Chapter 25

Felicity and Ben decided the best way to approach talking to both of their parents about getting married was to have a dinner party. Ben was very nervous about this, but tried to remain calm for Felicity's sake. His mother was gracious enough to offer to have it at the Covington home. This helped calm Ben's nerves a bit since he would at least be in a more comfortable surrounding. But Felicity was panicked that her dad would make a scene and she ended up being right…..

"Mrs. Covington, this chicken is amazing. I really need to get the recipe from you before we leave," said Felicity's mom, as they sat around the table enjoying the food.

"Thank you, I am pleased that you like it. It was always one of Ben's favorites. His father used to ask me not to make it because I made it so often when Ben was in high school," Allison replied.

"Yeah, Ben always wanted it for dinner the day before one of his big track meets or swimming meets," Mr. Covington interjected.

"That's right, Ben, you were really into athletics when you were in high school, weren't you?" Ms. Hunter asked.

Ben looked at her with a shy smile, replying, "Yeah, I wasted a lot of time that way. But it was fun."

"Ben, it wasn't a waste. I think the discipline you learned in sports will help you in medicine," his dad said.

"Yeah, yeah, I hope so," Ben replied, looking over at Felicity. She took the look as a sign he didn't want the attention on him any longer, so she changed the subject.

"So, Mr. Covington, Ben tells me you and Mrs. Covington are going to try and work things out."

He looked at her with a smile, "First, please call me Andrew. But, yes, we are. I am very happy about it, too." He stopped, looking at Ben. "I know, son, that you were a bit worried when you found out, but I hope you can give it a chance."

"Dad, it's fine. Let's not talk about it now," Ben replied dismissively. Both of Felicity's parents noticed the tension between Ben and his father, looking at each other questioningly.

"All right then," Mr. Covington continued. "So tell us about your trip to Florida."

Felicity looked at Ben for confirmation, who only nodded. "Well, I am glad you brought that up actually. Ben and I wanted to talk about it with all of you, so we- we are glad we had this opportunity, with all of us together." Felicity paused for a moment, grabbing Ben's hand beneath the table for reassurance. "Um, mom and dad already know, because I kind of blurted it out, but…well, you guys, Ben and I got married when we were in Florida. We eloped."

Ben's mom immediately rose and moved around the table to give Ben a big hug. "Oh, Ben, sweetie, that is so wonderful. I am so happy for you both."

Ben blushed slightly, patting her on the back. "Thanks, Mom. I appreciate that."

"Yes, son, this is wonderful news," Mr. Covington said, getting out of his seat to shake Ben's hand.

"Thank you, Mrs. Covington," Felicity replied as Ben's mom showered her with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"No, no, you must call me Allison. I am your mother in law now. Oh, this is so wonderful. I knew this day would come for you, I knew it since Ben was little."

"You did?", Felicity asked, surprised. Allison moved back to her seat at the table, Andrew following, to hold her seat out for her. "Oh yes, dear, I could tell by the way he always talked about you that you were special. And when he told me you were in New York, I knew it was meant to be."

Felicity's dad, who had been quiet, taking in the scene before him, interjected then. "Yes, when Felicity followed Ben to New York. That was certainly a sign, I suppose."

Felicity looked at him, one eyebrow raised at the way he was speaking in front of all of them. "Dad, I know you guys aren't entirely happy with this, but you were okay when we got engaged…."

"No, honey, we aren't happy. You're right. I knew you were going to marry him eventually. But I really think this is too soon."

"Dr. Porter," Ben interrupted "we know what we are doing. We love each other. We will figure it all out."

"Son, I know you think that. But things are not always that easy."

Mr. Covington looked at Dr. Porter and replied, " I don't know what you are so worried about, Dr. Porter. These kids have good heads on their shoulders. They'll make it."

"Well, I am not surprised you think that, but I think both of you," he said, looking at Allison as well, " need to be a bit more realistic."

"Edward…" Felicity's mom finally interjected into the conversation.

"What, Barbara? I thought we felt the same way about this?"

"We do, but let's not talk about it here. This is supposed to be a special evening for the two of them."

"Mom, Dad, I can't believe the two of you, " Felicity said. "Why can't you be happy for us, like Ben's parents are?"

Barbara Hunter looked at her daughter with a soft smile on her face. "Honey, we are happy for you. I mean, we know that you are happy together. We just have concerns that is all."

Ben shook his head, taking in the scene. Felicity was holding his hand very firmly under the table and he kept trying to calm her by rubbing his thumb over her hand. It never seemed to work though, as he felt her tense. "Mom, I'd expect this from Dad, but not from you."

