2020-12-17 Dante Comes Home

 2020-12-17 Dante Comes Home

Everyone connected to Dante Mendoza was invited to gather at the Alvin home to welcome him back to Alexandra with open arms. Lydia had cooked several pots of chili and made pans of cornbread and a big Caesar salad as the welcome home visit it would likely spill into the dinner hour. She had Dante’s room clean and ready for him with his sheets and comforter freshly washed and even a few new clothes in his dresser and closet. The house was abuzz with anticipation. The Beaulieu’s were coming with Gen being the main reason of course, and his friend Gene. Elise and Nolan had begged off the invite, wanting to give Gen all the space and time she could get as well as Gene who they felt really needed to see Dante sooner than they did. Now Lydia was sort of pacing and puttering. Everything was ready, they just needed their boy back. Levi Samuels was driving him. Lydia, Levi and the Beaulieu’s had discussed the safety protocols of masks, hand washing and sharing space and food and they had decided that since Dante was isolated before leaving prison and travelling very carefully by car he was not a risk. He and Levi had of course worn masks when stopping at drive throughs but had made as few stops as possible and even “took to the trees” over using public crowded bathrooms when possible. Lydia’s family was careful and so were the dentists. Everyone was healthy. They were sharing space food and love for Dante. They decided to do so unmasked on their fairly isolated island. They would of course be washing their hands and being as aware as they could be.

Mina James was in her room but had kept one headphone askew, waiting for the sound of a car pulling up. Her foster brother was coming home and it would make the family feel whole again.

Stone was more hyper than ever “Dante’s coming home...what time is it Lydia? Did he call? Are they here yet?” He was literally bouncing off the walls and the couch and nearly the coffee table before Lydia steered him back to the couch.

“Sit down Stone and take three deep breaths...please…” Lydia instructed to Stone.

Elle was smiling, despite Stone bouncing all over the place.  He was so excited.  Of course, she was too.  Dante was like a big brother to them, brave protector to the end.  She sat on the couch as Stone was brought back to it.  "Stay still."  she tells him.  "You don't want Dante to see you being all hyper.  He might think you’re being bad, right?"

Gen had gone to school and done the best she could, considering her mind was on one thing and one thing only; Dante coming home.  She already had permission from Lydia and her parents to spend the night with him.  And the next day.  She supposed all of the adults knew that they would find a way to be together and so had simply allowed the inevitable to happen.  After school she'd gone home to shower and make sure she was perfect.  She wore a dark blue skirt that came just below her knees with light grey stockings underneath.  Her shirt was a white turtleneck with a light blue sweater with snowflakes on it.  Very festive.  Finally she slid into short warm boots and walked over to the house, calling out to her parents that she was leaving.

Felix heard the door slam as he put on a heavier sweater than he would wear outside of his dental practice.  He reaches for his overcoat.  "Is everyone else ready?" he calls, bemused.

Rene had finished his homework as soon as he came home from school.  Now he was just waiting to go.  Gen hadn't even grabbed her coat when she left, but he understood that,  He moved to stand beside his father, pulling on his own smaller overcoat.

Gene walked over to the Alvin house via the community garden.  He had planned to wait two or three days to see Dante.  After all, it was almost the winter holidays with 2 weeks off of school.  But Lydia had insisted that he be there and he was.  He was in faded jeans, a black turtleneck and his now usual fishermans sweater.  He walked up the walk and knocked, even though he suspected that the door was open, because he thought he'd seen Gen tearing into the house a moment before.

Levi sat in his car on the ferry as it moved through the water towards Alexandra.  The trip had been a long one, but he'd been glad to see his client in such good shape.  He's bought food whenever Dante wanted it and the ride was a mix of conversation, thanks and comfortable silences.  They'd be disembarking at Alexandra soon ... and Dante would finally be home.

Cath came flying down the stairs in faded jeans and one of her mother’s hand knit sweaters. This one was a fair aisle style in a pale green  She shimmied into her quilted black coat and grabbed her knit scarf.  "Maman!"  she yelled.  "Hurry!"

