Well, really, these Drakes weren't exactly the most welcoming of people, Alyson Ryan thought to herself as she sipped her iced tea, exchanging a glance with her husband. They'd been here a whole half hour already, and barely a word had been spoken to them. And it didn't help that she had no idea what to expect from this Amelia person. Stas had sounded beside himself when he'd finally gotten in contact with them to set up this meeting, and for her son's sake, she was prepared to be polite and welcoming to the girl. Lord knew, with parents like this, she would need it. She felt her lips twitch into a fond smile, recognising one of the voices outside the door as belonging to her Stas and glanced that way, lifting her hand to squeeze that of her husband where it rested on her shoulder.

George Ryan stood beside his wife, giving her kind, reassuring glances and gentle squeezes to her shoulder. He was sharp in his dress greens, with his medals and badges displayed upon his chest. He had been impressed by the home they had been invited into. But the couple that occupied it seemed a bit cold for his liking. Though, he saw something in Richard Drake that hinted that once he was away from his wife, he could be an alright kind of guy. Not sure what Stas was up to, he had an idea. And George was happy for his son. If this Amelia woman was half as stunning as her mother, and with her father's good-nature, then Stas had done well for himself. A bit of pride shone in his eyes as he turned expectantly towards the door. A murmur to Alyson then. "It's alright, beautiful." A warm smile on his face that bore the undying love for the woman that had born him his only son.

If nothing else, Lillian was a gracious hostess. Once her guests, albeit forced upon her at such short notice, had refreshments and settled, she took her seat upon the leather couch. She sat on the edge, her spine stiff. Ladies never slouched, never allowed their backs to touch the back of the couch. Her feet were primly crossed at the ankles. Gloved hands set just so on her lap. She bore a smile, though it was a tight one. Her last botox injection had made sure that there was no other expression to her face than the tight lipped smile. She heard the voice in the hall and slowly rose, expecting her wayward daughter to come through the door at any moment. Her smile faded. Blue eyes became icy. How dare Amelia break up her tight work schedule in front of the camera. All to bring home a boy' Lillian lifted her chin and glanced to her husband, then back to the door.

At the window, Richard Drake was doing his damndest to ignore the fact that his home had been invaded by complete strangers on the whim of one of his children yet again. He was, reluctantly, dressed in a crisp navy suit, the grey streaks in his hair allowing him to look vaguely distinguished even as he seriously contemplated simply making up an emergency to get out of this. As much as he loved his daughter, AJ was not exactly known for making the right choices with her life. He could only hope she'd brought her brother with her, as well as this Doctor Ryan she seemed so enamoured of. But if she was happy, that was what mattered. He just hoped she hadn't gotten in so deep she couldn't get out if she wanted to. The Ryans seemed decent folk, although a little below he and his wife in social standing. Not that it mattered, of course.

AJ drew in a deep breath and nodded, squeezing Stas' hand one last time. It was time to face the music. She pushed open the door and drew him inside, her eyes going straight to her parents as they looked over at her. For that moment in time, the Drakes had no eyes for anyone but family, and if she had dared to look, she would have found it the same with the Ryans.

The moment the door opened, Alyson leapt to her feet, covering the distance between the couch and her son with remarkable speed for a woman with such dignity. "Well, I must say, it's about time you showed up!" Laughing, she threw her arms around her son and hugged him tightly, pressing a loud kiss to his cheek.

Stas stepped into the room, with all intentions of keeping his hand in Amelia's. A bright smile lit up his face as his mom and dad did not fail to be just as he had imagined. When his mother approached, he hugged her just as tightly. "I've missed you so much, mom." He kissed her cheek just as loudly as she had his. "And you're looking so beautiful!" He laughed and leaned back a bit to smile down on the petite woman. He removed one of his arms from around her and gestured to where AJ....was. He looked over as she was already whisked away by her own parents. "I really think you'll love her, just as much as I do."

