Overall, it went well. Mostly because Hannah's first impression of Wellard (safe, reliable, sober) was thankfully shared by her mom. Wellard knowing to call her "Ms. Denenberg" instead of "Mrs Griffith" also helped quite a bit.
Wellard was prepared for most of the questions Steph asked- where he was from ("London"), where he and Hannah met ("Vermont"), why he was out in Neptune ("Looking at colleges"), and what he planned to study ("Engineering"). The rather forward question of what exactly his plans were with Hannah before and after the dance took him a bit by surprise, though Wellard did have answers, and they were good enough to ease Steph's concerns.
He did miss out on the 1802 version of this ritual, but even Wellard can figure that Meeting Her Parents has not changed at all.
"Ms. Denenberg" is, actually, fairly charmed. He's polite, well-spoken, and she's reasonably certain that he won't be the cause of anything she'd have to ground Hannah for.
So she doesn't mind all that much when Hannah calls down the steps for help, even though she suspects it is as much about interrupting the interogation as it is about having trouble with a zipper.
In fact, if he steps out of the living room and into the foyer now, he should see her, in a long gold dress and a shawl that he should recognize over her shoulders.
Opportune moments are usually far from such things. But, this is a different sort of moment.
With Hannah holding the box, Wellard undoes the ribbon holding it shut. He opens it, taking out one of the two corsages inside- dark pink rosebuds, brilliant blue statice, the usual white baby's breath, backed by dark green leaves- and carefully tucks it into Hannah's hair.
"Considering that you're lovely, of course." He smiles faintly, taking out the last corsage- the larger one, and carefully slips it onto Hannah's wrist.
She catches his hand, laces her finger through his, but whatever response she might have made is lost by her mother's decision that it's time to remind them they're not alone.
There are, after all, rather a lot of pictures still to be taken.
Wellard was prepared for most of the questions Steph asked- where he was from ("London"), where he and Hannah met ("Vermont"), why he was out in Neptune ("Looking at colleges"), and what he planned to study ("Engineering"). The rather forward question of what exactly his plans were with Hannah before and after the dance took him a bit by surprise, though Wellard did have answers, and they were good enough to ease Steph's concerns.
He did miss out on the 1802 version of this ritual, but even Wellard can figure that Meeting Her Parents has not changed at all.
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So she doesn't mind all that much when Hannah calls down the steps for help, even though she suspects it is as much about interrupting the interogation as it is about having trouble with a zipper.
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Though now that means there is no distraction while Wellard paces the livingroom, toying with the ribbon tying the corsage box closed.
Surely it will not be too much longer?"
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In fact, if he steps out of the living room and into the foyer now, he should see her, in a long gold dress and a shawl that he should recognize over her shoulders.
Surely, he didn't mind waiting for that.
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Of course he recognizes the shawl. Or Wellard would, if he had eyes for anything other than the vision of loveliness as a whole.
"You're beautiful."
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"Thank you."
She kisses him on the cheek and very lightly.
"Very handsome."
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"Thank you, as well." Quietly.
And whatever else may have come of that moment gets rather lost, as the flash from the camera startles Wellard.
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"Sorry," says Hannah's mother, "you just looked so . . ." she trails off, because she's not sure what the word she wants here is.
Her daughter shrugs. "It's all right. Good to have pictures. We just weren't expecting the flash."
Steph looks amused. "Yes," she said. "That much I could see."
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Wellard smiles faintly, then holds the corsage box out to Hannah.
"Ah. This should match your dress, then."
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Hannah's smile is not at all faint, when she takes the box.
"Thank you. It's lovely."
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With Hannah holding the box, Wellard undoes the ribbon holding it shut. He opens it, taking out one of the two corsages inside- dark pink rosebuds, brilliant blue statice, the usual white baby's breath, backed by dark green leaves- and carefully tucks it into Hannah's hair.
"It would have to be, considering."
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"Considering what?"
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There are, after all, rather a lot of pictures still to be taken.
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