The War on Love

Chapter 22

I straightened my blouse for what seemed to be the hundredth time in the last hour. Thomas chuckled and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Love, you look fine. Don't worry!" He says, smiling at our reflection in the mirror. He then scowls and pokes my cheek. "Are you wearing make-up?"

"A little...." I mumble.

He clicks his tongue. "You don't need it. You just wake up looking gorgeous."

"You are such a kiss up."

"It's true!" He faked a sneeze. "See?! It makes me sneeze!"

"Thomas, I'm not taking it off. I worked hard on it. Make-up is not easy one handed."

"If it was so hard then why did you do it?"

"Because I like doing difficult things," I claim as I slip a pair of flats on. "And I wanted to make a good first impression..." I mumble, quickly trying to walk down the stairs.

Thomas grabs me by the shoulder. "You could've made a good first impression in a t-shirt and blue jeans, Emmalyn."

"That might be pushing it, Thomas," I reason, walking down the stairs to answer the door as the door bell rings.

Thomas just laughs as he follows me. He smiles as he opens the door to reveal a man and three woman. I tried to hide my confusion. I thought he only had one sister. Thomas, on the other hand, scowls.

"Emmalyn, this is my father, Mark, my mother, Tasha, my sister, Ava, and my ex-girlfriend, Isabella....." Thomas says bitterly, trying to hide his discomfort.

I discretely raise an eyebrow at him before smiling at them. "It's a pleasure to meet you all," I say tightly. "We can eat as soon as I get it on the table."

Tasha smiles and mutters something quietly. "Let me help you," Ava offers.

"Thank you," I say and lead her to the kitchen. I feel like I'm going to like her....

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

"Emmalyn, what do you do for a living?" Tasha asks as we sit around the dinner table.

"I'm a Tech Sergeant in the United States Air Force and I'm taking online courses to get a master's degree in English."

"Really? So, you're unemployed?" Tasha presses.

"No. I still get paid for my work with the Air Force."

"Well, Isabella here is an actress." Isabella looks down at her plate as Tasha speaks.

"Mum...." Thomas warns.

"What, dear? I find it rude to not speak of the guests."

"So, how long have you been in the military?" Mark asks, trying to change the subject.

"July 17th will be ten years."

"That's impressive."

"Thank you, sir," I say, actually meaning it. I'm glad that the whole family isn't like his mother.

"Why do you only have one arm?" Tasha asks.

My eyes dart down to my plate. "Mother!" Thomas and Ava shout at once.

"What? It's a harmless question!"

"No! It's really not!" Thomas shouts.

"Do not raise your voice at your mother that way, young man!" Tasha scolds.

"Tasha, calm down," Mark calms, placing a hand on her arm.

Tasha shakes it off and gets up. "Excuse us," Mark mumbles before following.

"I'm sorry for her behavior, love," Thomas says, trying to regain his composure.

I shrug. "It's fine. Don't worry about it," I mumble, pushing the pasta around on my plate.

"She normally doesn't act that way. I don't know what has come over her," Ava adds.

"It's fine, I swear. Don't worry," I reassure.

"She was like that when I first met her too..." Isabella says.

Thomas scowls. "She was not."

"Well, I was trying to be nice and make her feel better," Isabella snaps.

Thomas raises his hands in surrender. "Isabella, it's fine. You don't have to lie to make me feel better," I say.

Thomas reaches for my hand, giving it a slight squeeze. "Love, I really am sorry."

"You act like it's your fault your mother hates me."

Tasha gasps from the doorway. "Darling, I don't hate you. You seem like a fine young lady but I just prefer Isabella for my son's girlfriend."

"But, Mother, Isabella broke up with me! Two years ago! If you wanted us back together so badly you should've acted a little quicker," Thomas says, obviously trying to keep his cool.

Tasha huffed. "Well, how about this? Emmalyn, you are forbidden to see my son any longer."

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A/N: Man, I LOVE cliffhangers! I pray to God that his mother is not like this in real life. I mean, that would not be good. At all. So, what will Thomas have to say about his mother's disapproval? What will Emmalyn have to say? Oh, and thank you guys, so freaking much! 2.3K reads!!!!! AAAAAGH! Comment/vote/follow! Happy Veteran's day everyone! -med_01