Author's Note: May I suggest a re-read? I can only apologize for the huge unexpected hiatus. School starts in like five days, and I'm finally done running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I planned to update last weekend, but I was actually in a car accident XD I know, sounds fishy, but I'm fine, thanks for asking ;) So, without further delay, here is the new chapter!
"Naomi, you need to calm down."
"I'm good, I'm calm, cool, collected, yup, that's me."
"Riiiight." I drag out the word unnecessarily. Naomi is being completely ridiculous about meeting my parents. Okay, maybe she does have a bit of a reason to be nervous. Well, now that I think about it, my parents probably seem like complete nut jobs to anyone outside the family. Hell, I'm in the family and I think they're a piece of work.
"Sorry, Ems, I'm just nervous. I want your family to like me."
"Just be yourself, they'll love you, babe. Who wouldn't love this face?" I say the last part in a coo while pinching her cheek.
"Oi, piss off!" She says, clearly trying to suppress her laughter.
"Love you too." I deadpan. She sends a cheeky smile and a wink my way. I can't help but return the smile. "Right, you ready?"
"As I'll ever be." I offer a reassuring smile before opening the door and walking in. Naomi hesitates in the doorway, so I reach my hand back and pull her in.
"It's about time you came in, I thought you were going to shag on the front porch." Ah, Katiekins, how I love you so.
"Jesus fuck, Katie, shut up, will you?" I fume in an angry whisper.
"Lighten up, lezza. Emsy never was one for jokes. Always so serious this one is." She aims this at Naomi and the bloke seated next to her, whom I have yet to be introduced to.
"Yeah, well, you say joker, I say bitch." Katie knows exactly how to rile me up. All she has to do is seem unaffected by my insults, and she has me fuming.
"You're just jealous, bitch." Even when her comebacks suck, I still get mad. Naomi must sense me getting ready to explode because she releases my hand and rests her hand on my lower back, rubbing soothing circles there. I relax immediately and smile my thanks at her. I grab her hand again and bring her to the couch opposite of Katie and the lad.
"Katie?" Naomi asks. I don't really know why,but I think Katie has a sort of soft spot for Naomi. I don't care what it is, as long as she's nice to her.
"Hmm?"
"Who's this?" Naomi inquires about the bloke, her vulnerability around new people ever present.
"Oh, shit, sorry." She is clearly trying to gauge Naomi's mood. Naomi just grins slightly, silently telling her it's alright this time. "This is Ted, he's my new boyfriend." When he gives no response Katie slaps his arm lightly. He looks questioningly at her. "Say hello, you twat." She tries to say under her breath, but we hear her clear as day.
"Oh, right, hello there." I wave and Naomi clings to my hand, shifting noticeably behind me. Ted looks to Katie for an explanation, but she just shakes her head slightly. He shrugs and goes back to...whatever it is he's doing. Both me and Katie are trying to figure out how Naomi is doing, with little success. Ever since he-who-shall-not-be-named, Naomi is anxious around people she doesn't know, especially men.
"Would anyone like a drink?" My mother appears in the doorway of the kitchen, still as falsely polite as ever, I see.
"No, mum, just let us know when dinner's ready, yeah?" Katie counters in a tone that has me struggling not to giggle. Katie has held even more of a grudge than me for the way mum treated me in college. She has gotten over her extreme homophobia, but Katie says the memories of it are still strong. I agree, but I don't see a point in staying mad. Katie does enough of that for both of us.
"Where's dad?" I ask before she retreats back into the kitchen.
"He'll be out it a minute." She says curtly. Okay, when I say she's gotten over her homophobia, I mean she's sort of shoved it in a closet. Haha, pun. What I mean is it's just waiting to come out. I crack myself up. Before anyone can notice the dorky smile I have on my face, my dad walks in.
"Hello, girls." He booms in his usual cheery and oblivious tone. Katie immediately shoots up to give him a hug, and I would've done the same if not for the death grip Naomi has on my hand. I settle for a small hello and a smile. Dad gives me a funny look, but ignores my resistance to a Fitch hug. "Who's this Emsy?" Naomi looks at me with horror etched on her face, and I just look back guiltily. I told her I would tell my parents she was coming, but it's really better not to.
"Dad, this is Naomi." I stand up and drag Naomi with me. She offers a timid hello and shakes his hand politely, still not releasing my hand. Right before it can get awkward, mum walks in and announces that dinner is ready. We move into the dining room to find the usual spread of amazing food that my mum puts out for guests. Before Naomi can sit down, I excuse us and bring her to the bathroom.
"How you doing, babe?" I told her that if she needed to leave we could.
"I'm good, fine." I look at her to make sure she isn't lying before nodding. I give her a peck on the lips and bring her back to the table.
"You alright girls?" My dad asks. I just nod and sit down with Naomi right next to me. Conversation flows easily, but Naomi stays quiet. Katie and I tag team to change the subject whenever anyone asks Naomi a question that will possibly make her uncomfortable. We ultimately end up back in the living room with glasses of wine all around.
"So, Ted, what do you do?" My dad always starts his interrogation off with this seemingly innocent question.
"I actually own a night club." Ted replies confidently. Of course you do Ted. I'm thinking this guy will be gone soon enough.
"Really, how interesting." My dad counters sarcastically. One thing Rob Fitch cannot stand is arrogance. The questioning continues for at least half an hour, and when he seems satisfied, he turns to Naomi. My eyes bug out of my head. I turn to Naomi, but she just smiles at me and squeezes my hand slightly, letting me know she's fine.
"How about you Naomi, what do you do?" He uses a slightly softer tone when speaking to Naomi. He always was good at reading people, so he must sense her uneasiness.
"I'm a currently unemployed lawyer." She answers in a reasonably confident tone. He nods appreciatively before going through the questioning once more, with far less venom in his tone than he had used with Ted. After he's finished he smiles proudly at me and I smile sheepishly back.
"Well, we better get going." I break the comfortable silence that had settled between us. Naomi looks relieved.
"Come on Ems, it's only half gone ten!" Katie yells.
"Katie, not tonight." I reply firmly. Realization dawns on her face and she nods.
"Right, see ya lezzas." She gets up and hugs both me and Naomi. I kiss my mum and dad on the cheek and Naomi settles for a handshake. We both shake Ted's hand as well because he honestly seems like an okay guy. Once we're out the front door without incidence, I physically feel Naomi relax.
"See, was that so bad?" I ask innocently. She just looks at me for a moment before cracking a smile.
"Nope, not that bad. Not half as bad as my mum will be." She laughs slightly at the last part. I just shrug.
"Compared to my parents, I'm sure your mum will be lovely. My mum's a cow." She hesitates for a second.
"Well, your dad's great. I like him." She says softly. Her dad is something that she shies away from whenever the subject arises. All she's told me is that he fucked off when she was twelve and she hasn't seen him since.
"I can share." I reply just as quietly. She yanks me by my hand and pulls me into a hug.
"Thank you." She whispers into my hair. My reply is a quick kiss on the cheek.
Note: Hope you enjoyed, I'll try to update soon, but I make no promises! Well, okay, I can promise it won't be as long a wait as last time ;) Thanks for reading.