L&L Chapter Twenty Nine
Author’s Note: Thank you so very much for my friend Kathy (kittie8571) who is the Beta of this story!
Chapter Twenty Nine: There’s no party without drama (1)
Jack woke up startled. He took a deep breath and sat up on the bed, leaning against the pillows. He closed his eyes to the foggy images of the dream he just had. It was a bit unclear now, but he could still remember that it involved gunshots and Ennis’s screams. He didn’t want to remember much more.
He rubbed his eyes and took another deep breath. It had been like this for the last couple of nights. He would wake up sweaty and tired from vivid dreams of all kinds of massacres, all of them involving people that he loved, in situations where he couldn’t do anything to prevent them. He hadn’t breathed a word about it to Ennis, but he had described the details to Dr. Whistle. The doctor didn’t seem worried, and the sessions were actually getting better with time. Jack had been feeling much calmer but these dreams kept bothering him.
Jack’s eyes were adapted to the darkness by now and he noticed that light was coming in from the door. He touched the sheets and blankets instinctively and confirmed that Ennis must be in the bathroom. He turned to his left and touched the digital clock, blue numbers informed him that it was 8 am and seconds before they were gone again. Jack loved this little device. Not only did it work as a discreet alarm clock, it also had an internet connection with weather forecasts and a small screen for access to cable TV. The USB connection was also a nice function, since it gave him the chance to play his favorite songs in the bedroom.
Yet, Ennis had the nerve to tell him that he prefers the cheap generic clock they had in their apartment’s bedroom. A clock bought in the Chinese shop that Ennis now wants to do work for for free!
Jack took another glance at the light coming from the bathroom and decided to join Ennis. He stood up in one single movement, startling Neve, who was sleeping by the end of the bed with his front legs in the air. But just as he was standing next to bed he realized that he had forgotten something.
It was his birthday!
Today he turned 31 years old and tonight there would be a luxurious party with all the VIPs to celebrate. Jack complained a lot about all the trouble the party caused and proclaimed that he only planned it for publicity reasons, but the truth was, he actually liked being the center of attention for one exclusive day. Not necessarily for the media, but for his friends and family. The kisses, the hugs, the handshakes, the verbal compliments… he liked it all. But he wasn't about to admit it.
He tiptoed to the bathroom, feeling excited and ready to spook Ennis. He opened the door silently and spotted Ennis in front of the mirror, obviously shaving. Jack sneered at the blue plastic razor-blade that Ennis was using. He'd told Ennis numerous times that he should, at the very least, go once or twice a week to the barber. It was much more pleasant and efficient. It was also a nice place to find colleagues and clients. But Ennis would never pay for something he could on his own; it was just his way.
Jack smiled to himself and moved behind Ennis, embracing him from behind, his chin fitting perfectly in the curve of Ennis’s right shoulder. He felt Ennis tense and was suddenly afraid that he would cut himself in surprise; but Ennis stopped just in time to realize who had just embraced him.
“Jesus, Jack. You scared me.” Ennis muttered.
He turned around and tried to kiss Jack, but with all the shaving cream Jack wasn’t going to let him have his way. Finally Ennis resigned with a chuckle and kissed him on the forehead.
“Happy birthday my love.” Ennis simply turned away and resumed his previous task as if he had said nothing out of the ordinary.
Jack pretended he wasn’t affected by the words he had just heard for the sake of Ennis’s insecurities and returned to his forceful hug and favorite place on Ennis’s shoulder.
“Are we ready for this party?” Jack asked nuzzling Ennis’s neck.
“I don’t know about you but I’m as ready as I ever will be. And stop doing that, I can’t shave like that.”
“Translated, you’re terrified. And you need a few more hugs.” Ennis sighed and Jack smiled happily, watching him shave carefully.
“How bad do you think it's going to be?” Ennis asked a few minutes later, cleaning his face with a towel.
“Since the incident with Allan Pore is mostly over and done, I think they may actually go easy on you. Just smile and nod, and if you need to, complain about your leg and excuse yourself whenever you need to cool off. You can even use the cane for tonight.”
