Meet the Roccograndis

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Jack was trying really hard not to laugh. Rebecca was about to be sick all over herself just because it was the big day. It was time to meet the family. They’d been officially boyfriend and girlfriend for several months. Sure, they’d had their moments of fury and Rebecca had even threatened to break up with him a couple times, but so far she’d never made good on those threats. In the end, Jack’s patience won out and Rebecca calmed down once again. Jack was getting used to Rebecca’s tendency to panic and was getting familiar with the ways to calm her down. To him it was more endearing than anything else. Even the way she tried to pick fights was part of her charm after a while. Yes, it was far from ideal, but whenever she picked fights he knew there was always something more behind it, something beyond him. Every day it was becoming clearer and clearer to him that he’d fallen in love with Rebecca Taylor and there was no going back from it. As soon as he’d admitted as much to his mother[/u], she had insisted on meeting Rebecca. She’d been hinting at it for months, knowing how much he’d thought of Rebecca in the camps, how they’d reconciled when he’d escaped, and how Rebecca had finally caved and started letting him care for her. Now that he was using the “L” word, she was insistent. And of course, meeting his mother meant meeting his sisters.

Andy[/u] and Izzy[/u] were ecstatic to hear not only that they were going to see their big brother but that he was bringing a girl along. No doubt there would be many embarrassing stories told and a ton of questions for Rebecca, not to mention a heap of compliments, and Jack had to admit he was excited to see all the ladies of his life come together at one table. His brother-in-law was supposed to accompany Izzy, but an unexpected business trip had taken him to Vancouver instead. The smaller the crowd, the better, Jack knew. Of course it was like pulling teeth to get Rebecca to agree to any meal, but finally he convinced her to have lunch with his mother and sisters. Lunch was more casual, less pressure and if things didn’t go well, “other plans” could always get them out of a situation. Jack sincerely hoped there would be no need to site fake plans. His family was nice and funny and there was no reason to fear them. No matter how many times he said that to Rebecca, though, she didn’t quite seem to believe him. Trust the woman to never take anyone at their word.

On the drive to the Remington where they could have a nice lunch overlooking the beach on this warm spring day, Jack held Rebecca’s hand as she drove. She liked to be in control and it was just easier to let her drive than listen to her constant criticisms of his driving. Aerosmith played quietly on the stereo, a best hits album, but Rebecca looked like she was in her own world. He kissed her hand before bringing it back to his lap. It was like she just noticed he was there in the car with her. His smile was warm and reassuring when she glanced at him. “Stop worrying so much, Becks. They’ll love you. And they’re all nice. Very energetic and talkative, but nice. And if you don’t feel like talking about something, just let them know. They know they’re nosy and they’ll change the subject. What are you so scared of, anyway?” He knew it was a loaded question, but maybe actually admitting what was frightening her would help her ease a bit. Even if he found this amusing, there was a point when Rebecca’s discomfort actually worried him. He wanted to keep it from getting to that point.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Meeting Jack's family wasn't high on Rebecca's priority list, especially meeting all of them at once. She couldn't help but feel like she was being forced to walk into the lions den, despite Jack's insistence that everything would be fine. He'd been pushing at it gently for a few weeks now, but still pushing, and it was after she'd had a couple beers and had been really, really well fucked that she finally agreed. Afterwards she felt as though Jack had played her a little, using the moment to manipulate her decision. She knew accusing him of such would only start another argument, and she was trying not to argue with Jack as much. Their relationship had been, for the most part, pretty good but she was temperamental and not real good with this dating thing. He got under her skin a lot, but luckily Jack was good at calming her rage, even if she wasn't. He was mostly patient, but it wasn't unheard of for him to storm around and huff when she was being especially difficult. Still, she was impressed he put up with it, and during those times when she felt a little needy, she was grateful that Jack seemed devoted to her, for better or worse. It was this simple trait that allowed him to drag her along to meet the family she was desperate to avoid for as long as possible.

Rebecca had never gotten along well with girls. Maxi was the single exception, it seemed. Girls were catty and overexciteable and all around obnoxious most of the time. They liked drama and gossip and glamour and talking about boys and shopping and shoes.. things that Rebecca had very little interest in. There'd been a time when she was on the road leading to a life that warranted her fascination in those subjects, but she'd hit a bend in the road and she'd been set on a new path, one that didn't allow for bullshit like that. Not in her eyes. She knew she was judging Jack's sisters before she met them, but she imagined by the way he spoke of them that they might like to talk to her about something they could relate to her with, only she wasn't sure those topics existed. Deep down Rebecca wanted Izzy and Andy to like her, and his mother, maybe especially his mother, but she feared they wouldn't. Normally she could care less what others thought of her, but these women were influential in Jacks life, and if they didn't care for her, maybe he would soon find that neither did he. She was too embarrassed to admit that to him, though. Too ashamed to tell him she feared he wouldn't want to be with her if his family saw how impatient and moody she could be, how she had nothing in common with them at all, how she was serious and quiet most of the time and liked to have a couple of drinks to relax because she was far too uptight for her own good. For his own good. She'd been reluctant to agree to their relationship, but now that she had she didn't want it to end despite her threats to do just that in the middle of a fight. It was her only means of defense when she felt too frightened to really work things out, knowing she was always in the wrong.

The feel of stubble brushing her hand made her jump a little and she took a quick glimpse at Jack in the passenger seat, her hand pressed to his lips. She'd insisted on driving, her only means of gaining some semblance of control in this situation where she felt she lacked it completely. “Stop worrying so much, Becks. They’ll love you. And they’re all nice. Very energetic and talkative, but nice." Her stomach churned anxiously at the words he'd been repeating for days now, as if somehow him saying them now, again, could change the way she actually felt. "And if you don’t feel like talking about something, just let them know. They know they’re nosy and they’ll change the subject. What are you so scared of, anyway?” It wasn't the first time he'd asked why she was so hesitant about meeting his family, but she'd never offered a reasonable answer. "Just because they're nice doesn't necessarily mean they'll like me." She'd said it before, but he never took her seriously. He always waved it off as a stupid fear, but what if held weight? What if they really didn't like her? What if their questions became too personal and she snapped at them? "I don't even know what you've told them about me." She grumbled, turning into the lot of The Remington, pulling towards the first available spot. "I'm not like them.. they won't like that. They look up to you, they'll want you with someone like them, someone that can be their friend. Girls don't like me, Jack.. and don't say Maxi does, because Maxi's different, and you know it." There was an edge of fear underlying her tone as she threw the car into park and glared ahead, not wanting to look at Jack.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“Just because they’re nice doesn’t mean they’ll like me.” Jack secretly rolled his eyes at Rebecca’s statement, but he still found her fear endearing. She wanted his family to like her, get their approval of her. It indicated to him that she wanted to stick around—not that he would split up with her if his family didn’t like her. Of course, he was certain that they would like her and probably very much. “I don’t even know what you’ve told them about me.” He grinned at her. “Only good things so far,” he teased, tempted to kiss her. “I’m not like them…they won’t like that. They look up to you, they’ll want you with someone like them, someone that can be their friend. Girls don’t like me, Jack…and don’t say Maxi does, because Maxi’s different and you know it.” The car came to a stop in a parking lot, but Rebecca didn’t look at him. Instead she glared at something off in the distance. He rolled his eyes again, giving a gentle sigh. “You don’t even know them, Becks. They’re all very chill. Yeah they like that girly stuff, but they’re more than just that. They like sports and movies and books and all of that. Andy’s a lawyer, so she’s not that far off from what we do. Trust me, you’ll find things to talk to them about.” Reaching out, he gripped Rebecca’s chin gently, ignoring her unhappy look. “Maybe girls don’t like you, but I do, and that’s all that matters to them.” He leaned in and kissed her gently before giving her a smile as he pulled back, unbuckling his seatbelt.

