Chapter 26

"You want one?" Matt said to Ellen, after heading straight for the bar upon entering the living room.

Ellen was stunned as she watched Matt pour scotch over three ice cubes. "No, thank you, and since when do you drink anything stronger than wine?"

"Since the day my just graduated from high school daughter decided to get married. If there was ever a time a man should have a good stiff drink, it’s this one." Matt downed the potent dark liquid in one gulp and regretted it immediately as it blazed a passageway from his throat to his belly. "How does Kevin drink this stuff?" he coughed, setting the empty tumbler onto the bar surface.

"I guess it’s an acquired taste. Did it help?" she asked, her tone patronizing as she watched Matt’s coloring slowly return.

"No," he grumbled. Brushing his fingers through his hair, he released a drawn out breath. "Somehow the ending I had planned for this day went terribly wrong."

"Well, it’s not exactly what I had in mind either," Ellen replied, plopping into the empty chair across from him. "Our daughter is married." The enormity of that statement still completely blew her away. "She’s married."

"To Chris Ramsey’s nephew. It’s not bad enough she’s married at eighteen to a boy she’s known a month, but then the boy is related to Ramsey. Can this get any worse?" Matt’s face was flushed with confusion. "Ellen, did we fail her somehow? Is Allison trying to punish us for something? She didn’t get that puppy when she was six."

"No, this is not about a puppy and it’s not about us, even as much as you might want to believe that. This is about Allison and her feelings for Jack. She’s thinking with her heart right now, not her head. Like I said earlier, they are going to need us because they only see the ‘we’re together’ part. They don’t see the hard part that comes with marriage. Being as young as they are won’t help matters." Ellen sighed. "Who knows, maybe they’ll be okay. I mean, the Pearsons told us about the little test they gave them and how they passed it with flying colors. Perhaps as neutral third parties they can see something we can’t."

"What they can’t see is how foolish these children are being." Matt groaned. "You know, I really hope you’re right, because I want Allison to be happy. I wish to hell she had waited to get married, but…that Ramsey kid just better not hurt her." Matt glanced down at his wristwatch. "They should be here any minute to pick up her bag. When they get here, I’m going to have a little father-in-law to son-in-law talk with Jack. We need to get some things cleared up."

Ellen wasn’t quite sure what to make of that statement but it gave her an uneasy feeling. "Matt, you’re not going to hit him, are you?"

"No, I’m just going to talk to him." He maneuvered his wheelchair over to the window and pulled back the curtain to watch for Jack’s car. "Just a nice man to boy talk."

~*~

"Aren’t you going to come in with me?" Ally asked her new husband after they pulled up outside her parents’ home.

"Uh, no, I think I’ll just wait out here for you," Jack answered.

"Jack?"

"Honey, I think it would be better if I stay out here. You know, your father isn’t too thrilled with me right now, not that he was ever my biggest fan. And your mother isn’t exactly on my bandwagon at the moment either. I think my staying out here would be for the best."

"Well, I think it would be better if you came in with me. We are married now and they have to get used to that. Besides, I won’t take no for an answer."

"Allison," Jack frowned.

She pressed a kiss on his cheek. "Come on, it will be fine."

Jack didn’t agree with her but he relented nonetheless.

Anticipating their appearance at any minute, Matt and Ellen were waiting in the foyer when the newlyweds walked in.

"Hey, Mom and Dad. We’ll just be a minute and then be out of your way," Ally said as she walked toward her room with Jack following closely behind her.

"You’re not in our way," Ellen replied as she walked over to her daughter. "Why don’t I come in and help you while Jack stays out here with Matt."

Jack was none too thrilled with that idea. "I think I should go in with Ally, Mrs. Harmon. Her bag might be heavy and you two won’t be able to…."

Ellen interrupted his words. "Don’t worry, Jack. I’m sure Allison and I will be able to handle it. You just go sit in the living room and we’ll be out in a bit."

Jack swallowed the dry lump in his throat as his peripheral vision caught sight of Matt. "Yes, ma’am," he murmured. After sharing an ‘I told you so’ look with Ally, he walked a few feet into the living room and took a seat on the couch.

Ally’s heart went out to her distressed husband in the living room. "Daddy…" her warning began.

