Family Matters -- One Shot

“Good God, _______,” the man named Arthur exclaimed, walking into the kitchen, “What are you preparing dinner for the whole free world?” It was certainly a sight; piles upon piles, bowl upon bowl of all different types of food, from a hearty soup to a monstrous salad, a honey roasted ham, fresh baked breads, and countless other treats.

His wife, _______, let out a light chuckle. “We're having guests, you know.”

“Yeah, Alfred and his lady friend, but doesn't this seem excessive?” he asked.

_______ wiped her hands on her apron quickly before turning to her husband of twenty-four years. “Didn't I tell you? We're having the girl's family over, too.”

Arthur's eyebrow twitched in slight annoyance. “No, you didn't mention this...”

“Sorry,” _______ shrugged. “But now you know! Anyway, the girl's parents are divorced, so we're having both the father, the mother, and the mother's new husband over tonight. Plus, Alfred eats enough for three people anyway, so I figured I'd just go all out.”

Arthur chuckled at his wife's comment about their son. “I'll never figure out where he gets that appetite.”

“I don't care where he got it,” _______ replied, “I just don't know where he keeps it! Now go get changed; everyone should be here within the hour.”

From the other room came the sound of the front door opening and closing. “Hello hello~!”

“We're in the kitchen, Liz!” _______ called out to her best friend and neighbor, Elizabeta. The Hungarian woman walked into the kitchen with a fresh bowl of hot goulash.

“Hi Arthur, _______. I made a bit of extra goulash for your special dinner tonight!” she said in a sing-song voice, placing the dish on what little was left on the unoccupied counter space. _______ leaned over and took a deep whiff of the stew.

“It' smells fantastic, Liz. Everyone will love it, I just know,” the (color)ette smiled.

“This from the Queen of the Kitchen herself! It always smells so delicious over here! I swear, _______ you're doing this on purpose just trying to ruin my diet!” the brunette mock-scolded.

“Yes, it's true,” _______ said with a villainous smirk, playing along. “It's all a part of my devious plot to make sure my friends don't look better than me.”

“You fiend!” Elizabeta laughed.

“You wanna stay for dinner?” _______ offered. “There's plenty to go around.”

“Oh, no I don't want to intrude,” the Hungarian replied.

“What makes tonight any different?” Arthur smirked. The brunette playfully smacked his arm before his wife chased him out of the room.
“Go get changed!” she laughed. She turned back to her friend. “Come on, hang around and meet Alfred's girlfriend. You're practically family anyway, you'll fit right in.”

Liz smiled. “Oh, alright, only because you twisted my arm. When will everyone get here?”

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. _______ pulled off her apron, washed her hands, and quickly trotted to the front door. She opened to see her son, Alfred, with a large bag in his hand and his arm around a small, dainty creature with shoulder length blonde hair and violet eyes.

“Alfred!” _______ cooed, hugging her son.

“Hi, mom,” the boy smiled, releasing his girlfriend to hug his mother back. When they released, Alfred gestured to the girl beside him. “Mom, this is Maddie.”

“So good to finally meet you,” _______ smiled, shaking the other's hand. “Alfred's told us so much about you, I feel like I practically know you!”

“It's nice to meet you, too,” the younger woman replied, shyly.

“Well, come on in out of the cold,” _______ said, inviting them inside and closing the door behind them. “Maddie, this is Elizabeta, our neighbor and Alfred's godmother. She'll be joining us for dinner tonight.”

“Nice to meet you, sweetie,” the brunette shook Maddie's hand.

“Alfred, show Maddie upstairs to the bedroom, let her get settled and out of that heavy coat,” _______ instructed.

“Yes, mom. Come on, Maddie,” Alfred said, leading the way up the stairs. Halfway up the flight, they ran into Alfred's father. “Hi, dad. This is Maddie.”

“Nice to meet you,” Arthur smiled charmingly, shaking her hand.

“Likewise,” Maddie nodded with a smile. She followed Alfred the rest of the way upstairs and down the hall to his bedroom. Arthur, meanwhile, returned downstairs dressed in his semi-formal attire: a long-sleeve, green button up shirt, black slacks, and polished shoes.

“Is the guest room set up, _______?” Arthur asked.

“No,” she replied simply.

“Well, where is the young lady supposed to sleep, then?”

“Alfred's room, where else?”

“Um, _______, haven't you overlooked something about this arrangement?”

“No.”

“_______, you're going to leave two young adults in a bedroom all night? Alone?” he kept urging, thinking his wife didn't know what he was implying.

