Chapter Text
Twelve year-old Ned York grumpily waited in the school lobby as his father appeared to pick him up. By the look from his father, Ned knew there’d be a long talk.
What happened at school today was awkward but memorable. Most teenagers would’ve called it the happiest day of their lives.
Ned York had his first kiss.
The girl was a Spanish exchange student named Catalina. Ned wasn’t even the one who initiated the kiss. Catalina was merely showing him how people “greet” each other in Spain. A kiss was merely a friendly gesture.
But not in American schools.
The teacher caught them when Ned and Catalina in the classroom. Both of them got detention and the school called his father, Richard York.
“Hi Dad,” Ned greeted after he saw Richard walked out of the school principal’s office.
“Let’s go,” Richard said.
Wordlessly, Ned followed Richard to his car. Father and son were silent on their way home.
***
After they got home, Ned went straight to his room. Lying on the bed, he had his door closed and stared at the ceiling.
The boy did not understand why the school system took that incident so seriously.
Maybe he and Catalina should elope to Spain!
As he was lost in a train of thoughts, he heard door knocks.
“Come in,” he said.
Richard walked in and pulled a chair and sat. “Young man, you and I need to have a conversation.”
“Dad—“
“No, we need to talk about this.”
“Fine,” Ned sat up. “It’s no big deal, Dad. Catalina says people in Spain and in Europe greet each other with kisses on the cheek. She showed me and I greeted her back. The teacher is exaggerating!”
“Ned,” Richard said. “Do you like this girl Catalina?”
Ned bit his lips and then looked away. “Yeah, I like her. She’s cute.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really,” Ned said and looked at Richard. “Dad, I’m telling you this: one day Catalina and I will get married and divide our time between US and Spain.”
Richard laughed.
“Dad, that’s not funny!”
Richard stopped laughing and told his son, “Ned, you are way too young to think of marriage. You may like the girl, but true love and marriage…Trust me, it’s not that simple.”
“Really?” Ned was not convinced. “When’s the first time you kissed Mom?”
“Ned, let me tell you a story,” Richard began.
“Oh great, is this part of my punishment?” Ned asked.
“Yes, it is,” Richard said with a grin. “When I first kissed your mother…”
***
It all started when your Uncle Ed met your Aunt Liz, a widowed mother of two boys. Aunt Liz’s family owned a café restaurant where they sold the best bakeries. After acquainted with them, every morning, I used to ride their on my bike and buy their croissant for breakfast. Your grandmother Cecily never forgave me for that, for she insisted that she makes the best breakfast—and she still does…
“Morning Richard!” Rich Rivers greeted as sixteen year-old Richard came into the café. “The same?”
“The same,” Richard replied and waved to Jacquetta “Jackie” Rivers. “Hi Jackie. Morning.”
“Good morning Richard!” Jackie greeted back. “I heard you won the first place in that Lego contest. I saw your work. It’s impressive I must say.”
“Thanks,” Richard said as he took the freshly baked croissant and paid Rich Rivers.
“So you are going to be an architect?” Rich Rivers asked.
“Probably,” Richard replied. “I don’t know yet. But designing buildings and overseeing the work to have them build, I’m just fascinated with that.”
“Go for it!” Rich Rivers encouraged. “Let us know if you got accepted by Columbia and we’ll make you the best cake to celebrate.”
“Thanks Mr. Rivers,” Richard said. “Have a good day Jackie!”
The River’s café restaurant was very popular then and the business was booming. Until one day, health investigators came in and declared their restaurant violated rules. The Rivers were ordered to shut down the café. Your Aunt Liz was crying a river. Mind you, she was six month pregnant with your cousin Lizzie, so I don’t know whether it was her hormones or it was just that traumatic for her. Your Uncle Ed decided to achieve the impossible—your grandfather Richard Neville.
“You are going to call Richard Neville?” Cecily, Richard’s mother, asked in a laughing tone. “That man is hailed as the best lawyer in New England. You will never get a chance to even get a glimpse of him.”
