I Need a Vacation From This Vacation {Jack}

[Riley Coxen G7]

((this thread takes place during the last three days of the winter holiday.))

For the first time in Riley’s natural born life, the Coxen household was practically empty. There were less than three people in the house, and this was heaven to Riley Coxen, who wasn’t exactly in the mood to be dealing with nosy family members. Riley had a monstrous headache. This wasn’t just any ordinary headache that could be cured with a quick spell though; it was the kind that only came with what Riley and her friends liked to call a Holiday Overload. She’d had enough of family dinners and “mother/daughter” quality time. She knew her mother was just getting lonely like she always did around this time of year, but Yasmin Coxen just didn’t seem to understand that her youngest daughter was absolutely nothing like her older one. Riley did not enjoy shopping trips and she did not have fun cooking dinner for the family. Yasmin had always warned Riley that these activities were the kind that teenage girls were supposed to enjoy, and she was sure all her friends spent quality time doing house work with their mothers practically on a daily basis. Riley tried to tell her mother time and time again that Erica, Veronica, Mia, and Christy’s mothers all knew better than to live under some sort of false hope that their daughters actually liked playing the Junior Wife for an entire holiday. Of course, Mrs. Coxen just didn’t seem to comprehend that fact, but there was nothing that could be done about that. Riley would simply have to wait things out until the holidays were over and she’d get to go back to school and go back to being able to see Jack on a daily basis.

At this point, it was a bit obvious Riley was ‘romantically involved’ with a boy from school. Riley and Oz always used to joke around saying that their mother was ‘blissfully ignorant’ to most of the actions of her children and husband, but she definitely wasn’t an idiot. In a big family like the Coxens’, nothing stayed a secret for long. Some of her brothers actually had the intention of spilling the secret or holding it for ransom over Riley’s head for as long as they pleased, but some of her brothers (like Connor for example) just sort of accidentally let it slip from time to time. Riley couldn’t be too mad obviously…this was to be expected. She was surprised she’d made it this far without her mother figuring things out. There was only three days left until break was over, and Riley’s mother was finally starting to catch on. After one of Riley’s brothers “accidentally” said something about Riley’s new boy during lunch, Yasmin went nuts. She sent all the boys away to wherever they pleased and called for an official “Mother/Daughter Winter Cleaning Day” at the Coxen place. With all the boys out having fun, Riley was stuck in her own home with her mother and a closet full of brooms, mops, feather dusters, and other various cleaning supplies. Riley supposed this was as empty as the house was ever going to get, so she may as well count her blessings. Besides, she was seeing Jack for a date later. The downside was that yes, he’d have to actually pick her up from her home with her mother’s knowledge this time, but it was better than cleaning.

Absolutely exhausted, Riley finally placed her broom down against the wall. Hearing the abrupt stop in Riley’s sweeping, her mother turned around from her position scrubbing the counters of all the orange juice and butterbeer stains (living in a house full of boys did not always make for a very tidy house) and gave her daughter a confused stare. “Well, it’s six thirty. I’ve had enough mom. I’m going up to my room to get ready for my date.” Riley said rather blatantly. She didn’t want to stay on the subject of dates for too long, knowing her mother would likely brake out into tears. Without another word, Riley set her filthy dishrag down on the counter and headed for the stairs. She quickly sifted through her pile of newly cleaned clothes, picking out the first decent thing she saw. She slipped on a pair of light jeans and a simple black t-shirt. She tied her hair up in a messy bun, not bothering with makeup. Tonight would just be about her and Jack. She didn’t need to keep up appearances for the girls or anyone else. So as she passed her already packed school trunk, she placed on her jacket and got ready to leave. She hadn’t even realized that Jack wouldn’t be there for quite a while, so she’d have to kill some time somehow.