“It’s ok. I’ll be nice. It is your birthday, after all.”
“Yeah, but you don’t need to torture yourself. I remember how you were at Mr. Santo’s last party. We’re doing this for the sake of the firm mostly, but we’re supposed to have fun too. Most of our friends will be there…”
“I’ll be a nice boy.” Ennis grabbed Jack’s left hand and kissed its palm affectionately.
“Good.” Jack pulled him closer. “Now, I want a proper birthday kiss.”
“Whatever you want…” Ennis voice was muffled by Jack’s mouth.
“I guess this is as good a time as any to give you my first present.” Ennis replied when they parted.
“First? As in more than one?” Jack asked sitting on the bed.
“First as in first birthday gift I have ever given to you.” Jack observed Ennis’s explanation closely. He wasn’t convinced.
“I’ll pretend to believe in that, for your sake only.” Jack leaned against the bed and he could feel Ennis’s eyes following his movements just as he left the room in search for said birthday present.
He liked to have that power over Ennis. Simple things could light a fire in his partner’s eyes like nothing else could. Ennis was a calm, rational man in everything else, except when it came to his feelings for Jack Twist. Very little things could capture Ennis’s attention and he did even lesser things for the sake of others. But his actions were different when the issues involve Jack.
Jack knew that he didn’t value those actions as they deserved to be.
“Here it is.” Ennis said happily, as he entered the bedroom again.
“This is when I stop pretending not to be overexcited about your present.” Jack moved faster and raised his hands.
“All right, all right.”
“Hmm, I think I know what this is.” Jack tried to guess, feeling the material. “Some kind of painting?”
“I had this idea when we visited your grandmother’s house.” Ennis observed him closely.
“It’s me.” Jack murmured, observing the painting in front of him.
It was a perfect painting of Jack’s face, obviously based on some photograph Ennis must have had with him. The painter had taken consideration of the details in his suit’s shoulders and tie. It was a nice result.
“This looks great.” Jack confessed.
“Robert helped me pick a good painter. It’s not something to put here in the manor but you could put in your office or maybe in our living room at the apartment.”
“I have an idea. We’ll get one made of you by the same painter and then we'll hang them here, side-by-side.”
“No. The guy who made this was barely out of school… this was supposed to be symbolic.” Ennis struggled.
“There you are, taking things too seriously. The painting is great, if the guy doesn’t have a name for himself yet, he definitely will after I’m done with him. What matters is that I liked the painting immensely and he definitely has a lot of talent.” Jack’s arms encircled Ennis’s neck. “As usual, you found another diamond in the rough.”
“I did nothing. Robert picked him, not me.” Ennis kissed him slowly.
“You always know exactly what I want, even when I don't know myself. The whole idea of paintings is great.” Jack kissed him back. “I love this first present.”
“Jack…”
“Ok, I’ll pretend there isn’t more.”
“Happy birthday.” Ennis kissed him more forcefully, obviously with the intent of silencing him.
Jack surrendered to the feeling of love and affection coming from the man he loved, kissing back just as intensely. And when Ennis was panting in his ear, Jack whispered.
“Here comes my second birthday gift.”
Ennis was wondering how it was that he had ended up in this particular situation. He forced a smile on his face and looked to the group of women - six women, between the ages of 40 and 50, hanging on his every word.
He hadn’t thought twice when Jack informed him that they would be sitting with most of the board members. What he hadn’t realized was that the wives of the board members would also be there. But why would he worry about it? He had no reason to expect this situation and Jack couldn’t expect it either, or could he? Ennis glanced at his boyfriend, who was quietly sharing a few words with five or six board members at his left. At his right was Ennis, followed by the respective board members’ wives. And since Jack was talking with their husbands, the ladies fixed their attention on Ennis.
After a few minutes of awkward greetings and somewhat sedate meal - at least for Ennis, it had been - the ladies were obviously waiting for Ennis to speak, but he was far from knowing what to say.
“Lovely night.” Ennis finally risked saying.
