Chapter 10 - "1, 2, 3.. Smile!"

So I waited Jim to arrive, quite worried about what he's going to say. When he arrived he was wearing his school uniform and I noticed that he has wound on his left hand.

"What happened to that?" I asked while pointing his wounded hand.

"I broke mom's most expensive vase yesterday" he said and nodded his head down

"By accident or it's your intention to break it?" He didn't respond so it means he intentionally did it. "Your Mom and Dad got into fight?" I asked and he looked at me.

"You met Dad? He's the one who told you right?"

"I went to St. Albans then went straight to Hampstead yesterday, your Dad was at Grandma's house, he just told us that they had a little fight. Jim, what really happened?"

"William, you know something about Dad that you think that Mom and us didn't?" he asked. I think I know what's going on here.

"I don't know, your Dad and I aren't that close, Dad spent most of his life on you guys, you should know him better than mine, I only have him for 4 years I don't have knowledge about the world that time."

"Yesterday morning, I was preparing to go to school, I heard them yelling to each other at their room, I heard from one of our nanny that mom found out that Dad is hiding something on her and he refused to tell her about it, it's not a big deal tho, but I didn't expect that it will lead into a fight and yelling, Jerry is already crying so I made a mess and broke one of mom's vase so that they'll come out in their room. Dad went straight outside and drove away. I asked mom what happened, and she just said they had a little misunderstanding, that was the first time I saw them fighting." he said in his sad voice.

"It's natural for a husband and wife to have fight, it's part of their midlife crisis, just let it be, your dad is on his way in your house, said his going to apologize to your mom." I won't tell Jim what Dad have been doing, it will make their situation worst.

"Is there a possibility that mom might divorce Dad?" he asked again

"Come on Jim, it's not that big deal, it's just a little fight, they'll get over it, so quit your negative mind, it will hunt your day."

I have a feeling that it's not just a little misunderstanding between Dad and Princess Irina because I can see in Jim's eyes that he's scared. But who knows, it's his first time seeing his parents fighting so he's not used into it.

"Here drink this juice, you look exhausted." I added and he did drink the juice.

"Why'd you go to St. Albans by the way?" he asked.

"It's Mom's birthday, but I didn't stay for long because I was more excited to go to Hampstead, didn't expect to see your father there. So now if you'll excuse me, I have to take a bath because I still have class to attend."

After the class and work, it's 1AM already I'm at the park and I'm waiting for Eliza to arrive, when she's coming towards me, I could tell that she's tired from work, same as me but it won't stop us from being in love to each other, we drink hot coffee together while embracing each other, just normal couples do.

"Ms. Cleaver, how'd you say if my Grandfather invited you to his 70th birthday?" I asked.

"Really?" she was surprised and happy at the same time. "When is that? And where?"

"This Sunday at their house at London, I'll bring Gerald and Zelbert too." I said with excitement. "Don't worry I'll rent a car so that the four of us will go together." I added.

"You're introducing me to your family?" she asked in a low voice.

"Yes, they want to meet you."

"But what if they don't like me?"

"What are you talking about? Why would they? They don't have right for that, trust me, they will like you the way I liked you. I don't know whats with you but even you just sit there, I was overwhelmed about how pretty wherever you look."

"Come on Mr. Darcy your flattering me again..Okay, I'll come with you, just don't be far as 15 feet away from me there okay?" I laugh when she said that.

"What? I'm serious, I don't want to look dumb in front of your family."

"Of course, I won't why would I? I can't stand it." I said while pinching her thin cheeks. "I guarantee you, you will love that place, you'll get to know my Grandparents, they're all lovely." I added.

Saturday, I woke up late because I was tired on my shift last night, but, what's the point, it's Saturday anyway, time to spend my time on the things I wanted to. When I was taking shower, someone keeps knocking the door outside.

"Bugger! Who the fuck keep knocking there!!?" I shouted inside the bathroom.

It didn't respond, but instead, it keeps knocking, I was annoyed so I went out on the bathroom wearing only towel just to cover my under parts, there's still soap bubbles on my body and I'm all wet. I'm guessing it's my annoying neighbor but it was Lucas holding foods and coffees.

"What the hell?" I asked in annoyance.