Amelie went to Felix and Rene as Cath called to her and she had heard Gen leaving. “Yes I’m ready. You don’t have to shout Cath.” She was in jeans as well and one of her flowered button up shirts under a baggy sweater vest that was almost a dress. She pulled on her sheepskin lined brown jacket and slung a scarf around her neck but was walking “Allons-y! (Let’s go!) As they stepped out of their front door they saw a car pull up in the Alvin driveway. Dante and Levi were inside. He was home! Then Amelie waved but held out a hand to indicate they should hang back “Gen and Lydia first….then we’ll greet him.”

Sasha had come to join his family in welcoming Dante home with Page but they were walking down Third when Dante went by with Levi in a car. They waved of course. Sasha was in his usual beat up blue jeans but now with a grey parka over a maroon hoodie and a pair of black and white trainers.

Stone couldn’t sit still so he’d answered the door, hoping it was Dante but it was just his friend Gene. He gave the guy an exaggerated sigh. The last person to come through the door was Gen….also not Dante “He’s not here yet….come in.” Stone wasn’t listening to his sister or Lydia at all and then left the door wide open to watch out it and within a minute heard a car and saw them coming. He shouted back into the house “He’s here! He’s here! He’s here!!!!” And jumped up and down waving.

Dante was a little stiff from the long drive but as Levi pulled the car out from the ferry and he saw the familiar streets he felt a huge lump in his throat. He was home...almost all the way home. As they turned onto Third he blinked hard and then he saw the form of Gene from a  distance going into his house and grinned widely. “Ah shit yeah…” He said with a laugh. Then he saw Sasha and Paige walking and waved at them with another  big smile. And then they were pulling into the driveway. He could see and hear Stone freaking out and the two big dogs bolted out past him barking on the porch. Cars were a very exciting thing to Willow and Bean as they didn’t happen often. He looked towards the Beaulieu house and saw the family except for the one he wanted to see the most...Gen….his beloved Gen. He got out of the car after it stopped and looked hopefully through his front door, wondering if she was already at his house before the rest. He was wearing what he wore the day he went to prison which was a pair of old black jeans, a plain black t shirt under a black hoodie and a big thick grey plaid jacket shirt with black trainers. His black hair had grown out a bit and was a little shaggy now and soft looking whereas he had had an undercut going in with a sort of brushed down mohawk. Now it was evenly long under and the top part just sort of integrated and looked like a bit of a mop. He also had a bit of scruff on his chin as the prison had lost his razor. It could have been someone took it for nefarious reasons to get a blade as such things happened.

Mina heard the car and then Stone and looked out her window. She saw Dante getting out of a car and ran down the stairs excitedly but hung back, expecting Lydia and Gen would be the first to greet him if someone could hold back Stone. Actually that could be her job to help them out. She saw Gene in the house as she walked to Stone at the door and gently tugged him out of the way so Gen could get past him if she planned to. Stone resisted a bit but she gave him a  sort of hug hold “Give him a minute ok…” She had her usual pink hair brushed over with her blonde undercut. And a black and white striped shirt with a black short skirt and tights and black suspenders over the striped shirt. She looked a bit like a mime.

Gen had gotten into the house, but when she heard the car pull into the drive, she was out the door like the wind.  Ignoring the stairs, she lept over all of them and stumbled as she stopped short, looking at Dante, as if she couldn't believe this wasn't some dream.  But then she was in his arms hugging him hard.  "You're home."  she cried and the kissed him, as if trying ot make up for the lost months.

Rene was in the house but only went to the window to see the greeting, beaming in happiness for his sister.  He'd heard her crying while she was still in her upstairs bedroom and had hurt for her.

Felix walked slowly with his family and saw his daughter flying out of the house and into Dante's arms.  He was smiling broadly when he walked past them and to Levi.  "Thank you, Levi.  For this ... and all the rest."

Elle made a grab for her brother and missed, but Mina got him and hugged him, so that Dante and Gen could have a moment together, which she thought was sweet.