“Dear God Riley, a bit of makeup won’t kill you. Oh but I’m sure this boy will simply love you anyway. How could he not?” Yasmin said with a weak “my child is growing up” sort of smile. Riley couldn’t help but twitch at her mother’s reaction as Riley came down the stairs. Could she be any more aggravating about this whole ‘first boyfriend’ thing? It was really starting to get on her nerves. Riley sighed and tried to choke out a word of thanks the best she could. “Thanks mum.” Riley said simply, plopping herself down on the couch and grabbing a remote. “You know, you never told me much about him. I saw a picture. I packed your trunk for you and I couldn’t help but notice it. I’m guessing it was taken at Veronica’s. You guys make a cute couple, but he does look very old for a fifth year…then again most boys these days look old for their age I guess.” Yasmin said, wringing out the water in an old mop. Riley’s face burned with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. She couldn’t believe her mother had managed to find that. “Mum, next time it would be appreciated if you didn’t look through my things. I can pack my own trunk now, I’m perfectly capable. And he’s not a fifth year. He’s a year older than I am. A Slytherin.” Riley didn’t mean to say all that she did, but her mother was getting her mad so Riley’s instincts couldn’t help but try and make Riley say something she knew her mother wouldn’t be pleased with. “Riley, are you crazy? He’s too old for you. And a Slytherin as well? That’s just setting yourself up for trouble, sweetheart.” Yasmin did not sound angry; it was more like she sounded concerned. But what did she have to be concerned about? Age and house had nothing to do with a person’s character. “Mother, who I date is none of your business. Jack is only a year older than me, and didn’t you always teach us not to have house prejudices?! Whatever happened to that? What did all your old morals go out the window when Bruce stopped reigning over you like the tyrant he was?! Way to go mum, some examply you’re setting for your daughter.” Riley said coldly, not thinking about what she was saying.

“Riley Paige Coxen you need to watch your attitude with me! I’m not one of the girls, you can’t talk to me like that. You will not talk to me like that under my roof.” Mrs. Coxen said, her voice rising. She was losing her temper fast. Riley merely rolled her eyes. “Good.” She spat harshly. “Because I’m leaving anyway.” Riley said stubbornly just as the doorbell rang. Her mother stepped in front of her. “No. You’re not leaving this house with that boy. This is my house and until you are seventeen and can make your own choices, you will live under my rules.” Yasmin said, practically screaming now. At this point, Riley had had enough. She stormed up the stairs with only one destination in mind: the trunk. Now there were tears streaming down her cheeks, messing up what little makeup she had decided to put on that evening. “WHERE ARE YOU GOING WITH THAT?” Yasmin demanded as Riley hauled the trunk down the steps, crying more than she had in weeks. Yasmin’s eyes were brimming with tears, and it would only be moments before she started balling. “I’m going to stay with Jack for the rest of the holidays.” Riley said as she opened the door. She didn’t even really get to see Jack’s reaction to the scene unfolding in front of him. “WHAT?! RILEY, YOU CAN’T DO THAT.” Yasmin pleaded. Riley was beyond the point of fury now though, so she didn’t care. “You think I can’t? Mom, you just don’t get it. I’m going to do what I want to do. Please don’t try and stop me.” She said, trying to calm down but failing miserably. With that, she shut the door behind her. It wouldn’t be long before her mother followed, so they had to get out of there. Riley kissed Jack quickly through tear streaked cheeks. “Jack, me and my mom got into this really pointless and stupid fight, but I’m not going back in there. Apparate us out of here. Anywhere, I don’t care. Let’s just go, okay? I need to get out of here…” Riley said quickly as she heard her mother approaching the door. “Hurry, please!”

[Jack Reid]

Jack Reid was glad it was almost the end of winter holiday. While he enjoyed going home to spend time alone in his room, he didn’t particularly care for the rest of the house. His father was definitely the kind of man who wanted nothing to do with him every time Jack was home, even if it was Christmas. The holiday had been an interesting one to say the least. The morning of Christmas had come, and had started off just as he had expected: a grunt from his father and a meal prepared for him. They began giving out presents which wasn’t a normal thing, since the family usually left gifts at the edge of the beds the night before while everyone was asleep. But nonetheless, it had looked like it was going to be uneventful before a knock had come on the door. Jack had glanced out the window and seen Riley out there, surprising him for Christmas. Things hadn’t gone well from there, at least not in his book. His father hadn’t been happy that someone like a Gryffindor girl that Jack was dating showed up on Christmas day at their door. Jack stood in his room, remembering since it had only been a few ago. It wasn’t anything to think or worry about now. He had been upset with Riley at first, but he knew how she felt about him and why she had come. She was the kind of person he couldn’t stay mad at for very long, if at all.

The Reid household was empty for the first time probably since the winter holiday had started. Jackson had taken Amelia and the younger boys out to the park since it had cleared up a bit. He probably would take them out to a dinner at the family’s favorite restaurant afterwards. Jack had been told that he was to stay home and watch the house, as this was his punishment for allowing Riley to come over on the family’s festivities on Christmas day. Jack hadn’t put up a fight with his father about it, since he had already made plans with Riley to take her out that night, and they were going to come up with somewhere to go for the remaining few days of vacation. Riley didn’t know it, but Jack was planning on taking her to what the muggles called “The City That Never Sleeps”, New York City, in North America. They both had heard about the place many times, and they had heard it was a muggle tradition that an electric ball was dropped from a tall tower to signify the new year coming. Jack wanted to spend that momentous occasion with Riley, and he knew she wouldn’t have any kind of objection to it at all. Jack had packed a bag the night before of the things he would need, and since he had packed light on the trip home, he didn’t need to take much back to Hogwarts with him when they left from New York back to Hogwarts. He took out his wand and sent the bag away to a secure place.

