For RebaForever15, hope this puts a little cheer in your day and for ForeverMBond, thanks so much for sticking with me :)
M and Joanna made their way down to the kitchen to find James busily plating their breakfast.
"I thought we would eat in the dining room if that's ok" he said as he carried the plates thru to the table
"Attentive and he cooks! Well done Mother"
"Thank you" replied M with a grin
While the three of them ate, they talked about the differences between their two branches of service, and the challenges that come with their respective jobs, but Joanna was careful not to pry into her mother's latest mission. She knew that if her mother had been willing to put her life on the line, then it had to have been important and when she was ready, she would tell her. She was however highly entertained by the endless stories her mother told about the antics of one 007 and how he never ceased to amaze her. It was the first time in a long time that Joanna had actually heard her Mother laugh and she had never seen her smile as much as she did at breakfast.
"As entertaining as this is, I really need to go and get settled in at the hotel" said Joanna as she rose from the table
"No need" replied James as he began clearing away the dishes "I took the liberty of putting your bags upstairs in what I believe was your bedroom" he said with a smile
"James, that was very thoughtful of you, but I couldn't..."
"Of course you will, I insist" interrupted M
"Well if you're sure I won't be a bother"
"This is your home Joanna, Never be afraid to come here, stay as long as you like" replied James as he grasped her hand and gave it a light squeeze before heading to the kitchen
"I think I will go upstairs and unpack" she said with a smile as she disappeared around the corner
M rose from the table and went to find James who was busily washing the last of the dishes.
As she stood behind him, she put her arms around his waist and pulled him to her, leaning her head against his shoulder.
"Thank you" she said quietly
"No need to thank me, it was only breakfast and after all we needed to eat" he said teasingly
"That's not what I meant and you know it" she said playfully slapping his arm as he turned to wrap his arms around her
"So I take it this means that you're not mad" he said as he leaned down and kissed her
"Not at the moment." she replied as she snuggled into his embrace "She likes you"
"Well that's good because I like her too, but not as much as I like you" he said with a smile
"Good Answer" she replied with a stern look that quickly turned into a smile "What made you call her? I could swear I told you..."
"I didn't know what else to do and I thought it might help you to have her around, besides it's high time that she knows what an amazing Mother she has and just how close she came to losing her" he said in a serious tone as he looked her in the eye
"James, I'm not sure that I'm ready to tell her..."
"You don't have to, just take it one step at a time. Let her... let Us take care of you" he said as he placed a soft kiss to her forehead. "I need to out for a while, can you two manage to stay out of trouble until I get back?" he asked with a grin
"Why? Where are you going?" she asked sounding a bit panicked
"Don't worry, I'm just going by my flat to pick up a few things. I only have one change of clothes here, and now that we have company it just wouldn't do for me to go parading around in the nude now would it" he replied with a smirk
"Well since you put it that way, I suppose not" she said trying to suppress a giggle
James couldn't help but grin as he pulled her to him and rested his chin on the top of her head as he gave her a squeeze.
"What was that for?"
"It's nice to hear you laugh and to see you smile. You should do it more often"
"Well it helps when you have something to smile about" she said as she stood up on her toes and kissed him. "You had better get going..."
"Right, you two have a lot of catching up to do, and M..." he said as he brushed the back of his hand lightly across her cheek "Don't worry about telling her about what happened right now, just enjoy the fact that she's here and she wants to be with you, the rest will come in time"
James put his arm around her and escorted her up the stairs, depositing her in front of Joanna's bedroom door before he turned to head to head back down the stairs...
"James...what do I say to her?" she asked nervously
"What do most Mothers and Daughters usually talk about?"
"I have no idea, we aren't usual in any sense of the word" replied M
"She's your daughter for Christ's sake not a terrorist, just get in there and let your conscience be your guide"
"Well thank you Jiminy Cricket, any other words of wisdom before you go?" she asked sarcastically
"Why don't you just try listening, You have to admit that she's had a rather large shock finding out who you really are, so answer what you can, and fluff over the rest and you'll be fine"
"You won't be long?"
