An Awkward Encounter

[Nicolas King]

Having spent more and more time with Ava over the past several months, meeting each other for walks around Brightstone or supper in Obsidian harbour (but never quite finding the time for that weekend at Levens), Nicolas had determined that he wanted Ava to be a permanent part of his life and he a part of hers. It'd taken him some time to work past the nagging voices that reminded him of past failed relationships, of people he'd hurt by getting too close to, and of the dangers of his job - but he was confident that happiness and a relationship with the woman he loved was worth the risk. Most importantly, Ava seemed to think it was a risk she was willing to take as well.

Having gathered all his courage to himself, Nicolas had written to both of Ava's children - Riley and Braxton, indicating that he'd like to meet with them in the small cafe where he now sat. He'd given little information except to say that it was important to him that he be able to speak with them both, and was filled with anticipation as each had responded that they would meet him. He wasn't sure how to approach the topic with either of them, or how they'd respond. In truth, he only knew Braxton's work, and not the man, and had very little idea of what Riley was like. He hadn't truly had an opportunity to interact with either of them so how receptive to him they would be was something that made him uneasy about the situation: another thing he was willing to work through for Ava.

Sitting at a table with an untouched tea in front of him, the smitten man exhaled deeply and ran his hand thoughtlessly through his hair, anxious for the encounter that he was about to have.

 

[Riley Sparkles]

Two months ago, Riley had found out she was pregnant. Now five months pregnant, Riley only felt fat. Of course, she was still very excited, but she was getting grumpy at the weight she was putting on. Jerrod had tried to console her, saying that it was all very normal and natural, but, of course, she turned it on him, and then accused him of calling her fat. She did feel guilty about it afterwards, but blamed it on the hormones. Riley definitely was not having a glamorous pregnancy.
It didn't help her mood, when Riley received a letter from her mother's lover asking to meet him and her brother. Riley never really liked Nicolas King, since he was the reason her parents split up. She was happy that her mother was happy, but she was perfectly fine with her dad. Riley knew that her brother, Braxton would suck up to Nicolas, as he was his boss. Braxton always looked up to Nicolas, and probably didn't mind that he was shacking up with his mother. Gross. Riley also felt apprehensive because of Jerrod's alignment. She wasn't sure how much the Aurors knew about the Scitorari, as she herself knew hardly anything, but she felt nervous all the same. Riley waited outside for Braxton to arrive before they entered the Cafe' together.

 

[Braxton Sparkles]

It had come as a surprise to Braxton when he received a personal Owl from his boss. Any owls that he did receive were almost always about work, or a meeting they had. The oldest child had been so busy with his work life, that he rarely ever went out. He always knew he was a workaholic, but was looking forward to seeing his sister again. He hadn't even seen her since he found out she was pregnant, which was a bad look on his part. He decided that after whatever meeting they had with his boss, he would take her out to buy some baby things.
Apparating to the small cafe', Braxton was surprised to see Riley there already. He quickly looked at his watch, was he late? He couldn't have been he left right on time. Shrugging his shoulders, Braxton greeted Riley with a long overdue hug. He was beyond excited to see her again, and she looked great. He took his sister by the arm, and walked inside with her, spotting the man he was here to see immediately. Braxton walked his sister over to Nicolas King, and pulled out a chair for her, before shaking his boss's hand. "Lovely to see you Mr. King." Braxton stated with a smile. He nudged Riley to say something to Nicolas and was shocked at her behaviour when she only managed a small 'Hi'. He had never seen her act so rude before, and wondered if she was still upset about their parent's divorce. Shaking his head at his little sister, Braxton sat down opposite Nicolas, wondering what this meeting was going to be all about.

 

[Nicolas King]

Seeing Braxton and Riley enter the cafe, Nicolas' heart slowed to almost a stop as the remote possibility of neither of them showing up at all slipped away and he would have to face what he was simultaneously overjoyed and terrified to share with them. Standing to greet them, Nicolas shook Braxton's hand and nodded to him, noticing Riley's distance and confirming for himself how difficult the next several minutes were likely to be and briefly offering a "Thanks for taking the time to meet me today," before retaking his seat. A waiter came by and took each of their orders and quickly enough returned with both of their drinks.

Grasping his still-full cup of tea between his hands on the table, Nicolas looked across at the brother and sister, offering a feeble smile, his mind racing. How had he not prepared exactly what he was going to say to them? Even if he had, he was sure it would have all already escaped from his consciousness. He was aware that they both knew about his relationship with their mother and decided it would be best to cut to the chase as quickly as possible. Like 'ripping an adhesive bandage from your skin,' as he believed the muggles called it.

"I love your mother and plan to propose to her. I've asked you to meet me here today because it would mean a lot to me, and I know to Av- your mother, if you both were alright with this, supported it, and gave us your blessing." Inwardly, he grimaced, and outwardly the tension Nicolas felt could be seen through his hands, surely beginning to turn white from the grip they held on the teacup. He hoped to Merlin that they would both approve,and that Riley specifically would be able to accept the idea. He knew, however, that whatever happened over the next several minutes, barring an unforgivable curse striking him from the end of Riley's wand (which was a possibility he could not discount), he would continue with his plan, unabated.

