Happy to help

After Anthony explained to his parents what the reason for Rebecca's tears were, which she confirmed through her wordless nods, questions for Rebecca came pouring one by one. Anthony's parents were filled with questions for their soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Every parent waits for this day with joyful anticipation, and for them that day had now arrived very suddenly. So, they had to make this meeting count in every way imaginable. Not only did they have to make their very best impression on Rebecca, they had to make her feel at home in their home, and find out all they can about her in order to make up for the period of time they had not known her.

After an hour or two of being questioned by Anthony's parents, Rebecca began to feel quite tired and overwhelmed by all the attention. But despite feeling this way, and feeling a bit tired, she didn't dislike it. She enjoyed the warm way she had been received, and all the interest his parents were having in her likes and dislikes. All their questions, stories from Anthony's childhood and the endless stream of snacks and drinks she was being served in that short amount of time, had made her feel quite loved by them. As if she had been part of their family for years already and they hadn't just met her today. Not only that, it had been quite some time since she had stopped feeling worried and anxious. How could she feel any of those things when they had done everything short from adding them to their family registry right then and there.

Rebecca had actually enjoyed herself quite a lot during their visit of Anthony's parents so far, and from all their stories, and watching them interact, she had gotten a pretty good idea of the type of warm home Anthony had grown up in. As she watched the photo's from one of the many albums Susan had brought down to show Rebecca, she looked over at Anthony with a loving stare, which he answered with a smile and a gentle squeeze in her hand. A moment that wasn't missed by either Susan or Richard. She looked at her husband with a gleeful smirk on her face, while he chuckled soundlessly in response, each of them recalling the earlier days of their relationship.

The afternoon passed by like this and soon the time for dinner had come. Rebecca was asked by Susan if she would mind helping her in the kitchen, but Richard quickly intercepted and said, "Nonsense dear. Of course Anthony and I will be doing the cooking tonight. You two just sit here with your legs raised on the pouf, have another cup of tea and chat some more." But while Rebecca started off by saying, "A-are you sure? I am happy to help", Anthony's mother didn't have any trouble accepting her husband's offer at all. She didn't even question it and just said, "Don't mind if I do", as she did exactly what he said, put her feet on the small pouf and leaned back on the soft, long couch.

Both Anthony and his father chuckled at Susan's response, while Rebecca looked at them shocked. Not expecting such a reaction from the woman she had spent the past few hours with. Before heading off to the kitchen, Richard leaned down and gave his wife a kiss on the lips and said, "Enjoy", as he handed her another steaming cup of tea. Being his father's son, Anthony made his way across the room to where Rebecca was standing, ready to obtain a kiss of his own before getting ready to cook their dinner alongside his father. He chuckled softly and gently pressed Rebecca back down on the couch, which was side across from the couch where his mom was seated. Once she was sitting, he whispered with a smile, "It's okay. My dad likes to cook and so do I". Rebecca let out a soft breath before she smiled and nodded.

Anthony felt that having reassured her, it was now time to put Rebecca into a frenzy with his next move. He bent forward a bit more and then pressed a kiss on her forehead. In his mind, he had already been mindful by stopping there. Not wanting to push it by going for the lips in front of his parents. But his current action already managed to earn him a startled look from his future wife. A look that made Anthony chuckle once more, which he hid behind his closed fist. He then turned around and followed his dad to the kitchen, while Rebecca's hand moved on its own to touch the spot his lips touched, as she stared at his back with a dazed look.

Rebecca had to snap back quickly because her dazed look and staring, along with Anthony's evident amusement, caused another member of Anthony's family to laugh, his mother. Susan chuckled softly, but it was loud enough for Rebecca to hear and be pulled back to reality. She smiled a bit awkwardly as she pushed some hairs behind her ears and sat up straight. Seemingly far less comfortable than Susan in the current situation. A change between them which Susan hoped to reduce further and further, until Rebecca too could just let the men cook as she sat back and relaxed.