For dontthinkabout

[chesstotem]

Ariadne's parents had been there for a few days by the time Arthur's mother was scheduled to arrive - which was all to the good, as far as she was concerned. She needed the emotional support provided by her parents to get up the bravery to face his mom. He told her she didn't have to go along to pick her up, but Ariadne insisted. The ginger tea helped a lot with the nausea, and the rest, well. Arthur was with her.

Comments

[chesstotem]

"Sounds kind of weird now, but in a couple of months maybe it'll be really palatable. Or I'll want to eat nothing but pasta for two weeks.

My mom says she craved Mexican food with me. Three or four times a week, she said."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“I bet that got a kick out of you.”

Mary bent over her suitcase again and unzipped it. “There’s something I want you to have.”

[chesstotem]

Ariadne blinked in surprise. "There is?" She couldn't conceal her continuing shock at the changes she was seeing. Only a couple of years ago Mary had been hostile, downright violent, towards her.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“It’s not much and I’m sure you can find a nicer one at a department store, but when I was pregnant with Arthur, I took up knitting and made him this.” She took out a small red bonnet, stood up, and handed it to her.

[chesstotem]

She carefully took the little bonnet, treating it with almost reverence. "No, this is... it's very nice. Thank you, Mary."

Maybe it was the hormones, on top of everything else, but Ariadne blinked back tears.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

Mary smiled slowly and patted her elbow. “There’s a blanket and some booties too somewhere in the house if you wanted those as well.”

[chesstotem]

"That - " She wiped her eyes with her sleeve a little. "That would be wonderful, Mary, thank you so much."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“You’re welcome,” she said.

There was a knock on the door a moment later before it opened and Arthur walked in with a cup of tea. “Here, your tea’s done,” he said before handing it to Ariadne. “It’s hot so be careful.”

[chesstotem]

Ariadne swiped the tears away hastily as Arthur came in. "Thanks," she said. "Look what your mother gave us."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“Oh.” His eyes widen a little at the bonnet. “I remember this,” he said as he took it from Ariadne. “You kept it?”

“Of course I did silly,” his mother replied.

[chesstotem]

"It's wonderful," Ariadne said, sniffling again as she sipped her tea.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

He clutched the bonnet in his hand. “You can take a nap mom, before dinner if you’d like.”

“Sure, that’d be nice. Flying always makes me tired.”

He nodded and took Ariadne’s free hand, leading her out of the room and closing the door behind him.

[chesstotem]

Ariadne continued sniffling into her tea as she perched on a bar stool in the kitchen. "I'm still wondering if it's too good to be true..."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

He shrugged and went to pour his own cup.

[chesstotem]

She tilted her head at him. "Is there something wrong? You've been so quiet."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“I’d rather not make any judgments until the weekend’s over,” he said honestly.

[chesstotem]

She reached out and gave his hand a squeeze. "Of course. Hey - I love you."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

He smiled slowly. “Love you, too.”

[chesstotem]

"You know what?" she said coyly. "I've gained two pounds already. Get ready for your wife to be a whale."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“The most beautiful whale ever,” he joked.

[chesstotem]

"Or the most beautiful wife ever," she said, making a face at him.

Just then, the front door opened - her parents were back. "Hope you don't mind grilled, BBQ chicken!" Grant said happily as they brought everything into the kitchen to unpack it.

"Sounds great," Ariadne said with a smile. "We picked up Arthur's mom; she's upstairs now resting. You'll see her at dinner. And Arthur was just picking on me for being fat, weren't you?" she teased.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said with a smile before going around and helping unpack the groceries.

[chesstotem]

"He called me a whale, because I've gained two pounds," Ariadne joked, and her mother and Grant both laughed.

"I'm sure he said no such thing," Elizabeth said.

Grant, ever more astute, winked a little. "I bet he did, but made it into a compliment."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“Well, I did say she’ll be the most beautiful whale ever," he said, coming clean.

[chesstotem]

"He's a naughty man. Maybe he should sleep on the couch," Elizabeth joked.

Ariadne pretended to think about that for a moment. "Nah. I like him nearby, in case I need more tea for my upset tummy."