Chapter 16

    "Are you sure no one is going to mind me coming along?" asked Alishia for the fifth time as Jonathan drove us to Horizons where we were meeting Darryl and Sarah for dinner.

    I turned slightly in my seat to look at her. "Seriously, Alishia. I already asked Darryl and Sarah and they both are fine with it. We all agree that the more the merrier. Plus everyone thinks that this way, dad won't be suspicious that I'm on a date and get all bent out of shape before he has a chance to warm up to Jonathan."

    She nodded, "Right. You're right."

    I glanced at Jonathan out of the corner of my eye since he had been silent for most of the ride.  After Jonathan and I had taken a quick shower together at his place, we had gone back to Alishia's apartment so that I could change and we could pick up Alishia for the dinner. Once we'd gotten into the car and were on our way, he had seemed to be concentrating on driving, rather than on the conversation Alishia and I were having.

    I reached out and placed my hand over his hand that was on the stick shift. He glanced at me with a smile as I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. I knew he was nervous, he wouldn't say it, but I knew. We all remained silent for the last few moments as Jonathan drove into the restaurant parking lot and found a spot.

    Darryl and Sarah were waiting for us near the entrance as Jonathan and I walked hand in hand towards them, with Alishia in the lead.

    Sarah grinned, "Hi Alishia! Long time no see."

    Alishia laughed, "I know! It's good to see you again! How have you been?"

    "Oh I seem to be doing much better these days now that my best friend and I have gotten closer."

    I laughed at that, "Oh please! We both know it's not me that's making you happy."

    As all of us chuckled at that, Sarah placed her hand on Darryl's arm, "Alishia, I'd like you to meet Darryl, Jonathan's brother. Darryl, this is Alishia, Alex's sister-in-law."

    Darryl held out his hand to Alishia, "Nice to meet you, Alishia."

    "It's nice to finally meet you Darryl," returned Alishia as she shook his hand, "I've heard a lot about you from these two," with a sweep of her hand she indicated Jonathan and I.

    Darryl grinned, "It's all good, I hope?"

    "Oh yeah!" she chuckled, "Jonathan couldn't be prouder."

    Jonathan rolled his eyes at that, "Okay, let's not get into that."

    "Come on," I said, as I slid my hand into the crook of Jonathan's arm, "Why don't we all go inside and have some dinner?"

    We all filed into the restaurant and when the hostess saw Alishia and I she gave us a huge smile and immediately led us to a round table big enough for the five of us.  Our table was near one of the large windows that gave us a view of the gardens housed in the square set into the middle of the restaurant.

     My father had built the restaurant to surround a beautiful garden in honor of my mother and her love of flowers. It wasn't any wonder that when my mother wasn't busy with the kids and whatever activities they were tied up in that she was always at the restaurant. She was the main caretaker of that garden and everyone could see how much she loved it because it always thrived in her care.

    I sat in the chair facing away from the window with Jonathan next to me and Alishia next to him. Sarah sat on the other side of me with Darryl next to her. The hostess gave us our menus, told us our waiter would be Jerry, then left us to look over our menus.

    "So, Alex," asked Darryl, "What do you recommend?"

    "Depends on what you are in the mood for, really. Although I have to say that if it's Frank who's the chef right now, then you might want to go for any of the seafood dishes. He's the only chef I like that makes seafood dishes edible here."

    Darryl laughed, "Is that so? Well, I guess I'll try one of those then."

    I nodded and turned to Jonathan with a smile, "Any idea what you want?"

    He gave me a wink, "I would rather go directly to dessert, but I guess that'll have to wait."

    I rolled my eyes and playfully swatted his arm, "That's my line!" I said as we both giggled.

    Alishia looked up from her menu to look at us, "Are you guys flirting again, Jonny boy?"

    Jonathan hissed, "Ali please! Not here!" Too late, because Darryl and Sarah were already laughing.

    "Jonny boy?" Sarah gasped.

    Darryl nodded, "Yeah, some creepy stalker chick who had the hots for Jonathan back when he was modeling used to call him that."

    Alishia nodded, "It kind of stuck."

