Making Plans (the Hubbards, Madison)

[Franklin Hubbard]

After his conversation the other day with Madison about their new living situation and his parents, Frankie knew it would probably be in his best interest, to follow up on the plan he made for the family to go out to dinner. At the very least he wanted his parents to know him and Madison were a couple and were on the cusp of moving in together. He was proud of his relationship and wanted his parents to not only know but hopefully be supportive of him as well.
He'd gotten in touch with Jesse and Angie and found times that fit with their schedules, and had done the same with Madison. And after getting off early from his shift he headed over to the Valley Inn. Madison had told him she'd be arriving from work and his parents had said the same.
Parking his car he checked his reflection in the mirror, wanting to look decent for his girlfriend and his family, before getting out and going to the front entrance of the restaurant. Checking his watch he saw he was a bit on the early side but didn't mind waiting. A part of him looking forward to spending a nice evening with people he loved.

[Mrs. Angela Hubbard]

After getting a call from her son about him wanting she and Jesse to join him for dinner Angie called her husband to ask if he knew what was going on. Jesse told her he was about to call and ask the same thing. It wasn’t unusual for their boy to call and invite them to dinner or even stop by, but it was just something out of the blue considering they hadn’t talked to him in quite sometime. Anyway, after chatting with her husband a bit more they came to an agreement that Jesse would come get her from the hospital and from there they would head on over to the Valley Inn.

Now here they were pulling into the parking lot. “You think he and Randi are back together?” Angie asked. She had totally forgotten about her daughter in law until that moment. “I mean, what if this is a way to tell us that they worked it out and this is a celebration of sorts. Maybe it was her idea knowing that what she did before was stupid.” She rolled her eyes and unbuckled her seatbelt. If this was about Randi she was going to pull that two-bit… woman… to the side and make sure she knew damn well she was watching her closely. The next time she screwed with her sons heart she would have more than divorce papers waiting on her doorsteps. And that was a promise!

Angie took Jesse’s hand as he helped her from the truck and waited until he locked up. She smoothed her hands over her pants leg before she took his hand and walked with him inside. Before they even made it in good Angie jerked Jesse’s hand, leading him stumble back. “What if they called him back to Iraq?” She asked, her heart dropping at the thought. “Jesse, if that is what this dinner is about I… I don’t think I can do it. I can’t let my baby go there… Not again.”

[Chief J. Hubbard]

“Angela relax. We don’t need your pressure going up.” He teased after he helped out the truth and turned to lock up. “May I add. If this is about Randi and our grown son getting back together, you think you can be cool about it?” He looked down at her. “We’re way to connected to one another for me to not know what you’re thinking. If this is about them getting back together be nice.”
His wife was a bull when it came to their grown kids heart. She guarded them like crazy and he knew how she can get if something ever happened, precisely Randi coming back into the frame. He knew his wife would put a smile on her face in front of her soon but knew as soon as he walked away for one minute, maybe a second she was going to snatch Randi up and probably put the fear of god into her.

Jesse was getting ready to look around when Angie jerked him back and started freaking out Iraq and Frankie having to go back. Not wanting to be in anybody’s way he moved them to the side. “Baby relax.. Relax for me.” He said cupping her face and staring into her eyes.
“I don’t think that’s why he called us here. Frankie knows how sensitive that subject is to you and I have a feeling that he would want to talk with us about  that in private.” He explained still staring into her eyes. “Just relax and breathe and then we’ll go see what’s going on.”

“We could just be coming to see him for dinner. Nothing more. It has been awhile since we’ve gotten with him so..” He didn’t continue, but he knew Angie caught onto what he was trying to say.

After finally getting his wife to calm down he kissed her forehead and they went to search for their son. It didn’t take long.
“Hey son.” Jesse greeted giving him a hug and then pulling back so Angie could do the same.

[Franklin Hubbard]

Seeing his parents walk up, Frankie flashed them a broad smile before Jesse gave him a hug.
"Hey Dad, good to see ya."
He said, giving him a pat on the back before he stepped aside and Angie stepped in. Greeting her the same he gave her a kiss on the cheek, right before a server came up.
"Mr. Hubbard your table's ready."
"Thanks."
Heading to the dining room with his parents, he was set to pull out Angie's chair for her but Jesse beat him to the punch.
Once they were all seated he glanced at his phone briefly and didn't see any messages from Madison but didn't bother texting her. He knew she'd arrive soon and that their table was in plain sight.
"So I'm glad you guys could make it. Hope I didn't throw you off your schedules or something."
Frankie said. He hoped planning ahead with this would mean his parents didn't have to miss anything important. He knew how busy they were between work and the kids.
"Oh by the way, Madison is going to be joining us. She should be here soon though."
He said casually, taking a sip of water.

