The Deal

5- The Date

Lara giggled, running to meet her father at the door. "Daddy, can you get me colour pencil please?" Neil knelt, kissing her forehead. He looked up at his mother who was leaning against the kitchen door. He then looked back at his daughter who was staring at him with her wide smile. She only smiled like that when she wanted something.

"I can't today. But Daddy promises to get you some tomorrow okay?" He kissed her cheek this time before standing up. "Be good for me okay? Grandma is old now-"

"Hey! Don't listen to your father, Lara. He is being silly again," his mother said, throwing him a playful glare. She sighed, straightening up. "So what is it about her then? You meet her one day and ten minutes later you're asking her out on a date?" She put a hand on his shoulder, picking up nothing because he knew he went over with a lint roller twice. "And breakfast? Are you sure you like her? Making her wake up on Saturday early in the morning?" she joked. Although, Neil knew this was his mother's way of getting more information about JJ.

Neil turned to face the mirror. He exhaled as he straightened his collar. He looked back down at his black jeans, making sure he hadn't rolled them up too high that his bright red socks were visible. "It's only because I've got the whole day planned. And she's a morning person anyways, just like me."

His mother raised her eyebrows. "You've known her for ten minutes and you've got a whole day planned? Wow." He wanted to roll his eyes at his mother's condescending tone but knew nothing good came out of it. In her mind, she imagined that she would pick the perfect woman for her son and the perfect mother for her granddaughter.

"Mother be nice," he said with a sigh. In response, she rolled her eyes. He always called her mother when he was annoyed. She placed her hands on his cheeks, giving him a little pat.

"I'm sorry. I should be happy for you. I am happy for you. It's been a long time since you've been this interested in a woman. I hope you have a lovely time sweetheart."

He gave her a small smile. Leaning down slightly, he gave her cheek a kiss. "And I have known her longer than ten minutes. We spent a good four hours talking the first day and I've got her number and we have been messaging for the last two weeks. I see her almost everyday when I drop of Lara and we've met up for coffee twice whilst on our work breaks. I have also been invited to hers for dinner with Lara. So please," he said as he picked up the spray, "be nice and be happy for me. I know I've only known her two weeks, but it feels like I've known her for years, Ma. And believe me when I tell you this, if Lara and her did not get along then I would definitely not continue this."

Before his mother could say anything, he heard the doorbell ring. Lara's eyes widened. "It's JJ!"

With a frown, he opened the door to find a sheepish looking JJ holding a tray in her hands. "I know! I am so sorry. I know you told me you would come to my place but I have been ready for such a long time that I had time to make banana bread for Lara." As hard as he tried not to smile, he ended up breaking into a grin. He kissed her cheek, taking the tray off her, making sure to keep the heat mat underneath.

As she stepped in, Neil caught his mother's eyes. "Did I or did I not tell you she was a morning person. She's ten minutes early." That's when JJ noticed his mother standing closer to the kitchen. From the front door she couldn't see her as the wall on the side came out. With a nervous laugh, she extended her hand.

"Hi Mrs Zampa. My name is Judith. Everyone just calls me JJ."

He expected his mother to be cold but was surprised when she smiled at JJ. After shaking her hand, JJ looked back at Neil.

"Call me Audrey. Hate it when people call me by my surname. Makes me feel old."

"Older," Lara said with a giggle. Neil bit his lip, trying his best not to laugh as his mother looked shocked. JJ knelt, taking Lara's hands in hers. "Hey JJ. I missed you."