Felix Beaulieu knew enough about wine, he could make a quick decision once Rene came back from walking Taffy and told him he was invited to join the Reinhardts for a dinner of Shepherds Pie. Going empty handed seemed rude to him and the Vacqueyras was a good choice. He walked over to the tiny house with Rene and Tristan truly happy about the day. Especially his son coming out of the closet and admitting he had feelings for Tristan. The family had accepted the news and Tristan with an ease and happiness that both stunned and made Felix proud.
Rene walked with Tristan close enough to steal little brushes of their hands, But as they turned into the Reinhardts walkway he took it completely. It had been quite the day, but in the end everything was on the table. His family had accepted that he was gay and his father had almost cried. Now they were going to have dinner at his boyfriend's house with his parents. A new beginning of sorts.
Michael Reinhardt was in the kitchen simply waiting on the dinner to be ready. There would be plenty to serve the last minute dinner guests. He already knew and liked Dr Beaulieu, as he had been only one of several people to see the new dentist when he moved into town and bought the practice. Now the doctor's son was dating his own son. A sort of celebration. He glanced up when he heard feet on the steps. “They’re here, Steph.” he called.
Stephanie dried her hands on a kitchen towel. They had both cooked and done a fast house cleaning and set up the folding table and chairs they brought out for special occasions. The living room chairs had been shoved to the side to make room. Tristan had a boyfriend, a proper boyfriend not just some faraway weird Australian who seemed to live in his phone and computer. And she liked Rene. She could see how happy he made Tristan even when their friendship was budding. It was sweet. She hadn’t braved the dentist’s office yet so she didn’t know the parents other than what she’d heard. They were French and Catholic. She’d seen them in the street and they were pleasant and a rather striking couple. Now they were getting to know one half of them and he liked wine. She moved with Micheal and stood by him as they heard Tristan’s keys in the door. As they stepped in she smiled “Hello. Come on in Rene, Felix….welcome.”
Tristan had kissed Rene’s hand before letting go to unlock and open the door to his house. He smiled back at Rene and Felix and then stepped in and to the side so they could all fit in the entranceway. “Mom….Dad….this is Dr. Felix Beaulieu…..I think one of you knows him at least right?” He seemed to recall his father had a dentist visit at least. Today he took off his shoes and put them neatly on the mat and then stepped into the room. The house smelled delicious.
Rene stepped in behind Tristan and inhaled. The food smelled wonderful and he slipped off his shoes and came in, making room for his father. “Papa, this is Monsieur and Madame Reinhardt.” he didn’t know if he should give their first names and decided to leave it up to the adults. He looked around and noticed immediately that they had moved the furniture a little to accommodate a table and chairs for eating.
Felix smiled as he walked into the Reinhardt house and slipped out of his shoes. “Bonjour.” he greets them and walked further in, offering the bottle he’s brought to Stephanie. “I know Monsieur Reinhardt, but haven’t met his wife until now. And please … call me Felix.” he doesn’t give her any sort of chiding look. There are still plenty of people he hasn’t met in Alexandra, either because they hadn’t come to him as a patient, or because they made arrangements with dentists off of the island. “I’ve brought wine.” he announces.
Michael looks at them as they come in and smiles as a bottle of wine is offered. “I know Felix.” met him in both of their professions having both sat in his dentists chair and seen him at the station when Gen was brought in as well as Sasha. “Come in and make yourself comfortable. And I’m Michael.” he grins at the wine. “That’s a good start to a relationship around here.” he quips.
Stephanie takes the wine with one hand and reaches to shake Felix’s hand with the other “Please call me Steph. Thank you this is lovely…..and nice wine too.” She grins at Mike “It is.” She gestures to the table as the living room seating is a bit squished up. “I’ll open this and get some glasses.” She looks at Tristan “I’ll leave the non wine drink offering to you Tris.”
Tristan nods and walks to the fridge “I think Rene probably already knows the selection.” He’d been over a lot and was there yesterday. He looks at Rene “Ginger Ale? Rootbeer? Fizzy fruit things?” He takes a can of ginger ale for himself but waits for Rene’s answer. His parents were being very polite. They hadn’t sworn once. It was nearly a shock.
Rene moves in a bit. “Can I help with anything?” he offers more out of manners than anything. He looks at Tris. “Fizzy fruit, please.” and he waits to see if he is needed.
Felix nods. “Michael and Steph it is.” Rene offers to help and Felix snorts. “Non, Rene. They probably do not need a new stove.” he quips.
Michael arches his brows first at the offer and then at Felix saying no for Rene. “Not much of a cook, eh Rene?” he considers. “I seem to remember you burning microwave popcorn one night … that was … fascinating.” he smirks.
Tristan hands Rene a Strawberry flavoured fizzy water and smiles at him after hearing the cooking disaster chatter “Rene makes really good salads. Do we have one for tonight yet?” He looks at his parents. “We could do that part?”
Stephanie laughs about the popcorn “I remember that. Everyone has their gifts and challenges. We have stuff for salad so go ahead boys. Tristan, you should teach Rene Sushi. Aside from the rice that’s nothing heated.” She pours the wine and passes out glasses “So Felix, what’s your favorite thing about life here so far on the island?”
Tristan looks at Rene and opens the fridge again pulling out lettuce and tomatoes and a cucumber and some radishes. He grabs two cutting boards and knives and a big bowl. “Yeah we should do sushi.”
Rene can laugh at himself and does. “I am very good with salads.” he compliments himself. “And I would love to learn sushi. You cook the rice for me. I will burn it. Don’t ask me how, but I will.”
Michael chuckles. “It’s alright, Rene. One of my nephews used to experiment with family dinners … usually with spice. He’s gotten better, for which all of our digestive systems thank him.”
Felix grins. “I do not know what it is. It’s gotten worse since being here but no, Rene is not the family cook. And sushi would be a nice change. We do tend to get stuck on French meals.” he looks at Steph and considers. “I like the diversity. Everyone where we lived before was French Canadian and Catholic. Well, the majority anyway. Here I see all sorts and have spoken to all sorts. It is the sort of place I wish I could have lived as a young boy.”
