Here is the final chapter of tonight's posting spree. I'll try my best to put up one or two more chapters tomorrow, but it'll have to be after the Pats beat the Chargers.
As Ben and Abigail walked up the steps to the front door, Ben suddenly paused and dropped Abigail's hand.
"Ben?" she questioned, turning back to him.
"How are we going to tell them? When are we going to tell them? What should I do?"
She smiled at his nervousness. When she had brought other guys home to meet her parents, none of them had cared as much as Ben, or worried as much.
"Don't worry. I have a plan," she said, taking his hand and pulling him forward.
"And when were you going to inform me of this plan?"
"Right now," she said, as they stood in front of the door.
"We will act as we always act around each other. I will introduce you as my boyfriend. Many questions from my mother will follow. Answer all of them honestly. Following dinner, we will have a serious conversation in which we tell them the full truth. My father will then corner you when you are alone and least expect it. You're on your own at that point," she spoke hurriedly before ringing the doorbell.
Ben barely had a moment to process everything she just said and to prepare himself before the door opened…
Abigail's parents had taken the news of their relationship quite well. Abigail's mother Helena, a kindly woman whose appearance to her daughter was almost identical, had asked the usual questions. When and how did they meet (that was a long story), how long had they been together (that story got interesting when they brought up their temporary break up and the events leading to their subsequent reunion), and, finally, why had they waited so long to tell her (this one was all Abigail's).
Ben wasn't so sure about Christopher, referred to as Christoph by Helena, Chase's take on the whole thing.
When introduced, he had shaken Ben's hand heartily, gave him a good look in the eye, and stated, "You're that treasure man."
Summing up all the courage he had, Ben made sure his handshake was just as strong, his eyes unwavering, and proudly stated in reply, "Yes I am."
Immediately he could see that Abigail had her father's personality. He was straightforward and scrutinizing, quiet but always watching you, observing and analyzing your every move. He had remained silent throughout the entire questioning process, something that surprised Ben considering how Abigail had interrogated him upon their second meeting when they still barely knew each other.
By dinnertime it was clear to Ben that Abigail had a strong relationship with her parents. Being the youngest in the family, and the only girl, he could see how her parents had probably spoiled her rotten when she was a child while maintaining the usual over protectiveness expected to be given the "baby" of the family.
The only thing that had troubled him was when after dinner, the dropping of the big bombshell impending, Ben overheard Abigail and her father talking in the kitchen. He couldn't understand a word of what they were saying for it was all in German, but the tone of their voices sounded argumentative. Abigail seemed to be on the defensive, while her father sounded like he was angrily questioning her.
He was able to catch the last bit of their conversation as they reentered the dining room.
"I'm not blind or stupid Abigail. What are you doing with this man? You've changed Abi. I'm worried."
"Just give him a chance father. Please. Trust me. You'll see soon."
Soon. Ben did not like the thought of what they were about to do. Grasping Abigail's hand when she returned to the table, he looked at her with anxious eyes. He could see that she tried to offer a reassuring smile, but she was beginning to waver as well.
Then, by some miracle of God, the doorbell rang…
Suspense! Who is at the door...and what will happen next??? Leave a review and find out. Or don't leave one and you'll find out anyway but you'll feel bad about yourself