Edward kissed Tatiana's cheek gently. She blushed softly afterwards as she always did, which never failed to make him smile.
"Thank you again for coming," he said as she tucked a curl behind her ear.
"Thank you for having us over. I enjoyed meeting your father for the first time," she added. In the several months she and Edward had known each other, she had never gotten to meet Edward Sr. He was a lawyer who was constantly invested in his work and clients, making him scarce around his family.
"Well I know he really was a joy to meet," Edward halfheartedly mused.
His father called from inside the house, "Edward, come help your mother clean up!"
The teenager sighed and rubbed his neck. "That's my cue, I suppose." He took her hand and kissed it. "See you tomorrow?"
"Of course," Tatiana said happily, giving him a quick hug before hurrying to join her family in their carriage.
Edward watched them leave and then went back inside. His father was sitting at the dining room table with one of his case files spread in front of him. His mother was in the kitchen cleaning the dishes.
He made his way into the kitchen and began helping his mother clean on the second side of the sink.
"It was very nice of Tatiana and her brother to help bring in the dishes," his mother said, flashing him a smile. "They are a very polite family."
"I know they thought highly of you as well, mother," he said in a quiet voice so his father wouldn't hear, although he was much too invested in his case to pay them much attention.
"It was very kind of her mother to compliment where you got your good hearted personality from," she said with a wink, then added, "And where you got your sense of logic from." His mother looked back at his father, and she sighed. "I just hope they didn't think your father was…"
"I told them in advance that he probably wouldn't contribute to the conversations much," Edward said, facing the skin and drying a dish.
His mother nodded and placed a hand on his back. Together, it didn't take them long to finish the dishes.
Edward was passing through the dining room where his father still worked after he'd finished cleaning.
"Son, hold on a moment."
Edward stopped and turned to look at his father. "Sir?"
His father peered at him over his glasses. "Tell me about Tatiana's family."
"What do you mean?" Edward asked, confused. "You just met and had dinner with them."
"Yes but there was something... Strange about them," Edward Sr said, removing his glasses and propping his elbows up on the table. "Something wasn't right."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand," Edward urged. He was beginning to get annoyed. "Did you not like them? What isn't to like?"
"That's the thing. I couldn't find anything not to like about them. They seem too perfect. "
Edward put his head in his hands briefly and then dropped then in exasperation. "Father, I know looking for negative aspects of people is part of your job, but I was hoping that for one night, you could leave your job at work and really participate this evening," Edward admitted. "This dinner was important to me. Tatiana is important to me, and I was hoping you would realize that and try to get to know them tonight."
"I was getting to know them," his father said, pointing at him. "I was being observant. The way they spoke, their body language, I was trying to determine things about them. Her father used words I haven't heard since my father's time. He was quiet quite a bit-"
"Because he is an introverted man, and he has spent his life traveling, so he's picked up on other vocabulary-," Edward protested.
"And her mother was near the opposite, very care free and excited in conversation. She had perfect posture and her laugh was musical-"
"You're judging her mother for being a bright-spirited person? For having a nice laugh?"
"Edward," his father said. "You're my son, so I know you're observant and I know you can read people well. So tell me this: have you never thought they were odd, or something they've said or done was just strange or weird?"
"No, father. I haven't," Edward said sternly. "Would you like to know why? Because they are nice and good and generous people. Yes, they do seem a bit strange sometimes, but they have spent so long traveling, I would expect that. Her parents are not even from America. They're definitely interesting, but that is nothing to be auspicious or critical of."
Edward turned before his father could say anymore, and he strode through the living room and out the front door.
Edward Sr. sighed and rubbed his temples. He saw his wife walk in from the kitchen. "You understand what I'm talking about, right?" he pleaded.
Elizabeth sighed. "I do see where you're coming from, dear, but Edward is right. They are kind people, so it would be wrong to judge them otherwise." She sat down and took her husband's hand. "Darling, you need to be more supportive of Edward. He's nearly a man, and he has very little influence of you as it is."
"I'm sorry my job keeps me from the house often, I know it isn't-"
"Darling, listen," she said, cutting him off. "Edward told me earlier he plans to court Tatiana soon. He's going to talk to her father about it first, and I know he's quite nervous. Perhaps you could offer him advice on what to say."
Edward Sr. hesitated then nodded. "Soon as I finish this-" he began, beginning to replace his glasses and look at his files.
Elizabeth put her hand on the file first, cutting him off again. "Darling," she insisted. "Now. Your son comes first."
"Yes, of course," he said, standing and placing his glasses on the table. "Son, then work."
Elizabeth gave him an encouraging nod, and watched her husband leave out the front door.
