Your father won't be happy
I know, but he'll still love me
Her mother held the cream coloured tablecloth at one end, Jackilyn the other, and with a little shake, the air gathering beneath it to balloon it up for a moment, between them both it was laid out without a crease to be seen upon the long dining table.
Why now?
Because you are here now Ma, and he asked about meeting you.
Jackilyn placed a shallow vase of late blooming wildflowers in the centre of the table, mostly white and mixed with ivy, along with some sprigs of snowberries. Soon, the table was set, even the family silverware which was on loan, not the humble things she would use from day to day, graced the cloth to make it look as if it were to be a banquet fit for a king. The candles would reflect upon every gleaming surface, the only thing missing was the platters of food yet to be put out
It's too much ain't it..? Jackilyn said to herself
Nonsense! You've done your mother proud, and he'd be a damned fool if he wasn't impressed. Why all the fuss though? Your father would have been happy with a meat pie wrapped in a cloth hanky when we were courting!
He would be too, he's not expecting this, don't even know if he'll like this. I ain't ever had a lad want to meet me family, which be scary in a way, and I just wanted to show that I could do other things, other than just make pots and drink an ale, that I can dress all pretty like, cook, be proper, I also wanted to give me mum a treat and a thank you, you know, for everything?
Lillyann turned away to wipe her eye, for some reason more overcome with emotion than her daughters words should have made her. Sniffing away the sudden soppy feelings, she looked back at her child, pulling her into a warm, motherly embrace before holding her then at the shoulders.
Oh don't be so wet! You don't need to be thanking me for anything girl, is a mothers duty to care for their young! Now, tell me more about this lad before he arrives so there ain't any surprises. Is he tall? short? one leg? does he have a good job? where does he live?
Jackilyn suddenly looked a bit overwhelmed as she was met with a barrage of questions, though does her best to answer, even if the truth was ever so slightly pushed to one side in regards to some things.
Ummm, he be very tall, like I come just about up to his shoulder and that is it, dark hair, err, been through the wars a bit if you get me meaning, you know..scars and all, but they don't make him horrible looking or anything. Err..He be a bit older than I am, can read, knows plenty, like..a libraries worth of plenty, knows other languages, good at drawing and umm, is a hunter, aye.
Lillyann just looked at her child, nodding along with every part of the description until she came to the mans profession, a hunter, to which she intervened
I suppose it be a dangerous job, which would explain the scars, but, what would a hunter be doing with all them languages and things? Unless he speaks bear and wolf!
The young woman chuckled and shrugged
Maybe he does?! But, he be kind to me Ma, protective, says things that makes me think, he's patient, said I were his favourite distraction.
Jackilyn smiled all the more at her last words, leaving her mother with a queer smile of her own as to why her daughter would think that to be something worth such a grin. The girl noticed, and explained.
Everything he be doing feels right, like what I were going through were all wrong before. He don't get angry with me or frustrated, he wants me company, wants me to look at his books and maps, teaches me things, things I ain't ever imagined, takes me places and lets everyone know that he be proud I am with him. He likes me friends, he wants to know me family, he wants people to know we be seeing one another. He's kind, he don't make me feel like I be walking on eggshells, he'll tell me not so much if he thinks I am wrong but how to look at things differently, he lets me be me.
Lillyann laughed quietly, then asked
But do you love him child?
Jackilyns mouth fell open a bit, the question throwing her, yet it made her blush crimson
I ain't putting the cart before the horse Ma, one day at a time. I opened me heart once and look where that got me? I ain't going to jinx this.
Her mother quickly asked..
Does he want children?
Ma!!