George had followed behind his wife and pressed his hand to his son's shoulder. "Just what kind of trouble have you been getting yourself into, Stas?" Of course it was said with jest in his voice and a sparkle in his eye of mischief. The same blue eyes as his son's. "Good to see you, again. Stas. And I can see why you've been such a stranger.." He glanced back to AJ, then turned on his son again.

Stas smiled up at his father's greeting and the arm that had been used to gesture to Amelia went behind his father's back to give him a half hug. He still had his arm around his mom's waist. "Still disgruntled that I did not become a tin soldier, working in a MASH unit?" Of course the teasing was still there, the same spark to his eyes that his father bore.

"There's always time, Stas. Always time. I could pull some strings.." He laughed, knowing that it was a fruitless endeavor to try to cajole his son into joining the military. The half hug given, then his hands remained on both Stas' and Alyson's shoulders. "So what do you make of them." he kept his back to the Drakes, only gesturing to them with his eyes.

"Oh, shush, you," Alyson's hand connected with her husband's midriff as she laughed. "Our boy's done the best for himself he could ever want to do." She smiled proudly up at Stas, pinching his cheek teasingly. "She's lovely, sweetheart ....if she's anything as loving as you said, you needn't worry about her being anything like her parents." She glanced over her shoulder at the Drakes. "Cold fish, the pair of 'em, in my view."

At the pinch to his cheek, he grimaced. His mother refused to give up that affectation that had left him bruised more than once as a child. "Thank you mom, and she really is." he gave her a look then. "Mom, please, be civil, ok? We're in their home." he gave her a quick hug to take the sting off of his reproach. "Love you, mom."

George's hands fell from his family's shoulders to fold comfortably behind his back. He was at parade rest, a habit that he'd picked up after so many years in the military. Happy to see his son, glad that they could still pick and laugh with each other. He admired Stas' independent streak and the way he spoke to his mother with respect, but firm words. A nod of his head and he turned to glance over at the Drakes. He'd never seen anybody so tight in his life. A shake of his head and he turns back to his own happy little family.

She nodded cheerfully, not at all minding the gentle reprimand from her fully grown son, hugging him back tightly. "Love you too, boyo," she murmured back to him, choosing to ignore the Drakes until they chose to acknowledge her. "Pretty little thing, too," she added, "too skinny, though. You best be treating her right, Stas." She exchanged a grin with her husband; this was an old complaint that was usually aimed at Stas himself.

Across the room, things were not faring quite so warmly.

AJ could not believe her father had said that. She just about managed not to groan, or roll her eyes, the only sign of her distress in the faint wince that passed across her face. At least her mother seemed to be making an effort; her father seemed to have left his tact in his bathroom that morning. She glanced apologetically at Stas, hoping he wasn't going to take any of that to heart.

Squared up to the Drake's at her son's shoulder, Alyson was surprised by Lillian's cordial greeting to Stas, and just a little shocked by the allusion of Richard to Amelia's past. What did it matter if she'd been with others before" She was with Stas now, that was all that mattered. Although, of course, it would be nice to get some proof that she was a virgin ....

Stas believed in a firm handshake, but Richard's was like a vice on his delicate bones. He squared his shoulders and kept eye contact with the older man, refusing to allow a wince or even a tick of an eye lash to show his discomfort. And at his words, he could feel his parents bristle around him. "Thanks, though we did enjoy a ride on my Harley Davidson just last weekend. She looks right fit in a pair of riding leathers." He released the older man's hand then and turned his head to smile at his father. "Mom, Dad, this is my beautiful Amelia. And her parents, Richard and Lillian." Gesturing to her parents with a nod of his head.

George was a strategist, he was well known for his quiet way of studying a situation and diffusing any and all skirmishes quickly and easily. But what his son had gotten himself into had George looking for a way out of the suddenly too stuffy room. Still, he had a friendly smile on his face, even to the backhanded insult dealt to his son. He gave Stas a proud smile at his response to it. Stepping between Alyson and Stas, he extended his hand to Richard. "Looks like we're to be family."