Stephanie nods “He’ll work it out.” She smiles at Rene “Owen did.” She looks at Michael “Ryan did even.” She listens and agrees “It’s amazing here. And at least you get to give that to your kids right? Cedar Point was very similar and now it’s part of all this. But now you’re adding French culture to it too and that’s fantastic. And it’s good to have a dental clinic. I should make appointments for Tris and I too. I wasn’t too stressed because he’s never had a cavity and was always good about brushing and flossing….bit neurotic actually...though not like my brother.”
Tristan rolls his eyes at being called neurotic “I’m right here Mom.” He gestures to the cutting board beside him for Rene and takes the lettuce to the sink and washes it.
Rene grins as he begins to wash and chop the vegetables. “Maybe it is, or maybe I am just not meant to make hot food. I am happy with my God given gifts, so I should not complain” he chuckles at Tristan’s eye roll. “You fit in with a dentist's family perfectly.”
Michael laughs. “Nerocies. It makes a family fun.” he looks at Felix. “Her brother Ryan is my partner. I don’t think he’s been to see you either, but he’s a little OCD about a lot of things. Drives his wife crazy. I keep waiting on her to write a song about a neurotic man.”
Felix chuckles. “You should come to see me on a more professional visit, Steph. I know about the Fog so I know you haven’t been to a dentist in several years.” he shrugs. “And I know many who are scared of the dentist because let’s face it, it is not always a pleasant experience.” he considers. “I have to wonder … the house and practice were such a good deal … if perhaps it was to get a dentist in town .. just in case the same thing happens again.”
Tristan steps a little closer to Rene and whispers so their parents can’t hear “Very happy with your god given gifts.” He flirts and then preps more veggies with a smirk on his face thinking about Rene’s affections and kissing abilities.
Stephanie snorts “Oh my god a song about Ryan!” She notices Tristan whispering to Rene and smiles and then goes on “I have no dental fears. I just haven’t gotten to it. You know about the fog? Well that makes things easier. You won’t just think we’re all randomly fucking lunactics for some of our quirks….i mean some of us are.” She sips her wine and then says “I’m sure that’s part of why you got a good deal. I can’t guarantee it never will be no one knows.”
Rene grins back and elbows Tristan playfully. He cannot remember being happier than he is now.
Michael chuckles. “Insanity isn’t exactly an island trait.” he comments. “At least not in my family. We just come by it naturally.” he considers. “That's not IMpossible, and I sure as hell hope it doesn’t happen again. Especially since I don’t want to know what you would resort to once the novocaine runs out.”
Felix sips his wine and watches his son with this boy. He seems so happy. Then he looks at Michael. “I .. would have to go back to other methods.” he considers. “Which wouldn’t be as pleasant.” he winces at the thought. “Perhaps not something to think about over good wine and company. I would lose friends at the speed of light.” he predicts.
Stephanie smirks “Shot of Jack Daniels and a root canal? Not everyone’s idea of a good time I’m sure and awkward with anyone under 19.” Stephanie sips her wine and looks at it “Mmmm that’s nice.” She chuckles at Mike “Island trait or not we seem to breed alternative thinkers and some would think us all insane.” Steph looks back at Felix “So you work with your wife? How do you keep the personal and professional in their places? Is it a good thing...a stressful thing….a quick nooner in the dental chair thing?” Stephanie was nothing if not blunt but she looked jovial about it.
Tristan had just been sipping his ginger ale and sputtered a bit at his mother’s questions and then sighed “There she is. It was unnaturally polite for too long.” He shakes his head at Rene and looks apologetic but amused.
Rene blinks and has to stop slicing cucumbers when Stephanie gets … blunt? He glances over and shakes his head, then looks at Tristan. “It’s fine.” he assures him. “I’m sure .. it’s .. fine.” although he isn’t sure since he’s never really seen his father in this situation before. It should be eye-opening one way or another.
Michael gives a bit of a side grin as Steph lets go. He sips his wine, as he’s not much of a wine drinker. Stephanie was a hoot dead cold sober, but add a couple glasses of wine and she amused him to no end.
Felix laughs. “Well, if we are cut off, whiskey might have to do. Or I could speak to the doctors and see what they use for suhe is lifting his wine glass to sip when Stephanie goes on and he arches his brows and sips. “Well we have always been able to keep the twi separate, but for many years we were not as close as I wanted to be … so professionalism at work was not such a problem.” he takes another sip. “Then we moved here. We are still professional, but of course no nooners in the dental chairs.” he sips again. “Always after hours.” he deadpans.
Rene drops a radish on the floor. “Pere!” is it more formal than Papa and shows his alarm.
Felix looks at his son. “What? We did not order our children on Ebay, you know. Be happy there are no stories of any of you being conceived in a dental chair … or in x-ray … or my office …”
Stephanie looks way too delighted by Felix bantering back and being a warm blooded human. “Those chairs have a lot of settings…” She teases and then looks at the boys “You both just came out as a couple and WE’RE not allowed to make sex jokes. Suck it up buttercups.” She refills the glasses and winks at Mike and then asks a less confronting question, or so she thinks “So Catholics. Do you and Amelie both come from large families? You have 4 kids….”
Tristan looks surprised by Felix but then laughs, and partly at Rene “Told you they’re a bad influence. But looks like she didn’t have to try too hard. Your Dad’s handling it well.” He’s speaking quietly but not whispering as he looks for utensils to toss the salad. He gives his mother a little nod “Buttercups.” He sighs out and chuckles, used to her.
Rene just laughs. “Papa was the relaxed one …” he admits. “I just didn’t think he was THIS relaxed.” he shakes his head. He picks up the radish and washes it off, then begins slicing again.
Felix laughs. Stephanie has a point. Then she brings up religion and family. He takes a large sip of his wine, the first hint that this should be interesting. “Oui .. we are Catholic. My wife was more so than I for a long time. Now .. I do not know. She comes from a large family and her sister is …” he drinks again. “But my family … very Catholic. I .. my brother was gay and when he came out, my parents disowned him. Completely.” he sighs. “He fell into drugs, got HIV … killed himself when I was a teenager.” he looks at Rene and then back at the Reinhardts. “Because of my wife’s family, I didn’t tell anyone about Auguste until we moved here. Now … it is all out in the open and I hope it helped Rene to tell us, so he will not be like my brother.”