    Jonathan rolled his eyes and looked at me with 'please help me' expression on his face. I chuckled, "I think it's better than being called 'girlfriend' don't you think?"

    Sarah snickered, "Uh uh, nope. I'm not gonna stop calling him that when it fits his fashion sense perfectly," she looked over at Jonathan and said, "but you have to admit, girlfriend, that you like being called Jonny boy, especially when Alex is saying it."

    Jonathan blushed at that as I grinned and slid my hand into his under the table. He looked up at me with a smile and relented, "Okay, you got me there. Alex can call me that any time she wants too."

    A chorus of 'Awwws' sounded around the table before we all fell into laughter again.

    It wasn't until we were already eating our dinner when my dad finally made it out to our table. I had found out that Frank wasn't on duty tonight, so Darryl settled for the Southwest Chicken dinner. Sarah went for a California chicken burger and fries, Alishia got one of the Mexican dinners, and Jonathan got an Italian seafood dinner. I settled for one of my favorite Italian pasta dinners.

    Dad came to the table wearing a smile that said business was good. "Alishia," he greeted, as he placed a kiss against her cheek before walking over to me and placing one on my cheek, "Alexandria. Hi Sarah, it's good to see you too."

    "Hi Mr. McCain."

    I looked up at my father, "Dad, this is Jonathan and his brother Darryl."

    My father shook both of their hands in greeting before making his way to the empty seat on the opposite side of the table from me. "So, you and your friends decided to have dinner here tonight?"

    I nodded, "Yeah, I had been meaning to bring them by here for a while."

    Sarah nodded, "I have missed coming here for a while, plus, I wanted Darryl to see what kind of restaurant this was."

    "Really?" he looked at Darryl, "you've never been here before?"

    "No sir. I mean, I've heard of this restaurant plenty of times. Especially in class, but I've never had the chance to come this way."

    "In class?"

    Alishia grinned, "Darryl's studying to be a chef."

    "Is that so?" He glanced over at me before looking back at Darryl, "I'm sorry, but I thought you were class mates with Alex and Sarah."

    Darryl shook his head, "No sir, I'm in my third year of culinary school."

    "Well, that's really good to hear, son. So, is there any particular route you are taking in school?"

    Darryl shrugged, "I'm leaning towards working in restaurants that specialize in Italian foods mostly. I think that's where my strength lies, but I can also make great seafood and continental cuisines according to some of my instructors. So, I'm kind of keeping my options open at this point."

    My father graced him with a smile, "Thought maybe you'd open your own restaurant or something."

    "Not yet no. I would rather get my feet wet so to speak before I try to go out on my own."

    "Now that is a smart move!" he nodded before asking, "So, what do you think of the food so far?"

    Darryl chuckled, "Well, I've only had the Southwest Chicken dinner so far, but it's good. I like the way the chicken is seasoned, so that you can get all of the flavor and it's not overpowering at all, and the chicken is actually tender, which is really hard for most restaurants it seems."

    My father laughed at that statement.

    Darryl went on, "However, I can think of several ways to add more flavor to the side dishes and make them more interesting."

    "Really? Would you mind sharing some ideas with me sometime? I've really been wanting to find ways to do that, but even my head chef seems to be stumped."

    "Sure, I could come by here when we both have some time."

    "That would be great, Darryl." He said as he shook Darryl's hand in thanks. As he sat back in his chair, he turned to Jonathan, "So, I guess you are not in any of Alex and Sarah's classes either?"

    "No sir, I'm not."

    "Jonathan graduated from high school with a few business college courses under his belt. Sort of like I had wanted to do, remember dad?"

    My father grinned at me as he nodded, "I remember, but I also remember telling you that you shouldn't pressure yourself like that and wait until you actually got into college before you started taking those courses."

    Jonathan shrugged, "The courses weren't that hard. I mean, they weren't easy either, but I really enjoyed them while I took them. And from what I hear, Alex would have been superb at them."

    "Well, I'm sure she would have been," he sighed, "but there are other things or rather, there were other things that were more important at the time."

    Jonathan gave me a questioning glance, "Really? Like what, if you don't mind my asking."

    My father shook his head, "Not at all. See, at the time, Alex was serious with a young man named Mark."

