I'm so sorry it took so long but I was stuck with this one. I knew what I wanted to write but I didn't know how.
I am also sorry for posting the wrong chapter. Thank you Vane84 and LHNB for telling me!
Well, this story is soon coming to an end. Probably two or three chapters left.
Enjoy this one!
Chapter 29:
We both wanted to wait a few days before going to see his parents. We were so happy with our decision to get married that we wanted to stay in our apartment for a while and just bask in happiness. However, Evelyn Eaton had other plans.
Tobias went to the hospital to get the ring for me. A beautiful white gold ring with a dozen small diamonds around the band and one larger one on the top. I just love it. After he gave it to me, we were close to make love again when he dropped the bomb.
Apparently, he saw Evelyn at the hospital and she invited us to dinner to celebrate my exams' results. He tried to say no but no one tells Evelyn Eaton no when she really wants something.
"Do you want to hide our engagement?" He quietly asks as when are cooking lunch together.
I almost laugh at his question when I turn around, only to see he is serious.
"No. Are you crazy?"
"I know my mother hasn't been kind to you in the past. I wouldn't be angry with you."
"Tobias, I love you."
"I know that but…" He trails off.
"Even if I'm scared, I don't want to hide. They should know how serious this is between us."
"She'll flip out."
"Oh I know."
"I promise if she has anything to say, we'll leave."
"Fine. Let's go then. When do we have to be at their house?"
"Actually, I managed to convince her to go to a restaurant. She cares too much for public appearance to throw a tantrum."
"You're a genius."
I watch him a few more seconds as he cuts tomatoes. This man is always protecting me.
"Will you come with me to buy a new dress for tonight?" I ask.
"And get my own model show from you? Of course I will."
Yup, I made the right decision with proposing to that man.
A few hours later, we are driving to the best restaurant in Chicago. Tobias already apologizes because he knows it makes me uncomfortable but we'll never change his mother.
He offers me his arm as he gives his car keys to the employee outside. As we walk to the entrance, I make sure my dress looks great. Tobias helped me pick a long dark blue dress, it is off the shoulder but still classy.
"We can still go home." He says with a smile.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Just saying. But you look amazing."
"Thanks." I am grateful for the compliment, he calms me down a bit.
When we walk in the room, we already see Evelyn and Marcus sitting. She is holding his hand while laughing at something he said. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen them being affectionate toward each other. We watch as he takes her hand and gives a kiss on the back of it.
I take a glance at Tobias who is smiling fondly at his parents. Everyone would love to see his parents so happy together after almost 40 years together. I squeeze his hand lightly and we start walking again.
When Evelyn sees us, her eyes light up. She's started to become supportive of us after a long therapy. She had to cut the cord with Tobias as it was the main problem in all of this. And him visiting at least three times a week helps a lot. I don't know if he brought up the wedding topic with her and I'd rather not know.
We sit at the round table, Tobias next to Evelyn and me next to Marcus. We say hello and Evelyn hasn't stopped smiling.
"I'm so happy you both were able to come. I thought Tobias was working when I saw him at the hospital."
"No, I was just looking for something I needed in my office." He looks at me as he says that and puts his right hand on my left on my thigh.
"I'm glad."
A waiter brings a Champagne bottle with four glasses already full. Tobias is the first to take it and raise it.
"Congratulations Tris. You did it! I didn't doubt you once but I'm happy your hardwork has finally shown results."
His parents raise their glasses too but I raise mine to them.
"Thank you both! It wouldn't have been possible without you and I'm forever grateful for that."
"You deserve it. You proved that to us." Marcus says.
We are presented with the appetizers. Tobias told me his parents ordered for us because this is what they always do.
I have to admit it's a bit weird to be sitting here with my former employers but they are also my future in-laws.
"So, Tris, are you ready for the second year?" Evelyn asks.
"Of course, after what happened yesterday, I'm ready to face everything."
She doesn't need to know now I am talking about my engagement. We agreed to tell them tonight but I don't really know when is the right moment. The thought really sends chills down my back.
Dishes after dishes, my nerves are building. I tried to keep my left hand as far as possible from Evelyn's gaze. I want to tell her, not her finding out.
Unfortunately, when I have this huge urge to sneeze after they served cheese, I don't manage to keep my left hand hidden.
Tobias continues to speak with his mother after that but Evelyn isn't listening anymore. At first, no one notices my mistake. Not even me. But after a few seconds, Marcus frowns.
"Evy? Are you okay?"
She doesn't move nor blink and we all get a bit worried. Maybe she isn't feeling well.
"Mom?"
"I can't believe this!" She mutters.
I am the first to see her gaze on my hand resting on the table. Oh no. I don't waste a second to hide the ring with my other hand.
"I'm so sorry, Mrs Eaton."
Tobias seems to understand what is going on and once again, takes my hand.
"Mom, I can explain." He starts but she interrupts him.
"How long were you two hiding this from us?" She scolds.
Hum, what?
"What is going on?" Marcus demands, hating to be kept in the dark.
