Lady and the Tramp II

As the day progressed, the air in Jack and Alex’s house thickened. Everyone loomed around the premisses, unsure of what was safe to bring up, just like they had been for the last few days. Jack’s, as well as the couple’s daughter’s, thoughts were cut short, though, when Alex cleared his throat at lunch.

“Jack, honey, I think we should explain to the girls what’s causing all of this tension between you and Luke.” Alex suggested quietly, looking down at his empty plate. His request was met with silence, until he felt Jack’s fingers under his chin. The older man had walked over to him, lifting Alex’s face and pressing a kiss to his lips, before collecting all of the dishes on the table and bringing them over to the counter. Alex was thankful that Jack was finally helping out around the house, but he was also saddened by the impact Luke’s actions have had on him. Laughing to himself, the brunet thought about how funny it was that he was still occasionally nervous around Jack. Sometimes, Alex felt like he was a teenager again, always shy of the taller man’s response. Soft kisses and warm embraces would always be of assurance to him, though, Jack wanting Alex to never feel anything short of perfect.

“Come sit,” Jack sighed, nodding his head to his family in the direction of the living room. Alex and the girls followed his request, Jack pulling Alex down to sit next to him as the younger man passed by. Although Alex was practically sat on Jack’s lap, he didn’t resist the action, because he knew that Jack needed comforting. Jack knew that Alex wasn’t very fond of flaunting their relationship in front of their kids, but nevertheless, he did so to embarrass Alex, absolutely loving the way Alex would blush and hide his face in his partner’s neck. Alex was aware that Jack needed his support while talking to their daughters, though, so he grabbed hold of Jack’s hand softly as Danielle, Annette and Collette took their seats in front of the pair.

“I don't really know where to start,” Jack hummed, “So, why don’t you ladies tell me what you think has been fueling this entire ordeal?”

Danielle and Collette kept silent, while Annette piped up with, “We have no idea, dad, seriously. Receiving an elbow in the side from Collette, she continued by whispering, “What? It’s true.”

Jack chuckled at his daughters, tightening his arm around Alex as he began with, “Well, there’s no way to beat around the bush with this.” As the girls looked at their father questionably, Jack continued. “I haven’t always lived here. Obviously not with your father, I mean, but not in this neighbourhood, either. Not really in any neighbourhood before this one, actually.”

“What do you mean?” Collette asked tentatively, head tipped to the side. Annette and Danielle stayed silent, quite scared for their dad’s coming words.

“I just moved around, I guess. I didn’t really have a place to live, I mostly just stayed with friends. I wasn’t registered, and I did a lot of things that I’m not proud of.” Jack confessed, running a hand through his hair.

“It’s a surprise he never ended up in jail,” Alex added, “Although, he was quite well known for getting out of situations like that.”

“How did you meet dad, then?” Danielle asked Alex while her sisters simply sat there, taking the information in, before Jack answered for Alex.

“I wouldn’t leave him alone after the first time I saw him,” Jack laughed, Alex chuckling along. Although he had resented Jack so much at first, some of their early memories as a couple were Alex’s most favourite. He had taught Alex so many new things, and still continued to do so to this day.

“It’s true,” Alex agreed, “And God knows, he wasn’t good for me at first.”

“I think you were more good for me, until it finally became a mutual thing, only after I got my head out of the gutter,” Jack agreed, leaning over to pull Alex into a hug.

“That’s the gist of it, I guess,” Jack concluded, “If it wasn’t for your father, I’d probably still be out there, probably doing illegal things. That’s why Luke’s so set against me, because he’s angry that I got to live that lifestyle, while I’m so strict with him. He has no idea what it’s like, sometimes, though. No idea.”

“Just as I suspected, out looking for Angel.” Buster sneered, the morning after Angel had left the group. From around the corner of a building, he and Francois could see the young boy calling out to the girl, probably still wandering around from the night before. A noise suddenly boomed from down the road, startling the pair. A large cop car could be seen driving down the uneven road, tires thumping as it tried its best to speed towards the unlicensed citizens. Buster and Francois were able to book it, while Luke wasn’t so lucky.

“Hold it right there, you scoundrel.” The officer from inside the car shouted, getting out of the vehicle and making his way towards the teen.

“Great. I got everything I ever wanted, and it stinks.” Luke mumbled to himself, as he began to bolt in the other direction.

“Come here, you little hooligan!” The man called out to Luke, as he ran after him.

The young boy could see a familiar figure down the alley he had entered, calling out, “Huh? Buster!” only to receive no reply.

Eventually, the police man caught up to Luke, taking advantage of the distraction unknowingly provided by Buster.

“Gotcha.” The officer sang, grabbing a hold of the kid’s arm. “Well, would you look at that. No identification. It's a one-way trip to the station for you.

As the man guided Luke to the car, the sixteen-year-old thought about how stupid he’d been to venture out so far and for so long, having left his license at Buster’ place. ‘Dad was right. Buster's nothing but trouble.’ Luke thought, ‘I wish I was home.’

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“What is a family?
Caring and devoted hearts,
With endless love to share.
Love that will follow you,
Everywhere.
Always there.”

Notes

thankd 4 rad ing :/-)