His New Wife

༺ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 ༻

"Let's hope it's just that."

    As the main trio discuss where to take Tord and Mona to eat, the couple are having their own discussion. Tord had excused them to the backyard, an odd grip on Mona's arm. She had mumbled something to him, which none of the others seemed to have caught...but Tom did. In a small, faint whimper, Mona had said, "Tord...you're hurting me..." Anger boiled inside Tom, but what could he have done? No one was on his side when it came to Tord. It was always "Tom, stop being so rude!" and "What is your problem with Tord?" No one wanted to see that Tord was a bad guy! "Tom? Are you listening?" Edd asks and Tom snaps back into reality. "Huh...? Oh, uh, no. I wasn't." Edd sighs and shakes his head. "When Mona and Tord come back in, we're going to the nearby diner for lunch." Tom nods, glancing at the back door. "Yeah...sounds good..."

   Outside, Mona is whimpering softly as Tord keeps his firm grip on her arm. "Tord, please, I don't know what I did but please let go...! You're hurting my arm...!" She begs, tears pricking at her eyes. Tord hesitates, but releases her. She jerks back, now holding her arm to her chest. Tord growls and faces her, eyes dangerous. "I do not want you fraternizing with that eyeless freak again, do you understand me?" Mona flinches at Tord's tone of voice. "He was hurt...what was I supposed to do?" She whispers, flinching again when Tord scoffs. "It doesn't matter. He is the enemy. Do you want me to fail this mission, Mona? Because if you help him, that's what you're doing!" He snaps. Mona lets out another whimper before tears start falling down her face. She swallows her sobs as she sniffles. "I...I'm sorry...sir..." Tord's tense form relaxes, watching his fiancée, the woman he vowed to treat like a princess, cry because of him. Tord frowns, carefully approaching Mona. He hugs her close, petting her hair as she cries. "I'm sorry, my love...I didn't mean to lash out at you like that..." He whispers and Mona sniffles. "...Promise...?" She asks and Tord nods. "I promise...now let's go inside and go eat, yes?"

    After making sure that Mona is cleaned up from her crying, Tord leads her back inside. The others look over from the kitchen table, Edd smiling. "Hey guys, it's about time you two came back inside!" He chirps and Mona giggles a little. Matt frowns as he looks at Mona, standing and walking to her. "You look like you've been crying..." Mona quickly looks away, chuckling a bit. "Yeah...I asked to talk to Tord outside because I was getting homesick. I didn't want you all to see me cry..." Matt pouts and hugs Mona. "There's no need to be embarrassed, Mona! Everyone has to cry sometimes!" She glances at Tord and when he doesn't make a move to separate them, she hugs Matt back. "Thank you, Matt...I appreciate that." The ginger pulls away and Tord smiles. "Well, where are we going for lunch?" He asks and Edd grins. "A diner opened downtown about two years ago. Me and the guys go to it all the time." The couple's eyes sparkle, now chattering to each other in Norwegian. Edd lets out a hearty laugh and crosses his arms. "I'm glad you two like the idea! Well, let's go then!" Mona gently slides her hand into Tord's, making him smile a little.

   When they arrive at the diner, Mona immediately gasps. "This place is so nice! Oh darling, what should I get?" She asks excitedly as she pulls on Tord's arm. He chuckles, pulling out his wallet. "Anything you want, princess." She squeals and Tom grimaces from behind them. "Tord, I was planning on paying." Edd pouts and Tord grins at him. "Sorry Edd, I haven't had the chance to spoil my love yet so I think this will be a great opportunity." Edd sighs, a small smile on his face. "Fine, but I'm buying you two something at some point." "Deal."

    Mona ends up ordering a double stack burger with fries on the side, Tord orders a medium-rare steak with some vegetables, Edd orders the same thing as Mona, Matt orders a salad with chicken bits in it, and Tom orders tomato soup. When the food arrives, Tord laughs as Mona picks up the burger. "Min kjære, that burger is as big as your head!" He giggles and Mona pouts. "Is that bad...?" "I never said that, darling. I said I would spoil you, remember? That means food too." Mona grins and digs in, nearly rivaling Edd in his eating habits. "Jesus, you two are scarily alike." Tom says, taking a bite of his soup. Tord on the other hand, watched his fiancée eat, a love drunk smile on his face. "What a woman..." He coos. Tom rolls his eyes and focuses back on his soup. He starts to think about when Tord and Mona came back into the house and what Matt had pointed out. "You look like you've been crying..." Despite his lack of smarts, that didn't mean Matt wasn't emotionally intelligent. When it came to how someone felt, he was very perceptive. Paired with what he heard Mona whisper to Tord before they went outside...it didn't sit well with him. Was Tord abusing Mona? Was his sweet, caring personality just a front? He wanted to ask Mona herself but not only was she glued to Tord's side, but he was worried she would lie to him. He sighs. This might just be a dead end for now.

   "Wow Edd, you weren't kidding about the food! It's so good!" Mona chirps, finishing off her cola and fries. "I'm glad you think so! I like the food here too!" As the two chat, Tord stands. "Excuse me, friends. I'm going to have a cigarette outside." He says, pulling a pack from his jacket pocket. Mona frowns. "That's an awful habit to have, love." She says and he kisses her nose. "I know my darling, but we all have our vices." He steps out of the diner as Mona keeps her frown. "That habit is going to kill him one day...maybe I can help him off of it." She smiles to herself before eating the last of her fries.

    Tord groans as Edd, Tom, Matt, and Mona exit the diner. "Edd, I said I would pay for me and Mona." Edd gives him a mischievous grin. "That's what you get for stepping outside after everyone finishes eating. Now c'mon! Let's head home for a movie night!" As the group heads to the car, Tord taps away on his phone. Mona sneaks a glance, seeing Patryk and Paul's names at the top. He must be discussing the mission with them. She shrugs it off, crawling into the backseat. She was really enjoying her time in London, excited that she was not only with her fiancé but making new friends while she was here. She was glad this was the experience she was having as her first trip out of Norway. Shyly, she nudges Tord. He looks over at her, smiling. "Yes?" Mona blushes and holds onto his arm. "Thank you...for bringing me with you...I'm really enjoying London." Tord pets Mona softly before kissing her head.

"I'm glad, my love."