A Picture says it All (Benedict Cumberbatch FanFiction)

Chapter 24

A/N: I apologise for taking so long to update, been sick the last two weeks, still coughing but I finally feel like writing again!

Karon nodded grabbing her belongings, “I have intruded enough on you tonight, Benedict I will text you with a meeting time as soon as I have it.” Turning towards Lisa’s parents, she extended a manicured hand, “I apologise again for doubting your daughter. I -” before she could continue, Lisa’s dad interrupted her, “We understand, you have to protect Benedict.” Shaking her hand he looked at his wife encouraging her to take Karon’s hand. “Come on Sophia, she was just doing her job.” He said sternly. Lisa’s mother shot him a heated glare before getting up and taking Karon’s hand and shaking it once. She turned away, walking out of the room. Lisa stepped out of Benedict’s embrace, “I’m sorry Karon, let me handle this.” She said smiling at Karon before walking in the direction her mother had left.

Benedict shuffled nervously from one foot to the other, while rubbing the back of his neck. Watching Lisa’s father staring in the direction his wife and daughter has left. “Ek kan dit nie glo nie.” He turned back to Benedict and Karon who just stared open mouthed at him, chuckling his cheeks colouring. “Sorry, I keep forgetting you don’t understand. I said I can’t believe this.” Stepping towards Benedict he held out a hand, “We haven’t been properly introduced have we? I’m Willem Swart.” Benedict smiled nervously, taking the older man’s hand. “Benedict Cumberbatch. It’s a pleasure to meet you sir, I didn’t know you would be here.” Willem smiled, “Yeah neither did I, my wife planned the whole thing, she was missing Lisa terribly, so she decided we needed a holiday.” Benedict turned to Karon “How about you get home, you’ve had a busy day.” Karon nodded her head, “Goodnight Benedict, Willem.” She walked out of the room. “Don’t worry about her, she is a tough old bird.” Benedict said to Willem when he saw concern on the older man’s face. Benedict sat down on the chair Karon had just vacated, looking up at Lisa’s father, he was waiting for the interrogation to start. Willem walked around the room a couple of times, watching Benedict out of the corner of his eye, “So you and Lisa, are you two together?” Benedict leaned back in the chair, smiling from ear to ear. “Yes sir, we decided to make it official before I left for New York. I returned this morning.” Willem nodded his head absentmindedly while still pacing around. He stopped in front of Benedict looking down at him. “You are quite famous aren’t you?” Benedict watched Willem carefully before nodding once. “Just promise me one thing.” Willem said while rubbing his hands together, “Promise me you won’t hurt her. We aren’t nearby to comfort her if something goes wrong between the two of you. It’s breaking my wife having Lisa so far away, but as long as she is happy, I am happy.” Benedict stood up from his chair, standing in front of Willem, “I promise sir, as long as Lisa will have me, I will try to make her the happiest woman on this planet.” Benedict smiled at the older man.

***

Lisa walked down the corridor seeing her mother slip into her bedroom. Standing outside her bedroom door she took a deep breath before knocking softly on the door, “Mamma may I come in?” when no answer came Lisa opened the door, stepping into the dark room, her mother was sitting on the edge of Lisa’s bed, her shoulders shaking. Lisa walked over to where her mother was sitting, kneeling in front of her. “It’s okay mom, it wasn’t serious, no harm done.” She said while gently rubbing her mother’s arm. When Sophia finally looked up, “I’m sorry sweetie, it’s just that I want to always protect you, and this whole thing.” She said while gesturing with her hand, “It just showed me you are growing up, you are now fighting your own battles, and I am sitting on the side line watching.” She gave Lisa a shaky smile, her bottom lip starting to tremble again. Lisa leant forward, wrapping her arms around her mother’s shaking shoulders. “Mamma I’m always going to need you to fight my battles.” Wrapping her arms around Lisa, Sophia held her daughter against her, she kissed her on the cheek. “Just promise me one thing.” She said holding Lisa at arm’s length, staring into Lisa’s eyes. “If he hurts you, you will let me deal with him.” Lisa smiled and shook her head, “I will warn Smaug in there he should be afraid.” Sophia stood up, hurriedly trying to wipe away the tears, “I’m just going to freshen up, then maybe we can convince your father to sponsor a pub dinner?” Lisa nodded excitedly, before Sophia could walk out Lisa got up walking behind her, she hugged her mother. “Thank you for being here.”