“Arthur, they're not kids anymore,” _______ said sternly. “They are twenty years old and deserve our trust. It's not as if they haven't done it before, anyway.”

Arthur sighed. Twenty-four years of marriage have taught him that when his wife has decided on something, it's well near impossible to make her budge. “Alright; I'll trust your judgment on this one.”

She smiled. “Isn't it always easier just to assume I'm always right?”

Elizabeta sighed. “I wish I had a relationship like you two have. Instead, I get stuck with that bastard, Gilbert. Ten years of marriage and he dumps me for some young, dumb bimbo who spent her college fund on her breasts.” She scowled at the thought.

“You'll find Mister Right some day, Liz,” _______ assured. “Everyone goes through one or two throw outs in their life. You remember I told you about that asshole I was engaged to before Arthur?”

“Oh, yeah,” the brunette nodded. “Still can't believe you walked on him having a threesome.”

_______ nodded. “Yeah, I'm still not sure what's worse; the fact he was cheating on me or the fact that one of them was a man...”

Arthur came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I think you're just upset that you weren't invited,” he joked.

_______ laughed lightly and smacked his arm. “None of that around the guests; we need to make a good first impression.”

“Well the guests aren't here yet, are they?” he purred, kissing the nape of her neck.

“Mom! Dad! Jeez, give it a break, will ya?! You're embarrassing me!” Alfred cried out, descending the stairs again with Maddie at his side.

“Oh please,” _______ rolled her eyes. “Parents do it, Alfred. Get over it.”

“Mom!” the young male cried, his girlfriend giggling with pink cheeks at his side.

“Don't worry, Alfred,” Maddie said, “My dad's just as bad.”

“We're parents; we're suppose to make our kids uncomfortable. That way we know their weaknesses and can overpower them,” Arthur joked.

Alfred pinched the bridge of his nose. “I knew we should have spent winter break on campus.”

“Oh, wittle Alfwed!” Elizabeta smirked, joining the act, “Come here and let Auntie Liz pinch those cheeks!”

“Don't start!” the boy hissed. The adults laughed at him and Alfred could do nothing more than stand there fuming. Just then the doorbell rang again, signaling the next arrival of guests. “There is a God,” Alfred sighed with relief at the distraction. Arthur released _______ from his arms so she could answer the door.

On the other side stood a short, blond woman with green eyes and a tall, spectacled male with brown hair and violet eyes. “Hello,” the woman smiled, “I hope this is the right house. I'm Lili, Madeline's mother.”

“Hi! Yes, welcome!” _______ greeted. “Come in! Come in!” The two followed inside and _______ closed the door behind them.

“This,” Lili said, gesturing to the brunette male, “Is my husband, Roderick.”

“Pleasure,” Roderick nodded.

“It's great to meet you both,” _______ smiled.

“Mom!” Maddie smiled, running over and hugging her mother.”

“It's good to see you, sweetie,” Lili smiled. “Is your father here yet?”

Maddie shook her head. “Not yet.”

“Good, maybe he won't show up,” Roderick muttered.

“Dad!” Maddie scolded.

“As you can see,” Lili sighed, “Even after three years we're still kind of recovering from the divorce.”

“Hm, I can imagine,” _______ nodded. “Was it messy?”

“Kind of,” Lili shrugged, “All I got was the jewelry and somewhere to keep it...I call it 'the house'!” The two women laughed at the joke.

Elizabeta walked over to the group. “There seems to be a trend here,” she said. “All three of us had an ass in our lives.”

“You too?” Lili asked.

“Ten years of my life; gone,” Liz sighed. “And _______ here is in the same boat.”

“Well he was my fiance, but yeah,” _______ shrugged. “Walked in on him during a threesome, and found out he had five other women on top of that.”

Lili let out a groan of disgust. “Some men have no class. That's why I'm glad I have Roderick; he'd never do anything like that to me.”

“Ja, because vith my new on guard bruder-in-law, I'd never survive it,” the Austrian smirked.

“Well, there's no sense standing in the doorway,” _______ said. “Let's go into the living room, let you meet my husband and son.” Just as everyone left for the next room, the bell rang again. _______ left the group to answer the door for the final guest of the evening. She opened the door...to a very familiar tall, blond haired, blue eyed Frenchman.

There was a long awkward silence from both, just looking eye-to-eye. The male spoke first. “..._______?”

“Good-bye,” _______ calmly said, shutting the door on him and locking it. She returned to the living room with the others.

“Who was at the door, love?” Arthur asked.

