The only child born to an English father and Scandinavian mother, it was no surprise that James was born in Scandinavia (as per his mother's wishes), but quickly brought home to London, as his father thought that his son should grow up to be a respectable Englishman. Of course, that did not turn out at all. James grew up with a wild streak in him. Always looking for something more. Something that brought excitement to his life. He was always looking for a game, and it did not matter who stood in his way. James toyed with women and their emotions to get what he wanted out of them, and even fought in the streets with men his own age for the purpose of gambling. He might not have always won, but he always made sure that he won some how, not allowing his own male pride to be demolished from winning. No, payback was always guaranteed if he lost.
James had believed himself to be some great philosopher, before his time, and was all about challenging the old ways, which was really just his parents decisions. Her version of rebellion was done in the most aggressive ways that he could muster, but always his own. His father, Charles, never found him acceptable in any way and just wanted to groom him to take over the family wealth in a way that would make him proud. James wanted none of it. He just wanted to use the money as it saw fit for him, which was really just a way of opening doors for him. Money was not a way of life for him, as it was his father.
Due to this, James own father would blame his own wife and take out his frustrations on the woman, but always away from prying eyes. Of course, Gail was not a woman who would take this lightly, and in all honesty had fought back more then any English woman would have ever dared. This only caused for her to not be seen amongst their company that much more often due to her bruises, which only caused more problems for James. It had always bothered him, but his mother would act as if nothing was wrong, but only for James. She endured it all so that he could have this life, even if it was not what he wanted. She was sure that it was what it was what he needed.
Once it came time for James to head off to the university level, Gail was surprisingly able to talk Charles into the idea of allowing their son to head off to the states for school. Though, she had explained to her husband that it was a way for James to make something of himself, to see what Charles wanted him to see and to come back to them a changed man, she was simply hoping to separate the two men and allow her son freedom from all that held him back. All too happy that he was willing to grant such a request and felt quite good about herself as she set up a suitable flight to New York, as James set up appointments to tour certain universities in the area. Gail loved him more then life itself, and would miss him dearly, but she knew that the two men would never agree on anything, and what was best for James was what was best for the family.
So, James headed off to America, which ended up being his greatest adventure and ultimately led to what his father would later deem his greatest downfall. James fell for a woman. During his tour of the University of New York, James ended up wandering the nearby woods, where he found himself staring at a beautiful creature. One that he seemed unable to resist. It had taken him some time to catch his bearings, in that single moment, but he did so and chose to speak to her. James wasn't one to simply take what he wanted, at least not with her. There was something about her, something he that made him feel connected to on a whole different level and he actually took his time trying to woo her. Meeting her during the night and many times just after dusk.
Melissa was a few years older than James though, and had ended up choosing to move back home to Rhode Island upon graduating. Refusing to lose her, he followed her. Transferring schools was the most simple of means to keep his student visa. Within a few years, the two were happily married. Melissa worked as a teacher, while James played the part of accountant. Things became problematic once they found that Melissa was pregnant. Not knowing what to do or how they were going to handle this new addition, he finally broke down and called his own family.
Making amends with his father was more difficult than anyone could imagine and ended up being more of him just doing as Charles asked, no matter the request. This caused both James and Melissa to end up having to move out to London, months before Alexander was born. Even with the assistance of his parents, money was tight, only they were grateful that it was there at all. Creating a schedule for the family to adhere to seemed more like a balancing act. James began working with his father, as Melissa quit working and stayed home. Something else that only seemed to spawn arguments between the couple. Even so though, it was all too obvious that everyone had Alexander's best interests at heart.
As he continued to grow up, his mother was the one that promoted his interest in music. With the active imagination that he seemed to inherit from his father, and one of those traits that she had always loved and adored, she hoped that he would be able to gain something out of it. Not necessarily a career, but a means of having an actual outlet. A place to call his own, before he was molded into yet another regular Hillman family man. Or that was her fear, at least. Not knowing how to go about any of this though, other than encourage her son, she felt lost. Doing what she could, but holding what she felt like was few cards given financial interests.
In the end, everyone won and lost with Alex. Prepared to set himself up in the way his grandparents wanted, but also keeping that little niche of music in his life where his mother had hoped. Just not in the same means. But he wasn't meant to use this life as a sort of stepping stone in the way she believed he should have. He was going to hold his own life and use everything that his parents and grandparents taught him and make it for what it was worth. A feeling he was settled into for most of his life, wanting everyone to come together the way they always had for him. A bright boy who grew into a man that held no qualms about using money to gain what he wanted, but always preferred doing so through intellectual means. Charm and confidence being two traits he could exude with ease. Never allowing his anger to get the best of him. An ease about him, that even his own professors were forever shocked by.
Companies would seek him out upon graduation, but it was more for his name than his own abilities. A name that stood well in England all on its own. And he would do his grandfather proud in being that son he wanted James to be, even though he was his grandson. With both his grandfather and mother having attempted to play mentor, both still called him weekly to check on how he was progressing. One for business and the other for music. The need and joy of keeping up with one's studies rather than running off with some young, pretty face. It was enough to give him something to smile about, but few women ever kept his interest.
Work led him to being able to do more than sit at a desk and work himself up a ladder in the usual sense. The world was his ladder, traveling and enjoying what it all had to offer through the means of international business. Keeping a home for him in London and New York, he doesn't travel nearly as much, but has come to settle down more in the past few months. Taking a little more time for himself, but still keeping busy. Perhaps that was something to do in your thirties.