Outside the car it was a beautiful spring day. The sun was bright, the clouds were big, white and fluffy, and the breeze was warm and constant. Everything was that pale spring green except for the multicolored flowers adorning the front of the hotel. Jack reached over for Rebecca’s hand, feeling how tense she was marching beside him, her hands stiff in his. He hoped once she met his family she would calm down a little bit. “You want to sit outside for lunch?” he asked her, trying to make light conversation as they approached the fancy hotel. Even if she didn’t answer, he was certain his sisters would be insistent on sitting outside in this gorgeous weather, and Jack couldn’t really blame them. When they were growing up, the woods were right in their backyard and a day like today would have resulted in the three of them venturing out into the trees from just past dawn until sunset. Even now he was tempted to go out to the woods near Megsy Isle on a day like today. Maybe they would do that when they were finished with lunch, but only if Rebecca wanted to.

The closer they got, the clearer three figures became in their view. It was obvious they were women, standing around in a small circle and talking animatedly. He knew it was his mom and sisters and he smiled wide as he and Rebecca got closer. While he was itching to speed up and catch one of his little sisters in his arms, Rebecca’s hesitant pace calmed him and he walked patiently by her side. When he looked down at her, it looked like she was going to be sick. He leaned into her more, saying softly into the top of her head, “Just don’t puke on Andy. You might make a bad impression.” Apparently she didn’t find the joke all that funny, but he smiled wide down at her. “Jack!” The loud, insistent voice called his attention and when he looked forward he could see all women smiling wide. Andy was the one that had called and she immediately raced towards him, throwing her arms around his neck as she collided with him. He gave a soft laugh, releasing Rebecca’s hand to give his sister a proper hug. “Hey, Andy.” The young woman pulled back and looked up at him with big brown eyes. “I feel like it’s been forever!” He grinned. “You know, it really hasn’t.” “Four months is a long time, Jack!” He shook his head and looked up in time to see Izzy walking up to him. Moving around Andy, he gathered his youngest sister in his arms as she giggled. “Hey, Dizzy!” “Hi, Jax! Why haven’t you come out to Portland to see us?” Jack pulled back with a small shrug. “You know I can’t leave with all my work I have to get done. I’m always on call.” “You could spare a day!” He grinned and then finally looked at the silver haired woman making her way to him, as elegant and refined as ever. “Hey, Mom.” Libby Roccograndi reached her arms up to wrap around her son’s broad shoulders, hugging him tight. “Hello, Jack, my darling. It’s good to see you.”[/i] It was the first time they’d seen each other since Andy and Izzy had taken her from Scriptor Bay to keep her safe from any resurgence of the camps. Jack held his mom for a long moment, simply enjoying having her close again.

When he let her go, he turned back to Rebecca and smiled at her, making his way back to her side. “Family, this is Rebecca Taylor. Becca, this is Andy, Izzy and my mom Libby.” He pointed to each lady in turn and his family was all smiles. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Rebecca!” Andy enthused, reaching out to shake Rebecca’s hand since she was closest. Izzy took a step forward and offered her hand as well. “We’ve heard so much about you.” Jack flushed just a little, somewhat shy about Rebecca knowing how much he talked about her. She had to know he talked about her though since all of his family had shown up to meet her. Finally his mother stepped forward and gently took Rebecca’s hand in hers as well. “It’s nice to meet you, dear. You’re as pretty as Jack said you were!”[/i] Her smile was gentle and her voice soft, but Libby’s eyes gleamed a little mischievously. Now he was even more embarrassed. Did she have to bring up how head over heels he was for Rebecca? She didn’t tease further than that, though, and Jack was quite relieved. “So, shall we head inside?” he suggested, gesturing for the doors of the hotel. Just because they were sitting, though, didn’t mean the teasing would stop.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“You don’t even know them, Becks. They’re all very chill. Yeah they like that girly stuff, but they’re more than just that. They like sports and movies and books and all of that. Andy’s a lawyer, so she’s not that far off from what we do. Trust me, you’ll find things to talk to them about.” Rebecca seriously doubted that, but arguing that with Jack seemed pointless. He insisted they would all love each other and there was no way to convince him how wrong he was until the girls called him and told him to dump her because she was a miserable cop. Rebecca sighed as Jack's hand came to her chin, pulling her face to look up into his. She pouted slightly, looking gloomy at best. “Maybe girls don’t like you, but I do, and that’s all that matters to them.” The words touched her deeper than he probably meant for them to, and though she was still hesitant about the whole thing she didn't say another word on the subject.

The day was as cheerful as Rebecca was glum. The weather was warming up and the sun was bright. Rebecca chose a silky tan button down blouse with short slightly puffed sleeved, tiny cream polka dots lining the fabric. It was lightly tucked into dark, faded skinny jeans and tan boots graced her feet coming a few inches above her ankle. She kept her hair down, the dark locks curling into soft waves around her shoulders. She looked casual and professional at the same time, wanting to make a decent impression on her boyfriends family without seeming like she was trying too hard. She tried to keep her head up as they moved towards the hotels entrance, her body rigid with tension. Jack reached for her hand and for once she let him take it. She didn't like risking someone seeing them, but she needed him now, though she would never admit it. “You want to sit outside for lunch?” Her shoulders rolled, showing she didn't care. Where they ate lunch was the furthest thing from her mind at the moment. Before long they were nearing the entrance and Rebecca saw three women talking together, her stomach sinking somewhere close to her knees. She instinctively slowed down, her feet dragging slightly. If this was such a pleasant lunch, then why did she feel so completely anxiety ridden? She wore a frown without meaning to, and the woman jumped when her lover leaned in, whispering, "Just don’t puke on Andy. You might make a bad impression.” She glared at Jack, hating that boyish grin he offered.

“Jack!” Rebecca's head snapped to look at the voice, immediately feeling hot and nervous. For a split second she was sure they'd been caught by a coworker and her hand pulled from his grasp as she watched the young, dark haired woman come bounding towards her boyfriend. All Rebecca could do was stare in shock as the girl wrapped herself around him like a drunk motorcyclist hitting a tree at 90 mph. “Hey, Andy.” A twinge of jealousy encased her as she watched the greeting, not liking anyone touching Jack that way. She reminded herself it was his sister, not some girl, but still.. She didn't like him being touched anymore than she herself liked being touched.

Rebecca watched shyly as the two exchanged greetings playfully, talking about how long it had been. She suddenly felt a little guilty, knowing she had been the one occupying most of his free time. Rebecca looked away at Jack with his one sister only to see the other approach. She watched him hug her as well, noting the nickname he used. Dizzy.. and she called him Jax. She briefly wondered if she and Sam would have had nicknames for each other if he'd lived. Would she greet him so enthusiastically? Would she be more like Andy had her life been different?

“Hey, Mom.” She was tugged from her reverie to watch his mother approach, getting a good look at her. At all of them. His mother was stunning, a true silver fox, and somehow it intimidated her. She seemed so...classy. So un-Jack like. Not that Jack wasn't classy, just.. she had always pictured his mom less elegant seeming. “Hello, Jack, my darling. It’s good to see you.” The way he hugged her made her heart hammer again with the jealousy, but not in the same way his beautiful sister had. She suddenly missed her own mother. Would she have liked Jack? She knew the answer before she mentally asked herself. Her mom would have loved Jack. He was everything they could ever hope she would find, and here she was trying to mess it up over and over again. Not intentionally, of course, it was more a subconscious thing, but she certainly was attempting to self sabotage a little.