Michael laughs at Steph and then looks at Felix rather intently. “Yea … Catholicism and homosexuality.” he pauses. “I lived as a gay man until I fell in love with Stephanie .. talk about out of left field.” he sighs. “My father would have literally killed me. I didn’t come out to my brother until I was already in love with Stephanie and my mother … not until my father was dead.” he pauses. “I was in love with a great man … he died in an earthquake in Cedar Point years before I met Stephanie. I moved there to gain some closure and … fell in love with a woman.” he scoffs a bit. “I don’t believe that homosexuality is a choice, but I think I believe more that a person falls in love with who they fall in love with.” he clears his throat a little gruffly. “Sorry … I didn’t mean to make it all about me, but … I can relate to closed minded Catholics.”
Tristan had tossed most of the salad but was just waiting on the radishes. He turns around and leans his back into the counter listening to Felix and particularly tunes in about the parts about his brother, Rene’s uncle that he clearly never met. He inhales that Auguste took his life and when Felix says he hopes talking about it now means Rene won’t be like his brother he reaches an arm sideways around Rene’s waist and pulls him into a hug if he can. He knew how tough it was for Rene before he came out and the idea that it could have gone that way, even as an idea made a lump form in his throat that only grows as his dad tells his story. They were so lucky and he knew it.
Stephanie leans in her hand and leans in when Felix tells them about all of it and looks pained for him, truly and deeply pained about his brother. “I am so sorry Felix. I know what it’s like to lose a brother…not like that...but ironically he was also gay….or bi...well he was in love with a man when he died.” She reaches out to take Micheal’s hand as he talks, knowing his story well but knowing it’s nonetheless painful still. “It’s ok Mike. I think we all ended to be open about all of it so our kids know they’re safe in this next generation...and so we can be safe too...and heals.” She looks back at Tristan and sees him processing it all.
Rene leans into Tristan’s hug. It had helped to learn about his gay uncle and he rests his head on Tristan’s shoulder. “I am named after him.” he murmurs. He tightens the hug and gives Tristan a quick peck on the cheek.
Felix listens to Michael and nods. He completely understood. “Non .. it is not talking just about you. It helps that you understand and have been there yourself … and lived to tell the tale.” he looks between Michael, Tristan and Rene. “I want for my son to be in love and be happy.” he tells them. “That person's gender doesn’t matter, as long as they make him happy. That is another thing. I feel as if Alexandra has improved our family. For the better.” he grins. “My sister-in-law and my niece, on my wife’s side have both moved her and found love … as you said Michael .. out of left field.”
Michael nods. “That’s what matters. Alexandra isn’t a real religious place. No churches or synagogues. We have a priest now, but he doesn’t seem to be … like they can be.” he shrugs and looks at the boys. “Their happiness is important. And I don’t know … Cedar Point was the same, it seems like. Harley and Stephanie .. out of left field. Bam.”
Stephanie gives Michael a deeply loving look and then looks back at Felix “It’s true. I was his beard, or was going to be….as your daughter was briefly for Tristan. Except Michael and I just….just left field. We didn’t see the feelings coming at all….it was like a jolt of lightning when we touched. Happened to people here too all the time. And everyone who’s told me about it happening to them…..well none of them have broken up. It’s powerful. I agree with you completely that love is love no matter the gender of the people.”
Tristan says Rene’s full name quietly “Rene Auguste Beaulieu...it suits you.” He leans into the kiss and smiles a bit. He’s very glad to hear how open and accepting Felix is. Then he listens to his parents and ponders it all. “A jolt of lightning? Like physically or emotionally? And no I’m not asking about details…” He qualifies to his parents who he fears would be very frank. Tristan eases off the hug but leaves an arm around Rene.
Stephanie laughs “I did actually feel a physical jolt when your father and i kissed the first time….like being sparked when someone has static electricity.
Tristan nods and looks a bit sheepishly at Rene and then blushes.
Rene listens and looks at Tristan, thinking of that … spark … that jolt … it was powerful, indeed. He grinned a little and shrugged a little.
Felix nods slowly. “Like … a bolt of lightning.” he pauses, then nods. “That sounds … magical.” he smiles to himself and sips his wine.
Michael gins at Stephanie. “Yea … magical .. and I’m about as cynical as they come.” he chuckles and looks at Tristan and Rene. “How’s that salad coming.”
Tristan just smiles and then scoops the last of the chopped radishes into the bowl and puts it on the table with the serving utensils in it from tossing it “Ready. Teamwork. I’ll get the dressings and bowls.” Just then the oven timer goes off for the Shepherd's pie too.
Stephanie chuckles and gets up “I’ll get the rest served up.” She pulls open the cutlery drawer “Rene, would you set the cutlery for everyone please?”
And within no time the whole meal is served.
Rene gets the cutlery for everyone and sets it in its proper place before sitting with his father on one side of him and Tristan on the other. The food was very good, he noticed And his salad as also very good. He was grateful for that much.
Felix felt very comfortable at the table. The Reinhards already felt like good friends and he took that as a good sign. “Tristan, what activities are you taking part in?” he wonders. “The school has so much for its size. Hockey, Drama, Choir .. I know it isn’t all school … Hockey isn’t. I think you know what I mean.”
Michael looks towards Tristan for his answer. His schedule since school began had been so insane he hadn’t been able to talk to Tristan as much as he wanted to.
Tristan settles in too and then looks at Felix “I’m not a big hockey person either way. No offense...I know your family is. I don’t mind watching a game now and then. I do track. I’m a sprinter. I’ve been looking forward to being old enough to join the debate team and writing for the yearbook. Chess club.” He looks a little sheepish again “I’m probably a bit nerdier than Rene sometimes.” He admits. “Mr. Leading Man.” He winks at Rene after.
