Chapter 19

Sean cut out the general noise of the mall crowd buzzing about in the food court so he could eat the slice of pizza before him. Elizabeth's family was with him, chatting amiably amongst themselves about which stores to hit next. Sean noticed Elizabeth had most of her shopping done; her family, Vanessa, Eric, and himself were the only ones she had to buy things for. She didn't have many friends after marrying Charles. Sean tried introducing her to his friends but that left everyone uncomfortable, her age difference acutely felt by everyone but himself. And after the little fiasco with Cheryl everyone would try to avoid her like they did him; everyone but Derrick, of course. Sean cupped Elizabeth's hand in his own and smiled at her. She looked at him questioningly but her attention was soon diverted by Brian as he told her about his encounter with Santa Claus. If Sean didn't know any better he could have sworn that Brian already had put one and one together and figured that his parents were the real gift givers.

Lunch passed quickly enough as everyone wolfed down their meals and attacked the mall once again, Elizabeth dragging Sean along this time around. Elizabeth may have gotten her shopping done for everyone else but that didn't stop her from hunting down bargains for herself. It seemed like she bought nearly as much for herself as she did for everyone else. Sean followed doggedly, amazed at the amount of stamina that his girlfriend possessed when caught up in the shopping frenzy. He nodded at the appropriate times and gave fairly useless commentary, which she didn't pay attention to anyways as she tried various outfits in several stores. Soon their day was coming to an end and everyone packed away into the three cars that they brought with them, their trunks stuffed to bursting with the newly purchased spoils.

When they got back Henry threw some logs in the fireplace and soon everyone was warming their feet by the cheery flames. Alice brought in steaming mugs of hot chocolate and everyone was drowsily talking away the gathering night. Henry got up to rustle up some sandwiches for everyone, Alice being too tired to start dinner. Sean stood up and joined him in the kitchen, grabbing the mustard and mayonnaise out of the fridge and placing them on the counter.

"Yes," Henry said over his shoulder as he began spreading the condiments on the slices of bread.

"Excuse me?" Sean asked.

"You were about to ask for my baby's hand in marriage. I just said yes."

Sean stood stock still for a moment as he gathered his wits. "You realize that you just took all the fun out of asking you."

"Yep."

Sean breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled. "Thanks."

Henry chuckled while he sliced the tomatoes and lettuce. "Well, I remember what it was like when I asked for Alice's hand for marriage. I swear my knees were knocking so loud everyone would have mistaken it for a small earthquake. Her father was a really big man. I'd have to say at least 6'7" and solid as an oak. And he had this quiet demeanor that you really couldn't figure what he was thinking. Well, he turned out to be an okay guy once I got to know him better, but at that moment I was scared out of my mind. Nah, just thought I'd save you the trouble and fright. Do you think you're ready for all this though? I mean, marriage. You're only twenty-two."

Sean was wondering when that would pop up. "Yes, and Elizabeth's thirty-four. She may never say it but I can tell she wants kids. I do too. I just wish I were a little older and she a little younger so we could get this timing thing right but that just isn't the way it is." He sighed. "I love your daughter. There's no doubt in my mind about it. And if she wants kids then I'm willing to sacrifice the opportunities of my youth to give it to her. She being happy means that much to me." The roast beef sandwiches were done and Sean piled them on a large plate.

Henry gave Sean's words some thought and then patted him on the back. "Welcome to the family, son. You'll do just fine. So, when do you feel like popping the question?"

"I was thinking Christmas. Give her something to really brag to Vanessa about. One thing though."

"Shoot."

"I was wondering if you could try to keep this from your wife. I find that news travels very fast when there are women involved."

Henry snorted in agreement. "You and I are going to get along just fine. I'm not sure if I can keep it a secret if Alice gets wind of it but I'll try. Besides, it'll be worth to see the look on her face when I tell her that I knew all along."

It was Sean's turn to bark out in laughter as he shouldered open the kitchen door and headed for the living room. When Sean entered the room he saw there were several photo albums splayed out on the coffee table. Elizabeth screamed and hurriedly tried to hide them behind her but it was too late. Sean put down his plate on the cleared spot and smiled broadly, a mischievous smile on his face. "Well, what have we here?" He fished around behind his lover and pulled out a thick album. He flipped it open to the first page. "Baby photos!"

