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Post by Felicity Hjort on Oct 18, 2008 0:30:28 GMT -5
As the young man placed the pudding in her refrigerator, Meadow started digging through her goody stash, knowing she had placed a number of sweets there over the past week. The boy's noises hadn't missed her ears, as well practiced as they were for a stomach on the prowl, she started setting out a few cookies she had, a half a strip of brownies, a square of mincemeat cake, apple crisps she'd experimented with that passed weekend, and a bit of sweetroll bread.
"Now, don't you do another thing in this kitchen until you've eaten your way through a bit of this. I heard that stomach of yours and there's no need to try and hide it. You know I've always got something sitting about my kitchen when your here. And dinner won't be for quite a while yet, lunch is still another hour and half if not a bit longer, and Felicity won't be home until just before dinner is served, so quite those pangs with a bit of this and I'll finish my dishes and get started on a bite or two for lunch."
Turning back to her sink she finished up the few pieces of silverware that were left before she dried her hands and pulled down two tall glasses and filled them with milk. Taking a seat at the counter, having pulled up a barstool that sat in the corner, she turned to Drew with another warm smile. "Why don't you tell me a bit about your parents. I know Ib had you tell him about them when you first stopped by, but you haven't really said a whole lot about them since. Speak up," she told him, grabbing one of her cookies and dipping it in her glass of milk.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Oct 18, 2008 1:42:47 GMT -5
"I can help," he offered again, feeling bad about sitting around while Mrs. Hjort did all the work. He loved being fussed over by her, but he couldn't help but feel guilty considering she wasn't feeling well and really shouldn't have to entertain him.
But the dishes seemed to be done and as she sat down in front of a glass of milk, he felt better about stopping for a snack. He took a seat and eyed the layout expectantly, his stomach gurggling again in anticipation.
"Thank you," he told her, taking a cookie as well and pulling the second glass of milk closer towards him. She wanted to know about his parents, but he wasn't sure what to tell her. He had pretty much covered the basics.
"They're doing okay," he said, not exactly sure what else to say. "They're back in London and said they were going to stick around for another week or so before heading home."
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Oct 18, 2008 1:52:16 GMT -5
"Don't worry, I'll be putting you to work as I do every time you stop in," she told him teasingly with a slight laugh. She still wasn't sure what was for dinner that night, other than dessert, but she'd rustle up something, she always managed to. And lunch, that had been the furthest from her mind, though she thought maybe she could take out her wand and whip up a bit of egg salad for a simple bite and they could garnish with a side salad, maybe some fruit, she was sure there were oranges somewhere in that cavernous refrigerator of hers.
Taking a bite from her softened chip cookie, she waited for the young man to explain a bit about his parents, nodding politely as he spoke.
"They are back here then? Good, good," she answered with a smile. "And I suppose that means Felicity'll be taking off some night from here to have dinner with you? At least, I believe that was the plan?" Though in all honesty, the older woman wouldn't mind meeting them herself in the least bit. "Or maybe your parents would like to come by here some time this week if their schedule isn't too busy and we can all have dinner together? Well..." she paused a moment. "Not all of us, I'd be shipping a number off elsewhere to have dinner so the house wouldn't be quite so full, no need to scare your parents with all of us."
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Oct 20, 2008 20:59:03 GMT -5
Drew smiled, always willing to help when he came over to the Hjort's. He was sure his own parents would make some sort of comment about him not being helpful at home, but it was kind of different when it was your own family rather than your girlfriend's. It didn't seem like work, it just seemed nice to do.
The plan had always been, when his parents returned to London, that he would invite Felicity to dinner. "Yes ma'am," Drew answered before she continued and invited them over for dinner at the Hjort house. He knew his parents were anxious to not only meet Felicity, but her mom and dad as well, but Drew wasn't sure if everyone meeting at once was such a great idea. Then again, perhaps certain people would be so worried about making their own good impression that they wouldn't start insinuating that someone else was a gold digging floozy.