"Tris and I are getting married." Tobias announces to his parents.
Shock appears on Marcus' face immediately but Evelyn's frown is still there.
"I think I asked you something." She repeats.
"We didn't want to hide anything from you. We wanted to tell you but…"
"But what?" She asks, raising her voice, her cheeks red.
Patrons sitting at nearby tables turn their head toward us.
"We were scared of how you'd react to the news, mom." Tobias finally admits to his mom.
I was totally sure we'd get one of Evelyn Eaton's famous outburst but she just seems to deflate on her chair. Her face falls which makes me feel bad.
My sweaty hand is clinging to Tobias'. Maybe we were wrong.
"You were scared of me?"
Guilt starts to eat me from inside and I can tell that Tobias feels it too.
"Mom, 8 months ago, you kicked Tris out of your house because we were dating. It took weeks for you to finally accept our relationship."
"But I changed. I allowed your relationship. And I've learnt to see you were happy together."
"That's the problem! You didn't allow anything, we decided to be together. We wanted you to accept it but even if you didn't, we'd still be together. This is our decision. Dad, please."
Tobias looks at his father for help. To be honest, I am waiting for his help too. And all of us at this table know that Marcus has a way to talk some sense into her.
"How long has it been going on? When did you propose, son?"
"Actually… Tris proposed yesterday. But I had a ring too, ready to do it myself. We really didn't hide, it just happened. We want you to be happy for us because we are."
"If you are both sure that this is what you want, we are happy."
Evelyn is clearly taking deep breaths to calm her nerves. Probably a trick she learnt in therapy to keep her cool.
"Mrs Eaton? Are you okay?" I worry.
"Yes… I just… I need."
She drinks her half full glass of wine in one big gulp then releases a breath she was holding.
"I'm fine. I know my behaviour toward your relationship hasn't been kind in the past but now, I understand why you hid it from me. I'm not the same person I was six months ago. It was difficult to see everything changing back then but now, I get it. And I'm sure you've all seen me change too. That's why I don't understand why you felt like you couldn't tell me. I mean, I understand your apprehension but that was the old me."
My head bowed, I answer her in a whisper.
"You're right Mrs Eaton. This wasn't fair of us. We should have told you clearly, we apologize for that."
She smiles softly at me with fresh tears brimming her eyes.
"So, my baby is getting married. Have you decided on when?"
"We…We haven't really talked about that yet. Probably next year, when Tris has a summer break."
"I'd say I'll help you plan but knowing Tris' ability to plan a party, I don't think she needs me at all."
"I'd love to plan it with you. My mother won't be there to help so you being there means a lot."
"Of course, Tris. Now show me that ring. Tobias, I hope you chose a good one."
I outstretch my hand across the table to show my beautiful ring to my future mother-in-law. She observes it with a smile.
Just like that the last ounce of fear leaves my body. I've never felt more stupid than I do at this moment. She was right, she didn't give us a reason to doubt her ever since she said she supports us.
"It looks wonderful. I'm proud of you, Tobias. Even though you didn't propose."
He opens his mouth to protest but closes it after. No matter what he wants to say to defend himself, she's right. I did it. At this moment, I couldn't be prouder that I did it.
As I look up, I catch Marcus' eyes that hold a light in them I've never seen before. Well, that's not true. I've seen it once when I talked to him about Tobias.
Watching Tobias speaking with his parents, I excuse myself to the bathroom. It seems all this wine was too much for my bladder. After relieving myself, I am surprised to see Evelyn at the sink, touching up her makeup. But I am not stupid neither.
"You were waiting for me, weren't you?"
"Sometimes I forget you know me so well."
I go to wash my hands, waiting for her to continue.
"I wanted to speak with you about your engagement."
I don't hide my sigh. I knew this was coming. She is so predictable. I really thought she had changed just as she claimed it but it looks like nothing can change Evelyn Eaton.
"This is such a beautiful ring." She comments.
"Please, Mrs Eaton. Don't stray from the problem. You disapprove. Is this what you were wanting to say?"
"No, not at all!"
She bows her head to look at her red perfectly painted nails.
"Well, you sure have reason to be wary of me. I won't hold it against you. To be honest, I am so excited about the wedding. I am genuinely happy about it. And I wanted to prove it to you by lending you the diamond necklace I inherited from my mother for your wedding day."
No words can come out of my mouth. Once again, it seems I misjudged my future mother-in-law.
"I'm sorry for…"
"Don't. As I said, I understand."
"This is a meaningful gesture, Mrs Eaton. I truly appreciate it and would be honored to wear your necklace. Thank you."
She approaches me and lays a gentle hand on one of crossed arm.
"I hope that one day everything will be behind us. I want to go back to the time when we were so close." She says with a smile.
"I don't. I'm marrying your son and I won't be your maid anymore. Maybe we should try to get a new friendship as we'll become family." I offer.
"I think you're right."
Maybe now, Evelyn and I really started from the beginning again. Only time will tell.
