"Stop fidgeting." She said slapping his hand lightly, the elevator was on floor ten they were heading to eighteen.
"I'm not. I don't fidget." He said clenching his jaw.
"Ok then stop 'fixing' your tie." She smiled up at him. "They're going to love you."
"Why did I agree to this again." He said softly, his facial expression never changing.
"Because I'm ridiculously adorable." She smiled and his face broke down too.
"Ahh yes that's it." He nodded. "We'll have to tell Cobb before Eames does."
"I know. But lets deal with this first." She said straighten his already perfectly straight tie. He nodded, the elevator stopped and the doors opened slowly. She looked up at him one last time and although his face didn't show it she saw his adams apple bob slightly as he gulped. She took his hand and walked down the painfully cream hall to the suite her parents always booked. The presidential one.
"Lets deal with this first." He nodded. She smiled slightly. It was fun to see him so nervous. He was always so in control, and for some reason it settled her that she meant to much to him for his cool persona to be blown. She raised her free hand and knocked sharply on the door. It was the longest thirteen seconds of Arthurs life as he waited for the door to be opened.
/ / / / /
"Ariadne!" a voice said as the door swung open. Arthur looked up just as his hand was dropped and Ariadne ran forward to hug the tall salt and peppered haired man infront of them. He was a big man. And Arthur had met some big men in his time.
"Daddy this is Arthur." Ariadne said standing back. "Arthur, Miles Longley." She said smiling brighter then she had been a second ago. He looked up at the man who had his Ari's caring eyes.
"Good to finally meet you sir I've heard so much about you." Arthur said sticking out his hand. He heard Ariadne laugh lightly, she knew what he'd 'heard' was from the research he'd done.
"I must admit I can't say the same. Addy here sprung you on us." He laughed.
"Addy?" Arthur asked.
"Pet name. One not to be used outside the family circle I thought!" she looked pointedly at her father.
"Well you're bringing Arthur to dinner, for you that may just mean he is family." Another voice said from inside the room.
"Mom!" ariadne's face lit up even more, an older curly haired woman walked out to the door. "Arthur, my wife, Stella." Miles said wrapping an arm around her.
"Mrs Longley great to meet you." He said shaking her hand.
"Stella please." She smiled.
"Shall we continue the small talk at dinner." Ariadne said smiling up at everyone. It was only between the three of them that Arthur noticed she was quite small.
"Yes lets." Miles nodded. The four of them made their way down the hall, Arthur froze slightly as he felt a small hand slip into his. He looked down at Ariadne who smiled.
"breath, the worst is over." She whispered. He smiled.
/ / / /
Stella looked up at her husband to see if he saw what she did as there daughter took the young mans hand. He nodded at her. That was the moment they both knew Arthur would be around for quite a while.
/ / / /
"So we are planning a nice dinner for next weekend to celebrate." Ariadne.
"You are more then welcome if you are still around." Arthur added.
"Thank you. We'd love to come. It's not everyday you turn thirty." Stella grinned. Ariadne put out a hand.
"Don't say the t word! Arthur is quite sensitive about his age."
"Ari." He muttered. Miles laughed.
"Don't worry son. We have no problem. Well we would if my little girl had turned up with a sixty year old beside her. But you are fine."
"I just want to be sure I'm whats best for her." He said softly. Stella smiled, miles nodded. But Ariadne interrupted.
"I can decide what's best for me myself thank you very much! Now should I add you onto the dinner reservation so?"
"Yes actually make it for three more." Stella said slowly.
"You didn't." Ariadne said looking up.
"It was an accident darling it just slipped out." She shrugged.
"You told her."
"She's coming into town and she asked if we had any plans, and it just…"
"Slipped out." She finished her mothers sentence then caught her head in her hands.
"What's wrong."
"My sister." She said quietly. "I love her but I don't want her to meet you."
"Hera means well Arthur. She is just slightly overbearing at time." Miles explained. He nodded.
/ / / /
"you were amazing!" She smiled as they walked down the hall from her parents room. "what were you expecting."
"Stop it you know as well as I do that you were terrified." He just smiled. Then felt a soft warm kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you." She said softly as they stepped into the elevator.
"Next hurdle. Cobb."