Finally Jack pulled away from his mother and turned towards her and she felt the pink flash into her cheeks as the attention fell from Jack and onto her, four pairs of eyes on nothing but her. “Family, this is Rebecca Taylor. Becca, this is Andy, Izzy and my mom Libby.” She gave a shy sort of smile and held a hand up in greeting, knowing she should say or do something more, but feeling completely on the spot and unsure of herself. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Rebecca!” It was Andy speaking, throwing her hand out enthusiastically and Rebecca hesitated before taking it. "You, too." She lied, trying to sound more genuine than she was. “We’ve heard so much about you.” Came Izzy and Rebecca took her hand, throwing an uncertain look at Jack. So much? What did that mean? What had he told them? Before she could say anything his mother was taking her hand and she suddenly felt bashful all over again, his mothers gaze a penetrating one. “It’s nice to meet you, dear. You’re as pretty as Jack said you were!” Her cheeks flushed deep red and she gave a nervous smile before looking away and muttering a soft, "Thanks.". Her looks had never been something she wanted compliments on. Her ability to serve her community and promote peace was, and certainly her intelligence, but her looks? She didn't care much for that, but she would graciously take the compliment, not much in the mood for explaining how she preferred compliments that showed her character instead of her genes. “So, shall we head inside?” Jack suggested quickly, gesturing for the doors of the hotel. She wondered if that meant they would dine inside. It didn't matter, really. She was stuck with the Roccograndi's weather she was inside or out. She nodded and moved close to Jack as they headed inside, fearing the onslaught of questions to come, and hoping that this lunch would be more about them all catching up than about her.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

All of the women moved into the hotel, Andy and Izzy tittering on while their mom smiled and Jack hung back to walk next to Rebecca. She looked so tense and Jack gently reached out and wrapped his pinky finger in hers discreetly. It was his way of holding her hand, reassuring her, without actually grabbing her hand. When she looked up at him, he smiled, but he knew there wasn’t much he could do for her. Inside, Jack took the lead in getting them a table out on the terrace. Andy clapped her hands excitedly, obvious loving the idea of eating outside where they could see the ocean. Izzy just laughed at her and the group moved silently behind the host. The table was shaded beneath a big umbrella but it flapped a little in the breeze and Andy was able to get her back and shoulders warm, sitting next to her sister and Rebecca around the round table. Jack sat to Rebecca’s right and his mother sat to his right, completing the circle. The host handed all of them menus and assured their server would be there shortly with a big smile. Once he was gone, Andy turned to Rebecca and smiled wide. “Have you ever eaten here before?” she inquired innocently. In fact, Jack had just brought her to the hotel a month ago, braving dinner within city limits for once. Rebecca told Andy this and she beamed. “Did you try some of the fish? It’s so fresh! Bought right off the docks!” She turned her pretty, dark face out to the view with a soft smile. “I love that you can see the docks from here.” Already Andy was treating Rebecca like an old friend, but that was her way. She was tough, but always friendly.

“So you two met at work, right? How’d that happen?” Izzy inquired with a smile. It occurred to Jack that he’d never actually explained how they met to his sisters. Jack gave Rebecca a smile and then looked between Andy and Izzy. “Well, there was a missing person’s case almost a year ago that she and I got assigned to. You might remember the Alyson Montgomery case.” Andy pointed her finger as a spark went off in her head. “Yeah, I remember that! And she just showed up back at her boss’s house a couple weeks later, right?” Jack nodded and glanced at Rebecca before continuing. “It was kind of an odd chance us getting paired up on that case. Rebecca’s partner was out of the office and I was sort of floating without a partner at that time, so the captain paired us up.” Andy grinned wide and mischievous. “You got a crush on her, didn’t you?” She wrinkled her nose between the two of them and Jack had to laugh softly before looking at Rebecca. “Yeah, I guess I did.” It really had been that long ago, hadn’t it…The waitress interrupted his thoughts by bouncing over and cheerfully introducing herself as Anna. After filling all of their empty glasses with ice water, she took their drink orders, Jack getting an iced tea for himself while his mother got water and his sisters lemonade. Looking at Rebecca, he could tell she was uncomfortable with the conversation about their relationship. But how could he change the subject?

“You’re a local girl, aren’t you?” his mother asked and one look at her easy smile and warm interest told him she sensed Rebecca’s discomfort too. His mother had always been good at soothing and reassuring. When Rebecca confirmed, the older woman smiled appreciatively. “Have you only worked for Scriptor Bay PD, or have you worked other places too?” Work was something Jack knew Rebecca could talk about without feeling too uncomfortable and he felt like hugging his mom. Rebecca mentioned D.C. and all of the other women perked up. “Oh, wow! What was that like?” Andy asked curiously, resting her head on her slender elbow propped on the table. “What’s the craziest thing you ever dealt with there?” Izzy inquired, eliciting a mischievous grin and small laugh from Andy and a broad smile from Libby. Jack smiled to himself, looking around at his family and then letting his warm gaze end on Rebecca. He knew they would be welcoming, but he hoped Rebecca didn’t feel too on the spot.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Rebecca was glad when the group surged forward into the hotel, though she knew it also meant her ordeal was just beginning. Jack slid his pinky into hers reassuringly and she looked up at him, his smile trying to encourage her but it failed miserably. Part of her hated him for making her do this, but she knew if she wanted to be with Jack, she had to meet his family. Suddenly she was questioning how badly she needed a boyfriend..

Jack found the group a nice table on the terrace and Rebecca took her seat next to her partner, Andy taking the free seat at her left. She took her menu from the host and immediately buried her nose into it, wanting to look distracted to attempt to discourage conversation from coming her way, only it failed miserably. “Have you ever eaten here before?” Rebecca looked up to see the girls eyes were on her, not Jack and she looked down at her menu shyly for a moment before giving a nervous sort of smile and shrugging. "We've been here once before." She admitted, realizing that Jack had probably been there many times before considering he'd been there, well, forever. She was about to correct her statement when Andy spoke again. “Did you try some of the fish? It’s so fresh! Bought right off the docks!” Rebecca opened her mouth to answer only to have Andy cut her off. “I love that you can see the docks from here.” Feeling the last question was either rhetorical or lost, Becca let the conversation move on. She looked down at her menu again, unsure how to feel about the way Andy treated her. It was almost like they were old friends talking, not new acquaintances.

“So you two met at work, right? How’d that happen?” It was Jack's other sister who asked now. Rebecca was surprised an relieved by the question. So Jack hadn't gone into too many details about them or their relationship, but most likely not Rebecca and her past. “Well, there was a missing person’s case almost a year ago that she and I got assigned to. You might remember the Alyson Montgomery case.” Rebecca was glad that Jack took the lead and she gave a slight head nod to confirm the story. “Yeah, I remember that! And she just showed up back at her boss’s house a couple weeks later, right?” “It was kind of an odd chance us getting paired up on that case. Rebecca’s partner was out of the office and I was sort of floating without a partner at that time, so the captain paired us up.” The look on Andy's face made Rebecca a little uneasy, like she knew a secret or something. "You got a crush on her, didn’t you?” Her face flushed a little, but not nearly as badly as when Jack replied with a sweet little “Yeah, I guess I did.” They were making their story sound so damn sappy when it had been anything but. Jack conveniently left out what a huge pain in the ass she'd been for months and how she'd fought him at every turn. And there was that night he pushed himself on her..

