Secured Sevenfold

Joe´s POV
I looked at Matt, who was pacing next to the little stage they had build. He would soon be giving his speech to welcome everyone to the party and I can´t believe how nervous he got. My feet brought me over to him without even thinking about it and I stopped him, putting my hands to his chest.
“Why are you so nervous?” It almost seemed as if he only then realized I was there.
“I’m not nervous”
I got on my tip toes and kissed him softly “Don’t lie to me, I can see that you are”
He sighed and let his head rest on mine “I don’t like talking to large crowds, I’m better one on one”.
I put my hand on his cheek and smirked “I know you are, but that is not appropriate right now”. He let out a low chuckle and kissed me again “Thank you for that, I love you, you know that?”
“Yes I do, I love you too” I put my arms around his neck and pulled him down to me, kissing him deeply. He was still lost in the kiss when I stepped back, looking at his satisfied face, his arms still holding me close “Now, step aside and let me do something”

This wasn’t planned, but I had the feeling I had to do it, maybe it would give him the kick start he needed. I walked up the stage and stood behind the microphone. I tapped it to see if it was working.
“Excuse me, can I have your attention please?” Matt was looking at me with wide eyes and so were the others.
“Ladies and Gentleman, we all came together here for the anniversary of this marvelous company, and I know you are all dying to hear from the founding members themselves, so without further a due, I give to you Brian, Zack, Johnny, Arin and Matt! Please give them a warm round of applause!” I stepped aside and put my hands together to join everyone in their applause as I watched the guys come on the stage, Matt being the last. He put his hand on my hip, pecked my lips shortly and whispered a ‘thank you’.
Jacky was standing next to the stage and I joined her, not able to keep my eyes off of Matt. He looked so handsome and I was thankful that I could share this important moment in his life with him. When I looked at my sister, I could see she had the exact same look in her eyes for Brian.

“10 years ago, four friends and me had this crazy idea of starting a security company. Some of us had done some security jobs already and seeing there was really nothing else we could do” the crowd chuckled “we decided to just jump and start a company of our own. The first few years it was just the five of us, and some of you weren’t sure we would make it” Matt looked at his father pointedly and the man just smiled, showing off the same dimples that made his son so irresistible “but here we are. 10 years ahead, not just us 5 anymore, but joined by a family of at least 50 others and still going strong, if not going even stronger.
Unfortunately it hasn’t all been good times, a few years ago we had to say goodbye to our friend and fifth founding member of this company, Jimmy Sullivan, we still miss him dearly and I am very happy his parents were able to join us tonight” He looked at the man and woman standing in the corner, next to Brian’s parents, they smiled warmly at all the guys standing on the stage and once again I thought of how special this little group of friends become family, really was. I looked over to Jacky “Did Brian introduce you to them already? I know he and Jimmy were the closest?” I whispered. She looked at me and shook her head “No, not yet, but he told me they would be coming, it was really important to him”.
“-so thank you Arin, for keeping this crazy bunch together” Matt’s voice brought my attention back to him again.
“With that I would like to end this formal part, the only formal part of the night, I promise” more chuckles from the room “Family, Friends, Business partners, thank you all for coming to celebrate with us. We would like to invite you to join us in the garden, food and drinks are provided. Thank you again, and have a nice evening!”

They all came down the stage and I saw Brian get a hold of Jacky’s hand “Come on, let me introduce you to Jimmy’s parents” and off they were. All the others found their way to their family too, leaving only Matt and me “That was an amazing speech” I smiled at him as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close.
“Thank you, I didn’t want to make a too big a deal out of it”
“It wasn’t, it was just perfect”
I felt his hand on my face as he bend down to kiss me slowly. I sighed and clung onto him even tighter. Matt moved away from me, reluctance in his movements “I will need to go and talk to people, will you please be by my side?”

Jacky’s POV
The whole party was now in full run, people everywhere and I felt relieved after meeting Brian’s parents and siblings that everything went down pretty good, except for the fact that Brian’s Dad caught us well, making out, but.. he seemed to think that was funny and okay, so I would just try to ignore that little fact.

Brian was showing them around which gave me a moment to catch up with everything else going on around here.
I met Zack’s parents, Maria and James, very nice and I saw Joe talk to Matt’s parents, they seemed to get along pretty good to.
I was glad that no other complications were coming our way right now.
I planned on spending more time in getting to know Brian’s family, when he came back with them. I really want to make a good impression on them and tell them how much I love their son and brother. I just hoped Brian was right and they really would like me too.
I didn’t get the chance to talk to him alone since they arrived, we just moved from introducing to introducing and didn’t really spend much time together, because Brian was needed somewhere else, but I thought that was fine. He had his obligations as one of the owners of this company and I wanted to concentrate my attention on his family members anyways, and not on Brian this evening. I really didn’t want them to think it was just him and me, I needed them to realize that I really meant to get to know them, because I knew they came with Brian and I wouldn’t want to get in between.

