As Jace and Amy walked into the house, the savory aromas of roasted chicken and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, making their stomachs growl in anticipation. Jace's mom, Elizabeth,elegantly dressed in a blue dress, was busy putting the finishing touches on the dinner table.
"Hey, sweethearts! Welcome back," she said, beaming with a warm smile. "So what's your opinion on Charlottesville, Amy darling?"She asked as they approached her.
"Charlottesville is a beautiful place ,I really had a great time" Amy replied,her eyes glistening with excitement. "I guess Jace outdid himself" She said smiling at Jace who leaned on the wall trying to conceal his own smile. "But I'd love to show you a few more places of interest If you'd like" Elizabeth offered holding Amy's hands.
"I'd love to ma'am ,... sorry Elizabeth"Amy said and apologized quickly for calling her ma'am.
"Tomorrow?" Elizabeth asked. Amy looked over to Jace and he gave her a slight nod.
"The pleasure is mine" Amy said as Elizabeth gave her warmest smile.
"Alright,since that's settled, You two ,freshen up quickly and come downstairs. The others will be arriving soon."
Jace nodded, taking Amy's hand. "We'll be right down, Mom.
Amy smiled, squeezing his hand. "I'm starving already,Your mom's cooking smells amazing."
Jace chuckled, leading her towards the stairs. "I know right?, I've missed her dishes"
As they headed upstairs, Jace's mom called out, "Jace, don't forget to wash your hands, dear!"
Jace rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Got it, mom,I'm not a kid anymore" He laughed.
Amy giggled. "Your mom is adorable."
Jace smiled, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort. "Yeah, she is. Always looking out for me,I didn't wash my hands one day after playing out in the lawn and she hasn't let the incident go, "
Amy's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "She's germophobic"Jace said.
"Oh"Amy reacted.
As they reached the top of the stairs, Amy turned to him. "Hey, Jace?"
"Yeah?" he replied, looking at her.
Amy's voice was gentle. "I really had a great time today, exploring Charlottesville with you. I love that you're really passionate about your hometown."
Jace smiled, feeling happy. "Thanks, Amy. I loved sharing it with you. There's still so much more to show you."
Amy's eyes sparkled. "I'm looking forward to it but not to burst your bubble, I have a date with your mom tomorrow so you'd have to wait"Amy said smirking.
"I guess I'd wait to have you to myself again "Jace leaned in, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She blushed.
"Guess we should get going,we wouldn't want to keep my mom waiting" Jace said, smiling.
Amy nodded, taking his hand. "Yeah, let's go". She said as they went upstairs to dress up for the dinner.
...
The dinner table was filled with a variety of dishes, including roasted chicken, lasagna,mashed potatoes, green beans,a fresh salad and lots more,there was Champaigne too.. Jace's mom, Elizabeth, had outdone herself with the spread.
The others were already seated as they walked to join them. "Hey Jay" Jace's sister Rebecca called out. "Little one"Jace smiled.
"Oh Amy you look stunning as always" She said as Amy adjusted on her sit. "I must say the same too,your hair is beautiful,I've been looking at it since you came down those stairs, what product do use?, what's your hair wash routine?,what about..."The girl that was sitted across Amy on the dinning table blabbed away in profound admiration as everyone at the table chuckled including Amy.
"Well,sorry about that Amy, everyone, this is my sister Alexandra" Nick introduced.
"You can call me Alexa or Xandy for short, which ever one you prefer "Alexandra said to them giddily.
"Alexa couldn't make it to the wedding,she had exams,she just flew in this morning" Rebecca explained.
"That's right, the boarding school just closed for the academic session and I came back as soon as possible,I literally couldn't stand one more day there" Alexa added
The doorbell rang. "That must be Ryan" Elizabeth said spranging up from her seat to the front door.
"Cousin Ryan?,I didn't know he was joining us for dinner" Rebecca said.
"I didn't know either"Jace said.
Ryan,a tall,well built man walked into the dinning room with Elizabeth smiling.
"Hey cousins" He said as he shook hands with Jace and hugged Rebecca.
"Sorry for missing your wedding Becks,the company needed my uptmost attention, but I didn't come without bearing gifts" He apologized as an older guy possibly his driver carried in a luggage.
"In there are dresses and sourveniers from my travels" He said looking proud.
"I'm only forgiving you cause of the gifts" Rebecca said smiling trying to hide her excitement and the fact she wanted to jump to the roof but she had to play it cool besides she is a married woman now.
Jace looked indifferent. He wasn't always fond of his cousin Ryan, for some reason,his father always preferred Ryan to him.To James Prescott, Ryan Chalhoub was like a son he never had.
The conversation flowed easily, with Nick and Rebecca sharing stories about the small get together at thier house that morning.Alexandra chimed in with tales of her school's strict rules and her adventures making everyone laugh.
Jace's dad, James, finally entered the room, and Jace felt his stomach twist into knots. He wanted to leave, but Rebecca, sitting across from him,looked at him and mouthed "pls" to him, begging him to stay.
Amy, sensing the tension, placed a reassuring hand on Jace's arm. "Hey, everything okay?" she whispered.