"Hey...Can I come in?"

I didn't respond but he already went inside.

"You have a lovely apartment." he said while looking around.

"How the hell did you know my address?"

"Bingley told me."

"Great. Now get out, I'm still taking showers."

"Woah, that's not how you welcome a guess."

"Fine.. I'm just gonna finish taking a shower, and don't forget to close the door when you get out." I said while rushing to the bathroom.

"You better hurry up, Collins and Bingley will be here in few minutes, they just stopped by in the store." he said while laying on my couch as if he's in his house.

I finished in an instant because I Lucas in my apartment making me uncomfortable, when I came out on the bathroom having only towel to cover my under, I saw him watching while laughing my old photo albums, so I rushed to him to take it, when I was near to the couch where he is, I slipped because my feet is still wet from the bathroom.

I landed on the couch on top of Lucas's tummy.

"Ffffcck..William what the heck are you doing? My balls you piece of sshh..."Lucas almost can't breath when I realized that my knee crushed his balls.

"What the fuck?" said Gerald who just entered.

Zelbert dropped the snacks his holding, I immediately stand up and grabbed the album from Lucas.

"Fuck! My face.. Give me that." I said while taking the album from Lucas.

Lucas is still laying on the couch in pain holding his pants. I immediately ran to the room and change.

"I just let Lucas went here first for 8 minutes and you already crushed his balls?" asked Gerald.

"It was only an accident, and besides, he quite deserves that for touching my property." I said while dressing up in my room.

When I went out from the room, I saw Lucas rubbing his pants with large ice cube.

"Thankfully, we also bought ice on the store." said Zelbert while taking out the beers they bought.

"What you guys actually doing here?" I asked.

"It's the first Saturday of the month remember?"

"Ah yeah, I thought you guys are short in money, but you still manage to buy this drinks."

"It was Lucas's, it's his treats for us."

"Anyway it happens so... Let's put that aside and have fun." said Lucas.

"Yeah, that what's matters." said Zelbert while starting to pass the bottles on us.

"You guys seems pretty weird together." said Gerald while pointing his bottle on me and Lucas.

"Us? Don't think so." said Lucas while rubbing my shoulder.

"It's just..we are not that close yet." I replied while removing Lucas's hand on my shoulder.

"Anyway, Lucas you have plans tomorrow? You can come with us at London." said Gerald.

"Yeah, Dad will visit me tomorrow, he don't want me to loiter outside Cambridge without him." replied Lucas.

I can tell that Lucius is a strict parent, I actually envy him to be honest, thinking how his father took care of him and gave his best to raise Lucas alone, unlike my parents.

Sunday has passed, Zelbert and Gerald was so excited that they even sleep over in my apartment, they said they only have been to London twice in their lifetime. So we decided to sleep there so that we could stroll the whole city after Grandpa Eddie's birthday. We get Eliza outside her dorm at Milton, I realized that her dorm is just one street away from Dad's house, so we passed Dad's place and I stopped a bit to see if they were still inside, but only I saw is their nannies, so I assumed that they're already in their way to Hampstead. We played good music, at first the four of us is having fun signing along but after a few minutes Zelbert and Gerald fell asleep.

"Look they fell asleep" Eliza said while laughing.

"Yeah I see"

"Look William, I'm quite nervous to be honest, are you sure we have to sleep there?" she asked

"Let's take our time there, I know you love London, we'll go to British Museum tomorrow you love that place right?." I said while holding her hand.

"I mean what if I'll bother your family for sleeping there?" she asked in a worry.

"It's okay, it's only the four of us then Grandma and Grandpa , they're hospitable, they are not that British you know" I joked. "Hey, if you think that I'm kind, so as my family, I assure you that." I added then she felt relieved.

"Okay Mr. Darcy, thank you, I'll take a nap for a while, just drive slowly, we'll get there" she said and close her eyes.

"Sure.." I said and continued driving.

We arrived in Hampstead, London at 10AM, probably because I drove too slow, lot of cars outside, I didn't expect this to be this big, I told Dad that to save me a space in the garage for the car that I rented, so I can park it inside. Gerald and Zelbert are still asleep but Eliza is already awake.

