2020-03-07 - Una Feliz Boda

Who doesn't want to spent their birthday flying across country to wear formal clothes for their sister's wedding for Valentine's Day? Ignacio, but it's a one time deal. For Macrella he can do this.

They're offered to stay at his parent's house but he declines in favor of a hotel It solves a LOT of issues. The itinerary is a short one and it turns out traditional Spanish weddings don't have bridesmaids and the like. It does not keep Ignacio from having to sop and pick up his tux though. It's the night before all the chaos. "Sooooo dinner with my parents. You really up for this?" Nervous? Eh not really but he is, absolutely, psyching himself up to endure it.

Finch has gone ultra conservative, in a white button down shirt with black slacks. She has makeup on, and her hair has been pulled back in a clip at the nape of her neck. "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess. Wish I knew more Spanish but it'll have to do, right?" she murmurs to Iggy. She bought a dress for the wedding, hoping it will be appropriate.

She reaches for his hand, hers a little shakey. She's never had to meet a boy's parents before, courtesy of her curse chasing away everyone she even thought about dating long before it got to that point. "What should I expect?" she asks.

Ignacio slides his hand into hers. Glimmer here felt... well dead in that way something sparkly does covered by eons of dust. He doesn't need it to know her, that looks, and the face she wares when she's being brave and everything feels important to her. Weirdly it's enough to make this somehow benign confrontation manageable for him.

Just because Ignacio will literally confront everything doesn't mean it doesn't concern him or scare the shit out of him. He watches all the expression in her eyes for a moment, fortunate, and wiggles her hand. "Yoooou should prepare for my mom to love you and for my dad to tell you to eat more. We live in a brownstone, not a highrise. Just..." He considers all of this with a smile that stretches one side of his face, "Just be you and they will get why," Her hand gets a smooch before he heads out the door, "why I'm so head over heels over you, Finch Celano. Besides. They get tonight, Marcella and Tony get tomorrow but Sunday? Baby you and I are celebrating the chocolate Satin. Saint Mark Downs."

Finch seems reassured by his words, though the smile remains nervous. Be herself? The person that was the town rumor for most of her life? Maybe more her college self, where people didn't know about her family so much. She can do that. "I'll do my best."

She arches a brow at the chocolate satin stuff. "What's a Saint Mark Downs? Bedsheets?"

Ignacio grins that easy lopsided smile in pure amusement leaning over and smooching her forehead. "Nah it's the day after saint Valentine's where all the candy is 70% off. Important day." He says, with decisive support, "IF you, however, want to eat chocolate in bed let it be officially," See the sincerity here?? "let it be known I will not be the man to stop you. I may in fact encourage this... and you might need it after this weekend. I might join you."

There is no car here, no rental. There's public transportation and a short walk from the subway. "Tomorrow, I promise there will be a car. no one's walking that far in cute shoes." The neighborhood is pretty much as Ignacio left it. An old charm of the neighborhood tells of its history though the 80's and Ott's did their fair share of modernizing things. There is, right in the little downtown area an older building, very well kept with red lacquered wood around glass windows and above the door a black sign reading "Joya del Jardín" in stylized swirling font above. Adorable place that looks like it's done very well for itself with optional outside seating for summer, presently absent.

Ignacio's shoes bring him to a stop in the cold and he looks at the outside of it for a long time. It was supposed to be his. Could in theory still be, but...principles. He needs one little thing to happen first that no one wants to seem to budge on. It's Finch he admits this to. "You know I love this place. Grew up learning everything I know here. I'm, um, I'm really glad you two get to meet."

Finch find the subway mesmerizing and confusing all at the same time. She'd probably be a taxi taker if she lived here, like the people on Friends and How I Met Your Mother. When they reach the apartment building she murmurs, "Garden Gem?" She's been studying the Spanish pretty hard. She smiles at him, squeezing his hand gently. "I'm glad to. It's not something I ever thought I'd be doing. But I'm happy I am."

Ignacio formally introduces, "Restaurant, love of my life. Finch, meet my first love. Enjoy." And with that the door opens. The restaurant front has been kept up well in the brownstone row of shop fronts and businesses. It's not particularly large or opulent but it stands in excellent repair and the booths taken care of, and not de-laminating. There are tablecloths in

He gave Finch the rundown: Rita and Eduardo though many call him Ed. Rita is up from the table, a small but gregarious woman that takes her baby boy (Pleeeease do not call me that tin front of my girlfriend can be read ALLOVER Ignacio's face) But there are kisses to both sides of his face with rapido Espanol and WOW an actual blush of colour from Ignacio. It can happen. "Mijo, you are going to introduce tu mama to the lovely young woman that stole my son's heart, yes? Finch we are so so glad you could come." And there's the smile warm like summer and easy as anything. Ignacio clearly gets this from her. Thankfully she doens't maul Finch into a hug but kisses both of her cheeks pulling her into the room. "Please call me Rita. Eduardo, don't stand there like a plant."