The older women smiled and some even nodded, as if he had just quoted Oscar Wilde at a book club meeting. Ennis kept smiling, feeling his imminent doom, waiting for the questions to hit him like missiles.
“I must admit, I was most curious to meet you, Mr. Del Mar.” A blond woman admitted, as if the look on her face hadn’t been clear enough.
“I’m honored.” Ennis couldn’t find anything else to say.
“My Larry had always told me that you were the most ambitious young man, with a great future at the firm.”
“That’s very nice of Mr. Harrington.” Ennis felt the pain of being forced to smile for a whole evening.
“I have to admit though; I hadn’t expected you to be so handsome.” A woman with dark long hair added.
Ennis didn’t know how to answer such a comment from a woman who could easily be his mother. Yet, they all seemed to genuinely like him, so he kept on smiling.
“Uh, thank you, ma'am.” He murmured, embarrassed.
“And a nice ring you have there.” Mrs. Harrington was questioning him again. “Is it truly not an engagement ring?”
“No! We’re not engaged… yet.” Ennis answered, feeling his face getting hot.
He would swear that the old ladies squealed at his shy «yet», but later, as he reported this conversation to Jack, he had no way to prove it to be true.
“So we can expect a wedding?” one of them asked excitedly.
“But Christina, they can’t marry in this state.” Another pinched voice spoke.
“A symbolic one can be just as good! Didn’t you like the Noris wedding?” Mrs. Harrington was back again.
Ennis was completely lost in the conversation; the women were changing from topic to topic at great speed and he was left wondering if they had realized that he was neither a woman nor excited about a wedding with Mr. Twist. Yet, he was still smiling, petrified with the whole situation.
“Ladies, can I borrow Ennis’s company for a few moments?” Jack’s voice sounded like a choir of angels.
The women nodded and Ennis almost joined them. He never felt so relieved to see Jack’s teasing smirk and those perfect, white teeth. Ennis stood up and they moved away from the busy table to a dark, distant, almost hidden table of gigantic shrimp. But they didn’t reach the table without stopping at least ten times to greet and speak to guests. It was Jack’s birthday party after all.
“Sorry it took me so long. I never thought they would start discussing wedding plans with you.” Jack spoke closely to his right ear, obviously amused.
The sound of distant music and close conversations were making it virtually impossible for them to talk.
“I thought the rumors about our supposed engagement were long over, but it seems I was mistaken.” Jack’s lips moved away from Ennis’s right ear and blue eyes set upon him. “It doesn’t bother you, does it?”
They were so close, they could have been kissing and they probably would have been if they weren’t surrounded by hundreds of people and a few dozen photographers. Ennis let his right hand travel up and down Jack's arm. They could be dancing by now.
“No, it’s just a bit scary, that’s all. Just don’t leave me alone with them again. Ever!”
“I won’t. I intend to have you all to myself for the rest of the evening.”
Jack let his hands rest at the bottom of Ennis’s back and Ennis took the time to bask upon Jack’s appearance. He was wearing a white shirt and grey jeans, from D&G - that Ennis had found to be a very appealing combination - with a pair of white moccasins. He had adored the outfit from the very first moment and since such reaction was most unusual from him (Ennis didn’t care much about clothes) Jack decided on the spot that they should wear the exact same outfit for his birthday. At first Ennis thought that Jack’s idea was absurd and stood firm in his decision, but after much begging and pleading (and since it was Jack’s birthday party), Ennis decided to surrender to Jack’s wishes. Although he did switch the white moccasins for a pair of old black Nike trainers and his jeans weren’t exactly the same shade of grey. In the end, with the difference of sizes and the darkness of the evening, Ennis doubted that most of the guests had noticed their matching attire. A lot of other guests were also wearing jeans and shirts, since Ennis had convinced Jack to make the party as informal as possible, with casual attire and light food. Everything pointed to it being a success.
“You look breathtaking tonight.” Ennis confessed to Jack.
“It’s unfair that you look so much better in the exact same clothes.”