"Allison, don’t worry. I’m just going to talk to him. We’re all family now, right?"

"Right," she said, a slight edge of condescension directed at her father. "We won’t be long."

"That’s fine," Matt replied. "You two run along and I’m just going to go in and have a nice little chat with my new son-in-law."

Ally was going to say more but Ellen directed her to the room instead. "Let’s go, sweetheart."

Matt watched as the women disappeared behind the bedroom door before joining Jack in the living room. "Hello, Jack," he greeted, warmly."

"Dr. Harmon," he croaked, not sure what to make of Matt’s friendly salutation.

"You sound a bit parched there, son. Would you like some iced tea?" he offered, going over to the bar for a drink a little more his speed.

"No, thank you," Jack answered, his head spinning as he tried to discern just what his father-in-law was up to. He was being nice, too nice.

"No?" Matt said after pouring a glass for himself and turning to face the younger man. "You’re a newlywed, Jack. Nineteen years old. I have to tell you the opportunity to get a nice cold drink without having to pay for it won’t present itself every day. For most people in your shoes, time for leisure spending has ceased to exist."

Jack withdrew a breath. He knew it was coming.

"What’s your secret? How are you going to manage taking care of a household, going to school and go out and get a nice cold drink or dinner for yourself and my daughter from time to time? You said you had it all planned out. Share that plan with a jaded father." Matt struggled to keep his tone even and the angry edge at bay. "I’m extremely curious," he uttered through clinched teeth.

Jack groaned to himself. Ally was wrong; this certainly wasn’t going fine.

~*~

"Well, that’s everything," Ally said as she zipped her black duffle bag.

Ellen looked around the room that that stood housed several of her daughter’s personal effects. "Everything?"

"Well, everything I need right now. I hope it’s okay if I leave the rest here for a while. I’ll come back in a couple of days for more of my things."

"It’s fine, this is your room and it will always be your home." Ellen stroked her daughter’s hair. "This morning when I was helping you get ready for your graduation, I knew something was on your mind, but I had no idea it was this. I really wish you had told me."

"Mom, I wanted to, but I explained why I couldn’t. You would have told Daddy and that wouldn’t have been a good thing."

Ellen took a seat on the bed. "We’re alone now, Ally, so I’m going to ask you a question."

Ally sighed and after a taking a seat next to her mother, took her hand in hers. "I know what you’re going to say."

"I don’t think you do."

"Yeah, I do. You were going to ask me again what was the rush in my getting married to Jack."

"Okay, you’re right, that is what I was going to ask." Ellen shifted uncomfortably as she tried to find the right words for what she wanted to say next. "Sweetheart, I may be overstepping and if I am I’m sure you’ll tell me, but…"

"I’m going to spare you the struggle of having to ask me the question that I know you want to. No, Mom, I didn’t marry Jack just so I could sleep with him."

Ellen became quiet.

"That is what you were going to ask, right?" Ally inquired of her mother.

Ellen nodded then answered softly in the affirmative. "Yes. I can’t help but go back to that conversation we had in this very room a couple of weeks ago. You told me you were ready to take the next step with Jack and I in all of my infinite wisdom dropped less than subtle hints on how it was better to wait until you were married. Now you’re married. I just… I hope you can see how I would draw that conclusion."

"Yes, I can see how you could draw that conclusion, but I assure you that is not the reason why we got married, at least not the motivating factor."

Ellen was more than a little puzzled. "I think I’m going to need you to explain that," she said.

Ally rose from the bed and took a seat in the corner chair across from her mother before attempting to explain her decision. "I love Jack, I love him very much, and on my birthday we could have made love; we had the opportunity and we both wanted to, but we didn’t. Instead we talked. Jack proposed that same night and I accepted. Since then we’ve had our share of opportunities to do the deed, but we never took advantage of them. Never," she repeated, making it clear to her mother that her desire for her to wait until marriage for intimacy was a fait accompli. "When we came together we wanted to be together in every way, not just for the moment but forever. Marriage is a huge commitment, as you’ve said more than once today. I understand that as does Jack. We love each other and we wanted to be together in every way; physically, emotionally and legally. We don’t want to just share our bodies; we want to share our lives. If it were just about sex, I assure you, there would be nothing to discuss. I would never marry Jack or anyone else just so I could sleep with them. That would be a stupid thing to do."

