The Bet

"Omg gosh Gil, there she is." Clarke whispered as they approached the table. She was in complete awe of Katherine. She was looking a bit serious at first, which made Clarke nervous, but as soon as she spotted Gil, she flashed that beautiful Jackson smile that they all seem to share. She tried to stand but her assistant who was close by came to her side to help her up.

"Gil! I feel like it's been forever sweetheart." She said holding her arms out to embrace him.

"Yaaaaasss your highness," He said bowing to her before going in for a hug. "You are looking fabulous as always. How are you?"

Clarke just stood there quiet for a moment. Gil had the same effect on everyone he comes across. Everyone loved him.

"I'm doing okay dear, just getting old." Katherine joked.

"Paaleeeeez, Jacksons don't age." He turned Clarke. "Something is in the water they drink I've heard." He laughed and Clarke smiled. "But enough of the small talk, KJ I would like looove for you to meet—"

"Clarke." Katherine said. She smiled and pulled her Clarke into a hug. "It is so nice to finally meet you. I have heard so man wonderful things about you." Her hug was warm and welcoming. It reminded Clarke of her own mother. It actually made her a little emotional and she blinked away her tears and smiled.

"It's so cool to finally meet you Mrs. Jackson." Clarke responded.

"Oh honey, please call me Katherine."

They all took a seat. The waiter came over for their drink orders and gave them a bit more time to look at the menu. There was little bit of small talk but Katherine wasted no time getting right to the point.

"So Clarke, you mentioned that there was something that you wanted to discuss with me." Katherine said. Clarke glanced over at Gil. He nodded and smiled.

Clarke cleared her throat. She was nervous and could feel her heart pounding out of her chest. "Yes ma'am Ms. Katherine."

"Just Katherine dear."

"Sorry," She said. "Well Katherine, as you know, Janet and I have been together for a while now. I love and adore her and Eissa so much. I just wanted to ask for your permission to—" Clarke glanced at Gil. His face was completely white. He also caught the attention of Katherine. She turned around to look behind her. Clarke didn't realize who they were looking at until he got closer. Her heart started to pound faster. She leaned over to Gil.

"Please tell me that is not Joseph Jackson walking towards us right now."

"Yup Daddy, that would be the King walking in our direction." Gil stood to his feet, trying to hide his nerves and smiled as honestly as he could. Katherine scoffed.

"Joseph, what are you doing here? Didn't I tell you that you weren't invited." He extended his arms to hug her but she wasn't having it. Gil laughed quietly catching Joseph's attention.

"Gil? Long time no see."

"Hey Joe, how have you been?" Joseph shook his hand firmly.

"We have to work on your hand shake son, it's a little soft." Joseph said.

Gil smiled. "Does this class come with a mani/pedi because I could use one." Gil said looking at his hands. Meanwhile, Clarke was completely silent. Joseph finally glanced in her direction.

"And who is this pretty young lady?"
He asked. Clarke extended her trembling hand.

"My name is Clarke. It's nice to meet you Mr. Jackson." Joseph seemed surprised.

"THE Clarke?" He asked as he shook her hand. "Now that's a hand shake." He said glancing back at Gil with a smirk. Clarke laughed allowing herself to relax a bit.

Katherine cut her eyes at Joesph. Gil noticed and smiled. He was always in awe around her. As sweet as she was, she didn't take any nonsense and her strength was nothing short of amazing.

"You still haven't explained to me why you're here Joseph." She said again, not letting him off the hook that easy.

"I'm hungry Kat, and I'm glad I did. I had no idea this was a lunch date. I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to meet my daughter's friend." He was obviously referring to Clarke.

"Girlfriend Joe, she is Janet's girlfriend."

"Same thing Katherine." Joe scoffed.

"No Joseph, it's not the same thing. They are a couple and have been for quite some time. It's about time you get on board with it."

Gil smiled proudly, tapping Clarke's knee underneath the table. Hearing Katherine say that gave her the boost of confidence that she needed and it was right on time because Katherine focused her attention back to Clarke.

"I'm sorry dear, you we're trying to say something before my husband crashed our lunch party." She glanced at him again and he ignored it.

"Yes ma'am," Clarke continued. She looked at Joseph and then back at Katherine and took a deep breath. "As I was saying, Ms... I mean Katherine. I love your daughter and grandson very much. I have loved Janet more than half my life."

"Since she was a girl." Gil added. Katherine looked at him and giggled. "Thank you Gil, for that." Clarke said trying not to feel too embarrassed. He flashed an accomplished smile her way. Joseph's facial expression remained serious. Clarke opened her mouth to speak, but at this point she was just ready for them to know.

"You know what, I can show you better than I can tell you. She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out the tiny box she'd shown Gil and sat it down right in front Katherine.

Katherine picked the box up and opened it slowly. To Clarke's surprise, she smiled.

"Wow, this is absolutely beautiful." Katherine said glancing up at her.

Clarke smiled. "Do you think she will like it?"

"She'll love it." She responded.

