Family Above All

32. Little Earthquakes

Prompt for Gar (FF.net) on Damon's new symptoms. Thank you.

Pairing: Ric/Jeremy (M/m) paddle, hand; Ric/Elena (M/f) hand, brush

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Gilbert Residence

Dinner

"That's weird," Jenna stated, looking out the kitchen doors, as she washed a pot. "Look at the sky. It wasn't supposed to rain tonight."

Elena draped the dishtowel on her shoulder. She glanced out and saw the clouds rolling towards them menacingly in the sky.

"Yeah, it was nice out when I came home from practice. It looks bad out. Um, Jenna, about this morning...," Elena started. The two of them were cleaning up after dinner. Jenna forced April to go upstairs and relax as she had cooked most of the meal.

"Honey, Ric is going to deal with that. I can't swing that big paddle. I'm sorry I just can't," Jenna admitted, setting the pot on the drainer for Elena to dry. Jenna had a little smile tugging at her lips and Elena wondered what was up.

Elena picked up the pot, gulping, "Big paddle? But Ric already, you know, took care of it at school!"

"He said he swatted your bum for lying and mouthing off, not cheating. Elena, I don't know what you two were thinking honestly," Jenna went on, taking a sip from her water glass.

"We weren't thinking," Elena huffed. "Is Ric, ah, dealing with Jeremy now?"

"Yes, Jeremy didn't want to wait. I hope April doesn't hear it, though," Jenna mused.

"April got spanked more than all of us put together. The pastor used to make it pretty clear what would happen if she acted up when I was babysitting. Back then she was kind of a handful, I even covered for her a couple of times," Elena smiled.

"Really?" Jenna mused surprised. "She's so well-behaved. I never would have guessed that."
"Yeah, why do you think she's so well-behaved?" Elena laughed. "April led a pretty sheltered life. I think she's still too naive for high school. If someone swears around her, she blushes and gets embarrassed."

"Huh," Jenna said, putting away the dried pots. "I guess that can be a good thing. Ric said you spent your money buying her that make-up?"

Elena nodded, "Yes, I thought it would help her fit in more. April is infatuated with Rebekah Mikaelson. Bekah streaked her blond hair pink and April can't get over it. Plus, she has no clue that we are surrounded by vamps."

"Yes, maybe we need to have a talk with her at that lake house this weekend. Do you think she's ready? I know it is still a shock to me," Jenna confirmed. "I don't know. Maybe we should wait longer?"

Elena leaned against the counter.

"Yeah, I don't know if she'll ever be ready to hear the truth. But she's so vulnerable...and innocent. I think the longer we wait, the more it seems like we are all lying to her. I don't want to be a part of that," Elena acknowledged.

"Fair point," Jenna conceded. "Why don't you go do your homework? Ric will be in after he's done with Jeremy."
"Jenna," Elena whined.

Jenna's face grew stern. "Don't Elena. We warned you kids about what would happen if you misbehaved and a day later you pull this. No more fussing or I'm going to give you a warm-up."
Elena held her hands up, intoning, "No, that's not needed. I'll go. But for what it's worth, I'm sorry."
Jenna put down her water and hugged her niece.

"I know. Now go up and do what you need to do. I'll be in to say goodnight. I have some work to do myself," Jenna said. "I have to turn in a thesis proposal by next week. I missed the last two deadlines. At this rate, I'll never get my degree."
"That's probably our fault," Elena surmised. "Okay, I'm going."