Jace forced a smile, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Elizabeth, oblivious to the tension, smiled warmly at James. "Glad you could join us, dear. We were just catching up with Rebecca and Nick."
James smiled back, taking his seat at the head of the table. "Sorry I'm late. I got held up with some work calls."
"It's always work with you"Jace said under his breath.
"What was that my boy?" James asked.
"Don't call me that"Jace said barely above a whisper to hold himself from bursting out.
"Are you okay Jace?" Elizabeth asked."Yh, nothing to worry about mom" jace replied.
As the dinner continued, the conversation turned to Nick and Rebecca on their plans of having children.
Jace's father, James, cleared his throat to speak. "Rebecca, I hear you and Nick are thinking of starting a family soon?"
Rebecca's face lit up with excitement. "Yes, Dad, we're thinking about it. We're not sure when, but we're definitely considering it."
"Yes sir,we know it's kind of too early considering we literally got married yesterday but it's definitely on our mind,we want to start a family as soon as possible "Nick added as Rebecca clasped hands with him.
James smiled, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Well, I think that's wonderful. You two will make great parents."
Jace felt a pang of discomfort at the mention of his father's potential grandfatherhood. He couldn't help but think about the past and the mistakes his father had made. How could he handle toddlers when he couldn't even handle a thirteen years old?
Jace's mother, Elizabeth, smiled from across the table. "So, Amy, tell us more about yourself. What do you do?"
Amy launched into a brief explanation of her job."I am a writer and I work part time at a book store...." but before she could finish, Jace's father, James, interrupted. "A writer?, how many books do you have published and what are your long-term goals? Do you see yourself settling down and starting a family?"
Amy felt a surge of discomfort. She hadn't expected such direct questions, especially not on her first night meeting Jace's father on a normal setting rather than a wedding setting.
Jace jumped in, sensing her unease. "Mom, come on. Let's not grill Amy on her first dinner with us" He said avoiding to talk directly to his father.
But Elizabeth chimed in, her voice gentle "We just want to get to know her better, dear. We're interested in what she has to say."
Amy took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. She knew that Jace's family came from a different world, one where expectations and traditions were deeply ingrained. She just hoped she could navigate their questions without feeling too overwhelmed.
James, Jace's father, leaned forward, his eyes locked intensely on Amy. "So, Amy, tell me more about your life in Manhattan. What's it like living in the city that never sleeps?"
Amy launched into a detailed story about her apartment, her job, and her favorite hobbies. But James didn't seem satisfied with her answers. He kept pressing her for more information, asking about her childhood, her parents, and her relationships.
Jace tried to intervene, feeling a growing sense of anger. "Dad, come on, let Amy eat her dinner."
But James waved him off. "Oh, no, no, I'm just getting started. Amy's like a daughter to me, and I want to know more about her."
Amy's eyes began to dart towards Jace, a hint of discomfort creeping into her expression. Jace's anger simmered just below the surface, but he tried to keep his cool.
But James just kept pushing, asking more and more intrusive questions. "So, Amy, what's your biggest goal in life?,Don't you think working in a common bookstore isn't enough to earn a comfortable living?,Do you even want to get married and have kids?"
Jace's patience finally snapped before Amy could open her mouth to say a word "Dad, that's enough," he growled, his voice low and even.
James looked at him, a hint of surprise on his face. "What's wrong, Jace? I'm just trying to get to know Amy better."
Jace's eyes flashed with anger. "You're not trying to get to know her, you're interrogating her. And you and I know you're really not interested in her answers anyway,you hypocrite."
The table fell silent, the tension between Jace and his father palpable. Amy's eyes were wide with shock, her face pale. Rebecca looked distraught,this is exactly what she had hoped against.
James's face darkened, his voice taking on a defensive tone. "What's that supposed to mean, Jace?"
Jace's voice rose, his emotions boiling over. "It means that you don't actually care what she has to say. You just want to make it known to her that you are such a big business tycoon and that money matters but what about peace in feeling happy in what you do?,Amy is a well to do woman and she's happy with what she does. You were always too busy with your business deals and your selfish ambitions that you never really cared about any of us."
The only sound heard at this point was the heavy breathing of Jace and his father. Amy's eyes were fixed on Jace, her expression a mix of concern and shock.She has never seen Jace this angry before. She always knew that Jace despised his father but she didn't expect him to show it.
"I care about you all especially Emma" James defended.
And then, in a voice that was barely above a whisper, Jace said, "Pls don't do that,don't say her name" He shook his head heartbroken.
James, while smiling and nostalgic, says:
"Remember that time Emma and I went fishing at the Rivanna River? She was so excited to catch her first fish."
Jace's eyes narrow, and he feels a surge of anger and hurt. He can't believe his father would bring up Emma's name so carelessly, without acknowledging his role in her death.
Amy, sensing the tension, tries to intervene, but Jace brushes her off, his emotions boiling over.
"Don't you fucking act like u actually miss her" Jace said.
James's face reddened as he shouted, "You're always so quick to judge me, Jace! You never understand the pressures I'm under, the sacrifices I have to make for this family!"