Levi got out of the car and watched over it as Dante was hugged nearly to death by Gen.  He couldn't help but smile and, when Felix came up to him he nodded.  "You are quite welcome."  he replied.  "This is the best part of the job."

Gene had gone into the house and further in than anyone, leaning against the center pillar of the open space of the 1st floor.  He watched Gen leave with a slight grin and simply watched as the others ... Dante's family ... greeted him after so long apart.

Dante’s heart almost burst when he saw Gen coming out of his house and running to him. As she hugged him he lifted her up and by the time they were kissing he was slowly spinning her and then gently easing her back to the ground without breaking the kiss. He didn’t care who was watching. He had missed her so much it physically ached. So now he held her and kissed her relentlessly for a really long time, just drinking her in, coming home to her in the moment he’d been waiting for since the day he left her here. He was vaguely aware of Willow and Bean nosing at him, their tails thumping as they greeted and he completely just focussed on Gen. 

Willow and Bean gave up on Dante eventually and went to the other human who had been driving the very exciting car. Bean felt it prudent to greet this human with a full sniffing of his crotch as he talked to the neighbour human. Willow wagged her approval of this choice, her tail thumping the car door.

Amelie smiled at the moment between Gen and Dante. She knew how sad her daughter had been when they were apart and it made her happy too that Dante was back. She nodded with Felix at Levi “Yes thank you…” And then saw him get very full greeted by the dogs and had to laugh.

Stone was held onto by Mina but still managed to crane a bit and look out the door giving a report to those in the house “Oh they’re kissing….” He made a bit of a face and then looked delighted “Bean’s tyrin to sniff balls….” He snorted and then rolled his eyes “They’re STILL kissing!”

Lydia walked past Stone and chuckled “Bean….come here!” She tried to call him off Levi and smiled at Gen and Dante reuniting. She’d get her hug after. She knew those two were pining for one another and she got it.

Cath watched her parents talking to Levi and Dante and Gen’s hugging and kissing. She smiled at them and then looked at Rene what Bean was trying to do to Levi with a little giggle.

Mina laughed and rolled her eyes at Stone and tried to help Lydia call in the dogs as she still held onto them “Willow! Bean!” She looked at Dante and Gen and then back to Elle and Gene “They might be awhile…” She observed casually.

Gen kept kissing Dante, a bit selfish on her part, she knew.  But it was Dante .. and he was home.  "You should..."  she kisses him again.  "Say hi..."  and again.  "To Lydia, amour."

Rene grins at the dogs and shakes his head.

Felix watches the display and hugs his wife.  "I think they are glad to see each other, mon amour."

Elle giggles, watching from the window with Rene.

Levi caught the dog who was sniffing his crotch and shook his head.  "Don't dent my car, it's a company one."  He smiles at Amelie.  "It was my pleasure."

Gene simply waits.  He can see them through the door and is happy.  Now that he sees them together his heart gets very light.

Dante can barely tear himself away from Gen but he eventually pulls back almost painfully and nods “I know….I just missed you so fuckin much. I love you. It’s good to be home.” He gives her one more lingering peck and then takes her hand if he can and walks with her towards Lydia, letting go of Gen’s hand only to hug his foster mother.

Lydia is patient and happy to hug Dante when he’s ready. But she finds that as soon as she does she breaks down and cries in relief. “Oh I’m so glad you’re home safe…..” She had lived each day anxiously hoping nothing happened to him in prison.

“Me too…” Dante whispers. Her emotion is contagious and he finds himself getting weepy as he pulls back “Thanks for getting everyone together…..man…”

Mina can’t hold back Stone any longer and he bolts from her and flies at Dante “Dante!!”

Dante laughs as he’s nearly tackled by Stone “Little man…” He picked him up and slung him over one shoulder like they used to play “Hey where’d he go?” He pretended to ask Gen.

Stone laughed and laughed, so glad to have his big brother back. Finally he was set down and he high fived Dante in every way known to humanity before running off back into the house followed by the stampede of Willow and Bean after him.

