Dinner at Jones

Rivian adjusted the cuff of his emerald-green blazer, its slim lapels adding a modern edge. Beneath it, he wore a black turtleneck, the soft fabric contrasting with the blazer's vibrant color. The sleeves were rolled up slightly, revealing a silver bracelet on his wrist. As he inspected himself, he couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. 

He paired it with tailored black trousers and sharp leather Chelsea boots. The outfit highlighted his pink hair and warm, golden-brown eyes. Rivian gave himself an approving nod, pleased with the refined yet edgy look.

 "Rivian! Are you ready?" his mother called from downstairs, her voice high with a note of eagerness. 

"Yes, Mom. I'm coming," he replied, forcing a smile as he tried to calm the fluttering in his stomach. 

Taking a deep breath, Rivian collected himself. He picked up the carefully wrapped gifts he'd chosen for the Jones, tucked neatly in a large bag: a sleek, dark blue tie for Mr. Jones, a chic leather handbag for Mrs. Jones, a luxurious makeup set for their daughter, and a stylish watch for Rayden. Straightening his blazer, he glanced at his reflection in the full-length mirror of his room. After adjusting his collar and running a hand through his hair, he gave himself a final nod of approval. With the bag of gifts in hand, he headed downstairs, feeling a mixture of anticipation and resolve.

Rivian came down the stairs and saw his family waiting for him in the living room. His dad stood by the door, a confident smile on his face. "Let's go!" he said, seeing him. 

His mom adjusted the scarf around her neck and beamed at him. "You look wonderful, dear," she said, her golden-brown eyes sparkling with warmth.

Rivian smiled back, his heart swelling with affection. "Thanks, Mom! And you look absolutely beautiful tonight."

Liana beamed at him. "Thank you, Rivian! You always know how to make me feel special, unlike your father." She turned her teasing smile on Robert, her voice light with amusement. 

"Hey, I do my best!" Robert said with mock offense, pretending to put his hand to his chest. 

"Of course you do, dear," his wife replied, with a wink in his direction. Then her attention turned back to Rivian, her smile warm and sincere. "Son, I can see you'll make your partner truly happy in the future. Do you have someone special?"

Rivian felt his face flush at the question, a playful chuckle escaping him. "No, Mom, I'm still single." 

"Don't worry, sweetie," his mother said, her expression shifting to one of encouragement. "The right person will come along when you least expect it. Just focus on being your wonderful self."

His father chimed in, "And don't forget to be a little adventurous, Rivian. You never know where you might meet someone."

"Yeah, like at a grocery store?" Leo rolled his eyes from the side of the room, his arms crossed over his chest and his expression caught somewhere between annoyance and amusement. "Hurry up, you all. I'm hungry," he muttered.

"You always are hungry," Rivian teased.

"I'm still growing, that's why!" Leo shot back, cheeks pink with mild embarrassment. 

"Hey, it could happen!" his mother laughed. "Remember how I met your father? We bumped carts in the produce aisle." 

As everyone stepped outside, his mother locked the door and set the house alarm.

"Is that really how it happened?" Rivian asked, raising an eyebrow, amused.

"Absolutely! I knew he was the one when he knocked over the avocados," she replied, turning to him with a wink, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia.

Robert chuckled. "And I knew she was the one because she didn't get mad. Instead, she helped me pick them up and laughed. It was love at first sight for me," he said, walking toward the car.

"See, Leo and Rivian? You just need to put yourself out there. You never know what could happen," his mother encouraged.

"Yeah, well, I'm not knocking over avocados anytime soon," Leo joked, and the family laughed as they climbed into the car.

The Jones lived just three houses down, their mansion grander than their own, a sight that always stirred a mix of excitement and nerves in Rivian. As the car made its way down the street, he couldn't help but wonder what the evening would bring. It had been years since he'd last seen the Jones, and in that time, many things had changed. 

Upon arriving, they were greeted by Arthur Jones, a tall man with a distinguished air about him. His dark hair, streaked with hints of silver, still managed to look sharp and commanding. He stepped forward with a wide smile, arms open in welcome. 

"Robert! Liana! It's wonderful to see you both," Arthur greeted Rivian's parents warmly, embracing them both.

"Always a pleasure, Arthur," Robert replied, returning the hug with a firm clap on the back. "Thanks for having us."

"It's great to see you, Arthur!" Liana added with a broad smile.

Arthur chuckled, nodding toward the house. "I'm glad you're all here. Clara's inside finishing up a few last touches, but she'll join us soon."

His eyes then shifted to Leo, who stood a few steps behind, arms folded as he seemed to silently grumble about the wait.

"Well, there you are! Always good to see you, Leo," Arthur said with a wide grin, stepping forward to give him a hearty embrace.

"Good evening, Uncle Arthur," Leo replied with a grin.

Arthur then turned to Rivian, his expression warm. "It's wonderful to have you back, Rivian," he said as he wrapped him in a hug.

Rivian smiled. "I'm glad to be back, Uncle Arthur. Thank you for having us for dinner."

Arthur's face lit up as they released each other. "The pleasure is all ours! Clara has been eagerly awaiting your visit." He looked at the rest of the group. "Let's head inside, everyone."