Papa looks more like Giupetto, and nothing like the demon Rafael would paint him as. Few people ever really do live up to their stories. He's more than gray at the temples, soft around the middle, but fit enough for an old man that works 12 hours every day of his life. There is a smile that crinkles his eyes, but a hesitation. Ignacio slides one hand to Finch's lower back in that quiet gesture of they're loud, but I'm here for you manner.

Looking at his father there's a certain pride Ignacio has that battles with being actually happy to see his parents, but knowing things with his father haven't changed which might make this a very long meal. Eduardo offers a weathered hand to Finch with a warm and welcoming smile, "My son told us good things about you. Please, come eat with us.

Finch looks a bit overwhelmed but she powers through it like a champ. As Rita takes her hands she returns the cheek kisses awkwardly but with an almost shy smile. "Mrs. deSantos ah, Rita, thank you for the invitation. It's very kind of you. And Thank you for bringing this fantastic human into the world." She sets a hand on Iggy's shoulder, to illustrate she means him, and not the other kids.

His father gets a more focused look, because she knows the hurt he's inflicted on his sons, but she smiles nonethless. She takes the offered hand to shake it. "Thank you," she replies, cordially. She is letting Ignacio dictate the warmth of tonight's meal. She's got his back.

Ignacio warned Finch that it would be... well... she's an introvert and his family is competitively gregarious in his first country's fine traditions. He gives her hand a small squeeze and lets go that she might be bombarded by his mother. There's a tension there in Iggy's shoulders. Facing his father after he left on Thanksgiving not intended to come back and then being very, very right here leaves him in that state of what does one do after having the final word? Aaaawkward. The tension drains out with a half-smile that isn't so much relief but rallying with Finch's hand on his shoulder. The smile hits the corners of his eyes for a moment reminded that together they can take on the world in its entirety.

Rita turns and pats Ignacio's cheek before trying to coral them to the table., "Ah, mijo, I like this one." Jaw setting a bit Ignacio walks over to his father who doesn't know what to say to his son but instead focuses all his attention on Finch. Really if there was a Spanish translation Pinocchio he'd be an ideal Guipetto. "Is a pleasure to meet you. So this is the the young woman my son leaves home for." There's no hostility there so much as an Ah ha.

Ignacio's expression hardens and he counters, "No pressure or anything. You can't put that on someone Pa. Yes. Ella es." Still in spite of Ignacio's hackles a chair is pulled out for her to sit.

Finch seems to be trying to navigate the family obstacles like a champ. "It's a pleasure to meet you all, thank you for inviting me. Ignacio has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can't express enough how much he means to me." She sits in the pulled-out chair, trying to remember the ladylike manners she was taught growing up, back when the Celaeno family was wealthy.

She quietly studies each of them in turn, exuding a sense of stability to Iggy to keep him on solid ground. No matter what, she is here. He has her, always, regardless of everything the world throws at them.

He sits across from his father like a king and prodigal prince facing off. Rita for all that is going on sits, hopeful and might have a ton of questions but is trying to keep the peace. There's that distinct energy from her that mothers have hoping things just...resolve. They're not going to, and maybe this youndg woman that seems shy and earnest will influence this. Maybe her men will stop being so stubborn.

It's his father that turns to Finch and asks with interest, "Ignacio said you are going to Cornell? Is good school. Is in New York." he 's so proud but the statement pulls that faintly amusement and annoyed look, "Yeah, papi, she knows. She sort of lived here for three years." He can't help but grin faintly shaking his head. He looks down at his plate and to Finch and back to his father leading a question on all things relating to school and Igancio giving him that look. It's then Eduardo says to her, "You should see the birds where we come from, in teh mountains? So many. 'Naio, you should take her with you to see Abuelo when you go in fall."

"Oh I'm going in fall? Good to know." Looking to Finch he says as if this is all known news he didn't get just now and is now an expert and authority in "I'm going to Spain in the fall as it turns out. Might be a hostage situation."