The little grunt that came from Ellen’s throat didn’t get past Ally.

"I know you and Daddy think I’ve lost my mind, but I haven’t," Ally assured her. "I only did what I know in my heart was the right thing. Mom, I don’t have a single doubt, not one."

"I’m glad you shared this with me, and it has eased my mind to a degree. I still think your getting married was a mistake, honey. I mean you’re both so young. You’ve only known each other a very short period of time and…"

Ally’s sour expression and exasperated breath stopped Ellen before she could really get started.

"And, I’m sorry, I won’t harp on it anymore. What’s done is done and your father and I will support you however we can."

Ally went over to Ellen and gave her a hug. "Thanks, Mom. It’s far from a ringing endorsement, but I’ll take it."

"Just be happy, honey," Ellen said, smoothing away invisible wrinkles from the shoulders of Ally’s dress. "That’s all we want for you."

The young bride smiled brightly. "Don’t worry, that’s already a done deal. I’ve never been happier in my life."

While the women continued talking in the bedroom, back in the living room, Matt was simmering to a slow boil. "A room above a diner and a couple dorm at Columbia, that’s your plan?"

"That’s all we need right now, sir," Jack explained.

"Oh, is it?!" Matt railed. "Exactly what do you plan to live on, love? It’s a wonderful sentiment, it is, but it won’t pay bills or buy groceries. What about Christmases, and birthdays, huh? Going out to movies and shopping; my daughter likes to buy things. What about all of that?"

"Dr. Harmon, both Allison and I know we’ll have to make concessions and we’re willing to do that. It helps that our tuition is already paid for. As for groceries, since we’ll be living above Kelly’s our meals are included. As for everything else, like I said before, we’re not deluding ourselves, we know it’s gonna be tough going, but the fact that we’ll be going through those tough times together is what matters. I’m still working at the hospital and we plan to get part-time jobs once school starts. Telemarketing is great source of income for college students; I’m sure we’ll find something in no time. We’re going to be okay. "

Matt shook his head in total disillusionment of the young man’s proclamation. "You know what’s the worst thing about what you just said?"

Shaking his head, "No, sir," Jack answered.

"You actually believe it; you believe everything you just said."

Jack released a drawn out sigh. "Dr. Harmon, I’m sorry you don’t like me…."

"This is not about my disliking you, Jack. I don’t even dislike you, per se. I dislike who you are related to and I dislike how you and my daughter have rushed into a marriage neither of you are ready for. That’s what I dislike." His became more intense with every word he said. "I dislike that a lot. I dislike that more than I’m capable of expressing."

"You’re doing a pretty good job right now, sir," Jack grumbled. "If it’s any consolation, you don’t have to worry about Ally being exposed to Uncle Chris. He’s going to be as happy about our marriage as you are."

A tight smile formed on Matt’s lips. "It’s not any consolation, but thanks for sharing that. You know, I started to come around where you were concerned. I started giving you the benefit of the doubt; I didn’t even mind that you were dating Allison, too much," he said under his breath. "But to marry her? This isn’t make believe, Jack. You are married to my daughter, to my barely adult daughter. This is not what I had planned for her."

"I imagine it’s not. I didn’t imagine I’d be married at nineteen, but then again, I never imagined I would ever meet and fall in love with someone as wonderful as Allison."

Matt massaged his throbbing temples. "As you keep saying," he mumbled.

"It’s the truth."

"You just don’t get it."

"Look, Dr. Harmon, I could keep telling you how we’ll be okay, but you won’t believe it until you see it happen, and it’s going to happen. I love Allison more than anything and I’ll be a good husband to her. You don’t have to worry about her."

"I’ll always worry about her, she’s my little girl and I love her. One day, when you become a father to a daughter, and I pray it’s no time soon, you’ll understand what I’m saying. In the mean time, I’m going to hold you to your word and pray that everything goes well, and when it doesn’t, don’t be too proud to come to her mother and me for help."

