Tagging Along

Ethan 

I had been staring at my reflection for the past half an hour as I constantly fidgeted with my tie and tried to gel the curtain bangs formed by my hair back so it was not so much in my face. I knew I should have gotten a haircut today but I had to be at so many places at once it was the least of my concerns. 

The cold weather was doing no favours to my skin since I looked terribly pale. Spending most of my time in New Zealand and South Africa ensured I always had a great tan. 

Although now I was walking around like a Popsicle. I always tried to go back home but even the month I spent back in New Zealand did nothing to help me get my natural glow back. Maybe as CEO I could hopefully have a few more vacation days. 

"Ethan, je komt te laat," Pa walked into my closet as he constantly pulled on the collar of the button up shirt he was wearing wrapped with a tie. (Dutch: Ethan, you're going to be late.)

"Oom Edward, zei dat het in die mode is om te laat te komen," I chuckled as I fixed my cufflinks one last time and turned to face the older version of myself. (Uncle Edward, said it's fashionable to be late.)

"Toch is hij altijd op tijd. Luister niet naar hem," Pa waved his hands as he came to stand next to me and threw his arm over my shoulder. "Kijk naar jou, een grote CEO. Ik had nooit gedacht dat je thuis met je schapen in de modder zou spelen."(Yet he is always on time. Don't listen to him. Look at you, a big time CEO. I never thought you would leave playing in the mud with your sheep back home.)

"I'm becoming a working adult of society," I snickered. 

He let out a loud hearty laugh which exposed the laughing lines on his face. Pa was now in his late sixties but he still looked incredibly good. His dark brunette hair now had grey streaks which he thought made him look incredibly smart. 

He had even grown out his beard just a bit because Dad, Sasha, loved it. 

"You've always been a working adult Eth," he smiled as he looked at our reflections, "You've always made me so proud."

"Oh no don't start as well," I laughed as I rested my head on his shoulder as his eyes started to tear up. 

"I- I just can't help but wish your Dad was here to see you," he waved his free hand then clenched his jaw, "he would have been so proud."

Even though I had no memories of my other father I felt like I knew him by how much Pa always talked about him. He would show me videos and pictures then spend hours telling me stories of their adventures. Plus he was still in very close contact with Dad's family from Los Vegas and we visited often so it always felt like I knew him. 

Obviously Pa had moved on to marry Sasha, the still extremely mysterious Italian man, who I soon saw as my own father yet Pa never forgot about Dad. 

I always wondered what life would have been like if he had never succumbed to cancer. How would have the farm turned out since it was his dream? We would have probably never met Uncle Ed and I would have probably never been here. It was bittersweet but I guessed everything happened for a reason. 

"He's looking down on us," I smiled, "I'm sure he's proud."

"Without a doubt," Pa smiled and kissed the side of my head. 

"Andiamo! ! La limousine è qui! Stewart e Luca stanno per saltare fuori dale loro tute. Non so cosa c'è di te Jackon e non voglio abiti," Dad entered the closet as well looking partially stressed as he was the only one who looked comfortable in his suit. (Italian: Let's go! The limousine is here! Stewart and Luca are about to probably jump out of their suits. I don't know what's up with you Jackson's and not wanting suits.)

Pa and I could not help but laugh. Overtime we had learned Italian fairly easily because most times Dad was too lazy to translate. 

Eventually after much of his rant we went downstairs where my two younger brothers were waiting. I could not help but burst out laughing when I saw them. They were dressed in black suits like all of us but with bowties instead. 

They looked incredibly uncomfortable as they looked like wet cats. Stewart's shoulder length blonde hair was tied back into a messy bun and Luca's hair that was cut to look similar to mine was gelled back. It had been a new thing he was going for but he just looked like an idiot to me most times. 

"Oh look at you Eth," Luca whistled, "all dressed up to see Demyan."

I sent them a glare which just made them both burst out laughing, "Don't start with me."

"Oh," Stewart cooed, "someone's feeling a bit touched. Are you upset Demyan might be bringing his new hot girlfriend?"

"Stewart I will slap the back of your head so hard it will come flying off," Dad rolled his eyes, "Apologize to your brother. You know Demyan is a sensitive topic."

Even though Dad was trying his best to keep a straight face when he looked at my two younger brothers who were grinning, he let out a snort before he along with Pa burst out laughing. 

"You are all horrible," I frowned before I walked out of the penthouse to go to the garage. 

Even though I wanted to act unbothered Demyan would be at the event, I was not. I knew who would be tagging along and I was never ecstatic to see them together. In fact I would have rather gauged my own eyes out than have to witness their painfully radiant love.