Stephanie pats Tristan on the hand “Sounds pretty well rounded to me.” She looks at Rene “Leading man eh? You’re a drama kid? I was always a nerd kid too. Even started a math club…..because yes you CAN do math for fun.” She defends before anyone looks at her funny and then laughs.
Rene blushes a little at being called a leading man. “You are more into sports than I am.” he tells him. “I played hockey last year, but wound up making up stories for my own amusement. Half the team had to be in the hospital before I got called off of the bench. Sasha … my older brother … is the hockey star. I daydream too much.” Sasha had complained about that a lot and this was the first time Rene admitted to it. After all, Sasha wasn’t here.
Michael listens and grins. “These two always have me beat.” he nods to Tristan and Stephanie. “I was the quintessential dumb jock. Big, strong … basically a fast zaboni on two legs. My brain didn’t kick in until college.”
Felix looks at Michael with raised brows. “A zamboni on two legs who knows the word quintessential.” he notes. “I was the school nerd. Lots of reading and hanging out in coffee shops or whatever. Anything to avoid being home after Auguste was disowned. I almost became a writer of some kind, but decided I would literally do better as a dentist.
Tristan rolls his eyes at the math can be fun speech he’s heard more than once. He gives Rene an amused look “Hockey stories or unrelated?” He looks truly curious. Then he chuckles at Michael. Felix mentioning he almost became a writer peaks his interest. Did he have more in common with both Rene and his father about writing? “What kind of writer?” Tristan wrote a lot of short stories. His whole D&D campaign writing had been a spin off of it but he had a shelf of notebooks from when he was young and his documents folder in his laptop was full of them too. His parents knew of course and Rene had probably gotten a hint of that for D&D stuff.
Stephanie grins at Michael “Sexiest zamboni I’ve seen.” She nods at Felix and then looks over at Tristan “You and your wizards and dragons and sorcery tales…” She chuckles.
Rene grins as he’s asked about his writing. “Usually whatever was in my imagination. Highly fictionalized stories about like the hockey team, or the lady I saw who was crying for no reason in the street. But I want to learn screenplays. I don’t know If I could make the transition, but yea … playwright stuff.” he pauses. “Your stories rock .. I’m not sure I can compete.”
Felix grins. “His stories aren’t bad. He’s let me read one or two, but many are private. His own worse critic.” he chuckles and eats. “We tried to play D&D with Rene. I don’t think we’re very good at it.”
Rene looks at his father. “No dad … you’re not.” he informs him. “You can’t ask dragons if they need a cleaning and expect good things to happen.” he smirks. At least his father tried.
Michael chuckles. “I’m not sure I have the imagination to play either, Felix. I’d be the brute tackling or shooting my way out of danger.”
Tristan gives Rene an encouraging smile “Of course you could. I’m sure you’d write a kick ass play. You should talk to that drama teacher. Isn’t that what the 11-12s do anyway? Directing, playwriting and stuff?” He smiles awkwardly at the compliment “Thank you.” Then he laughs about playing D&D with family “I heard about that. Dragon dentistry could be a tricky craft with all the fire breathing.” He smirks at his dad and then looks between his parents “Yeah I don’t think we’ll be playing family D&D anytime soon. Between the cop ranger busting down the door and trying to arrest the orcs and ...well” He looks at his mother and then does an amazingly bang on imitation “What the hell’s the point of this mission anyways? Why are we talking to this crazy old motherfucker….can we just go back to the tavern?” He even does her facial expressions that would match and then grins.
Stephanie toasts Tristan with her middle finger up as she holds her glass “That’s about right, and a little frightening to watch you do that.” She looks almost embarrassed, almost. “I wasn’t exactly a fit in with the other moms in Trsitan’s playgroups when he was small…” She laughs but then holds up a finger “But I’m polite at work. I don’t swear at clients….unless I know them...ok maybe here that’s almost everyone….but when we had the restaurant and it was mostly tourists I never swore past the kitchen.”
Rene looks amused. “I’ve actually considered trying to create a modern like D&D game. Set in more modern times.” he laughs at Tristan’s imitation of his mother, but doesn’t comment on it. “I hadn’t thought about it in a long time before I got the role in this play, actually.”
Felix looks intrigued. “Designing your own game. But for the table top like your D&D? Of for the computer. I’m not saying computers are bad … but I do still love the look and feel of things, if that makes sense.
Micheal laughs without shame at the imitation. “Yup … that’ sher. You could take one of the monsters down with your infamous elbow pinch.” he suggests.
Now Tristan nods enthusiastically “Modern D&D. That has a lot of potential. People have based all kinds of role playing themes on the D&D framework. But you mean like ,more reality stuff?” He looks at Felix “Yeah I love computers but a physical board or map and dice and figures feel more authentic for any kind of face to face game play.”
Stephanie winks at Michael “Maybe later if you ask nicely.” Then she tunes into the modern D&D thing. “As long as it’s not too real….like scrubbing toilets or shovelling snow as missions. We still need an escape.” she laughs.
Rene holds up a finger. “Yes .. but with challenges. Maybe an island like this one or maybe bigger, like Greenland … adventurers arriving by like a boat or some magical ferry or something. It’s got a lot of problems I think.” he admits and continues to eat.
Felix looks at Tristan with a nod and grin. “I think that’s good thinking. A lot of kids today are so hooked on technology but .. I would guess that after your experience, it might not be so bad to go without technology.”
Michael winks at Steph and then follows the conversation as best he can. “You would love my brother, Felix. John Reinhardt? He wasn't thrilled when we got cut off, of course. His oldest got caught on the mainland. But once he got used to it … he was happy not to have all of the technology.”
Tristan eats too and thinks about what Rene’s planning with a look like the wheels are turning. Finally he says “Maybe here is a better foundation for it. I mean what do you know about Greenland? Unless you want to delve into some Scandanavian lore...which could be cool. Some kinda magical Viking ships….but with modern day crews. A little bit of a Percy Jackson overtone without ripping off that series.” He takes another bite and then nods at Felix after he chews and swallows. “During the fog we all became board game junkies. I think that part will stick forever.” He grins about his Uncle John.