“The Avon lady,” _______ replied without missing a beat. The bell rang again. “Guess she won't take no for an answer.” She left to open the door again.

Opening the front door, the Frenchman immediately said, “You slammed zhe door...in my face.”

“Very observant,” _______ replied. “Good-bye.” And slammed it again. Again the bell rang, but this time _______ didn't answer it and left for the living room. The bell kept ringing all the while.

“Um...mom?” Alfred said, raising a brow. “There's, uh, someone at the door.”

“No, your ears are just ringing,” _______ said. “That's what listening to your iPod on max volume does to your ears.”

“_______, is something wrong?” Elizabeta asked.

“No, it's just some bum looking for a handout,” _______ said.

“I'll handle this,” Arthur said, standing up.

“No, no,” _______ shook her head, sighing. “I'll do it. If I come back with blood on my dress, don't be alarmed; it won't be my blood.” She left again to answer the door. This time though, she opened the door and pushed the blond male away. She stepped outside into the cold, nighttime air and closed the door behind her. “What are you doing here?” she hissed.

“I'll have you know I was invited,” he replied.

“Bullshit!” _______ snapped.

“My daughter, Madeline is inside, is she not?” he said.

“...Bullshit!” the woman snapped again. “I told you twenty-six years ago that I never wanted to see you again! You are not welcome in this house!”

“Fine!” Francis said. “Zhen you go in zhere and explain to my daughter why her Papa is not present on zhe night she wanted me to met her boyfriend.”

“It won't be hard,” the (color)ette sneered. “She seems to be the only one who cares if you show up! You ex-wife certainly doesn't seem to mind your absence, and her husband even less so.”

“Mon Dieu,” he sighed. “He's here, too?”

“Explain something to me, Francis; you've been engaged to me, married to Lili, and both times you went and cheated on us with other women and men! Why? What is this insatiable part of you that makes you promise yourself to a woman and immediately betray her?!”

He sighed. “Look, I'm sorry I hurt you all zhose years ago. Zhere's just zhis part of me zhat always wants more zhan I have.”

“Are you serious?!” she snarled. “You don't think I've ever wanted more? Everyone wants more! It's human nature that wants more! But that doesn't mean we go and get it! I've lived a very happy life with my husband, and I don't need you in my life ruining it.”

“_______, listen to me,” Francis said. “I know you hate me, and I don't blame you. But we need to zhink about our kids. Zhey've been dating for two years now, and we may need to face zhe real possibility zhat zhere may be a marriage in zhe future. If zhat's zhe case, we'll need to be able to remain in zhe same room for zheir sakes instead of ours.”

_______ stood grinding her teeth for a short while before finally saying, “Twenty five years and you chose to start being sensible now? Get inside.” She turned on her heel and walked inside, the other following. They walked into the living room, where the Frenchman was greeted warmly by his daughter...and only his daughter.

“Alfred,” Maddie smiled, “This is my Papa.”

“Francis Bonnefoy,” the Frenchman smiled, shaking Alfred's hand.

Arthur and Elizabeta looked at each other dumbstruck. They looked from each other, to _______, to Francis, to _______, back to Francis, and back at each other. “Erm..._______?” Arthur said, standing up, “Could we...see you in the other room?”

Arthur, _______, and Elizabeta moved into the kitchen. “Yes?” _______ asked.

“Love, correct me if I'm wrong,” her husband began, “But--”

“Yes, that is the same Francis Bonnefoy who cheated on me, broke my heart, and left me a hollow shell of a woman until you came along and picked up the pieces,” _______ deadpanned, reading her husband's mind.

“Wah-Did you know he was Maddie's father?” Liz asked.

“Do you think if I did I'd have invited him?” _______ replied.

“I don't want that man in my house!” Arthur hissed. “And I'm going right out there and telling him so.” He went to leave the room, but _______ caught him by the arm.

“No! No! No! No you won't,” _______ scolded.

“Well, you can't let him stay!” Elizabeta urged. “A man like that back in your life? It'll ruin you! When I divorced Gilbert, I cut all ties and it was the best decision I've ever made and you need to do the same!”

“But it's not my decision to make,” _______ sighed. “Look; I hate him. I hate him more than anyone else in this house. I hate him more than anyone in this country! I hate him so much I want to slice him open, rip out his intestines, string him up in the Notre Dame Cathedral, and sing as I pull the cords!” She took a moment to catch her breath. “But...this night is not about me. This night is for Alfred and Maddie. So as much as I hate him, as much as you hate him, we will not say a word. I won't have you two turning this into a soap opera all about my life.”