Sasha and Paige got to the door and had walked around Gen and Dante, giving them time. They slipped inside and waited but Gene was unfamiliar to them so they walked over to him.

Sasha stuck out a hand “Hey….I think I’ve seen you around. I’m Sasha Beaulieu. This is Paige….Paige Page.” He always got a kick out of introducing her to people “No I didn’t stutter.” He grinned.

Dante hugged Mina after Stone ran off and then Elle “I missed you all...please tell me someone prepped my roses for the winter?” Dante grew roses. It was his thing. His mother had loved them and grown them too. Now he mostly grew them to give to Gen but the plants were fussy and needed care.

Mina nodded as she let go “Bone meal fertilizer...mulch….and pruned. Just like you said in your note.” She looked at Elle and then at Rene close by. It was funny having her classmate in the house as she was such an antisocial being. She could see Cath coming in too now.

Cath hugged Gen’s arm as she passed her, happy for her sister and then she looked at Dante unsure if she should hug him. They had high fived before.

Dante hesitated at Cath too and chuckled and then put up his hand for a high five “Better?”

Cath high fived him and smiled “Better.” She moved past seeing Sasha and Paige talking to Gene. Sadly she mostly knew Gene from terrible posters at school so she gave him a sort of awkward smile.

Dante greeted Felix and Amelie each with a hug “Thank you both for everything….seriously.” He would never forget that they paid for his lawyer and supported him through the whole trial so much.

Amelie had hugged Dante back “No thank you. We’re glad you’re home Dante. And well.” She gives Gen a loving look after. She had noticed another tall teenager with long hair, an Indigenous kid. Gen had mentioned Dante had a friend living here now who was being fostered. She’d seen this boy around but he’d never been into the dentist yet. This must be Gene though. She gave him a warm smile after Dante passed them and moved towards him.

Dante took Gen by the hand again if he could and began walking with a long lost look at Gene. Sasha was in front of him and Paige too so he politely greeted them first, patting Sasha on the shoulder “Hey…” He grinned at them both “Hi Paige.” But then without further ado he let go of Gen’s hand and grabbed Gene in a fierce hug like a long lost brother that he felt he was “You made it...we both did….fucking hell…” He laughed.

Gen kisses Dante one more time.  "I missed you too.  But now we have the rest of our lives."  she promises him.  She gladly takes his hand and goes with him wherever he might lead her.  She loves the emotion and reunion of Dante and Lydia, getting teary eyes as she watches, not that she'd actually stopped crying.  Then Stone came and got his love.  Gen laughs and pretends to look around.  "No idea.  I guess he had better things to do today."

Rene watched Cath wonder what the hell to do and finally setle on their high-five.  He took his turn and, not a shy bone in his body, hugged Dante quickly.  "Bienvenue à la maison."  he murmured into Dante's ear.  Surely by now he knew French for welcome home.

Felix hugged Dante.  "It is good you are back where you belong, son."  he told him, well aware he used the term son with Dante.  He also sees the new young man that must be Gene and takes Amelie's hand as they move in his direction.

Elle took her turn at hugging Dante.  It was good to have him home again.  Good for all of them, but she also felt Dante was good for Stone.

Levi did not go into the house.  Dante was home and he would see him on the street for sure.  He got back in his car and drove it back to the ferry parking lot, and then started the walk back to his apartment.

Gene was highly amused by Stone.  Clearly the younger foster had desperately missed the older.  He had not expected anyone to come over to him, but a blond that looked a lot like Gen if she were a guy came over with a pretty woman with dark hair.  He quickly learned that he was Gen's brother and that the girl was ... Paige Page.  Gene gave his usual closed mouthed grin and shook Sasha's hand.  "Gene Sinclair.  I'm a friend of Dantes."  he didn't tell much more because he was still unsure and eve a bit insecure.  But at least these two didn't seem to recognise him from the school mug shot poster incident, so he took it as a good sign.  Cath gave him am awkward grin and he remembered he was here with people who 'knew' him, but didn't really know him.  Then he saw Dante coming towards him and he hugged him back .. hard.  "Yea, brother."  he replied.  "We're out .. and we aon't never goin back."  he made the paomise both for himself and as a way of telling Dante he had his back to make sure he never went back.  Seeing Dante with Gen ... he couldn't even let Dante leave a woman who loved him this much again.  He could see, as they hugged, others looking curious, but aid nothing.  They were probably Gen's parents and so not his worry.

