The Professor's Wife - a Benedict Cumberbatch fanfiction

#18 Your parents are here

INT. SAINSBURY'S - AFTERNOON

Charlotte has decided to drop by the supermarket to get something for tonight's dinner.
While she was picking out the ingredients, she received a text.
*Buzz*

[2:40PM]
BENEDICT: Shouldn't you be home by now? How long is this 'meeting' going to last?

She rolled her eyes at the text.

CHARLOTTE
Since when you cared?

[2:41PM]
CHARLOTTE: For you information, the meeting ended. I am at Sainsbury's to pick up some stuff I need for dinner tonight.

[2:42PM]
BENEDICT: Oh.

[2:42PM]
BENEDICT: I'll be waiting at home. :)
xB

CHARLOTTE
x....B.....?
Does he even know the meaning of it?

[2:42PM]
CHARLOTTE: Do you know the meaning of x?

[2:43PM]
BENEDICT: Ah, my head hurts but I still remember what I did last night so yeah, x x x B.

Charlotte blushes at the text and at the same time, can't help but laughs while imagining Benedict typing the text message in an expressionless face.

After she's done with picking out all the ingredients and items that she need, Charlotte proceed to the cashier where she decides to use Benedict's credit card for the first time.

CASHIER
(Swipes card)
Your signature here please,
Miss....?

CHARLOTTE
(Blushes and speaks softly)
It's-ah... Mrs Cumberbatch

CASHIER
(Smiles)
My bad. Thank you for your purchase Mrs Cumberbatch. Please come again next time. Have a nice day!

CHARLOTTE
(Blushes even more when she repeated the title)
T-thank you. You too.

-----------------------------

Meanwhile at home,

INT. LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON

Benedict was getting himself a glass of water when someone knocks in the front door.

KNOCKS

He then went to open the door.

MARTIN
Hey Ben, I came to.....
(Looks at Benedict)
You look like shit, mate, no offense.

BENEDICT
(Runs fingers through his hair)
I know, so none taken.
I have had a few drinks last night.

MARTIN
(Raised one eyebrow)
But you're not a heavy drinker...
(Peeks inside the house)
Where's Charlotte? Is something wrong?

BENEDICT
(Sigh)
Remember Tom? From work?
He's obsessed with her and couldn't stop talking about her infront of me.
I sort of flipped out on him last night...
and told him about me and Charlotte's relationship. I wasn't myself... probably the drinks.

MARTIN
Or...the fact that you're jealous?

BENEDICT
(Stares at Martin without saying a word)

MARTIN
Did you tell her though, Charlotte. That you've "exposed" her identity instead of just being a student?

BENEDICT
I'm guessing Tom would've told her by now. If not....then maybe tonight. But her parents are coming over.

MARTIN
Ah... Amanda and I was about to ask if you guys would like to join us for dinner tonight. I guess that would be a no then.

BENEDICT
(Nods)
Unfortunately, yes. But please do tell Amanda thank you, for the invite.

MARTIN
Sure! And tell Charlotte I say Hi.
Just one last thing... I think you should talk to Tom on Monday when you're back at work. Just so the both of you can clear and sort things out? I guess it must've been really awkward for you guys. You know how.
(Pats on Benedict's shoulder)
Got to go now, see you around.

BENEDICT
I will. Thanks, mate.

After Martin left, Benedict went back to the kitchen to get his drink and went upstairs to the bathroom for a quick shower.
After he got out from the shower,
he checked his phone again and only to realise that he has missed one text from Charlotte earlier.

[2:45PM]
CHARLOTTE: By the way, someone has got some explaination to do. About what happened last night? Just when are you going to tell me about it??

B

enedict didn't reply as he figures that she's probably a little mad about it, so he decided to do help her tidy up the stuff around in order to make her less angry.

Shortly after he has tidy up the house, he hears another knock on the door.

He walks to the door thinking that it must be Charlotte who always forgot her house keys, or it could be Martin again.
But it was a woman that he couldn't recognise just yet.

BENEDICT
She looks familiar....
(Confused)
Yes?

ELLE
(Big smile on her face)
Hello, love! I don't believe we've met in person yet but you look so much like your father! He's shown us so many pictures of yo-

BENEDICT
Is this Charlotte's mum...
Ah.... You must be Charlotte's mum?

ELLE
(Covers her mouth with her hands)
Oh my, look at me! Going on and on without introducing myself properly. You must be very clueless, my dear. I'm Carly's mum. Her dad is still in the car, he's on the phone! But he'll join us soon.

BENEDICT
Carly....?
(Steps back and gestures Elle to come in)
Please, please, come in Mrs Anderson.
So sorry for not being able to recognise you earlier. I've only seen you in photo once.

ELLE
(Walks into the house and smiles sweetly at Benedict)
Just call me Elle, don't be a stranger!Don't worry about that, dear.
Where's Carly? Is she not home?

BENEDICT
Ah...yes. She went to the supermarket.
But she'll be home in any minute soon. Would you like a hot cup of tea?

ELLE
(Sit on the sofa)
That would be wonderful, thank you dear.

This is the first time that Benedict's meeting not his girlfriend, but his wife's parents.
He has never been in a relationship so serious that he'd have to meet their parents.
Not knowing what to do, he turned on the telly to keep Elle entertained while he went into the kitchen and put on the kettle.
While waiting for the water to boil, he texted Charlotte.

[3:15PM]
BENEDICT: Your parents are here. Come back ASAP.