    At the mention of his name, I could see the tenseness in Jonathan's shoulders, so without letting anyone know, I took Jonathan's hand into mine under the table.

    "Mark has a lot going for him too. His father owns one of the best security firms here in the city and Mark has already said that he intends to follow his father in that business. He'll follow in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather."

     My father paused to shake his head, "That's got to be one hell of a business if it's managed to last through three generations! I was hoping my  restaurant would do the same, but so far none of my kids seem interested in it." He looked over at Alishia and grinned, "Granted, I couldn't be prouder of Junior, my eldest for being a lawyer, but I think every parent wants to see their dream handed to one of their children."

    Jonathan nodded, "I understand. My father wants me to follow in his footsteps too."

    "Really? So, he's in business too?"

    "Yes, like you, he's the first and wanted one of his sons to take it over when he retires."

    "So, since Darryl is going to be a chef, I guess that leaves you?"

    "Yeah. Hence the reason why I took some business courses."

    "And now?"

    Jonathan sighed, "Now I'm taking a break from those classes. Although I intend to take them up again in a year or two."

    "So, you are going to follow in your father's footsteps?"

    "Yes. My father and I have talked about it and he knows that I intend to do it someday."

    My father smiled, "Well, that's good news for your father then." He sighed and looked at me, "Wish I could say the same."

    I rolled my eyes, "Maybe Kevin will grow up and decide to be a responsible human being or maybe Samantha will surprise us all and tell us she wants to work in the restaurant business. You never know dad, she is smarter than all of us were when we were her age." I shrugged, "Besides, I am going into business, so I could use what I learn to help out on the business end of the restaurant."

    My dad shook his head, "I don't know Alex, things could change between now and then."

    As I let out an exasperated sigh, Alishia asked, "What do you think is gonna happen, Daniel?"

    "Well, it's not so much what I think is gonna happen, but what I want to happen."

    I narrowed my eyes at my father, "We've already talked about this dad!"

    Jonathan turned to look at me for a moment before he asked, "Talked about what?"

    My father sighed as he looked at me, "Alex and Mark were going to get married when they graduated from high school. I was really looking forward to that, you know, knowing that your daughter is going to be taken well care of." I rolled my eyes again as he went on, "Mark was the best thing that happened to Alex and we all had such high hopes for them. I still don't understand why they broke up when things always seemed to be going well between the two of them."

    Sarah growled, "You mean besides the fact that he was a possessive jerk!"

    "Sarah!" Darryl whispered.

    My father chuckled, "I know you think that Sarah, but Mark was just trying to look out for Alex. He may have come across as possessive, but he was just trying to make sure Alex wasn't getting into trouble."

    I glared at my father, "Is that what he told you?"

    My father returned my glare, "Kevin backed him up, Alex. No one knew where you were that night," he glanced at Sarah, "not even you knew Sarah. So, can you blame Mark for being upset about not knowing where she was? I was upset too when I found out no one knew where my daughter was!"

    "I told you where I was and nothing happened to me!"

    "That's not the point! You had no reason to be angry at Mark when he had every reason to be angry at you!"

    "Stop taking his side!" I yelled as Jonathan placed his hand on my arm.

    He turned to look at my father and spoke in a calm voice, "Mr. McCain, I don't know what Mark or Kevin told you, but from what Alex has told us, Mark wasn't just being an overprotective boyfriend."

    "He was being an overprotective fiancé." stated my father.

    "He was never my fiancé, dad!"

    Jonathan gestured to me to calm down before going on, "It seems Mark was treating Alex like something he owned, not as a person. And then later after they had broken up, he began harassing her and trying to pressure into doing things she didn't want to do with him."

    My father shook his head, "Mark wouldn't do that. I know he can be aggressive at times, but that is the way his family is, they are in the security business after all. But he has always been wonderful to Alex. I've never seen him mistreat her through out all of the years I've known him."

    Jonathan nodded, "While that may be true, people aren't always what they seem Mr. McCain."

    "Maybe some people aren't, but I've known the O’Conners all my life. I know Mark."

