if I think hard enough about certain women, it's all still there too....but when I'm with..." He hesitates on the name and then confesses "Shit you guys totally know him too. Ziven."
Stephanie furrows her brow for a second and then has a look of dawning "Ziven? From Falcon Island?"
Vincent beams. "I like that too." he admits. Then he blushes. "Well ... none of them knew I played the harp. But last year I suddenly became popular. Girls asked me out, but they either could't have a conversation, or they tried .." he shrugs. "To get me to do things. You know. Trying to touch or grab me in places ..." he shrugs.
Michael shrugs one shoulder. "I don't know. I'm sure there's a term for it. But I don't think one women in thirty years exactly makes me bi-sexual. It just means I'm not as attracted to woman as I am to men, and one woman came into my life and ... I fell head over heels without expecting to." then his jaw drops and he laughs. "Dr. Ayala .. yea .. Ziven's April's vet." he nods. "I know him. Talked to him a little about how I was feeling about Stephanie." he takes her hand. "He pretty much told me the same thing I figured. I fell in love and it means I can fall in love with any person." he grins. "Snagged yourself a doctor, eh?" he teases. "And a DAMN hot one too." he blows out a breath, impressed.
Fiona looks disturbed by the girls crossing a physical line "Oh my god....that's not OK for a girl to do to a guy either. I'm so sorry. And sadly, I understand it too. Thankfully no one but Joey has ever been like that before."
Stephanie squeezes Michael's hand when he takes hers and then swats at him when he goes on about Ziven being hot but then nods "Yeah, he's pretty cute."
Garrett laughs and blushes "Really, I hadn't noticed." He's being sarcastic of course but then adds seriously ""He's been really patient with me."
Vincent sighs. "I didn't know that at the time." he admits. "And the girls at schools ... as bad as the guys. So it was hard to turn them down because so many claimed they had sex with me. Some got mad and some just called me a liar." he rolls his eyes. "I eventually looked it up online and figured out guys can get raped or nearly raped. My father was no help. He was all proud I had all these girls calling me." he shrugs and works on his soup a little more.
Michael chuckles. "See, you think he's hot too." he accuses Stephanie. "And that's a good thing. It's not all stereotypical, Garrett. And well ..." he sees Garrett's blush. "You'll figure it out. Sounds like he's letting you lead a certain amount, which is very cool. Just do what feels comfortable. It could be maybe you can finally just relax and be yourself with someone. That's rare." he grins. "Then again, I'm not the poster child for social butterflies." he glances at his phone and sighs. "And with those words of wisdom, I had better get back." he looks at Garrett. "You'll be fine. Just relax." he advises and leans over to kiss Steph. "How's tonight looking? I'm off at eleven."
Fiona reaches out for Vincent's hand "Of course they can. It's a doubly shitty world that way. Sometimes I think, well and maybe you can confirm it, that it's harder for a guy because the world just assumes you want sex all the time....so why would you say no. I suppose maybe it's a reason to be thankful women get the classification of either virgin or whore?" She chuckles darkly and then says "I hope there was someone nice in the mix somewhere Vincent. You deserve nice."
Garrett nods at Michael's words and stands up "Working on it. I should go help shut down the kitchen...thanks Michael...and Steph...I love you."
Stephanie smirks at Michael and then kisses him back "He's at a sleepover so come on over when you're done." She winks and then stands up and hugs her brother "I love you too...and no matter who you love OK? Ziven's great. Be...happy."
Vincent takes her hand and nods. "That's pretty much it. I'm a guy so I'm supposed to always want sex, but ... I just ... can't." he shrugs. "But even if I did ... I'm expected to and you're a girl so if you like it you're a slut. Makes no sense, does it." he rubs her hand. "Want to take that walk? Here, or go back and walk in Alexandra?" he thinks even if they walk, he can still get her back in Alexandra by ten-thirty and home by eleven easy.
Michael nods and smiles, standing. "I'll catch up to you, man. If you need to talk ... I'm as good an option as any." he heads for the door, passing Eien on his way back in. He pauses at Vincent and Fiona. "You kids take care, have fun and be safe." he claps Vincent on the shoulder. "I trust you, Vincent." and he's out the door and on his way back to the station.
