Chapter 84

How I Met His Mother

Holly's POV:

"Ugh, are you sure about this? " I asked, tugging at my blue dress for only about the thousandth time since I had gotten into the car that morning.

"Holly, relax, " my boyfriend, Artemis ordered. Normally looking into his one blue and one hazel eye would calm me, but of course he had decided to drive today so all I could do was try not to have a panic attack.

"I can't. What if your mom doesn't like me? " After all, the Fowls were high society socialites and billionaires. I, on the other hand, am a fairy police officer who could barely spell billions let alone fathom how much they really were.

"She already loves you, " he replied, his voice soothing.

"Why? "

"Because I love you."

And there went the butterflies, fluttering in my stomach. Or maybe they were parasites viciously attacking my heart, and holding me captive. Either way, that was the one truth that I needed.

"We're almost home. I just want you to know that you do not have to do this if you don't want to."

The still rational part of me wanted to back out now, and accept the shame, but the portion of me that wanted to make Arty happy was stronger. "No, " I sighed. "I want to meet her face to face." The 'for you' was implied, but unnecessary for me to actually say.

"Good, " he beamed with pride. Of course, he had known exactly what I was going to do. Ugh, why do I have to be so predictable?

Within minutes we were turning up his long driveway and pulling up to the house. Though I use the word house very loosely. Mansion is more like it.

I don't know why, but I always feel nervous when I come here, like I was going to break something very expensive. I turned my ring uneasily. This wasn't just your typical accessory. No, the ring was actually an amazing invention that was allowing me to appear human. At least for now.

I had been so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I hadn't noticed Arty get out of the car and open my door for me like a proper gentleman should. "Relax," he whispered in my ear, kissing my lips lightly. Lightly. That was something that we had been working on lately. After all, not everything can become a heated make out session, especially when I was about to be standing in front of his mother.

"I'm scared, " I admitted.

"Don't be." As if it was really that easy. As if I could really turn my fear off like that, because I wouldn't have already done so if I could.

"And if she doesn't like me? "

"We'll just have to mesmerize her into thinking that she does." My mouth dropped open. I couldn't believe what he had just said. Of all people, he should know how dangerous playing with magic could be when that magic had to do with someone's mind or heart.

"That was a joke, " he chuckled. Ugh, that's one affect that I regret having on his humor. It has greatly evolved into something actually resembling funny and on the plus side there are no more quark jokes. Though I almost get them now, and to be honest the new jokes often leave something to be desired. Something uniquely Arty. "Don't think I would injure my family that easily. You're a part of me in more ways than one."

"Let's just go in before I change my mind," I huffed.

Arty's self satisfied smirk didn't leave his face as he walked me up the front stairs to his home. As I expected, he rushed in front of me to open the door. Honestly, one day I'm going to catch him by surprise, open my own door, and leave him floundering for what to do next.

We entered the familiar parlor and I stared up at the familiar faces of past Fowls. At one time, they had all seemed mean and leering, but now I can find bits of Arty in each one and feel a sense of comfort because in almost every bad person there is at least a little good.

"Mother, " he called softly into the distance. It'll be a miracle if she hears him, but as I understand it's rude to yell.

"Coming dear, " replied a chiming voice that sounded like the tinkling of bells. Obviously, it was his mother.

All of a sudden, I felt my stomach clench. This was the woman who's mental illness I healed. This was the woman that I tried to heal of spelltropy. This is the woman he would lie to protect. This was Arty's mother.

This was the woman who was entering the room right now. As I watched her, I could seethere was no denying that she was beautiful. Her long, straight, blond hair, hanging down to her back. Her large eyes just a shade darker than Arty's. Her pouty red lips open and displaying her perfectly straight teeth.

"Holly," she grinned, hugging me tightly. "I've been waiting to meet you. "

"Oh thank you, Mrs. Fowl. I've been waiting to meet you too."

She pulled back from me slightly. "Oh no. I am not Mrs. Fowl. Call me Angeline or even Angie is better than Mrs. Fowl."