Lillian watched both AJ and Alyson carefully. The men, they did what men do; grunt at each other and try to be a bigger or better man than the other. Too competitive for her tastes. "So lovely to meet you, Mrs. Ryan." Oscar winning performance here for this common housewife. "Shall we retire to the sitting room while the men drink their sherry, smoke their cigars and regale each other with stories of how they are the masters of the universe?" That's it, Lillian, she smiled inwardly. Gracious hostess, with a quick line to bring a smile to the guests faces. As she turned from Alyson, her blue eyes cut right into Amelia briefly. She was to blame for her discomfort. Lillian had to cancel her massage therapy for this. She started to walk towards the sitting room, fully expecting to be followed. She didn't even glance backwards.

"It does, indeed." Richard attempted to bestow the same handshake upon George that he had given Stas, and found himself holding in a wince as the military man repaid the favour with a grip like a granite vice. "You look to have a fine boy there, a good addition to the family," he added in a pleasant voice. "Goodness knows, we could do with a younger man around to show Devon how it's done."

"Oh God, Dad ..." AJ really couldn't keep the wince out of her face, or the breathed whine out of her voice as she realised that her mother had quite obliquely managed to separate her from Stas. Add that to her father's less than exemplary behaviour so far, and this was just getting worst by the minute. She cast a slightly panicked look in Stas' direction as her mother began to walk away.

Well, two could play at this game, Alyson thought to herself, noting the reaction of her son's girl to her parents' attitudes. Hope for her yet, then, she thought to herself, nodding to her husband and looping her arm through AJ's. "Come along then, Amelia," she murmured into the girl's ear, throwing her son a cheeky grin. "Mustn't keep her ladyship waiting." And she dragged the unfortunate AJ off after Lillian, part of her looking forward to the clash of wills this little set-up was bound to bring up.

Stas' jaw dropped in reaction to his future father in law. No wonder Devon was the way he was. And then AJ gave him that panicked look before his mom attempted to drag her off. This was getting out of control. Way out of control. "No, stop. Amelia, come here." he stared at her father, daring him or his wife to say a word to him. Suddenly Stas had a backbone. "There's something we both need to tell you. And we're going to do it, together."

Lillian stopped in her tracks. Did that boy just tell her no' She turned slowly, regaining her cool demeanor as she gazed upon the small gathering. Oh, this better had be good. Her parties were well thought out and structured affairs. This was no different. And this boy was cutting into her chat time with Alyson. Not that she truly cared to speak with the woman, but it would never be said that Lillian Drake was not a gracious and beautiful hostess. With a sniff of her nostrils, her chin lifted. Her hand went to straighten her tightly coiffed hair and she approached the small group.

A wry grin from George as he saw the grimace in Richard's eyes. So easy. Mess with one Ryan, you get them all. "Thank you, Richard. Stas is my pride and joy. And it sounds like you do need a real man to teach your son how to do things the right way." Stepping back behind Alyson and Stas, he waited for his son's announcement.

Quietly impressed by the way both his daughter and her fiance spoke to one another, Richard nonetheless was opening his mouth to deliver a blistering retort in response to that second bombshell when his wife decided to take the easy way out. With a smooth movement, he picked her up out of the chair as she slid groundwards, and bustled both AJ and Stas off the couch, ignoring them in favour of reviving his wife. And yes, he was fuming, too; there would be words following this debacle. How dare this snip of a boy get his daughter in such a position' Didn't he know who they were" The public's respect for the family would be shot to pieces if it got out that Amelia Drake was pregnant out of wedlock.

George squeezed Alyson's shoulder, the speech from Amelia reminding him a bit of their own announcement to both of their families about their engagement. A warm, loving smile on his face. The profession of love between the two on the couch was endearing, even to his own leathered hide. And then his son dropped the B bomb. His eyes flew open and then narrowed on Stas. There would be a serious dressing down. But not in public and definitely not in front of Mr. and Mrs. StickUpYourAss.