Fiona nods "Maybe in Alexandra? If we miss the ferry by accident my Dad will be hounding the cops for that helicopter." She looks up as her uncle approaches and grins widely at what he says to Vincent. She gives her uncle a wave and then says "He and my Dad ARE related...there's hope that my Dad will relax." She chuckles "Let me go settle up." She lets go of his hand and heads for the till.
Stephanie heads to the kitchen with Garrett and then both start shutting down. The greet Eien as he comes back in. Stephanie sees Fiona approach and rings her through and then they exchange a friendly goodbye.
Vincent nods. "True. Not even your uncle liking me can save me if I get you home yet. Worse, if your Dad asks MY Dad where we could be ..." he shakes his head. "That could go ... interestingly." he waits by the door for her and, when she is ready, he takes her by the hand and leads her out. By the time they are off the bus, back on the ferry and halfway back to the island, he undies his hoodie from his waist and gives it to her to wear, as it's colder than he'd expected it to be.
Eien helps with the shutting down and cleaning up, as always and, at last, leaves in order to go home himself on the same bus and ferry as the kids.
Fiona snuggles into his hoodie with a bit of guilty enjoyment. She feels guilt that Vincent will be cold but it's fuzzy on the inside...and it smells like him. If he lets her wear it when she's sleepy, she might be inclined to fight him for it and just happily doze. Vincent will learn in short time that Fiona LOVES sleep. They walk off the ferry and she waves to Eien, their fascinating Jamaican yet Japanese sushi chef. She slides her hand back into Vincent's and walks slow, noticing the night sky full of stars and looking completely content "That was really nice..." she understates.
Vincent doesn't want his hoodie back. He isn't too cold, and he just likes walking with her. "It was." he agrees. "We'll have to do it again." he glances at her. "Fiona, will you go out with me again?" he asks with a grin.
Fiona giggles "Is that why you let me wear the hoodie? Insurance? I might sleep in this tonight if you don't fight to get it back...it's so fuzzy. And yes I'll go out with you again." She gives him a little hip bump again.
Vincent shakes his head. "Nope. You can keep it, if you want." he blows out a breath trying not to imagine her sleeping in it. He gives her another hip bump. "Good ... I kind of like Cedar Point. Lets make it OURS." he laughs a mock evil laugh. "Maybe next time dinner and a movie. They have a couple ones opening soon you might want to see?" he offers. It will be her turn to pay for transport and his for the dinner and movie.
Fiona pretends her free hand is a monocle over her eye "Cedar Point is so sweet and trusting. They will do our bidding Minstrel! Muah ha ha ha!" Then comes a question that might determine the fate of the whole romance "Are you a Harry Potter fan? I realize you were under duress but I'm not sure you liked my Lavender Brown joke...."
Vincent laughs, not walking quickly and swinging his arm with his hand in Fiona's idly. "Yea. I like Harry Potter." he blinks. "You made a Lavender Brown joke?" he searches his memory, but he was too horrified by Daisy's behavior and missed the reference.
Fiona grins "I called Daisy Lavender fucking Brown after the whole....window fogging weirdness...sorry high pressure to expect you'd catch it then...I'm not THAT mean." She teases. "Fantastic Beasts looks good in the trailers though. They have Nifflers. I've always wondered what those look like.'
Vincent looks wide eyed and begins to laugh. "Holy shit! She WAS." he shakes his head. "Yea. Lets go see it next weekend? I'm not a fan of large crowds." he admits. Then he stops around the corner of Water and 1st. "Wait. Are you saying I'm Ron?" he smirks. "He wound up with Hermionie." he makes a bit of a face.
Fiona laughs "That would rock. Maybe we're gender flipped Ron and Hermione. You need to be more of a know it all though. I've got the red hair genetically and the love of sleep." She looks thoughtful for a moment and then asks "Speaking of gender flipped...what do you think L is? I don't really want to just ask..."
Vincent leans in to kiss her quickly. "Maybe I want Ginny, the feisty redhead." he tells her. He considers her question. "I don't know, come to think of it. I've seen him ... um ... her? ... go into both restrooms. But I've never see her .. him ... at the urinal... damn ... that's a good question." he pauses. "It's really hard to tell." he crosses the street with her and pauses in front of the laundromat. "L really isnt in the forefront of my brain right now." he leans in for another kiss, perhaps a bit longer than the other.
Fiona had started to answer him "Mmmm Harry and Ginny....I could go there." As the kisses start happening she forgets about L too, especially on the second one, kissing Vincent back more confidently and eagerly now, running her fingers up the back of his neck and into the back of his hair as her lips catch his and pressing back over and over.