Clarke couldn't believe how well this was going. Katherine understood and genuinely seemed happy for them. She'd had almost forgotten Jospeh was even there until he took the box from Katherine hands. He studied it for a moment.

"What is it that you do again?" He asked. Clarke started to answer but Katherine put her hand up to stop her. She turned to Joseph.

"That is such a rude question to ask her Joseph."

"I'm just trying figure out how this child can afford a ring like this Kat." He said looking at Clarke again, awaiting an answer.

"Well I—" Clarke began to speak and was once again cut off by Joseph.

"And how is that a rude question? I'm trying to understand how a back up singer can a afford such an expensive ring."

Clarke was completely quiet and Gil looked horrified and disgusted all at the same time.

"Joseph Jackson!" Katherine raising her voice just enough for you tell she was pretty angry with him at the moment.

"No, it's okay Ms. Katherine." Clarke said. She turned to face Joseph. "I made very decent money on Janet's tour Sir. Also, I inherited my family's money when my mother passed away."

Katherine shot her head in Joseph's direction. She was extremely embarrassed by the way he was acting.

"Must be nice to not have to work for the money huh?" Joseph was being very disrespectful at this point. Clarke just glared at her. "Hear this though, if this is your attempt to ask for my permission to marry my daughter, the answer is no." Joseph said sternly.

Katherine was livid and much as Gil wanted to say something, he knew that was something Clarke needed to handle on her own. Clarke stood to her feet and took the box from Joseph's hand and gazed at it for a moment. She then looked back at him.

"With all due respect Sir, I didn't come here for your approval. And the last time I checked Janet is a grown woman. She is her own woman and has been without your permission for a very long time." Clarke scoffed and continued. "I love her Joseph and I will marry her whether you approve or not. I came for Mrs. Jackson, to ask her for Janet's hand. Not you." Clarke looked at Katherine. "Im sorry but I'm not hungry anymore. Excuse me."

Clarke turned and walked away, heading towards the door. Gil stood up to follow her.

"Gil, let me have a word with her please." Katherine asked politely. Gil helped her to her feet and she made her way slowly towards the door.

Gil glared over at Joseph and shook his head. "You're in trouble when y'all get home."

Katherine approached Clarke. She could tell she'd been crying. Clarke tried to fight the tears but could only hold on long enough for Joseph not to see her cry.

"Clarke may I have a word with you please?" She offered her hand. Clarke took it as they walked further away from the door. No matter how hard Clarke tried to hold back, her tears continued to fall. Katherine stopped and turned to face her.

"Are you okay sweetheart?" She asked, her concern was very obvious.

"I was so rude in there. I'm so sorry Ms. Katherine. Please forgive me for the way I acted." Clarke finally said.

"Are you kidding, the only person being rude in there was Joseph and you put him in his place." She said with a smile. "I'm impressed actually. You stood up to him." Katherine said and Clarke smiled. "And just so you know, you don't need his approval or mine." She pulled a napkin from her purse and gave to Clarke. "A pretty girl like you should never cry."

"Thank you. I know I don't need his approval, but you are a different story. It was important to me to ask you for your daughter's hand." Clarke said looking at her in the eyes.

"Janet and I have spoken so many times about you, your life, your mother and how well you treat her and my grandson. If there was going to be anyone I would give my approval to..." she touched Clarke's face. "Sweetie, it would be you." Clarke pulled her into an embrace. "You have my blessing Clarke. Take care of my babygirl. So many people have made so many promises to her and have let her down over and over.." She looked at Clarke again. "Can you promise me, not to be perfect because we are all human after all. Just promise me that you will be there for her and support her, no matter what that means."

Gil and Joseph stepped outside and Gil lit his cigarette. Clarke looked at them and then back at Katherine. She smiled. "I promise, by any means necessary Ms. Katherine." Clarke said.

Katherine smiled. "In that case, maybe it's time you start working on calling me Mother."

"Not yet," Clarke joked. "She might turn me down." Katherine shook her head.

"No, she is ready Clarke."

"You think so?" Clarke asked.

"I know so sweetheart." Katherine said giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Now can we go eat, my stomach is yelling at me right now."

Clarke laughed. "Yes ma'am, but there is one more thing I needed to ask."

"Ask away."

"If she agrees to marry me, I know she will probably do what she is used to and want to have a small private wedding. I want her to think that is what she is getting, only I want to surprise her and have you all to be there. She deserves to share this with all of you this time. Also..." Clarke looked back at Joseph. "I would like for Joseph to walk her down the isle."

Katherine touched her cheek and smiled. "Are you serious? You would do that for her?"

"I would do anything for her. I love her."

Katherine glanced in Joseph's direction. "Don't worry honey, he will be there. We all will, I promise."

"I can't tell you how much this means to me." Clarke said. She looked back at Joseph again. "Should I apologize to him?"

"Nope, he deserved it. Now let's get some food in us." Katherine said. Clarke offered her arm as they walked back toward Gil and Joseph. Gil took a quick picture of them walking their way for Janet to have for later. Joseph held the door and they all walked back inside.