Family Ties

Part 49

After two weeks of anxious waiting, Jackson finally got a visit from Gillie, who was impeccably dressed as always.

"Ah Jackson," She wafted into the room with her usual warm smile.

"Mrs Priestly." He jumped up to hug her, nervous about what was to come.

"We're almost family, call me Gillie." She quickly scanned the room and smiled. "Your office is lovely, even if it's a bit dark. You should really think of decorating." She took a seat across from him, placing her bag in her lap.

"Gillie, I'm honoured that you'd stop by to see me. What's the occasion?" 

"I thought we'd spend the afternoon together. I should get to know my future son-in-law better, after all" she laughed lightly.

"I'm sorry Gillie, I would have loved to, but it's my turn to pick up Skye later. Maybe another time?"

"Oh, but that's perfect. We can pick him up together and go out to bond for a while! Just the three of us!" She clapped her hands together in glee, lifting her bag. "Well, shall we get going?" She asked when Jackson didn't move.

"It's a bit early, don't you think? Raymond wouldn't be very impressed with us taking him out earlier and the school will have something to say." He didn't want to get into trouble now that things were going so well, but he also didn't want to screw things up with Gillie.

"Don't worry about the school, the principal and I have a very good understanding." He quickly grabbed his jacket and followed her out. 

"Grandma!" Skye squealed, running into her arms. He turned to jump into Jackson's arms, "Papa is going to be so angry." He whispered.

"Okay smarty pants, for that you'll be walking the whole way." He set Skye down.

"Please? Just this once. I won't tell Papa." He begged.

"No more secrets from Papa, remember?" He reminded Skye of the last time he lied. When he held out his hand to him, Skye stalked off in a huff to walk next to his grandmother. Great, a glum child and an overeager mother. What could possibly go wrong?

Two hours later Jackson was covered in chocolate ice cream that Skye spilt over him while trying to reign him in from running laps in the store they were currently in.

"Skye, if you don't stop that now, we're going back home." He threatened, not sure if he was allowed to hand out punishments in front of his grandmother who was blissfully unaware of Skye's current behaviour.

 "I think we should get you something nice." She turned to Jackson who'd finally managed to wrangle an out-of-breath, Skye.

"You don't have to Gillie, you've given me so much already." He now knew what the others were talking about. When this woman was on a mission, there was no stopping her. No matter how you begged or pleaded, she would buy what she wanted anyway.

"It's a small gift dear. Now, what should we get? A man should always make a statement. What would yours be, I wonder?" She looked him over, then turned to a wall of socks, her eyes lighting up. "Yes, a tie would be too obvious. You're more understated, so socks would do just fine."

Within an instant, an assistant appeared starting to wrap up the most lurid coloured socks, some with very questionable designs and slogans on them. 

"Eh, thanks Gillie, but you really don't need to." He tried to stop her from buying more.

"Don't you like them?" She asked concerned.

"No, no, I really like them, thanks. I just don't want you to waste any of your precious time buying me things." He hoped that a gentle nudge would get her in the right direction.

"It's no bother at all for my future son-in-law!" She giggled in delight, "Let me make a few quick calls and we can have everything delivered this afternoon."

"I'm not going to win, am I?" He asked humourlessly looking down at Skye who seemed to be used to this process and was sitting patiently on one of the couches eating cookies that were served.

"Nope." He informed Jackson with a wide smile, taking another bite.

Sighing, Jackson followed Gillie around from one shop to the next, listening to her constant chatter and gasps of delight in finding something she liked. He was soon praying that the day would come to an end, but she seemed to have no plans of stopping.

"Grandma, I'm bored." Skye brought her back to reality.

"Oh, my poor dear. You've been sitting bored while Jackson and I have been having all the fun." She exclaimed, immediately rushing over to grab Skye's hand. "I'll let you two go home now." Taking out her phone, she rapidly gave a few orders before turning to Jackson.

"This has been so much fun, don't you agree?" She glanced at her watch as she smiled at him.

"Oh yes, I really appreciate all your help today." Jackson was jumping on the inside that he would soon be freed.

"Well, you take Skye home then. I don't want to interfere with your plans." She hugged Skye before nudging him toward Jackson. "I have to be off and make sure everything is delivered. Say hi to Papa for me." She winked and left.

--

Skye, supper!" He called from the kitchen. They'd run through his homework with a lot of sighing and whining. He had to admit that it was wearing on his patience, having to drag everything out of Skye or try and get him to sit still long enough to write something down.

"Soup!" Skye pulled a face at the bowl in front of him. "I don't like soup."

"Well, that's what Google said I should give you, so eat up. You can blame your grandma and the internet for what's happening." He laughed at the face Skye pulled as he started eating.

When Raymond entered the apartment, they were bickering about dessert. He stood listening before making his presence known.

"Papa would let me have some!" Skye raised his voice petulantly.

"Well, your Papa isn't here, so my word is law and I say no more dessert!" Jackson put his foot down.

"I don't like you." Skye stuck his tongue out at him. When Jackson wouldn't budge, he threw his last hope of a treat out. "I'm going to tell Papa what you did." He threatened in the hope that Jackson would cave

"Then I'll tell Papa how you smeared ice cream all over the clothes in the store!" He shot back.

"Tell Papa what exactly?" Raymond asked as he turned the corner to step into the apartment.

"Nothing." Skye immediately said, turning a deep shade of red, grabbing Jackson's hand and half hiding behind him.

"Oh you know, just some guy stuff. But Skye is ready for his bath now, I think. He walked to Raymond and leaned in for a kiss, before walking off to the bathroom with Skye in tow.

Smiling, he shook his head and went to get changed. He could hear them whispering as they left the bathroom and walked past his door. 

"What are you two hiding?" He sat down on the couch, watching as both hid their faces behind a large storybook. "I got a call from Gillie." He made a guess, seeing that Jackson would never take Skye to a boutique.

"What did she say?" Jackson looked panicked.

"I told him you would be angry Papa." Skye defended himself.

"Gee, thanks I thought we were in this together." He poked Skye in the ribs. "Now, before you go all ballistic, she did come out of the blue and from there it was her agenda. Skye and I had to go along.

"An adult and you had to go along with her? Ever heard of No?"

"It's your mom, and I couldn't say no. She said she had to get to know her future son-in-law." He placated. "She sort of ran for it when we mentioned you." He laughed, shaking his head.

"That would explain it. Now, I know that the two of you are guilty of something, but because your grandma was involved, you get a free pass."

"Really?" Jackson and Skye asked simultaneously, eyes wide with surprise.

"Just this once though." He laughed out loud when both of them launched themselves at him, whooping with joy, until they collapsed in a heap on the floor laughing.