Vincent lets himself get a little lost in the kiss almost a minute before he breaks it. He is thankful for the cold weather. Taking her hand, he crosses the street and heads up towards the upper part of Water Street. "A Harry/Ginny shipper, are you?" he sounds thoughtful. "I was always torn between them and, believe it or not, Harry and Draco." he lifts his hand defensively. "I know I am a fucked up guy and you never want to see me again under any circumstances."
Fiona starts laughing "You've been reading fanfiction? Because that comes up a lot. I could do Draco....I mean his lines..." she blushes, laughing more and then looks at Vincent with mock disdain "Potter!" She bites her lip "Yeah all that angst and years of tension. They'd be fucking hot together."
Vincent blushes. "I'd get defensive, you obviously you do too, so." he sticks his tongue out like a little kid would. Then he grins. "But yea. It was like ... they fought so hard and with so much passion ... one of them had a thing for the other, know what I mean?" he realizes they've gone past several darkened Alexandra businesses. It was after ten .. the town was effectively closed. Only Statutes and the pizza parlor open this late even on a Friday night. He licks his lips. "What else do you like besides Harry Potter?" he hesitates. "Horror?"
Fiona beams "YES! Addy and I have movie marathons for horror. You could join us sometime. And because of my brothers hogging the TV I've gotten into some superhero stuff. The Marvel stuff...the DC stuff." And she says the next part more quietly "And I have a ...secret love of Star Trek because of my Dad....OK not so secret but people our age don't always..."
Vincent beams. "I'd love to." he eagerly admits. "Yea. The comics and the movies. But Batman versus Superman was like ninety minutes I'll never get back." he chuckles and swings her arm as they turn the corner onto second. "Hmmm ... what else don't I know about you?" he considers. "When's your birthday?"
Fiona smiles and then agrees emphatically "I know right. But the Wonder Woman trailers look amazing. I have all three posters up in my room." She laughs "January 19th, same as Janis Joplin. When's yours?"
Vincent nods. "I want to see that. Maybe we could go with Addy?" he suggests because its good money Addison would want to see it too. He doesn't comment on her posters. Then he decides to cross Central before he replies. "February 14th." he says it as if it were any nothing day.
Fiona nods about Addy "Oh yeah big time..." Then when he says his birthday she laughs "You really are cupid aren't you? Valentine's Day. I usually boycott the whole Hallmark Holiday crap but you're birthday is a much cooler thing."
Vincent chuckles. "Yea. I don't want chocolate or a Valentine's day card, or even a birthday card which reminds me its Valentines day." he swings her hand again. "But a heart might be nice." he looks at her. "I know I know I just got corny ... or creepy and all Michael Myers like." he pauses. "I just .. really really like you, Fiona."
Fiona looks touched, truly touched. She stops walking and turns to him "I really really like you to. Metaphorically speaking, it's yours....my heart I mean." She slips her arms around his ribs and slides her hands to his back just holding him and looking intensely into his eyes.
Vincent stops and turns to face her. "Good. The human heart is ugly, so I'll take the metaphoric version." he grins, as his own heart is pounding. He leans in for yet another kiss. They are maybe a block or so away from her house and they have time.
Fiona hugs him tightly and smiles into the beginning of this kiss. Her heart speeds up too. She knows they're getting close to the end of a night she doesn't want to end at all. Bravely she gently swipes her tongue across his lips on one pass of hers this time, just lightly in case he doesn't want to go there. She holds of doing it again until there's any kind of sign from him either way.
Ever since Fiona had told him about Joey's unwanted advances, Vincent had vowed to let her set the pace of their relationship. So when he feels her tongue, he instantly opens his mouth and deepens the kiss. He pulls her a bit closer and just enjoys this tiny step up in their relationship.
Fiona kisses him back deeply, the quickening of her breath becoming a bit obvious after a little while of it until she breaks the kiss like she's trying to get a hold of herself and chuckles. She also doesn't ever want to push him after what he told her tonight. "I like the way you kiss Vincent...a lot. I'm guessing you don't want to say goodnight in front of my house too..." She smiles sheepishly at him.