Stephanie snorts “John isn’t old enough to be such a fucking old man...but he is sometimes. I mean still young enough to keep up with his wife from the looks of them. But yeah not a tech guy. Not quite my mother….but..” she laughs.
Rene considers. “Well it feels like everytime I get someone new playing D&D, the biggest complaint seems to be a lack of familiar things .. so not so much Greenland as it is, but a completely made up island. I say islant to keep it self contained and so I don't feel like I have to build up a continent.” He chuckles. “We would play board games when the electricity blew out.”
Felie chuckles. “I sort of understand the draw away from technology. Even though I am not even a little bit good at D&D I had a good time playing. Made me feel closer to my family. It was isolation, but Dante .. my daughters boyfriend .. played with us .. it .. was good stress relief.”
Micheal nods at Felix. “I bet it was…” he murmurs, as he knows exactly what was happening at that point in the Beaulieu’s lives.
Tristan nods along with Rene’s words “Yeah that makes total sense. Besides the more you make up the less you have to look up.” He smiles about the board games when electricity was out “Yeah that’s not too common here with alternatives…..but rarely.”
Stephanie hears the boys conversation and agrees “They fix it pretty quick when it happens.” Then she looks between Felix and Mike. She had of course heard about Dante. By now everyone had. “How’s Dante doing? How’s... Jen is it? Sorry you have Sasha….the sandwich shop guy, Jen? That must be short for something French too...she’s not a Jennifer? Rene of course we know and Cath...short for Catherine? Cathleen?”
Rene grins. “And the less likely you are to get sued if it’s fictional.” he looks at Stephanie and isn’t sure she has the right name for his sister. It sounds right, but that was the problem with spoken word. He let his father worry about it.
Felix is pleased to hear it. “That is good to know/” he looks a bit grimmer. “He isn’t in any trouble. Is getting good grades. Genevieve and he almost have their hearts set for an early release, and I hope they are not disappointed.” he brightens a bit. “Oui. Sasha is the oldest, then Genevieve, Rene and Catherine.”
Michael listens to the news of Dante “Well, you hired him one hell of a lawyer. And connected as shit, too.” he finishes his meal.
Stephanie looks humbley corrected “Not a Jennifer. Gotcha. Genevieve is a much prettier name. No offense to the Jennifers of the world. And Catherine. I’m glad Dante’s doing ok there. He’s not at the juvenile prison that had the riot is he?” She nods along with Michael. She was aware of the new lawyers, more Natalie than Levi but as it was a small town and she did the books for almost half the businesses she knew of Levi’s name and that he had represented Dante. She’s also seen him on their street. “And dating our town’s new doctor….not so new anymore but for this town...heck having a dental clinic is still new too. I’m not trying to be a gossip but Dr. Jasper Rogers and his kids live down the street and I’ve seen him and Levi Samuels kissing goodbye on the front steps. They’re quite sweet.”
Tristan had been focussed on Rene’s world building idea and sort of half paying attention to the other conversation. He was glad Dante was ok of course but the lawyer part wasn’t on his radar until it became obvious his mom meant the male lawyer was dating the new male doctor. “The new doctor is gay?” He grinned “Cool, can I switch? No offense to Doctor McKinney. She’s awesome….just…” He shrugs a bit.
Rene blinked when the news that the lawyer was dating the doctor. “That’s … comforting.” he grins a bit and drinks. “I already see Dr Rogers. He’s pretty neat.”
Felix looks at Stephanie. “I agree with that name.” he chuckles. “And non … Levi .. Mr Samuels … worked specifically to send him to Prince George .. Brett went to the riot one.” he keeps his voice carefully professional. Then he looks a little surprised a=to hear about the doctor and his lawyer. “I also see Dr Rogers. I did not know that .. then again I did not know about Levi either .. it is none of my business who he sleeps with, of course. As long as he is happy, oui?”
Michael grins. “Yea .. he’s gay. And Jewish. He’s good, which is all I’d care about. Some people in town … not so much. Yes, we have our town bigots. Sadly we have a couple of them.” he rolls his eyes.
Tristan sets his fork on his now cleaned plate and looks at his Dad and then the others “Yeah...Rene and I had a run in with Mrs. Norris walking Taffy. Apparently she’s got it in for French people too. She took a shot at Rene’s accent after calling me the son of the Reinhardt policeman and the little Jap woman.” He cringes a bit glancing back at his mom waiting for her reaction but adds “Thank god we weren’t holding hands or she’d have a whole extra layer of strip to try and tear off. Rene was fucking brilliant though. He threw a bible passage back in her face and she shut right up. Then that Father Liam took our side as he passed jogging.”
Stephanie had looked relieved about Dante being at the better juvenile facility and had nodded at Felix “Oui absolutely….don’t quiz me that’s all my French right there.” she had nodded along with Michael but then when Tristan told the story about Mrs. Norris and what she had said her nostrils flared and her eyebrows shot up “Detective Reinhardt, I’d like to preemptively report a crime….meaning mine when I see her again…..that fucking cow…..” She smiled about Rene’s way of handling it but still looked just furious. “Oh that woman……”
Rene nods at the meeting with Mrs. Norris. “She is a very bitter woman.” he bites his lip at what she said about Stephanie and shen smiles, almost shyly at Tristan’s praise of his retort. “Matthew 7:1-29. I didn’t see Father O’Keeffe until after I said it, but he also thought it was good. I like him. He thinks very differently than any priest I’ve met. He doesn’t seem to be worried about being excommunicated and I hope he never is.”
Felix winces at the story and is about to ask what passage Rene hit her with when Rene tells them. “A good choice. I remember that one. You might want to hit Tante MC with that one, not that we will ever see her again after the way she’s acted.” he realizes that may require a bit of explanation. “My wifes oldest sister. The last two straws were her starting in on Annette’s boyfriend. He’s Jewish, too. Suggested he should convert. Basically called Annette a slut. You’ve heard the thing about the cow and the milk, I trust. He is also older I think, but I don’t think MC got on her about the age difference. That, she saved for Greyson … Dr. Page. He is with the youngest sister and they’re having a baby. Her husband died very recently, but it feels like moving on was something he wanted for her … and she has.” he sighs. “I suppose every family has their hypocrites, or haters.”