While it was still nice out, it was a bit nippy, and he had heard that it could get quite chilly in that part of the world around New Years, so he threw on two jackets and a scarf. He was completely fine with one, but he knew that Riley would freeze very easily, so he would likely pull one off and give it to her to keep her warm. Knowing he had everything he needed, he pulled out his wand again and tucked it into the inner pocket of the jacket he intended on wearing for the night. With that, he apparated to Riley’s house. The house was rather large, and as well it should be, for the size of their family. He listened and didn’t hear anything at first, so he knocked, and as he finished knocking he heard what he thought was yelling. The first voice must have been Yasmin, Riley’s mother. Oh boy… Jack thought. What am I walking into? The second voice was definitely Riley’s, he knew her voice anywhere. The door swung open and Jack was taken aback by a tearful and sobbing Riley. She shut the door after yelling more at her mother, and Jack knew her mother would try and follow after them to keep them apart. Riley kissed him quickly, as he leaned in to hug her and take her trunk. He pointed at it quickly, sending it away where he had sent his own. She begged him to get them out of the path of the door, to go anywhere. Jack looked her in the eyes and nodded. “Hold onto me.” Jack let her wrap her arms around his body and he pulled her tightly. He whispered into her ear quickly before they apparated, “I was going to surprise you. See if you can guess where we’re going.” Jack apparated with Riley right against him, and within a second they were on one of the less traffic-laden streets of New York City.

Jack held Riley close as she hadn’t let go yet. It was obvious that whatever kind of fight Riley and her mom had gotten into, it was serious and not some petty thing. Jack wouldn’t press her for information on it, since it was likely about him. He didn’t care what her mother thought of him. Riley loved him, didn’t she? If she didn’t she wouldn’t still be with him. That was Jack’s simple reasoning, and he liked it that way. He looked down at the beautiful, tear-stained girl in front of him. “So, do you know where we are? We’ve talked about coming here.” Jack knew Riley would figure it out, but to play with her a bit, he decided to give her a little bait. “If you can’t figure it out, I’m sure we can just go back to your house and try and talk calmly with your mom. She’d totally listen, wouldn’t she?” He looked at her, holding her closer than ever, and laughed. It’d never happen that way. They were with each other, and that was all that mattered right now.

[Riley Coxen G7]

The fight was stupid. It was unnecessary. It was completely out of control. Riley wished she hadn’t said all those things, but she had a right to, didn’t she? Without using all those harsh words, she did have a point. Her mother had no right to judge Jack the way she did. She had never even met him and already she was trying to control her daughter. Didn’t she trust her own daughter? Ever since Bruce’s death, it seemed Yasmin was becoming into a nicer, female version of her late husband. It made Riley sick to think that if things kept going at this rate, she’d be fighting with her mother on a daily basis, just like she used to do with Bruce. Riley hated to think this way, but she knew it was true. Her mother just didn’t understand her own daughter. None of the family did, all except for maybe Connor. But even he didn’t fully understand most of what Riley was going through. That was why Riley was glad she had Jack and The Daughters. They were better than family in Riley’s eyes. The girls were able to personally relate to what Riley was going through because they were going through it themselves. They were great to talk to. Then there was Jack. Even now he was showing her how he could be there for her even when her family couldn’t. He was always so supportive of her. Obviously he’d take Riley’s side for this argument considering it was about him. She sighed, looking up at Jack. She hadn’t yet realized where he had taken her to; she was just glad to be away from her home and away from that fight.

“Jack, thanks so much for taking me away from there. My mother is crazy. She doesn’t understand anything I tell her and I know I probably shouldn’t have said everything I did because most of it was really really mean but she was just being so annoying all day! And with the cleaning and the grilling and the packing of the trunk and the shopping it was just too much! She was driving me insane.” Riley said breathlessly all in a matter of about four and a half seconds. Riley tended to have the habit of rambling when she was nervous or upset. Right now, Riley was surprised her words made any sense right now. But then again, they probably didn’t make any sense at all. Jack could have just been nodding and pretending to be following along. Finally able to breath, Riley took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She had finally stopped crying, but her cheeks were still rosy and tearstained. Riley rested her head on his chest, content with the warmth he provided. She inhaled deeply again. Now that her mind was somewhat clearer, she noticed it.

