Comments | road_ahead: RP: Meet the Family

rar_stephen in road_ahead

RP: Meet the Family

Apr 21, 2009 08:29

Date: Tuesday, 21 November 1999 | Evening
Characters: Stephen Cornfoot, Cho Chang; Richard, Joan, Liam, Gretchen, and Joshua Cornfoot (NPCs)
Location: London
Status: Private
Summary: Stephen takes Cho to her first Cornfoot family dinner.
Completion: Complete

( You'll Love Them or Hate Them )

stephen cornfoot, place: london, november 1999, cho chang

Comments 31

rar_cho April 21 2009, 15:48:54 UTC

Cho knew Stephen was nervous. He had a habit of rubbing the back of his neck when he was uncertain about something. She was a little nervous herself. This dinner was more than just meeting his parents. She knew Stephen's unresolved issues with his parents could make this evening an unpredictable one. She also knew he was doing this for her.

She looked up at him when he asked if she was ready. "It's going to be okay, Stephen." She grinned when he reminded her about the signal for leaving early. "Yeah, either way though, maybe I can try some of that bourbon of yours as a nightcap when we get home." Hopefully the dinner would go well but she also looked forward to spending some time alone with Stephen later in the evening.

rar_stephen April 21 2009, 15:58:37 UTC

Stephen inhaled slowly and tried to concentrate on his breathing. In and out. In and out. His mind was racing until Cho mentioned having a nightcap with him when they got back to their flats. He grinned at her. "I'd like that," he said, and his stomach flip flopped at the idea of having her over at his place for a nightcap, which instantly made his mind veer down inappropriate alleyways. He cleared his throat. He leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

Then the door was flung open and his mother stood on the other side, smiling at them. Stephen could see his father standing the foyer just behind her. He set his jaw and tried to look somewhat pleased to be there.

rar_stephen April 21 2009, 16:06:26 UTC

"Stephen," Joan said and reached out to hug him. She didn't miss the fact that he stiffened in her arms. She wished it didn't disappoint her so greatly. When would her youngest son ever be like he was before? Stephen had never been affectionate, but he also had never been so cold.

She pulled away and took a look at his date. Joan hadn't known what to except when Stephen said he was bringing a date. Her first thought was that he was bringing a colleague not a date. But she could instantly tell from their body language that Stephen and young woman were definitely more than colleagues. Joan was surprised. She'd never known Stephen to take an interest in females, and this female was quite lovely.

She reached out her hands for the young woman and leaned to kiss her cheeks. "My, aren't you a lovely, tiny thing," she said. "Come in. Everyone is here. I'm Joan," she said to the young woman. "I'll introduce you to the family."

rar_cho April 21 2009, 16:27:45 UTC

Cho noticed Stephen's reaction to his mother's hug and felt for both of them. Their relationship had a long way to go towards healing, if it was even possible. While his mother looked her over, she darted a quick glance at Stephen to make sure he was okay.

She turned her attention to Stephen's mother who was cordial and gracious as she welcomed Cho. "Hello, Mrs. Cornfoot." She smiled at the compliment and nodded as Mrs. Cornfoot invited her inside. "Thank you for including me tonight." Cho hesitated to mention she had already met Stephen's sister and brothers. She thought it best just to wait for the formal introductions.

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rar_stephen April 22 2009, 16:58:31 UTC

Joan glanced at the table and saw she'd forgotten the three opened bottles of wine in the kitchen. She slid her hair back and smiled across the table at Cho. "Would you mind helping me, Cho?"

rar_cho April 22 2009, 17:40:49 UTC

Cho looked up when Mrs. Cornfoot asked for her help in the kitchen. "Yes, of course." She did her best to quietly reassure Stephen that she could handle the situation before she followed his mother out of the room.

She smiled at Stephen's mother as they entered the kitchen. "You have lovely home, Mrs. Cornfoot."

rar_stephen April 22 2009, 17:53:48 UTC

Joan smiled at Cho. She's well mannered, she thought. Good upbringing, I'm sure. "Thank you, Cho. It wasn't our first home in London, and it'll likely not be our last, but Richard and I like it just fine for now. With the children grown and out of the house, we don't need as much space as we once did."

Joan handed one opende wine bottle to Cho before she grabbed the other two. "I must say that it's great to see Stephen. At least tonight. He can be a bit distant, as I'm sure you know," she said, smiling yet not quite feeling the emotion. "You seem to calm him a bit though, and that's encouraging. Family is very important to us, and we don't like to--we don't like to have individuals not wanting to participate. We don't ask much--just a family dinner once a week. I'm sure your family enjoys seeing you, too." Joan tried to smile again.

rar_cho April 22 2009, 19:42:43 UTC

She nodded as Stephen's mother talked about her home. "I imagine it would require more room to raise four children." She smiled, "I've two older brothers myself. I came along a little later for my parents. My brothers are seven and nine years older than me so by the time I went to Hogwarts, they were already grown ( ... )

Thread 10