[Mrs. Angela Hubbard]

Jesse was right… He was right! This was just an innocent dinner with their son. If anything had been wrong he would have told them in private. Taking all of this to heart and mind, Angie finally calmed down and let Jesse lead the way. She had pushed everything negative out of her mind when they came up to their son and she saw that smile on his face. God, he’s just like his father, she thought before going into his strong arms. “Hey baby,” she greeted, kissing his cheek as well.

“Thank you, baby.” She giggled when Jesse pulled out her chair and whispered something in her ear that made her blush. “No honey. My schedule as well as your father’s were pretty clear this evening. Jocelyn is hanging out with her big sister and Adrian is hanging out with some of his friends from school. Their parents decided to take them to the movies, grab a bite to eat and maybe go by the arcade. When he get’s home he’s going to be too tuckered out to even tells us about his evening.” Angie and Jesse had been more than happy to let Adrian go for the evening with his classmates. For one he would have a better time out than staying in with them, more than likely. Two, he’d always been to himself and since starting at the school only had maybe two very close buddies, not counting Kathy, so this was a good way for him to come all the way out of that shell. See that everybody was very nice and everybody just wanted to have fun.

Angie was still thinking about her youngest children when she heard Frankie say that Madison would be joining them. She looked up from her menu and stared at her son. “Oh?” She asked. “Well, the more the merrier.” She picked up her glass of water. “The last I seen her she told me you guys were still close friends. I’m sure by now you must be best friends. Like your father and Jenny use to be.” She looked over at Jesse who nodded.

[Franklin Hubbard]

"Yeah I'm sure he will be."
Frankie smiled knowingly. Happy to hear that his brother was spending time with some friends of his. He knew the kid was outgoing with him and people he was close to but tended to clam up and get shy. So it was good to know he was getting out a bit more.

Well a little bit more than that..
Frankie thought to himself at Angie's comment. He'd valued his friendship with Madison very much, she'd helped him throughout all the crap he'd gone through with Randi and he never forgot that. But hoped they wouldn't ever resort back to the "just friends" stage, knowing it'd be too difficult to see her as anything besides the woman he loved.
"Yeah, I like to think we got to that point. We definitely have gotten close. After everything that happened with Randi, I..Mads was right there to help me through that."
He admitted with a soft smile.
"She ought to be here soon but, in the meantime tell me what else has been going on with you guys? Dad..how's the station been lately?"
Frankie asked curiously. He saw his mother at PVH enough but these days wasn't making it over to the station to see Jesse nearly enough.

[Chief J. Hubbard]

“Jenny, Jenny.” Jesse chuckled when Angie mentioned he and his best friends close relationship. “Yep.” He picked his head up to look at his son and caught a look. It was quick but d**nit it was there.

Jesse continued to eye his son. Just how close have you both gotten, the words were on the tip of his tongue and before he could let them slip Frankie jumped in and asked then and the station. “Oh um..” He cleared his throat and shrugged. “Like your mother said everything’s going pretty good. Couldn’t be better.” He gave his lovely wife a wink.

“The station is just the station. Not much has changed really. Recruiting a few more knuckleheads and beating them into shape.” He playfully threw a punch. “Got the Mayor riding my back every chance she get’s about something or another. I think she just bother me because she has nothing else better to do. She got her minions doing all her work.”

[fradison]

Madison had been back and forth about showing up to this dinner. Even though she knew it needed to be done, she was still nervous about everything. She was actually afraid of his parents reaction. She heard how hard Mrs. Hubbard had been on Randi and feared she would get the same treatment if not worse. “I shouldn’t have come,” she mumbled when she walked inside and spotted The Hubbard’s talking and laughing.

She was about to turn and dash out when Frankie looked up and their gazes locked. Despite her fear, she started walking toward them. It was almost as if he was pulling her to him. Making her come against her will. Right before she made it to the table though that strength she felt went away. “He-- Hello,” Madison just barely greeted when both Angie and Jesse looked back.

Angie smiled. “Hello Sweetheart. I was beginning to wonder if we were going to have to start dinner without you,” Angie teased.
“Oh no… I’m sorry I’m late. I uh… I got caught up at Fusion. New line coming out and our hours ran over just a bit,” she explained. She probably wasn’t all that late, but she felt it needed to be said.
Angie waved her off. “It’s okay. I was just teasing.”
Madison nervously smiled at her before doing the same to Jesse who was eyeing her suspiciously and then she turned to Frankie who waiting with her chair pulled out. “Thank you.”

Madison put her purse down beside her and picked up the menu. She had to put her mind and certainly her eyes on something else. Especially with the Chief of Police sitting across from her. He was trained to make people talk and five more seconds of looking at him and she would be telling all.

Not longer after Madison had taken her seat and came to a decision, their waiter come by took their drinks orders as well as their dinner orders and went ahead to put them in.

