Family Ties

Part 6

After about two months, Raymond had finally settled into his new job, but was frustrated that he couldn't find any evidence of any type of tampering within the company. He was glad that Jackson had given up on testing him, for now that is. So far he seemed to have relaxed a little more, allowing Raymond free reign in the company. 

Hearing the buzzer, he jumped up and rushed to Jackson's desk.

"I need you to stay late this evening." Jackson briefly glanced at Raymond. When he heard no response, he looked up to see Raymond chewing his bottom lip. "Is there a problem?" he raised his eyebrow at a still silent Raymond.

"Um..." he slowly started.

"Is there a problem Cook?" This was the first time Jackson had seen him unsure of himself. He could almost see the wheels turning in his head.

"Eh, well..." Raymond didn't know how to get out working late. He was being such a smart ass toward Jackson the whole time, he didn't think that he'd be caught in a situation like this.

"Just spit it out Cook, whatever it is." Jackson's lips twitched watching the consternation on Raymond's face.

"Well, er... the thing is that I won't be able to make it tonight." Raymond blurted out, his eyes not quite meeting Jackson's. Of all the nights that he was asked to work late, why did it have to be this one?

"This isn't open for discussion Cook. I need you here tonight."

"If you could tell me what you need, then I can make sure it's done before tomorrow morning." Raymond tried to reason with him.

"No."

"Please?" Raymond begged, hoping that Jackson would budge a little.

"What is so important that it can't wait?" 

"I have a birthday party that I must go to. It's a really important one." he held his breath as he looked expectantly at Jackson.

"No. You'll stay and that's the end of the conversation."

"Oh come on Jackson. Be reasonable, please?" he begged moving closer to the desk, a pained look on his face. "I'll do whatever you want, please?" Raymond was desperate now. Why was Jackson so set on working late?

"Whatever I want, huh?" a slow smile crept over his face as he watched Raymond turn red. That's an interesting offer, but no. You'll be here until we finish tonight." he dismissed Raymond, only looking up once he heard the door close.

A smile spread across his face. For once he had the upper hand and it felt good. The work could wait, but watching Raymond squirm was way more fun.

Damn Jackson! Raymond cursed under his breath, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

"Dad? Hey, I've got some bad news. I won't be able to make the party tonight." 

"Hey son. What's so important that you'll be missing the big day?" his dad's voice barreled down the line.

"Work." he grimaced. "I need to work late, but I'll stop by as soon as I'm done. Would you mind telling Skye for me?" he asked uncertainly.

"I'm sure Skye would understand, but I'll let him know." Raymond could almost see the smile on his father's face that would crease his eyes. He always took everything in his stride, Raymond sighed, mentally preparing himself for a long night ahead.

At nine that evening, Raymond glanced one more time at the clock before letting out another sigh and returning to the documents in front of him. Since five he's been cursing Jackson and his sudden interest in double checking all the documents and contracts for one of their new ventures. No matter how fast he worked, Jackson would always find another way to keep him occupied.

"You've been sighing a lot this evening." Jackson observed looking over at Raymond who had loosened his tie and taken off his jacket. He looked even more like a college kid than ever before, Jackson chuckled to himself. He also looked really cute with that slight frown on his face, while tapping his pen against the notepad in front of him. This thought caught Jackson unawares. Where did that suddenly come from? 

"Oh, it's nothing. Are we going to be much longer?" he asked again, hoping that if he left within the next fifteen minutes, Skye would still be awake.

"I'm sure we'll be done soon." Jackson smiled, turning back to the monitor in front of him.

While they were silently going about their work, a knock sounded on the door. Both looked up as it opened and a little boy poked his head though. Before Jackson and Raymond could make any sense of why a child would be roaming their offices, the little boy turned his head and called out down the passage.

"I found him granddad!" Without waiting for a response, he pushed the door open wider and ran toward Raymond, jumping up into his arms.

"Papa! We've been looking all over for you! Granddad got lost, but t least now we've found you..." he rattled off at high speed. "Why are you still working? You missed my party. Do you know what granddad gave me?" he took a deep breath before plowing on. "Grandpa Damon also came and..."

"Whoa, hold on there little guy." Raymond stopped him, tapping his cheek for a kiss. "Where's your granddad?"

Right then Raymond's father stepped through the doorway, reaching out to hug his son, with a big grin on his face.

"Skye refused to sleep and wanted to make sure that you got some cake. So for the sake of peace in the house, here we are." He held out a box to Raymond.

It was only when he heard a polite cough behind him, that Raymond realised that Jackson was still in the room.

"Oh, sorry." He flushed turning around to Jackson. "Dad, Jackson. Jackson, dad. And this is Skye." he hurriedly introduced them with the idea of quickly getting them out.

Jackson looked at the three in front of him. They all looked like they were cut from the same cloth. The only difference being that Raymond's dad was way taller than his son. He was still in shock, hearing Skye calling Raymond papa and was feeling bad for making him miss his son's birthday party because of some petty game.

"You should go Cook. I'll finish up." he blushed, not quite meeting Raymond's eyes.

"You sure?" Raymond hesitated. 

"Yes, go. I'll see you in the morning." he smiled, dismissing them.

"Can I ride with you, papa?" Skye asked as they walked out. "Granddad's driving slow again. Like really, really slow." he frowned at Raymond, who threw his head back in laughter as they left the office.

"What the hell?!" was all Jackson could get out once they'd left, throwing the papers he was holding into the air in disbelief. Where did that suddenly come from? He didn't even look old enough to have finished college yet and he had a son? He also realised that he was an ass to Raymond just to prove a point.