Bittersweet Irish Cream

This is it yall. The final chapter.

A lot happens in this chapter, which is why it's so long. Court room drama, family drama, cameos from friendly faces and old foes, tying up loose ends, Red Jackie being Red Jackie, and yes, the HEA you've been waiting for.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts.

-Love, Eskay

~~~

"So we have a decision to make," Ethan started as they sat in the living room together. EJ, Jacqueline and Jack sat on the couch while Suzanne and Ethan sat on the floor with 7-month-old Jamison crawling back and forth between them.

He passed out the pictures of house number 1. "White colonial. Six bedrooms, four bathrooms and a finished basement on 2.5 acres of land. Pros and Cons. Go!"

Jackie said first, "This is the pretty house. I want this one!"

"Me too!" Susie said.

EJ rolled his eyes. "It's in Ashaway," he said as he petted Catty the cat purring in his lap.

"But everyone gets their own room," Ethan said to his eldest son. "And you can pick a room on the same floor as everyone else, or one of the rooms on the third floor where you'll have some privacy. You'll be a teenager next year and you'll want that."

"I know but..." EJ looked at the floor plan again, then moaned, "It's not in Rockville. All my friends are here. And I have to change schools too? This is my home, Dad."

"I hear you, EJ." Ethan looked at his husband. "Jack?"

"It is by far the biggest and prettiest house," Jack agreed. "And you know I love the farmland. But I also know how hard it's going to be to change schools. It will be an adjustment for all of us. And EJ," Jack addressed him, "Rockville is my home too, so I understand how you feel."

"So the truth is, if it was just my decision, I would go with this one," Ethan said. "We need the space to spread out. There's room for a private office for me, a private office for Jack and a playroom for the girls. But it's not up to just me." He looked around.

"Here's our second choice," Jack said. He passed around the listing and pictures. "Four bedrooms, two-bathroom, ranch style home."

Ethan said right away, "It's smaller and it's a fixer upper."

"But it's in Rockville, Dad," EJ said. "And closer to The Residence."

"But my office is here, EJ," Ethan retorted. "My office is at the Inn, not The Residence."

"Okay then just change your office," EJ said. "Take the office that Uncle Connor is in now and give him your office here."

"That doesn't make any sense," Ethan argued back with his 12-year-old son. "Connor is the manager of The Residence, he needs to be in that office."

"Okay, well I don't know!" EJ said, exasperated. "I just know I don't want to go to Ashaway!"

"EJ you do realize that even if we choose the second house, you'll still have to change schools, right?" Jack reminded him. "We'll be on the other side of Rockville which means you'll be going to Hopkins Junior High instead of John Clarke Middle School."

"I'm okay with that," EJ said quickly. "I'll go to school with Imani instead of Freddie. And we'll all still be in Rockville High together in two years."

Ethan and Jack smirked at him. Ethan said first, "So this is about Imani?"

"No," EJ said hotly but turned a little pink. "It's not about Imani. It's about me not wanting to go all the way to Ashaway. I'm not gonna have my friends. And Granny and Grampy will be further away and I don't want to have to leave them either."

"This family meeting was a bad idea," Ethan said to Jack. "We should have just made the decision ourselves."

EJ jumped up angrily and Catty meowed at him as she tumbled to the floor. "Well just do it already! You're gonna do what you wanna do anyway!"

He began to walk away when Ethan yelled at him, "Ay yo! You don't just leave the family meeting! Sit your ass back down!"

EJ spun around and yelled, "Why are you like this!?"

"If I get up you, gonna see what I'm really like," Ethan threatened.

"Okay, pause." Jack stood up and held his hands out before anyone started yelling again. "EJ, apologize for yelling at your father. Now."

EJ pushed out air from his nose angrily but said, "I'm sorry, Dad."

"Thank you for showing respect," said Jack. "Now if you're frustrated and you need a break, use your words: 'I need a break.' Want to sit down and try that again?"

EJ slumped down on the couch but didn't speak. Susie gently tapped Ethan and said, "You cursed so you have to put money in the cursing jar, Daddy." Jamie mimicked his sister and tapped Ethan's leg too, making Ethan smile. He picked the boy up and put him fully in his lap.

Jackie moved closer to EJ and put her head on his shoulder. "It's okay," she whispered. EJ lifted his arm up and placed it around her neck, and she moved closer. Jackie said, "I changed my mind. I want to go with EJ's house."

Jack sighed and sat back down. The arguing between Ethan and EJ had intensified lately, and everyone else felt like they had to choose sides. He began to speak.

"I just want to acknowledge that we have been going through a lot of changes as a family these last few months. We had Jamie join us unexpectedly. We've been going back and forth between your grandparents on the weekends now, which breaks up our family time. Your dad and I have been preoccupied with court stuff. And we're buying a house. It's a lot of changes. So it's okay if there are a lot of feelings about all these changes."

"I just feel like you guys never listen to me," EJ bemoaned. "All these changes that I had no say in any of them. Except maybe JC, I remember you asking me if I wanted a sister. But I didn't get to decide if you two were going to have more kids, and now it's six of us instead of three. And I didn't get to decide if I wanted to actually leave this place. What if I don't want a house? What if I want us to stay right here?"

"I'm sorry you feel like that," Ethan said. "But the truth is, we're the adults and we make the decisions around here. We include you in these decisions when we can. The decision to buy a house is necessary, because as you just said, it's six of us. I want us to be comfortable."

EJ said, "And I want us to stay in Rockville."

"So if we can find a nice, large enough house in Rockville, that would work, right?" Jack asked. They both nodded. "Okay. I wasn't going to say anything but Mr. Jarten and Mr. Lionel are selling."

EJ looked up at him hopeful. "Right across the street?" EJ asked.

Ethan squinted his eyes. "Next to Mrs. Mullens?" Ethan asked.

Jack smiled at both of them. "Yes, and yes."

"That's a great idea!" EJ yelled excitedly.

"Hold up," Ethan said. "The house has to be smaller too. It can't be more than 2000 square feet."

"I honestly don't know," said Jack. "I haven't been in that house since I was a teen. I ran into Mr. Jarten at ShopRite earlier this week. He said Mr. Lionel isn't doing so well so they're moving in with his daughter in Pawtucket and his son is taking over the Bait and Fishing shop. Mr. Jarten officially retired from teaching and plan to leave by the fall, once the in-law suite is done."

Ethan smirked at him. "Just hanging out at ShopRite, huh? Did you say hi to your friend Yosef?"

Jack smirked back. "I did actually. He said to say hello for him... to my husband."

Ethan laughed and Jack giggled with him. EJ was annoyed. "What are you guys even talking about?"

"How about we set up a house tour next week, see if it's doable?" Ethan said to Jack. "We'll all go together, like we did with the first two houses."

"Okay, let's do that!" EJ said happily.