Now Madison no longer had anything to keep her occupied.
“So Madison, how’s everything going? We haven’t spoken in quite sometime.” Angie said after sometime. She was trying to get the flow going. Both Frankie and Madison were a but to quiet.
“Well I-I…” She sighed and looked down. Just play it cool. Be cool. “Everything’s great actually.” She looked at Frankie out the corner of her eye and blushed. Great didn’t even began to describe how everything was going.
Angie smile. “You’re blushing. Who is he?” She asked. She missed the look she gave Frankie but she didn’t miss that blush in her cheeks.
Madison cleared her throat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Honey, you’re blushing. There’s a guy. I know it is.” She then looked over at Frankie. “Unless you don’t want to say anything in front of your friend here. Think he might get crazy and overprotective of you.”
“No ma’am,” Madison said with a giggle.

[Franklin Hubbard]

Catching Jesse eying him, Frankie tried to play it cool but felt a little sweat on his brow. It wasn't like he had any reason to be nervous. He wasn't ashamed of him and Madison by any stretch. He just was waiting for the right moment, timing was everything.
"Yeah I'm sure..gotta get 'em up to your standards."
Hearing him mention the mayor's minions he rolled his eyes in agreement. The mayor had no reason to come at his dad and Frankie hoped it wouldn't continue.
Finally he glanced over and noticed Madison. When their eyes locked his breath hitched in his throat and his mouth went a little dry. She looked gorgeous all the time but tonight she was a knockout. He could see though she was just as nervous, if not more than he was. Getting up to greet her he wanted more than anything to pull her into a kiss but settled for just pulling out her chair.
"You're welcome."
Frankie said, sitting back down. Right then though the waiter came by, took their orders, and left it all quiet on the western front. Finally Angie broke the silence and Frankie felt relief sink in.
When he caught Madison blushing he gave her a shy smile, that faded when Angie called her, and essentially..them..out. Luckily Mads covered but now it was his turn to talk.
"C'mon like I'm one to get crazy."
He dodged sheepishly, taking a sip of water.
"Overprotective..maybe a little, but it's warranted for the most part when you care about someone enough."
Frankie said, ever so subtly reaching over and giving Madison's hand a gentle squeeze.
"Speaking of..Mom, your friend Myra was giving me and a few of my friends quite a hard time earlier. Said something like we're taking in too many shifts and not enough real food. Dr. Sinclair's actually afraid to use the vending machine by her desk now."

[Mrs. Angela Hubbard]

Angie gave her son a knowing look. “Frankie, try that with somebody who did not bring you into this world and raise you.” Her son was just like his father. Crazily overprotective of those near and dear to him. It as a good trait to have, but she still often teased him about it.

Madison looked down to she and Frankie’s entwined hands and bit back a smile. She wanted to lean over and give him a kiss. One that she been aching to give him sine they went their separate ways that morning. And one that she ached for like crazy when she walked in and saw him looking just too sexy for his own good. She was in the midst of running her finger along the plains of his palm when he mentioned something about his mother’s friend.

“Well… You ever thought that maybe my friend was on to something,” Angie hinted. “Seriously Frankie, I’ve been eyeing that schedule and you all are getting a little crazy with these shifts. I put Tina in charge of the shifts for a reason, because I had a lot on my plate and I knew she would be able to handle it for me.” She smirked. “When I heard you all had been running to her asking for favors. Asking her to put you on the board for some OT, I was a little shocked. Granted I know you all love your jobs and admire that fire in all of you. But you all need to pull back a little. You all need to slow down before you run yourselves ragged. And give the other doctors a chance to work too,” she explained. “And don’t get me started on the vending machines! I swear that man has to come in look like every two days to refill it.”

Angie leaned into Jesse a bit as she picked up her glass. “Anyway, I am back in charge of the scheduling. So don’t even think about going to Tina for favors. And don’t even think about coming to me and sucking up. As far as the machines go, well Myra and myself have been talking and I’m thinking about putting some healthy snacks into those machines.” She knew her staff all to well. They would definitely have a problem with healthy crap. But if their health meant getting some tude, then so be it. They will thank her in the long run.

Madison dropped her head and snickered. “Good luck with that,” she muttered.
Angie took her eyes from Frankie and put them on Madison. “What you mean?”
“Well it’s just that Frankie gags at the thought of me coo-- I mean… It’s just that the few times me and Frankie have hung out,” she quickly cleared up. “He’s always ordering greasy foods. Fried foods.”
“Well he got it honestly.” Angie cut her eyes to Jesse, who was known for having a problem with eating healthier. Just then she remembered the “mistake” Madison made just seconds ago. Maybe it was just her but she could have sworn the girl was about to say cook… But why would? Angie inwardly laughed. You’re assuming again. Assumptions get you nowhere.