Michael sighs when he hears Mrs Norris has said something to his family … again. “Tell my mom.” he tells Stephanie. “She called Logan some foul name and she attacked. I mean straight up cold cocked her. I guess Dad taught her something after all.” he tightens his jaw and then the moment passes. “She tried to press charges, but Chief Greene told her he had bigger crimes. We can’t arrest everyone she wants us to .. three quarters of the island would be in the cells.” he grins at the passage. “Oh that’s the ‘judge not lest you be judged’ one.” he looks at his family and shrugs. “My mother mumbled it very quietly behind my father’s back. He never heard her, but it stuck with us.” he looks at Felix. “Yea … if not all then most. My family had my father. And … why should that woman .. or anyone care if someone is older. Stephanie is older than I am. No one complains .. at least not to our faces.”
Stephanie takes a deep cleansing breath trying to calm herself and nods “Sounds like a cool priest. I mean I’ve met him a few times and he’s an interesting man. Definitely not seeking religion myself but I respect that he does it without pushing it on anyone. Fiona said he wants to dress up as that priest from the Exorcist for her and Vincent’s Halloween wedding.” She blinks at Felix “K so Annette’s this bitchy aunt’s daughter….and she called her own kid a slut? Wow…..” Then Stephanie’s face cracks into a smile after frowning about the age critique “Oh they’re pregnant! That’s fantastic! Grey’s is a great neighbour and the girls are hilarious. The little pirate won’t be the youngest now.” She smirks “I should tell Kaitlin….and then sell tickets. Raise money to ship the crazy old bat off the island.” She grins at Michael “They probably knew I needed a younger man to keep up with my libido.” She teases.
Tristan smiles at Rene “You’re modest but that was awesome.” Then he makes a face about MC “That aunt ...Tante….I can see why everyone reacts to her the way they do. She’s gotta know it’s pushing her family away. Especially her daughter. So what if her boyfriend’s Jewish? I mean as far as religions go it’s almost connected to Christianity right? I mean I know they don’t believe the same stuff about Jesus but part of it is the same book I thought...as in the bible. But why shit on people’s happiness over age or religion?” He goes on “Or who they love or what gender that person is..” He gives Rene an unmistakably loving look and takes his hand if he can and then laughs about selling tickets to his Gran duking it out with Mrs. Norris. “Grandma Kaitlin would win every round.” Then he hears the words Fiona and Vincent’s wedding and has a look of realization and turns to Rene “Rene….you haven’t met Fiona and Vincent…at least I don’t think you have.....but they’re getting married on Halloween like Mom said. Would you be my date for the wedding?” He asks sweetly, ignoring his mother’s embarrassing comment about her libido.
Rene nods a bit about Annette. “Everyone thought she was the religious one, but … apparently not.” he shrugs as he doesn’t know her as well. The idea of the seniors battling it out amuses him and then Tristan takes his hand and asks him to the wedding. He smiles and also ignores the comment about his mother’s libido. Not a subject he wants to explore. “What do you think we should go as?”
Felix nods about Annette. “I don’t think Annette has been as honest with her mother as her mother might like to think. So her sudden rebellion might not be so sudden, if that makes sense. Sadly until now, we barely knew her. He grins about the senior fight and the Halloween wedding and can hardly resist. “I suppose it's possible this island helps with libito. It certainly did with my wife and I.” he replies when Stephanie brings up the subject of libido.
Rene blinks and turns his head to look at his father “Pere!”
Michael laughs at well, everyone at the table. He is used to his wife, but is glad that Felix isn’t the stuffy old Frenchman stereotype.
Tristan is starting to answer Rene “I dunno something Marvel……” And then Felix chimes on on the libido comment and he laughs and shakes his head “At least it’s not just my parents being embarrassing.” He laughs some more.
Stephanie claps and lets out a “Wooooot! Go Alexandra.” She laughs “Oh you guys it’s our job to embarrass you a little now that you’re old enough to understand our lewdness.” She gives Micheal a little nudge with her foot under the table “By the way we need costumes too. I don’t want to face Fiona’s wrath if we slack on that.” she chuckles. “Our niece is formidable in a delightful way. She and her fiance met on Halloween. Mike even spied on them for his overprotective brother when they had their first date later in my family’s old restaurant.” She nods at Felix about the other topic “The rebellion thing...I think parents who are super strict or unreasonable just turn their kids into better liars...sadly.”
Rene sighs deeply looking at his father. “Non …” he listens to Stephanie and nods slowly. “Perhaps .. but it is also true. My older siblings and I often wondered how there were so many of us, considering my parents didn’t seem … well it was very formal with them. Now .. they flirt in the kitchen … everywhere really. I would assume that is .. everywhere …” he looks at his father. “Please tell me you are being careful … I am this close.” He places his thumb and index finger so they are almost touching. “To having my own room. Another baby would really mess that up … unless it was a girl of course.”
Felix is nodding along with Stephanie and grinning because the first Halloween date sounds very sweet when Rene replies to Tristan about how it was before they moved here. He arches his brows. “I was fixed years ago, I will have you know, son.” he sighs. “One of the bigger fights your mother and I ever had. You were too young to remember it.” he is half teasing. Apparently if he wants to properly embarrass a child … it would have to be Cath.
Michael grins about the Halloween wedding. “So … Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman without a horse … is a .. no?” he guesses. Then Rene and Felix exchange some very interesting words and he laughs. “We tried for a while and it just never happened.” he glances at Stephanie. “I suppose I really should get Susan to count my little soldiers and see if it’s me or what.” it's only then that he realizes they never told Tristan that they were actively trying to have a baby at one point.
Tristan was chuckling at Rene and his father. Less so when Felix said his getting fixed caused a big fight with his wife. Then his father starts talking about how he and his mother were trying to have a baby and his jaw drops as his eyes go wide “You guys were trying to get pregnant? Is this still a plan?” He focuses on his father “Count your soldiers?1” He looks between his mother and father “This is a small house you guys…..”
