Semper Fi: Always there for you.

6. happy birthday

"Jack, Alex, Fabian, this is Chris. Chris, those are my 3 overprotective big brothers!" Jessica enthusiastically introduced the boys.

"Thought your name was Cal." The eldest and obviously the most suspicious uttered, nonetheless plastering a polite smile on his face. Purposely crashing the hand Chris extended while shaking it. Nice start.

"Nice to meet you, Alex. It stands for Callahan, Marine's tag name." Chris smiled genuinely. Jess warned him that one would be the harshest.

Alex's stare widened: Jess's lover boy was built like a brick house, looked nice and was a patriot. Shit, he deserved some respect. Unfortunately, Alex had decided to hate him the minute he had heard about some bumpkin who had put his filthy hands on his little sister.

"Fabian, nice to meet you. I'm a police officer, heard you're one of us?" The younger brother shook Cal's hand friendly.

"Was. Sadly, I had to quit." Cal summarized the situation.

"Oh! Really!?" Fabian was wondering if he could push the subject farther or wait until they start lunch.

Jessica was still over excited for her bros to meet up with her man, she nonetheless felt the subtle innuendo in Fabian's voice.

"And this is Jack, he's a lawyer, like me, the best of the state! He followed Dad's steps and inspired me so much! He managed to win every case he's in charge with, even the most desperate!" Jessica looked at his brother like he was a superhero.

"Cal... Or should I call you Chris?" He smiled and offered his hand.
Cal warmly shook it, relieved to finally have someone nice to talk to.

"Whatever. I respond to both..." he chuckled, wrapping Jessica's waist with his free arm. She glued to him like a magnet, he knew Jack was her favorite and she couldn't stop giggling like a schoolgirl while her two favorite men were bonding.

"I wish I could have helped your brother out ... on a legal basis." He said the last part under his breath, patting Cal on his back, and walking him to the outdoors's dining table and inviting him to sit down next to Jessica.

"What do you drink Cal? Beer? Liquor? The bar is full of goodies and booze coming from everywhere on the planet. And French wine to accompany our meal." Jack offered.

Cal chuckled with embarrassment.
"Thanks but I quit it too... Long story..." he once again excused himself without saying too much.

Three sets of eyes pierced straight through him and he felt like tied up before a firing squad.

Bad, bad idea to come up there, pretending he was a normal guy in love with a gorgeous lady, heir of a wealthy, distinguished and famous family. He wasn't nothing like normal at all and the police instructor, police officer and best lawyer in the world were reading him loud and clear.
And were going to tear him to pieces and the little self-esteem he had got back since he met Jessica.
He would better leave now, or she'd fall out of love before she blew her birthday cake's candles out.

But he promised. He promised Jessica to attend her birthday with her family and he said yes, not without thinking of the consequences, just willing to please her and make her happy.

"Jessica! Chris! What a pleasure to have you with us! Welcome darling!" Jessica's mother was well-timed and genuinely welcoming.
She opened her arms to hug her daughter, then cupped Chris' cheeks and planted kisses each side of his face, ignoring the hand he politely offered.

"I'm so glad to finally meet you Chris. Jessica has spoken very highly of you! She couldn't stop talking about you to be exact, and I really was looking forward to meeting you!" She was shuddering in excitement, patting and gripping his biceps while walking him back to his chair.