Everyone straightened, light entering their eyes. Jordyn leapt off her seat, running towards the hallway leading to the dining room. "Dad!" She yelled as a man rolled into sight, sitting on a wheelchair that wasn't electric. The man slowed as Jordyn approached, rushing to him. He laughed, pulling her into a close hug. She buried her head into his shoulder, letting out a happy sigh.
Kiara slid out of her chair, her movements hesitant. The man looked at her, reaching out his hand. Kiara walked to his side, and he pulled her into a tender hug. He stroked her braids, giving her forehead a small kiss. Nathaniel watched, awe filling him. So this was a father. This was someone a family could call Dad. The two girls hugged him for a while walking to the chairs closest to the head of the table. Mr. Rachet rolled up to the table, his arms strong from years of being in a wheelchair. Nathaniel nodded, so that's why there was no seat at the head of the table.
"Welcome home," Connor said, scooting his chair closer to the table.
The man smiled, "Good to be back." He looked at each of his kids, wisdom in his eyes. His eyes move to Nathaniel, "You must be Nathaniel. Cole has been telling me about you." Nathaniel could feel his caring gaze, it seemed to search him, judging his mood.
Nathaniel put down his fork, hoping he would have time to let his food settle before eating more. "Hi," He said, unsure what to say to his host, "Thanks for letting me be here." He had seen this man somewhere, he just wasn't sure where that could be. He looked at him, at his confidence, he had to be someone important. The Wasp had been scared of his name. He was someone who commanded respect, anyone could feel it radiating from him.
Mr. Rachet smiled, "I'm glad you could come." He eyed the girls on his lap, "I hope everyone's been behaving." Nathaniel shrugged, causing the man to chuckle and ruffle Jordyn's hair. Nathaniel smiled at the movement, remembering Cole doing the same thing to him yesterday. Cole must've picked it up from him.
Ollie tapped Nathaniel's leg, pointing to his plate. Nathaniel nodded, taking another bite. He could feel Mr. Rachet's eyes on the two of them, he glanced up, seeing warmth and pride in the father's eyes as he watched Ollie's small form. Nathaniel rubbed his bony knuckles, wondering what it would be like to have a father like Mr. Rachet.
Mr. Rachet cleared his throat, "We were invited to a banquet."
The room grew quiet, everyone looked at Cole and Christin, Connor starting to grin. Cole looked up, "When is it?" He asked, his voice subdued as he picked at his food.
Mr. Rachet gave them a pained smile, "Wednesday. I'll tell Riley when I see him." He looked at Cole, "None of you have to come. But I would love it if you did." Nathaniel watched everyone's faces, wondering what had happened to Cole and Christin.
Christin smiled at him, "We had a disagreement with some acquaintances last gala. Now we're the talk of the town." She chuckled, the tone dark as her smile turned savage.
Cole nodded, "It's what we have to get used to." He grinned, "I'll be there, someone has to hold Christin back."
Connor let out a chortle, "Is that what happened? I don't even know where you got that stick." He chuckled harder, "I know where Kiara got her weapon obsession from." Nathaniel glanced at Mr. Rachet, seeing a smile start to form, the smile made wrinkles appear around his eyes. He was a happy man, Nathaniel didn't see a lot of those.
Cole rolled his eyes, "Like you didn't have your brass knuckles on."
Connor grinned, "You bet, but I wasn't the one that kicked the mayor's son in the chest. I heard you broke a rib."
Cole shrugged, "He was lucky Christin didn't murder him."
Christin smiled, her eyes still dark, "I was thinking about it."
"Hence the stick." Cole reasoned, grinning in satisfaction. Nathaniel glanced at Gene, hoping someone would fill him in on the story behind this conversation. He had no clue what was going on, but Gene didn't look confused, he kept eating, a small smile appearing as the other three argued.
The table became quieter, Gene glanced up, "I'm going this time." Nathaniel watched him clench a fist under the table, Gene smiled at Connor who had become silent, surprise and concern in his stillness, "I'll have to get out there eventually," Gene continued, "Maybe this will help." Connor nodded, a smile appearing, it didn't meet his eyes. Nathaniel found butterflies waking up in his stomach, this didn't seem like the feeling a gala should bring. They were fancy things, fun for the rich, but now there was only an air of danger. The twin girls looked at each other, Kiara slid out of her seat, running out of the kitchen. Jordyn kissed Mr. Rachet's cheek then ran after her sister, slapping the doorframe on her way out.
Connor stretched, standing up, "I guess I'll get ready to leave then." He looked at Nathaniel, his grin becoming mischievous, "It's time to go shopping." He walked around the table, waiting for Mr. Rachet's nod.
Nathaniel blinked, his shirt was baggy, but it was nice, it would fit him once he gained more weight, "We are?" He checked, rubbing Rocky's back.
Connor laughed, "Of course. Finish eating and we'll head." He pointed at Gene, "You're coming with us. Can't have you two looking like beggars at your first gala."
Nathaniel froze, looking at Cole, "I'm going?" His stomach gurgled, his food threatening to come up. He wasn't ready for a gala, he wasn't ready to be stared at, to embarrass Cole.
Cole met his eyes, taking a deep breath. Nathaniel mirrored the motion, fighting to stay in control. Rockie stood up, climbing his shirt to rub cheeks with him. Nathaniel took a deep breath, hiding his shaking hands in Rockie's fur. The table was now empty across from him and he could see out the window. He focused on the sunlight, he could stay in control.
"It's up to you Nathaniel.You don't have to decide now." Mr. Rachet said, his voice gentle. Nathaniel looked at him, seeing his strong smile, Nathaniel nodded. He could do this. He wouldn't be alone this time.
Connor stood still, face unreadable, his hands were shoved into his flannel pockets, he looked at Nathaniel, then looked at the ground, his jaw clenching. Nathaniel felt his gut drop, he had hurt Connor's feelings.
Nathaniel took a deep breath, waiting to catch Connor's eyes again, "I'm not sure about the gala." He took another breath, a small smile emerging, "But I don't remember the last time I went shopping. I can do that much." Connor searched his gaze, a wall stopping Nathaniel from figuring out his thoughts. Connor nodded, the hint of a smile appearing, then leaving just as fast. Nathaniel rubbed Rocky's stomach. He had hurt Connor, he would have to remember to be more careful in the future. He didn't want to be a burden to this family, not ever.
"Connor, I need to talk to you before you go," Cole called, watching as Connor gave him a thumbs up as he left the room, not bothering to look back. Gene emptied his plate then followed him, leaving only 4 of the dozen chairs in use. The table lapsed into silence, Nathaniel started to eat faster, not sure what would come after the silence. He glanced up and saw Cole watching him.
Cole smiled, "Did you sleep well?"
Nathaniel chewed, feeling everyone's attention on him, he swallowed, the gulp loud, "Yeah, thanks." He picked at his food, then looked at Cole, "Does the masked man drop by your house often?" He tried to see the mannerisms of the masked man in Cole, but there seemed to be little correlation.
Cole smiled, glancing at Christin, "I haven't seen him in person, but he leaves us notes sometimes." Nathaniel nodded, searching for any double meanings in his words, he couldn't find any, but there were connections to the masked man here. Nathaniel went to take another bite of food, taking a deep breath to make more room in his full stomach.
Ollie tapped his leg, "Good job," He rasped, switching Nathaniel's plate with his empty one.
Nathaniel smiled, wondering if his full stomach was that obvious, "Thanks Ollie," He rubbed Rocky's ears, signalling that it was time for them to move.