Much Ado About Slippers- A My Fair Lady Story

Much Ado About Slippers Chapter 2: Mother Knows Best

Hey all! Here's chapter 2! This chapter might be a bit shorter, but I really wanted to incorporate Mrs. Higgins in right away. Like I said, getting to some good Eliza/Henry moments soon. Henry just needs to man up and reveal his feelings, and also realize that Eliza is REALLY the one in charge here. Happy reading!
-OBG98

"For the last time Henry... will you PLEASE take off your hat while we are at the table?" Mrs. Eleanor Higgins sighed, glaring at her son pointedly. Mrs Higgins, Eliza, Colonel Pickering, and Henry were all seated at Mrs. Higgins's dining table, having just finished dinner. It had been a month and a half since Eliza's return to Wimpole Street, and had been a month since Eliza officially started her new position as Henry's secretary. Mrs. Higgins had insisted on having Eliza, Colonel Pickering, and Henry over for dinner at least once a week, resulting in copious amounts of grumbling and griping from Henry, who nevertheless came along anyway.

"Why? We've all finished eating. What's the harm in wearing it now?" Henry complained, his tone childish as he glared back defiantly at his mother.

"I've asked you repeatedly to take off that hat while dining. However, since you obviously chose to ignore me all the other times I asked you, then I suppose I must ask you until you finally decide to recall your table manners and do as you are told," Mrs. Higgins replied. Henry merely rolled his eyes and proceeded to lean back in his chair, his hat still on his head.

"Higgins..." Pickering started, clearing his throat uncomfortably as he noted Mrs. Higgins's growing irritation. However, he had no need to say more, as Eliza quickly stood up from her place across from Henry and walked over to his chair. Without a word, she snatched the hat off of his head and placed it on an empty chair, causing Henry to let out a squawk of protest.

"What the devil do you think you're..." Henry exclaimed, swiveling around to face Eliza.

"Stop acting like such a child Henry Higgins. Your mother has been asking you to take off that hat since dinner began. Honestly, do you STRIVE to be disagreeable about everything?" Eliza chided, shooting Henry a rather scathing look. Mrs. Higgins and Colonel Pickering both braced themselves for the explosion that was bound to follow. However, Henry merely crossed his arms over his chest in a sullen pout.

"She's MY mother...why are you defending her?" Henry grumbled, causing Eliza to sigh with exasperation as she shot an apologetic glance at Mrs. Higgins. 

"I was thinking of adopting her. I honestly think that people will have an easier time believing Eliza is my child rather than you Henry dear," Mrs. Higgins retorted, hiding a smirk as she watched her son's face turn red.

"You see Pickering? And they have the nerve to accuse ME of being a bully," Higgins said indignantly, receiving a noncommittal shrug from his friend in return.

"The dramatics are unnecessary Henry," Eliza replied coolly, a smirk on her face as she shook her head at Henry's affronted expression. Henry opened his mouth to retort, but shut it quickly, flustered and entranced by Eliza's confidence more than he would care to admit.

"I am going to the sitting room. Come along Pick, my mother needs to continue training her protégé on different ways to wound and vex me," Higgins announced dramatically, practically dragging Pickering out of his chair as he marched into the sitting room. Eliza let out a small giggle, amused at Henry's antics.

"So it's Henry now is it? Is that his official title while you are under his employ?" Mrs. Higgins teased, smiling as she noticed the blush rapidly appearing on Eliza's face. She was well aware of Eliza's feelings for her son, and she most definitely was aware of Henry's feelings for Eliza. As a matter of fact, their feelings for one another were blatantly obvious to everyone... except for Henry and Eliza themselves. Mrs. Higgins hoped that the two would be able to open their eyes, put their stubbornness aside, and admit how they truly felt on their own, but she wasn't above giving them a little push in the right direction now and then.