Ennis wished he could hug his boyfriend in a tight embrace, just like they usually did when one was comforting the other.
“So here is where the gay faction hides.” Robert’s voice was unmistakable and they stepped away from each other slightly.
“Hi.” Jack said awkwardly.
They hadn’t really spoken ever since they had that nasty fight in Jack’s office.
“I guess I could cool my head with the oh so in love couple.” Robert sounded a bit drunk, so Ennis didn’t comment, yet Jack looked murderous.
“It’s not our fault that you and Cecilia just broke up in front of all these people.” Jack wasn’t going to be gentle about it.
“Jack…” Ennis's hand rested on Jack’s shoulder.
“No! He's right… everybody saw.” Robert leaned against the table, looking almost dizzy.
“Come on, just sit down.” Ennis grabbed the nearest chair and put it next to Robert, forcing him to sit.
“Don’t you ever get tired of him?” Robert asked Jack, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. “How can you be such a well-mannered guy all the time? Don’t you get bored?”
“Don’t insult him! And at my birthday party, no less!” Jack tone was colder than before. “I’d forgotten that you were a mean drunk.”
“Jack, it’s okay. It was a very nasty fight he had with Cecilia… He’s not himself.” Ennis said complacently.
People had tried to dismiss it, but it had been clear that Robert and Cecilia’s relationship had come to an end in a very ugly way. And it couldn't have happened at a worse time or place. Thankfully Jack’s personal assistant showed them to an empty room just as they were about to scream at each other, otherwise Jack’s birthday may have become second stage. Since Robert and Cecilia were not well-known to any of the guests, the interest of the crowd was lost as soon as it was peaked.
“You’re right. I need to send him home.” Jack voice was worried and Ennis noted a certain guilt to it.
“Why doesn’t this chair came with an air sickness bag? You two are sickening… sick…” Robert waved the rest of his pathetic efforts to control the English language.
“To think that I introduced her to him at his birthday party...” Now Jack sounded plenty guilty.
“It could have been any other woman… I still would have blown it.” Robert looked as if he was about to cry and Ennis felt a little sympathy, for he too knew how it was to feel worthless around women - although for completely different reasons.
“Just as I thought, here you are.” Veronica appeared from the middle of the crowd to where they were hiding. “And he looks even more inebriated that I was expecting.”
“Veronica, hello again.” Ennis greeted.
“Yeah, we’ve been here. Trying to stop him from any further self humiliation…” Jack sighed. “I’m going to take him home and force a coffee or two down his throat.”
“God, this seems like college all over again.” Robert laughed drunkenly.
“No, Jack. There’s no need to do that.” Veronica knelt down in front of Robert’s chair. “I saw you with him and knew what you would be doing. But there’s no need. I’ve been to his place once with Cecilia, so I can drive him home.”
“Thanks Veronica, but I can’t ask you to do that. I saw you half an hour ago dancing with that hot brunette from financial department… let’s just say that Ennis is still going to be here when I return.”
“Actually, I’m going with you.” Ennis added.
“There’s no way I’m going to allow that. This is your party. You can’t just leave your guests because Robert here can’t hold his liquor. Besides, I already have his cell phone number.” Veronica said smugly.
“I don’t know. Robert can be very rude when he's drunk and I don’t think you can carry him up to his place.” Jack was still not convinced.
“Please! I give baths to men twice his size and with half of his stability. And don’t tell me about rude people before you work the night shift in the ER.”
“I guess you leave me with no argument left.” Jack admitted.
“Which, knowing you, is a big achievement.” Ennis smiled at Veronica. “If something happens, call me.”
Ennis waved his blackberry and Jack frowned at it.
“You promised me no work tonight.” Jack’s attention was now back to Ennis.
“Yes, but I can’t forget about my client who’s still on parole.” Ennis knew he had been caught.
“Well, Veronica, if you want help with Robert, call him as soon as possible, because that cell phone is going to mysteriously disappear soon.” Jack spoke between the fits of laughter that Robert was currently having.
“That’s enough, Robert. Let’s go!” Veronica put Robert’s arm around her shoulder and he leaned against her.
