made for me [eloise]

"Mother, we're here!" Dorian called as he swung open the door to his childhood home with one hand and held Eloise's hand with his other.

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon and the Delerues were all gathering together to support his older brother Thomas. He was receiving an award today from his company for his achievements in the past few years of working there and Thomas had even hinted at a promotion. Families of every employee had been invited to the picnic on company grounds complete with food, music, dancing, and carnival games. Dorian was happy for his brother and was sure he was going to have a nice time, except for the fact that he would have to spend some extended time around horses...

His curly brown hair flopped over his forehead and he pushed the locks back with one hand as he meandered down the hallway towards the kitchen where he found his mother Maria in a pale blue dress and cardigan. He was dressed up today.. or at least dressed up in his terms. A pair of dark grey slacks and a light blue button up shirt and a black fedora. She smiled bright at him and pulled him in to kiss both cheeks before turning to do the same for El. Dorian smiled sweetly at the sight of his mother and Eloise as he pulled out a stool from the breakfast bar and perched on the edge. It had not even been a week since Dorian had sat at this table and talked to his mother about Eloise. They had always been close, his mother and him, and she had met Eloise before now, but in a moment of deep feeling, Dorian told his mother everything, the depth of feeling he had for Eloise, the future he saw for them, his fears and self-doubt. It was on that day that his mother had suggested he bring Eloise along to this event and Dori was more than happy to do so when the idea was mentioned.

"How are you?" he asked his mother as he looked at her, reaching over and rubbing a hand over Eloise's shoulder. His mother gave him a knowing look as she glanced between Dorian and Eloise, but Dorian narrowed his eyes and smiled while shaking his head. He didn't want his mother acting weird around El just because of what he told her last week. But seeing that look in her eye made him nervous. He watched as his mother set her sights on his girl and in an attempt to distract her, he asked, "Are we meeting Thomas there?"

Maria smiled and nodded, mentioning how Thomas and his girlfriend were going to meet them there and that they would be going along shortly but Dori's father was still looking for his belt. She rolled her eyes in such a loving way that Dorian smiled along with her. But then Maria got this spark in her eye and Dori knew he was in trouble. "So Eloise, would you like to see some photos of Dorian from when he was younger? He was such a fat little baby," Maria said with a grin as Dorian groaned and protested.

"No, mother, she doesn't want to see them. Don't we have to get going? Eloise--" he said turning to her, "you really don't want to see them,' he said trying to convince her.

Eloise loved a good picnic.

She was both surprised and flattered that she was invited along to Thomas' big day. She did really want to go but felt like it might be a bit intrusive. She knew Thomas well. He was good friends with her older brother, Adrien. She was going to meet her boyfriend's parents today. Well…re-meet, she supposed. She'd spent time at this house before when their brothers were playing and so, she sat in the back garden with Dorian when he was younger. She wondered if his mother still smelt like flowers, if his father still had that porcelain duck in the bathroom and if there was still that tyre swing outside that she fell out of and broke her arm one summer's day.

Eloise squeezed Dorian's fingers as he entered through the front room and that was when it hit her; this place wasn't a house, it was a home. There was a distinct sense of excitement in the air. Her big green eyes looked around and she felt herself smiling. Goodness. When was the last time she'd been here? When she was twelve? The place still looked and felt the same.

As Dorian was embraced, she lingered by the doorway, not wanting to intrude but allowing herself to be pulled closer. She returned the embrace, a wide smile on  her face as she looked at his mum. Still beautiful, as she thought she'd be. "Hi Mrs. Delerue," Eloise said brightly. "You look amazing," she gushed. "And thank you so much for inviting me today." She'd agonised over what to bring with her. Her mother had always told her not to go to someone's house empty handed and so, she'd brought with her small bouquet of flowers which she held out for his mum to take. She'd bought them from a man on Rue Cler back in Paris.

The thin straps of her floral dress meant that she could feel the warmth of Dorian's fingers on her shoulder as she turned to smile at him. She could the look his mother gave and she cleared her throat and turned a delightful shade of pink and gave a soft giggle.

She wasn't nervous, she was more excited. His mum had always made her feel comfortable and she did hope that she didn't hate her now that she was dating her youngest son. Oh God. What if she thought she wasn't appropriate or good enough? She blushed again, suddenly feeling hot. She heard fumbling upstairs. His dad? Oh. Thomas was meeting them there. Whoops. She was getting tunnel vision.

Eloise laughed suddenly, all of her apprehension disappearing. A fat baby! She snorted, clapping a hand over her mouth as she reached out to stroke one of Dori's cheeks, amused by his apparent need to get away from the subject. "Oh but I think I really do," she told him with a slow grin, turning back to Maria. "Mrs. Delerue, I'd love to." Still giggling, she stepped away from her boyfriend and followed his mum into the living room where she sat and flicked through the proffered photo album. She came across a decidedly chubby little baby with three teeth in a bath, grinning and waving at the camera with a collection of bubbled covering his modesty and Eloise howled with laughter.