—
"Sir, I was wondering if I could talk to you."
Mr. Mason stood with his hands in his pockets, waiting at the stairs with Edward. "Of course, Edward, what's on your mind?"
Edward took a deep breath and held his hands in front of him. "I would court Tatiana, and I would like to ask your permission first," Edward said, looking the father in the eye. He tried to hide his nerves, but something told him that Matthew could tell he was nervous no matter what.
"Quite the gentleman indeed, my boy," Matthew said, clapping his hand onto Edward's shoulder. "You have my permission, and my full support," he said, smiling kindly at Edward.
It felt like a huge weight evaporated from his shoulders, and Edward nodded. "Thank you, sir," he said, a smile forming on his face.
As if on cue, Tatiana and Eloise made their way down the stairs.
"Oliver is ready for bed, and the nanny has the information to find us if needed," Eloise informed her husband.
"Hello, Edward," Tatiana greeted, smiling fondly at him.
Edward's heart began beating faster in his chest. "Hello Tatiana," he said, trying to stay casual.
"Alright, we're off then," Matthew said, buttoning his waistcoat. "You two have a nice evening, and remember, home by ten o'clock."
"Of course sir," Edward agreed.
As Eloise and Matthew left, Tatiana dug through the coat closet. "Soon as I get my sweater we can go as well."
"Do you need help finding it?" Edward offered.
"Hmm, I might," she said, closing the door. "Come on." She took his hand and led him upstairs and to her bedroom door.
Edward hesitated. Usually, if a couple were romantically involved, they didn't stay in bedrooms alone together. But they weren't technically romantic yet, right? He still had to ask her…
Tatiana opened her door and walked in, beckoning Edward to follow her. "It should be in my dresser," she said, going over to the furniture piece. Edward couldn't help but look everywhere while he stood waiting. She had a canopy bed and a large bookshelf on either side full of books and small trinkets. He saw notebooks in a small pile with a pack of pencils and paints in another corner of the room. There was a cushion chair by her open closet, and there were a few dresses laid out on it. There were drawings stuck to the wall over the dresser where she stood, and as he took a few steps closer, he noticed they were hers. She had sketches of her family and books and things he didn't recognize.
"Found it," she declared, snapping him out of it. She turned to look at him as she pulled on her sweater. "Alright let's go. I'm so excited for the festival!"
Edward smiled at her as she took his hand and pulled him after her again, out her room, down the stairs, and out the front door.
—
The festival wasn't much, just where a bunch of local artisans and merchants came together and sold their art and goods. Local musicians played around for tips, and there were places where people could have their photo taken.
Tatiana and Edward mostly walked around admiring what the merchants and artisans offered. They chatted as they walked, not taking about much in particular. They even went to get their photo taken. Edward insisted on taking a second one after the photographer caught him looking at Tatiana the first time and not the camera.
"Photos are 50¢ each, kid," the photographer said. Edward dug out the dollar from his pocket and paid the man, handing Tatiana the better picture.
"Don't you want the one where you're actually looking at the camera?" Tatiana teases him.
"Oh no, if I want you to remember this fun night together, I certainly don't want it to be by a picture where I wasn't paying attention," he said, giving her a crooked smile and placing his photo safely in his vest pocket.
"If you say so," Tatiana said with a laugh. Together they walked to a bench that was in a small garden. They sat and she put her head on his shoulder gently.
Edward took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice casual. "So I was speaking with your father earlier this evening about you... And I was wondering... If you were interested in me romantically?"
Tatiana sat up and looked at him with a small smile on her face. She could hear his heart beating faster, and she would've been lying if she'd said her own heart wasn't dancing in her chest. "Edward Masen," she said. "Are you courting me?"
Edward breathed out a laugh and gave her a crooked smile. "Trying to," he admitted. "So..? What do you think?"
"I think," she began, taking one of his hands in her own. "That I am very interested in you romantically. And I would very much like to be in a new relationship with you."
Edward grinned and sighed of relief. "I am very, very glad to hear that. Wow, that makes me really happy," he said. He hugged her tight and kissed her cheek.
Tatiana laughed and hugged him back. "You've certainly kept me waiting long enough," she teased him. "I've been waiting for you to make a move for weeks."
He pulled away and chuckled. "My apologies for keeping you waiting, ma'am," he said.
Tatiana smiled at him, then turned to look at the clock tower. "Oh, it's almost ten," she said with disappointment.
"We should probably get going then," he said standing up. "I promised your father ten o'clock." He offered her his hand, which she happily took.
"You did indeed," she said, standing up and kissing his cheek. "And I will remember this night forever."