Stephanie looks amused by Rene and Felix’s conversation and then sympathetic about the fight over him getting fixed. Then Mike lets the cat out of the bag so to speak and they’re interrogated by Tristan “Well you were younger when we started so no we weren’t consulting or informing you, nor do we have to Tris. Obviously it hasn’t happened so something’s not connecting. And I wasn’t too worried about the space. A baby could be in our room for a while while we figured out how to move. You coslept with me for a long time…...just easier for nursing. So I guess fair warning that it could still happen...but it’s not likely.” She looks a little sad about it and then looks at Michael.
Tristan sees his mother’s sadness and backs down from his rant. “I’m sorry...I was just surprised. Of course I’d be happy to have a sibling if it ever works out.”
Rene concentrates on his food when the conversation turns more personal. He moves his hand under the table to Tristan for a little comfort once he backs down from his rant.
Felix watches Tristan's reaction and sort of understands. He was much younger than his brother and could remember a bit how that might feel to Tristan.
Michael arches his brows. “Yes. Count my soldiers. My sperm. Don’t make me give you a literal blow by blow of how that’s gonna happen.” that is probably more threat than warning. “I get it, Tris. And I remember you didn’t seem all that thrilled on the idea when I said I wanted to adopt you. You were sort of like ‘aren't you supposed to try it the other way’ or something and didn’t seem keen on it. But we tried it anyway .. and nothing. John has 4, so who knows. There’s 12 years between me and John and my mother doesn’t know why. Anyway … I suppose even I would say fifteen or sixteen years might be too many … then again … isn’t Dr Grey’s oldest kid at least 20 …. And they’re having another …” he gives a mock threatening look to Tristan as if he might give it another go right there on the dinner table.
Tristan squeezes Rene’s hand and looks at him and then his head snaps to his Dad as he starts talking. He looks a bit overwhelmed by him bringing up Tristan’s initial reaction to the idea of adoption. “Dad...I was like 9 years old. I’m sorry…” He tries to fight it but he can’t and he tears up “You know I love you. It was just….”He wipes at his face “A lot…..” He blows out a breath and looks at the table, trying to explain it to Rene and Felix. Rene probably had some idea about it from other things he’d said. “My bio dad left my mom at the hospital….he didn’t give a fuck about us...about me. He was a criminal...an armed robber. I didn’t know that really until he died….shooting Adum Brate...they shot each other. It was a lot of stuff in my head...still is to be honest. But them Mike...Dad wanted to adopt me and ….I didn’t know how to be his son at first. I think we worked it out though?” He looks at his Dad as another tear slides down his face.
Stephanie starts to cry as Tristan does and just watches him explain and then turn to Mike. He had never really talked about it all so openly before and she felt bad about how much he had been holding inside. “Tris….” She whispers shakily and reaches across the table for his hand.
Tristan lets go of Rene’s so he can take his mom’s and squeeze it.
Rene listens to the story and finds himself a bit misty eyed as well. He doesn’t say anything but considers the words to himself. Tristan had told him some, but not all. It’s being shared at this point just made him feel that much closer to him.
Felix remains quiet as Tristan speaks and his family has a moment. That must have been a hell of a period of time for the family.
Michael sighs softly and reaches over and claps Tristan on the shoulder. “I know you love me .. and I love you too.” he looks closely at Tristan. “That was a big ol mess, but you and I both figured it out. You’re a great kid and I haven’t accidentally killed you yet. You’re a lot bigger now, thank goodness.” he hopes to lighten it a bit.
Tristan laughs through his tears at his father and nods “Despite trying to teach me to wrestle...yeah we’re still here.” He squeezes his mom’s hand and then lets go “Sorry Mom...I don’t blame anyone but Colin.” He calls his bio dad by his proper name and calls Mike Dad. “And we went from a robber to a cop so definite improvement.” He looks at Rene and Felix “Sorry...I didn’t mean to…..dump all that out here tonight.” He exhales and smiles “But there it is.” He holds Rene’s hand again.
Stephanie wipes her face and looks between Tristan and Mike “You guys are both the best things to come into my life. I didn’t know Colin was a criminal. He told me he was a security guard, which was one of his rouses for robberies. I would say I regret getting involved with him...but I don’t regret Tristan….at all...ever.” She’s looking at Felix and then Rene “And eventually the right dad came into his life and mine. And learned my kid’s no wrestler.” She laughs a bit. “We didn't really do that in our family. But Mike and his brother played a little rougher I think as kids. Anyhow...we’ve come a long way.” She looks at Tristan again “But if you need to talk about this more…..we’re here. I love you.”
Tristan smiles “I know Mom. I love you too. I’m ok.” He looks around at everyone’s plates “I saw ice cream in the freezer and the Beaulieu women are over there eating all kinds of chocolate and ice cream….can we eat ours?” He chuckles, “I think it’s mint chocolate chip.” He sees his mother nod but waits for more responses.
Michael listens to his wife and son, then holds up a defensive finger. “I figured it out. Nothing got dislocated or broken. And yes, John taught me wrestling and fighting when I was really young … to defend against our father. I thought it was how males bonded … well normal ones. I wasn’t about to raise you the way my father raised me. You’re turning into a good man, so I must be helping somehow.” then he raises his brows. “Wait … how do the women rank chocolate and you guys are stuck here with me, Steph and ice cream?”
Rene smiles and sniffs. This family was so cool to him. He brightens at the idea of ice cream and then shrugs at Michael. “My sister …” he shrugs a bit.
Felix chuckles at the roughhousing, then gets serious at the hints of abuse in Michael’s life. “Tristan is indeed a fine young man.” he agrees and then the subject of chocolate comes up. “And Cath became a woman today … and broke up with her first boyfriend … so the women decided to celebrate with chocolate and probably female secrets few men need to know?”
Tristan smiles at his dad and then looks sympathetic “You still win on shitty fathers. And you are helping...thanks.” He looks self conscious about Cath and smiles at Felix “Thanks. And yeah oddly I was her first boyfriend even though my only claim to fame is putting a hoodie around her so the class didn’t see she had a blood stain on her pants.”