The waitress ripped her from her thoughts and she sighed gratefully, looking up as everyone gave their drink orders. "A coke." She said in a soft, but firm voice. “You’re a local girl, aren’t you?” Now it was moms turn to question her. She knew she wouldn't be able to get away with short answers from her. Not likely.. "Yes, ma'am." She said respectfully, showing some amount of reverence. “Have you only worked for Scriptor Bay PD, or have you worked other places too?” She shook her head, reaching and tucking her hair behind her ears again. "No, ma'am, I got my start on the east coast. I was in D.C. for quite a few years before I was able to transfer over to the Scriptor Bay Police Force. “Oh, wow! What was that like?” Andy asked curiously, looking at Rebecca with an almost dreamy look. “What’s the craziest thing you ever dealt with there?” Izzy asked and she felt a little overwhelmed. A nervous laugh escaped and she briefly looked at the girls before turning to look at Jack who seemed to be enjoying this too much. She licked her lips and bit her bottom one before shrugging her shoulder, giving her attention back to Andy. "It was intense sometimes, boring at others, just like any police job. The crime rates a little higher out there, so there were more busts." She explained and then looked at the table, pulling her napkin down into her lap. "Lot's of crazy stuff happens there I guess. I was once on a drug bust that ended up being in a meth lab. We had no idea, but we got the suspects outside and then found the cook in the basement and as we were dragging him out he kept screaming "Bitch, I'm Barack Obama!"." Rebecca blushed realizing she just swore in front of Jack's mom and gave the woman a nervous look before looking back in Izzy's direction. "Funny thing is he actually looked like him a little. He'd been in the middle of cooking when we got there, and the lab exploded shortly after we got him out of the house. There were a couple cops in the house still. They both survived and are doing okay now, but they had both received severe burns." She explained knowing the story was a strange one, and probably not the best to share on a first encounter. "But, uhh.. anyway.. how's Portland?" She asked, not sure what to talk to them about and wanting the attention off herself for a moment.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“It was intense sometimes, boring at others, just like any police job. The crime rate’s a little higher out there, so there were more busts. Lots of crazy stuff happens there I guess. I was once on a drug bust that ended up being in a meth lab. We had no idea, but we got the suspects outside then found the cook in the basement and as we were dragging him out he kept screaming, ‘Bitch, I’m Barack Obama!’” The table erupted in laughter, even Jack’s mother clapping her hands together in amusement as she laughed. Rebecca flushed, probably embarrassed that she cursed, but no one at the table would mind. His family was very laid back. Of course Rebecca didn’t know that yet, but she would see. “Funny thing is he actually looked like him a little.” More laughter stemmed from the statement, all attention rapt on Rebecca. “He’d been in the middle of cooking when we got there, and the lab exploded shortly after we got him out of the house. There were a couple cops in the house still. They both survived and are doing okay now, but they both received severe burns.” Suddenly all the smiles faded to be replaced with concerned brows. Izzy even uttered a soft, “Oh my gosh…” Andy’s eyes roamed to her brother and mother. “At least they’re alright now!” The rest of the family nodded in agreement. Now they didn’t have to feel guilty for laughing. A small awkward silence fell over them, which actually made Jack smirk. Rebecca could be adorable when she was flustered.

“But, uhh…anyway…how’s Portland?” Apparently she was done being the center of attention and was shifting the focus from her. And evidently, Andy didn’t care. “Rainy, as usual. I’ve been working with Danielle Drake recently, though. She has some fascinating cases. Most of what she does is human trafficking cases and I’ve been assistant prosecutor for her on a few recently.” Jack raised his eyebrows. “Thinking of coming back to Scriptor Bay?” Andy shrugged just as the waitress came over with their drinks and a bread basket. “Maybe!” The waitress set their drinks in front of them along with the bread basket, all while Libby grinned at her daughter. “I bet Miss Drake would love to add you to the firm!” Andy rolled her eyes playfully, taking a sip of water. “That firm is so big, I doubt she’s looking for anyone other than apprentices. I’ve been working up to asking her though.” Jack couldn’t help but smile at how ecstatic his mother suddenly looked. The waitress gently worked her way into the conversation to ask if they wanted an appetizer, and Andy enthusiastically ordered fried clams for everyone. “Izz, do you want shrimp cocktail?” Izzy shook her head and Andy gave her a suspicious look before smiling at the waitress as she hurried off to put in their order and give them time to look over the rest of the menu. “You always get shrimp cocktail here.” “I’m just not feeling it today, okay?” Jack watched this exchange before his mother butted in. “Well, we’d love if you came back to the city, Andy. Now we just have to convince Izzy!” Her elegant eyebrows lifted expectantly at her youngest and all smiles turned to Izzy. In turn she simply rolled her eyes playfully and took a sip of water.

“What have you been up to, Dizzy?” Jack inquired with a playful grin. Just as Izzy formulated her answer, his hand slipped below the tablecloth discreetly and found Rebecca’s hand. She’d been quiet and he wanted to give her some silent acknowledgement that he was glad she was there, even if she didn’t want to be. Izzy shrugged. “Not much. Brad and I have been pretty busy making plans to redecorate. We’ve looked into a couple do-it-yourself projects that won’t cost too much.” Her eyes suddenly fell on Rebecca, smiling warmly. “Brad’s my husband, just so you know. I wish he could have been here today but he’s in New York for work. Some architect convention.” Again her smile grew before she looked back at her brother. “And work is work. Nothing really eventful besides the normal amount of crazy that walks in the door.” The family smiled with amusement and Jack looked at Rebecca. “Izzy is a psychologist. You generally deal with teens, right?” He turned his attention back to his sister and she nodded. “Teens and young adults. They seem to trust me because I’m not old.” She grinned before she looked at Rebecca with curiosity, breaking bread and buttering it long after everyone else had dove in. “So why did you become a cop, Rebecca? Just out of curiosity.” Jack’s eyes quickly darted between his sister and his girlfriend, wondering if she would answer though he knew she would be uncomfortable with the question. He had told her she didn’t have to answer if she didn’t want to. Izzy must have seen the way Jack looked at Rebecca because she quickly added, “If you don’t mind my asking.” Andy grinned at Rebecca while nudging Izzy’s arm. “Or you can tell her to butt out.” Jack and his mom laughed softly as Izzy nudged Andy back with a smile, making her older sister grin playfully. He was glad his sisters were as perceptive as he was when it came to other people’s discomfort.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Rebecca was glad when Andy picked the conversation right up, letting out a soft breath. The last thing she wanted was to try and somehow entertain the group again. she was pleased she had made them laugh with her story, but inevitably she had killed the mood with her downer ending. While Andy talked about working with one of the local lawyers, Rebecca turned and looked at Jack while he watched his sister. He looked content and happy among his family in ways he didn't really look with her. Jack cared for Rebecca, she never questioned that, but Rebecca had a tendency to push at him until he snapped sometimes. She knew he was often wary about those moments when they got together, walking on eggshells, but he didn't seem that way with his family and it made her feel a little sad. He wanted her to like them. He wanted them all to get along, and deep down she wanted it to. She silently swore she would try to be pleasant and maybe talk more, if only for his benefit, if only to please Jack.


“That firm is so big, I doubt she’s looking for anyone other than apprentices. I’ve been working up to asking her though.” Rebecca looked up at Andy as she spoke, a little confused as to where the conversation led since she had momentarily zoned out. The waitress came and Rebecca, again, was relieved. The conversations would start over when she left and she wouldn't be left in the dark. She watched the girls minor bicker about the shrimp cocktail, but thought nothing of it, staying silent as the family conducted their business. “Well, we’d love if you came back to the city, Andy. Now we just have to convince Izzy!” With everyone else Rebecca turned her attention to the youngest Roccograndi.

“What have you been up to, Dizzy?” Jack asked and Rebecca flinched as Jack's fingers curled around her hand, not expecting to feel his tough. She relaxed easily, her hand instinctively holding back, maybe a little too tightly for such a simple gesture. She looked up at Jack and offered a nervous, shy kind of smile, giving his hand a squeeze, letting him know she was hanging in there. “Not much. Brad and I have been pretty busy making plans to redecorate. We’ve looked into a couple do-it-yourself projects that won’t cost too much. Brad’s my husband, just so you know. I wish he could have been here today but he’s in New York for work. Some architect convention.” Rebecca nodded when Izzy made the comment about who Brad was to her. She liked Izzy. The girl was a little quieter it seemed, less enthusiastic than her older sister who made Rebecca uneasy despite some of her similarities to her best friend, Maxi. Rebecca remained silent as she explained work was fine, nodding when Jack explained what she did for a living. Working with teens wasn't something Rebecca would ever have the patience for, and she respected the girls line of work.

