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The floor is covered with an engineered hardwood and the walls are painted in a warm shade of cream. It’s homely.
There’s a bookcase with some books on it, but its shelves are mainly filled with ornaments and photos of Eleanor at various stages of her school career. I’ll need to get a closer look at those later.
“Mum, I’ve got some news,” Eleanor says, a slight tremble in her voice. I squeeze her hand to offer reassurance.
Annie’s eyes drop to my wife’s stomach. Shit. It would be too soon for a pregnancy, but I hadn’t even considered protection yesterday. I have no clue if Eleanor is on any form of birth control. My hand tightens around hers.
“I’m not pregnant, mom. I’m careful, you know that.”
Her words are probably as much for me as they were for her mother. I relax a little.
Though the idea of Eleanor carrying my child sparks some primal sense of satisfaction in me, we are nowhere near ready to think about babies.
She’s had enough thrust upon her without having to bear a child she’s not ready for.
“That’s good,” her mother murmurs approvingly. “So what’s your news?”
Eleanor holds out her left hand to show off her rings. “Rory and I got married.”
Her mother’s eyes widen, and she sinks onto the arm of the nearest chair.
“When?”
“Uh, yesterday.”
She scrunches up her nose as she looks at Eleanor. “You got married on a Tuesday?”
That’s what she’s surprised about? I have to hold back a laugh.
“Yes, it was a spur-of-the-moment thing. It was just me, Rory, and our witnesses. It wasn’t a big deal.”
Her mother tuts. “Marriage is a big deal, Eleanor.”
“I know. That’s not what I meant.”
“I know what you meant.” Her mother narrows her eyes on me as her expression turns to one of suspicion. “How can you get married on the spur of the moment? There’s paperwork to fill in. Is your marriage even legal?”
“It’s legal,” I assure her. “I have a few connections, so I was able to pull some strings and expedite the paperwork.”
In truth, it was Aidan who got that side of things organized. I’d been too shell-shocked by his ultimatum to deal with the legal aspects of my marriage to Eleanor.
“Well,” Annie gets to her feet. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed you didn’t introduce Rory to me until now, but if you’re happy, Ellie, then so am I.”
“I am happy!”
Eleanor lets go of my hand and goes to hug her mother once more. When she steps back, there’s a very convincing smile on her face. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was ecstatic about becoming my wife.
On the way here, I didn’t warn her not to alert her mother to how the marriage really came about, but I knew I wouldn’t have to. Eleanor’s response to the whole situation has shown her pragmatic side. She isn’t going to risk her mother’s safety or her own by saying something stupid.
“Then I’m glad for you,” Annie says, “but I am a bit disappointed I couldn’t be there. You know, I always dreamed of giving you away.”
Eleanor grimaces. “Sorry, we just got swept up in the romance of it. We’re planning another ceremony later in the year so everyone can come.”
I’m stunned that she suggested what I was about to.
Mollified, her mother smiles. “That sounds wonderful. Now, how about some tea? I’ve got a batch of muffins fresh out of the oven this morning.”
“What kind of muffins?” I ask.
