Title: Complex
Author: Kori
Disclaimer: Not mine
Rating: PG-13 to start, might go up
Spoilers: None, 'tis A/U
Characters/Pairing: Numerous, in this part
Prompt: #192- Europe ;;
My TableSummary: Follows the post-college life of a group of friends over the course of a year in a Santa Monica apartment complex.
Notes: See previous parts, by checking
this tag for past notes. 'Complex' will continue until part 125, after that the remaining 240 prompts will be split between two stories, both off-shoots of Complex.
When the siblings finally meet up with A.J, Alex and Josh, they all make their way downstairs to the lobby so they can meet with Mike, Candice and Candice’s son. As they exit the elevator, they’re met with the surprising sight of Candice’s son, an unexpected surprise to say the least. But, then again, prior to this year they didn’t really know much about Randy.
“Amy,” Mike Dumas greets his eldest daughter first, “this is Randy, Candice’s son.”
“We’ve met,” Amy informed her father and then explained further, “Randy lives in the same apartment complex and I’m pretty sure that Hunter went to the same private school.”
Candice smiled, coming to stand next to her son, “then introductions really aren’t necessary.”
A moment of somewhat awkward silence followed, broken quickly by the minister that would be officiating the ceremony tomorrow evening. As they had agreed, the three siblings stood on their father’s side while Randy stood on his mother’s. Alex, A.J, Josh and Jamie sat in the audience, almost feeling as if they were intruding on something that was very intimate. In addition to the exchange of vows, Mike and Candice were opting to include a unity candle.
“Well that was pretty painless,” Alex commented at dinner. “At least the ceremony won’t be too long.”
“Probably not,” Jamie agreed, the invited guests seated at a separate table. “Though I wonder if it was for the best… all of us being here, I mean.”
A.J nodded, catching Christy’s smile and returning it with a reassuring grin of his own, “I know that Mike said it was okay and whatever but I still feel kind of out of place.”
Josh cleared his throat, “but at least you three know the family. I barely know them.”
“Well, at least your girlfriend’s father doesn’t hate you,” Alex pointed out in what was meant to be a helpful tone. “I mean, I know Ames has tried to smooth things over but I’ve dealt with the vibe plenty of times in the past.”
“I can’t imagine why,” Jamie commented, her tone laced with sarcasm, “especially if Mike keeps in contact with Ty.” And when Alex merely grinned, Jamie rolled her eyes. “I would just consider yourself lucky that Amy still sticks up for you.”
“I am… though as Punk says, luck is for losers.” Alex stabbed a healthy portion of seared Ahi tuna onto his fork. “Ames will always have my back, I know that.”
Meanwhile, at the other table, Mike Dumas was attempting to talk his three children into joining them for the first major vacation. He explained that they would fly to Auckland, New Zealand and then cruise along the Australian coast.
Christy chewed thoughtfully on a piece of asparagus, “don’t get me wrong dad, it sounds like a great trip. But isn’t the honeymoon supposed to be for the newlyweds?”
Candice smiled, “it wouldn’t be for our honeymoon, darling. It would be for Christmas and New Year’s or at least a pre-Christmas vacation, anyway.” She glanced between the three Dumas siblings, “obviously you don’t have to decide now, but think about it.”
Amy smiled politely, taking a small bite of her seared tofu, “where will you be going for your honeymoon?”
“Europe,” Mike replied to his daughter. “Candy wants to see the major cities of Western Europe.”
“Have you been overseas, Amy?” Candice attempted to continue conversation with her future step-daughter. “Europe or otherwise, anyway.”
“I’ve been to Europe and would like to see Japan and South America someday, as well.”
Candice beamed and then turned her attention to Randy, “do you hear that? Maybe you and your new step-sister can take a trip to Japan.”
Amy and Randy exchanged a look at that, the redhead turning so she was facing Jamie, mouthing ‘help me’ to her best friend.