[Franklin Hubbard]

"Well then prepare for a mutiny on your hands, Ma."
Frankie said all too knowingly. His friends and him were fans of vending machine junk, just came with the territory. And he smiled at Madison's snicker, she knew him too well.
Hearing her trip over her words and cover though he looked on warily. This was getting crazy now. It wasn't like either of them had anything to hide. So why couldn't he just man up and tell them?
"Yeah well, what's wrong with that?"
He smirked, as he and Jesse exchanged smiles. But he knew that his father was looking at him for answers..and Angie was catching on as well. But their food wasn't even in front of them yet and they had a ways to go before the evening was through. Maybe they could wait awhile longer...

[Chief J. Hubbard]

Jesse glanced at his wife as she spoke about the vending machines. “You did what now?” He asked surprisingly. “Oh man. This is something I gotta see. You’re actually going that far to get them to calm down.” He shook his head.

When Angie said their son was just like him he looked at her and then his boy. “Yea. What’s in the world is wrong with that?” He asked doing the crazy finger when he and Frankie laughed. He hadn’t missed the slip from Madison nor the look from Frankie but he decided to just wait until later to delve more into whatever was going on. He had a general idea but them confirming his suspicions instead of just assuming would be better.

“You know Frankie.. Adrian came to me the other day and mentioned something about a camping trip you took last year. Anyway whatever you told him has him over excited and he wants to go. Been talking non-stop about sleeping in a tent. So what do you say?” He asked picking up his drink.
Jesse caught the sideways look from his wife but purposely didn’t look her away. She been saying no since he brought the idea up to her but he told her one way or another he was going to take his son out and let him experience the outdoors. Hang out with both his boys and do things he hadn’t been able to do in the past.

[Franklin Hubbard]

When Jesse brought up Adrian, after sipping his water Frankie nodded in understanding. Awhile back he'd told him in passing about him going to Willow Lake with some buddies of his from the hospital, and hadn't realized the kid was paying attention. Clearly though he was.
"Hey I'd love to. I had no idea Adrian had gotten that worked up over it, but...I think it'd be a good time. I'll take a look at my schedule, figure out the best time to get away."
Frankie said, but caught the look he was getting from his mother and chuckled a little.
"Ma what's the matter? We'll be fine, and so will Adrian. I thought you'd be thrilled at the thought of something distracting him from his video games too."

[Mrs. Angela Hubbard]

Them talking about taking her baby boy out into the woods just didn’t sit right with her. She didn’t mind her boys hanging out and bonding, but she just didn’t want them doing it out in the woods. Where there could be something waiting to capture them or something. She didn’t know! She just knew she didn’t want her baby out there.

Angie took her attention from her husband and put them on her oldest. She hadn’t really meant to stare him down. “I know you’ll take care of him and you know I want him doing something other than playing that dang game, but I just don’t like the idea of him being out there,” she answered crossing her arms. “To be honest I really don’t like the idea of you and Jesse being out there.” She shook her head and when it looked like they were going to say something she held up a hand. “Right, right, right, you both know how to fend for yourselves out there. Know what it’s like to be in the woods, camping out and all that jazz. That still doesn’t make me like it.”

Madison gave Mrs. Hubbard a soft smile. “Mrs. Hubbard, don’t you want Adrian to enjoy the outdoors?” She carefully asked.
“Of course I do,” Angie answered honestly. She didn’t mind her baby going outside and having the time of his life. “But I don’t want my baby spending the night outside. If you were a mother you would understand where I’m coming from.”
Madison nodded as she looked to Frankie and shrugged her shoulders. She wasn’t sure what else to say about this and judging from the looks on both of the Hubbard’s men faces they didn’t either.

Angie was still pouting when Jesse lightly touched her arm and she looked up at him. “Jes-- Jesse don’t look at me like that,” she huffed, trying to avoid the pleading look on his face.

[Chief J. Hubbard]

“Cool with me.” Jesse said when he and his son agreed that taking Adrian out would be a good idea.
When Frankie asked Angie what was wrong and she started talking, Jesse looked over at her and smirked. He had a feeling she wasn’t going to stop until she had her way. He was sorry to burst Angela’s bubble but this was going to happen. She always took their son out for the day or have this big weekend planned just for him and Jocelyn and wouldn’t even asked him if he had anything planned. He had let it slide before because he was more of a let it fly by the seat of the pants type of guy. Wanted to spring stuff on them. But now he had to play it Angela’s way. “Pay your mother no mind.” Jesse told his son just as Madison jumped in and asked if she wanted Adrian to enjoy the outdoors.

“Angie.” He said in a sing-song way as he slid a finger up and down her arm. “Like what?” He asked. “Look at you like what?”

He eased arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him. “Baby I promised you before and I’ll promise you again I will take care of these knuckleheads. No offense Franklin..” He looked at Frankie before he turned his attention back to his wife. “Trust me.”