"William, seriously, I'm nervous" she exclaims and hesitant to go out.

"We'll be there for you Ms. Cleaver." said Zelbert who just woke up.

"Yes, it's gonna be okay." Gerald added.

We finally went out of the car. Ellie and Jerry was playing in the front door and saw us coming, Jerry comes towards and hugged me while Ellie rushes back inside, he's still afraid of me.

"This is my youngest brother on my father's side, Jerry." I introduced him to them. "Say hello to them Jerry."

"Hello!" he waved. "Come one William, I think they're waiting for you." he added while pulling my hand.

There's a lot of people inside, I don't know their names, but the real venue is in the backyard, a lot cakes and foods were displayed in every table, thankfully, the backyard is huge enough to hold some big occasions like this. Eliza is holding tight in my arms, I keep looking at her and telling that it's gonna be alright. Grandma Wilma noticed us first.

"Junior!!! You have arrived!" she said while hugging me tight. "And you must be his little girlfriend."

"Good day Granny" Eliza shyly greeted.

"Hello, welcome to the family.."Grandma hugged her.

"Told you." I said to Eliza with a smile.

"What's your name by the way? And why are you so pretty" Grandma asked her.

"I'm Eliza, Eliza Cleaver."

"Nice name, I'm Wilma, Junior's Grandmother, nice to meet you." she said and hugged her again. "Just have fun here."

"Granny, you remember Zelbert Collins and Gerald Bingley? That's them." I introduced my friends to granny.

"Oh it's them? They're truly are handsome young men." They both awkwardly waved at granny.

"Gotta leave you there, a lot of visitors to talk with." Granny said while walking inside.

I saw Dad talking with Uncle Willie then Princess Irina and Jim in the left side of the table, looks like their okay already. Then I saw Mom and Billy sitting on the right side, so we decided to sit there because it has bigger space.

"Junior, sit right here" Mom said while hugging me.

"Mom, this is Eliza Cleaver, my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?Awhhh" Mom touching her chest and was about to cry.

"Mom.."

"My son has a pretty girlfriend, hello, I'm Junior's mom" she said while hugging Eliza.

"William, I thought you'll never have a girlfriend." Billy interrupts.

"Yeah I thought that way before." I replied. "Oh and this my friends, you met them before, Collins and Bingley" I added while pointing Zelbert and Gerald.

"Oh yes, I remembered them."

"Hello ma'am" greeted Zelbert and Gerald.

After we sit, Eliza was curious about something.

"They call you Junior? Where's your Sr.?" she asked.

Exactly, Dad and Uncle Willie is coming towards us.

"There he is, he's coming" I said while pointing Dad.

"Good lord, you truly looked like him if you'll remove your glasses" she was impressed.

"And that is his younger brother, my Uncle Willie."

"Hello Junior, and his girlfriend" Dad greeted us with his annoying accent again.

I don't know if Dad intentionally used that kind of accent because Uncle Willie don't talk like that, a mix of modern English and British period accent, but kind of annoying for me.

"Hey Dad, Uncle Willie, this is Eliza Cleaver my girlfriend, then Gerald Bingley and Zelbert Collins my best friends."

"Hello Eliza, I'm William, Junior's Dad, gonna tell that he's lucky-"

"Dad that's enough" I interrupted. "You're making us uncomfortable.

"Hello, I'm his Uncle, I was surprised that my nephew have a girlfriend, I thought he never stood a chance in girls" Uncle Willie joked. "But now I think he's lucky to have a very pretty girl like you."

"Willie, I think your Mom is looking for you, she's inside" Mom said to Uncle Willie.

Dad sit in front of us along with Mom and faced us. Seems they want to talk about something.

"Junior? Does she know about us?" Mom asked me if Eliza is aware about my family background.

"No, I think she shouldn't know." I replied.

"Well she must, you should be the one to tell her." Dad said and he talked with Mom.

"What are they trying to say?" Eliza asked in a low voice.

"Um, I don't know how to start.." I was hesitant, I don't want her to feel pity on me. But I think I really should tell her.

"You see that woman right there?" I pointed Princess Irina in the other table.

"Is that? Princess Irina? Prime Minister Wickham's only child?" She was shocked.