Paige moved ofer with Sasha and gave an exaggerated sigh when he introduced her.  "Ignore him."  she ordered, smiling at the young man.  "It's good to meet you, Gene.  Any friend of Dante's is alright by me."  then she moves out of the way for the others curious about this newcomer who knew Dante … as she’d gotten that they knew each other from … where Dante had been incarcerated?

Sasha moved aside with Paige and saw his parents approaching “Maman...Papa…” He greets them each with a  hug. Sasha was just an affectionate guy and loved his family deeply. “Did you mean Gene before?” He gestures. It was after Dante and Gene had hugged and let go.

Amelie smiles at Gene “No not yet….hi there I’m Amelie.” she extends a hand to shake. “Gen’s mother.

Dante stands beside Gene after hugging and letting go “Never going back….” He nods “Oh man...this is surreal…” He looks around the house and at everyone. Probably the only person who gets it truly is Gene.

Lydia had put her hand on her heart and waved to Levi before he left. She was so grateful to the man for bringing her boy home. Now she comes in with everyone and watches Dante interacting across the room before snapping into mom needs to feed the masses mode. “Elle go get a pile of bowls and spoons and forks. Stone…..feed the dogs so they don’t go after the human food. Mina...cut the corn bread please.” She didn’t give Dante a task as she normally would. Tonight was special for him and she would let him just settle back in. 

Dante caught that chores were being handed out and laughed “What...no chores? Lydia don’t be shy…” He chided.

Lydia called over “Fine then….you can do dishes later if it makes you happy.” They both laughed.

Mina and Stone set to their tasks. Willow and Bean chased after Stone as soon as they heard the rustle of the food bag.

Cath stood with Rene, just watching the room and everyone in it. He was so much less shy than she was with hugging Dante and being on stage and just talking to people.

Gene looks a little awkward at being in the middle of attention.  He nods at Dante in complete agreement as he feels a little descended upon.  Looking at Sasha, he shrugs.  "I knew him after he left here, but before he came back."  he lets it stand there.  He shakes Amelie's hand.  "Nice to meet you ma'am.  Sir."  he offers Felix his hand, more aware than ever of his teeth, which he keeps hidden as much as he can.  He turns his head towards Lydia as if he wants to help, too.  Old habits.

Gen stands and watches, understanding now how awkward it could be fr Gene.  She had not gossipped at home about him, but Gene didn't know that.

Paige tilts her head and then nods.  She got it right away.  "Well if we're staying, we should sit before all the young people steal the seats, Sasha."

Rene stands near Cath.  "They are beautiful, aren't they?"  he nearly gushes.  This os a very romantic thing he is watching .. romantic and touching.

Felix smiles at Gene, but does wonder ... he hardly opened his mouth.  He chided himself for working in his head, but can't help himself.

Elle goes to get the bowls and spoons and forks, setting the table without a murmur of complaint, but that is how she was.

Sasha snorts “Are we old now? Can I start making dad jokes to the kids until they beg me to stop?” But he gets what Paige is doing and moves with her “Oooh smells good.” They grab some seats.

Lydia has a ladle in one hand for the chili and salad tongs in the other “Some of you have to sit on the couch…and living room chairs..even if you’re old people...first come first serve for chairs. But we’ll serve the food over here on the island so come get and then park your butts and eat.” She had also added a stack of plates for salad that the bowls could fit on.

Sasha realizes they sat before getting food but he’s happy to wait.

Dante looks between Gene and Gen “Oh my god...real food…” He puts a hand on his heart and lets out a breathy laugh.