“So, what? You expect us to just pretend that this man never hurt you?” Arthur asked.

“Yes! Yes I do!” _______ said back. “We are going to grin and bear through this evening, pretend that nothing is wrong, send everyone home happy at the end of the evening, and then avoid contact with them for the rest of our lives. Understood?” They nodded. “Good. Now help me get this food into the dining room table.”

The three began to move food into the other room. Once the last dish was on the table, _______ announced dinner to the guests. Everyone gathered around the huge table, piled high with the most delicious and mouth watering dishes you could imagine. _______ and Arthur made sure to put plenty of space between them and the Frenchman on the opposite end of the table.

“You cooked all my favorites, Mom!” Alfred said, practically drooling. “After two years of nothing but that crappy campus food, I'm going to enjoy this!”

“Just remember there are seven other people who are here to eat too, dear,” _______ smirked.

“It all smells terrific, _______,” Lili complimented.

“I feel kind of bad that you went through all this trouble,” Roderick said. “If you'd have asked, I could have made a dessert or something.”

“Oh, no, it's fine,” _______ assured. “I love working in the kitchen! Mostly because it keeps my husband away from the stove.”

“Thank you, love,” Arthur said sarcastically.

“Not zhe best cook, are we Arzhur,” Francis said with undertones of smugness.

“I do just fine, thank you,” the Englishman hissed back, disdainfully conversing with the other.

“Oh that's a load of bull, Dad,” Alfred said with a mouth full of food. “Tell them about the time we had to replace the oven after you tried to make breakfast for Mom on Mother's Day!”

“Alfred, chew your food. And don't talk with your mouth full; I raised you better than that,” _______ scolded.

Dinner went on with overall, aside from a few tense moments, pleasant conversation. Once everyone had finished eating, they retired to the living room to enjoy wine before desert. Once again everyone was laughing and getting along famously.

“I'm so glad everyone's getting along so well,” Maddie said.

“Yeah, I was freaking out about this get-together all month,” Alfred admitted. “It's a huge relief to know that you're not, like, ripping out each other's organs or something.”

“The night is young,” _______ said taking a sip of wine. Most everyone laughed at the comment, although Francis could not help but notice she looked directly at him while saying it.

“We're both really glad that you all get along because Alfred and I have a little announcement,” Maddie said, her cheeks turning pink.

Alfred grinned from ear to ear. “Maddie and I...are engaged!”

…

...silence.

The adults in the room did nothing but stare blankly at the two youths, who were starting to fidget and sweat from their gazes.

“...Pardon?” Roderick finally said.

“W-we're getting married, Dad,” Maddie said.

“Alfred, how can you make this decision now?” _______ said. “You're not even finished college and you're already getting married?!”

“You told me you were engaged when you were twenty,” Alfred retorted.

“Yeah, and look how it turned out; I walked in on the bastard in bed with another woman and a man!” _______ spat back. “There are millions of girls out there in the world! How do you know she's the one?”

“Madeline,” Lili said, “You're too young to be making choices like this!”

“Mom, I'm a grown woman! If I want to get married, I will!” Maddie defended.

“Not while we're paying for your college you're not!” Francis scolded. “If you marry him, we cut you off!”

“Papa!”

“You can't do that to her! She's in the top percentage of the class!” Alfred snarled at Francis.

“She's my daughter, you little brat, I have authority over her!” the Frenchman replied.

“Excuse me?!” Roderick exclaimed. “And where do Lili and I play in this authority?!”

“Don't you dare talk to my son like that, you frog!” Arthur hissed at Francis.

“Please stop fighting!” Maddie pleaded, stepping between the two fathers.

“Stay out of zhis, Madeline,” Francis said, pushing her aside and stepping closer to the Englishman.

“Hour dare you treat my daughter like that?!” Lili shrieked.

“She's my daughter too, Lili!”

“She was your daughter before you had that damned affair!” the Lithuanian shouted, tears pricking her eyes.

“Oh yes! Everyzhing is my fault! Zhat's what it all boils down to, doesn't it?!” Francis shouted.

“You're the one making this whole thing escalate!” _______ shrieked. “You keep making this whole thing worse every time you open your mouth!”

“You're just as bad as your son!” he shouted back. “You zhink I haven't noticed all zhe snide comments you made at me all evening?!”

“You deserved each and every one you pig!”

“_______, I don't need you defending me,” Lili scowled.

