C A T H E C T: The Greatest Showman

14. Confrontation

"Are you sure this is a good idea? We should probably turn back, yeah that's a good idea. Let's turn back." 

"Uh uh. No, we are going to this dinner." Phillip pulled Rosette back towards him and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Phil, we love each other; we don't have to hide that anymore. And the last thing I want to do is talk to the people who never wanted us to be together in the first place." Rosette told him.

"These "people" are your parents. And Rosette, we are going to be getting married soon. I at least want to be on good enough terms with your parents before I claim you as my wife." Phillip replied to her before unwrapping his arm from around her waist so he could hold her hand.

They continued to walk towards the small restaurant that they were supposed to meet with Rosette's parents.

Each step closer felt like a stronger pull on Rosette's back.

Do you ever get that tingling feeling that something is going to go wrong. Other's call it anxiety; she calls it a warning. (spidey sense vibes)

Eventually they reached the door; which Phillip held opened for Rosette before taking her hand again.

Upon seeing Mr and Mrs. Johnson at one of the tables in the corner Phillip felt Rosette freeze and he squeezed her hand in reassurance as they walked towards the table.

The two older adults straightened their backs once they saw their daughter and her true love take a seat at the table.

Things were quiet for a few minutes; Rosette's parents  looking at her and her avoiding eye contact.

"What would you like to order today?" A waiter walked up to the table holding a notepad; which brought the four out of the awkward silence.

Rosette's parents ordered first. Keeping it simple, they ordered a pasta dish while Phillip ordered a steak dish for him and Rosette; they are both steak lovers (I personally hate steak, I don't know why I did this)

Once the food came after a long 20 minute wait, everyone began eating. It seemed as though they were purposely taking small bites and chewing as long as possible in order to have an excuse on not to talk.

And surprisingly, Rosette was the first to speak.

"Phillip and I are getting married." She blurted out.

Her parents just gave her a subtle look before setting their utensils down.

"Before you guys speak low of Phillip I want to make it clear that this is 100% percent completely my decision. I was the one that proposed in the first place, and whether you show up at our wedding won't matter to me because I want to be happy; and Phillip makes me happy, so, your going to have to except that."

"Okay." Her father replied simply.

"I don't care if you hate him beca- wait what?" Rosette blinked twice.

"Okay." Her mother repeated.

"Okay?" Rosette said.

Phillip coughed, hiding his amused smile behind his napkin.

"I mean o-okay." Rosette cleared her throat sitting straighter.

"Thank you." Rosette nodded her head at her parents.

"We still love you Rosette; and I apologize if we ever made you think the opposite. I can see why, what we have been doing to you wasn't fair and it isn't something parents should do to their child." Rosettes mother spoke with a soft voice that surprised Rosette for a moment. The last time she spoke with that voice was when I was 15.

"And as much as we...disagree with the Carlyle's, it would be wrong of us to criticize Phillip over our petty drama." That surprised Rosette even more, her father has never admitted to being wrong about something. Like ever.

"Thank you Mr and Mrs. Johnson." Phillip smiled softly with a short nod.

"You can call us by our first names Phillip." Rosette's mother corrected him.

"Mom? Dad? Phillip and I were wondering if you would like to come to our wedding." Rosette offered after Phillip gave her hand an encouraging squeeze.

"We would love to dear."