"O...okay Angeline, " I stammered. Arty was such a stickler for manners that I'd assumed that his mother was the same way, demanding the appropriate respect. Obviously, I was wrong. Though I should know to expect as much. Fowls have a way of never doing what you think they will.

"Holly, you've just met my mother. Mother you've just met Holly, " he grinned at me, practically oozing pride. Great, I was really going to hear about this later.

"We know that honey, " she giggled. "Now shoo! Holly and I have to talk."

Talk? We have to talk about what? Artemis turned and looked at me. I could see the question in his eyes. Did I really want to talk to her alone? I nodded slightly. After all, what mother wouldn't want to interview their son's girlfriend?

She beamed, taking my hand and dragging me up the stairs to what appeared to be the master bedroom. I had only been in here twice when healing this same woman. "Holly, come sit down, " she demanded, plopping down on the huge bed

I did as she asked, sitting cross legged right across from her.

"Thank you, " she beamed. "I don't know what I expected her to say, but that wasn't it. Why should she thank me for anything?

"Why? "

"For saving my family time and time again. And most importantly for loving Artemis."

Artemis. Just the thought of the genius made me blush. "Trust me, it's my pleasure."

"The making out that good, huh? "

She giggled as my mouth fell open. What could I say to that? 'Yes your son has an amazing mouth and even better hands.' No, I preferred being able to actually see him.

"Oh please, do I really seem that out of date to you? "

"No ma'am." And it was true. To be honest, she seems more like Juliet than the wife of Artemis Fowl I.

"Don't call me 'ma'am'," she chided. "It makes me feel old." Old? Her? Maybe it was the abundant cocoon of love that surrounded her or maybe it was just who she is, but old was the last word that I would ever use to describe her.

Age. Something else to bring up. "Well to be fair, technically I am older than you." Old enough to be her mother...

"Oh yes, Artemis told me about how slowly you age. It must be wonderful."

"At times." Like times when your boyfriend also has a decelerated ageing process, and you don't have to worry about him dying before you,

She smiled at me again, patting my hand as if she knew what was going on in my mind. "So, Holly, you know why I asked you in here, right? "

"You want to know my intentions with Artemis? " I suggested.

Her answering chuckle echoed off of the walls. "In a manner of speaking." Do any of the Fowls just say what they mean? From my experience, that is a large no.

I sighed. At my age, you'd think I wouldn't have to do this. "Right now, we're just dating."

"And how do you feel for him? "

My eyes roved the room. Knowing Artemis like I do, the room is most certainly bugged. Well, I wasn't saying anything that I hadn't told him before. "I love him. More than I've ever loved anyone."

"And the physical relationship?"

My face reddened. Even I hadn't expected a question like that. Humans. You never know with them. "It's nonexistant."

"Well, be safe when you decide to proceed, " she warned. I noticed that she used the word 'when' instead of 'if '. Interesting, she assumed that we would become physically involved, and rather soon from what her tone suggested. "I'm sorry for the interrogation. I just had to see that your feelings were real. You see, Artemis is so much like his father. Hard to fall in love, but when he does, he'll give his life to protect her. To protect you."

And hadn't he proved that time and time again? He would give his life for me, and I would do the same for him. "That's Arty in a nutshell. Frond knows he's saved my life countless times."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up. "Artemis told me a bit. Would you mind telling me in your point of view."

So, the two of us sat there for the next two and a half hours while I told her about our adventures. Angeline sat in rapt attention, enjoying every second of the stories. Finally, I finished. "Thank you, Holly. I'm so glad that he's found you."

"I feel the same way." She hugged me one more time before sending me on my way with a sharp slap to the rear.

"Go get him tiger! "Ah, Angeline Fowl was worlds away from her son, but still I think I'll like her just as much as I like Juliet.

"Aaaand?"

I glared up at Artemis from where I was nestled in his arms on his overly large bed. "And your mom seems really nice."

