Chapter Five

Things were going really well between Natalie and me. We spent lunch together going over the wedding details. I did my best to help, but I wasn't much of a wedding planner. Natalie seemed pretty relaxed about everything; she even started to come out of her shell. That was until Friday night, the night before we were to meet the parents.

We were sitting on the couch watching Tommy and she had reverted back to her quiet, uncomfortable self. I rubbed her shoulders and asked if everything was okay. All she did say was fine and dropped the subject. It was only a couple of minutes later when she said she was exhausted and was going to bed. I kissed her forehead before she got up and headed into the bedroom.

I stayed on the couch that night figuring she wanted to be alone. I laid awake trying to figure out what might be bothering her. Sure, she was probably nervous about meeting my parents. I know I was frightened to meet the parents who had raised such an amazing person. But I was wondering if something else was bothering her. The only problem was she didn't seem like she was going to tell me.

We both got up relatively early, knowing we would be out most of the day. Natalie didn't make breakfast since we were having brunch with my parents. She dressed in blue jeans and a black button down shirt. She tied her hair up in a nice sleek ponytail. She looked beautiful; she looked more relaxed than she had the night before.

The car ride was slightly uncomfortable. Natalie didn't speak much if at all. She mostly hummed along to some of the songs on the radio. She kept her gaze on the scenery whizzing by outside her window. I reached over and squeezed her knee in reassurance. She looked over at me, smiled weakly and looked back out the window.

When we arrived, I got out of the car and opened her door for her. I reached down and held her hand. I gave it a light squeeze which she returned. We walked up to the door hand-in-hand. I knocked on the door before pushing it open and entering with Natalie. "Mum, dad, we're here," I called into the house.

"We're in the dinning room, darling," my mum called out to us.

We walked through several rooms of the house before entering the dinning room to see my mum sipping her tea and my dad reading the paper.

"Mum, dad, I'd like you to meet Natalie Rozon," I announced. Natalie held tight beside me as my mum stood up and my father folded up his paper. I let go of her hand and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. I kept my eyes on her as she smiled nervously at my parents. My mother stuck out her hand and shook Natalie's. My father followed in suit.

After all the formalities, we sat down across from my parents and the small talk began.

"It's very nice to meet you, Natalie. How did you meet our Harry?" my mother asked as we started to eat.

"It's my honor to meet you. Harry and I met at work, actually. I'm an intern at Harry's recording label."

"Oh, that's lovely, dear. I'm assuming you're still in school if you're only an intern, am I correct?" my father joined in.

I didn't want Natalie to feel as if she was part of the Spanish Inquisition, so I answered for her. "She's a music business major. Natalie takes online courses and works full time at the label. She'll be done next spring and she'll be a full fledged manager." I turned to her and she was barely eating.

Conversation refocused on me for a while and I could tell Natalie was slightly grateful. My parents started asking about the band, how Tom was holding up with Sydney, the recording of the new album and as brunch started to wind down, they asked about Noelle.

My mom took a sip of tea before asking the million dollar question. "Harry, what happened with you and Noelle? We thought you two were inseparable."

"We broke up. Things weren't as good as I thought. But I'm with Natalie now and that's all that matters," I reached down and squeezed her knee under the table. She smiled weakly up at me as she grabbed my hand linking her fingers with mine. She reached up with her left hand to pick up her water goblet and I saw my mother's eyes glare down to the ring as if the ring was a magnet.

"That's quite a lovely ring you have there Natalie. Can I see it?" my mother asked while holding out her hand for Natalie's. Natalie replaced the glass on the table and laid her hand into my mother's. Natalie squeezed my hand tightly under the table. "Why darling doesn't this ring look like an engagement ring?" my mother asked tilting Natalie's hand to show my father the ring.

"Yes, it does dear. Is there anything you'd like to tell us?" my father looked at me sternly from across the table.

"Actually, that's why we're here. Natalie and I are getting married…next weekend."

"Oh God, you've gotten her pregnant, haven't you? That's why you're not with Noelle anymore, is it?" mum burst out. She covered her mouth with her hands in shock.

"No, mum, she's not pregnant. And Noelle and I aren't together anymore because we're not together anymore, alright? And stop pretending you liked her; you hated her." I picked up my water goblet and took a long sip trying to calm myself.

My father took one of my mother's hands in his and patted it in sympathy. "How long have you two known each other exactly?" he asked in his 'stern, no excuses' voice.

I took another sip before answering, "A week."

He laughed harshly. "A week? And you're planning to get married in another? So you'll know each other for two weeks when you intend on marrying? What is wrong with you two? You can't get married after only two weeks. The only thing that's going to come out of this wedding is her with all your money in the divorce settlement. I won't allow it."

"Well, you don't have to approve of it." I stopped what I was saying, feeling Natalie pull her hand out of mine. I looked at her as tear streaks fell down her cheek. She was crying. "Natalie, come on, lets get out of here." I reached down as I stood up taking Natalie's hand in mine. She hung her head as we walked toward the front door, not even giving my parents a second glance.