InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "don't have a cow"

Elaine Hammond (elaine_hammond) wrote in omega_reality,
@ 2013-01-01 17:45:00

Entry tags:

*complete, 2013 01, character: bud hammond, character: elaine barrish hammond, character: margaret barrish, character: thomas hammond

RP: The Hammond/Barrish
Who: Elaine, Bud, Margaret, Doug, TJ (maybe Travis)
Where: the island
When: Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Summary: The prodigal sons return home

Elaine was as anxious as before an election. She wasn't sure why. Oh, who was she kidding? She knew exactly why. Her kids had never been far. There had been school, but that was different. There had still been the secret service and she had gotten reports daily on their activities, whether they knew it or not, and even in college, she'd known where they were and what they were doing. It was hard not to when the paparazzi made a point of following them.

This was the first time that she'd had no idea what they were up to, what they were doing. It made her jumpy not to know what was going on. Bud didn't help with his relaxed stance, and Mother was as calm as ever.

Not sure what to do, and considering the time they would come back, she decided that they would have dinner together. With the new move, the only place they could have dinner all together was the team center. She and Mother prepared things, making Bud help. When they finally arrived, they were waiting for the kids outside and Elaine went to them with a smile. "Boys, it's so good to have you home."

Doug smiled back and hugged. "Hey, Mom. How are you?"

"I'm good. You look good, both of you. Come on, we made dinner for you. We can eat and we can tell you about what's going on." Maybe that sounded a little like a briefing, but Doug would appreciate knowing what was going on, while TJ... she wasn't sure, but hopefully, he'd understand why she was doing it.

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doug_hammond
2013-01-02 09:30 pm UTC (link)

Doug turned around and raised his hands. "Don't, TJ. I know I let you make the choice, because it was obvious what you wanted. I didn't want to change your mind, but it would have been nice to know that you're aware that it's not all about you and now I don't want to hear how sorry you are, because the next time there is another decision, you will think about what you want, they will think about what they want, and all of you will remember I'm alive when I have to mediate. Well, I'm done mediating," he said.

"I love you and I love them, but I'm not going to be in the middle of this, TJ." As much as he wanted to support his brother, he couldn't do it this time. The best he could do was not to take sides. "You want to decide your future based on love. They want to decide based on logic. I don't have room for love or dreams. There's only one way I could go so I'm removing myself from this discussion completely. You're on your own with this."

He turned to his parents. "Thank you for dinner, but it's best if I go. We can try this... some other night. Good night."

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hammond_tj
2013-01-02 10:08 pm UTC (link)

"Doug..." How did he always end up making things worse when he was just trying to make them better? That was all he was trying to do was make things better, to change the cycle they'd gotten into. Reaching out, he took his brother's hand and put the cross into it. "I gave this to you because I love you, Doug. I'm not taking that love back.

"And maybe this is the way it's supposed to be, anyway. Maybe this is something I need to do alone. I've been leaning on you for most of our lives and I said I was going to learn to stop, to learn to be the one you could lean on. I'm not getting off to the greatest start, but I can keep trying to change. It's not about wanting to decide my future based on love, Doug. Yes, I love him. And, I love you. And, if it's possible to have my way, I want to keep both of you in my life. But, all I was trying to get across now is that we have a say in our future. It's our choice, too. When the time comes to make that choice, I want an equal say in my future. That's all I'm trying to say."

He let go, but kept his focus on his brother. "Can we talk later? Not tonight, if you don't want to, but soon? Please? I do want to know what you want, even if I won't like it."

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elaine_hammond
2013-01-02 11:37 pm UTC (link)

Elaine got up and reached her children. She took Doug's hand. "Dougie, sweetheart, we missed you. I missed you, not because of your brother or your job. I missed you, because you're my baby. I don't want you to be in the middle of anything. Stay for dinner. We won't talk about the future, we have months to decide anyway, and you don't have to tell us about what you did. We always find something to talk about."

She turned to TJ and cupped his cheek. "And I wasn't telling you what to do, TJ. Your father and I have already decided that we'll do what you and Dougie want, because we lived our lives, did what we wanted to. It's your turn. We're not dictating anything. I know you don't think so, but we love you and we want what's best for you."

She looked at both of them. "We certainly don't want to be the reason you argue. Come on. You won't find another place to eat and Nana is responsible for handing out supplies, so you know we've got the best stuff, including a bottle of white that you can't find anywhere."

"Mom." Way to make him feel ten and whiny because he wasn't getting the food he wanted. Doug would probably be sixty and still feel that way when she spoke.

"Do it for me. Please," she said with a smile. "You can tell me what you think of the new president over dinner."

"He's never going to be as good as you," he answered without having to think about it.

Elaine laughed. "Well, thank you, sweetheart." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I missed you." She turned and put an arm around TJ's shoulder. "I missed you, too. Now, let's sit down and we can find something to discuss that won't send anyone running."

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hammond_tj
2013-01-03 01:11 am UTC (link)

TJ, who did believe in defeat, just sighed and nodded his head. "Yeah, okay, Mom."

What else was he going to do? There was no point in saying any of the things he wanted to say now. It would only upset Doug and make TJ himself look churlish now that, as usual, there was an answer for everything that made him look foolish and childish. Of course he was wrong and jumping to conclusions. Hell, it would be just his luck that they were actually being sincere and he was the only one still bothered by anything.

Except Doug, who apparently was bothered by TJ.

So, since everyone wanted normal, TJ gave it to them. As he walked back to his seat, he used what minimal control he had over his power to force himself to stop feeling, to bring that same enforced calm that had appeared when he tried to calm down for Doug's sake the day this power first manifested. It was the least he could do to give his brother the peace and quiet he wanted.

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