Scream at the drunken moon

Chapter 7

I'm a bit behind schedule with the food preparation courtesy of my sexy man. He's just gonna have to help me isn't he? I give him the task of buttering bread for sandwiches as I decorate the cake I made earlier. He can't stop grinning and it's making me laugh. But my goodness, I love him. I feel nervous as the time for the guests to arrive draws nearer. I know his mam is coming and I know she still doesn't like me. But it's not her I'm planning on marrying so I'm going to try and make the best of it for Tony's sake. At least the guys will be here so I'll have someone to talk to.
The doorbell rings and Tony practically skips across the room to get it while I put the finishing touches to the food. I'm hoping it isn't his mam just yet. I'm not mentally prepared for her. I peek out of the door and spot Jaime and a beautiful brunette. Jess? I see her as she turns and it is her. I run over and throw my arms around her, taking her by surprise.
"Charlie" she squeals after she realises who is attacking her. I drag her into the kitchen with me and pour her a drink. I can't have alcohol due to all my medication so I pour myself a diet coke and we catch up on our news.
The bell goes again and I hear Mike's voice along with Vic's. I peep around the corner again and see they too have brought their girlfriends. Danielle and Alysha? I think that's what they said. Jess grabs the other two girls and brings them into the kitchen to meet me. Straight away I notice Alysha is like me - tattooed. I smile as I say hi to them both and pour them both a drink too. Tony comes in to get some beers for the guys and himself and kisses me sweetly as he goes back through.
"It's so nice to finally meet the woman he's talked about so often" Alysha tells me. I blush and grin.
The doorbell goes again and Tony answers it as I'm hiding in the kitchen. It's more of his friends and the crew and I breathe a noticeable sigh of relief.
"What are you worrying for?" Jess asks.
"His mam really doesn't like me at all" I mumble sadly.
"How could she not like you?" asks Alysha.
"She thinks I'm a bad influence on Tony because she heard us having sex once" I say, trying not to remember that day.
The girls look at me in shock and I shrug my shoulders as the doorbell rings again.
"We got ya honey" says Alysha as I tense up again.
This time it is her. And Tony's sister who I never actually met before. I hide behind the door and Mike comes to see what's going on.
"Tony wants you to come out here" he says, holding out his hand for me. I grab hold and follow him out, the other girls trailing behind me.
"Are you ok?" Tony whispers as I walk to his side, his arm going around me. I take a deep breath and nod, trying my hardest not to panic. He gently squeezes my side.
"Ok guys. There's a reason why Charlie and I asked you all here tonight. Back in Wales I asked Charlie to come back here with me and become my wife. Five years without her in my life was long enough and due to the change in circumstances, her moving here with me was going to work out."
He kisses me before going down on one knee.
"Charlie Mair Thomas, will you marry me?"
I giggle. He already knows the answer. He's trying to be so romantic bless him. I nod, the smile never leaving my face as he slips the beautiful ring on my finger. I glance at the friends gathered and there's a lot of smiling faces. Then I see my future mother in law. She's practically exploding with rage. I step back slightly behind Tony as everyone else offers their congratulations, shyness and uncertainty coming over me. I'm certain I want to marry Tony, I'm just not sure I can cope with his mam disliking me.
Mike sees my distress and signals for me to go into the kitchen.
"She's never going to accept me is she?" I whisper, knowing no matter what he says, it's the truth.
"Give her time. Show her how wonderful you are and how much you love Tony and I'm sure she will come around."
I nod and head back out to my now fiancé, taking his hand in mine once again but trying to avoid all eye contact with his mam. I wish mine was here to share this happy moment with us and all of a sudden a wave of unhappiness washes over me and I feel a tear escape.  I head for the bathroom where after I've locked the door, I sit and sob. It's only been a few weeks but it already feels like years since I last heard her voice. Only a few weeks since I found her dead. I miss her so much. Both of my parents.