“Jacky? Hey... wait a second.” I heard Arin’s voice behind me and smiled when he came jogging towards me.
“Hey Arin... Your parents here already? I haven’t seen them.” I asked looking behind him, to see if someone took someone along with him, but there was nobody.
“Yes, they are here... and if you got a second I wanted to introduce you and Joe to them?” Arin asked and I nodded.
“Yes, of course. I saw Joe in the kitchen a couple of minutes ago. Let’s get her, walk past the bar and bring something to drink.” I started off into the kitchen, Arin shortly behind me.
I saw Matt and Joe kissing at the open fridge and cleared my throat and spoke in a deeper voice “Josephine Elisabeth Thompkinson, what are you doing there?” Matt and Joe quickly jumped away from each looking at me and a chuckling Arin behind me.
“Good god, Jacky.. What the hell?” Joe sighed in relief seeing us and Matt showed us his dimples but narrowed his eyes on me.
“Damn Jack, that was the only chance I could get, it’s so freaking busy right now.” Matt winked at me then and then looked curious at Arin and me.
“What do you want? You guys always want something when you look like that. And where is Brian? I thought he wouldn’t leave your side... just as I try to do with Joe, but not really succeeding apparently” Matt asked and I grinned even more.
“Brian is making the grand tour with his family... and sorry, but we gotta take your girl from you for a second, we have important people to meet.” I grabbed Joe’s hand who looked confused.
“My parents.” Arin cleared up the situation and Matt sighed dramatically.
“Oh.. come on... I just had a few minutes... can’t you.. just... Joe... say something.” Matt looked at Joe with begging eyes, but she shook her head.
“It’s about Arin’s parents, he is my little brother, it’s important to meet them. We catch up on this later on, babe. I promise...” Joe pecked Matt’s lips and we followed Arin outside.

Arin led us to the big tent outside and a nice looking couple was waiting at one of the tables.
I hooked my arm into Arin’s right one and Joe did the same to his left.
He stopped in front of the table and the couple looked up to us.
“Mom and Dad, this is Jacky and Josephine.” Arin motioned from his right to his left arm, and his father got up with a smile.
“We heard many good things about you two, it’s nice that the guys have two women in the house, and taking care of them and of Arin, we know it wasn’t always easy for him in the beginning” Arin father said and we saw Arin turn a slight pink.
“Dad... please...” He shook his head and tried to play it down.
“We will keep an eye on the guys, and on Arin as well, he is like a brother to us, and we wouldn’t allow any of the others to hurt him or play tricks on him.” I told his parents and Joe nodded.
“And Arin really helped me with my office, so I could keep my business in check from here, he is such a talented guy.” Joe joined in and Arin’s face was getting redder and redder by the second.
“Did Arin show you his birthday gift?” I asked excitedly and Arin began to shake his head wildly.
“My parents wouldn’t.. I mean..” He stuttered a little, but I wouldn’t have any of that.
“Mr. Ilejay, come on, I’ll show you.” I let go of Arin’s arm and took his father on the arm, while Joe mimicked the same with Arin’s Mom.
“Come on, Arin... Show them.”
“Yes, Arin... Hun, show us.” His mom smiled but stopped me and Joe with a hand to her hand.
“Call me Charlotte, and this is Ric, please don’t say Mr. And Mrs. Ilejay, I always think my in laws are with me when someone calls me that...” She chuckled and I had to suppress the grin as well. We all moved into the house again together.

We met Brian on the way, he looked at me confused and Joe leading Arin’s parents downstairs but I didn’t have time to clear everything up so I just blew him a kiss and lead the way to Arin’s drumset. Arin’s parents were babbling excitedly. When we opened the room to Arin’s drum room, his mother gasped
“Arin! Why didn’t you show us this immediately? This is an amazing gift, they guys gave it to you?” His mother put a hand on her shoulder as she gently pushed him to the stool, forcing him to sit down.
“We all gave it to him together, but this was all Joe’s idea” I said with a smile “You should have seen his face, it was amazing”
Arin’s mom hugged him and let out a sad smile “I’m still sorry we couldn’t be there”
“It’s no problem mom, I had an amazing day, these two brought me breakfast in bed, then I got this wonderful present and we had a great party at night. See… nothing to feel guilty about, I had the best day”
I exchanged a look with Joe, both noticing him oh so conveniently letting out the Leyla part.
“Are you going to play us something son?” Ric leaned to the wall, waiting for his son to show off his talents, but they both weren’t prepared to Arin’s qualities. They both stood there, gaping at Arin, who was flawless.
“Damn boy, I never thought you would be this good!” Arin’s parents clapped enthusiastically.

I softly touched my sisters hand and motioned to the door, we both walked out of the door, this should be a moment between the parents and their son, and I guess it was time for us to meet some more people.

Notes

What do you guys think of Jimmy´s parents being there?
Awhhhh Arin! Introducing the girls, showing his parents how good he is at the drums, so cute!

Leave us some nice comments, please.....