"I’ll keep that in mind, and as generous as it is, I’m pretty sure I won’t be taking you up on that offer." He exhaled a sigh of contentment as he glanced at the gold band that encompassed the ring finger of his left hand. "You and Mrs. Harmon have already given me more than I could have ever hoped for, Allison; and I will cherish her always for the wonderful gift that she is."

Matt felt physically ill as he stared silently at the young man. He was totally blinded by love and there was absolutely no talking to him. Matt wouldn’t waste his breath anymore; Jack would have to find out what he was saying on his own. He just hated that his daughter would have to learn this lesson with him.

"I’m ready," Ally said as she and Ellen entered the living room. She looked nervously from her husband to her father. "Is everything okay out here?"

"Yeah," he answered, walking over to his new bride and taking the bag from her hand. "Your father and I were just had a little talk. I think we understand each other a little better now, don’t you think so, Dr. Harmon?"

Matt gave his son-in-law a sideways glance. "Yeah, I guess we do," he muttered. Folding his arms across his chest, Matt turned his attention to his daughter. "So, I guess over the next few days you two will be getting settled into your new home above Kelly’s Diner, huh?"

"Yes, Daddy, we will, your old place behind the Recovery Room bar was already taken," Ally answered, returning Matt’s curt comment with a retort of her own. "We’re going to be fine there."

"Look, if you two need anything, anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask, okay?" Ellen offered to the young couple.

"Thanks, Mom, but we have everything we need for now. We should get going," Ally said to Jack.

After saying their good-byes, the newlyweds headed to their car.

Matt and Ellen watched from the door as the beaming pair made tracks to their car. Jack had just opened the passenger side door for Ally when MJ made his way over to them.

"I’m glad I caught you," MJ said in one fluid breath.

Ally slid into the passenger seat. "And why is that?"

"Because I have a wedding present for you, one I’m sure you two will enjoy," he smugly reported.

"You shouldn’t have done that," Jack said, although he was curious especially since there was nothing in MJ’s hand.

"Yes, he should have," Ally smiled, excitedly. "What is it?"

"Two nights in the honeymoon suite at the Port Charles Hotel. Just go to the front desk and give them your name, Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey, everything is set up for you."

Ally’s jaw dropped in stunned disbelief. "Are you serious?"

"Of course, that’s what having a celebrity brother will do for you. I’m sorry I can’t stay to revel in my good tidings, but there’s something I need to take care of and I wouldn’t want to hold you two up." Leaning into the car, he gave Ally a kiss on the cheek, "All the best, sis, I mean that."

"This means so much." Ally gave her brother a tight hug. "Thank you, MJ," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.

Jack extended his hand to MJ. "Yes, thank you, so much." He wanted his and Ally’s first night together to be absolutely perfect and this gift would certainly help do that. He planned to make their room at Kelly’s as nice as he could for their special evening, but spending it in the lap of luxury sounded a whole lot better.

"Think nothing of it." He returned the younger man’s handshake and directed his attention to his parents who were still watching from the door. "I have to go, I’ll call you guys later!" he shouted.

Matt and Ellen waved at their son as he got into his car and disappeared as quickly as he appeared.

"What do you think all that was about?" Ellen asked Matt.

"I don’t even want to know," Matt answered as Ally and Jack’s car pulled off moments later. He closed the door and turned to Ellen. "You know what I want, I want you to erase everything that’s happened today from the moment Allison got her diploma, think you can do that for me?"

Ellen shook her head. "Afraid not, but we can go to the hot tub," she said massaging his shoulders, "give these corded muscles of yours a little relief and maybe lose ourselves in each other for a while."

A slight smile crept onto Matt’s face. "That’s sounds like a pretty good second choice."

She placed a kiss on his lips as the back of her fingers caressed his cheek. "I want you to try not to worry. As stubborn as Ally is, she’ll move heaven and earth to see that this marriage works, just to prove us wrong. Call it maternal instinct, but I think they’re going to be okay." Ellen was amazed by how much she actually believed what she said.

Matt searched her eyes for affirmation. "You really think that?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I really do. Let’s try and salvage the rest of this day."

Matt found solace in his wife’s words, and that familiar gleam appeared in his eyes. "Okay, let’s give that plan of yours a try."