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.

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[chesstotem]

"In general, if it's a drug, it's probably not a good idea," Ariadne said with a nod. She wasn't even drinking coffee anymore.

"All right. Just don't complain of being bored, you hear?" she smirked.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“I hear ya.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek.

[chesstotem]

"Dinner time, you lovebirds," her mother called from the kitchen. Ariadne grinned and gave Arthur one last kiss. "Better go wake up your mother."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“Okay.” He got up from the couch and handed her his empty tea cup before walking up the stairs to his mother’s room.

They were down in the kitchen a few minutes later. “Elizabeth, Grant, this is my mother, Mary. Mom, this is Ariadne’s mom and step-dad.”

[chesstotem]

Ariadne took the tea cups into the kitchen, and smiled as Arthur and Mary entered.

"It's wonderful to finally meet you, Mary," Elizabeth said graciously, moving to take her hand and give it a firm, friendly squeeze.

"It really is," Grant added. "Arthur is the best son-in-law we could've asked for."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“It’s so nice to meet both you and you can thank Arthur’s father for that.” Mary smiled at Ariadne’s parents.

[chesstotem]

"It's too bad we couldn't meet him," Grant said with just the right amount of sadness and affection. "But instead of dwelling on that, I think we should be celebrating new life, don't you? Let's eat." He led them all to the dining room, where there was grilled chicken and grilled fresh vegetables.

"Looks great, you guys," Ariadne said, kissing her step-father on the cheek. "I'm starving."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

Arthur ushered his mother to the table and pulled out her chair. She sat down and gave him a grateful smile. “This looks wonderful,” she stated.

[chesstotem]

"Good food, made with love," Grant said, giving Ariadne a wink as she laughed and rolled her eyes.

"What a cheeseball."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

Arthur took his napkin and shook it out before draping it across his lap. His mother did the same.

[chesstotem]

Grant grabbed a bottle, and Ariadne raised her eyebrows. "Grant, you know I can't -"

"It's sparkling grape juice, hon, don't worry," her mother said with a laugh. "We thought it would work best for a little toast."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

Arthur waited as Grant poured the grape juice before taking his glass and raising. “Should we toast to something?”

[chesstotem]

"To new beginnings?" Elizabeth suggested.

"I like that," Ariadne said with a smile for Arthur.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“I do, too,” Mary agreed as she lifted her own glass.

[chesstotem]

"In that case, to new beginnings," Grant said, raising his glass.

Ariadne and Elizabeth both raised theirs.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“To new beginnings.” He tapped his glass against his mother’s and then Ariadne’s.

[chesstotem]

Ariadne grinned. "Thanks so much, everyone. For being here. For us."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

Arthur nodded in agreement before taking a sip.

[chesstotem]

Still smiling, Ariadne enjoyed her meal. "This is great."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“Mhm,” Arthur agreed as he served his mother food.

[chesstotem]

Ariadne was focused on her food, but her hand gripped his thigh gently under the table.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

He had a smile plastered on his face as he ate.

[chesstotem]

Gradually, as the meal went on, her hand slid up his thigh.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

He leaned over with his lips close to her ear. “Not here.”

[chesstotem]

She huffed out a little sigh, but removed her hand and kept eating.