They lay there, tangled in the sheets enjoying the moment and then it happened, the phone began to ring. Audrey lifted her head.
"36 minutes" she said. "You weren't far wrong."
He groaned and reached out over her to answer the call. She took the opportunity to place a kiss on his neck and he gave a soft smile. He sat up against the headboard, tucked the sheets around his waist and answered the phone.
"Hey Mom" he said. "You ok?"
She could hear a muffled voice on the other end of the line and saw Neil roll his eyes.
"No Mom, I didn't introduce Auntie first. She just happened to be in the lobby as we were checking in."
The response came and he closed his eyes rubbing his temples. "No Mom, we're didn't arrange anything. Total coincidence, I promise."
Audrey caught his eye to ask if he wanted a coffee, he gave her an exaggerated nod. She chuckled to herself, set the coffee machine to go and headed into the bathroom.
A short while later she heard the bathroom door open and felt a draught as the door to the shower followed. She felt him step up behind her and turned to face him.
"How did that go?"
"She's fine. She thought there was a total conspiracy with Auntie to introduce you first but I think I talked her down."
"That's ok then, I want to stay in her good books while I'm dating her little boy" she teased.
"Please let's stop taking about my mum while we're in the shower." Her said as he started an assault on her neck.
They leisurely washed and dried and started getting ready for the rehearsal dinner. Audrey was applying some make up at the dressing table and Neil was sat back on the bed enjoying the view of her sat in her underwear. There was an unexpected knock at the door and Neil put his finger to his lips. He crept towards the door in his just his boxers and took a look through the spy hole. He dropped his shoulders, shook his head and opened the door just a crack.
"Hey" she heard him say. "Not the best time, we're just getting ready."
There was murmuring from the hall and then a stern "no you can't come in, she's in the shower and I'm in my underwear."
More words, then "I don't care that you've seen it all before! We'll see you at dinner!"
He shut the door and leaned against it shaking his head in disbelief.
"If I find the porter who gave out our room number, I'm getting them fired" he said.
/
It was time to go, they were as ready as they would ever be. Neil was dressed in a dark grey suit with a burgundy shirt while Audrey matched in a burgundy crochet style knee length dress. They complimented each other perfectly. They walked down to the dinner via the stairwell to avoid other family members for as long as possible, he didn't think his Mom would forgive him if anyone else met Audrey first.
He stopped just before entering the lobby and took her in his arms. "I love you" he said looking her straight in the eye. "No matter what all these crazy people get up to tonight, I love you."
"I know, I love you too" she replied.
They took a deep breath and headed out into the chaos. As they entered the room to find their seats they heard "Neil, Neil, over here." They saw his Mom waving from a table nearby.
"Here goes nothing" she muttered under her breath. He gave her hand a quick squeeze and led her over.
After making the initial introductions, Neil's Mom insisted that Audrey sit next to her and shooed Neil off to the bar. He kissed her on the cheek and whispered "you'll be fine" as he went to get the drinks.
As he got to the bar, he met with his father, uncles and a couple of cousins. Bracing for a good natured ribbing he joined the group.
"Hey loser" one if his cousins started. "Looks like your punching above your weight again with the ladies" he said putting a friendly arm around his shoulders.
"Yeah, yeah" he replied. "Just so happens I agree with you though!"
"Ahhhh whipped already" they joked.
"Fine by me" he countered.
They all paused, looked and totally changed the subject. They were used to him biting at their remarks but this time he was being so blasé about it, it was no fun.
He headed back to the table with his dad in tow and a tray of drinks. He sat beside her, putting his arm along the back of her seat and absentmindedly started playing with some of the hair that was loose around her shoulders. His father caught his eye and leaned closer.
"She's beautiful, son."
"I know, dad."
"You really are punching!" He said with a wink.
"Shut up!" he laughed.
/
Dinner passed, incident free and they had a small break before the toasts. Neil grabbed her hand and headed out to the balcony to give her a break.
"How's it going?"
"Good, I think she likes me so far."
"Course she does, who wouldn't" he smiled.
"Kiss ass" she joked with a big smile.
They headed back inside when they heard the clink of glasses and took their seats in time for the toasts. There was a lot of good natured teasing going on throughout as well as more serious moments missing absent family and friends. They had time to mingle a little more afterwards until guests started leaving to prepare for the early start the next day.
Saying their goodbyes, they headed back to their room. They had promised to be at his parents before lunch tomorrow so would see plenty more of them then. They stood waiting for the elevator in a comfortable silence. As the doors closed, they simultaneously let out a deep sigh, then a big laugh.
"Made it through round one unscathed" he said.
"Just about" she replied. "Round two tomorrow."
"You'll cruise through it. Besides, Gabi is arriving tomorrow and you get to meet my Abuela. Hours of fun!"
"Can't wait, as long as your about, I'll be fine."
"I'm not going anywhere, don't worry about that" he said taking her hand and leading her to their room.