Trent's family meets.

[palace-jared.livejournal.com]

Jared gets to meet Dominic.





Trent smiled as he watched his boy pacing up and down. "It'll be fine, Dominic. There's no reason for Jared not to like you."

Blushing and then laughing at himself, Dom scruffed a hand through his hair. "Obvious huh? I have no idea why I'm so nervous. All the sudden it just hit me." He grinned again. "I feel like I'm asking his permission for your hand." Moving closer, Dom spoke softly. "Like those hands of yours."

"Like your hands too, my boy." Trent pulled him in for a hug, kissing the top of his head. "Relax, Dominic. We'll have dinner; tell him a little about the ceremony, how we met, the usual rest of the background." He tilted Dominic's face up. "You're mine, even on the very very off chance that Jared didn't approve. You're mine. Not giving you up for anyone."

Nodding, Dom leaned into Trent. "Rez... Gods you are going to make me act like a girl here in a second." He rocked his hips against Trent's. "Hmm, how we met yeh? Let's see...should that be the PG version or the truth?"

"Mmm..." Trent's hands slid down to cup Dominic's ass, grinding against him. "Jared's a big boy. He has some ideas about what I do." He started to lean down to kiss his boy when there was a knock at the door. "His timing has been known to be flawed, however."

Jared glanced at the escort, knocking again. He hadn't realized how used he was to Mark til he had this guy following him. He knew the guy was supposed to be obvious but still... He really appreciated the 'shadow' part of Mark's job title now.

Giggling, Dom stole a quick kiss at the second knock, then moved to the door. Pulling it open, he smiled brightly at the man staring back at him. "Hiya, Jared? I'm Dominic. Come on in." He smiled at the escort. "Thanks for bringing him."

"Hi Dominic." Jared held his hand out as he stepped into the room. He smiled at the escort as the door closed, than sighed. "Okay, remind me Uncle to send one of Mother's notes of appreciation to Anna's Mark. Not something I ever thought I would do." He shook his head, than turned back to Dominic. "So you're the one who's tamed my Uncle. That's some feat, I have to tell you. Not many get past his bark. And when they find his bite is even worse..."

"Watch it, dear nephew." Trent couldn't keep the smile from his face. "There are stories I'm sure your new friend would like to hear about you."

Laughing as he relaxed even further at seeing Jared's friendly face, Dom moved toward the kitchen. "Well, see I happen to like Trent's bite so..." He winked then added. "And I'm not sure I want him tamed. Would you like wine or a beer?"

"A beer would be nice, thanks Dominic." Jared hugged his uncle. "So, you two have everything ready yet or still last minute planning?"

"There are one or two things still left, most of it has been taken care of. Sit down, tell me how things are with you. How's the Guild House?"

Jared scowled as he sat down. "Be better if the asshole section stayed the hell away from me. Fuck there's one guy I would love to just take out." He smiled as Dominic came back. "Thanks."

Bringing out drinks and appetizers, Dom caught the tale end of Jared's comment. "The cunt! What's the prat doin'? How can we help teach him some manners?" He sat down and pushed the food toward Jared.

Jared was a little taken aback by Dominic's words. He looked at his uncle as he reached for some food.

"He's met Marilyn." Trent said simply.

"Ahh, gotcha." Jared shuddered at the memory. "Yeah, some jackass keeps trying to ask me about Anna. His name's Jacob. He's got the money to visit here. Knows I come here and wants to know..." Jared growled. "He thinks Anna works here and she gives me freebees."

"He thinks what? What the bloody hell is a freebee when you're a Princess? And why should he care if you and Anna want to be together. That's none of his business." Dom was angry this guy was razzing Jared over Anna. "I'm always surprised the shite some people assume or claim about the royal family."

"No, it's not that." Jared sighed. "I haven't told him who she is. He just knows she's Dnaran cause of her accent. He knows I come to Palace to see her. He's assuming she's a libertine and right now we're letting him think that. Hell, I've tried to have him think she works in the offices, but he won't believe there's anything here past the libertines. That's not the problem. The problem is..." His face flushed. "He knows I don't have much money, not enough to cover for all the times I visit here. So he assumes she's been seeing me for free and that anyone who would fuck me for free must be hard up and should be an easy target for him. That part I haven't told Anna about. She knows he's been talking, but not about what."

"Oh shite." Dom felt bad for Jared. He could immediately see many reasons Jared and Anna wouldn't necessarily want everyone to know who she was. "Damn, that's rough." He chewed his lip for a minute. "We need to think on this one. I know we'll come up with something that will work, won't we Rez?" Dom sat back, filing away his intent to puzzle over this more.