"Honey, I just don't want you to end up in the same place I am. Getting married so young, when you don't know what you want for your life…."

Mrs. Covington finally found her voice, as shocked as she was at what was occurring around her. "I am very sorry, Ben and Felicity. I don't think this is going at all the way you had planned. But Ben, your dad and I are very happy for you. And support you all the way."

Ben smiled at his mother, "Thanks, Mom. I know that."

Felicity looked at her father, shaking her head. "Dad, why is it that you can't ever be happy with what I chose to do? Why is that?"

"Well, you keep making colossal mistakes, honey. And I can't stand by and watch you throw away the promising future we had planned for you…."

"Planned for me?" Felicity said indignantly, getting up from her seat. "What makes you think I ever wanted what you had planned for me?"

"Felicity…." Her mom said, trying to interrupt. Ben stood up beside Felicity, placing his hand on her back supportively.

"No, Mom, I am sick of this. First dad told me the other night he is not pleased with my career choices, now this. I can't believe either one of you."

"Felicity, why don't you sit back down? It's going to be all right," Mr. Covington said gently.

Dr. Porter looked at him with a look of subtle disgust, replying, "No, she needs to hear how we feel. They both do."

"Well, I think they've heard enough," he replied firmly, looking Dr. Porter directly in the eye.

Ben moved forward at that, finally speaking his mind. "Okay, I think Dad's right. We've heard enough. Dr. Porter, Ms. Hunter, I am really sorry that you feel this way. I really thought we had proven ourselves to you both." He paused, watching Felicity's mom soften a bit. "Dr. Porter, I don't mean to say things so harshly, but- but, I really…I think you really need to respect your daughter a bit more. I think you underestimate her. And us. Just listen to what she is telling you, that we're happy together. I am going to take care of her, you don't have to worry about that. She's the best thing that ever happened to me," he paused, emotion causing his voice to soften. "I just hope the two of you can get over this- this horrible…moment." Dr. Porter looked down for a second, taking in what Ben said. "Look, I think Felicity and I are going to call it a night." He moved away from the table, leading Felicity away by her hand. "Thank you Mom and Dad for dinner, and for….for, well, everything. Good night everyone."

Their parents stood watching as the couple walked out the front door. Dr. Porter just shook his head, muttering to himself that they'd made a hasty decision and that they'd regret it. Both Mr. Covington and Barbara just looked at the table, unable to say any more. Mrs. Covington moved to look out the window and saw Ben take Felicity into his arms, whispering what she thought was "It's okay, it's okay." She stood there watching her son comfort his new bride and could only smile.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Felicity and Ben spent the next few days in Palo Alto totally avoiding her parents. Ben told her she should go talk to them, but she insisted it was her dad's place, he needed to make the next move. Ben tried to distract her by taking her to different places in town they had never been together before, such as the movie theater and the indoor swimming pool at the high school gym. They had a wonderful time at both places, finding new ways to enjoy movie theater seats and swimming pool steps. They were still newlyweds, after all.

They decided to spend Christmas with Ben's parents, since Felicity's dad had yet to contact her. She did spend one day with her mother as she shopped for gifts, but her mom wouldn't talk about the other night. She simply said she was sorry to have upset them both and that she would try to be more open minded. Felicity felt that was okay, for now. She just really wanted to talk to her dad, but she refused to be the one to seek him out. She and her mom could continue on, she knew her mom would give Ben and their marriage a chance. She could sense that Ben and her mom had an understanding. She never knew how or why, but her mom softened whenever Felicity mentioned their elopement and how much Ben loves her. Her mom would smile and Felicity knew she was thinking about her dad when they had first gotten together.

Late Christmas Eve, as Ben and Felicity sat looking at the beautifully decorated Christmas tree, Mrs. Covington answered the door and announced Dr. Porter's arrival.

Ben rubbed Felicity's leg affectionately, "Do you want me to leave you two alone?"

Felicity looked up at her dad as he entered the room and whispered, "No, I'd like it if you stayed here with me. He needs to talk to us both." Ben whispered "Okay" and stood to help her off of the sofa.

"Hi, honey. I hope I am not interrupting anything," Dr. Porter said, somewhat anxiously.

"Uh, no, no, it's okay. Ben and I, we were just talking. I- I didn't expect you to come over."

"I know. I hope that Mrs. Covington doesn't mind me interrupting your evening…"

Allison moved closer to the group, "No, of course not. I am glad you are here. I will just leave you guys alone now, so you can talk."