Sharing that smile with her husband, Alyson's mouth dropped open in shock. "Oh, Lord above and all the archangels!" She fixed her son with a glare. "Stas Ryan, didn't you pay any attention to me when you were a child" There's a right and proper way to do these things, and this, young man, is not it! Look what you've done to the poor girl's mother!" She waved a hand in Lillian's direction, though her fierce glare at Stas did not abate. And it seemed she was not blaming AJ for this in the slightest.

Stas could have taken a beating better than he could take his mother's reprimand. Even as they were hustled off of the couch, he kept his gaze downwards. Suddenly his well thought out little speeches and retorts were lost. He was a little boy again and just got caught peeing in the neighbor's pool. Everybody around him was angry, except the prone Lillian and the terrified Amelia. What had he done" He felt the urgent need to bolt out of the room. But he didn't. He stood his ground and squared his shoulders. The grown up part of him simply nodded and he looked to his mother. "I'm sorry I disappointed you, mom. But a piece of paper and a ring of gold are merely symbols. Amelia and I love each other, and we are going to be married. And this baby is coming, like it or not." He turned his gaze back to the ground and squeezed Amelia's hand. He had nothing else to say to anybody.

George tightened his grip on Alyson's shoulder, trying to still and quiet her. Now that Alyson had pretty much said everything that he had wanted to, he remained quiet. His jaw was set with a firm resolve. Already his mind was working. He was high enough ranked that he could have a chaplain at the door in twenty minutes with the proper paperwork in hand to make it official. And the look on his face was telling Stas he would not take no for an answer.

One look at George's face told her what he was thinking, and she fully approved. They were not leaving here without having the two of them married, that was certain. She refused to be a grandmother to a child without lawfully wedded parents.

"Mother?" AJ was already half out of her seat when her father hustled them out of the way, clinging tightly to Stas' hand as all hell broke loose around them. Fury, tears, a blistering reprimand, all these she had expected; not for her mother to faint.

Lillian had never fainted before. So waking on the couch, with Richard fanning her, had her more than a bit disoriented and confused. She bat at his hand as she sat up. It registered with her, once again, what had been declared. "Amelia Jane Drake." Her voice like jagged ice. "I expected this from Devon. Not from you."

Stas kept his grip on AJ, holding her close and soothing her hair down her back. He'd never forgive Richard for what he'd done. Guiding her to the corner of the couch, he sat, pulling her into his lap. "Are you alright, Amelia?" he whispered, his hands running down her back and sides. Occasionally he'd glance at the contrite Richard, then back to AJ. His eyes were worried.

Once AJ was turned loose and safely in his son's hands, George did reholster his gun with an apologetic nod to Alyson. She was a fine, strong woman and he admired her so. "You're right, beautiful. Enough is enough. And I do believe I have a solution to this little situation. I can have the paperwork drawn up and a chaplain here in a half hour with it in his hands. I think that's the best way to go. Don't you, Alyson?"

Lillian sank down onto the couch with Richard and clung to him like white on rice. Really, it was all way too much for her to process in such a short amount of time. "A quicky wedding?" She retorted and laughed humorlessly. "Do you realize what the paparazzi is going to do to your father and I, Amelia" We'll be the laughing stock of Hollywood!" she lay her head on Richard's shoulder. "I say we either send her to Switzerland to have the child or an abortion. And that I can arrange quietly. I know some doctors." A shooting glance to Stas. "Good doctors."

"It's a good plan, George, you do that." Alyson, it appeared, had decided she was in charge. She turned on Lillian with a snarl of her own. "No grandchild of mine is going to be aborted or adopted out of my family, you hear me" Lord knows none of us wanted it to happen like this, but I will not stand by and let you kill off an innocent just to save face, you hear me" We'll do this quick and quiet, and to hell with your precious reputation!" She looked over at Stas. "Your girl alright there, boy?"

Richard bristled at the way Alyson spoke to his wife, but anything he might have said was cut off by AJ's voice ringing out across him.