Trent wrapped an arm around his boy. "I imagine soon enough this Jacob will find out about Anna. Some event will come up." His face curved into a smile. "We can hope for it being Harry's and Prince Orlando's wedding, but sooner or later they will find out. Just have to be ready to deal for that. And you might want to let Jared know who Demon is."

Jared smiled as well. "By the time that happens, she wouldn't be free to bother." His face clouded. "Least I hope not."

"Anything we can do to help, no worries Jared, 'kay?" Dom rubbed his hand along Trent's thigh unconsciously. "She's cool though - Anna. I don't know her well but Harry loves her. You know Harry Sinclair? Calls her firecracker I think." He grinned. "Though Rez, don't mention marriage to Harry. His hair will go white! Oh and Demon is Mark, her bodyguard. He sometimes plays with us."

"Mark plays with you two? Wow? How do you like....him being so tall and....ouch."

Dom burst into pleased laughter. "Trent you need to teach Jared some creative moves I think. Anna will be most impressed I bet."

Jared's mouth fell open, than he blushed as he took a bite and drink.

"They're just friends, Dominic. They're not....at least I don't think not yet." Trent looked at his nephew.

Jared shook his head. "Not yet. Soon. Haven't worked up yet to call her about it."

"Well all the more reason to get into training now to be ready so to speak." Dom couldn't resist teasing Jared a little. "And it's cool you're taking it slow. Anna deserves the best and sounds like you're doing your best to deliver it."

Jared blushed again. "Yeah she does and I hope to. But this isn't about me, it's about you two." He raised his beer. "Welcome to the family, Dominic. Hope you can handle it."

Trent rolled his eyes. "The overdramaticness comes from his father."

Raising his own to toast, Dom grinned and leaned over to kiss Trent. "Thanks for the welcome, Jared. I think I'm going to need your help to accomplish the handling. Your uncle is very tricky. And pot is calling kettle black."

Trent swatted his boy smartly on the ass. "You'll get yours later on." He raised his own glass. "To us. For a very very long time." He reclaimed Dominic's mouth in a hard kiss.

Licking his lips after Trent released him, Dom stared up at him promising many possible things for later. Turning back to Jared, he blushed himself. "Sorry 'bout that. Your uncle kind of drives me crazy but in the best way. Now, before I jump on him and embarrass both of us, how about some dinner?"

Jared laughed. "Yeah, dinner sounds good. And I want to hear everything about you two. Uncle wasn't exactly forthcoming with the details last time."

Getting up, Dom grinned toward Trent. "Yeh, I'll let him tell you how we met." He winked at Jared then headed into the kitchen to get everything ready to bring out. "I hope you like lasagna? There's a veggie side and a meat side just in case."

"Yeah, lasagna's great." Jared turned to Trent. "You're a lucky guy, Uncle. So is he."

"How well I know that, Jared. I'm so very lucky. Come on. I'll tell you the whole story at the table. It'll be a long one."

Dom brought out salads and then the lasagna. He served up big portions for all of them while he listened to Trent talk to Jared. Seeing the two of them together made him so happy we just sat there watching them for a long moment. We need to have Jared over more often. He prolly doesn't cook much for himself. We can feed him here. Maybe have Anna over too.

Trent's voice faltered a little as he brought up the time of their trouble about David and finding out about Mary. He forced himself to stay in control and tell the story. His hands shook some as he reached for his glass for a drink before continuing.

Jared took a deep breath, fighting his own emotions. He looked down at his food as he ate, still listening to his uncle.

Dom quietly got up pretending to refill wine glasses. He brushed a hand along Trent's back soothingly.

Trent grabbed Dominic's hand, bring it to his lips for a kiss. He suddenly changed the subject, remarking that he had forgotten about Dominic's first meeting with Marilyn.

Jared shivered again. "Fuck, is he still creepy?"

"Yes!" Dom leaned down and brushed a kiss against Trent's temple before moving back to his own chair. "How do you know him, Jared?"

"I was visiting Uncle for his birthday. Thought I would get him a present. I knew the store's name, saw one of the bags in Uncle's room. I went in. Didn't know about Marilyn. Was talking to Twiggy when he came and started to...anyway Twiggy got between us. Marilyn hit him for it. Just then Twiggy's man walked in. I got out while everyone was busy."

"Holy shite! That was close! Twiggy told me that Marilyn's not above forcing you to do what he wants." Dom looked at Trent. "No wonder you warned me about him right away. Did you go kick his arse back then?"