"Thanks, Mom," Ben said.

"Of course," she replied, leaving the three of them alone. Ben looked anxiously over at Dr. Porter, wondering if he'd ask him to leave.

"Um, Dr. Porter, would you like to sit down?" Ben asked.

"Uh, yes, thank you." He noticed that Ben seemed uncertain what to do. "But Ben, please stay. I want to talk to the both of you. I have some explaining to do."

"Okay," Ben replied. Then both he and Felicity sat down on the couch. Ben held her hand in his the entire time.

"What did you want to say, Dad?" Felicity asked, feeling a bit unsure what to expect.

"Listen, honey, I am sorry for what I said the other night. It was so wrong of me to judge the two of you like that. I can't even imagine what you must think of me, Ben."

"It's okay, " Ben replied shyly.

"No, no, it's not okay. I've been doing nothing the past few days but going over in my head what I said and why I said it. I don't….I mean, I didn't mean for it to come out the way it did. I do have concerns about the two of you getting married so young, but…."

"Dad…" Felicity started to interject.

"Wait, let me finish. That isn't what's important. What's important, and I see this now, is the two of you. I shouldn't have disrespected you like that," he replied, looking over at Ben. "I can see now that I have been acting like a fool, acting like I have control over how you live your life. But I don't, I haven't for some time." He paused, looking down at his feet, collecting his thoughts. "And it's not really about control, that isn't even what I mean. It's just, you've grown up so fast and I feel like I am losing you."

"But, Dad, you haven't lost me," Felicity softened as she listened to her father's words.

"I know that. I just don't know where the time has gone. Where did my little girl go? It's going by so fast," he stopped, tears coming into his voice. "I am getting a bit off track here, but I just want you both to know that I am sorry for not believing in you. For not giving you the respect that you so deserve. I can see, just from watching you together, that your love is very strong. And as much as I am scared of losing my little girl, I see now that I have to let you go."

Felicity gave him a soft smile as he continued on. Looking at Ben he said, "I can see that the man you've chosen is going to stick by you, just as I always wanted for you. I hope you know all that I do, all that I've ever done, even when I was acting like an idiot, it was only because I want what is best for you."

"Dad, I know. But you can't decide what is best for me. I am not a little girl anymore. And Ben and I are strong, we can handle anything together."

"I know, I can see that."

"Thank you for what you said, Dad. It means a lot to both of us. I don't want you to feel as if you are losing me though. I will always be your daughter. You just have to let me live my life, and make mistakes and screw up. That's just part of life. But marrying Ben," she paused, looking at her husband. "That is most definitely not a mistake. I have never been more sure of anything in my life."

"I know. I can tell." He smiled, looking at Ben's hand still firmly holding his daughter's hand. "I hope you can both forgive me. And let me try to be a better father….and father in law."

Ben said softly, "Of course. Thanks for coming by. Christmas was going to be hard on Felicity if you two hadn't patched things up."

"Yes, Dad. Thanks for stopping by. I am so glad we have worked things out. I hate fighting with you.

Dr. Porter stood up. "Me, too. Well, I better let the two of you enjoy the rest of your night together. Ben, please thank your mom for letting me stop by."

"Yes, sir. I will."

"Please don't call me sir," he replied with a smile. "You're my son in law now." He reached his hand out to shake Ben's. Ben took it, shyly smiling as he said. "Okay. But I don't think I can call you dad just yet."

Felicity laughed softly, as her father looked rather stunned when Ben used that word. Her dad could only say "Yeah, that might take some getting used to, huh?"

"Yeah," Ben said, moving to stand next to Felicity.

"Well, good night you two. And congratulations."

"Dad, wait." Felicity moved closer to her father, offering him a hug. He took it willingly. He whispered into her hair, "I am proud of you, sweetie." To which she could only reply, "thanks, Dad."

Ben smiled, glad to see Felicity and her father embracing. He was starting to feel like a member of this family and it felt good. He was determined not to let either of them down. Dr. Porter left then and Felicity turned to her husband, saying softly "I can't believe he came over and said all of that."

Ben moved over to her, taking her into his arms. "I know. But it was really nice, don't you think?"

"Yeah, it was." She felt herself fully relax as she laid her head onto his chest, feeling his heart beat beneath her ear. He had this way of always calming her soul and making her feel complete. They stood there a few moments, wrapped in each other's arms, happy to have that stressful time behind them.

"You want to go to bed?" Ben whispered.

"I thought you'd never ask."