“So why did you become a cop, Rebecca? Just out of curiosity.” the question threw her an she immediately adopted her dear-in-the-headlights look, looking at Jack, who was looking back. she was suddenly feeling a little indifferent towards Jack's youngest sister, but she silently reminded herself that she would try. For him. He wanted this, he wanted them to know her, he wanted them to get along, and sometimes that meant opening up which wasn't ever easy for the young, broken cop. “If you don’t mind my asking.” She added. “Or you can tell her to butt out.” Andy added and everyone grinned, even Rebecca though hers was forced. She gulped and looked back at Jack who looked encouraging and she licked her lips before looking back around the table at the other women.

"No, uh.. it's okay." She said trying to sound nonchalant like talking about it didn't bother her. "My family was robbed when I was younger, and the robbery went very wrong. I wasn't home so.." She tried not to seem as uneasy as she felt, not believing she was giving such personal information to a group of strangers. How long had it taken Jack to extract that secret from her? But this seemed different. This was Jack's family, and they would find out sooner or later. She didn't bother going into more detail about the robbery, allowing them to come to their own conclusions, or to ask Jack later. Rebecca wasn't a fan of talking about her dead parents and brother. "Um, they never found the guy and I always said I wanted to be a cop so I could find the guy, but the case has been closed for a long time and there just wasn't enough evidence. It's fine though, I'm over it. I like my job.. It's more exciting than being a concert violinist which was one of my childhood dreams." She smiled nervously looking down at her drink instead of the group. "And I mt Jack, so.. there's that.." She gave him a nervous look, her eyes softening some as she publicly showed some amount of adoration for the man beside her. She cleared her throat and looked around briefly before letting her eyes fall again. "I'm not really good at talking about myself. Or, uh, just talking casually. I've kind of kept to myself a lot." She explained. "I'm sure Jack told you.. but, uh.. sorry if I'm not the most chatty, it's nothing personal. Just.. me." She bit her lip and took a deep breath. She would never have admitted something like that if she weren't trying to please Jack. She wanted him to know she was trying, though.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“No, uh…it’s okay. My family was robbed when I was younger, and the robbery went very wrong. I wasn’t home so…” Jack was genuinely shocked that Rebecca would admit even that much to his family. The women probably wouldn’t know exactly what she meant by a robbery going very wrong, and Andy might even ask him about it later, but it was more than he expected. His hand tightened just slightly around hers, knowing by that simple gesture that she was really trying. “Um, they never found the guy and I always said I wanted to be a cop so I could find the guy, but the case has been closed for a long time and there just wasn’t enough evidence. It’s fine though, I’m over it.” Lies. He would keep that thought to himself, though. “I like my job…It’s more exciting than being a concert violinist which was one of my childhood dreams. And I met Jack, so…there’s that…” Now Jack beamed. His eyes were on Rebecca, squeezing her hand gently beneath the table, but he could feel the smiles from around the table, his sisters and mother glancing at him. He knew Rebecca cared for him, but that statement made her adoration all the more apparent. It was sweet to have that reassurance. It was obvious she was a little uncomfortable with the sentiment however and she was soon looking down at the table bashfully. If his family wasn’t there, he might just kiss her.

“I’m not really good at talking about myself. Or, uh, just talking casually. I’ve kind of kept to myself a lot. I’m sure Jack told you…but, uh…sorry if I’m not the most chatty, it’s nothing personal. Just…me.” If anything her shyness was more endearing and one glance around the table showed the feeling was mutual. After today, he was certain Rebecca would have no need to question his family’s receptiveness to her. Jack’s mom reached across him to catch Rebecca’s attention with a soft touch of her hand on the tablecloth. When the younger woman looked up, Libby had a warm smile on her face. “Then it’s a good thing we’re all so talkative.” Jack could have just kissed his mother then. He really wanted Rebecca to feel comfortable around his family and his mom was doing a good job of reassuring her, he felt. Andy grinned at her mom and took a sip of her drink. “I’m sure by ‘we’ she means me.” Libby shrugged in mock innocence. “I didn’t name any names, dear.” Just as Andy was giving her mother a mildly scornful look, the waitress came with fried clams and began to take orders. Since everyone had been talking so much, it took a few minutes for everyone to make up their minds, but Andy was entertaining as the waitress waited patiently. When all of the orders were in, the waitress scurried away and Izzy dove for her purse.

“Well, I was going to wait a little longer, but I think now is as good a time as any to do this.” She pulled out three wrapped boxes from her big purse and grinned as she handed one to Andy, Jack and Libby. “Sorry I don’t have anything for you, Rebecca, but you’ll see why in a minute.” She gave an apologetic smile before looking back at her family. “Now everybody has to open them at the same time. Got it?” Everyone exchanged curious looks. “Is something going to pop out of it?” Jack asked tentatively to which Izzy rolled her eyes with a big smile. “No. You’ll see. Is everyone ready?” Jack felt like a kid on Christmas, poised to rip open his present, though he gave Rebecca a raised eyebrow. “Okay. Open!” The sound of crinkling paper filled the air and when the paper was ripped away there were three plain green boxes on the inside. Jack popped the top off his box and found a plain black mug inside. With lowered brows, he gently pried the mug from the box and read the large white print: World’s Best Uncle. It took a long moment of reading the words to understand their meaning. His mother was the first to get it. With a shriek very unlike Libby Roccograndi, she jumped to her feet and raced around the table to her youngest and threw her arms around the girl’s neck. Her mug said World’s Best Grandma. Now Andy was squealing, setting her World’s Best Aunt on the table. Andy’s arms rested over her mother’s as she hugged Izzy who was beaming beneath all that love. Jack couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re pregnant?!” he asked with a wide smile. Izzy simply nodded, bumping her mother’s cheek gently as she did so. “How far along?” Andy demanded. “About two and a half months. We just found out last week and I’ve been waiting for this lunch to tell you guys.” Libby finally let go of her daughter to wipe her teary eyes, grinning in spite of her tears. “Oh my goodness…I’m going to be a grandma!” Her smile was infectious and Jack was grinning wide. He looked at Rebecca and slipped his hand into hers again, beaming. “I’m going to be Uncle Jack.” It was obvious he was excited and he was glad Rebecca could be there to witness this moment. It was almost like she was part of the family already.

Finally his mother moved back to her seat which gave Jack a chance to get up and move around the table to hug his sister and congratulate her. When he sat back down next to his girlfriend, Andy was gushing about how cute the baby would be and how she hoped it was a girl so she could buy the cutest outfits. Jack took the moment to lean in to Rebecca and say softly, “Well, that effectively took the spotlight off you.” He grinned at Rebecca, holding her hand again. He was in such a good mood and he didn’t want the lunch to end. Not yet anyway. “You don’t feel too out of place, do you?” he asked gently, low enough so only she could hear while the others gushed about babies.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Jack’s mom reached over and placed her hand near Rebecca. Her deep, blue eyes moved up to meet the other woman's kind smile. “Then it’s a good thing we’re all so talkative.” Rebecca bit her bottom lip, a shy sort of smile gracing her lips as she gave a soft nod, glad for the okay to be quiet. “I’m sure by ‘we’ she means me.” It was Andy who spoke and Rebecca smiled more genuinely now, especially when Jack's mom shot back about how she hadn't named any names, making it clear she had meant Andy.

