The day they thought would never come

Prequel part 20 - Lunch time Soap Opera

Jack POV-

Part 2

"Gabrielle we have the final fittings coming up for the dresses. So you need to tell us which of your sisters will be your maid of honor. I know you are closer to Cassie, but Madalyn is your twin and I know you guys have been getting closer again. I think either would be ok if you choose the other."

"Mom... I have already talked to Cassie and Madalyn. Jaycee is my maid of honor."

I can still remember the fork bouncing off the plate and falling on the floor.

"What?... Gabrielle... what do you mean you are not choosing one of your sisters as your maid of honor? They are your family Gabrielle!"

"I know that Mom and I love them to death. But I just felt that after everything Jaycee deserved that honor. Cassie and Madalyn are fine with it. They are still in the wedding. They understood my reasons. Cassie even suggested it to me two months ago when she saw how close we are now..."

"After everything that... that has happened... After everything we have all gone through... I can't believe you did this. I can't believe... I don't know what your are thinking sometimes Gabrielle. I can't..."

I couldn't believe it when she just got up and left the table. I was stunned. I knew Gabrielle's mother would be a little upset that she didn't choose one or her sisters... But I never expected that. All I could do was hold Gabrielle and soothe her while she cried her heart out. She really thought at that moment that she had ruined everything.

It took almost an hour for me to get her to even calm down. When Cassie and Madalyn walked in and found us she couldn't even muster the ability to talk between her sobs.

I will admit the new closeness of the sisters really jumped out at me at that moment. After I told them what happened, I remember Cassie's statement clearly. I remember Madalyn not even hesitating to back them up.

"Gabrielle, this is not your fault. You did nothing wrong. Mom is wrong and being stupid. Madalyn, I think we need to straighten out our mother, don't you?"

"Right behind you Cassie. Gabrielle, don't worry we will fix this. Just calm down."

Then she did something I would have never expected a year ago. She actually got down to Gabrielle's eye level and raised her head forcing her to look at her.

"Gabrielle, you and Jack have fought enough battles to get here. Let Cassie and I handle this one...ok?"

Gabrielle's quick nod and hug showed how much she appreciated her sisters standing up for her. When I heard them walk upstairs to their parent's bedroom... Well let's be honest, we heard them stomp up the stairs to their parent's bedroom. All we could hear then was the start of the fight before the door slammed shut. I don't think I have ever heard Madalyn talk like that to either of her parents... ever.

"Mother...What the hell do you think you are doing!!!."

Then a bang as the door slammed shut.

I have no idea what was said. But then Gabrielle's father came in and asked us what was wrong. A few minutes later the next piece fell into place. Gabrielle was able to tell him in her quiet whisper. By the time she was done her father looked ready to spit nails.

"Gabrielle don't worry. This will be fixed. Jack... Just take care of my Gabrielle. I need to go help my daughters talk to their mother for a bit."

And up the stairs he went. I think I summed up my feelings pretty well with our conversation at that point.

"Gabrielle, have I ever said how much I appreciate your family backing us up again? It's amazing how when my Mommy Duck is hurt, the flock goes on straight on the offense for her."

There was my Gabrielle chuckle. "I love you Jack."

"I love you to Gabrielle and so does your family. They will fix this. Never fear."

"I can't have any fear when I am warm in your arms Jack. I know in the end you will always be here to protect me... And yes. I love my family too. I know they will."

We spent a little while talking about what we were going to do on our Honeymoon. I lined up a couple of thing that Gabrielle always wanted to try. I succeed in cheering her up a bit while we waited for the outcome of the family discussion happening behind the door thirty feet away. 

We were just talking about little things and laughing with each other when, a little while later Gabrielle's mother came down and apologized. She then sat down and acted like nothing ever happened. The rest of lunch was on the quiet side though.

It did linger for a week or so until they really talked it out. Both Cassie and Madalyn seemed to take their mother to task for not really clearing the air after she overreacted.  But everything was back on track eventually and has been ever sense.

I have never been happier at how things can change with time. Gabrielle's sisters showed me that.