Tom's Tidbits

Three

You were happy that both of Tom's parents had been able to make it to the dinner.

You knew that they had been divorced for a long time, and you had never really broached the topic before with Tom until now, when you two wanted to announce your engagement to them.

You had been hesitant to ask Tom about the situation between them, but when you had finally managed to muster the courage to ask him, twisting the sparkling engagement ring around and around your finger with nervousness, he had let out a great laugh of relieved surprise.

"I thought you had been about to say you wanted to cancel our engagement!" he exclaimed, running his hands through his hair.

You gaped at him, seeing the relief washing over him.

"No, nonononono! I'd never want to break our engagement!"

Tom patted his heart lightly, and smiled apologetically at you.

He then patted his knee with one hand, and you came over and sat in his lap, cradled by his strong arms.

"Mum and dad… they don't not get along, but it can be a little awkward bringing them together," he said slowly.

You nodded understandingly. "We can do it separately if you prefer?"

Tom shook his head emphatically, looking up into your eyes from where he had been tracing light circles around your ankle bone with the tip of one finger.

"No. I want them both to be there to hear it together. They'll be so happy that they heard it together - it might even make things less frosty between them."

You wrapped your arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his smiling mouth.

And so, here you were, in the restaurant of the Ritz, eating in relative silence. No matter how the seating had been arranged, it would always have been awkward with only the four of you. So Tom and you had sat opposite each other over the table, and Tom's parents sat opposite each other on the other two sides of the table.

You shot Tom a nervous glance as the waiters cleared the remnants of everyone's entrees.

Tom cleared his throat, a little awkwardly, and you wished you were sitting beside each other so you could hold his hand.

For your own reassurance as much as his.

"So, mum, dad; we have asked you here to tell you something very special," Tom said.

His parents looked up, focusing their entire attention on the two of you, their eyes flicking between you both.

Tom put out his hand across the table, reaching for yours, and you put your hand in his.

"We're engaged."

Tom's parents looked down at the entwining of your hands in the middle of the table, where your engagement ring sparkled on your hand. You had just slipped it on beneath the table.

"That's wonderful news, darling!" Diana exclaimed, reaching over to hug Tom and then to hug you.

"Welcome to the family," she said warmly, holding both your hands in hers.

Tom and his father, James, were shaking hands and hugging.

And then James turned to you and hugged you, kissing your cheek.

You and Tom exchanged glowing looks over the table, holding hands again, and you both noticed the beaming smile that Diana and James exchanged, which served only to make you both all the more elated.

"I hope he's asked your parents for their permission?" James asked of you sternly, shooting his son a glance.

Tom nodded, and you smiled widely. "He did - they were more than happy."