He still wasn't sure about that, but he didn't want to be rude to Mrs. Hjort and blow off the invitiation. "I think they'd like to do that," he told her honestly. He just wasn't sure he wanted to do that.
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Oct 21, 2008 0:15:18 GMT -5
It was good. For Felicity to meet her boyfriend's parents finally. Normally, Meadow and Ib would've been in contact long before to check in on things, but as his parents lived quite a bit away, they didn't have to worry about their little girl sneaking off in the middle of the night, having to check in on them at his place. In fact, both Hjort's had rather liked that she had only just met his Aunt, that way all activity was kept at their home, other than the occasional night out they allowed for.
Actually, Meadow had introduce Ib to her parents on his request right after their third date, and Felicity and Drew had been together over a year and it wasn't right for them not to know one another.
"We'd like it, too. After all, the two of you are becoming quite serious from my understanding..." the older woman pulled out carefully. Felicity might not tell her everything, but she hadn't ever been good with hiding things either, and her lying needed much work, like Meadow's did. But just the ring alone was more than enough notice of how things seemed to be going for them.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Oct 21, 2008 0:35:49 GMT -5
He had a feeling she would say that, and he knew that the meeting was long overdue. The problem was that the longer he waited to introduce his folks to Felicity, the harder it became. When they had been just friends going out, it might not have been such a big deal, but back then, there hadn't seemed to be a need. Sure, he had met her folks back then, but it was because he was picking her up at her house and all.
Now that things were pretty serious, and it was clear that the Hjorts had a clue how serious, he knew he could no longer put off the meeting. Felicity would be meeting his parents before she boarded the train for Hogwarts again.
And now the Hjorts wanted to meet his parents and his parents wanted to meet the Hjorts. Drew could just imagine the four of them going on about how he and Felicity were too young to be so serious. And if his mom brought up her suspicions of physical activity, Drew was sure he was going to die.
"Y... yes ma'am," Drew answered, hoping to the stars that Mrs. Hjort didn't have the same false assumptions. He wouldn't lie to the woman if she started asking questions, but the good news was there wasn't much he would have to lie about.
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Oct 21, 2008 1:07:10 GMT -5
Meadow hadn't ever been one to pry too deeply, but then again her other daughters had all grown up around her, they'd dated boys Meadow had watched over for years, she was there to mend their broken hearts, fix their hair for new dates, watch them nervously look in the mirror for one last look before being lead out for dinner by a boy they thought they loved. With Felicity, the most she really got to experience were the leftovers, other than the initial meeting of Drew. She had all ready had her first date with him, her first kiss, her first heart break, and it was all without the older woman. If Felicity found it embarrassing to talk to her about, how could she know just how serious it all was?
Andrew's answer didn't surprise her, his own nerves shining through in his vocal chords. But was it a good nervousness, or...?
"Felicity was awfully excited by the gift you gave her this year for Valentine's Day. The only time I've seen it anywhere but her finger is when she wears it on the chain of the necklace you also gave her while at work, and when she's just come out of the shower, she's slipping it on her finger again." It was merely observation, but there wasn't much that truth could be covered by. "She actually reminds me of how I was when Ib and I were first dating."
The truth of the matter was, Meadow had been trying for a while to get him to notice her, but it'd taken quite a bit of time, his head in the clouds over a blonde woman that also shopped at the same store. What her question was, did he think of Felicity as the one to allow his head to be in the clouds over until something happened and snapped him back to reality, or was Felicity who Meadow had been, the one to bring him into reality?
"She's also told me that you two have things...figured out?" she inquired, using her youngest child's words. "For this year, while she's in Hogwarts, and for afterward as well? At least until she's ready to return home?" And ready was when Drew was done with Academy according to the blonde.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Oct 21, 2008 21:22:47 GMT -5
To say that Drew was nervous would have been an understatement. He was well aware that both sets of parents thought they were too young to be worrying about some of the stuff they had discussed and really didn't want to set Felicity up for a lecture after he left that evening. On top of that, the direction Mrs. Hjort was going with her questioning was making him uneasy. When his mom started going down this path, she usually ended up with a discussion on sex.