Vincent is also breathing a little heavier. "Takes two." he figures, liking her kissing also. "No ... I'll ... I'll walk you all the way. Cause ... I don't want to say goodnight in front of my place, or yours, or here." he laughs and takes her hand, leading her up the rise. It's actually darker up here, as the Christmas lights don't go past the firehouse. "Besides, I don't have to go inside. Just kiss you good night at the sidewalk, see you in and go home." and he wants to show her father he isn't afraid, even though frankly, he is.
Fiona walks with him and feels content "Thank you. Yeah it's probably expensive for all the lights too...we haven't even got ours up yet but we're moving...oh I didn't tell you....the bid went through. We're moving to that green house that's been for sale forever. I suspect you can almost see it from your place. It has room for all of us. My brothers are going to go to school here....I've never gone to school with them so it's weird but cool. Logan's graduated, but Seamus and Owen."
They walk along Central to 4th and around the corner. "Cool. I can see your driveway from my living room window." he grins. "I was afraid you might leave town. Make my commutes for our dates longer, wherever you wound up." he approaches her door with its SOLD sign feeling lighter of heart. "Good night, Boss..." and he boldly leans in for one last kiss.
Fiona sighs "I was afraid of that too....but it's all good." Goodnight Minstrel." She senses his bravery and doesn't tempt him with a deep kiss, just a sweet lingering peck followed by a big hug.
Vincent watches her as she climbs the steps and enters her house. Once the door is firmly shut, he heads home with a light heart and a spring in his step. The evening is made more bearable by the absence of his father. So Vincent is able to change into a pair of sweat pants, plug in his phone and lounge in bed contemplating his evening. After a while, he decides to just send another good night and thank you text message to Fiona. He can't get her off of his mind. She may as well know it.
Colleen watches Fiona slip in and close the door behind her. Raising her voice just a little, as her younger sons are asleep, she speaks aloud. "Hair neat, clothes unripped AND fifteen minutes early." she puts her hands on her hips. "Shame on you, ruining your fathers perfectly good worry by being completely responsible." she compliments her daughter and teases her husband, but she notices the hoodie and knows it isn't Fiona's. It's sweet, and it reminds her of sweet dates of her younger days.
Fiona reluctantly tore herself away from Vincent's arms and climbed the steps. she looked back at him with a little smile and then slipped in the door only to hear her mother's teasing and notice her look at the sweatshirt "Uh huh." She says just above a whisper "Did he tell you he sent Uncle Mikey to come scare Vincent? Course I had to choose the restaurant his girlfriend's family runs. I did get to meet Stephanie. She's very cool."
John looks up from his novel like he's been happily reading all night. Colleen would know he's been pacing for the last half hour and just sat down "Oh you're home Fiona?" He says casually. He's secretly a little ashamed of how much fretting he's been doing but this IS Gino's kid she was out with.
Colleen arches her eyebrows and looks at her husband with a slight frown. "Why, John? You never did that with ANY of the other boys." she is actually becoming a bit concerned. But she looked at Fiona. "Oh good. I hope we don't manage to scare her off too bad."
John just silently seethes, pretending to look back at his book.
Fiona gives her mother an exasperated look and then a kiss on the cheek and a hug "Night Mom...." and as she's halfway up the stairs she mutters "Night Dad..." in a bit of a tone. She walks into her room and takes off the hoodie but keeps it close by to pull back on over her pajamas. She changes into an old Alice in Wonderland t shirt and some flowered pj bottoms and pulls the hoodie back on, sniffing at the collar as it goes over her face and then sort of hugging at it and herself with a grin. She steps out and uses the bathroom and brushes her teeth and then comes in and crawls into bed after plugging in her phone. She sees Vincent's message and blushes. Then she takes a selfie of her still in his hoodie with her head on her pillow all snuggled in and a sweet smile on her face and texts that back with the words "Thank you too. I'm sleeping in it:) Goodnight."
Colleen hugs her back. "Night, Fi." she listens to the sounds of her daughter going up to bed and turns to her husband. "Alright. Spill." she demands. "What's wrong with this boy?" she hasn't even set eyes on the boy. "Pacing like an expectant father, siccing Michael on him. What's his crime?" she hasn't plucked the book from his hands, but if their troubled past is any indication, she may have to to get him to open up. And if she has to do that, they'll fight and if they fight.... She tamps down the fear. Therapy was working and it wasn't right to assume John hadn't actively been changing, because he HAD.