Finch colors a little in embarrassment at the talk of school. "I was at Cornell yes, in the ornithology Masters program. But my financing petered out so I'm saving up towards going back and finishing the degree. It's not something that'll happen any time soon I'm afraid." And she mostly has no real intention of going back. She's needed in Gray Harbor.

At the news about the trip, she looks even more embarrassed, because she certainly cannot afford that. "Wow, that sounds, ah, expensive."

Iggy's fingers lift and point subtly across the table. And there it is. Eduardo waves his hand and says in earnest not saying something with an edge of concern, "'Eeeehdo not worry so much, is tradition. If you can't sppend the money on seeing family what are you investing in. You kids should go. She should see where you is from."

Ignacio tries to keep it casual when he asks the loaded question, "Yeah? How's that working out for Raf?" He casually looks up. yeah in this one Ignacio fired the first shot. He promised not to poke the bear. He's poking, and while he regrets it...he doesn't.

Eduardo pauses and presses his lips together. There is company, and his son is hurting and those wounds between them not healed. He's trying though to reach out and instead of firing back or negotiating informs, "Tu abuelo... he has not been the best. They think is...not well. You should see him. He is fond of you and if you mean wht you say to me about..." He gestures to Finch and says "Feench? I think very much it would mean a great deal to meet her. To see you again. For him I ask you to consider this."

And while Ignacio wants to be angry and hold onto his snarky grudges the reasons disarm enough. Reaching over he holds onto Finch's hand. He brings up, "He's really cool. You'd like him..." Taking a deep breah he mulls that over with no hard answer. "Is that... what you wouldn't tell me on teh phone, ma?" It's not really something to tell over the phone. he'll get home and tell Raf who will likely get mad at him for bringing any family business into his Seattle apartment. Ay, why is life messed up?

Finch stiffens when the first shot is fired, but her hand slides into Ignacio's with a squeeze to let him know she has his back. The words about his grandfather make her brow crease with worry. "I would like to meet him. It would probably help me with learning Spanish too. I, um, recently found my biological father, and he was born in Mexico. So for Ignacio and my dad, I'm learning to speak Spanish."

Ignacio falls quiet trying to wrap his brain around that information and lets Finch shift the topic. Rita bridges that interest and asks her, "He told me you were learning. Oh the trip will be good. He said you moved home to take care of your grandmother? That's a lot for one person to handle good for you. He says he dome something official?"

Ignacio cracks a grin and says with some amusement as the food arrives. "Yeah, ma, something like that." It's not his story to elaborate on but there was some talking up there.

"My grandmother, yes. She's been alone in a big house and I just want to be there for her," Finch explains, uneasily. "And yes, my father is the Captain of the Gray Harbor Police Department. We've been working on getting to know one another, and so far, it's going very well."

So much talking! Finch isn't used to being this chatty. She's clearly nervous and fidgeting next to Ignacio, clutching his hand. She doesn't want to tell them why she didn't know her father before this. Or why her grandmother lives alone. She doesn't want them to think she's terrible for their son.

It's mom that watches them and gives her husband that look that reads: I like her, be nice. If nothing else there is also me being mad at you. * "Let her eaaaaaaaat, Ed." There's a conferring smile. Iggy gets his people skills from them, his ideals are just his own. Dinner has been made with great care. This is not high scale it's home food. This is the food you want your grandmother to make. This is where Iggy learned to cook. It's not made to look fancy but to make one feel joy eating it. It is, in the end, the purpose of food.

At the end of the meal there is a fondness and Ed looks to them and says without rancor, "I decided not to open the other restaurant." The hand rockets up to abate that fury that is bound to all deSantos from caring too much. "I wanted to open it with you and alone? Eh, I need the one. I was going to open it for you but yoooou" He takes a deep breath and says. "You want to write." Ignacio flinches and squeezes his jaw shut taking a deep breath. "yeah, pa, I do. I'm actually... helping people." The look is defiant, hurting a little. He looks to Finch and back to his father. "Im'm not going to be a writer, pap, I am one. I get to work from home, drink coffee. It's honestly pretty great."

"And he's helping so many people. His newspaper column has been a huge benefit to so many people," Finch enthuses. "And his books are funny and relatable, and he's doing such good work. I'm so proud of all he does." She's gushing. Just gushing. "He's also helped out my Grandmother a lot. She loves him to bits. He's so good to her and to me, and to our friends. He's a very giving person."

She may be babbling a bit, but she is also jumping to his defense in as polite a way as a Murderbird can manage. She hasn't set anything on fire, even if she has that De la Vega temper.

