I think I'll be wrapping up this story soon within the next chapter or two hopefully :) I've got one last idea for this and then I'll be starting a new fic which I already have ideas for. Reviews are always welcome and stay posted! :)
"Is this alright?" Eames teased as he walked out wearing a white muscle shirt, stretched tightly over his chest, defining his toned muscles. They had arrived in Vancouver the night before and planned to meet Ariadne's parents for dinner. She claimed Eames had to be on his absolute best behavior and dressed like he was about to meet the queen. Eames however couldn't take the task quite as seriously as Ariadne hoped.
Ariadne had her back turned to him, sitting in front of the dresser mirror doing her hair. They locked eyes in the reflection and he flashed a silly grin and flexed his arms; she wasn't amused. Turning around in her seat she glared at him.
"Eames, that's not funny. Please go change."
"Oh, love will you please relax? You said yourself everything was going to be fine!" Eames laughed and went across the room to her.
Ariadne sighed and placed her hands on his shoulders as he pulled her close. "I know. It's just—Please. I want them to love you as much as I do."
Eames looked at her with sincere eyes. "I don't think anybody will be able to do that, darling."
Ariadne closed her eyes and smiled as he kissed her on the forehead. She opened them a moment later and narrowed her eyes at him. A look of confusion crossed his face.
"Stop that." she ordered.
"Stop what?" he stroked her back lightly with his hands. Ariadne pushed away from him and turned back to the dresser mirror.
"Stop making me go all soft. I'm trying to be mad at you." she said trying to keep her voice from cracking. Eames could hear her fighting a smile as she spoke. "My apologies, sweetheart." He wrapped his arms around her from behind and ran his hands tenderly over her torso. He knew she was ticklish.
"Eames, stop it!" Ariadne shrieked as she began to laugh. He tickled her sides and Ariadne jerked an elbow back, catching him right in the stomach. He finally withdrew, gasping slightly.
"Wow, you really are being serious." he said, his eyes twinkling. Ariadne giggled and turned back to the mirror to finish doing her hair.
Eames emerged from the bathroom fifteen minutes later; wearing a light blue shirt folded at the elbows and open two buttons with tan trousers. He smoothed down his collar and turned around in a full circle for Ariadne to see. She stood up from her chair; her hair was curled into soft ringlets and she wore a knee length black dress with a flowing skirt that spun out all around if she twirled in a circle. Her bright red lipstick created a stark contrast with her pale skin.
"You look lovely." he complimented and offered his arm. "Now let's go wow these parents of yours."
Eames and Ariadne arrived at the expensive restaurant that her parents had picked out. As they walked up to the door Ariadne felt her body grow tense and Eames tightened his grip on her hand. The doorman opened the door for them, revealing a stunning foyer. Waiters in all black rushed around carrying trays and taking orders. Customers chatted lively at tables clad in white table cloths and swarms of people waited in the standing area either for a reservation or an opening. Ariadne's eyes darted around the room and finally landed on her parents seated at a square table right at the center.
"That's them," Ariadne gestured to the older couple and moved forward with Eames' hand still held tightly in hers. Eames followed her gaze and spotted them, instantly thinking of his first approach. Rose was someone who looked impressively young for her age and bore a shocking resemblance to Ariadne. Her eyes however were sharp and deceiving and such a shade of blue that they almost looked silver. She wore a cream colored pant suit with a thick pearl necklace; her long fingernails perfectly manicured. Eames averted his gaze over to Jack and realized he had much softer, friendlier features. Ariadne had gotten her warm brown eyes from him. He wore a simple charcoal gray suit and an expensive Armani watch. He too was also in outstanding shape for someone of his age.
Upon their arrival the two of them both rose from their seats, not extending their hands until Ariadne introduced them.
"Ariadne, it's good to see you!" her mother chirped and Ariadne pulled a smile as she hugged her mother. Ariadne moved to hug her father and her mother looked Eames up and down with an inscrutable gaze.
"And who's this?" she asked, her voice tight.
Ariadne sidled over in between Eames and her parents. "Mom, Dad, this is Eames."
Eames extended his hand to Jack who took it warmly and then Rose who already wore a slight look of disapproval.
"Eames, ah, I remember now. We've heard plenty about you." Rose said.
Eames' face froze and Ariadne placed a hand over his as they sat in their seats. Rose turned her attention solely to Ariadne. "What happened to Arthur? He was lovely."
Jack started to interject but Ariadne stopped him. Eames turned his gaze towards Ariadne, waiting for her to explain. Ariadne felt his eyes boring into her but kept her eyes on her parents. "I'm with Eames, for good. And we have some news—"
A waiter dressed in all black with his hair slicked to the side approached their table, cutting Ariadne off.
"May I start you off with some drinks?" he suggested.
"Yes, a bottle of your finest." Jack replied naturally. The waiter bowed his head and then departed; when the conversation started up again they had forgotten what Ariadne had begun to say.
