Chapter 42: The Family Gathering Two
Driving back, Duke first dropped of Gabriella at her house. " Thank you for dropping me off." Gabriella thanked, Duke for dropping her, as she opened the car door to leave.
" It's no problem. I'll see you at the gathering? " Duke said, reassuring her that he didn't mind. Gabriella nodded her head before, stepping out of the car closing the door as she got out.
" Hey, wait." Said Duke, causing Gabriella to pause as she stood outside, looking back at Duke who, leaned over to the passenger side. Grabbing a pair of glasses on the seat, raising them up.
" I think these are yours. " Duke suggested, looking at the pair of glasses, Gabriella to a quick glance in her bag only to realize that the pocket she kept her glasses in was open.
Looking back at the pair of glasses, Duke held up she walked back towards the car,taking back her glasses, while thanking Duke. " Thank you, and I sorry my mind seems to be somewhere else. " Spoke Gabriella as she stared into Duke's hazel eyes for a few seconds.
" Don't worry the same thing happens to me too. " Duke comforted as he handed the pair of glasses back to their owners.
" Uhmm...well I guess I'll see you later again, at your place. " Said Gabriella as she stepped, after getting her glasses back. " Yes, most certainly. " Replied Duke, as the awkward tension between the two of them continued.
" Well, see than. " Gabriella finally said, before turning around heading into her house. As Duke waved her a good bye for now. As he watched enter into her house as she waved back at him before closing the door.
After, which he drove off back to his house where the preparation for the family gathering was taking place. After several minutes the time for the gathering arrived as guests begin to arrive.
" Hi, Donna glad you all could make it. Oh, I see the two of you were matching outfits. You really pretty Emma in that dress." Greeted Martha as she welcomed her old friend and along with the rest of her family that came to.
Donna was a attractive woman with blue eyes, with light long curly brown hair with a slim figure. She had a beauty mark under her left eyes, as well as soft pink lips.
She wore a one piece yellow sunflower dress with a brown sandals. Matching with her daughter Emma who wore the exact same dress and sandals, she was currently seven years old.
Looking very similar to her old friend in appearance. Except that she had darker brown hair compared to Donna light brown.
Donna is currently 39 year's old but, still looked to be still in her late twenties. She worked as a secretary for a small construction company in New York City.
Making a decent living however, Mark her youngest son had been making more money than her as of late. Well, that went for herself as well with Alex.
" Mark, Grayson the two of you look really good today. I hope the both of you are able to enjoy yourself today. " Greeted Martha as she complimented the two boys.
Grayson is Mark's older brother first full name, they only called him Grey as a nick name for short. Similar to how everyone call him Alex, for short.
" Thank you for the compliment, Mrs William." Replied Mark and Grey together. The two were dressed in short white pants with black and white shirt respectively.
" Oh.. Mark your getting taller and taller by the day. " Spoke Martha, as she looked up at Mark who had been growing rapidly along with Michael.
Now standing at a height of 6 foot with Michael now standing at a height of 6 foot 2. " Hello, Martha you look as beautiful always." Complemented Damien with a smile.
" Hmm... hello Damien."
Replied Martha simply, the smile fading from her face as she turned to looked at Damien. Martha and along with Maria still hadn't forgotten about, what Damien had done.
As he abandoned their friend, even though he still supported her, that didn't make up for the fact he had left their friend. The two were still worried about him possibly leaving their friend again.
The only good thing about it, to their knowledge is that he hadn't left her for another woman. From what they were aware of at the moment, the two's marriage hadn't been a pleasant one at the time.
Scratching the back of his head, Damien quickly handed over the gift they had brought. Before entering the house with his ex and three kids as everyone quickly begun socializing.
Emma wasn't Donna or Damien actually daughter. But, was in fact Donna niece from her sister who had sadly died to cancer a few years ago.
Emma real father was no where to be found so, it was Donna who took Emma as her own. And began raising her since she was five years old.
Damien on the other side decided not to be too eager to get back into everyone good graces. He could tell that they had all given him a second chance but, that didn't mean they we're all now on good terms with him.
His ex had only let him back in because of their two sons urging. He still slept in the living room but, at least he had been making progress in their relationship.
Taking Donna out for walks around the neighborhood and helping around the house. Soon David and his family were the next to arrive to the gathering, similarly dressed in spring time attire.
Daniel and his family were the last to arrive at the gathering which was held at the backyard. Oliver and Martha had bought a long table that could accommodate twelve people.
They also brought out another short table to accommodate everyone outside setting them side to side. Martha placed a large table cloth over the both tables which helped keep a nice appearance.
Oliver had bought a brand new cooking grill for the gathering. None of them here were vegetarian and all enjoy roasted meat and chicken.
Everyone began socializing with one another and just like at most gathering groups quickly from.
Vanessa and Emma being the youngest ones here began playing together as they run around the backyard. Helena began becoming good friends with Maria and Donna as the three women discussed fervently.
" So, Gabriella is currently studying medicine. You must be quite proud of her. " Said Helena as she socialized with the two.
Smiling greatly as she got to know the two women she conversed with. As this was happening Gabriella was helping out, with bringing out the plates and utensils.
Jennifer, Ashley and Martha brought out the final dishes before calling everyone to eat at the table. Everyone than began gathering together at the dinning table.
" Alright everyone, please let all come together and have something to eat. " Exclaimed Martha, gesturing for everyone to come together at the table for some food.
Oliver with the help of Daniel, David and Damien carried the roasted meat and chicken to the table. As they chatted about work and other unrelated topics.