Ignacio pauses and quiets with some modesty. He's a mediator and a peacekeeper but he's not used to defending himself or his work and that's where Inch honestly shines in teaching him how. He looks to her with a smile, faint, and warming the fully functioning side of his features. Here she is, a Valkyrie with murderbirb wings being... really not burn the world and he knows just how much restraint that takes for her and it warms that smile a little bit more. Looking back to his parents he says with confidence, "Helps more people than driving a car." It's one hurdle he's successfully letting go of, but as his choice.

Her words, however, seem to strike a chord and there is, in that moment a very mixed response. Oddly, however, it's not disappointment? Pride, and in the same instance a loss. To see how well one's child has grown into an adult with good value and honor who can buy their own groceries (admittedly he was doing this at seven, though with someone else's money) it is a joy a parent can take heart in. But then to not be needed, and to know it means they are doing well a quarter a world away is entirely another without factoring in the emotional space that's grown over time. It brings, in particular, a saddened, but fond smile on his father's face.

"Mijo, This... this I know. I always wanted to have you back and work with you. Extraño a mi hijo." Reaching into his jacket pocket he pulls out what is the size of a birthday card and sets it down and pushes it across. "Your mother and I talked, and since we are not opening the restaurant we would do something for our children no while you are starting new lives-" The words are cut there. If there is more it is swallowed and the emotion rolls with many hopes and a lingering, weary anticipation of losing the last branch he may have.

Ignacio stares at the birthday card like it's Schrodinger's mousetrap. Under the table Ignacio's foot slides to tap the side of Finch's trying to figure out what he does now. Does he follow his inclination which i wrong shallow under his skin; a will to rage and reject things outright in irrational and frustrated rage, or take the higher road and try to feel it out? And always it comes back to What. about. Rafael? All of it worn in the sum of a faint pained expression looking to Finch. Halp

Finch looks at the envelope, then at Ignacio, then back at the envelope, then at Ignacio. But her eyes turn finally to his mother. This is a gift from her too, not just his father. She leans in to whisper very quietly in Iggy's ear, "You can share it with your brother. I think your mother would like that." A compromise. "That is really kind of you," she says, giving Rita a smile especially. What else can she say? Her mother tried to kill her. A monetary gift isn't so bad.

There's a shift that goes entirely unnoticed in the room by everyone but the woman sitting next to Ignacio. Finch can see it, feel it, and taste the ozone bend like the Veil call back home. When he tries he fails, but panicked and distressed all of a sudden Ignacio is the damned Hispanic Professor X. There it is, clear as day as if he spoke but isn't speaking, "I dunno what to do Finch. I don't-... yeah. Maybe." There's a small nod and he holds onto her handlike a lifeline, like they are back in teh snow, and the backlash from the Veil strikes back like ice water running through his spine and static discharges itself in a brief zap grounding to her jewelry.

"What um..." What about Raf? His brother in exile that now also refuses to talk to the family? There's a smile with no joy in it, "What about you, pop? I mean... you can't just no do the thing you love doing."

Tired Eduardo looks at the kids and says, "I know, mijo, you want to do things yourself. Always proving something to me, to everyone. I wanted to build it for you. Now? Now you want to build something else, and we just want to make sure you... can start this new life. Feliz cumpleaños, mijo. We just want you both to be safe and happy."

"Finch. if I accept this am I still a good man or am I betraying my brother? I don't... know how to do the right thing." Taking the birthday card with the unknown gift inside he looks up to his parents and quietly says, in Spanish, "Thank you. For everything. We appreciate this." Looking to Finch there's relief, and gratitude for her being there. He'd have flipped a table by now without her here.

Finch's skill with the Mental art is still very small, and likely to cause a nosebleed, so instead of using it, she simply lets him feel her emotions, knowing her can read them clearly. It's warmth, acceptance, steadiness, good. Take the money, do good with it. That is what she is thinking. Give half to his brother, let his mother know in secret so she can feel that relief she is probably wanting desperately, caught between the men of her family and their disparate feelings.

If her mother left her something, she would feel like it was meant to be an insult, maybe to her, maybe to her grandmother, but an insult for sure. So she would take it, and use it for something good. Repair the damage to the house that the bills to hospitalize the woman caused in lack of ability to maintain it. Make sure Gran can do stuff she's been not doing to save money. Make sure the pets are happy and cared for. Make sure her friends are safe and sound.

She returns the squeeze to his hand, and her smile stays as warm as she can make it. There is a definite guilt trip being attempted by Eduardo and she really, really wants to give him a hotfoot, but she refrains, for Iggy's sake.