"What makes you think any of you have any say in this at all?" She had been curled up against Stas, trying to hide from what was happening, but she couldn't ignore her mother's suggestion. "Why should I care what the press say about you? This is my life, my choice. The only reason we came here today was to tell you the way things are. You were never going to have any say in this! God, why can't you just leave me alone?" She pushed herself up off Stas' lap and started to pace, both hands pressed protectively over her emerging bump.

Stas' blood ran cold when Lillian suggested an abortion. It was the one practice that he simply refused to do. She truly was a fire breathing dragon. He tried to calm Amelia as best he could, but with his own anger just under the surface, he was having a hard time trying to control his own trembling hands. Never before had he wanted to reach out and hit anybody, much less a woman. When Amelia got up, so did he. "She's right. None of you have a choice in this matter. When we get married is up to Amelia. It's her day. And none of you are going to spoil it for her. With what you've done tonight, you'll be lucky to get invitations." With that, he turned and gathered Amelia into his arms. "Come on, we're leaving."

Hope dawned in George's eyes as he watched AJ and Stas. "I can." he nodded to confirm. A broad smile forming on his handsome face as AJ went to her knee. Turning his face, he smiled to his wife. Everything was going to be alright, after all.

Stas halted and turned to Amelia, taking her hands in his. "He can." He nodded slowly. A smile mirroring his father's as he watched Amelia go to her knee. "Of course I will, Amelia Jane Drake." He went to his knees to enfold her in a warm hug. "I love you, so much." Soft whisper as he gently kissed the side of her face. Then he turned his smile up to his father. "Get your phone out, Pops." A tentative and shy look as he turned his eyes on his mother.

"Oh for the love of Pete." Lillian rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Tell me this really isn't happening." She looked up at Richard, still in shock that he'd told her to be quiet, but forgiving him in her pleading eyes. "Tell me this is a nightmare."

"Our daughter's made her decision, Lillian," Richard answered her firmly, his eyes on AJ and Stas. "She's getting married." He nodded, rising to approach the little group, though he did not dare come too close. "There's a private beach, at the back of the property. Ammy knows it. If this is going to happen, it should happen there. As far as I know, no one has ever argued violently on that beach in recent memory."

"Well, it isn't what I expected for my son's wedding, but it'll have to do," Alyson sighed, and then let out a raucous laugh, heaving both AJ and Stas to their feet to enfold them into a warm embrace. "Neither of you needs to worry about a thing, you hear" We'll get you married in white, Amelia, and I'm sure there's a suit somewhere in this crumbling old ruin that'll fit this long streak of nothing." She pinched Stas' cheek teasingly, keeping her arm wrapped around AJ.

She wrapped her arms around Stas tightly, somehow breathing easier now it was all decided. She was getting married, before sunset, to the man she loved more than anything else in the world ....and thanks to her father's sudden change of heart, on her favourite beach. Her only real regret was that Devon wouldn't be there to give her away as she would have liked. But it had to be done. Alyson's close to throttling hug had her laughing, laughter that quickly faded at the allusion to a white wedding. "In white" Alyson, I really don't think I own anything that's all white ....but I'm sure we can find one of Devon's tuxedo's for Stas, and ....oh my god, I'm getting married!" She let out a peal of laughter and flung herself at Stas, kissing him soundly in front of all four parents.

Lillian got up from the couch with a look of contempt on her face. If this were going to happen, she'd need a good stiff drink. Several good, stiff drinks. Getting up off of the couch, she walked over to the bar. A tumbler was grabbed, filled with ice, then vodka was poured over it.

George was all smiles once again. His cell phone was brought out. A pat to his son's back as he left the room to make the arrangements.

Stas watched his future father in law, thoughtfully. "I am not your son." he replied quietly, though long fingers curled around the box. "I am sure Amelia will be honored to wear her grandmother's ring." Slowly he stood up and then he smiled to his parents, nodding. "Thanks." And he wandered off towards what he thought was the back of the house. He needed a few moments alone. It wasn't how he would have chosen to do it. Felt like a shot gun was to his head. Of course he'd intended to marry Amelia. But to be forced into it, he just wasn't sure. Slipping out of the backdoor, he found a chair to sit in. He slipped off his shoes and closed his eyes. Lowering his head into his hands, he meditated quietly.