~~~~~~

"Thank you so much for inviting us over," Ethan said as the whole family piled into the front entrance.

"Of course!" Jacob Jarten said happily. "We love having guests over. Jack used to stop by all the time when he was younger, just to talk or play chess with Allie and I."

"I did, didn't I?" Jack said, remembering his teen years playing chess and having conversations with the older men. "Sorry I haven't been around, life just kind of took off for me."

"Oh we know," Alexander Lionel said as he came over slowly with his cane. "We've been watching from afar. You've grown up into a fine young man." He touched Jack's face in a fatherly manner.

"Thanks," Jack said sincerely.

"Yes, we've watched both you and Ethan, cursing each other out every Friday morning," said Mr. Jarten amusingly. "Then suddenly you were over there all the time, and the two of you were inseparable."

Mr. Lionel said, "I turned to Jacob and said, 'That boy is smitten with the new Inn keeper.'"

Jack blushed and Ethan laughed. "So Jack was already smitten, huh?" Ethan asked with a smug smile.

"Shut up," said Jack, and Ethan laughed again.

But Mr. Lionel said, "Don't laugh too hard, Ethan. We watched you ogle at Jack when he wasn't looking, way before he started coming around. Pretended to clean that bay window or use EJ to sit out front, all to get a glimpse of him every Friday morning. You were a smitten puppy too."

"Really?" Jack said in astonishment.

It was Jack's turn to laugh as Ethan blushed. "I don't remember that," Ethan denied.

The older men chuckled. "You two were adorable to watch. Almost as adorable as Allie and I when we were young," said Mr. Jarten, looking at his partner lovingly.

Alex kissed Jacob squarely on the mouth and said, "Almost."

Jacob smiled, then turned back to their guests. "We're barbecuing, Allie's favorite," he said.

"Jackie's too," Ethan said, rubbing his daughter's strawberry blonde hair. "She loves having grilled hot dogs in barbecue sauce."

"Then you'll sit next to me, yes?" Mr. Lionel asked her.

"Okay," she said happily and took his hand. Susie followed them over to the dining room.

Mr. Jarten turned to his student. "And how are you, EJ? Feeling awkward about being in your teacher's home?" He winked at him.