It was the air that Riley noticed first. It was different than the air back home or even anywhere she’d been. It was somewhat heavier and smoggier than the air she was used to. It didn’t really smell bad per se, just very different. Then she noticed the streets. There was a car coming soon, so she figured they should probably move themselves out of the middle of traffic. The street was rather empty, but it didn’t look like it would be long before there would be cars zooming down the street. She looked around wondering where she could possibly be. She contemplated the fact that maybe they were in London, but she doubted it. London was a big city much like this one, but this definitely wasn’t London. She looked around at the shiny sidewalks and the graffiti tagged walls as she and Jack walked to a safe spot on the sidewalk as what seemed to be a stampede of cars flew past them. It was when she saw the yellow taxi cab with the advertisement for a Broadway musical that she figured out where they were.

“Oh my God Jack. Are we…in New York City?” Riley asked with star struck eyes, suddenly wishing she had dressed up a bit more. Riley started to walk and the second she turned the corner, she was absolutely dumbfounded. There it was. The most beautiful place Riley had ever seen in her life. Times Square. She couldn’t believe her eyes. There were people everywhere. None of them looked lost like Riley probably did. Most were talking on cell phones and walking down the street quickly, not paying any mind to the beauty that was behind them. She supposed these were the ones who actually lived here and saw the place every day on their way to and from work. But then there were others who stared up at the giant multi-colored ball in the air in fascination just like Riley was. She noticed Jack standing by her side and she grinned up at him. She felt like a child seeing her favorite movie star for the first time. Riley instantly forgot about the troubles with her mother and how worried she must have been at this point. All she cared about was that she was in the most beautiful place in the world with Jack Reid. She couldn’t have been any happier. “Jack, I dunno what to say! I can’t believe we’re actually here! This is wonderful.” She said with a big smile on her face. She couldn’t believe this was actually happening. She didn’t want to leave. She didn’t have to go back to school, right?

[Jack Reid]

Jack simply nodded as Riley thanked him for taking her away from her mother. What else was he supposed to do, stand there and say hello to Yasmin? Introduce himself and invite himself in for a spot of tea? That would have gone over well. No, the answer had been exactly what he had done: apparated the two of them to where they had talked about going for quite a while now. “I understand love,” Jack said calmly, pressing his body closer to Riley’s. “Things at home for me haven’t been exactly pleasant since you showed up on Christmas, but it’s over now. We’re on our own for a few days, and that’s all that matters now. Don’t worry about anything.” He looked into her eyes, knowing exactly what she wanted. He leaned in and planted a firm kiss on her lips, showing her his full love for her. He hoped this last few days together would overthrow everything negative that had happened over the holiday.

Jack pushed Riley’s hair out of her face, pressing her cheeks slightly, pushing away the tears. “No more crying unless it’s from this.” Making sure that they were in a safe spot, he tickled her slightly, making her jitter and yelp a little. He loved doing that with her, and having her give him a hard time when he wouldn’t stop. They were still holding each other close, and he would give anything to never leave that spot. Then he noticed Riley start to notice where they were. It wouldn’t take her long to figure it out. The smells, the sights. New York City was easily identifiable by anyone, especially Riley. He was glad the girls weren’t there, the Daughters. They weren’t a crew he really enjoyed spending time with, but he knew that it was important to Riley, so he didn’t complain. A taxi flew by with a Broadway advertisement on it and he knew that she would figure it out from that. “Give up?” he taunted.

“Yes, Riley. That’s exactly where we are. We’ve talked about coming here, haven’t we? I figured the best time would be for New Years. We’ll get to enjoy the tradition that all Americans enjoy every year at this time. I’m sure it’ll be fun.” Jack knew how much this trip meant to Riley, and he wanted to have surprised her a bit more than he already had, but everything had worked out in the end. “Of course, if you don’t like it, we can just go back home.” He knew he deserved to get smacked for that one, but he loved pushing her buttons. “I’m glad you like it. Here, come with me, let’s get a map and figure out where we want to go!” Jack grabbed her hand and led her to the nearby welcome kiosk. It was a small booth in the middle of the clearing near the road. He asked for a map and paid for it with the muggle money he had stashed in his pocket (in case they had had to leave quickly from Riley’s house). “Come on!” he urged her. Jack led Riley to an empty bench and they pulled out the map, and on the side it had the best hotspots throughout the city. “Now if we hide well enough, I can just apparate us from place to place, so we can save time and hit everywhere we want to. Pick some places. What do you want to see in the Big Apple? Is that what these muggles call this place?” He handed her a pen and waited for her to plan their route for the day.