Trent's expression was tight. "I took care of things, Dominic. That's all I'll about it."

Nodding, Dom added loyally. "He deserved whatever you gave 'em Rez. So, how do you like living in the city, Jared? Are you finding your way around and all? I can give you some ideas of places to go if you want any ideas."

"Yeah, Anna's been showing me around some. But I could use some good places to visit on my days off. Hey...would you know of a good restaurant? Not too expensive?" He grinned sheepishly, than he thought. "By a lake if that's possible."

Chuckling, Dom thought of the various constraints. "I know two good places. One's more a younger hang out. Little loud and more pub food but good pub food if you know what I mean? And a real fun place to take a date. People dance, play pool, that type of stuff. The other's tiny. It's owned by this family and it's basically their house. I'll have to give you directions since they don't really have too many signs up. But it's fabulous. You do have to eat what they serve though. No menus. But you'll waddle home after."

"It's for an important reason. Don't think the loud place would work." Jared reached into his pocket for Anna's ring. "I need a place to give her this. Some place with a band if possible too."

Dom leaned over to peer at the ring. "Oh man, that's brilliant. She'll love it." He grinned over at Trent. "There is another place. It might be a little older crowd. I used to go there every so often. Let me check with my Mum to make sure it's still open. Food was pretty good from what I remembered. Nothing fancy but well prepared."

Trent smiled as he looked at the ring. "Very nice Jared. I'm sure she'll love it." He glanced at his nephew. "She'll say yes, Jared. I believe that."

"Just wish I was sure. I know we have a great time and all. And it's not like I'm proposing. And I know she's got that whole Royalty to deal with. I asked His Majesty for permission. He seemed to think she would too."

"Marton's a smart man. And Anna equally smart. No worries Jared. We'll help you set up a nice place, get some great fresh flowers... and what are you wearing?" Dom was excited thinking about the possibilities.

"Easy, my boy. I don't think Jared's thought that far ahead by the look on his face. Step by step, Dominic."

Grinning, Dom raised his eyebrows. "Was offering to help if Jared needed it. And I wouldn't leather him up or anything. Just make sure he looks his sexy best."

"Um...Dominic? Off Palace Proper? Means Mark's going to be with us? He's barely liking me now as it is?"

"Well, that's just one more thing to work out. Buttering Demon up and we know how to do that somewhat, don't we Rez?" Dom couldn't help a huge smile. "I promise, you'll pass parental inspection of both Marton and Demon. Just will look all grown up and nice. And I promise I won't make you wear eyeliner."

Jared still looked a little doubtful. "Okay, if you think you can. But I want to see everything before that night. I don't want to get it right before we leave and find I don't like it. Same for the restaurant."

Pleased that meant he'd have more time to get to know Jared, Dom nodded. "Fair enough. Maybe we can even all go eat at the restaurant to check it out. I haven't been in ages. And I'll ask Mum she may have heard of something newer."

Trent laughed. "Careful Jared. Once Dominic's Mum gets near you, she'll be making you pies and mother henning you left and right."

"Really? I mean, just like that? Just cause I know Dominic?"

Dom grinned more. "Oh yeh. Young single guy living on his own? You're mum-bait. She's adopted far tougher nuts like Sean. Just sit back and tell her your favorites."

"She pretty much already has me." Trent smiled. "And she'll want you to tell her alllll about Anna."

"Oh. Okay. Yeah. So how long after meeting me would she start doing this?"

Laughing Dom looked over at Trent. "She's already started. Asked me this morning when I was telling her you were coming over for dinner whether you like blueberry muffins or banana nut. She was making some and thought you might like a few. Which means you'll get like a dozen."

"You're kidding. Just like that? How much does she even know about me?"

"She knows you're family. That's all that matters."

"Okay. Yeah, that would nice. Tell her thanks."

Dom got up to go get dessert. He leaned down to kiss Jared's cheek. "No problem, I will. Let me get some tea on and we have biscuits and chocolates for a sweet."

Jared looked up in surprise at Dominic, than nodded. "Okay. Thanks." He watched him leave.

"That's why I love him. Why I want him. How he tamed me."

Jared nodded again. "Yeah. I can see that." He leaned over to kiss his uncle on the cheek. "Congratulations."

Bringing out a tray loaded with tea things and assorted sweets, Dom set it up near the couch. "Time to get comfy. C'mon Jared, take off your shoes and settle in. I'm hoping you'll give me the goods on Trent when he was younger." Grinning, Dom settled into one end of the couch so that Trent could sit in between them.

Jared smiled. "Maybe one or two."