Mina walks by Dante and gives him a  gentle shove “you should go first. I can’t believe they gave you guys Clik.” She looks at Gene too, knowing how Dante knows him. She’s never spoken to him before but she was here when he came to see Lydia and she’d seen the poster at school and silently fumed at how awful they were being to the guy.

Amelie is taken aback by how formal Gene is but smiles politely. She too notices he doesn’t smile with an open mouth. She was familiar with those self conscious about their teeth as well and she exchanged a look with Felix. Then  Lydia announces how the food and seating works and Dante gets steered to go get his first. She’s happy to wait “We’ll sit anywhere...even though we’re old people.” she jokes.

Cath had nodded when Rene said they were beautiful “Yeah...they are.” Then she makes a face and asks him “What’s Clik?”

Stone is about to grab his own servings when he hears Mina and lets Dante go first, which is a huge deal for an impatient kid like him.

Dante can’t help but tease him “Stone….you’re waiting for food…..” He laughs “Thanks man. I’m guessing this is a one time deal and tomorrow it’s Lord of the Flies?”

Stone nods “Yep…..I don’t want to be lord of the flies though….flies are gross.” He doesn’t know the book reference because he’s too young.

Gene sees Dante's look and his hand moves to his mouth presumably rubbingunder his nose, but his hand obscures his mouth.  "I know, right."  he pats Dante on the back, heartily.  "Don't stroke out before you get any."  he looks at Mina, but assumes she would have heard about the Clik.  He's been eating real food for a month, so he waits ... his plan to go last in any group.

Gen watches as Dante and then Stone are served.  She has always loved watching those two.  It made her think of the family she would one day have with Dante and she sniffed, refusing to allow herself to cry again.

Paige gives Sasha his thousandth playful slap.  "We have th have the kids first."  she reminds him.  "Then ... I can't stop you."  she laughs and waits her turn for food, which smels incredible.

Rene sits and waits for his food, happy just to watch his sister happy again.  It's like nothing can get rid of her smile.  He looks at his little sister.  "Click is canned meat they serve criminals, the unloved and people in wartime bunkers ... oh and natural disasters." he deadpans.

Felix agrees with Amelie but before they sit like old people he makes a note of how Gene laughed.  There was definitely something going on there.  He overhears Rene and chuckles.

Elle waits patiently, happy watching Stone.  How he had missed Dante.  The big brother they never had.

Dante walks by Rene and snorts “The unloved? Thanks dude…” He looks at Cath “think of the worst bologna you’ve ever had and give it more texture and make it soggy….it’s like that.” He happily moves to the couch. He leaves room for Gen beside him and even though he really wants to be polite and wait he finds himself picking at the cornbread and whimpering a bit  “Thanksgiving...they gave us a decent meal on Thanksgiving.”

Cath giggles “Rene’s just being dramatic...it’s what he does. You are definitely loved Dante.” She looks over at Gen.

Lydia smiles around at everyone “You’re all too damned polite…..get up and get your food or we’ll be here until tomorrow. Clik is terrible and not very nutritious. They should be ashamed of themselves serving it to a youth prison. You’re all still growing. You need good food. Never mind that now….you’ll eat properly again. Oh come on kids get in line….” She makes herding motions. “You too Gene…”

Amelie is not a kid so she waits it out but makes an encouraging motion at both Rene and Cath as well as Gen.

Sasha smirks “All the babies and then all the dad jokes. OK…” He then makes a face “an no Clik.”

Stone has his food and sits at the table shoving a whole piece of cornbread in his mouth and then putting his finger to his lips. He knew he was supposed to wait and he hoped no one told Lydia. He gave Gene a twinkly eyed look, sensing he was like Dante in many ways.

Gene is amused at the whole conversation about Clik, but also sees Stone shoving the whole of the cornbread into his mouth.  He nods and winks at the kid and then agrees with Dante.  "Real food comes but once a year."  he stated the older prisoners motto who had been there more than a year.  Lydia begins to herd him and he grins.  "Yes, ma'am."  he eventually fixes a plate and moves near Dante, but not in the circle.  Old habits. 