 

[Riley Sparkles]

Riley let herself be led by her brother over to the man who ruined her family. She didn't know the man that well, and had come up with all sorts of conclusions by herself, and felt she shouldn't have to sit through this 'meeting', or whatever it was. Sitting down on the seat Braxton pulled out, Riley only managed a 'Hi' when Braxton nudged her. She wondered what made either of them think that she was alright with talking to Nicolas. Of course Braxton was the suck-up she expected him to be and she rolled her eyes, looking out the window while waiting for her tea.
It was incredibly awkward. There was silence and Riley looked at Braxton, her eyebrows raised. A hand rested on her tummy, sub-consciously rubbing it, while taking a sip of the tea that had arrived. Her dark brown eyes snapped to Nicolas as soon as he started talking. He was planning on proposing?! Riley's eyes narrowed with each word spoken, not believing he was doing this. She scowled when he said it would mean a lot to her mother, sounded an awful lot like black-mail; "If you don't say yes, your mother will hate you.". A resounding "No." came from Riley's mouth at the same time as her brother said "Of course." Riley quickly turned her head to look at her brother. Was he for real? "You are really okay with a home-wrecker becoming our new "daddy"? Riley asked, furious.

 

[Braxton Sparkles]

Braxton ordered a coffee for himself, and smiled at the Head Auror who thanked them for meeting with him. Even if the man wasn't his boss, Braxton still would have come purely out of curiosity. He made eye contact with Riley, who had raised her eyebrows at him. Braxton looked back at her and shook his head slightly, as if telling her to keep her rudeness to herself. Thankfully, Nicolas began to speak.
The words that came out of Nicolas' mouth was shocking at first, but it sunk in quickly, and it made sense. They had been with each other for a long time now, and it was about time. He was very happy to give his blessing. Smiling, Braxton replied "Of course!", however it was spoken at the same time as his sister's no. He looked at Riley with disbelief. Why would she not give her blessing? He narrowed his eyes at his little sister as she called the Head Auror a home-wrecker. He probably saved more families than she even knew about! "Riley, calm down. Mr. King is not a home-wrecker. Mom made the decision herself, and it was years ago, you need to get over it. If mom is happy - and you know she is - then this should be a no-brainer." He spoke to her gently, but firmly. Turning back to Nicolas, he added, "I am more than happy to give you my blessing. I know my mother loves you, and would most definitely accept the proposal." He added with a smile. Braxton doubted very much that his relationship with his boss would change much at all, and it would probably always remain professional, but he was beyond happy for his mom.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas was struck entirely speechless by Riley's reaction. He didn't know exactly what he'd expected, he'd always been open to the possibility that things wouldn't go well, but to have been accused of destroying their family was not something he had been prepared to face. His hands released their hold on the cup in front of him and remained lifeless on the table. He found it difficult to believe that in the four years since he'd met Ava at Hogwarts - and the three since Ava had left her husband - that these issues hadn't been resolved at all. Did Riley really think so little of her mother that she believed she could be so easily torn away from her husband by the likes of Nicolas?

He looked to Braxton as he tried to talk to his sister, giving him a weak smile for his efforts and support, before turning toward the furious Riley. Under normal circumstances, he would have made an effort to defend his actions in his relationship, to explain exactly how things had worked out, but he doubted very much if the young woman was at all interested. He was an easy person to blame for an unwelcome change in her life, and he cared far more about being able to move forward than to settle the past. "I'm sorry you feel that way, but I'm not looking to become your father - you have a dad. I'm only looking for you to be willing to accept that your mom is moving on with her life."

 

[Riley Sparkles]

Riley's mouth dropped open when her brother told her to calm down. How was he so okay with this? When he told her to get over it, she shook her head. Dad hadn't found anyone else. How would he feel if he found out that his ex-wife was getting remarried? Looking down at the ground, she sighed at thinking about how happy her mom was. Riley wished that this hadn't happened, but she supposed that she couldn't deny her mom happiness, or love. She doubted very much that her saying no would stop her mom from marrying the man, but it would be nice to be a part of the new stage in her life.
The young girl looked at Nicolas as he began to speak. She tried hard to not glare at him as he spoke, but appreciated him saying he wasn't looking to be her new dad. There was no way she'd ever start calling him that.
Sighing Riley nodded her head. This didn't mean she liked Nicolas, or that they were going to become best buds, but why not let her mom enjoy the happiness that she was enjoying presently. "Yes. Okay, yeah you got my blessing." Riley reluctantly said. She just hoped they didn't have any kids. And she still thought he was a home-wrecker.

 

[Nicolas King]

Breathing a sigh of relief, Nicolas smiled. He knew Riley's blessing was reluctant and that she still didn't think very much of him, but he was glad for her blessing nevertheless and knew Ava would be, as well. It didn't change very much in the end, but it was something he felt was important and was the only reason he was willing to endure her criticisms. He was unsure if he'd mention the encounter to Ava ever, and if he did how he'd relay it to her. How Riley and Ava had not yet talked through the issue of the divorce and Nicolas' role in it was beyond him, but that was clearly something that they would have to come to terms with in their own time.

"Thank you." the man offered to both siblings before taking a couple of galleons and placing them on the table for their drinks. His tea cold on the table, he rose and turned to leave. He stopped briefly and turned back to Riley, "And congratulations." He offered, figuring it an unwelcome overture but thinking it more rude not to even offer congratulations on her pregnancy. With that, he left the cafe.

 

[Braxton Sparkles]

The young Auror looked at his boss as he spoke to Riley. Nodding his head in agreement, his focus shifted back onto Riley who looked like she was having an internal war between herself. He didn't understand how his sister was so different to him, and how she didn't understand how important her mother's happiness was. She was being such a fidderent child.
Finally, Riley gave her blessing. Braxton smiled and looked back at Nicolas, surprised to see he was getting out galleons to pay already. He don't know what he expected, but thought maybe they could chat for a bit. He nodded his head as Nicolas said 'thanks', and as he wished his sister congratulations. As soon as he left, he turned back to Riley who was still looking grumpy. He shook his head. "When did you get so grouchy sis? Maybe you need to have a chat with Mom before they get married. So you can be supportive of their relationship." He offered a small smile. Taking her hand, Braxton led his sister out to enjoy the afternoon shopping for her unborn child.