    Before I had the chance to say anything else, one of the hostesses came up to our table and whispered something to my father. He nodded and got up, "I'm sorry I'm going to have to cut this short, seems we have a crisis in the parking lot." He nodded to Jonathan and held out his hand, "It was nice to meet you Jonathan, good luck with school. Darryl," he said as he shook Darryl's hand next with a grin, "looking forward to seeing you here again. Maybe we could even let you come in some time to experiment with the menu, you would get compensated of course."

   "Sure Mr. McCain, I'll come by soon."

    He nodded before he said good bye to the rest of us and followed the hostess through the restaurant.

    I sat there glaring at my father's retreating back as everyone else sat in silence. All eyes were trained on me, except for Darryl, who was completely oblivious and happily eating the rest of his dinner.

    Alishia sighed, "I'm sorry, Alex."

    Sarah growled, "I can't believe he is taking the side of that possessive, womanizing jerk!"

    "I can." I growled, "You heard what he said. He only sees dollar signs, and the fact that the O’Conners are a very well established family blinds him to everything else."

    "That is still no reason to take his word over his own daughter's." mumbled Sarah.

    "Sure it is," said Darryl through a mouthful of food, "if he's anything like our father, it's the reputation that comes with all that money and status that counts. And Mark's family seems to have it in spades."

    Sarah pinned him with a glacial glare, "Just whose side are you on, food boy?"

    Darryl blinked, "Food boy? And I'm on Jonathan's side, he's family."

    "Well it certainly didn't sound like it!"

    Darryl sighed, "Sarah, I was just stating the facts because I can see it from his point of view." He looked at Jonathan for confirmation, "I know Jonathan can see that also."

    With a nod, Jonathan agreed, "He's right Sarah. He's just like my father. It's all about who you rub elbows with." He looked at me with a sad smile, "It seems our fathers would get along famously."

    I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, well they are certainly welcome to each other!"

    Dinner had been pretty much ruined at that point. None of us except Darryl was in the mood to finish dinner. Jonathan was just concerned about me since I was upset with my father. Alishia wasn't interested in eating because the rest of us weren't. Sarah wasn't eating because she was still upset with the fact that she believed Darryl was taking my father's side. When Darryl asked what everyone was having for dessert, she threw down her napkin and said she was ready to go home.

    While Jonathan and Alishia handled the check, I followed Sarah and Darryl outside. Darryl was still trying to reason with a fuming Sarah when my father came up to me where I was waiting for Jonathan and Alishia.

    "So, these are the new friends you have been hanging out with now that you are no longer with Mark."

    I sighed, "Those others were never my friends dad, only Sarah was ever my real friend."

    "Still, I don't really like the idea of you hanging out with boys who are much older than you."

    "Oh please, they are Alishia's age, and you don't mind me hanging out with her or Danny."

    "That's different! Alishia and Junior are family. What do we know about these boys?"

    "Alishia knows Jonathan. They used to work together and they have been friends for years."

    "Worked together?" His eyes narrowed, "Are you saying he was a model?"

    I sighed, "Key word, dad, was! He's going into business remember?"

    My father gave a sneer, "Is that why he stopped going to school? To model? What does that say about how serious he is to follow in his father's footsteps. That must mean he isn't quite as trustworthy as one would think. Now his brother on the other hand. He's got a good head on his shoulders. At least he knows what he wants and is taking steps to achieve it."

    I glared at him, "Jonathan has a great head on his shoulders. He's good with business! I've already seen that and if you would stop judging people by the dollar signs they have, maybe you'd see it too! Not everyone who has money is good dad! You refuse to see that!"

    With a frown, my father retorted, "You would be wise not to take that tone with me young lady! If Alishia wasn't going to be alone tonight I would tell you to go straight home and confine yourself to your bedroom until you have realized how out of line you are! As it is, consider yourself grounded for the week!"

    "Fine!" I yelled as I stomped my way to where Jonathan's car was.  I stood there with my arms crossed, glaring into the distance not caring that Darryl and Sarah had already left.

    The car ride back to Alishia's apartment was made in silence. Once there, Jonathan said he was going to go on home and he'd call me later. I nodded and gave him a quick kiss, not even noticing that he hadn't lingered or told me that he loved me.

