Chapter 10

By the time Nathan had came home tonight I was sitting on the couch sipping a glass of wine that I had found in the kitchen and watching some sappy love story that makes you realize- by the end of the movie- that your love life will never end up like that. Well that and the fact we don’t live in the nineteenth century so finding chivalry was so easy to come by. 

The wine was finally becoming more likable as the night went on. At first I felt it was a tad to bitter, but I quickly figured out that the more I drank of it, the more I enjoyed it. Now I hardly noticed terrible taste.

Nathan took the glass from my hands and sat down on the couch next to me.

“This is terrible, what is it?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but I do know it’s based on one of Jane Austen’s stories.” I vaguely recalled that from the beginning of the film. “It’s not too bad.”

He chuckled at my answer and leaned back into the couch. “Not the movie, the wine.”

“Oh. That I found it in one of the kitchen pantries.”

                He chuckled again before handing the glass back to me and undoing his tie. “Must be something Amelia has stashed for her own consumption.”

I stopped mid sip and looked at him. “This isn’t yours?”

Once he loosened the top button of his shirt collar he shook his head. “That hardly came from my collection. You stole that from the house keeper.”

Oops. Oh well, I guess I can’t be bothered with that fact now. I’ve almost drank half the bottle. It is kind of funny to think about Amelia drinking on the Job. That must be how she makes it through the day here.

“I’ll replace it tomorrow.” I shrugged then finished my sip. “Perhaps with something a lot better too. She’ll thank me later.”

He grinned and made himself more comfortable on the couch before pulling out his phone and typing a message to someone. I could hear the clicking of the keys to know whoever the message was to, he had a lot to say.

It wasn’t until too late that I realized I had let my annoyance slip through in a sigh. I hadn’t meant to do it, but my mind wasn’t exactly working with me at the moment. I think the alcohol slightly impaired me.

“What?”

“No. Nothing.” I lied.

“Well it must be something or you would have done this.” He said before imitating my sound.

I rolled my eyes. “Well I just find it rude that you come home to rest and then sit through a movie you weren’t invited to just to text your girlfriend.”

Girlfriend? Where did that come from? I hiccupped.

“Okay,” he laughed taking the glass away from my mouth. “Someone obviously had a little too much to drink.”

He pried the glass from my hands and grabbed the bottle from the table beside me and sat it beside him out of my reach.

Hump. That was rude.

“And in reference to your accusation, I’m not texting my girlfriend, it’s my mom.”

“Tonya?” I asked.

“Yes,” he nodded. “She was asking when she could meet you.”

I furrowed my eyebrows together. “But I’ve already meet her. Does she not remember my awkward high school years?”

“You know she drank a lot back then,” he stated, “but that’s not what I meant. She wants to meet you as her daughter-in-law, officially.”

“Well I’d hardly call me that. I’m still having trouble with the fact I’m still your wife,” I mumbled.

“You know if I keep putting her off she’ll just come around anyway.”

Unfortunately, I thought. It’s not that I don’t like Tonya, but sometimes she can be a bit overbearing. I have more than fifteen years worth of memories to back that one up. She’s also very blunt. She likes to tell things like they are. She doesn’t believe in hiding anything. You definitely don’t want to get on her bad side.

“Someone up there doesn’t like me very much.” I grumbled staring above me.

“Payton, your making it seem worse than it really is.”

I scoffed at that. “You’re kidding me, right? Do you not remember my sweet sixteen party at your Dad’s hotel?”

He sighed and ran his hand over his face. “You’re still on about that?”

“Nathan, she embarrassed me in front of our entire class.”

As long as I live I don’t think I could ever forget that day. It’s carved into my memory. I was teased for the rest of the school year over what happened.

“But she also complimented you.” He stated.

“A pretty face, but lacking up here is not a compliment.” I said motioning to my chest area.

“You eventually finished developing.”

I felt my face turn at least ten shades of red. Had he really just said that? He’s not supposed to be noticing stuff like that. We’re just friends…who are married. That’s all.

I unconsciously wrapped my arms around myself and avoided looking in his eyes.

“Look all I’m saying is to give her a chance. She loves you.” He pleaded. “That’s just mother.”

He gave me his puppy dog eyes and I couldn’t resist. I could honestly see how much he wanted this and I didn’t have it in me to turn him down.

“Fine,” I groaned. “But if she gives me another one of her “compliments” I’m leaving.”

“Okay,” he smiled. “She won’t. I promise. I’ll make sure to have words with her before she arrives.”

He leaned over and wrapped his arm around me and planted a playful kiss on my check. One I hadn’t felt in a long time. He was never fun or playful anymore so it certainly took me aback momentarily. I made note of the fact he hadn’t removed his arm yet and felt myself blush deeper.

As embarrassing as it was to admit, this was the first intimate contact I’d had with anyone in nearly two weeks.

“…Tell me, do you and your sisters very often walk to Meryton?”

“…Yes, we often walk to Meryton. It's a great opportunity to meet new people. In fact, when you met us, we'd just had the pleasure of forming a new acquaintance.”

“…Mr. Wickham's blessed with such happy manners, as may ensure his making friends. Whether he is capable of retaining them, is less certain.”