"Yes, ma'am," he answered, looking directly at her and bracing himself for a lecture of some sort. "I'm going to visit her whenever I can and we're going to write during the inbetween times." He had a feeling Felicity was still worried about him and other girls, but he had no reason to go in that direction. He had found the girl he wanted and he was hers for as long as she wanted him. That's what his ring on her finger meant.
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Oct 21, 2008 22:51:16 GMT -5
Nodding, she wondered if it would really last that way. How many times had she heard about long distance relationships that failed due to lack of seeing one another? Writing connected two people, especially letter writing, but they were talking three years of doing just that. Writing and visiting whenever possible. What if when only was possible was once or twice a year? Would they be able to handle it? With as young as the two were, would they give in to thinking it was too hard to keep trying when there was more available lust around, whether it was what they craved or not? Being too young to be thinking too seriously, but at the same time, old enough by decree of their governments to do as they pleased as long as they remained law-abiding citizens. She herself had made a decision to leave school at the age of seventeen due to needing to care for her parents, but she took her NEWTs on her own accord, only passing a few because she hadn't had the chance and available resources to study the same materials as her peers.
"And this'll keep up for the next three years? Possibly longer if it takes that much time?" she asked feeling concerned. In her condition she didn't know the time, wouldn't allow the doctors to put a limit on the life left in her, but she wondered if three years would really work for them. If she wouldn't allow a time limit to be put on her, would they allow one on their relationship?
"What happens after that?" Had they discussed that far in the future? Did he have plans to one day ask for her hand in marriage? Would her daughter accept with as free spirited as she was? Where would they settle? There in England, or would she return with him to the United States of America?
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Oct 22, 2008 0:09:54 GMT -5
He heard the concern in his voice and had a feeling it wasn't so much about what they might be already doing, but how serious and committed he actually was. When she said it, three years seemed like a long time, but he knew he could do it if it meant being with Felicity in the end.
He also wondered if part of Mrs. Hjort's concern stemmed from the fact that she was sick. Was she concerned about her daughter's future because she might not be around to help her if there were troubles? It made sense if that was it.
"Yes, ma'am," he answered again, fiddling with his napkin as he wondered how much he should say. Again, he felt the truth was probably best. "Seven years ago, I set my mind on being an Auror. If I can do that, then I can do three years to be with Felicity. If she still wants me after that, I'm going to be here."
He paused and bit on his lip a little, nervous about being so open with Felicity's mom. He hoped Felicity didn't mind. "And after that... we're going to talk and make a new plan together," he told her softly, speaking carefully and studying his milk glass. "Whatever it is, I'm going to do everything I can to be with her and make sure she's safe and happy."
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Oct 22, 2008 0:35:32 GMT -5
While she admired his honesty and his trying nature, choosing a career and sticking to it was much different from choosing a love and sticking with the person and praying the person would stick with them. Felicity hadn't ever had experience dating around as her other daughters had, while the others had been allowed to go on group dates at thirteen, Ib hadn't even allowed that for Felicity at fifteen. But when she'd come home spieling about two dates she had, one with a friend and the other with a boy she liked, it had shocked all of them. The young blonde had never shown interest in boys, not even in movies they watched now and again, she just wasn't interested in the dating aspect of being young. And now, with the same boy she'd had her first date with, she was still with him and planning to be years from now. All was good and well, but it was her first love. What about letting others get to know her and letting her see if there was anyone else out there for her?
Meadow wasn't worried about Drew's devotion to her youngest daughter, Ib did enough of that for both of them, but she was worried about Felicity's devotion to Andrew.