Jace's eyes blazed with anger. "Sacrifices? You call leaving Emma in the car while you went to a business meeting a sacrifice?"
James's expression faltered, and he looked away. "That was an accident, Jace. It could have happened to anyone."
Jace's voice rose to a shout. "And yet it happened to you?,You call it an accident? If you hadn't been so busy chasing after your precious business deals, Emma would still be alive!"
James's face turned white, and he took a step back. "How dare you," he whispered. "I did what I had to do to provide for this family."
Jace sneered. "You call leaving Emma to die on the side of the road providing for this family? And then, after she died, you had the nerve to cheat on Mom, to betray her trust and break her heart."
James's eyes flashed with anger. "That has nothing to do with this," he shouted.
Jace's voice was cold and deadly. "Oh, it has everything to do with this. It shows what kind of person you are, what kind of father and husband you've been. You're selfish, James. You only care about yourself and your own interests."
The argument continued, with neither side giving an inch. The air was thick with tension, and it seemed like the argument could escalate into physical violence at any moment.
Amy's eyes were wide with shock, her face pale. Rebecca and Nick looked on in horror, unsure of how to intervene.
And then, in a low tone Jace said, "Just don't mention Emma again. Ever. And don't pretend like you're some kind of victim. You're not a victim, James. You're the one who's been hurting us all along, you selfish cheat"
James's face turned red with anger, his voice rising to a shout. "How dare you, Jace! I'm your father, and I deserve respect!"
Jace's eyes blazed with fury as he stands up,his voice matching his father's in intensity. "Respect? You want respect? You've never done anything to earn my respect!"
"You were never there for us, Dad!" Jace yelled. "You were always too busy with your business deals and your...your affairs!"
James's face turned purple with rage, but Jace didn't stop. "And what about Emma? What about my sister?"
James's voice was laced with venom. "You don't know what you're talking about, Jace. Emma's death was an accident. It wasn't my fault."
Jace's laughter was cold and bitter. "An accident? You still have the nerves to call it an accident? You were too busy finalizing a business deal to even notice that a trailer was coming and Emma was struggling! And then, after she died, you had the nerve to cheat on Mom again!, it's almost like cheating on her is your coping mechanism"
The room was silent, the only sound heard was Alexander's murmurs and the sound of Elizabeth's quiet sobs. She had been sitting quietly, her eyes fixed on her plate, but Jace's words had brought her to tears.
Rebecca got up and went to her mother, putting her arms around her. "Mom, I'm so sorry. This is all too much."
But Jace wasn't finished. "And what about all the nights Mom cried herself to sleep, Dad? What about all the times she had to pretend that everything was okay, even when it wasn't?,you abused her and you abused her love for you"
James's face was ashen, his eyes wide with shock. He looked like he had been punched in the gut.
Amy got up putting her hand on his arm. "Jace, stop. Please."
But Jace shook her off. "No, Amy. I won't stop. I've been holding this in for far too long."
"Jace don't be stupid,stop all this nuisance you're creating" Ryan said.
Jace's face turned red as he turned to face where the voice came from. "Don't you fucking sit there and talk to me Ryan, you've been in our lives for too long and I know a lot of people are wondering if I am infact my father's son" He said.
"What are you even talking about this time Jace?" Ryan asked adjusting in his seat.
"Why are you acting like you don't know my father would trade me for you at the slightest chance he gets,you're the ideal son, a selfish,lawless business tycoon just like himself " Jace pointed out.
"I've always known you were jealous of all the attention your father gave me but I didn't know you had the balls to say it out, it's not my fault that you weren't interested in the family business,you were always such a pathetic looser and your father saw right through you, you never had what it took to run the company Jace" Ryan said as a matter of factly.
Amy eyes shone in utter surprise,she couldn't stand to hear someone call Jace names,she just couldn't.
"That's enough Ryan,that's enough" Amy said looking him in the eye. She knew that she wasn't supposed to interfere in family matters but Jace was like family to her so she had to talk.
Ryan laughs maniacally "Oh now the girlfriend speaks for him too,how low can u stoop cousin?" Ryan said laughing.
"Enough!,that's enough everybody" Rebecca yells leaving her sobbing mom who was too dumbfounded to speak.
"This dinner was to get together and heal all our wounds not to open them all up again" She said and faces James. "Dad,I expected you to be more mature about this,I thought we were over this already,you were supposed to try and make things right with Jace,he was the closest to Emma and he still feels her absence up until now" Rebecca said.
"I knew it was a mistake coming back to Charlottesville, James Prescott,let it be known you ruined this family" Jace said not missing his words.
"Let's get the hell out of here Amy" He said.
"Calm down Jace, you all can sort things out"Amy tried pleading.
"There's nothing left to fix here,we are leaving tonight" Jace said.
"Jace?" Amy calls out. "I said now!,let's leave". He yelled as she jolted out of fear. This was the first time he yelled at her. She picks up her phone as Jace starts leaving the dinning room hastily.
"Jace?" Rebecca called. He stops without looking back.
"You and I knew this was never going to work out, Becca" He said and leaves as Amy follows behind apologizing to the rest of the family.