The waitress came and took their orders, and Rebecca ordered herself a steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The thought of eating suddenly made her feel better, realizing now that she had calmed down that she was actually hungry. “Well, I was going to wait a little longer, but I think now is as good a time as any to do this.” Rebecca watched as the girl handed out gifts, suddenly feeling anxious again. Was this something they all did? Should she have gotten a gift? Rebecca didn't get one, and she was surprisingly more relieved than upset. She smiled at Izzy's apology, shrugging it off with a soft "It's fine." The group was instructed to open their boxes together, and Rebecca was suddenly curious about the surprise inside. Izzy gave them all permission to open their boxes, and Rebecca leaned close to her boyfriend as her curiosity got the better of her. He peeled the paper back and opened the box inside, extracting a mug, which was inscribed with World’s Best Uncle. Rebecca realized almost immediately what this was all about, and her eyes shot up to the other two gift getters, catching their reactions. She didn't need to know Jack's mother well to know that she wasn't the type to shriek and squeal over something, but the news of a child was certainly enough to do just that. She rushed to her youngest and wrapped her arms around her, Andy following close behind. Rebecca had no choice but to grin, surprised by how endearing she found the entire thing to be. She wasn't a sentimental person, but not even she could deny this was exciting.

Rebecca momentarily wondered if this is what her life would have been like had her parents never been murdered. Would she be sitting with them over lunch giving them mugs when she inevitably came out with her pregnancy? Would pregnancy be something she actually looked forward to? It had always been this taboo thing for Rebecca, to have a child. Hell, to get married? Her eyes moved to Jack at the thought. Would he propose to her someday? Would she ever open up completely and allow him to get close enough to do that? Would they have children? Would he sit his mother and sisters around the table to announce that basically he'd screwed her and in doing so created a life? Her eyes moved back to Izzy. That was the worst part about pregnancy, in Rebecca's mind. Everyone knew what you did to get in that state.

“You’re pregnant?!” Jack's words brought her back to reality. Izzy confirmed though the mugs were proof enough. Jack was beaming, and Rebecca wasn't sure she'd ever seen him so happy. He'd been happy when she said she'd be his girlfriend, but this was happier than that. "Congratulations." She offered kindly, her tone genuine though she didn't get up to hug the girl. Rebecca wasn't into hugging or touching. The only two people she would let do that was Jack and Maxi. When he came back beside her Andy went on about baby clothes and how she hoped for a niece. Rebecca hoped for a nephew for Jack. Jack would make a good uncle to a boy. “Well, that effectively took the spotlight off you.” He smiled at her and she returned it, letting his fingers slip between hers. “You don’t feel too out of place, do you?” His words were soft, but even if they weren't the others wouldn't hear over the gushing going around. They were too excited about the baby to care about Jack and Rebecca's whispers. She bit her lower lip and shrugged. "Maybe a little." She said softly, "But it's not that bad I guess. They're nice.." Her eyes flitted to the others before back at Jack. "I'm not used to so much excitement. They're all so.. so girly.."

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Rebecca bit her lip and shrugged, her universal indication that she was, indeed, uncomfortable. “Maybe a little. But it’s not that bad I guess. They’re nice…” Her eyes flitted to his mother and sisters and Jack wondered if that was a genuine sentiment or not. From the way she had been smiling earlier, even as the arrival of a new family member was announced, he was reasonably confident it was a sincere statement. Her eyes came back to his, a little hesitant. “I’m not used to so much excitement. They’re all so…so girly…” He couldn’t help but laugh at the way she said those words, like it was a completely foreign concept. When he glanced over at the women of his family, chatting with wide eyes and excited smiles, he knew what she said was true. “Yeah, they are.” He turned his warm smile back to Rebecca. “I don’t think I ever told you how those two used to gang up on me and beg me to let them paint my nails. One would take my hands and the other my feet. I kept my own bottle of nail polish remover ready under my mattress.” He grinned at her reaction before he squeezed her hand gently. “But just so you know, they like you. I can tell.” His wide smile was reassuring and he was tempted to give her a kiss, but it sounded like the noise across the table was winding down. Knowing Rebecca would probably be uncomfortable with such a public display of his affection, especially in front of his family.

Movement caught his eye and he looked over to see his mother moving back around the table with a big smile and sighing as she fell back into her chair. She brought her fingertips under her eyes and wiped away leftover tears. When he looked at Andy, he saw she was doing the same, which actually surprised him a bit. Andy usually didn’t cry in public. Izzy looked over at Rebecca with a big smile, wiping her eyes a little too before letting out a soft laugh. “Sorry to steal your thunder, Rebecca!” Jack grinned, looking at his girlfriend who was quick to wave off the comment politely. “Well, this has been quite an eventful day for me! I met my son’s lovely girlfriend and found out I’m going to be a grandmother. Andy, if you have anything to share, please jump in now.” Libby smiled warmly at Rebecca and Andy laughed. “Sadly enough, I have nothing to add. I’ll let them steal the show.” She gestured between Izzy and Rebecca before she raised her eyebrows at her mother. “Unless you have something to share, Mom. Get another cat? Dog? Man?” Jack and Izzy laughed, Jack shaking his head slightly at the thought of his mom dating anyone. She’d never quite gotten over his father’s death and was still entirely devoted to him even though it had been almost twenty-five years. She laughed at Andy’s comment too and waved it off. “Please! At this age, I don’t think I could put up with another man in my life. And dating is such a bother.” “I didn’t say anything about dating.” Andy grinned mischievously and Jack and Izzy winced while their mother laughed. “Ew, Andy!” he exclaimed, wrinkling his nose her and tearing off a piece of bread that he chucked across the table at her. There was no one else around to see him do that, so it didn’t really matter. Now his mother sat up and looked indignant. “Why is that ‘ew,’ John Renaldo Roccograndi? How do you think you came to be?” Now his sisters were both laughing as he shuddered visibly, smiling but looking as though he had a bad taste in his mouth. He didn’t even comment on his mother revealing his ridiculous middle name to his girlfriend. “Come on, Mom. Do we have to have this discussion in front of my girlfriend?” “Why, is it making you uncomfortable Jax?” Izzy taunted playfully, grinning at the mock glare he gave her. “Awww, I think he’s blushing!” Andy added with the same big, mischievous grin. Jack sighed heavily before looking at Rebecca, giving a mock weary smile. “Welcome to meals with my family. Feel free to join in taunting me if you’d like.” His mother fought a smile as she pouted her lips and rubbed his arm as if to soothe him. “Oh, you’re such a martyr, dear.” Again laughter floated up from around the table and all Jack could do was shake his head and smile.

Thankfully the food arrived then, carted out by their waitress and a young man who appeared to be another waiter. It all looked so good and the second the steak was set in front of him, Jack was ready to devour it. It was getting close to the full moon and he was craving red meat. Looking around the table, the feeling was mutual among his family. His mother and Izzy had fish, preferred by the big cats they shifted into, while Andy and he had red meat that the wolves they shifted into craved. Of course Andy did get surf and turf so she could at least get some of the seafood that she loved so much at the Remington. “So, Rebecca, did you go to college or did you go straight into the police force?” Libby was always a teacher at heart and she loved to ask about people’s education. When Rebecca answered that she had gone to school at Washington State, his mother’s eyebrows lifted and she nodded as if impressed. “That’s a great school! What made you choose to go there? And what did you study?” Jack looked at Rebecca and said with a smile, “Mom was a teacher so she asks everybody about their education.” Libby shrugged like she was being defensive, putting her hands up in a playful gesture of backing off though she was smiling wide. “I’m just trying to get to know her! I just happened to ask about my favorite subject.” She smiled wide as she looked back at Rebecca, obviously waiting for her answer before she went back to cutting her fish.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Jack laughed and agreed, making Rebecca smile a little. “I don’t think I ever told you how those two used to gang up on me and beg me to let them paint my nails. One would take my hands and the other my feet. I kept my own bottle of nail polish remover ready under my mattress.” Her look was somewhere between amused and disgusted. She had never tried doing that to Sam. Ever. “But just so you know, they like you. I can tell.” Her pale eyes scanned the woman hugging and chatting and giggling and she wondered how Jack could be so sure, but when she turned back to his face she was assured he was being sincere. She gave a hint of a smile, being bashful.