" I do honestly think you're over thinking this brother. Just take her out around the city to vist some new and old places you both like. Than finally end the night off, with a nice dinner either at a nice restaurant or somewhere with good memories. "
Suggested Daniel to Oliver, as he helped carry some of the trey with meat. With both Damien and David nodded along to Daniel suggested.
" Honestly I agree with Daniel here, it doesn't need to be a expensive endeavour. Just try to make it a day Martha can remember. "
" Oh, you don't mind if I also take on your advice as well. " Asked David as he helped grabbed another plate.
Oliver thought it would be a great idea, taking Martha to old and new places for the day. Ending it off with a nice dinner somewhere nice or a place with memories was a great plan.
" I honestly have to say, I find it to be a good idea. Thank you Daniel for the suggestion. I'll be sure to remember to get you something. " Said Oliver thankfully for the advice.
Damien helped with carrying the trey as he silently listen to the conversation. Thinking that this could also improve his own relationship with his ex wife. However, he wasn't sure it was the right time to ask her out on a date.
He thought as he helped carry the grilled meat and chicken. "Duke." Called out Gabriella in a sweet voice.
" Gabriella your as beautifully as ever I see. In that dress, you dress like this more" Said Duke with a soft smile on his face, as Gabriella walked up towards him.
There was an unspoken attraction between the two of them, however Duke was responsible enough to understand to keep things to friendly for now. The both weren't obviously to there feeling towards each other.
However, it was better to keep things, as they were for now. The four age gap between the two of them wasn't a big issue, as there were bigger issues such if these feelings thry had were only fleeting.
And if so the thing would only become more awkward if. The two went on to have a cordial conversation, as the stood near the back gate.
Similar to Michael, Duke and also confessed his attraction to Gabriella privately before she had left to attend college. Duke had always been a charmer unlike Michael and Mark. However, Gabriella had rejected his confession suggestion that he went until he was a little older.
After a few minutes everyone finally settled at the table, and shortly began discussing happily as they enjoy the meal. Daniel asked what plans Alex three older siblings had for the next coming year and further.
Grey and Harry quickly became well acquainted with each other. Grey enlightening Harry with the boundless potential of computer technology in the entertainment industry. And what they could currently possibly do with the current technology already.
" Yes, I even worked on making a new opening logo for our upcoming games. Similar to the one you see before a movie beings." Exclaimed Grey, excitedly as he conversed with Harry who listen carefully, slightly intrigued by Grey words.
With the possibility that computer hardware could possibly achieve in the future, thinking it's good idea to keep an eye on this. Alex smiled at this sight and felt like Grey had now done him a favor.
Besides George Lucas Industrial light and Magic. And other entertainment companies experimenting with computers CGI. Computer CGI was still a relatively untapped market for now, due to the current limitations of the technology.
That would all change with movies like Jurassic Park and Toy Story, which would up the competition in this department of visual effects in movies.
Alex was obviously hanging out with both Michael and Mark. As they discussed about, the game they were all working on.
" Battle Toads? Your description of the game reminds me of the Ninja Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series I've watched. " Said Michael, as Alex finally discussed the them about the new game they would be working on.
" Yeah, I know. Currently don't have the right to really make the right to the characters to make a game. Tom should be working on that front. " Alex explained with a shrug of his shoulders.
Alex wasn't sure if Tom could get the license to the four characters and associated characters. From the creator's as he new Konami a third party game developer had much better reputation compared to them.
Who currently only had one successful game to their game studios. To Konami successive slews of games as well as a deeper pockets.
Mark on the other hand frown at this, he wasn't a fan of making a game that was too difficult that most people couldn't beat it. He hadn't even beated Contra 2 fourth level yet which affected his judgment.
" Yes, however this game isn't going to have any blood and gore in it. But, it's going to be the most difficult game for players to beat. " Explained Alex further on the topic.
" I don't know about this however, there's something else have been considering lately." Mark spoke up, wanting to share his own thoughts as well.
" Go on." Urged Alex wanting to her Mark's suggestion. " Well, have been thinking we need a mascot. " Said Mark looking between Alex and Michael.
" That's not a bad idea, I definitely feel this is something we should think of. " Michael agreed, after some thought before turning to Alex, to see his reaction, which was a simple nodded of approval.
Before Alex decided to address the issue, " Yes, it's a great idea but, there no need to rash into creating a mascot character for now. But, it's definitely on the table for discussion."
Ashley watched the three boys discuss seriously about their games. She still didn't see Michael as something more than just a family friend. However, she couldn't help but, admitted that internal right now Michael has been become more mature and handsome.
As she watched Michael convers with her younger brother, beside the earlier greeting when they arrived. Michael seemed to completely ignore her, which made her feel a little strange inside.
Alex talked to everyone explaining his own plans for the future. With everyone as the topic moved towards what the future possibly holds for all of them.
While trying not to make any suggestions that could ruin the atmosphere. Emma and Vanessa became close friends at this party which made everyone smile.
Ultimately the party needed to end as the night fall. Daniel and his family left first to depart as Helena who was still pregnant, quickly got tired easily. After they left David and Damien family stay a little longer before finally leaving as well.
After everyone left Alex and his family began cleaning up quickly. Before they all went to bed after saying goodnight to each other.
As Alex and Duke were fast asleep in the room a rustling could be heard coming from outside. The two quickly awoke from their sleep in the middle of the night. And the two of them went out to see what all the commotion was about.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Shane_Delgado_03
Shane_Delgado_03 I have a thing for older women so, yeah. look to comment section for character appreances.
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