"And what is it you do for a living? Something clearly that involves so much travelling that you practically have kept my daughter from me," Rose said, her words sharp.
"I was an Army doctor; I met Ariadne on one of my shore leaves, a month before I finished my service. And I'd have to say it was the best thing that ever happened to me. When I was finished we decided to travel, working odd jobs. It was a very fulfilling experience." Eames replied smoothly.
Ariadne listened intently as Eames talked. She knew that's certainly not how they met but she wondered how much of the other stuff was true. As she continued to stare at Eames' face she realized that he had stopped talking. She blinked and turned her attention back to her parents.
"Well I think that's very brave." Jack said and Ariadne smiled gratefully at him.
"Bravery is just another word for stupidity." her mother's words sliced through the air. The tension in the room was nearly palpable. Eames' jaw tightened and he was trying to ease the growing anger inside of him for Ariadne. Ariadne had warned him her mother was going to be atrocious. He just didn't realize how much. Ariadne's grip tightened around his fingers and she noticeably glared at her mother.
"In that case then, Eames is the stupidest man I've ever met." Ariadne shot back equally as sour. Jack shifted uneasily in his chair and Eames smiled on the inside. "Shall we order?" she added casually and turned her attention to the menu in front of her.
The waiter returned knowing he was interrupting a tense conversation. Pouring the dark wine gracefully into the glasses already on the table his eyes flitted between Ariadne's and Rose's intense expressions, Jack's anxious face, and Eames' relaxed smirk. He was taking it all in stride; getting into an argument wasn't going to help anyone he assured himself and he didn't want to piss of his soon-to-be wife already. Although he was pretty sure he managed to do that earlier in the evening.
The four of them went around the table, placing their orders and the waiter retreated with an understanding nod towards Ariadne. Ariadne was nearly sitting on the edge of her seat and Eames laid a gentle hand on her thigh. It instantly released some of the tension and she turned her head to smile at him. Rose acted like she hadn't noticed. Ariadne inhaled slowly and faced her parents again prepared to tell them the news.
"As I was saying, we have something to tell you."
Rose raised her eyebrows expectantly and picked up her glass, tipping some of the wine into her mouth. Jack leaned forward on his elbows in anticipation.
Ariadne swallowed and reached in her clutch for the ring, slipping it onto her finger. "We're getting married."
Rose choked on her drink and nearly spewed wine all over Ariadne. Ariadne looked anxiously over at her father. He kept looking back and forth between Ariadne's face to Eames', to the ring on her finger and then back again.
"You can't be serious." Rose dabbed at the corners of her mouth with the napkin, careful not to smudge her lipstick.
"I believe we are very serious. Listen, I love your daughter and I've made some mistakes but—" Eames started.
"Ari, are you sure about this?" her father whispered quietly to her. Ariadne gave him a small smile and a sure nod. He grinned back at her causing her to smile wider.
"Ariadne, you need support in your life! You can't just be running all around the country making money that way; well who knows how you make your money!" her mother interjected.
Ariadne's face grew dark. "Being babied by you isn't the type of support I need in my life! I'm a grown adult who can make decisions for myself and I think I'll be the judge of who I choose to marry." Ariadne was nearly shouting.
"Please, dear. Don't make a scene; we're in public." Rose said with a roll of her eyes.
Ariadne stood up from the table throwing down her napkin and Eames whispered to her to sit back down. She felt like a child being scolded by her parents in front of all her friends. "Is that why we're sitting in this fancy restaurant? So I wouldn't throw a fit?" She grabbed her sweater from the back of her chair. "As always, it was a pleasure seeing you. See you at the wedding."
And with that Ariadne stormed out of the restaurant, ignoring the looks she received.
Once outside on the pavement Ariadne was grateful for the brisk air cooling her hot skin. She breathed it in deeply, thankful to be out of that stressful situation. She couldn't believe how her mother could be so impossible. Ariadne began walking swiftly down the pavement, her heels clicking loudly with every step she took. She realized she had acted a bit like a child but she didn't care. She was sick of being treated like one by them all the time.
Eames darted outside on the pavement and looked in both directions. He saw Ariadne's retreating figure and hurried to catch up with her.
"Ari! Wait!" he shouted, nearly dodging a couple holding hands.
"I'm sorry, Eames. You have to understand." Ariadne said wearily as he matched her pace, walking alongside her.
"I know. I do. Just—" Eames looked at her with slight hurt and anger mixed in his eyes. "You took Arthur to meet them before me?"
Ariadne swallowed. She wasn't expecting that. "Eames, I really don't need this right now. Can we talk about this later?" She turned and headed down the street. Eames easily stepped forward, catching her by her arm.
"There's really nothing to it, Eames. You were gone and we were working a job near Vancouver. He suggested it and I thought why not?" Ariadne admitted. Her words stung him a little but he let it drop. They continued walking to their hotel in silence.