“Oh, zhat's cute!” Francis chuckled. “You zhink zhis is all about you, huh? Well get what! Zhat lousy ex-fiance _______ keep's talking about? You're looking at him!”

“You?! And her?!” Lili was bewildered.

“Fine, yes, okay?! Francis and I were an item,” _______ said gruffly.

“And when were you going to tell me?” Lili snarled.

“Um, excuse me?!” _______ said. “Exactly how does my sex life pertain to you?!”

“Don't you dare badger my wife,” Arthur hissed at Lili.

“Don't talk that way to my wife!” Roderick hissed back.

“Now hold on, don't you see?! Francis did this just to get the attention off of him!” _______ exclaimed.

“That's right!” Arthur said, turning to the Frenchman, “You're the underlying problem in all this!”

“Oh and you and your little tramp had nothing to do with it?” Roderick spat.

Arthur shoved the Austrian roughly. “Shut your damned mouth!”

Lili slapped Arthur. “Don't touch my husband!”

_______ pulled Lili's hair. “Back off, bitch!”

Francis grabbed _______'s arm roughly. “Don't touch her!”

Arthur punched Francis in the gut. “Get off her!”

Elizabeta finally spoke up feebally. “Okay everyone, this is getting a little out of control. I think we all need to--”

“STAY OUT OF THIS!” The five parents shouted at the Hungarian, who quickly clammed up. Things only got worse. The shouting got louder. The actions more violent. The insults more brutal. Finally, Maddie, tears streaming from her eyes in long rivers, ran from the living room and up the stairs. Alfred finally had enough as well. He took the half full bottle of white wine still on the coffee table and smashed it loudly against the wall, drawing the attention of the fighting parents.

“I hope you're proud of yourselves,” he hissed. “You call Maddie and I too immature to make the decision to get married, and here you all are acting like a bunch of animals, ready to rip each other's throats out. And for what? What the hell was this argument suppose to accomplish?! Just tell me that: if one of you can explain what the fuck was going through your heads right then and there, maybe I can recover a single shred of respect for you.” No one said a word. “That's what I thought. Go fuck yourselves!” He followed his fiance up the stairs.

The six remaining in the living room only stared at each other for a long time, unable to find words. Arthur finally spoke. “He's right. Look at us; beaten, bruised, throats sore from shouting. We're parents; we're supposed to be the example.”

“W...we were only trying to look out for our kids,” Francis murmured.

“T-that's right!” Lili nodded. “We're just looking out for their interests. We're protectors-”

“We're scum!” _______ groaned, flopping into an armchair.

Roderick sighed. “You're right.”

More silence before Lili finally said. “_______...I hope you don't mind, but... I think we'll skip desert.”

“I get it,” _______ sighed. “Drive safe.” And with that the guests left and _______, Arthur, and Liz began clean up.

Once the last dish was cleaned, Elizabeta said, “I'm headed back. Call me if you need anything.” _______ and Arthur escorted her to the door and said their good-byes.

“I'm going up to talk to him,” _______ said to her husband.

Upstairs, _______ knocked on the door to her son's room, asking to enter. But, as she expected, so reply came from within. She tried knocking again, but still no sound from within. She took a breath before opening the door herself. Inside the room, she saw her son, seated at his desk and browsing the internet on his laptop.

“Where's Maddie?” _______ asked.

“Shower,” her son replied, refusing to look at her. “What do you want?”

_______ sat on her son's queen-sized bed. “Alfred, I'm so, so sorry for how we acted down there. How I acted down there. You were right; we were acting like a bunch of kids, and there's no excuse for how things escalated.”

“So does that mean you and Dad are giving Maddie and I your blessing?” Alfred asked, slightly hopeful but still turned from his mother's eyes.

_______ sighed. “Alfred, you know your father and I love you with all our hearts but, I'm sorry, I just can't condone this marriage.”

“Why?” Alfred scowled.

“You're too young, Alfred,” his mother explained. “Getting married now, you'd be skipping over a huge milestone in your life. You'll never experience the life of a young adult, living on your own, having your freedom and independence that every child wants when they move out of their parent's house.”

“Well maybe I don't want that, Mom!” Alfred exclaimed, finally turning to face her. “Did you ever consider that? That maybe I don't need to be a bachelor and can be perfectly happy with Maddie? Did that ever cross your mind?”

“You say that now, Alfred, but what about ten years from now?” _______ said. “I don't want you looking back, regretting your decision, and wind up breaking Maddie's heart.”

“You're so sure that's what's going to happen, huh? Just because Francis couldn't keep it in his pants, you assume that my marriage is doomed to fail too, huh?”