"Planning is good," she spoke softly, knowing how plans could take bad turns. "And I hope you know, whatever plans you and she make together, I approve of." The woman wanted him to know she trusted and respected him, all he'd done for her daughter, for his company, for who he was. There was little doubt that their relationship was on the level her husband thought it was at, and while there was that chance, seeing the two of them together she didn't think it was possible.
True, they were nearly attached at the hip on most occasions, but there was something so innocent in the way they smiled at one another, looked at each other, touched each others arm or hands, that she doubted anything had happened between them. And even if something had, she was more than sure Felicity was well prepared, after the amount of talks they'd all had with her, she was quite sick of hearing about such talk.
"I do like you Andrew, and I know Ib does as well, and I'm quite fond of your being with my Lissy."
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Oct 22, 2008 1:21:15 GMT -5
He had seen no evidence whatsoever that Mr. Hjort liked him. To the contrary, everytime Felicity's dad even looked at him, Drew was convinced the man was plotting his demise and only needed to figure out how to dispose of the body.
But when Mrs. Hjort said it, Drew believed it. The man had a funny way of showing it, but if Mrs. Hjort said her husband liked him, it had to be so. It made him feel good to know that Felicity's parents felt that way, and even more so that her mother approved of them being together.
"I'm pretty fond of me being with her too," he answered back with a crooked smile. He had been worried he was in for a lecture and instead he got somewhat of a blessing. It was a relief.
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Oct 22, 2008 21:20:11 GMT -5
Giving into a gentle laughter, the woman patted his arm. There weren't a lot of extremely kind and innocent people in the world, and Felicity was lucky to have found one. Especially one for a first love and boyfriend. However, not every first love lasted and she could only hope if it didn't that Felicity would find someone just as kind and sweet and safe as the boy she was currently with.
"You've been good to her, you know," she commented before taking a drink of milk. "I really couldn't have asked for anyone else for her to meet and fall in love with that would be any better. From what I've been told and observed, you've been very good to her, patient and kind and that's exactly what she needs."
It was how Ib had always been with their daughter. The patience he'd never shown any of the other children, the kind fondness and attention he'd insisted on giving her and calling to her, pushing her to do more than she wanted, and still having her turn out to be a sweet young lady. Fiery at times, but good.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Oct 27, 2008 1:29:08 GMT -5
"She's been patient with me too," Drew answered, knowing he could sometimes be difficult to deal with. He and Felicity had worked through their share of arguments and misunderstandings, but he felt they always came out stronger together in the end. He was sure that anyone else would have given up on him a long time ago.
He took another bite of cookie, washing it down with his milk, before speaking again. "Thanks for having that much confidence in me," he said quietly, feeling honored by her compliments. "Thanks for letting me see her... court her. That's what my aunt calls it. I kind of like that way of putting it." Drew gave an embarassed smile and studied his plate a moment. The term was old-fashioned, but seemed so much closer to what was going on than any other word. Dating just didn't seem to do it justice.
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Nov 1, 2008 20:31:32 GMT -5
Showing another gentle smile the woman nodded once more. Felicity had actually seemed to have calmed down quite a bit since having started dating the young man before her. It was nice, even if she had always loved Felicity's spark. But toning it down a bit would help her out more in life, and maybe if things didn't work out well with Drew she'd find someone like him enough that had the patience to test her out and keep her from anything harmful.
"Courting?" she asked gently, a smile touching her voice. "It is a nice way of putting it I supposed. Dating to me always sounded wrong. After all, you would think dating meant dates constantly, Ib and I often spent the night in at my home and cooked dinner for my siblings and just watched a movie for the night, not a real date. After all, how can it really be a date if you're babysitting on the side, right?" Though, they considered it dating as he loved her brother and sister as much as he loved her. It was one of the things that made her fall so hard for the man. "I'm sure Felicity would like that term too, because she always explains to her friends she's going to spend time with her boyfriend if they ask her over and the two of you have plans, even if you're going out for dinner or lunch, she hardly calls is 'going on a date'. It's always, 'I'm spending time with my boyfriend'. Really, it's quite nice."
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