Of course they decided to give a teeny tiny bit of information about Joel’s parents after I’ve written a fic on them. Oh well.
[Part 1] – Joel takes Elena home to meet his parents
So the first hour they where there went off without a hitch. Luckily they had arrived late enough in the day that dinner was close meaning his mother expected them to freshen up maybe even take a nap. She had shown them to their rooms. Joel was in his old one now converted to his mothers sewing room which had a pull out couch and Elena was in the guest bedroom.
Joel was currently napping on the bed having let Elena take the bathroom first for a shower. A soft hand pulled him back from his light dozen. Joel opened his eyes to find Elena kneeling beside the bed.
“Bathroom’s all yours,” she informed him.
Joel smiled lazily reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. He was so tempted to pull her down onto the bed and snuggle into her fresh clean skin. Kiss her long and slow. Take his time to just enjoy her. Instead he pulled back.
“Thanks,” he mumbled grabbing his bag closing the bathroom door behind him. Something he hadn’t done in years.
Dinner was at seven sharp. It was finally time to face the music. Neither he nor Elena had really spoken to his parents. By the time they had both taken showers and changed into nicer clothes a couple of hours had passed. Neither had been in a rush to start the interrogation.
Joel remembered when Elena had taken him home for dinner. The fifty questions. The silent threats. The not so silent ones. And they had been relatively normal people. Not like his folks who where set in their ways.
“Oh wow this looks lovely,” Elena gushed.
Neither was particularly used to a full course meal. Joel was the cook between then but with his job he didn’t have much time too.
“Thank you sweetheart. Do you cook?” And so it began.
Elena smile never wavered even though Joel internally cringed. “No sadly I inherited my mother’s gift in the kitchen. The talent to burn everything black. My father was the cook.”
Joel didn’t miss the looks passed between his parents.
“I’m sure you could learn. You just need the right teacher. I would be more than happy to show you the ropes,” his mother responded.
“Oh that would be wonderful but I wouldn’t dare step into your kitchen. It’s lovely and I would feel terrible if my skills where to damage it,” Elena replied easily.
“Nonsense dear. Let me worry about that,” she waved off.
Elena nodded. “Well than how can I refuse?”
Joel decided in that moment Elena was a saint.
“Shall we say grace?” his father interrupted.
“Yes dear.” His mother clasped her hand together bowing her head. Elena and Joel following suit.
“Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen,” his father recited.
A course of “Amen’s” went around the table and they all lifted their heads. Food was passed around and the meal remained quiet until everyone was served.
“So Elena,” his father began. It took a lot of effort for Joel to swallow his food. “What is it you do?”
“I’m an author,” Elena answered.
“You’ve been published?” he questioned.
“I’ve published six books, two are from a single series I’m writing, and I’m current working on my seventh, the third book,” Elena informed him taking a bite of her food.
“I bet they’ve sold well,” his mother announced.
“Enough to keep publishing them,” she joked.
“Elena’s just being modest,” Joel cut in. “She’s had book tours and readings. Her last book made it on the best seller list.” Elena blushed.
“How wonderful!” she exclaimed. “We’ll will have to read them. Won’t we hon?”
Both Joel and Elena exchanged a look of horror.
“So Joel dear, when are you going to ask Elena to marry you?”
Joel has no idea how he manages not to choke. “Mom!”
“Oh come now. It’s serious enough to bring her home you must be planning on marrying her.” His mother turned to Elena. “Elena tell me what are your thoughts on children?”
“Hush now.” She waved him off.
“I’ve always wanted children,” Elena confessed. “Someday.”
Their eyes met and Joel felt his heart pound in his chest. They hadn’t really talked about any of this.
“Wonderful. You should move back here. It’s a wonderful environment to raise children. We have a lovely church, the houses have large yards for them to play, and I’m sure Joel could get a job at the hospital in the town over.”
“Actually we’re going to stay in the city. Joel is Chef of Surgery now. We couldn’t possibly move,” Elena directed the conversation towards Joel.
“Chef of Surgery? Congratulations.” His father clasped him on the shoulder.
“Wonderful honey. I’m so proud of you.” His mother beamed.
“He’s an amazing doctor.” Elena smirked taking a sip of her ice tea.
“I hope it’s not too much work,” his mother seemed to realize. “After all you need time for your family.”
“It’s no nine to five,” Joel admitted. “But I’m getting better at balancing.”
“I knew what I was getting into when we started dating.” Elena winked at him.
“So understanding,” his mother cooed.
“Tell us about your family,” his father ordered.
Joel was tempted to say something about his tone but Elena was already answering, “I have a younger brother, Jeremy, my Aunt Jenna, and her husband Alaric.”
“Where are your parents?” his mom asked.
“They died in a car crash when I was in high school,” Elena answered.
She gasped covering her mouth.
“I’m sorry for your loose,” his father spoke. “At least they’re in a better place.”
“Is your family close?” his mother questioned.
“We are. I talk to one of them every day.”
“That’s good. Family is important.”
Elena nodded in agreement. “It is.”
“You’re christen I’m assuming. I can’t wait to introduce you to our pastor this Sunday. He in a wonderful man. You remember him Joel?” She turned to her son.
Joel nodded. “Of course.”
“I’ll get to introduce you to everyone. Joel the Chef of Surgery and his fiancé,” she sighed dreamily.
“Mom, we’re not engaged,” Joel reminded her.
“Perhaps you should ask her,” his father pointed out.
Joel fought the urge to slam his head into the table.
Dinner continued on in this fashion. His parents trying to push their ways on them. Elena handling things so much better than him. Elena offering to do the dishes. Dessert and more questions. By nine o’clock everyone was turning in because his parents where strict in their schedule which meant they had to be too. Joel already wanted to pack up his bed and go home.
Lying in bed he found himself tossing and turning. This was the first night he’d slept alone in almost two years not including crashing in the on call room. He glanced at the clock to find it was after midnight and he was still no closer to sleep.
Making a decision Joel crawled out of bed carefully making it to the room next door without so much as a squeaky floorboard. Even after all this time he remembered everything about this house even how to open the door without making a sound. Closing it behind him with a soft click. He made his way over to the bed.
“Couldn’t sleep either?” Elena voice caused him to jump a foot in the air.
“Shit,” he hissed quietly. “Don’t do that.”
Elena chuckled scooting over in bed. Joel crawled in beside her. Elena curled into him head resting on his shoulder.
“You can’t stay,” she reminded him.
Joel sighed. “I know. Just give me a minute.”
The silence was deafening. Out in the country the only sounds where from the wind. No cars, no dogs barking, no trains, nothing.
“I can’t sleep without you.”
He could feel Elena smile against his skin.
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