“But he is good,” Ed York argued. “He is the only one who can help Liz’s family.”
“And how are you going to afford it?” Cecily questioned. “You are a science teacher. You don’t make much money!”
Ed rolled his eyes. Here we go again!
“Look at George,” Cecily continued. “He’s applying college to study business administration and finance. His career goal is set and he has his eyes on finance and investments. That’s big moneymaker!”
“Mom,” Ed was annoyed each time Cecily brought up George. “I’m going to do this. I don’t care what you say but Liz’s family has been nice to us and I’m going to help them.”
And so your Uncle Ed went to your grandfather Richard Neville’s office to make an appointment for initial consultation. It means you sit with a lawyer and ask questions—and you must value every second of it because that’s the only session that charges $0.
“Hi,” Ed greeted the receptionist with a charming smile. “I’m here to make an appointment to see Richard—“
“And so does rest of the world,” the receptionist retorted. “Go home and change your outfit. You don’t walk into Mr. Neville’s office dressing like a man lack of class.”
“By the way, do you know how beautiful you look?” Ed tried his boy-charm.
“And do you know how married you are?” the receptionist snarled. “Turn around and go home. By the way, your cologne is cheap.”
And that was your Uncle Ed’s first interaction with your grandfather Richard, or rather his office staff. His receptionist was the gatekeeper—no one can see your grandfather without her approval. Your grandfather trusts her more than anyone, because she’s also your grandmother Ann. Uncle Ed was truly determined to have a meeting with your grandfather face-to-face. So much that he approached me for help.
“Ed, why would you need my help?” Richard asked, bewildered. “What you want me to do? Build you a magical ladder so that you can climb into his office through the window?”
“Come on Richard,” Ed said. “You remember how I’m always there for you. I was the one who gave you rides after you got bullied on the bus. I was there to give you support at your driver’s test. Can you be there for me as well?”
“But what can I do?”
“Just be there and that’s it,” Ed told him. “That woman at the front desk is the most hideous creature on earth and a totally a Cruella De Vile reborn! I need another man besides me to give me more man-power.”
“What about George?”
“George is reliable as pigs can fly,” Ed said. “Come on Dickon. Do this for me? Mr. Rivers has been so nice to you.”
And so there I was, in my suit and tie, at to your grandfather Richard’s office suit with your Uncle Ed, also in his Ralph Lauren’s suit. If I were him, I would’ve say forget this and find another lawyer. But then again, had I done that, I would never have met your mother.
“No!” The receptionist, Ann Beauchamp Neville, spat. “Go back to where you came from. And FYI—your suits are ugly.”
And a six-foot tall security guy was approaching them.
Richard pulled Ed’s sleeve and the two brothers walked out of Richard Neville’s office suit. They silently entered the elevator in defeat.
The elevator stopped on floor ten, and a young brunette walked in. She was about thirteen or fourteen. On her shoulder was a Gucci bag.
She looked at Ed and then at Richard.
She gave Richard a smile, which Richard could’ve cared less.
As the elevator descended, she looked at Richard non-stop. When Richard looked back at her, her face went crimson.
Finally, they reached level one.
“Are you trying to see Mr. Neville?” She asked them.
“How did you know?” Ed turned and asked.
The girl ignored him and went directly to Richard. “If you like, I can show you a short-cut!”
She flashed Richard a smile, a brighter and wider one.
“Really? Show us!” Ed could not be happier.
The girl took Richard by the arm and led the way.
Now I don’t know how she did it and I still don’t remember, but she helped us meet your grandfather Richard face-to-face. Like always, she manages to make things work out. Through that initial consultation, a friendship strike between your Uncle Ed and your grandfather Richard. And yes, your Grandfather Richard agreed to help your Aunt Liz’s family. It was a long, hard process but your grandfather Richard did it.
Since then, us Yorks and the Nevilles became family friends.
And that’s how I first met your mother.