Tailspin Anthology

Eloped

John did what?

"This is unacceptable!" Calvin yelled at the top of his lungs.

"What's going on?" Christian asked as he entered the family mansion.

His mother opened her mouth when, "How could you get married without telling us?! Do you know that you denied your family a chance to celebrate your union?! Don't walk away from me, young man!"

Much to Christian's surprise, John is stomping down the staircase. His sullen expression didn't fade when he spotted him and made his way over.

"How much did you hear?" He asked him.

"Just the part about getting married."

"Don't tell the others, or else." He threatened making him bristle as he's leaving.

"John, honey." Tracy began calling out when Calvin emerged and is chasing after him.

"This conversation is far from over! Don't pick up the pace, and face me!" Christian's eyes widened as they exited the house.

A couple days later, "I wonder what happened between Dad and John."

Christian and his siblings are seated in a diner when the subject of their father and eldest brother emerged.

"It must've been something big if they're fighting like this." Jacob spoke.

"Too bad they won't tell us anything. Even mom won't say anything."

"It's too bad no body else was there." The sound of slurping interrupted them, and they stared at Christian finishing off a peanut butter and chocolate milkshake.

"What?" He asked when he finished and noticed their stares.

"Why are you acting like nothing's going on?" Roger questioned as he avoids everyone's gaze.

"Oh Christian." Ashley wrapped her arm around him. "You wouldn't happen to have seen what happened a couple days ago when you paid mom and dad a visit, did you?" She asked as she trails her fingers on his arm.

"No."

Her grin didn't wane. "Are you sure?"

Sweat began to form on his forehead. "Yes I'm sure." He was going to scooch away when he found himself trapped in-between Ashley and Roger, who somehow appeared on the other side of him.

"Not a chance." He said.

He began wriggling in their grasp when they linked arms.

"Christian. If you saw something, please tell us." Sarah spoke.

"Even if I by chance know something, it's for dad and John to tell you guys. Not me." He grunted when their grip tightened on him.

Sometime later, John opened the door of his home to find his siblings holding Christian against his will on the porch.

"I didn't tattle-tail on you, I swear." Christian swore as John is giving him the stink eye.

"But boy, did we try making him squeal." Jacob said.

"Please tell us what's going on." Jessie pleaded. "We're worried about you, and you won't have to face it alone."

John sighed and did a side-glance before revealing his left hand.

"OMG! John!" Ashley grabbed a hold of him to get a better look at the black ring on his matrimony finger. "Why did you hide this from us?!"

"I was planning on announcing this to you all after informing our father, but it didn't go so well."

"Why?" Sarah asked. "I thought Dad was okay with Sebastian."

John glanced at Christian trying to bite his tongue and said, You may enlighten them." Everyone stared at him.

"No way am I telling them how you guys eloped." His eyes widened in tune with the others. "Sorry. I didn't mean to."

"What?!" Ashley screamed. "You're already married?!"

"Now Ashley." Jessie said. "No need to get worked up."

"Why shouldn't I get worked up?" She asked. "He gets hitched and couldn't even throw a reception afterwards."

Everyone grunted at her. "So the eloping part doesn't bother you?" Sarah asked her.

"Huh? Oh, no. The ceremony is the boring part of getting married. I probably would've done the same thing. Except, I would've thrown a party and asked everyone to bring two gifts per person. What?" She asked with the look everyone gave her.

"None of you are upset with me?" John asked them.

"Of course not." Sarah answered. "It makes perfect sense."

"You and Sebastian never liked being the center of attention." Jessie added.

"Why can't father be as understanding as you all?" John asked.

"I'm sure he was taken off guard with the news." Sarah said. "And you know how Dad is with throwing events. Chances are, he would've tried convincing you and Christian to have a double wedding with both of your proposals so close to one another."

"That would've been horrific." John spoke before looking at Christian. "No offense to you and Jason."

"None taken." He grumbled. "Can you guys let me go now?" He was released and sighed in relief.

"What do we do now that we know what's going on?" Jacob asked his siblings.

"We need to get Dad on board with this." Jessie stepped in. "The question is, how?"

Roger punched his own palm. "We'll make him listen."

"Good luck with that." Ashley said. "Dad will hypnotize your sorry butt in a flash."

"Why can't we just sit down and have a rational conversation with him?" Christian asked. "I'm sure once he hears John out that he'll understand."

Roger scoffed at him. "Like that's any better than my idea."

John stayed silent for a moment before exhaling. "I suppose it could'nt hurt to try."

Twenty minutes later, "So you see father, that's why we chose to marry immediately in a simple ceremony."

Calvin is seated across from his eldest son with his wife's hand firmly placed on his shoulder for in case he has another outburst.

"Now that I've had time to collect myself, I understand why you did what you did. And I apologize for how I reacted."

John's lips twitched into a small smile. "You are forgiven. And after discussing it, Sebastian and I would like to invite both families over for dinner to celebrate our union. Nothing big, but."

Calvin beamed as he grabbed his hands. "Thank you." He's happily thanking him.

Christian and the others are listening out in the hall, and couldn't help smiling.

"Yes! There's a party after all!" Ashley happily danced in anticipation.

"We better purchase wedding gifts." Jessie said before everyone headed out as Calvin started sharing party ideas with John.