Meeting the Parents

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"All right," I said softly. "I'm here for you, it's going to be all right."

[Isra Varousse]

I drew back enough so that I could rest my forehead against his. “I love you,” I whispered. “I love you so much.”

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"I love you too," I murmured in reply. "So very much."

[Isra Varousse]

The commotion continued in the kitchen and I felt the peace of home and love easing my tension. My fingers stroked the back of his hand.

“I can’t wait until we have time to just be with each other and be happy.”

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

I nodded. "Just think of it," I said. "Our own home, where we can just be who we are, together. A home to decorate, eat, sleep, make love in, and gods willing, raise children in. It's going to be a beautiful future."

[Isra Varousse]

His words caused me to smile. “I couldn’t hope for anything more.” Leaning in, I kissed him tenderly.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

I returned her kiss, in time to hear a throat being cleared. Isra's mother was standing there with a platter of what looked like steaming dumplings. "I thought you might be hungry, so I made some samosas," she said, smiling gently.

"Oh, thank you madam," I said, standing up to accept the plate before looking at Isra quizzically. "What's a samosa?" I whispered.

[Isra Varousse]

“Thank you Mama,” I said, smiling at her as she gave me a little wink and then headed back to the kitchen.

“They are dumplings,” I said, taking the plate from Pierre and motioning for him to sit by me again. “Mama makes them with vegetables and spices. I would guess she probably didn’t make them as spicy as usual for you.”

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"Oh," I said, laughing. "How do you eat them?"

[Isra Varousse]

Still smiling, I picked up one of the samosas and dipped the corner of it in little cup the yogurt sauce then held it up for him to take a bite of. “Like this,” I told him. Ah gods, this felt so nice, being with him here, doing something as simple as introducing him to samosas.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

I opened my mouth and dutifully took a bite. The yogurt sauce cooled the warm contents of the samosa, and the outside crunched delightfully while the inside was soft. The entire thing tasted of vegetables and potato and spices whose names I didn't know. "It's delicious," I said, when I had swallowed.

[Isra Varousse]

I smiled at his reaction, and then took a bite myself. They were very good, as usual.

“I am so glad you like them,” I told him. “More?”

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"Mmm," I said, "yes please." I chuckled. "Though you don't have to keep feeding me if you don't want to."

[Isra Varousse]

“I rather enjoy it, but it can wait until we’re alone,” I told him, smiling as I placed a couple more dumplings on a plate, added some sauce and handed them to him.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

I accepted the plate gratefully and dug in. "I think I could get used to this food," I told her.

[Isra Varousse]

His words made me smile as I finished a bite of my own. “That is nice to hear. Mama has taught me how to cook all the food she makes, I can prepare you a meal whenever you’d like.”

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"Of course, I keep meaning to plan for that," I said. "Tell you what, when we-" I lowered my voice "-move into the new house-" and raised it again, "-I will make sure you cook the inaugural meal in the new kitchen. You'll have to tell me all the special things you'll need, though."

[Isra Varousse]

The thought of us living together, made me smile wider. “I can do the shopping,” I told him.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"If you insist," I said. There would be servants to do the shopping, but whatever the lady of the house wants, goes.

I heard clinking and giggles in the kitchen and a miniature version of Isra popped out to tell us that dinner was ready and that we would be sitting down soon.

[Isra Varousse]

“Thank you Kalila,” I said, smiling as I saw her staring at Pierre. “Tell Mama we will be right there.”

She ducked back into the kitchen and I rose. “The table’s in the kitchen,” I told him, offering him my hand.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

I stood and took her hand, letting her lead me to the kitchen. Kalila was already at the table, and Isra's mother was putting the finishing touches on the dishes of food. "Everything smells delicious, Mme. Varousse," I said politely.

"Why thank you, m'lord" she said.

"Oh, please, Pierre," I said quickly.

"Only if you call me Barika," she said with a chuckle.

I moved to stand by a chair, and a moment later, I heard a voice in the other room. "Where are my beautiful women?" it called. "Where are my daughters?"

"In here, Papa!" called Kalila, and a moment later, a man who could only be Isra's father entered the room.

[Isra Varousse]

My sisters giggled and threw themselves at Papa. He laughed in return and hugged them all at once. Then he straightened up and gave Mama a kiss on the cheek.

Next, his eyes turned to me, sliding immediately to Pierre. “Isra, who have you brought to dinner?” he asked, tone still light but a little cautious.

“This is Pierre, Papa,” I said, stepping just a little to the side so that the two could face each other.

“Pierre, this is my father Mikal Varousse, Papa this is Prince Pierre de Somerville.”

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

I stepped forward and put out my hand. "Such an honor, sir. I have long wished to meet you."

[Isra Varousse]

I held my breath as I watched my father look Pierre over. For all I was a free woman, if Papa did not approve of Pierre it would tear my family apart.

Then, my father took Pierre’s hand and shook it, smiling. “And I have long wanted to meet the man who has stolen my daughter’s heart.” He chuckled and then gestured to the table. “But come, let us eat first.”

The air rushed out of my lungs and I almost felt faint. Smiling, I took Pierre’s hand and led him to the table. “He likes you,” I whispered.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

I tried not to be too audible as I sighed with relief. "I'm glad," I whispered back, before taking my seat.

[Isra Varousse]

Once Pierre was seated, I helped Mama serve the meal. There was rice, of course, fish stewed in broth and spices, chapattis, and seasoned vegetables. I knew that Mama was probably going to chide me later for not having given enough notice for a proper meal, but I knew that Pierre would be enchanted by all the new food here.

Once all the dishes were on the table, I sat next to Pierre and gave him a smile.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

Isra and her mother served the food, and once they were seated (and once I had returned Isra's smile with a relieved one of my own), I waited for Isra's father to begin eating before beginning myself. "Everything is delicious, Mme.- Barika," I stammered.

[Isra Varousse]

“I’m very pleased that you like it, Pierre,” Mama said, smiling proudly. “Please don’t be afraid to ask if you need anything.”

I felt myself relaxing further and growing hopeful for the future the longer we were all together.

Leaning towards Pierre, I whispered, “If anything is too spicy, just let me know and I’ll get you something cool to drink.”

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

I coughed as a chili touched the back of my tongue and I reached hastily for the mug in front of me. "I think I'll be fine," I said, trying not to wheeze. "Thank you."

[Isra Varousse]

My sisters giggled at Pierre and I gave them a look before I filled another mug for him, this one with a cooling mango drink. “Here, try this,” I offered, smiling at him.