“You’re her friend.” Robert, who had stopped laughing, now wore a confused look on his face.
“I’m your friend too, silly.” Veronica rolled her eyes.
Jack waved and soon a couple of security guards were helping Veronica take Robert to her car, as discreetly as possible. Ennis shook his head at the scene.
“I feel really bad about this. I don’t want to admit it, but I do.” Jack looked at the empty chair left by Robert. “I introduced her to him. I had great hopes for this relationship… Cecilia didn’t need perfection in a man and I thought that this would put Robert at ease. But then she was extremely controlling and Robert was willing to let her take control… And now it’s over! He’s a mess and I’ve been wishing so hard for him to get rid of her, that I had forgot how hard it would be for him.”
“Come on, baby.” Ennis moved closer.
“I’m a lousy best friend.” Jack murmured, grabbing a big piece of shrimp.
“No, you’re not. Nobody is totally to blame here. Robert should never have let anyone dictate his life and you should let him breathe a little. Don’t go meet him in a day or two and take Cecilia’s place. Let him take the reins of his own life for once. I fear that it has been too long since he did anything on his own and this photo studio may be his last chance to win back the control he needs.”
“I just realized that when I’m not being the overprotective best friend, I don’t know what other kind of friend to be.”
“You’ll have to watch over him in a different way and once you got used to it, it'll be alright.” Ennis moved even closer. “It’s not as bad as it seems now, you’ll see.”
“I hope so. This has been a very complicated phase for Robert and me.”
“At least he’s in good hands. Veronica will take good care of him. She’s as good with issues of the heart as she is with issues of the body.”
“Did you see if she spoke with Matilda? We need to do something about it as soon as possible.” Jack was still tense.
“She spent most of her time with Matilda and Edward, so they must have talked about it a lot.” Ennis reassured him.
“I feel like I owe her a lot. She’s been incredible. I have to admit, I wasn't always so keen on her.” Jack’s arm circled Ennis’s waist.
“Why? I did notice that you didn’t take much interest of her, which surprised me, because you’re always crazy to know about me, my interests, my friends…” Ennis asked intrigued.
“I… I was a little jealous. You did go on a date with her first thing after you moved here and Neve likes her just as much as he likes me.” Jack hid his face on Ennis’s shoulder.
“That makes no sense whatsoever! The date was a disaster; all I kept thinking was you. And even if something had happened it would be just another fling…” Ennis kissed Jack’s forehead. “Once the enthusiasm was over, I would feel empty and few days later I couldn’t stand to be with her any longer.”
“Sorry to bring it up.” Jack nuzzled his shoulder.
“It’s ok, it’s getting easier to talk about anyway…” Ennis was interrupted by another male voice.
“So here hides the birthday boy.” Ennis didn’t notice their approach, but Daniel and Nicholas stood next to them.
“Hi guys!” Jack greeted excitedly. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
“We’ve just arrived. Daniel has been complaining about missing your birthday party for weeks, so I did all I could to finish the deals faster in order to be here. Unfortunately, we couldn’t arrive any earlier.” Nicholas explained.
“I’m so happy to be here.” Daniel hugged Jack. “I tip my hat to you, the party seems great.”
“Let’s just hope we don’t find your dad.” Nicholas looker around frowning.
“I did see him just before dinner.” Jack remembered. “I don’t know why you don’t like to talk with him, he always calls you his son-in-law.”
“Actually, I don’t understand him either. Dad's liked him since day one.” Daniel added.
“He just makes me feel uncomfortable. He may be smiling but the look in his eyes is… it’s frightening.”
“That, I can remember.” Ennis murmured, his thoughts on Enrique Twist.
“Nonsense. He once thanked me to hook the two of you together.” Jack looked around in hopes to find Daniel’s father.
“I guess he must be thankful. It could have been far worse for him.” Nicholas commented to Ennis.
“He just knows that it couldn’t be any other way.” Daniel leaned against Nicholas with a smile.
Jack smiled and they all teased Nicholas a bit more about his fear of Daniel’s father.