EJ chuckled. "Yea, this is a little weird. But you lived across the street from me all this time, so I guess it's okay."

Mr. Jarten said, "You too are growing up nicely. Thanks to your dads' here." EJ shrugged his response. He turned back to the parents. "So, would you like to do a tour now or wait until after dinner?"

"It's up to you. We are guests in your home," Ethan said.

"Well then, let's begin to walk around now, start at the top and make our way down to the basement." Mr. Jarten decided. "Would you like to come along, EJ?"

Sure!" EJ said, happy to be included.

The four of them with Jamie in Ethan's arms left the girls downstairs with Mr. Lionel and went to the first landing. Mr. Jarten walked toward the back of the house and opened up the first room, which was big and spacious with a king-size bed. It was bright yellow with three windows, two facing the back of the home and the other facing the side.

"When we first bought this home 30 years ago, we were in this room instead of the master. We liked the quietness of it and the view from the backyard into the trees." He said in Ethan's ear quietly, "Also Janet Mullens is a nosy bitch and we did not indulge her questions of whose room was where."

Ethan chuckled. "How long have you and Alex been together?"

"37 years," Mr. Jarten told him. "I came here back in '81 to spread my father's ashes and sell his house, and fell in love with an arrogant, chain smoking, smart mouth, rough around the edges fisherman and shopkeeper. Best thing I've ever done. I've had a lifetime of happiness with him."

"Wow!" Ethan was in awe. "Sounds like me, except the smoking part: Coming into this small town to buy the Inn, and ended up falling in love with an arrogant, smart mouth sanitation man. Then married him and started a family." Ethan watched Jack walk around the room with love. "Best thing I've ever done too."

He patted Ethan's shoulder. "We never did the marriage thing, even after it became legal. We left it for the young folks like you and Jack," Mr. Jarten said with a wink. "Although O'Donnell offered to secretly marry us once." He chuckled.

Ethan chuckled too, and didn't respond. He started walking around, seeing his daughters in that room. When he got closer to Jack, Jack said, "It's big. And it has two closets." Jack could also see Jackie and Susie there.

"Big enough for two twin-size beds and two dressers," Ethan agreed.

They looked out the window into the wooded area behind the house. "I run there sometimes," Jack said to him. "It leads to the other side of Wincheck Pond, closer to Brayden's parents' house. In the mornings I could leave from the backyard and keep going." Ethan gave him a small nudge.

Mr. Jarten said, "Next room."

They followed the old teacher to the middle room. It wasn't as big, but it was still bright, showing the side of the house. It had one closet. "So this would be my room?" EJ asked. "Because I know you not gonna give me the biggest room."

"Maybe," Jack said. "We're just taking a tour." EJ grunted in response.

They passed a bathroom with two sinks and a big tub and then went into the last room. It appeared small at first glance, but they realized it was because of the full size bathroom and walk-in closet. The room was still large enough for a king-size bed.

Mr. Jarten said, "We moved to the master when Allie's Parkinsons started affecting his mobility after he turned 70. We needed to be closer to the bathroom and the main stairs."

Ethan looked out of the window. The bedroom directly faced the Inn. Jack said from the bathroom, "It's a nice big jet tub in there. And a separate shower."

Ethan walked over to him and they stood in front of the tub. "We can both fit," Ethan said softly. Jack smiled without looking at him and nudged him back.

Mr. Jarten briefly showed them the steps to the attic before heading downstairs. The girls were occupied playing Go Fish with Mr. Lionel, so they made their way through the dining room with a table that fits eight, and through another set of double doors into the large, remodeled kitchen.

"We just redid the kitchen a few years ago. Quartz on the counter and the island. Soft close drawers. New fridge and dishwasher. Of course you could change it out if you want."

Ethan actually wouldn't; he liked the contrast of the dark blue cabinets, gold handles and white counter tops. But Jack was the one that said, "It looks great in here. We wouldn't change a thing." And EJ agreed, testing out the drawers by opening them and trying to slam them closed. He was fascinated.

Mr. Jarten turned to a door off the kitchen. They followed him into the basement, that was surprisingly airy. It had two doors right next to each other. He opened the first door and showed them the laundry and utilities room.

"It has a door to the outside," he said, pointing to it. "It leads to the backyard."

He came back to the hallway and opened the second door. It was set up like a family room with a couch with the TV across from it. Ethan asked Mr. Jarten, "What's the square footage?"