“You know what? Yes,” _______ frowned. “That is my concern. Part of being a bachelor is exploring your sexuality. Francis and I moved too fast and it wound up in heartbreak. I don't want that for you! For either of you!”

“You know what, Mom?” Alfred said, standing up. “I don't really care what you think. This marriage is happening with or without your consent. And if you're not here to give us your blessing, then, as far as I'm concerned, you have no business being here. Get out of my room.”

_______ was taken back by her son's attitude, but silently stood and exited the room. Alfred slammed the door behind her. She went back downstairs to her husband, who was waiting in the living room.

“How'd it go?” he asked.

“About as well as you'd think,” _______ sighed.

“...So what now?”

“...I think I need to make a phone call.”

Late that night, well past midnight when normal folks would be asleep, there was a knock at the door. _______ answered and found Lili, Roderick, and Francis on the other side. “Thanks for coming by,” _______ said, inviting them inside.

“Thanks for calling,” Lili nodded. “I think we all agree this marriage can't happen. Not yet at least.”

“Where are zhe kids?” Francis asked.

“I checked on them about a half hour ago,” _______ said, “They're upstairs, asleep.”

“Good,” Roderick said. “With how bad we screwed up earlier, the last thing we need is them thinking we're conspiring against them.”

There was another knock at the door. Arthur answered this time, and Elizabeta was on the doorstep. “Sorry to disturb. I couldn't help but notice the commotion and, since I kinda figured what it would be about, I wanted to be a part of it.”

“No problem Liz,” _______ said. “You care about the kids just as much as the rest of us.”

“Let's move to the dining room,” Arthur offered. “_______ and I made coffee. I have a feeling this will be a long night.”

The six moved to the dining room and sat down, the pot of coffee moving from person to person as they filled their mugs.

“So we all know why we're here,” Francis began, “How do we stop zhe wedding?”

“We don't need to stop it,” Arthur replied. “Just postpone it. I have no objection to them getting married to each other, but they're too young to make a decision like this now.”

“Not to mention a wedding would be a huge distraction from their college work and a monumental source of stress in their already strenuous schedules,” _______ nodded.

“Well now, hold on,” Roderick said, “Maybe we should let them plan the wedding.”

“Brilliant,” Francis rolled his eyes.

“No, hear me out,” the Austrian continued. “We all know that planning a wedding can just as easily destroy a couple as it can bring them together. We could let them go about the planning and let them destroy their own relationship.”

“But that would mean breaking up the kids,” Lili said. “They're so happy together; I'd hate to see that happen.”

“It's still an idea,” _______ said. “And it wouldn't break them up necessarily, but it would certainly show them we were right when we said they were moving too fast.”

“I don't know,” Lili frowned. “I think it would be giving them a false look into the married life. I mean, we all agree that we want them married, just not now. I'm worried that allowing them to get too far would ruin it entirely.”

“We could just lay down the law,” Arthur said. “We are their parents, we have authority over them.”

“Arthur, they're twenty years old,” _______ sighed. “Our authority over them ended when they left for college. Trying to control them now would only encourage them to go through with it to spite us more than anything. Reverse psychology and all that.”

“Now zhere's an idea,” Fransic pondered. “Perhaps zhis is just rebellion. If we were to agree to zhe marriage, perhaps it would lose its' glow in zheir eyes?”

“Perhaps,” _______ said. “But when I spoke with Alfred earlier this evening, he seemed very intent on marrying Maddie with or without our involvement.”

“Zhat's zhe game,” Francis continued. “Zhey want zhier independence, and zhe best way to get it is to do what zheir parents say zhey can't.”

“Forgive me, but I'd rather not risk my son's future on a psychological theory,” Arthur scowled.

“He's right,” nodded Roderick, “Suppose we play along and then before we know it their married? What then?”

“You don't think a marriage could be good for them?” Elizabeta asked.

“Marriage is one of the most stressful things a person can go through,” Roderick replied. “I'm just concerned they may not know how to manage it.”

“Not to mention that there's still the possibility that they may not be a match for each other,” Arthur said.

“They've been dating for two years,” Liz said. “You and _______ dated for two years before getting married.”

“That's different,” _______ said. “We were older and ready to settle down. Alfred and Maddie are young; they still have life to live before they should mature like that.”

“_______, I'm sorry to get off topic,” Lili said. “But do you have any sugar for the coffee?”

“Sure, it's in the kitchen. I'll get it,” _______ said, standing and exiting the room. She was gone for a couple moments before rushing back in. “Alfred's car is gone!”