"That's my Dad's wife" her reaction changed instantly.

"I beg your pardon?" she was confused

"Then Uncle Willie? He's my mom's husband." And now Eliza is speechless. "I know it sounds crazy, Mom and Dad were once a live-in partner and they had me, not knowing that destiny will separate them."

"Oh William" she's trying to comfort because she noticed that I was about to shed tears.

"They have different families now, Dad has two sons and Mom has two sons too, so I have four little half brothers in total, two of them is my half cousins too since it's my Uncle's son. This is the house where I grew up, Grandma Wilma and Grandpa Eddie is the one who took care of me for over 10 years. I lived my life full of jealousy and hatred before, I hated them all, but ever since I met you, I slowly accepted them because I found someone that could make me happy. Your my happiness Eliza." I said while wiping my tears. And she kissed me.

"Don't worry, I'll be there for you too, now that I know, I'll put my trust in you." she said while holding my hands. I wonder what Mom and Dad talked about.

"Mom, Dad, what have you been talking the two of you?" I asked through curiosity.

"Your Grandpa said that Prime Minister Wickham is coming today." she replied

"What?" Now this is gonna ruin my day.

"I know, I told him not to invite the Prime Minister." Dad said.

"What am I going to do now? Leave right away?" I was quite frustrated.

"You don't have to, just keep a low profile, he won't know about us." Dad said while comforting me, he noticed that I was obviously frustrated.

Eliza is confused about what was dad is saying to me.

"I'll explain it to you later." I said to Eliza. Princess Irina comes towards us.

"Junior I heard that my father will come, can you le-"

"He will remain here and he's not going anywhere" Dad interrupts Irina. "Your father doesn't know he existed and that's enough, he won't suspect him." he added.

"Uh, Okay, just make sure that my father won't stare at him, he's a suspicious person" Princess Irina said while returning back to her table.

"By the way Mom, where's Granny Emma?" I asked.

"She said she's not coming."

"Why?" Dad asked.

"I don't know, maybe she doesn't want to leave the house alone. We don't have nannies unlike your home." Mom replied to dad.

And Dad went back on his table with Princes Irina because the program is about to start then me, Eliza, Zelbert and Gerald sit behind mom and Uncle Willie.

They arranged a program for Grandpa's birthday so that it will went well, it's just simple program, they gave Grandpa a chance to have his speech, then we ate. Surprisingly, Grandpa's Aunt Sophia arrived in a wheel chair with her caregiver Aunt Lylia, she said that she will be observing us as a part of her plan to chose a capable family to take over Pemberley and according to her, Grandpa Eddie's family is one of her best candidates. I don't know if I should be excited because if she chooses us, Grandma and Grandpa along with us have to move to Stockport and take responsibility of the historical house. She went directly to Dad's table and keep staring at him like she's about to say something on him but she can't tell for unknown reason, but instead, she touched Dad's face.

In the middle of celebration, it draws our attention the massive number of government cars outside, its the Prime Minister, he arrived. Mom, Dad, Princess Irina, Uncle Willie, Grandma and Grandpa looked at me.

"Just hold it Junior." Uncle Willie said.

"I know. You want me to go inside my room until he's gone?" I replied.

"No, you will just make your Grandpa uncomfortable, stay here behind me." Mom said while holding my hands.

We all stand up on his arrival, I can't tell Eliza's reaction, she still doesn't get what's going on. I did what they told me to do, everything is going well, but I didn't know that the program hasn't finished yet, the host doesn't know what's really going on so she continued the last part of the program, the Family Picture. The Prime Minister was excited and clapping because he want to see the family of his daughter and grandsons. Grandpa held the microphone and call them one by one, I just looked at Grandpa and he noticed me too, I can tell that he's sorry for me. He know that I shouldn't be introduced to the Prime Minister. When they are all in position, their faces were uncomfortable especially Mom and Dad.

"1,2,3, Smile..." shouted the photographer but only the kids are smiling. Yes, you already know what I felt, pain, jealousy, miserable, sadness and self pity. I hold my tears looking at them, so I nodded my head down while the visitors are clapping. Then the Prime Minister joined them and said he will post it in the headline. He grabbed a few drinks and leave. Lady Sophia also wondered where I am, so she looked at me and I think she already gets it. After Prime Minister Wickham left, I asked Eliza if I could go to my room for a bit.