The girls were finally settling down and all she could do was watch them all quietly, unsure how to add in the hysteria, and not sure she could or would want to. “Sorry to steal your thunder, Rebecca!” Rebecca waved her hand, brushing the comment away. "Please, I'm more than happy to give the spotlight up." She admitted a little softly, blushing slightly as she looked at Jack, knowing he wanted the spotlight on her, and wanted her to be comfortable with that. Jack's mother was now the one gushing about how she had met her and found out she was going to be a grandmother, and insisted that if Andy had anything to go on with it, but the girl did not. Rebecca was sort of glad, not sure she wanted to witness anymore Roccograndi surprises. “Unless you have something to share, Mom. Get another cat? Dog? Man?” Andy countered and Rebecca felt like she was in a tennis match, her eyes darting to Jack's mom. “Please! At this age, I don’t think I could put up with another man in my life. And dating is such a bother.” “I didn’t say anything about dating.”[/i] Rebecca smiled but wrinkled her nose, too. This was a strange conversation to have.. “Ew, Andy!” For the first time Rebecca openly laughed at Jack's reaction. His mother mocked offense and Rebecca could only watch them back and forth. She liked that his family seemed comfortable with this level of teasing, and for once she was reminded of what it was like to be part of a family unit...and she liked it. “Welcome to meals with my family. Feel free to join in taunting me if you’d like.” “Oh, you’re such a martyr, dear.” Again Rebecca laughed, this time very softly, her smile wide.

The food arrived and the outsider actually felt more relaxed. She dug into her meal, glad to have something more in her belly now that she was able to ease up a little. “So, Rebecca, did you go to college or did you go straight into the police force?” And just like that the spotlight was shining back on her and she got that uneasy feeling in her stomach again. "No ma'am, I went to Washington State first." She explained, her tone respectful, not quite able to relax completely when addressing her boyfriends mom. Not yet. “That’s a great school! What made you choose to go there? And what did you study?” “Mom was a teacher so she asks everybody about their education.” Jack explained and she looked briefly at the boy, feeling shy again for some reason. “I’m just trying to get to know her! I just happened to ask about my favorite subject.” Libby smiled at her, but Rebecca felt more in the spotlight by this question than any other, as if his mom was picking her apart. Education was clearly important. Would it have made a difference if she hadn't gone? Would she think less of her? Rebecca liked to be judged on her merit and accomplishments, but not by the people who were supposed to like her for her. "I studied Criminal Justice." She said, looking at Jack briefly before continuing. "I didn't have the money to go to college, so I had to choose whichever school offered me the most scholarships to offset student loans. They gave me a full ride for track and my academics, plus they had the major I wanted so it made sense to go there." She explained, wishing they would go back to talking about the baby. "It was a good school.."

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Jack knew it didn’t matter to his mother whether Rebecca had gone straight into the work force or if she’d gone to college, but it suddenly occurred to him that Rebecca didn’t know that. She looked a little nervous as she prepared her answer for Libby. “I studied Criminal Justice.” Her eyes darted to him and he smiled a little more to reassure her. “I didn’t have the money to go to college, so I had to choose whichever school offered me the most scholarships to offset student loans. They gave me a full ride for track and my academics, plus they had the major I wanted so it made sense to go there. It was a good school…” Jack smiled at the way trailed off before he looked at his mother. Her eyebrows were raised and there was a smile on her face. Clearly she was impressed. “Wow, a full ride! Good for you! I wish these three had gotten full rides.” She turned her smile around the table at her children who all rolled their eyes playfully or just averted their gaze conspicuously. “Hey, we all got some scholarship money!” Andy retorted to which Libby nodded. “Fair enough.” She turned her smile and her bright green eyes back to Rebecca. “Still, that’s very impressive, Rebecca. You were even more prepared for the police force than Jack, since you studied Criminal Justice.” It was obvious she was teasing him by the way she smiled at him so wide. “I liked history, thank you very much. A lot of people in the police force studied history.” His response was playful and he said it softly with a grin to match. Andy tilted her head to the side. “Awww, it’s nice to know you have friends, Jax.” The ladies laughed and he chuckled softly at the way they were teasing him. Jack was always a good sport.

“So you did track in high school?” Andy inquired of Rebecca. When she received her confirmation, she smiled wide and leaned forward with an excited look. “I did track too!” she exclaimed, pointing to herself. They actually both had similar builds, tall and willowy, stick thin though with obvious muscle tone. “I wonder if we competed against each other at some point. We probably did if you went to high school around here. I ran for Cypress.” Turned out, they had run against each other. For a little while they reminisced about high school track, exchanging coach horror stories while everyone else dug in to their meal. Of course Andy did most of the talking, but Jack was glad to see the two making a connection. “I hated Coach Hilary. I swear he was only there to see scantily clad high school girls sweating.” Izzy scrunched her nose. “Yeah, he was my coach in gym one year. He was always hanging around the pretty girls, but the less fortunate ones he would always yell at and give bad grades to. He was such a jerk.” Jack remembered the guy with the massive walrus mustache and an even bigger gut. He always wondered how he ended up as a coach. His eyebrows furrowed as he suddenly remembered something. “Wasn’t he a swimming coach for you one year?” Izzy looked up like she was trying to remember. “Oh yeah…but only for like half a season.” “Maybe girls in swimsuits was just too much for him.” That made the kids laugh but Jack’s mom cringed with a smile.

“I’m sure Jack has told you all about his baseball years. Captain of the team, strongest hitter and all of that.” Andy gave Jack a playful grin even as she was leaning a little closer to Rebecca. “I don’t think I mentioned that last part…” he interjected, knowing he hadn’t said much about actually playing baseball. “He took Cypress to regionals in his junior and senior years! That’s why he became captain in senior year. And he was made MVP for the county both for his hitting and for his work as short-stop.” Izzy telling all of his accomplishments was actually a little embarrassing and he could feel his face getting warm as they continued. “Greenwolfe was quick to snatch him up with some excellent scholarships for him to play for them. We all thought he was going to go pro.” Now his mom was in on it. He smiled, but it was obvious he was embarrassed. “It was just an offer to play for a single A team, not even double A. Besides, that’s not what I wanted to do with my life. And I’m glad I didn’t take the offer.” His eyes looked to Rebecca and he gave a slightly wider smile. If he had gone off to play baseball professionally, he never would have met Rebecca, and that made his decision completely worth it. “Awww, look at the way he looks at her.” Andy was teasing, but he knew Rebecca would be embarrassed by it too. With his dark cheeks slightly flushed, he moved on. “Anyway…” Andy and Izzy giggled, obviously getting a kick out of embarrassing him. “Aren’t you part of a marathon training group out in Portland, Andy? When’s the next marathon?” “October. It’s a run all around the city. Rebecca, you should join! You too, Jack! We can all do the marathon together!” Andy then looked to her sister with an apologetic look. “I’d invite you, Dizzy, but you’re going to be too fat by then.” Izzy smacked her sister’s arm with a smile making Andy laugh as she leaned away from the blow. Jack just grinned between his sisters and nodded his head. “Actually, that sounds like a good idea.” He looked at Rebecca beside him and nudged her arm gently with his elbow. “What about you? You wanna do a marathon with me and Andy?” He smiled from ear to ear and hoped she would say yes. They could even train on their own in Scriptor Bay. It would be some nice time to spend by themselves.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Rebecca bit her bottom lip as her boyfriends mother went on about how she wished her children had gotten full rides. They didn't need full rides. They had a mother who was willing to help them in any way she could, and Rebecca suspected maybe some money from their fathers death had been set aside, but she didn't know this for sure. Rebecca knew she had to do well or her life wouldn't be worth living. What good was she without an education? Wasn't it what her parents had wanted? They hadn't spent a ton of dough to give her the life she had if they wanted her to squander it away doing stupid things. No, she got good grades out of necessity. The Roccograndi's got them because they were smart and could. “Still, that’s very impressive, Rebecca. You were even more prepared for the police force than Jack, since you studied Criminal Justice.” “I liked history, thank you very much. A lot of people in the police force studied history.” Did they? That was news to her, and Rebecca would have mentioned it but she felt like he was being ganged up enough already without her adding her comments in so she simply smiled and did a half shrug to his claim.