The only person not in the living room, AJ sat on the floor of her closet, in the room she'd practically grown up in, and giggled helplessly. With her was Margarita, who was flicking through row upon row of dresses, trying to find something vaguely suitable for a white wedding. Alyson's dress - a smooth silk creation in pale blue - had already been pilfered out of Lillian's wardrobe, and no one intended telling Madam Drake until it was too late. AJ couldn't quite believe it. She was getting married.

George held his wife close and watched as his son walked out of the room. "He's got a lot to think about." He gave his wife a kiss to her cheek. He let her go and turned to Richard. "That was right fine what you just did, Richard. And you seem an alright guy. But if you ever lay another hand on AJ, I will finish what I started. She did not deserve that. And you do need to make amends with her."

"Same goes from here, Dick," Alyson put her two-penneth in happily enough with her husband's. "I reckon you've had a pretty privileged life, and you passed that onto your girl there. But what she'll get from Stas is more than I've seen her get from you, or your soused lady over there. You might want to wonder why your children ran so far away before you start blaming them for making their own decisions."

Lillian poured herself another drink. She was feeling pretty good about now. "Your grandmother's ring. Well at least you didn't give it to Devon! He'd have given it to the corner grocery bag girl and we'd never see it again! At least, this way, once they're divorced, it'll stay in the family." She laughed, waving her glass around.

Richard frowned thoughtfully, nodding to each of the Ryans' comments. They were probably right. Lord knew he'd ignored AJ for most of her life, and Devon, too, for that matter. He deserved the threats, if only for his behaviour that afternoon. "Thank you, I understand," he said gravely, and paused suddenly. "I realise this is probably an inappropriate question, but do either of you have any objections to publicity photographs?" He hated himself for even asking. "We'll have to announce the marriage, and our children will be hounded by the press unless we release photographic evidence to the public." He nodded again, leaving them to think about it, and went to rescue his wife from her spiral into alcoholism. "Lillian, that's enough," he told her quietly, removing the glass from her hand. "Public faces, dear."

Lillian pouted like a petulant child when the alcohol was removed from her hand. "Yes, my dear. Public faces. Smile for the cameras. Everything's happy, joyful." She rolled her eyes and watched as the Ryans disappeared. "She's got spunk, I'll give her that. But that doesn't mean I have to like her." She gave Richard a nod. "I mean, she's a housewife."

Richard snorted a little at his wife's assessment of their future in-laws. "Darling, just because you don't like the fact that she has kept house all her married like is no reason to outright decide you don't like her," he pointed out, guiding Lillian away from the drinks cabinet gently. He pulled her down onto the couch beside him and sighed, frowning. "We've made a lot of mistakes, Lily, not least of which today's. D'you think they'll ever forgive us" Ammy and Dev, I mean?"

Curled up against Richard's side, she sighed heavily. Her breath coated in the alcohol she'd consumed. "When did you get sentimental?" Her hand reached up and she lovingly caressed his cheek. "Of course they will, darling. They're our children. They will do as they're expected to do."

George curled his arm tightly around Aly's shoulders. "Enough lectures for today. Time to smile pretty for the cameras and show the world that we Ryans stick together." He watched as Richard went to save Lillian. "God help those two. I'm glad of AJ for Stas' sake, but why did they ever have children?" he spoke only to Aly as he turned her to walk towards the front of the house. "let's wait for the Father out here. They need a moment." He gently kissed her temple and walked out of the room.

"Some folk just don't know what?s best for them, I guess," Alyson shrugged, leaning against George as they waited out front for the good Father to arrive. The sooner the better in her opinion - every minute wasted was another minute her grandchild was illegitimate. "And going by Amelia, I'm guessing they didn't do such a bad job of her. This Devon boy sounds dreadful, though."