"2500 square feet on an 8000 square foot lot. But it feels larger than that, because of the layout of the house. We're marketing it as a four bedroom home since this room has its own full bathroom, a closet and windows. Allie sometimes sleeps down here when he can't make it all the way upstairs. I stay here with him those nights."

Jack turned to him. "How is he holding up?"

"You know Allie. Nothing ever gets him down. He's a tough one, that one," Mr. Jarten said.

"And you?" Jack asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. "How are you? I know it's hard on you too."

"Oh...yes," he said quietly. "This last year has been hard. But he still has a lot of life left in him, so we're cherishing every moment."

They continued to talk as Ethan made his way to the other side of the room, giving them some privacy. He went through the whole area and ended up at the full bathroom.

EJ came behind him. "So technically this could be my room, right?"

Ethan laughed. "In your dreams, kid."

"Why noooot?" he whined.

"Because I'm not putting a teenager in his own room with access to the outside," Ethan said. "You could have full blown parties down here and we would never know about it."

EJ's mouth opened. "Oh, so you don't trust me?"

"Of course not, you're a kid."

"Which is it, Dad? Am I a teenager or a kid!?" his son yelled at him.

"Watch your tone, EJ," Ethan said threateningly. "I'm not entertaining this dumb ass idea."

"Ugh, just forget it!" EJ said walking away from him. "I don't know why I'm even here, you're gonna do what you wanna do anyway."

Both Jack and Mr. Jarten looked up, startled at EJ's brisk tone with his father. Jack called his name, "EJ!"

EJ turned to him in anger. "No it's fine, Pop. Just buy the most convenient house for the two of you, nevermind that I'm going to be a 13-year-old stuck in the smaller room with a baby because we're both boys."

"You're being really rude right now," Ethan said angrily.

EJ turned back to Ethan. "Well I'm really pissed off but I guess I'm not allowed to be because I'm a KID!" he yelled.

"Ethan!" Jack yelled his name sternly. EJ turned back to his other father, knowing it was him he was yelling at. "Leave this house and go cool off in your room. Now!" he commanded.

EJ brushed past him. Jack continued, "And when you come back, the next words out of your mouth will be an apology to your father and Mr. Jarten for your behavior."

If EJ heard him he made no acknowledgment of it. They heard his footsteps cross the living room and out the front door.

"Well. I remember having a hot head around just like that," Mr. Jarten said and winked at Jack.

Jack gave him a small smile and turned to Ethan. "What happened?"

Ethan shook his head in frustration. "The smallest things sets him off now. He had the hairbrained idea that this would be his room. I told him all the reasons it was a stupid idea and he flipped out on me."

"By calling him a kid?"

"He is a kid," Ethan said sharply.

"Okay," Jack said patiently. "But he's also growing up and he will be a teenager in a few months. So let's not call his ideas stupid, even if you think they are."

"So you think it's a good idea for a teenage boy to have a room in a basement with access to the outside!?" Ethan asked incredulously.

"I didn't say it was a good or bad idea. But it's an idea worth considering."

"Ugh," Ethan scoffed and brushed past them. He went up the stairs with Jamie.

Jack sighed. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Jarten. We have a lot going on and everyone's emotions are on high right now."

Jacob shrugged nonchalantly. "Marriage is tough. Raising children is tough. But you have love, commitment and partnership. You'll find your way, together as a family." He patted Jack's shoulder. "Come, let's go have dinner. Allie made his special barbecue sauce."

~~~

EJ eventually came back to the home and apologized to Mr. Jarten, Mr. Lionel and his father. But he was quiet for the rest of dinner. When they left there and went back across the street EJ asked, "Can I go to the park? See if Freddie or Imani is still there?"

Although it was at night, it was still light outside in late June. Ethan was about to protest when Jack said, "One hour. Be home by nine. And stay in Rockville."

"Okay, thanks Pop." He quickly grabbed his bike and headed back out.

Ethan shook his head. "You give him way too much leeway."

"And you're too hard on him," Jack said back as he shifted Jamie to his other arm. "Most of the time he just wants you to listen to him, even if you don't agree. He just needs to be heard."

Ethan didn't respond. Instead he said, "I'm going to go draw in the yard for a little while."

"Can I come?" Susie asked, overhearing.

"Sure, sweet pea. Jackie, do you want to come too?"

"Okay! But I want to play, not draw," she said.

So the five of them ended up in the backyard of the Inn. Jack strapped Jamie to his chest and kicked a soccer ball back and forth with Jackie while Ethan sat on the bench with Susie on the other end. Ethan sketched while Susie drew pictures in her notebook.