“I guess if I’m going to watch this movie with you, you may as well catch me up.” Nathan Suggested. He then pointed at the television at one of the characters with curiosity. “Who is that character?”

I cleared my throat awkwardly and shifted under his arm trying to not make a big deal out of our closeness. I had not intentions of let him know he had affected me this way so I did my best to hide it.

“That’s Mr. Darcy. He’s the high and mighty, wealthy visitor, to Netherfield park, Elizabeth’s home. We don’t like him…yet.”

“And that?” He pointed to the man in the regimens’ uniform.

“Mr. Wickham. I’ve still not made up my mind about him yet.”

                I continued explaining the story and characters to him until he was finally caught up, but I don’t know that he actually remembered everything I told him. His mind seemed only be half there. He must have had a long day at work. Or something else happened…

By the movie’s end I was gently awoken by someone’s arms lifting me from my comfortable position. If I was anymore conscious I would gave them the evil eye, but as of now, I was too tired to care. All I wanted to do was sleep.

I rested well that night. In fact I really don’t remember much about it. Just a lot if wine, a movie and vaguely talking to Nathan, then that’s it. At some point he obviously carried me to my room and that was kind considering he could have just left me to sleep on the couch, but he didn’t. I would have to thank him for that later.

After breakfast I hurried up to my room and got ready for my first interview this morning. I didn’t have to rush very much considering I was just on schedule, but you know what they say, the early bird gets the worm.

Two hours later I felt much better about the interview than I did going in. At my third appointment I received some good news. Though to my disappointment Mrs. Braverman told me the position I had originally applied for was filled, but I there was another job she had available if I wanted it. It turns out an event planner makes just as much money as my previous job and it’s a lot more enjoyable-Two things that only helped in persuading my decision.

I immediately accepted the position without a seconded thought and was told I would start first thing on Monday morning. Mrs. Braverman was anxious to begin working on the new branch of the business. I was surprised when she didn’t mind my lack of experience. She must have really felt like I had some potential to overlook it.

                By the time I had gotten back home I was starving, but little did I know who would be there waiting for me when I got there. Nathan’s Mother. What was even scarier was how elated she was to see me.  I was barely able to recover when she wrapped me in a suffocating hug.

“Payton darling, how have you been? You look just fabulous.”

“Uh…um…good.”

My shock was still evident.

“Nathan did tell you I was coming, didn’t he?”

No. Not that I can recall.

“I guess it slipped his mind.” I forced a smile upon my face.

Behind and the tea and sandwiches I knew she was still the same person she’d always been so it puzzled me as to why she was being so…friendly. It was uncharacteristic of her.

“So,” she gushed. “How’s married life been treating you?”

“Well, it’s something.”

I wasn’t so sure that she knew how Nathan and I ended up married in the first place so I didn’t want to be the one to spoil whatever her son had told her.

“You don’t know how happy I was to hear that Nathan had finally settled down. And with you to my surprise.”

Here we go.

“I never knew that you and Nathan ever had any romantic feelings for each other.” She continued.  “To say I was surprised when he shared the news of your nuptials was a bit of an understatement.”

“You know what they say, people can surprise you.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“Well, you’d be happy to know I am just ecstatic over the whole thing. I always felt confident that my son would get you one day. I just didn’t know it would take this long.”

“I’m sorry?” I asked a bit confused.

“Why are you so surprised? The boy was crazy about you. That’s why he hated all your boyfriends.”

So that’s why. I just thought he was being his usual protective best friend not because he felt anything towards me.

“I suppose I should be a little upset with you after all you put him through, but since everything worked out so beautifully I’m willing to overlook it.” She grinned.

I was flabbergasted.  How had I missed that? Why didn’t I pick up on the clues? I know I was wrapped up with boyfriends, but I never knew he liked me, like me. Now I just feel stupid. He should have told me!

I picked up my cup still in astonishment and brought it to my lips. I let the liquid fill my mouth while she continued.

“So tell me…have you decided on how many kids you’re going to have yet? Not to rush you by any means, but dear you’re not getting any younger and Nathan just loved children.”

I chocked. And very unattractively I’m sure. Wasn’t it a bit presumptuous of her to assume we even wanted children? That was the last thing on my mind right now. We weren’t really even a couple anyway. I’m going to kill Nathan for this when he gets home.

“No we haven’t, but I’m sure it will come up now,” I smiled.

Darn right it would. I’ll have to ask my husband about that at his earliest convince. I’d like to ask him about a lot of things.

“Well I hate to rush, but I must be off. I have and appointment to have my hair done at four and I’m already running late.” She stood from her chair as I did and gave me a quick hug. “Have my son call me when he gets in?”

“Of course.”

“Great, I’ll come by one day next week and we’ll all do lunch. My treat.”

I smiled, but internally dreaded it. Isn’t once enough?

“Yes, we’ll be sure to schedule it soon.”

After gushing once more about how happy she was about the marriage she was gone and so was my patience. Nathan had a lot of explaining to do and this called for an office visit. I need some answers now.

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A/N

Hey guys, so a bit of news. I’m thinking of making this book into a short story so that I can hurry and finish it before I lose interest. Don’t hate me; it’s just my way of making sure it gets completed. I’m planning on three or four more chapters then maybe an epilogue. I don’t know though, it’s just a thought. Everyone okay with that?

Please-

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