Gen sits beside Dante with her plate and doesn't chide him about starting without .. anyone.  "You look like you lost weight too ..."  she osunds mildly insulted.  "Well that will change."  she proclaims, looking at Lydia with plans ot feed Dante unti he was at least where he was when he went to prison.

Paige waits till the younger people are fed before fetting a plate for herself and Sasha, then returning to her place.  "I think Clik is grounds for divorce .. or breakup."  she tells Sasha as a joking threat.

Rene snorts a little bit.  "I wasn't the one feeding you."  he reminds Dante.  "I would have given you fine wine and roasted meats."  he proclaims then goes and gets a plate.

Felix chuckles as he waits on the kids to get fed.  "It is not the best."  he then laughs at his son.  "Wine and roasted meats.  Your imagination sometimes, Rene."

Elle gets her food and sits near her brother, where she is most comfortable.

Cath has to argue with her brother because it’s what little sisters do “You can’t buy wine...you’re 14…..and you better not be roasting those meats and starting any fires.” She gets her plate after Rene and snickers at him.

Dante gestures to Gene to move closer “Dude….my home is your home…..it’s all good.” He looks at Gen “I dunno I didn’t have a scale. But the food sucked so probably. My jeans are a little loose but this pair always was.” Then he stops talking and eats his food like it might run away from him.

As the kids move through Amelie goes up with Felix and gets some “Thank you Lydia...this all looks wonderful. Thank you for sharing with all of us.”

Sasha gasps “Then I will purge the island of Clik so I never put it in the grocery cart by accident…” He watches Dante eat and smiles “Ah it’s good stuff eh?” He sits down at the table too noticing that Stone is almost done by now and grins.

Stone was happy Gene kept his secret bread stuffing and then when Dante eats with reckless abandon so does he except way messier.

Lydia had to give Mina a nidge but she goes through and then she goes to sit with Dante, Gen and Gene near the couch but on the floor. She looks up at Gene and the first words she ever speaks to him are “Those people who made those posters are total dickheads.”

Stone has no clue what Mina’s talking about but repeats her word with a laugh “Dick head…..Mina you’re going to get in trouble…Penis heads…..” He knows what dick means “That’s be pretty funny, specially if you had to take a wizz.”

Lydia lines up last and sighs at Stone “Stone enough….but I do agree with Mina.” She says as she serves up her own. “Most welcome Amelie. Eat up before it all gets cold.”

Gene is eating only marginally slower than Dante.  After months of timed meals where if someone gets in trouble, everyone could be made to stop eating, it's a habit he hasn't let go of yet.  Then Mina speaks to him for the first time ever.  He finishes chewing his food and Stone parrots and Lydia agrees.  "Yea ... well ...  The second more than the 1st.  At least the first poster was my public record .. well sort of public.  It is now."  he shrugs.  "Thanks Mina."  he knows her name and has since long before he saw her in school.

Gen eats happily beside Dante and listens.  Mina addressed Gene and she nods.  "It was none of their business."  she snaps her reply.  "If Gene had wanted to tell them, he would have told them."  she is already defensive of him.

Paige listens, not completely sure but getting the idea that someone had let everyone in school know his prison record.  "Oh my god, that's terrible"  she blurts.

Rene listens as he eats, but says nothing.  He had seen the poster and he was sure Cath probably had as well.

Felix got an idea what was going on and is offended for Gene.  "Gen is right."  he agreed.  "Your past is yours to share with who you see fit."  he sighs.  "What is wrong with people these days?"

Elle eats and looks at Stone with a sigh.  He was funny, but she knew this was serious.

Amelie didn’t know about any of this poster stuff but gets it in context “That’s illegal...sharing information about a record for a minor? Can they not find out who did this?” She’s clearly disgusted with the idea of this poster.

Cath had nodded along with Mina, having not heard her speak very often and then sighed at stone. He was young and had no idea how mean those posters were to Gene and the second one to Miranda as well. She had no idea who had actually been caught for any of it. For her grade she just knew about the posters and that Miranda, who was captain of some of her friends and sometimes her sisters basketball team punched a boy named Spencer.

