Chapter 3: Close Quarters

Lilly reluctantly followed Scotty down the hallway to the room that she would be sharing with him for a week. If it wasn't bad enough that she had to pretend to be his girlfriend now she'd have to spend a whole week in the same room and in the same bed, perfect, she told herself sarcastically.

Scotty was keeping quiet, he knew Lil's anger must be at breaking point by now and he thought he'd much rather deal with stony silence, then with an all out yelling match. "Here we are" he said as he pushed open the door and revealed the small bedroom. Lilly pushed past him and her eyes scanned around the small room. One double bed with a bedside table on either side, a small chest of drawers on which Rosa had placed a vase of wildflowers and in the corner there was a green armchair. After surveying the room, Lilly turned to face Scotty, making sure that her icy mask was firmly in place. "I am really sorry Lil" Scotty began in a whisper "I didn't think Ma would put us in the same room, she's usually pretty strict about that sort of thing" He placed her bag on the floor then ran his free hand through his hair "Look, if it makes you feel better, I'll sleep on the armchair and you can have the bed" Scotty said, desperate to soothe the angry beast that was the small woman in front of him.

She sighed and rubbed her hand over her eyes "its okay Scotty, I mean were both adults, we can share a bed if it's only for a week I suppose." She said and she sat down on the edge of the bed. Scotty smiled down at her, thankful she wasn't about to rip his head off. "The bathroom is across the hall" Scotty said and he slipped out of his jacket, draping it on the back of the armchair.

Fifteen minutes later, Lilly and Scotty walked back into the kitchen where upon they were immediately pushed into seats and a large plate of something Lilly couldn't begin to decipher what it could be was placed in front of both of them.

"I am sure you two are hungry" Rosa said warmly as she passed out plates to the others and took her seat opposite Lilly.

"This looks good Ma" Mike said as he dug his fork into the pile of rice in front of him. Just as they were all tucking into their meals Lilly saw a small boy of about five enter the kitchen, clutching at a small blanket and rubbing his eyes. When he spotted Scotty, Lilly saw his face light up and he ran over to him, climbing up onto his lap.

"Uncle Scotty" He cried excitedly

"Hey Buddy" Scotty said hugging his nephew tightly "You have a good nap?" The little boy nodded and then his eyes fell on Lilly. He seemed to study her curiously for a few minutes, before his whispered to Scotty "Who's that?" his eyes still fixed on the blonde stranger at the table.

"That's Lilly" Scotty said "She's my...girlfriend, Lil this is my favourite nephew Emilio"

"But I am your only nephew" Emilio replied, leading Scotty to laugh softly and hug him again.

"Hi" Lilly said, smiling across at the little boy who she could now see bore a striking resemblance to his uncle.

"Hello" Emilio said shyly, still unsure about this Lilly person.

"Why don't you go and watch cartoon, Em" Mike said "Let your uncle eat" Emilio scowled at his father as he slid off Scotty's lap and walked off to the living room. Rosa sighed happily "They grow up so fast" she turned her smile to Lilly and Scotty "Have you two talked about having children, I am sure you would have beautiful babies" Scotty rolled his eyes

"Ma we've only been dattin' a few weeks" he said exasperatedly and he could feel Lilly's eyes boring into the back of his head. Rosa dismissed him with a wave of her hand and shook her head "I knew I wanted to be with your father forever the minute I met him, surely you feel the same about Lilly?" she asked, looking from her son to the very embarrassed Lilly.

"Leave them alone Ma" Mike cut across his mother "You were the same when I first brought Allie home to meet you"

"And I was right then too, Emilio is handsome just like his daddy"

Lilly breathed a sigh of relief, as Mike and his mother continued to argue. Not only was she Scotty's fake girlfriend, she was now apparently the future mother of their fake children. This had gone on far enough, she was going to have to talk to him tonight, tell him to get his mother to back off or their deal would be over.

Two hours later and her anger had thawed somewhat. She found herself in conversation with Allie and soon the two of them were talking like old friends. Scotty looked out at them from the kitchen and smiled. He was glad that Lil finally seemed to be enjoying herself. Maybe, just maybe they could pull this off, he though.

"Hey lover boy" Mike snapped, throwing a tea towel his brothers head "Stop drooling over your gorgeous girlfriend and come and help me with the dishes" Scotty chuckled and walked over to the sink and picked up a plate.

"Hey thanks bout earlier with Ma" Scotty began "Lil ain't exactly comfortable talkin about that kinda stuff"

"No problem" Mike said "I just remember what a pain she was when she first met Allie, after our first dinner, Allie didn't speak to me for a week" Scotty chuckled again and the two brother fell into silence as they continued to wash up. The snow was falling outside, blanketing the city in white.

A/n: I know this chapter is short but I wanted to post it before Christmas, which for those of you in the southern hemisphere is tomorrow. Merry Christmas