Moments in life

No give and take

 Gabrielle POV-

As we walked in to the Kitchen I could see the four of them sitting in the dining room. Just sitting around the table with drinks. Not even talking. Just staring into space. I wondered if any of them regretted their reactions already. Glancing at Jack's face, I don't think it would matter. I can tell how much he is holding in an explosion.

As we walked over to stand at the end of the table, they all looked at us. I could see Jack's mom open her mouth to speak but Jack beat her to it.

"OK, we are here to to talk calmly and rationally about how Gabrielle and I are going to handle our growing family. We can tell you about everything we have worked out with her school so that she won't be falling behind. We can go over what I have my firm agreeing to allow me for the coming year and onward. We can discuss how we are looking for a bigger place so we have more room when the baby comes. We could discuss Gabrielle's new doctor or when we expect the baby to be born, or a hundred other things we have already worked out and planned for."

I watched their faces while Jack was speaking. First disbelief, then confusion, then the surprise, then even a little regret. Did that really think that we hadn't started to plan? That we didn't understand what we are getting into? That we had no idea what we have to do to make everything work? Did they really think that we aren't capable of preparing our lives for raising our first child?

"But you guys didn't even wait around to discuss any of that. You didn't even acknowledge us at all before you just walked away...

I can see guilty looks on all four faces now. My mother looks about ready to speak but Jack wasn't done.

"Well that's not true is it. There was almost no acknowledgment. I honestly would have preferred none."

My father's face was stone now that Jack was calling him out. He looked ready to explode himself now. I have no idea how this is going to go now. Jack just plowed on.

"Sir, I think we all have known each other long enough for me to be honest. So I am going to be brutally direct. With all due respect Sir.... Where the hell do you get off hurting my wife like that? She is caring our child, your grandchild. How could you do that. How could you act like she did something wrong? How could you act like she screwed up? HOW COULD YOU TREAT HER LIKE SHE WAS NOTHING BUT A DISAPPOINTMENT TO YOU? You know how much she loves you and you use that to attack and hurt her? What kind of father does that?"

I had to raise my other hand to gentle rub Jack's arm to help calm him down. I could feel his rage at my father. He took a couple of deep breaths and closed his eyes for a second. When he opened them he was staring directly into my fathers eyes. My father was about to lose his temper but Jack's eyes pinned him to his chair.

"Sir, Gabrielle is no longer just your daughter. She is my wife. I will not allow anyone to hurt her again the way you just did. Just like I know you would do the same for your wife."

That took the wind right out of my fathers sails. I could see him deflate right before my eyes. He realized what he did and how much her hurt me. That was the moment he understood fully what he had done to me.

"Sir, I respect you for how you took care of your family. I respect you for raising three wonderful daughters. But I will never allow you to do that again to Gabrielle. If something like that comes close to happening again... If you hurt her like that for something that is not a problem but a blessing to us... We will leave Sir. I will make sure that Gabrielle and our family has the best life I... we can manage. Even if that means never seeing you again. I would hate for your Grandchild to never get a chance to meet one of their Grandfathers but know this Sir... If you ever treat Gabrielle like that again you will never be welcome in our family again. I will make sure you never have the chance to hurt your daughter like that ever again."

Again Jack takes a calming breath. I could tell he was really trying to calm down now that he was able to get this out. I admit it hurt that he would talk to my fath... It hurt that he was forced to talk to my father like that. But Jack really would do what he threatened if he thought I was in danger of being hurt like that again and I am OK with that.

"Now, Is there anything I said that is the least bit confusing? Is there anything I need to explain for you guys to understand that there are no limits to what I will do to protect my family?... No? OK then... So, Sir do we have an understanding and can we now move forward from here?"

He was still staring directly into my fathers eyes. I could see that for the first time my father looked was looking at Jack a little differently. Was there a touch of respect in his eyes for Jack defending me?

"Yes Jack. I understand. I am sorry for my reaction. I didn't think, I just..."

My father actually had tears in his eyes. I am not sure I have ever seen that from my Dad. He always seemed to be like a rock. He never broke down. Got upset, sure, angry, a bunch, but tears?

"Gabrielle I am so sorry. I wasn't thinking clearly. I just lost it. You are my daughter and I am always proud of you. I am proud of the woman you have become and the life you have built for yourself. I am so sorry baby. I will be sorry for for how I acted and how much I hurt you for the rest of life. Please forgive a foolish old m..."

That's when I lost it. I dived and grabbed him in a hug. I was crying again. I loved my Dad and he hurt me so much. I was happy he understood that. I just want my family back to being happy like we were an hour ago. I want them happy for Jack and I.

"Gabrielle I promise I will be better. I will never do that again. I just have trouble remembering you and your sisters are not my little girls anymore. You and Jack are more ready for life's twists and turns then your mother and I ever were. I am so proud of you baby."

I cried into his shoulder for a few more seconds before I could manage a reply.

"Thank you Dad. I love you."

"I love you too baby, never doubt that."

It took me a couple of minutes to gather myself. I think my father was a little sad when I eventually pulled back and turned to hug Jack. I just stayed in his arms for a couple of minutes. Our parents gave us time to center ourselves. When I was ready to move on with the conversations I had to whisper my feelings to Jack.

"Jack. I love you. I have never felt more protected then right now after hearing you defend me like that."

"Always and forever Gabrielle. Always and forever my love."

With that I felt all the weight from earlier disappear. Now it was time to discuss some specifics about how our life was going to change this year. Time for the calm part of the discussion.

"So can we sit down and give you the low down on what we have worked out so far?"

"Take a seat Mr. And Mrs. Brinkmen. Tell us what you have so far so we can help you with what you are missing. Children are a wonderful and amazing adventure that you can never truly be ready for. Let us give you some benefits of our experiences. I mean between us we have done this 5 times with 6 kids."

"We would love to have your help Mom. Jack and I are still working on figuring out what we haven't thought of yet.."

Then as one they all stood up before we could sit down and came over to congratulate us. Now that we were past the shock and quick reactions they seemed to be warming up about their first grandchild being on it's way. This was the way I had hoped tonight would go. I am glad we finally go to this point. I wonder if our sisters were listening from the hallway. Well we will find out soon enough. They won't be able to keep quiet once the rest of the conversation starts.

So once we all sat down and began to talk it took about two minutes before everyone spilled in from the Living room to join the discussion. They were lead by our three sisters and Jaycee.

This is what families are really all about. Being together, talking about life, and enjoying each other during the holidays.