"So we're going out to dinner with your grandmother who you haven't seen since you were three because she wants to spend time with you because she has just found out she is dying?" Mark asked as Hannah stood in front of him and adjusted his tie as he rocked backwards and forwards on his heels.
"That is correct" Hannah said "and she's taking us to the Hilton...well there was a change of plan, dad is taking us there. She found herself taken back with New York and went shopping this morning" Hannah said
"Actually she told me to drop you two outside the hotel...apparently they don't let riff raff in" Don butted into the conversation as he sat on a stool and drank coffee whilst reading through a paper. Jess had gone onto duty that morning and so was nowhere to be seen in the apartment. Mark's eyes opened wide at what he had just heard Hannah's father say as she pressed on his tie on his chest and kissed him on the cheek.
"It will be fine...my grandma is just a little bit...well...fussy" Hannah shrugged and Don snorted.
"You mean she is more like an interfering, snide and snobby woman?" he checked and Hannah frowned.
"No. That is not what I meant. And she isn't well dad...could you be a little nicer?" Hannah asked him
"She wouldn't want me to change my opinion of her because of that. And I am more than happy to oblige" Don smirked into his coffee
"Maybe I should go...I think I'm coming down with a cold anyway" Mark stuttered as he pointed to the door and Don laughed at his nervousness and turned around to watch him jump around.
"No. You are coming with me and you are going to be polite and charming and just answer any questions which she has" Hannah commanded him
"I almost feel for you Mark. Almost" he said to the teen
"We'd best be off. Grandma doesn't like people who are late" Hannah picked up her bag as Don reached for his car keys and walked to his door.
"So what's wrong with your car Mark?" Don asked as they walked through the apartment block
"It needs a service...nothing too bad I hope" Mark shrugged and Don nodded as he opened the back door for his daughter who he just smirked at and she glared back at him.
...
"Is that your grandmother?" Mark asked when he saw an old lady walk through the foyer of the Hilton. Hannah and Mark were waiting for Angelina to come down from her room before they went into the restaurant for a light dinner.
"No Mark" Hannah said and she noticed his sweaty palms
"Babe...don't worry...you'll be fine" Hannah laughed as she kissed his cheek sweetly
"Your dad made her sound really scary Hannah" Mark muttered
"That was because my dad doesn't like her...she isn't horrible when you get to know her..." Hannah assured him and he gulped "now this is her"
"Hannah" Angelina greeted her grandchild in a hug as she approached them
"Grandma" she replied and released the woman "this is Mark"
The woman took a step back and looked the boy up and down before she extended her hand to him.
"How do you do Mark?" she asked him
"Very well, thank you" he said back to her and she smiled
"Good. Anyway, shall we?" she indicated to the restaurant before leading the way.
"You're doing well" Hannah said as she walked close to Mark and leant up to his ear. His hand brushed hers lightly and he continued to focus on breathing.
...
"So Mark...what is it you want to study at college?" Angelina grilled Mark
"I would like to study Law...at New York" he said and Hannah smiled at him. He was sat opposite Angelina whilst Hannah remained seated in the middle of them, drinking her water to keep her cool.
"Ah...a lawyer in the family? Not the type of law enforcement your father does though which is good to see" Angelina praised and Mark raised a brow at Hannah
"Grandma thinks dad's job is too dangerous when he has a family to support" Hannah explained and Mark nodded.
"Oh right" he muttered
"And you're parents Mark?" she asked
"My mother used to be a chef but she stays at home now...my father is a businessman" he said and Angelina nodded in approval.
"I see...and what are your intentions towards my granddaughter?" she pounced and Hannah choked on the water she was sipping.
"Grandma" she complained
"I'm sorry ma'am?" Mark asked
"My granddaughter? What are your intentions?" she asked and Mark looked at Hannah who just stared back at him with wide eyes.
"Well ma'am...I like Hannah...very much. I would even say I love her. She is a kind, beautiful and smart individual and I would do nothing to hurt her" he said honestly and Angelina observed his pale complex and high cheekbones along with his blond cropped hair which was neatly brushed and looked after and she nodded. He would do.
...
"How did it go?" Don smirked when the teens walked back into the apartment. He had changed into a suit for the meal which he was about to go to in another few hours when Jess came round.
"Fine...Mark went home to recover" she smiled "grandma didn't seem to mind him"
"She didn't eat him alive then?" he checked
"No...she didn't" Hannah said as she walked into her room
"I don't need to wear this dress for Jess' do I?" she shouted out to her father as she left her door open and rooted through her wardrobe for clothes.
"No...but still smart though. I want to make a good impression" Don said
"Now you know how Mark felt dad" Hannah shouted
"No. That was different...somehow" he shrugged before he heard a knock on the door and went to let Jess in. She was stood there in her trouser suit and heels as she kissed Don before saying a word.
"That was a nice greeting" Don said and Jess smiled as she remained close to him
"I'd like to think so" Jess said and she walked in
"This okay?" Hannah came out and twirled around "oh, hey Jess"
"Very nice Hannah" Jess said as she looked at the girl who was wearing a black and white striped jumper and a black pencil skirt "how was lunch?"
"Surprisingly it was okay" Hannah said "no one died anyway"
"That is comforting to know" Jess chuckled and checked her watch "You ready to go?"
"If I said no then what would happen?" he asked her and she smiled as she grabbed her hand
"Nothing. You're coming, end of" she said and began to drag him from the apartment.