Sasha tenses up and looks irritated “That’s not at all ok Gene. I’m so sorry that happened to you.”

Dante looks supportive “Dickheads indeed.” He shoots Stone a look and then nods at Mina for being the one to say it. She was getting less shy, and with Gene.

Stone behaves and finishes his food now. Things were very serious. Someone had upset Gene and it sounded not nice at all.

Lydia had of course heard about it all even when she didn’t see the posters and through Arthur she had heard more details than she could share “I know the school is doing all they can do to deal with the person who did it. They always do.”

Gene looks around at the people assembled.  "Lydia is right.  They are."  he tells them all.  "But this isn't about me.  This is about Dante finally coming home.  Good behavior and good grades aren't all that easy to get in a place like Prince George, so it's a real feat.  I know how much he wanted to get back to you all  Now he is."  he raises his glass in a toast.

Gen grins and leans over to kiss Dante on the cheek.  Dante was deflecting, but he had a point.  She lifts her glass.  "To Dante's Homecoming!"

Paige smiles and lifts her glass, glad to get off of a sad subject.  "To Dante's homecoming."

Rene nods and raises his glass.   "To Dante's homecoming."

Felix looks at Gene with admiration at how he deflects the attention back onto Dante.  He raises his glass.   "To Dante's homecoming."

Elle smiles as Stone settles down.  She smiles at him.   "To Dante's homecoming."

Cath toasts along with everyone. “To Dante….glad you’re back.”

Sasha grins a little mischievously “To my future brother in law…...never leave us again Dante. He sees a look of surprise here and there “Oh come on you know they will. Dante and I started this journey together and he got the worst of it. I’m glad that part of his life is behind him. I’m glad he’s home safe.”

Amelie gets all teary eyed and nods with Sasha and then looks at Gen and Dante and just raises her glass with a teary smile.

Then Lydia sees Amelie’s tears and she gets affected “Aw damn. Dante….you are my son….you know that. And I’m so glad you came home to all of us. I love you.”

Now Dante gets overwhelmed with emotion at all the toasts and Gene’s words, Sasha, Lydia. He wipes at his face and laughs at his emotional state as he stands up “Oh fuck you all I love you all too. It’s really good to be home and to have this as my home...and yes Sasha….but don’t go picking out ties tomorrow. We got time.” He winks at him and then smiles at Gen knowingly.

Stone jumps up from his seat and runs to Dante hugging him around the middle and suddenly just bawling. Dante picks him up and pulls him into his lap, carefully moving his food out of bumping range and hugging him. “I was afraid when you were gone.” Stone admits. He rarely cries or admits when something scares him but today he is.

Mina had toasted and now looks at her foster brothers with watery eyes but doesn’t cry. It’s close though. Stone’s crying was somehow harder than Lydia’s and Dante's because he was usually such a goofball.

Felix raises his glass.  "Oui.  To my future son-in-law.  Just a little distant please.  I am not ready yet."  he teases.  He watches Stone run up to Dante and admit to being scared and it touches him.

Gen sniffs.  Yes ... she would marry Dante.  The second she was able.  Then Stone runs up and she gets out of the way of him.  She watches the little boy and sniffs again.

Paige beams at Sasha's toast.  He was right.  They had started together, but Sasha had spent no time at all in jail compared to Dante.  Stone flies into Dante's arms and she sniffs.  "To safty and inlaws."  she looks at Gen ... someday ... maybe she and Sasha would also marry, even though she didn't .. NEED that.

Rene beams and claps!  Stone makes him get teary eyed.  It's incredible to see Stone with Dante.

Elle smiles at the beginning, but when Stone confesses his fear, she also breaks down, which is very rare for her.  She was still too young and weak to protect her brother.  She had carried him from the house on that horrible day, but Stone was so young, he probably didn't remember it.  But that ... that was fine by her if he forgot.

Gene watches this all with a mask on.  So this was family?  Dante had hinted at it, but this was ... unlike anything he had ever experienced.  He'd have said it was fiction, but Dante has proven it is real.