The Prince

Part 29

"Jackson, do you think it was a good decision to let Skye move out?" Raymond had been worried since the day he'd left. It seemed impossible to reason with Skye, he seemed hell-bent on making him the villain.

Another worry was that Noah was with him and two teenagers together alone didn't sound like a scenario that any parent would want. He desperately wanted to go and see Skye, but Jackson had made him swear not to go unless he was invited. When had the distance between them grown so wide?

"Don't worry Love, we raised him right. He won't do anything that will put Noah in danger, although he might put himself in danger," he chuckled briefly until he saw the look on Raymond's face.

"Come on, it's just a bit of fatherly humour," He leaned over to kiss Raymond who looked slightly defeated. "Let's give him some time and space to work things out. I'll go and check on them regularly and bring you updates, what do you say?"

"I should also be able to go, he's my son and he can't run away every time he disagrees with me. What sort of example am I setting if I allow that?"

"Cook, listen to me," Jackson grabbed his shoulders to look him square in the eyes. "You will pack away your controlling ego and do what I say is right, and right now, I say give the boy some time and space, he'll come round."

"Two two of you are so alike," Jackson continued. "When it was only the two of us, ly got to know our son, I mean, I knew him before, but you know, things had changed. But I've learnt that no matter what he feels inside, he always makes the most logical and efficient decision, like you. And like you, he wants to help other people who may not have such a great life. Although, I think he gets it from his grandmother," he frowned. "I mean, she did dump Josh on us."

"But like I was saying, you two are very alike. When you hurt, you also close yourself off and just because we're not physically there to support him, let's show our support by having faith in his decisions."

Raymond groaned and threw himself into Jackson's arms, hiding his head under his arm.

"This is so frustrating!" Lifting his head, he looked up at Jackson, "Okay, we'll try it your way, but if things get out of hand..."

"Then you'll jump in and save the day like you always do," Jackson brushed his lips gently across Raymond's. "We're doing the right thing, Love. Anyway, the family already knows where they are and will annoy the hell out of both of them, so that gives us even less to worry about."

"Great, everybody gets to have Skye time except me. Now what is there to do?" he sighed not enjoying the feeling of an empty nest. He wasn't ready for it yet.

"You have one of the top five most desirable men in business next to you, what do you mean, 'what is there to do'?" He pushed Raymond away from him. "If you want something to do, maybe we can start on another baby, a little sister for Skye?"

"I doubt that's how it works, but thanks for the insight on the Ivy League education you had," he laughed. "Let's stay in for dinner, we were summoned by Mom to make an appearance tomorrow after lunch. So it's going to be a long red carpet walk while they're all taking potshots at me."

"I still don't understand why they call me the dramatic one," he shook his head, pulling Raymond closer. "I'll save you from them all, promise."

The next afternoon, the two were on their way to Gillie's sure that they would be facing the firing squad. Raymond had tried to get some information out of Eric and Kelley, but they were both very tightlipped about the whole thing. Either they agreed with whatever Gillie was thinking or they were purposefully making him sweat. Currently, he didn't appreciate the idea that they might be messing with him.

The moment they stepped into the house Gillie came bearing down on them like a small tornado.

"What did you two do? Why is my grandson living alone in a dilapidated house without any food or clothes?"

"It was Raymond," Jackson stopped her from giving him the beady eye. Her expression was scary at the moment and it was safe to say that she was royally pissed off at both of them.

"Thanks for saving me from them," Raymond whispered sarcastically.

"Sorry, Love, it's every man for himself right now," he whispered back before very slowly retreating.

"Don't go anywhere Jackson, I'm not done with you yet." Gillie pointed at him as he tried to slip past her.

"Gillie, give the boys time to breathe first," Raymond's dad, Jesse came to their rescue. "Come on, everybody is waiting in the living room."

Gillie didn't seem too pleased that she was denied laying into them and had to contend with making scoffing noises the whole time Raymond was talking. At one point she sat up straight, taking a deep breath to talk, when Damon, her husband stopped her.

"And what are you going to do about it?" She finally shrieked, making the others cast uncomfortable glances at them.

"Well, we've decided to give him time to sort through things and come home when he's ready," Raymond informed her, hoping that he was making the right decision. Every bone in his body was screaming for him to order Skye back home, but what Jackson said made him hold back.

"Excellent parenting you two, well, except for the part where Yly chased your son and his friend out of the house, but overall you get a B plus for effort." Kelley snickered at the uncomfortable look on the two men's faces.

"Shut up Kelley, when are you having a baby?" Raymond snapped at her, earning him a slap to the head.

"Well, now that the boys have been grilled enough, shall we have something to eat?" Damon brought the conversation to an end. He knew his wife had a lot more to say on the topic, but once she let loose, they'd be there for hours.

"How can I eat when I know my poor grandson doesn't have anything?" She asked tearfully getting up.

"We'll take him some groceries tomorrow, I'm sure they'll be home," Damon appeased her frowning at the two men.

"You two boys better fix this soon or I'll have something to say," he said sternly, leaving them with no illusion of what he'll have to say.