“So you did track in high school?” Rebecca's eyes landed on Andy again and she nodded. "My junior and senior year, yeah." She explained. She had been too screwed up to do it before then, but she didn't mention that. “I did track too!” It turned out she had raced Andy several times considering they were in school at the same time, though Andy was a couple years younger than she was. Of course they went to different schools, but it was neat how their paths had crossed and they never really knew that they would again. The other two started going on about the coaches and how creepy one of them was. Rebecca listened because she had nothing to offer the conversation, and took the opportunity to enjoy her meal, which was delicious. Her eyes wandered to Jack beside her now and then, curious about his reactions to his sisters banter. His entire demeanor seemed laid back and easy going and it was hard not to be drawn to it. She wished she could be more like him. Wished her parents hadn't died. Wished she had a family that could tease about the good old days together. It wasn't fair. She frowned slightly and then looked down at her meal, chewing silently.

“I’m sure Jack has told you all about his baseball years. Captain of the team, strongest hitter and all of that.” She had been so lost in thought that she had lost track of the conversation and the direction it had gone in. She looked up curiously at the girls and then at Jack. “I don’t think I mentioned that last part…” he interjected, making Becky grin wickedly. "He most certainly did not." She said, looking at the girls. “He took Cypress to regionals in his junior and senior years! That’s why he became captain in senior year. And he was made MVP for the county both for his hitting and for his work as short-stop.” Izzy explained and Rebecca gave Jack a look that was mock amazed. "You don't say!" She gushed. “Greenwolfe was quick to snatch him up with some excellent scholarships for him to play for them. We all thought he was going to go pro.” Pro? He'd never uttered a word. Jack defended himself, trying to downplay it all, but Rebecca was deep down a little impressed, and a little surprised he'd never said anything. How many things didn't she know about Jack? “It was just an offer to play for a single A team, not even double A. Besides, that’s not what I wanted to do with my life. And I’m glad I didn’t take the offer.” His eyes came to hers in that adoring way they did sometimes, in a way that she couldn't reciprocate because she couldn't put her feelings in order the way he did. Her cheeks flushed, and turned bright red when Andy gushed about the way he was looking at her. She tore her eyes from him bashfully and stared at her food, not liking being the butt of their teasing.

“Anyway…” Jack sensed her discomfort and moved on, giving Rebecca a moment to calm down as he went into Andy's marathon training. Jack thought it sounded like fun, and when she invited them she couldn't help but feel torn. She liked his family. Sort of.. spending more time with them meant more teasing, though. More probing questions.. “Actually, that sounds like a good idea. What about you? You wanna do a marathon with me and Andy?” His smile was encouraging and though part of her wanted to say no she found herself pushing a smile on and nodding. "Mhm." She hummed with a nod, obviously a little shy now. "I think a marathon would be fun." Fun wasn't necessarily the right word, but Rebecca suddenly felt a little overwhelmed. They were inviting her in, which was what Jack wanted, what she wanted, but it just seemed so foreign and alien to her. They weren't her family, and yet they were opening their arms to her because she was fucking Jack. It just seemed weird to her. Nice, but weird. "I think I need to use the bathroom." She said softly, smiling shyly to the group as she got up, slipping her napkin on her seat and moving from the table, careful to walk slow and deliberate so they wouldn't catch on that she was running away to try and catch her breath. Besides, even Rebecca knew the group would want to pick her apart with Jack, and she decided to hand them their opportunity on a gold platter.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“Mhm. I think a marathon would be fun.” Jack grinned at Rebecca’s agreement. He could tell she was hesitant and maybe a little shy about doing something with him and his sister, but at least she was going to try it. It would give them an excuse to start working out together, too. Well, having sex sort of counted as working out, but training for a marathon was a more serious workout plan. “I think I need to use the bathroom.” He nodded and watched her go. She looked a little tense, like she was ready to run, and while it concerned him a bit, he noted she got like that when he asked her personal things too. At least she wasn’t sprinting and screaming from the restaurant. “You’re so rude, Jack.” His mother’s voice drew his shocked eyes, his brow raised almost to his hairline. “What?” “You should have stood and pulled her chair out for her! You didn’t even push her chair under her when we all came out here. Didn’t I teach you better?” Andy rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Nobody does that anymore, Mom. In fact, some women get offended when men do that.” Jack nodded vigorously and looked back to his mother. “Andy’s right. And Becca is one of those women.” Libby looked shocked. “Really? But she seems like such a nice girl!” Jack almost laughed, but instead he grinned. “She is, but she’s very independent. Half the time she insists on splitting checks and she’s still getting used to me holding the door for her.” Libby looked genuinely shocked and then shrugged and speared a piece of fish. “Well, good for her then! At least she’s not one of those women that always needs a man.” She smiled wide and popped the fish in her mouth. Jack tried to imagine Rebecca as that kind of girl, but ended up chuckling softly to himself instead.

“Well I like her! Good catch, Jack!” “I agree! She’s quiet but she’s sweet. And funny. I loved that Obama story.” Andy and Izzy nodded in agreement, giggling between each other. “She still comes off as tough, though. Like she’s the last person in the world you want arresting you.” Andy looked to her brother for confirmation and he nodded with a big smile. “Yep. She’s one of the toughest people I’ve ever met. She does have a softer side, though. And she’s usually a little more talkative, but she’s nervous.” Libby laughed gently while his sisters exchanged puppy-eyed looks. “Well, she shouldn’t be. We all like her very much. She would be a great addition to the family.” His mother wiggled her eyebrows, making all of her children laugh, though Jack ran his hand down his face. “Jesus, Mom. I barely managed to get her to agree to go out with me. I don’t need to scare her off.” Libby waved her hand with a grin and Izzy picked up her glass of lemonade. “It only took so long for her to agree because of your ugly face.” Her big eyes were attempting to look innocent over the lip of her glass as she took a sip of her bright yellow drink, but everyone gave her a shocked and amused look. Izzy always said mean things out of nowhere and always resulted in laughter—this time was no exception. His mother and Andy burst into laughter and Izzy grinned while Jack leaned back and fought the smile on his lips. “Well, thanks sis!” Izzy shrugged cutely. “You’re welcome.” Rebecca returned and she received a warm, heartfelt welcome back. She probably knew they’d taken the opportunity to talk about her, but Jack’s wide smile should have been indication enough that nothing bad was said.

The rest of the meal continued without a hitch, Rebecca letting the Roccograndi’s do most of the talking. Everything from houses to jobs to dreams and childhood came to the table until dessert dishes were carted away and Jack handed the waitress his credit card. By the time they were leaving, Jack felt completely satisfied with this first meeting of his family and his girlfriend and he was confident it would happen again in the future. Yeah, Rebecca continued to seem nervous, but his family didn’t tease her for it and tried to avoid asking her more questions that were too personal, if only to avoid making her more uncomfortable. Saying goodbye at the front of the hotel took a while and his sisters took a turn giving Rebecca a gentle hug and warm smile, assuring her they were so happy to have met her. Finally his mother wrapped her arms around Rebecca and pulled her close. “It was so nice to meet you, dear.” The sentiment was obviously genuine and Libby smiled from ear to ear when she pulled back from Rebecca, squeezing her shoulders gently before she completely released her. Jack gave his sisters and his mother big hugs too, promising to see his mother again next week. As they walked away, he took Rebecca’s hand once more and gave a last wave over his shoulder. He looked down at Rebecca with a smile when they were out of earshot. “So what did you think of them?” he asked, itching to hear her opinion.