    It wasn't until Alishia and I were inside that she got me out of my silent fuming. "Alex?" When I stopped and turned to look at her, she continued, "I'm sorry that your dad doesn't approve of Jonathan."

    I sighed, "He just needs to get to know him. I just don't know how that's gonna happen if he insists on judging people by their money."

    Alishia shook her head, "I'm not sure if at this point Jonathan's money will matter."

    "What do you mean?"

    She gave me a sympathetic look, "I heard what he said to you outside the restaurant. He knows Jonathan was a model. To him, that means Jonathan will never be serious about working. He'll always seem uncommitted and flaky to Daniel."

    My eyes went wide, "You heard what he said."

    She nodded and answered my unspoken question, "Jonathan heard too."

    I closed my eyes. "Oh shit."

    "Why do you think he left like he did Alex? I saw his face after your father said those things. I tried to reassure him that no matter what Daniel said, you would still see him, but he said that he didn't think Daniel was going to stop trying to get you back with Mark. Jonathan thinks Daniel will never allow you to be with anyone unless he approves of it."

    I looked up at Alishia, "Why didn't he say anything?"

    She shrugged, "I guess he thought you realized that too, especially since you didn't argue anymore with him after he grounded you."

    "Oh, Jonathan." I sighed and turned to look at her, "I should go and talk to him."

    Alishia nodded as she retrieved my bag from the closet, "Go on, take as long as you need. I'll cover for you tonight, okay?"

    I smiled and gave her a hug, "Thanks Alishia, you are the best!"

    "Good luck," she called as I climbed into my car and began making my way to Jonathan's apartment.

    Jonathan answered the door after I had knocked for the third time. As I looked up into his eyes, I saw the hurt that I'd missed when he'd said good bye earlier.

    He held the door open for me to enter, asking, "Aren't you and Alishia supposed to be enjoying your little sleep over right now?"

    I waited until he had shut the door to drop my bag and wrap my arms around his waist, pulling him into a hug. As I lay my head against his chest I whispered, "I'm sorry that you heard that. Alishia told me." I lifted my head to look up at him, "Jonathan, you have to know that no matter what my dad says, I'm not going back to Mark. I want to be with you, not him."

    He sighed, "You may not have a choice, Alex."

    "I will always have a choice Jonathan! And I choose you! My father can't make me go with Mark!" I shook my head, "He can't force me too! I'll just run away if I have to!"

    "Alex!"

    I shrugged as I took his hands into mine and led him to the couch. "I'm graduating in a few months Jonathan. I'll be on my own then and my father won't be able to tell me what to do."

    "What if he won't let you leave? From what I heard, he doesn't seem thrilled about you even going to college, he wants you married to Mark by graduation."

    I sighed as I wrapped my arms around him once more, "I'll just have to do it my way then. I want to go to college and if he won't support me, then I'll do it by myself. It's my life, Jonathan. He can't run it for me and even if he tries, I'll be out of the house by then, there's nothing he can do about it."

    Jonathan hugged me back, his fingers threading through my hair. "I'll help you Alex. If you need help going through school, I'll help you any way I can."

    I smiled as I lifted my face to his, "Thanks, Jonathan." I took his lips in mine, reassuring him with the kiss that I still wanted him.

    He sighed as he leaned back into the couch, "So, what's with the bag?"

    I giggled, "Alishia said I could take as long as I needed to talk to you. She'll cover for me tonight."

    "Oh, so she thought it would take all night for you to talk to me, huh?" he grinned.

    "Well, that's what she said, but if it doesn't take all night, we can pretend it did." I replied with a grin of my own.

    "Okay, so what do we do when the talking is done?"

    "Oh, I can think of several things we could do to pass the time."

    "Like?" he asked.

    "Like, we could continue this conversation in your bed." I hinted as I slid my hands over his chest.

    His grin bloomed into a full smile that finally reached his eyes as he scooped me up into his arms, "Now that's the best thing I've heard all night."

    I giggled as he slung me over his shoulder, scooped up my bag with one hand, and ran into the bedroom where he closed the door with his foot, effectively shutting us in for the night.