"Can I come with you?" she asked.

"No, I'll leave you with Zelbert and Gerald for a bit, I have to get something in my room, be right back" I said to her while walking inside.

Mom and Dad have been watching me, so they followed me inside. I locked myself in the room and released my pain by crying there. Mom and Dad is knocking outside.

"Can you give me some space for a bit?" I respond.

"No, just let us in, we have to talk about this." Dad said.

"Junior please!.." Mom begged too.. So I unlocked the door. Mom immediately hugged me tight.

"Sorry, we are so sorry.." Mom said while crying.

And Dad locked the door and sat on the bed feeling guilty to himself.

"Look William! You see how bad it gets to your son, God! I can't believe you can stand it". Mom said to Dad while hugging me. "You're so selfish." she added.

"You have no idea what happened Emily." Dad replied in a serious voice.

"Stop it!" I shouted while crying. "If you want to fight again, do it without me!"

"No Junior, not again" Mom said while comforting me and I sit in the bed beside Dad then mom sat on both sides.

"If only I know that this would happen, I never should have come here" I said while wiping my tears.

Dad hasn't moved but I noticed tears are falling from his eyes to his suit.

"Look Junior, that wasn't part of the plan." Mom said

"Even if it isn't or is it, the damage has been done."

They haven't spoke a word after, but I can feel that they're trying to say something to each other or to me, but instead, they're crying.

"You guys ever wonder, why I left this house and decided to live on my own? First thing that came up on my mind when I first arrived at Cambridge, I'm gonna do it all on my own without you guys, I can prove to you that I'm independent, I keep saying that I can do everything, I'm smart enough, I'm really okay being alone, of course there's nothing I can do about it since both of my parents have different families now, but none of you ever asked me if I'm actually okay, I never get to experience what really parenting is, you were never there I need a parent." I removed my glass since my tears starts to cover my eyes.

"Guess what, Grandma never told you guys that when I was 6, I mistakenly wrote Grandma as my mother, when I was at nursery, I clearly remembered the other parents asking Grandma where are my actual parents, when I was circumcised, I'm the only one at the hospital who doesn't have a Dad to look after me, and...you never heard my Graduation speech at High School, and I guess Grandma never told you what my speech for, because it's actually not inspiring for students, but it's all about you two I've been longing to arrived, I expected that the two of you will arrive that day. Some students laughed at me because they never get what I'm trying to say."

The two of them never moved but they just cried quietly while sitting beside me.

"To be honest, I once didn't considered that you are my parents, I looked for what parents actually mean, but none of it qualifies you because you never cared for me for almost 15 years! For almost 15 years I've been longing for you, I can't afford looking at my brothers that my Mother is at his side embracing him, I can't afford looking at them straight in the eye because their parents which is also my parents is always on their side while me waiting for opportunity to express what I really felt. Mom, Dad, I'm jealous!" I said in a loud voice while crying, and mom is hugging me again crying. "Here's a thing, if you can't be a parent on me, at least do it for my brothers, I'm pretty sure you don't want them to experience what I had. But thanks anyway, I learned a thing that I will never do someday, I promise that I will never be a parent like you two-" Uncle Willie knocked the room calling for mom.

"Wait, I'll be outside!" she said while wiping her tears. "Junior, I promise I'll sort this things out." she said and went outside.

Dad just stood there and never moved. I'm wiped my tears and was about to stand up but dad stopped me by holding my hands.

"Wait, there's something-" he asked while crying

"That's not on you Dad, if there's something you want to correct, you have to work on it with Mom."

"I want to divorce Irina." he said and I stopped from opening the door.

"What? Dad are you serious right now? And what? You'll live with Lucius?" I said in frustration.

"That's not it, I told Irina that I could divorce her if I want to after our fight, but instead, she turned the table and threatened me to expose you in his father, Junior, she's revealing her true colours."

"Yeah, Jim told me about that, and one thing we don't know is the real reason why you fought. Is it about Lucius again?"

"It's about you actually." I was surprised and froze a bit. I wonder what for.