Stephanie smiles “Yeah it’s mint chocolate chip.” She stands up to take some plates away and leans in and gives her husband a little half hug and a kiss on the cheek after he talks about his father “You’re the furthest from your father anyone could be….and you’re a good one.” She looks up at Tristan after both Rene and Felix speak and he clarifies “You did a good thing Tris. And yeah she needs women and chocolate. But we can still have dessert.”
Tristan and Stephanie both end up taking plates to the kitchen as well as the leftover Shepherd's pie and the serving spoon. There’s a clanking of bowls and spoons and the ice cream is served up and passed out and they sit back down and rejoin the table.
Michael smiles. “I did pretty good as a father. John’s a great dad too, he raised me a lot too. And his three … all turned out pretty good. Eve Seamus … man who say any of his life turning out the way it did …” he considers. “Well we did all think he’s manage to knock someone up and turns out he did. But with the fog .. he didn’t earn until just recently. And he didn’t need to take a DNA test .. She’s him as a little girl. Spittin image.”
Rene grins. “I didn’t know about the chocolate. The girls in my family I don’t know … maybe they don’t PMS as bad or … hell if I know.” he grins. “And she was a real trooper trying to save me from my aunt. She’ll find out I am gay sooner or later .. and probably blame my parents.” he glances at his father as the ice cream arrives, apologetically.
Felix looks interested. “He is Sasha’s best friend. Took no time at all and they were joined at the hip. They even fell for sisters…” he pauses. “So maybe this magic of Alexandra works like that with Friends .. like it did with Grey and I.” he looks at Rene. “We raised a fine young man .. Two fin young men. If she doesn’t like it, she can find someone else to bitch to.” he rolls his eyes. “Your mother stood up to her beautifully. I honestly didn’t know she had it in her. That's my own fault for overprotecting her for so long.”
Stephanie digs into her own ice cream as she watches Mike while he talks “You did more than pretty good.” Then she nods about Seamus “Talk about a self fulfilling prophecy….he was the first after all. And she’s so cute. Shy at first but less so now. She had a not so nice family before she came to Seamus and Iris and John and Colleen.” She sighs at Rene “don’t worry about what your aunt thinks. The people who love you the most, get it and accept you for who you are. Fuck the rest.” She nods at Felix “Your wife sounds pretty kick ass. I’ll have to meet her properly. And didn’t you and Grey fall for sisters too? Lisette? The newly pregnant girlfriend, she’s a sister too right?”
Tristan chuckles at Rene. That was one thing neither of them had to worry about dating a guy. He nods in agreement with both Felix and his mother about MC “She doesn’t live here Rene. Remember that. And your mom blocked her number? So what can she do to you? Nothing. Katie is very sweet. And she and Jayla have a lot of fun together so it’s nice that there’s two little ones….take a bit of pressure off me.” He grins. As the youngest before Katie showed up and Jayla’s sometimes babysitter he often ended up with Jayla focussed on him at family holidays. He loved her but he was also at an age where he wanted to talk with the people closer to his age now and the adults. He starts to eat his own ice cream with gusto before it gets too melted.
Rene nods and snorts about his aunt. “The Devil will always find a way to good people.” he intones and then smiles as the talk turns to the kids. “I like Jayla, even though she fired me the moment she saw me. Apparently this is a thing.” he starts in on his ice cream.
Felix laughs at Rene. “Exactly. If she appears, we can call Father O’Keeffe to exorcise her. Mrs Norris was here first.” he snorts. Then he laughs about Jayla. “That is a toddler thing. You and Gen didn’t fire anyone, but you never said ‘oui’ to anything. Non, non, non. You could have been staring and would refuse food on the toddler principal of the thing.” he starts to eat his ice cream when Stephanie mentions Amelie and Lisette. “My wife really IS kick ass .. I just didn’t know how much until we moved here and we fell in love all over again .. not that we ever fell OUT of love.” but he stares. “Oh … they ARE sisters. Our family is growing.”
Michael laughs. “My uncle Jude .. who you may or may not ever meet says Reinhardts will take over the country.” he sinks at Stephanie. “We have absorbed the Yamada’s .... Owen is having triplets.” he shakes his head in amazement. “That is .. a little bit scary.”
Tristan has no thoughts on the devil but grins at Rene “You won the dance off though. Even though you used the adorable puppy to your advantage.” He looks at his parents and then Felix “Rene met my Grandma and my little cousin. If it doesn’t happen sooner you’ll meet the rest at the wedding…..all at once. I mean you know the ones who live on your street and Seamus especially.” He eats and nods as Felix talks, finishing his ice cream. Then he comments on the Reinhardts “We are the Reinhardts. Resistance is futile...you will be assimilated…..” He reaches out towards Rene ominously and pretends to dig his finger into his shoulder but does it lightly not painfully.
Stephanie laughs “Jayla fired you? Welcome to the family.” She nods at Felix “Oh yeah they have to challenge us. It’s like a developmental stage. With Tristan it was shoes. He hated shoes. We’d get on a transit bus and he’d take off his shoes...he’d throw them into the ocean….he'd hide them on me. That was a fun phase.” She looks at Tristan cheekily and then smiles at Felix “That’s fuckin beautiful that you found more love together here.” She laughs at Michael and Tristan “Absorbed the Yamadas indeed. We still have a few but I see you all watching them.” he jokes.
Rene laughs lightly. “I think I am fine with being assimilated.” he looks lovingly at Tristan as he digs into his shoulder. Then he looks at Tristan regarding throwing his shoes away. Maybe you just wanted to stay at home?” he offers as belated excuse. Then he looks at his father with a happy grin. His parents did seem closer and more loving than he ever noticed before.
Felix chuckles. “I look forward to meeting more of you outside of my office.” he looks at Rene with Tristan, so happy and carefree. It was a wonderful sight. “Ah shoes, indeed. You would think taking them off indoors would be enough but … non.”
Michael chuckles. “Well Ryan is as good as family now. Gran and Sakura act like long lost sisters half the time … it will happen. We will attain the whole set.” he gives a frighteningly realistic evil laugh and finishes up his ice cream.
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