47 - Eliza

Lunch started out rather awkward but I'd expected that. Mom was on her best behavior for a change and dad did most of the talking. He seemed to be putting in an actual effort to change things. He was trying hard to not fangirl over Tom, he was a huge Marvel comics fan, and that alone made the lunch worth it.

"Your brothers wanted to come but Marcus couldn't get off work and D.J. is spending this Christmas with his boyfriend's family." Dad says between bites.

"That's fine." I say shrugging, "I'm surprised you two came at all but it was a nice surprise."

"Your father was not a fan of the flight." Mom says and almost laughs.

"How did you know we were still in London?" Tom asks.

"I may have been cyber stalking you since we found out." Dad admits looking at me guiltily. "I have read a couple of your books now. Grams would be very proud of you."

"I miss her." I say, blinking back sudden tears.

Grams had always been my rock. I'd been a daddy's girl until I hit puberty and then I think he just didn't know what to do with me anymore. Her loss had hit me hard and I missed her every day. She'd have liked Tom too.

"I do too." Dad says, "She'd be very upset with me for the past years. She raised me better than that."

"As far as I'm concerned we're starting fresh now." I say and reach across the table.

"I appreciate that." He smiles and takes my hand. "I cannot believe you're going to have twins."

"We're still getting used to the idea too, but we're in this together." Tom says and I smile at him. "So what's this place nearby Eliza says you'll want to see?"

"Haven't the foggiest." Dad says looking from Tom to me.

"We're on Baker Street dad." I chuckle.

"Really?" He asks excitedly.

"Sherlock Holmes fan?" Tom asks.

"Indeed. Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are still the best Holmes and Watson, though Downey and Law were pretty good too." Dad gushes, "You've worked with Downey. Have you met him?"

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped at that point. I knew the museum would be a hit but it'd got my dad fangirling again.

"Yes dad I met him briefly in New York. I swear you fangirl more than I do."

"Well not my fault. I don't hang out with celebrities like some people." He teases.

"I had no idea she was famous when we first met." Tom says, "And she never really fangirled any of us. It was kind of remarkable to be honest."

"Really? You've had a crush on this one for pretty much forever." Mom says, pointing her chopsticks at Tom.

"They're just people." I blush. "And he knows I've been a fan of his for a while."

"That's an understatement. How did you two meet?" Mom asks.

"I was in New York finishing up another Marvel movie just down from Eliza's shop; pure coincidence. I'd just broken up with my girlfriend and Eliza and I just hit it off."

"Seems to have worked out well for you two. You going to make an honest woman of our girl?"

Tom and I both snort water out our noses making my parent laugh loud enough to draw the attention of the diners sitting nearest to us.

"Dad!" I hiss.

"What? It's an honest question."

I was still sputtering, trying to catch my breath while not dying of embarrassment as the urge to pee hit me full force.

"I'm going to the restroom." I say.

Tom winks at me as I stand up and kisses my hand before I leave the table.

"I'll come too." Mom says, jumping up.

Surprised and not completely comfortable with the idea I just keep walking; she'd catch up if she really wanted to. By the time I make it to the bathroom it was a race to the stall; luckily the bathroom was empty. I hear the door open and close again and I wait for my mother to say something. After a few moments of silence I start to think it'd been someone else but then I hear her clear her throat.

"Are you okay?" She asks quietly.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Doctor just wants me drinking a lot of water so I have to pee a lot."

"I remember those days. Just wait until they're using your bladder as a trampoline." She chuckles.

She's looking at me with an uncertain look on her face as I exit the stall. I walk to the sink and start washing my hands. She opens her mouth to say something a couple times only to close it again without saying a word. Turning the water off and pulling a couple paper towels from the holder to dry them I turn and lean against the sink looking at her.

"I know your father already apologized for me but I wanted...needed to say it myself too. I am very sorry for what I've said. I wish more than anything I could take them all back."

I don't say anything and just look at her. She shifts her weight from foot to foot for another long moment.

"I also need to apologize for the way I've treated you since you graduated, and not being there for you when..." Her words fade away.

"When Jeff raped me and then beat me." I say bluntly.

"Yeah. You needed me and I wasn't there. It was just hard to have everyone look at me like...but that doesn't matter. You needed me and I wasn't there. I'm sorry Eliza."

"I appreciate the apology mom. Consider it forgiven. It was a long time ago and I'm a stronger person now because of all of it. I won't lie and say it didn't hurt me at the time but I put that behind me a long time ago."

"Thank you."

"You know I saw him not long ago. He came to one of my book signings in Los Angeles, purposely violating the protective order. I got to shove his face into the table after he tried to grab me."

I chuckle remembering the look on Jeff's face as the cops drug him away. Focusing on my mother again and seeing the look of shock on her face makes me chuckle again.

"What?" I ask.

"You did what?"

"You missed a lot over the years. I'm well versed in several self-defense techniques. I'm sure the video clips of both times I've used them lately are still online."

"Both times? What else did we miss?"

"Tom's ex didn't take his moving on as gracefully as she could have. Neither were really exciting but they're rather funny. Jeff is currently awaiting trial in Los Angeles; a judge was a witness to the altercation. He won't be hurting anyone else for a long time."

"Well that's good news at least. You and Tom are really serious huh?"

"We are. I love him mom and he loves me. You'd like him if you got to know him."

"Seeing as how you're having babies together I have a feeling I'll have plenty of time to get to know him." She laughs, "May I feel?"

She looks at me hopefully but doesn't move forward, giving me to option to say no. She really seemed to be making an effort to be different than she has been, so I smile back and node. She crosses the short distance and places a tentative hand on my growing belly. I wasn't far enough long to feel any movement or anything yet but Tom liked to rest his hand there every chance he got too.

"I can't believe I'm going to be a grandmother finally." She whispers. "Do you know what you're having yet?"

"Not yet, still a couple more weeks until they do the next ultrasound. They're hoping to be able to tell us them if they cooperate."

"Have you started thinking about names at all?"

"You sound like Tom." I laugh, "Not officially but we've discussed a couple ideas. Come on lets go back to the table before dad scares Tom off with more questions."