"No" he said quietly as he leaned in and gently kissed her "I won't be long"
M waited until she heard the front door shut before she turned and nervously knocked on the bedroom door as she opened it slightly
"Joanna? May I come in?"
"Of course Mum...what a silly question" replied Joanna
"It must seem strange being in your old room"
"I have to admit it's been a long time"
"So..." M started to say hesitantly
"He seems nice" said Joanna, trying to to break the awkward silence
"Who? Oh James...right, yes he is"
"But isn't he a bit young?"
"That's what I keep telling him, but it doesn't seem to matter to him, why does it bother you?"
"No, I just don't want to see you get hurt is all, you know how men are" she said with a sincere smile
"I can assure you that hurting me is the last thing he would do"
"How can you be so sure?"
"After everything we've been through lately he still wants to marry me"
"Marry you?"
"Well don't look so surprised..." she snapped
"I'm sorry Mum, I didn't mean it that way. I can tell he cares about you, I just didn't realize that it was that serious"
"Well it is, and I'm going to marry him with or without your blessing, I just hoped that you would approve" she replied quietly
"As long as he makes you happy then I'm happy" she said as she leaned over and gave her Mother a quick awkward hug "Have you told Paul yet?"
"Err...well no"
"Best to let me talk to the little bugger first, you know how he can be" she said in a half joking, half-serious tone
"He's never really forgiven me for ruining his childhood"
"Well he didn't know the WHOLE story, I'm sure that once he knows..."
"You can tell him!" replied M sternly "The only reason you know is because of your position with MI5, and unless he has a similar job..."
"Point taken, I will find a way around that little tid- bit of information and make him see sense and then if he is still being a complete ass, I'll just..."
"You'll just what?"
"Do what I've always done, either guilt him into acceptance or pound the crap out of him" she said with a sweet and yet mischievous smile
Once they had gotten through the initial awkwardness, M and Joanna found that they really did have a lot in common and were certainly not at a loss for topics of conversation. They were just finishing lunch when James returned from his errands.
"I'm glad to see that you two have finally found some common ground" he said as he stood in the doorway to the kitchen
"And just how long have you been eavesdropping?" asked Joanna "You know, that's not very polite" she said with a grin
"It's my job" he said with a shrug as we walked over and wrapped his arms around M and gave her a quick kiss "I see you've decided on forgoing getting dressed today" he said with a laugh
"Oh my god what time is it?"
"Just past 1:00"
"Excuse me while I go up and shower and dress" she said with a slight blush
"Hey, this is what I meant by taking it easy and relaxing. If you don't feel like getting dressed then don't. I like you no matter what you're wearing" he said as he pulled her close and kissed her forehead
"I'll be right back" she said slipping out of his arms and rushing up the stairs
"She isn't comfortable unless she's in a suit" replied Joanna with a laugh
"Yeah, I know, but I'm hoping to change that someday" he replied "So what did you two find to talk about while I was gone?" he asked curiously
"Oh this and that, but mostly...You"
"I see. I take it then that you don't approve"
"I didn't say that"
"Then what are you saying?"
"If you intend to marry my Mother than I want you to understand one thing. I like you, I really do, but if you ever hurt my Mother I know about a thousand different ways to kill you and I'll get away with it because I know how" she said bluntly
"Well as long as we are issuing ultimatums then I have a few of my own" he said motioning for her to sit
"Alright, fire away, what are your demands" she asked as she narrowed her eyes
"First, I will not tolerate long absences. Your presence will be required no less than three times a year. Christmas, Mother's Day and M's birthday, Secondly, we expect to hear from you at least once a week, no exceptions, Third, this was, is and always be your home and you are to visit as often and as long as you like, fourth, you do not have to call me Dad, James will suffice, fifth..."
"Alright, I get the picture" she said with a laugh "You really do love her don't you?"
"More than life itself" he replied
"In that case you have my blessing" she said as she rose and gave him a light kiss on the cheek "You do realize that you still have to deal with my brother, and he is not as accepting as I am"
"Most sons usually aren't when it comes to their Mothers"
"Well Paul isn't like most sons. He has a lot of anger and resentment. Let me talk to him first, it may make things a bit easier" she said dryly
"I'll leave it to you then since you know him best"
TO BE CONTINUED...