“WHAT?!” The other parents exclaimed.

“When I was in the kitchen I looked out the window and Alfred's car is not in the driveway,” _______ explained.

Everyone stood and ran upstairs to Alfred's bedroom. “They're gone!” Lili cried.

“So's their luggage,” Arthur noted.

“Where could zhey have gone?” Francis asked, quickly checking the bathroom.

“I don't know, but I don't like it,” _______ said. She suddenly noticed Elizabeta fidgeting in the corner of the room. “Liz...is there something you'd like to share with us?”

“...No,” the Hungarian muttered.

_______ narrowed her eyes. “Liz, how long have we known each other?”

“...Fifteen years?”

“Right. So you should know by now that I will stop at nothing when it comes to my son. You know what I'm capable of,” _______ walked right up until she was no more than six inches away from her friend and neighbor and firmly grabbed her arm, “So, before I start snapping bones, I'll ask one more time; where is my son?”

Elizabeta's lip quivered a bit before blurting out, “They're eloping!”

“WHAT?!” the other parents exclaimed again.

“I ran into them on my way over. Right after you invited Maddie's parents inside, they climbed out the window and packed up the car” Liz explained. “Alfred swore me to secrecy!”

“How could you not tell us this?!” Arthur asked.

“I couldn't betray his trust! Not when he was so spiteful of the other adults in his life already!” Liz cried. “And anyway I have no idea where they're going!”

“I do,” Francis said. “Zhere's only one place within twenty miles zhat will perform a marriage at zhis hour.”

“What are we waiting for? Get your coats, let's go!” _______ commanded. Everyone piled into their cars and followed Francis as he raced through the streets, breaking multiple traffic laws along the way.

The place they were lead to was a church that was converted from an older house. The building itself was Victorian, but there was a large cross on its roof and the front lawn had been converted to a parking lot. _______ saw Alfred's car in the almost vacant lot and they all quickly parked and ran inside. They managed to catch Alfred and Maddie right in the lobby of the church.

“Alfred!” _______ and Arthur shouted.

“Madeline!” Francis, Lili, and Roderick shouted.

The two young adults turned to see their parents running at them. “Elizabeta, you told them?!” Alfred exclaimed.

“They twisted my arm! Literally...” Liz said, rubbing the bruised spot where _______ grabbed her.

“Don't you dare blame her,” _______ said. “She did the right thing telling us. Alfred you can't just run off with this girl!”

“We got this far didn't we?” Alfred spat back.

“Yeah, and what's your plan from here?” Arthur asked. “Did you just figure you'd keep running so mummy and daddy couldn't find you? What about school? A job? Money? What were you thinking?!”

“I was thinking once the deed was done you'd just have to live with it!” Alfred said.

“Madeline, this isn't like you!” Lili said. “You never just charge about like this.”

“Zhis boy is a bad influence on you,” Francis said.

“Um, don't start, Man-whore,” _______ spat at her ex-lover.

“You were always so well behaved,” Lili continued, ignoring _______ and Francis' feud. “What's gotten into you.”

“Mom, I want to be with Alfred,” Maddie sighed. “What's so hard to accept about that?”

“Being together is one thing,” Roderick said. “Running away together in the middle of the night is quite another. This isn't some fairy tale; that's not how the real world works!”

“You're coming home right this instant,” Lili said to her daughter.

“That's right,” _______ nodded. “And Alfred, you're coming with us. I'm sorry, but until winter break is over, you and Maddie can't see each other.”

“Isn't this excessive?” Liz asked.

“No, eloping is excessive!,” Arthur replied. “This? This is necessary!”

“You can't do this!” Alfred shouted and his parents dragged him away by his wrists.

“Watch us,” _______ replied.

“I'm pregnant!” Maddie suddenly shouted. Time stood still and all eyes fell to the girl. “We were messing around in the dorm and the condom broke,” she said. “I brought a pregnancy test and it came back positive.” She turned to her mother. “I'm pregnant, Mom...”

There was more silence from everyone. No one knew what to say and no one was prepared for this kind of turnabout.

“Okay, parent conference,” _______ finally said, guiding the parents to the far side of the room. “Do you want them to get married?”

“No,” said Arthur.

“No,” said Lili.

“No,” said Roderick.

“No,” said Francis.

“Of course not,”  said _______. “But do we want that child born without a father?”

“No,” said Arthur.

“No,” said Lili.

“No,” said Roderick.

“No,” said Francis.

“Of course not,”  said _______.