Vincent had been staring at the ceiling. Rolling over to face the wall, he throws one of his thick comforters over his head and hears his phone vibrating nearby. He looks at the message with a smile. He is tempted to reply, but doesn't want to come off as one of those guys who has to have the last word. Instead he looks at the picture for a long time, before moving back to the home screen and trying desperately to fall asleep before his father comes home.
Fiona snuggles into the blankets, the hoodie and her warm happy thoughts of the night and is asleep in less than a minute because sleep is awesome.
John sighs, putting down the book "You know this Vincent is Gino's kid right? From the factory.....Mr Don Juan with you the other day in the clinic with you? Colleen you should hear him talk about women....if this kid was raised on that shit I just don't know. I'm sorry. I don't like it."
Colleen sighs deeply. She had known the boys name was Vincent, but not his last name. But she knew Gino DiAntoni better than she would like. She never would have told John about the come on, except that John had decided to check up on his man and walk his wife home that day. It was just a minor injury, a deep bruise on Gino's foot. But the man was an octopus. She moves over to John and kneels down in front of him. "Listen to yourself, John. Carefully. 'If the kid was raised on that shit'?" she reaches up and cups his face. "Don't you remember my father's thoughts about you? Especially at our wedding, when your father got drunk and started foaming at the mouth about Tom Schneiderman and Louise Rothenberg?" she chuckles. It was funny now. Hindsight.
John sighs "I remember. But I can't get him coming at you outta my head. I've been waiting for him to drop the ball at work so I can fire him....but now our daughter's dating his kid? Fuck, we can't win. Vincent could be Prince Charming but what if Fi goes over there and Gino tries to hurt her like he tried on you. You have no idea how much willpower it's taking for me not to just go break his fuckin face." John's eyes fill with angry tears and he pulls Colleen onto his lap and into his arms "And I can't explain all this to Fiona..."
Colleen settles onto his lap and wraps her arms firmly around her. "John. All Gino did was try and grab my ass. For the record, Susan and I spent most of our time deflecting him. Once you left, he calmed on me, but we had to have an over loud conversation in his hearing about how an insulin overdose would never be discovered by police for him to back off." she kisses his cheek. "But he didn't hurt me." she leans into him. "I'll ask around. And in the meantime, I will tell Fi to invite him to a special dinner. That means no Owen and Seamus. JUST in case. Because ... did you see the look on her face, John? In her eyes?"
John thinks on this "He's diabetic....huh I guess all the drinking...still trying to grab you at all is not acceptable. He's a letch." He blinks a few times "No, I didn't see her eyes. I guess it went well then?"
Colleen laughs. "No, we plotted his murder. HE got it. Maybe he's heard that one before." she rests her head on his shoulder. "No, and you can feel free to tell him so because that's the man thing to do I suppose." she rolls her eyes at the blinks. "It went well, yes. She likes him a LOT, John. Letch father or not. You can warn him ... actually ... maybe I should be there for that conversation." she muses. "You annoyed her, John. Don't drive her into unacceptable rebellious behavior." she warns.
Colleen kisses him on the cheek. "Apologize and tell her why you're afraid. Who knows, maybe she knows already. Michael would have given you a call if the kid had tried anything funny. Did he?"
John laughs at himself "Micheal didn't understand why I was worried. He doesn't know it all but I guess he liked the kid...which does count for something. I'll tell her Colleen. If we can't stand Gino, maybe the kid can't either. I know I wished so much for a different Dad....and how afraid I am of becoming him whenever I get mad."
Colleen grins. "Michael's opinion DOES count for a lot. And you might be on to something. You can relate to this kid. I mean your father isn't a pervert. Hell, his only saving grace that I can think of is he's always been faithful to your mother." she seems to think on it. "And he's a decent gardener." she comes up with. "I've seen you struggling not to become your father. Now you're letting me help more than you did before, and that helps all of us." she hugs him. "Now how about you get off this emotional roller coaster and come to bed. Sleep on it and in the morning you'll be fine."
John tucks a bookmark in his book and concedes "Yes Love. Bed sounds like the best idea since we got out of it this morning." He boosts her up and makes to follow her up the stairs. Before they retire he quietly peek in on Fiona. She's out like a light and sprawled across her whole bed, covers askew. John lightly rearranges the blankets on her, tucking in her feet and looking at her for a moment. She still looked like his sweet little child when she was sleeping. All his kids did. He just had to face the fact that they were all growing up and meet them where they were at now. He planted a gentle kiss on her forehead and stepped away, closing the door quietly behind him.
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