The Blind and The Unseen

Meeting

(Still Spy's POV)

A couple hours later, I gently roused Stella from her peaceful slumber. "Mon coeur. It's time to wake up." I whispered, gently brushing the hair from her face. She stirred lightly, cuddling closer to me. "Stella, wake up."

"No." She growled, putting on her grumpy face.

"Mon amour, we 'ave to go meet my family for lunch." I chuckled, peeling the covers off of her. "Come on." She whined and whimpered, finally getting up.

"Fine...but only if I can get those chocolate crepes I like."

"Of course. Anyzing for you." I softly kissed her forehead as she stood up and walked into the bathroom to freshen up.

"Are you almost ready?" I called to her as I straightened my jacket.

She sighed, wrapping her arms around my waist and burying her face into my chest. "I don't know about this Laurent...what if they don't like me?"

"Stella Venus Moone! You are ze love of my life. My family will adore you as much as I. And if zey don't, it won't change a zing. We are still getting married. Zere is no backing out now. I love you, and zat is all zat matters." I scolded, wrapping her in my arms.

"You I always know just what to say. I love you, Laurent."

"I love you too, mon amour. Now come, my family is waiting for us."

Stella kept her eyes closed through the drive to the restaurant. She does that when she nervous. I gently gripped her hands, placing soft kisses to her knuckles. She smiled softly, taking a deep breath.

When we arrived, I gently guided her out of the taxi and inside. We were immediately greeted by my parents. "Ahh! Laurent! It's so good to see you!" My mother yelled, embracing me in a bone crushing hug. "Oh honey, our little boy is all grown up!"

"Love, our son has a son of his own." My father laughed, looking over Stella.

"Oh I know...but he'll always be my little boy!" She smiled, finally noticing the young woman standing behind him. "And Who is this beautiful young woman?" She gasped, closely examining Stella. I could tell Stella was very uncomfortable. The restaurant was very loud. The noise must have messed with her sonar.

"Ahh, don't smother her, mother. She's extremely nervous." I gently pulled Stella to my side, softly kissing her forehead, that usually calms her down. "This is Stella, my fiancée." I said proudly.

"Fiancée!?" My parents yelled in sync. "And you didn't tell us?"

"You didn't tell them, Laurent?" Stella said, hurt in her voice.

"I...I'm sorry, my dear. I just didn't want zem to meddle." I sighed, looking up at my parents.

"Well whatever the case may be, I'm glad we can meet you now, Stella. Now come, sit. I'm sure the journey here took its toll on you!" My mother laughed, releasing the awkward atmosphere.

"So tell us about yourself, Stella." My father asked as soon as we sat down.

Stella shifted uncomfortably, staring down at the table and trying to focus on his voice. "There's not much to tell. I was born in Kansas and was moved to Australia when I was young after my parents passed. I was legally taken in by my abusive aunt but was cared for by our neighbor Mick. Mick is actually one of Laurent's coworkers. I got a job with them when I moved back to the states. That's where I met Laurent." She smiled, gently squeezing my hand.

"Aww isn't that sweet, dear?" My mother cooed, leaning into my father.

"It would be...if she could look into my eyes while speaking." My father was always a strict person, always intimidating.

Stella tensed. I could feel her heart quicken in panic. "Father, please. Be kind."

"I'm being reasonable! If she isn't confident enough to look me in the eyes, then how can she be confident enough to be a good wife?!" His voice raised in anger. Stella stood abruptly, tears softly falling down her cheeks.

"Please excuse me, I need a moment..." she left the table, disappearing into the bathroom, clumsily bumping into tables on her way.

"Good riddance...she's not good enough for you, Laurent." My father seemed pleased that she left.

"Pierre!" My mother scolded.

"She's blind." I admitted suddenly, glaring at my father.

"Excuse me?"

"She. Is. Blind." I seethed through gritted teeth. "Has been since birth. She navigates with her hearing and the noise in the restaurant threw her off. She was looking down to focus on your voice. She couldn't look you in the eyes even if she wanted to."

"I...I'm sorry...I didn't know..."

"That's what I was trying to tell you, Pierre!" My mother groaned, standing up. "I'll go talk to her. Pierre, I expect you to apologize when she comes back."

They returned a few moments later, mother guiding her carefully back to the table. "Thank you, Mrs.Beaumont."

"Oh please dear, call me Emma. Or mom. Whichever you prefer!" Mother joked, causing Stella to smile slightly.

"Thank you, Emma."

"Now, Pierre, is there something you want to say to Stella?" Emma prompted.

"Oh..yes. Stella, my dear, I'm very sorry for upsetting you. I didn't know you couldn't see. If I had known, we would have met at a quieter place." My father said, his head hung in embarrassment.

"All is forgiven, Mr.Beaumont. I understand. It's difficult to understand at first."

"Now! Let's get to business!" Emma started. "So have you picked a date?"

"Yes actually. Three weeks from tomorrow. We already have the church picked out, the reception hall booked, the caterers reserved, the flowers ordered, and even the dress fittings scheduled." I said proudly, looking over at my sweet soon-to-be bride.

"Oh my...you've really been busy!" Pierre laughed. I shifted awkwardly.

"We sure have, Mr.Beaumont! We've been planning for weeks!"

"Well then! We won't get in the way! Though I'm sure your mother would love to attend your lovely bride to her dress fitting!"

"I would love if you could join me, Emma." Stella said with a giddy smile.

We all spent the rest of the night catching up. Well, mostly my parents prodding Stella with questions about her life.

"Oh I like her, Laurent! She's definitely a keeper!" Emma exclaimed. "I'm glad you didn't impregnate her before tying the knot this time!"

I laughed sheepishly with my mother, glancing at Stella who looked equally uncomfortable. "To be fair, had I known the child wasn't mine, I wouldn't have been so hasty to get married the first time." I said bitterly.

"Well now is the perfect chance to make that right!" Emma cooed, pushing her empty plate away. "Alright, lovebirds. Why don't we head back to the family home? You can meet the rest of the family and it'll be a bit quieter. I can tell that you're getting a bit uncomfortable, Stella, dear."

"Thank you, Emma. It is getting a bit distracting." Stella said, an awkward and sheepish grin on her face.

Stella immediately relaxed when we reached the house. "Well it smells lovely!" She joked, hanging off of my arm.

"Well thank you dear! Now come! You can meet the cousins later! I want to see if my old wedding dress fits you!" My mother dragged Stella away, into her bedroom.

"So, son..." My father started, sitting me down on the couch. "How far along is she?"