The warmth of the Jones family home hit Rivian as they stepped through the door. He was greeted by the rich aroma of home-cooked food, and his stomach grumbled in response. 

He spotted Jenna right away, bustling around with her dark hair cascading over her shoulders. Her hands were busy arranging a beautifully set dining table, already laden with an array of dishes that promised to be as elegant as the home itself.

Dressed in a royal blue dress that accentuated her tall, graceful figure, Jenna exuded elegance and confidence. At twenty-eight, she had already made a name for herself as a successful fashion designer. Her creativity was evident not only in her work but in the carefully curated decor of the home. 

Jenna, the oldest child of the Jones family, carried herself with a sense of responsibility and pride, reflecting the values instilled in her by her parents.

"Uncle Robert! Aunt Liana!" Jenna exclaimed with an excited smile as she turned toward the door, her eyes sparkling with joy. She hurried over to embrace her uncle first, then her aunt, giving them both a warm welcome.

"It's so lovely to see you both!" she added, stepping back with a smile that reflected her genuine joy.

"It's always a pleasure to see you, Jenna," Robert replied, his voice filled with affection. He had always wanted a daughter but was blessed with two sons instead, so he treated Jenna with the warmth and fondness he'd imagined for a daughter.

"You look stunning as ever, Jenna," Liana remarked, her gaze lingering on the younger woman with admiration.

"Thank you! You look lovely too, Aunt Liana," Jenna replied, her voice light and full of warmth. 

Turning to Leo, she greeted him with a bright, energetic smile. "Leo! It's always a pleasure to see you!" She pulled him into a brief hug, her arms around him with a genuine affection.

"Good to see you too, Jenna," Leo replied, his usual indifference melting away in the warmth of her embrace.

Then Jenna turned to Rivian, her expression practically glowing with excitement. "Rivian! It's so good to see you!" she said, moving toward him quickly. She embraced him tightly, and Rivian could feel the fondness in her hug.

"I'm happy to be back, Jenna," he replied, returning her embrace.

"You're so tall now!" she exclaimed, stepping back to get a better look at him as they pulled apart.

Rivian chuckled, a bit embarrassed by the attention. "I guess I grew a bit while I was away," he said with a sheepish grin.

Jenna laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "A bit? You're practically towering over everyone now! But I guess not everyone. Rayden is taller than you." 

Rivian rolled his eyes playfully. "Well, I can't compete with him on that."

Jenna laughed, her eyes dancing with amusement. "True…" 

Just as the conversation was beginning to ease into comfortable chatter, Clara emerged from the kitchen, her face lighting up when she saw Rivian. 

"My goodness, you've grown so much!" she exclaimed, enveloping him in a warm, tight hug.

"It's great to see you, Aunt Clara," Rivian said with a smile, feeling the sincere affection in her embrace.

As they pulled apart, Clara greeted Robert and Liana with a similar warmth. "Robert! Liana! It's wonderful to see you both."

"We're so glad to be here," Robert replied with a grin, and Liana nodded in agreement.

"You've been so kind to host us, Clara," Liana added.

Clara then turned her attention to Leo. "And Leo, how have you been?" She pulled him into a hug.

"I'm fine, Aunt Clara!" Leo said, his voice a bit shy as they embraced.

 "Now that everyone is here except my son, let's go have dinner," Clara said with a smile. She then turned to Jenna and said, "Go call Rayden." 

Jenna nodded enthusiastically and headed toward the stairs. "I'll be right back!" she called over her shoulder.

As they took their seats, Rivian couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude. This meal, this moment, it was something beyond just a reunion. It was a reminder of the bond they shared, the warmth that always seemed to bring them back together. 

The conversation flowed easily as everyone settled into their places, with a comfortable familiarity that warmed the atmosphere. Laughter and teasing filled the air as Rivian sat back, soaking in the love and connection that surrounded him. 

Just then, Jenna returned with Rayden, a tall figure with a confident demeanor. "Sorry I'm late!" Rayden said, his voice deep.

"Glad you could make it, Rayden!" Robert greeted him with a smile, extending his hand for a shake.

"Good to see you too, Uncle Robert," Rayden replied, his grip firm.

"Yeah, good to see you," Liana added warmly.

"Thanks, Aunt Liana," Rayden responded with a brief smile.

"Brother Rayden," Leo said.

Rayden nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"Nice to see you, Rayden," Rivian said with a smile.

Rayden stared at him for a moment before nodding in return. "Welcome back," he replied coolly, then took his seat at the table. The atmosphere shifted slightly, but Clara quickly interjected, "Let's eat!" she announced, filling the room with a sense of warmth and togetherness.

As dinner began, the clinking of cutlery and the warm chatter filled the room. Rivian could sense Rayden's gaze fixed on him from across the table. Whenever he glanced up, though, Rayden quickly looked away, a subtle but palpable tension lingering between them. 

Rivian couldn't help but notice the stark transformation in Rayden. Once the carefree boy he remembered, Rayden had grown tall, his commanding presence now shadowed by a palpable coldness. 

His black hair, tousled yet perfectly in place, framed his face, and his dark gray eyes, once warm and full of life, now held a chilling detachment. It was as if the boy Rivian once knew had been replaced by a stranger, one whose heart had become encased in ice. What could have happened to him to make him change so much?