Monday Noonish: Lunch Date

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

She got to Ching Tai early to get a big table. Each and every one who got a voice mail probably thought they were meeting her alone. That was a fine assumption. She couldn't wait to share the good news with her family.

[[Lunch with prof_cregg, ten_and_chips,prof_methos,geoff_chaucer,shane_mcc, brambless, and time_agent]]

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

[Jack raises his eyebrows at the big table.] Planning on a lot of food?

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Geoff walks into the restaurant and looks around. Spotting CJ and Jack at a table, he heads in their direction.

"Hello there, my lady CJ, Jack! What's going on?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Hi Uncle Geoff," Jack sings out. He grins cheekily.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

He shakes his head at Jack but returns the grin. "Lucky for you I'm one of those permissive uncles who lets the nephews and nieces wreak havoc while the parents are away."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You're my favoritest uncle ever," Jack shoots back immediately.

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

Methos is a bit distracted, but arrives. He hesitates a moment when he sees the large crowd gathering.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She waves him over, standing.]

Adam, you came.

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

[joins her] Of course I did. You asked.

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

Ten smiles at him and then starts to chastise Jack... (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomtownies/379186.html?thread=15363378#t15363378)

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[A guarded smile precedes a shy hug.] I did. Thank you. I wasn't sure if you'd come. I hoped...

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

[He smiles back at Ten and hugs CJ back.] I'm sorry that you had to wonder.

When the food gets here...

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[Ten's gotten lost in the conversations, but then his plate of crab dumplings arrives.] Ace!

Re: When the food gets here...

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[Grabbing her chopsticks, she digs into sticky chicken and rice.] Well, I hope she gets here soon.

Re: When the food gets here...

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

Aye, wouldn't want her to miss out on the food. [Ten puts too much hot mustard on his rice, wields his chopsticks like a pro, and then coughs from the heat, having to drink some more beer.]

Re: When the food gets here...

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She leans over and rubs his back.] Going to be ok?

Re: When the food gets here...

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

Aye. The mustard is brilliant. [He grins at her.]

THE ANNOUNCEMENT

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She wipes her mouth and stands, taking a swig of her beer.] OK, everyone. I asked you all here for a reason, so listen up.

Each and every one of you is my family. What you think is important to me, and every big thing in my life, you can expect to be included in. So today, I'd like to tell you...

[She pulls her attache up onto the table and removes a large yellow envelope. Pulling out a stiff piece of paper and a large folded document, she smiles at Shane.]

It's all come through, and it's all official. I've adopted Shane, legally. Shane, baby, you're officially my daughter thanks to the great state of California and my connections that do not mess around.

[She hands Shane the certificate of adoption.]

I love you, babygirl.

Re: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Shane is slack-jawed as she looks at the paper she holds in her hands, her eyes wide. She had only spoken to CJ about it a few days ago and even talking about it with CJ had felt like a dream... but now, suddenly... there the papers were, in her hands.

"Oh, my god," she breathes.

Re: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara lets out a squeal of excitement, clapping her hands over a broadly grinning mouth.

Re: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Snapped out of her daze by Tara's squealing, Shane looks over at her and lets out a huff of breathless laughter. "Oh, my god," she murmurs again under her breath. "Tara..."

Re: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara wraps her arms firmly around Shane, squeezing her tightly before turning a glowing smile to CJ, wordlessly thanking her for this amazing gift.

Re: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[Ten grins widely and claps. He's unable to stop smiling.]

Re: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

[Jack looks shocked for a second -- and not in the good way. Then he collects himself and smiles at Shane.] Congratulations. That's... great.

Re: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[His reaction stabs her through the heart. She forces a smile and reaches for his hand.]

Re: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Seeing Jack's unpleasant surprise, Shane's brows furrow deeply and she bites her lip, looking down at the certificate in her hands again. She has no idea what Jack's situation is, beyond what CJ has told him, but... it's obvious that this news has upset him.

"I'm... I'm sorry," she says softly as she looks up at him.