“But what were you two doing hiding here?” Nicholas asked after a few minutes of animated chat.
“We were hiding from the drama.”
Jack then explained to them the previous events of the night. Ennis observed that Daniel was hanging on Jack’s every word, but Nicholas was more interested in making conversation with him about a boxing match he had been to.
“Wait a minute, I know her! Cecilia, right?” Daniel turned to Nicholas. “She supervised that article we shoot in April? She was quite a bossy lady back then.”
“I know who you’re talking about, but I can’t really remember her face.” Nicholas pressed his fingers against his forehead, in a dramatic display of remembering.
Both Nicholas and Daniel were prone to overdramatic displays of emotion.
“It doesn’t matter.” Jack said firmly. “It’s over and it doesn’t look as if it’s ever coming back.”
“With Jack, it's always yes or no, black or white… you should know better than that.” Daniel retorted. “But that’s ok. Since it’s your birthday, I’m saving this discussion for later. Have you seen the present I sent you?”
“We sent you.” Nicholas corrected.
“Yes and I have to say that I wasn’t expecting anything like that. Directly from a sex shop to my house! A couple of sensual dices. The first time I rolled it ended on sucking x thong.” Jack said with humor. “But I shouldn’t be surprised. Because I had another present of the same kind to thank you for.”
Nicholas and Daniel giggled and Ennis suddenly found something tremendously interesting on his black Nikes. The situation was a little embarrassing.
“It was just a little gay it forward present.” Nicholas said seriously, although Ennis didn’t really understand.
“I don’t think you can use that expression, love. Ennis is already out of the closet.” Daniel interjected, just as serious.
“I cannot believe that the two of you are discussing gay slang.” Jack murmured.
“Speaking of coming out of the closet, where’s Elizabeth?” Daniel looked around.
“Don’t be a bitch.” Nicholas murmured.
“They already left. Mary looked terribly tired and Elizabeth wasn’t looking too perky either. They also wanted to return home to Sophie, my beloved goddaughter.” Jack and Ennis were now sipping champagne from beautiful crystal chalices.
“You’re the proudest fairy godfather.” Daniel said between sniggers and Ennis almost spit out his champagne.
“You’re just jealous.” Jack didn’t even blink at the comment.
“But I love Mary. She’s a fox hidden behind a steel layer. I think pregnancy only made her look more beautiful.” Daniel commented and Ennis nodded.
“Careful there. I’m almost getting jealous.”
“We both know a beautiful women when we see one and Mary could have been a model, if it wasn’t for all that manly attitude.”
“Enough about your little hetero crush. Where is the Thomas’s couple? They never miss one of your parties.” Nicholas ran his fingers carefully through his dark hair. “It’s been more than a year ever since I saw them.”
“I didn’t ask for details but…” Jack dropped his tone and even Ennis’s curiosity was peaked. “But they seemed to… had had a fight. Long story short, they decided not to come.”
“I’m sure they’ll make up. They rely on each other for more than love and affection, which isn’t a good reason to continue together, but it’s a strong one.” Daniel made Ennis and Nicholas share confused glances.
“It seems my birthday is doomed to be haunted with drama.” Jack looked over his shoulder. ”Daniel, your father is walking this way.”
“Here we go. I feel like I’m 16 already. By the time we shake hands, I’ll be 10 years old again.” Nicholas lamented.
Ennis and Jack tried not to laugh, as Daniel’s father commented on the designers' latest successes, while Nicholas looked as if he was constipated.
It wasn’t easy to talk with your future father in law, no matter what your gender is or your sexual orientation. Actually, it looked as if, in reality, it didn’t even matter if the said father in law actually liked you. The intimidation was impossible to suppress.
Author: After the longest break I ever took I'm back! I'm still in love with the story so even if it takes 6 months to update, eventually I'll do it! Please do not give up on this story! Take this time to reread older chapters! I know I love to do it...
On the next chapter: The celebrations of Jack's birthday continue! With more parties and dreadful surprises! Helen Carrilho is back...