Rebecca and Susan were looking at each other with looks of understanding and compassion, Susan's hand still on Rebecca's arm as a comforting gesture. That is when Anthony and his father walked out of the kitchen, witnessing this scene. Both men were a bit confused as to what had happened between them, and Anthony decided to ask as he slowly approached the two. "What is going on with you two? Why are you staring at each other like that?"
Susan got startled and sat back up straight as she quickly wiped away the traces of her tears while saying, "Nothing". Rebecca just smiled at Anthony and responded with, "Nothing that concerns you, or your father for that matter. Just a bonding moment between a mother and her daughter-in-law. That is all." While Richard needed no further clarification than the "nothing" he had received from his wife, and had sat down next to her, Anthony glanced back and forth between his mother and fiancé before letting out a soft chuckle as he accepted the not knowing. He too sat down and put his arm around Rebecca before he said, "Very well. Keep your secrets. As long as you are getting along, keep all the secrets you want and like."
Susan then remarked, "Good to know, but just remember dear, you came here for our blessing, not the other way around. I will keep secrets from you with or without your approval." Anthony was stunned by his mother's words, while Rebecca laughed and his father just quietly smiled as he let out a soundless snort. Anthony then turned towards his father and asked, "Dad, are you just going to let her talk to your son like that." But Richard shrugged his shoulders and said, "Don't drag me into this. Just like you aren't a match for your mother, neither am I. It is best to just accept your loss and move on."
His mom just added, "Nice try", before folding her arms over each other and revealing a smug smile, while Rebecca didn't know how to hold back her laughter. When Anthony turned to look at her, she just said, through the remnants of her laughter and while trying to catch a breath, "Don't look at me. I certainly am not going against your mother. I am in the middle of winning her favour. I think you should just listen to your father and move on."
Having exhausted every option of support, Anthony signed himself to his fate and through his arms up in the air before letting them fall back down as he said, "Guess I am moving on then". This caused another round of laughter to ensue, but fortunately for Anthony, it didn't last too long.
After her talk with Susan, Rebecca was feeling more and more at ease around Anthony's parents, almost feeling like she was at home at their place. She participated more and more in the conversations and managed to find some bonding topics with Richard as well. Conversations continued over dinner and went on until well into the night. When Rebecca began to lean against Anthony more and let out a soft yawn, Anthony felt that their time to head out had arrived.
He got up and helped Rebecca off the couch as well, which his parents mimicked by standing up as well. Susan asked, "Are you heading home? It is already so late. You should spend the night and head back tomorrow." But Anthony shook his head before he said, "That won't be necessary." He then turned to both of his parents as said, "Mom, dad,", and then thanked them for the events of the day, "thank you for dinner and for giving us your blessings. We will be heading out for tonight, but we won't be heading home. We have a room at the hotel down the street and we will be in town for the next couple of days, so you might see more of us. But for now it is indeed time to call it a night. It is already midnight and Rebecca hasn't slept very well because she was feeling a worried about meeting you two."
This last sentence caused Anthony to get a jab to the ribs from Rebecca who continued to smile, while feeling a bit embarrassed at being 'exposed' by Anthony's unnecessary revelation. Realizing yet again, just how clueless her husband-to-be could be at time. This caused Richard and Susan to laugh, before Susan said, "That's okay dear. It is normal to be nervous about meeting your in-laws for the first time. Pay no mind to Anthony. He has always been a bit clueless about these things in these situations. Just jab him harder until he learns." With a wink she added, "If you ask me, that is what elbows are for." Rebecca smiled a bit shyly, while Anthony rubbed the spot where Rebecca's elbow had landed. They said goodbye again, before stepping inside the car an heading to the hotel.