“So what do we do?” Roderick asked.

“We do what parents have done since the dawn of time,” _______ sighed. “Swallow our pride, give them our blessings, and hear them gripe about it for the next forty years until we die.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Francis smirked.

Just then, the head of the church walked into the lobby. “Well?” he asked. “Is there going to be a wedding or not?”

Alfred and Maddie looked to their parents. “Is there?” Alfred asked.

The adults were silent for a short while. _______ finally said, “Only if we do this right.” She pointed to the priest. “You; got any wedding veils on hand?”

He stammered, “Well I do, but-”

“Get it,” ______ ordered.

“B-but it'll cost-”

“I have a credit card,” Arthur added.

“Right away, sir,” and he quickly left.

“Mom, Dad, you mean it?” Alfred asked, beaming.

“Honey, remind me,” _______ said to her husband. “How's that old saying go? 'Something old, something...something...'?”

“Uh...Something old, something new...something borrowed, and...something blue, I think,” Arthur replied.

“Oh, here!” Elizabeth exclaimed, pulling off her blue coat. “Wear this; something blue!” She helped Madeline slip into the garment.

“I brought this bracelet yesterday for the dinner party,” Lili said, taking off her beautiful, emerald studded bracelet and handing it to her daughter. “I think it's new enough.”

“And you can borrow my earrings,” _______ said, removing her pearl earrings and placing them into Maddie's hand. “Emphasis on 'borrow'; they were an anniversary gift.”

“Mom!” Alfred whined.

“It's okay, Alfred,” Maddie smiled, tears of joy streaming from her eyes.

“That's new, borrowed, and blue,” Arthur listed. “Just need something old.”

“Here,” Francis said. “I have just zhe zhing.” He reached into his shirt and revealed he was wearing a silver chain around his neck with two golden rings attached. “Zhese are old,” he said, unhooking the chain. “And I can't help but notice you two don't have any proper wedding rings.” He slipped one ring onto Alfred's finger, and the other onto Maddie's. “Look at zhat,” he smiled, “Perfect fit.”

“Oh thank you, Papa!” Maddie cried, throwing her arms around her biological father's neck.

The priest returned with the veil and handed it to Maddie. She fashioned it onto her head and took Alfred's hand. “Oh no you don't,” _______ said, separating the two.

“Mom!” Alfred hissed.

“Don't 'Mom' me!” she spat back. “Don't you know anything? The bride's father walks her down the isle! Roderick?”

“Actually,” the Austrian smiled, “I think Francis should have the honor.” The two men smiled at each other and shook hands. Alfred and the others entered the church hall, Alfred waiting with the priest at the alter. Francis wove his arm into Maddie's and slowly walked her down the isle. Once Maddie was at Alfred's side, Francis took the seat beside _______ as the ceremony began. But _______ and Francis were hardly paying attention as _______ began quiet conversation.

“I recognized the rings you gave them,” _______ said softly. “Twenty-six years and you still held on to them?”

Francis smiled at her. “_______, I screwed up with you. If I have one regret in my life, it's letting you get away.”

“Are you sure it's not screwing around with seven other people at the same time?” she asked.

He laughed softly. “Zhat too.” He sighed. “_______, I know I messed up, and you hate me, but you really were special. I've never found another woman like you and, to be perfectly honest, seeing you and Arzhur together...it hurts me a little.”

“Suffer,” she smirked.

Francis rolled his eyes and kept smiling. “Tell me somezhing, _______, if I hadn't messed up the way I did all zhose years ago, do you zhink we'd still be togezher? Or do you zhink we'd still be apart?”

She shrugged. “It's hard to say. I won't lie; once in a blue moon, my mind wanders to the past. And I wonder what life would be like if you and I were together instead of me and Arthur.” She sighed, “But then I remember that a world without Arthur means a world without Alfred, and that's a world that I simply can't imagine.”

Francis nodded. “I suppose I couldn't imagine a world wizhout my little girl, eizher. So you zhink everyzhing worked out for zhe best?”

She nodded. “I do.”

“So does zhat mean you forgive me?”

“Not even close.”

He chuckled softly. “Can't blame a man for trying.”

“However,” _______ continued, “It did mean something to me, seeing those rings again after almost thirty years.”

Francis cocked his head. “So...?”

“So...I don't forgive you,” she said. “But, in due time...maybe I can.”

He smiled. “Zhat means more to me zhan anyzhing in zhe world.”

They returned their attention back to the happy couple just in time to hear:

“You may now kiss the bride.”