Elizabeth groaned in dismay. "Mom, did you have to bring those out?"

"Well, you coming home after so long, I just felt it was a little appropriate to remind you that you're our daughter."

"I'll go get the home videos," Henry said as he entered the room. Elizabeth sobbed in embarrassment while Sean shook with laughter. Yes, he and Elizabeth's family were going to get along just fine.

With one last gargantuan effort Sean hefted the last of the luggage into Elizabeth's bedroom. Somehow she managed to use everything in those two large suitcases during their four-night stay at her parents' house. Elizabeth gave him a peck on the cheek and thanked him for lugging her bags up the stairs. Sean smiled tiredly and then sat on the edge of the bed. The airport was packed, as would be expected, but still, he hoped it wouldn't have been. Their leave-taking was an emotional affair, with a lot of crying on Elizabeth and her mother's part. On the trip back Elizabeth was silent with sadness; she missed her family already. Sean had pulled up the armrest and held her during the plane trip and that helped things but still, she was despondent. When they got home she was just as quiet. When Sean was like that there wasn't a force on Earth that could bring him out of the funk.

Elizabeth headed for the bathroom and Sean could hear the hiss of a shower being started. While Elizabeth showered Sean went downstairs and put a towel in the dryer for a couple of minutes. By the time it was ready Elizabeth just finished with her shower. Sean wrapped the warm towel around her and she smiled at him appreciatively as he dried her. Despite his efforts, Elizabeth still had that dull, sad look in her eyes. Sean walked her to the bed and sat her down beside him. He didn't say anything neither did she. Sean thought he knew more than anyone what having a family meant, him never really having one. He was always on the outside looking in. Sean just held Elizabeth's head to his chest and she nestled in his understanding embrace. Finally, Elizabeth gave a despondent sigh, her unspoken signal that she was ready to talk.

"I like your parents," Sean started before Elizabeth could say anything. "How about we visit them for New Year's?"

Sean let the question hang in the air, Elizabeth taking her time to reply. "I'd like that," she said simply. Elizabeth turned her face toward him and Sean looked down at her soft brown eyes. She tilted her head up and kissed him, gently, tenderly. Sean returned the gesture in kind, keeping their contact light and subtle. For the next half hour they stayed like that, kissing gently, in silence, the touch of their lips telling volumes more than words could ever say. They lost one another in the other's eyes during the pauses between each soft touch of the lips. Sean tasted the subtle flavor of strawberries from Elizabeth's lip-gloss and savored the velvety texture of her mouth. Elizabeth finally held off on another kiss and just rested her head on Sean's broad chest. Sean was simply happy that he was able to lift his lover's spirits, although a small corner of his mind niggled at him to continue with the physical aspects of their relationship.

Elizabeth had her face turned away from him but somehow Sean could feel her smiling beneath the veil of her sable hair. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"You always make me feel better no matter how upset I am."

"Oh, that," Sean said and smiled himself. "I haven't a clue."

They both laughed.

Sean wrapped his left arm around her slender shoulders and raised her up to meet his steady gaze. "You," he placed his finger on her nose, "mean everything to me. I can't succeed at everything but one thing I know I can do is love you. You know I led a lonely life. I had a lot of love to give but I don't think anyone was ready for what I had to give. Then you pretty much just plopped on my lap. You are the only person I've met that doesn't demand anything from me except for what I am willing to offer and because of that I offer you everything; you deserve it. If that means trying to cheer you up then it means I will try to cheer you up. I love to see you smile. I love to see you laugh. I love to see every aspect of you that makes you the woman I fell in love with. You are why I love."

Elizabeth listened to his words and melted into his arms. She nuzzled up in his warm embrace and sighed contentedly. They held each other for a while when the peaceful silence was disturbed by Elizabeth's grumbling stomach. The two laughed at her protesting appetite and then walked hand in hand to the kitchen. They whipped up a pasta dish and slaked their thirst with a bottle of white wine. Conversation was light and playful, most of which circled around Elizabeth's photo album and home videos. Sean teased her mercilessly all dinner long on how she chased a duck when she was only four and then in turn was chased at the petting zoo.