"And?"

I knew what he wanted me to say, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of giving him his credit. "And she really seems to like me."

"And? "

This had been going on for five whole minutes, every since I came through his bedroom door and sat in his lap. I was beyond ready for him to stop with this. "If I say it will you just let it go? "

He pretended to think about it for a second. "No, probably not."

I hadn't thought so. Well, at least he's honest. "At least you're honest, " I grumbled.

"And? "

This was killing my pride and quite a bit of my self-respect, but here it was. The honest to Frond truth. "You were right." As always.

"And? "

It took all of my tranquility to avoid saying something that I shouldn't. As it was, I was forced to push the words out through my gritted teeth. "I was wrong."

I didn't even have to turn around to see the proud smile bloom on his face. "And? "

I glared fiercely, though we both know that I can't stay mad at him. Even when I really, really want to. "And you're lucky you're cute."

His mismatched eyes widened and the corners of his lips twitched slightly. "Cute? You think I'm cute? " he spat the word like it was an insult, and to a genius it probably was. His large vocabulary would scoff at such an infantile word as 'cute.'

It made me giggle. My boyfriend could be so difficult at times. "Yes cute."

"Puppies are cute. Kittens are cute. Babies are cute. In case you haven't noticed, I am none of these things."

My eyes roved his long body and slightly affronted face. "Trust me, I know. Though if you pout any more you could definitely be considered a baby."

He grunted a noncommittal sound. "Oh come on, I said what you wanted me to..."

No response. Not that I had expected one. So, it seems as though I have to force him into being civil. That's fine, I happen to love a challenge.

I turned so that I was on my knees facing him. I tried to repress my giggles, and somehow managed to succeed.

"You were right." I leaned in letting my lips just barely graze his. "And I was wrong." This time my lips found their way to his cheeks. I continued kissing him. His cheeks, his forehead, his earlobes. This continued until I found that sensitive place where his face met his neck. The slight moan was enough for me.

"You were right and I was wrong." I attacked the spot again and again, enjoying the slight squirm that showed that Artemis was actually enjoying this.

Even I had gotten involved. So involved that I did not notice his strong arms wrapping around me like steel cables, holding me to his chest. "You shouldn't start games that you don't know the rules to."

I grinned, enjoying this physically dominant, forceful side of Artemis. It was rare, and took quite a bit of work to urge it to the surface. In a way, it was my own little reward. "I'm a loose canon cop. I make my own rules."

A brow raised. "Oh? And what are your rules? "

I smiled, not saying a word. Sometimes you only need your lips. This was one of those times. He held me close, our tongues dancing in ecstasy from the taste of each other. His musky and sweet, the best flavor that I 've ever tasted. Our bodies an inferno, charring us both, yet neither of us cared. If anything, we desired more and more until there was nothing left.

When oxygen deprivation finally forced us to separate, we did so while avidly cursing the shortcomings of our weak lungs. But lying here in his arms was almost enough to make up for it.

"What were you saying before? " he asked.

I looked up at Arty's smiling face. His best trait: his extreme humility. "You were right."

A/n:

Yay! Another Chapter Down! It's almost over. Can you believe it? I'm so happy yet so sad to know this. Only about six chapters left to go.

So anyway, that June 19th deadline got blown out of the water by my summer writing camp (obviously). I want to set another deadline, but this summer I actually sort of have vacation plans. Rest assured that I will update as much and as quickly as I possibly can. I wanted to be finished by July 10th, but by now you've all realized that I'm awful at working up to deadlines. So this time I'm going to be more realistic. I want to be finished eventually. Hopefully, before my summer ends, but no promises.

By the way, happy Independence Day, Americans!

Keep reading and I'll keep writing. Oh and review. Flames are welcome. They're what keep me warm and toasty at night. ;)

Remember: Reviews = happy camper. Happy camper = quicker updates. Quicker updates = you reading more. It's a cycle. Keep it going!

Yours truly, madly, and deeply,

Einstinette