"He was a fat baby!" She exclaimed, gripping his mother's hand as she'd come to sit next to her, allowing the older woman to flip through the photos for her. Seeing Dorian grow up through cute photographs was amazing. From a baby in a bath to a bike-riding toddler with messy curls to a tall, strong teenager standing atop a mountain when he went travelling. Unable to help herself, she reached out and traced the pad of an index finger over the jaw of the photographed teenager and she sighed softly. She should have been on that mountain that day, too. She grinned again, flipping back to the photo of Dorian in the bath. "That's so cute," she giggled.

Leaving his mum on the sofa, she moved back over to Dorian as Maria went back into the kitchen. She took his hand and laughed again, leaning in to him closely. "You know," she whispered. "You and I are going to have to take a bath later and recreate that photo," she said softly, kissing his cheek before another figure arrived. "Mr. Delerue!" Eloise exclaimed with a sunny smile. "How are you? Have you lost weight?" She grinned. This family was amazing and she couldn't wait to get to that picnic. "I'm all set," she told the artist. "Do you need me to carry anything?"

Dorian smiled softly as Eloise presented his mum with the bouquet of flowers she had insisted on bringing even despite his reassurance that giving his mother something wasn't necessary. Maria was pleasantly surprised and joyfully grateful as she oohed and awwed, hugged Eloise and puttered around the kitchen looking for a vase. His mother levitated a vase down from a high shelf as she chattered about how pretty they were and how sweet Eloise was to bring them and how her son should bring her along every time he visits. Dorian shook his head at his mother but rested his chin on his hand as he watched his two favorite women.      

As his girl glanced at him, he rolled his eyes toward the heavens for her benefit,  as if to say 'see what I have to deal with every day'. He smiled at Eloise though, somewhat losing track of what his mother was saying as he looked at his blonde. He saw her expression change in some slight way and he wanted to frown in response. He knew she was a little nervous. She had spent more time than usual trying to look perfect. As if she didn't everyday. But instead he smiled at her, holding nothing back as he reached for and squeezed her hand gently. 

He leaned into her hand as she stroked his cheek and smiled at her, hoping beyond hoping that she wouldn't indulge his mother in her plan to embarrass him. He wasn't so lucky though. Dorian protested even though he was smiling, reaching out and trying to keep her from leaving, but watched as the two women made their way into the other room, his mother already starting in on the embarrassing stories. He hung his head for a moment before getting up off his stool and following after them. 

"Has Dorian told you that time when he grabbed his fathers wand and tried to cut his hair?" his mother was asking Eloise as they flipped through the photo album. Dorian groaned and tried to interrupt his mother but she shushed him with a look and continued on with the story as he tried not to die from blushing. "It was the summer before his first year and he was as so excited to start school with Thomas. But he ended up growing out his hair instead of cutting it. It grew down to his butt! Even I haven't had that lovely of a head of hair!" Maria went on as she laughed and laughed and Dorian perched on the edge of couch, pouting. 

When Eloise came over to him, he put his pout into full force and pulled her closer to him so she stood between his legs. When she came in close, he nuzzled his nose against her cheek and then caught himself grinning. "I could be persuaded to do that," he whispered back, his blue eyes dancing. 

Then with a flurry of activity, his father was downstairs and greeting Eloise, shaking Dorian's hand and clasping him on the shoulder, Maria was calling for his father to grab her sweater, and Dorian was following Eloise as they all made their way to the fireplace. His mother reminded him of the location before his parents each took their place and flooed away. Dorian scooted Eloise into the fireplace with a smile and kisses her briefly as he whispered, "see you in a minute."

Once she was gone in a lick of green flames, he took his place and flooed himself. With a cough and a splutter, he emerged at the other end in the rustic chic office where his brother worked. Stepping out of the fireplace, Dorian stretched out his hand, clasped Eloise's and said, "let's go find Thomas." 

Eloise felt wonderfully welcome. She happily hugged his mother back, knowing she was right to bring something along with her. After all, she'd been so kind as to open her home to her, it only seemed proper. This house was great. Despite the children growing and moving out, it was so full of love and warmth. Had she had the chance, she would have happily stayed longer but she knew they had another place to be. The petite blonde grinned, looking over at her boyfriend. "I'd love to visit again," she said earnestly, forgetting that Dorian might not want her to.

Her boyfriend's hand was calming as it touched her own. Her big green eyes flicked over to him, seeking reassurance. Her slim fingers slipped between his, her thumb running over one of his knuckled in slow, repetitive motions. This calmed her. He calmed her. Eloise wanted his parents to really like her. Maria must have known that she'd accidentally broken her son's heart in school so she was very wary in case she hated her. Not that she'd blame the older woman in the slightest. Still! She had time to charm the Delerues. Unless Dorian suddenly broke up with her. Oh crap.

"No," the blonde replied slowly, grinning at Dorian and arching an eyebrow. Then she laughed. High and tinkling, joining in with his mother at poking fun at the artist. "He did not!" She exclaimed, slapping her thigh as she howled. "Oh how cute! Do you have pictures?" She asked Maria keenly, laughing still as she warmly grasped the other woman's hand. "Imagine those curls," she gushed, grinning at Dorian brightly. She loved his curls. They were super soft and super cute. "That's so adorable," she said. She knew that when Dorian met her parents again, her mother would ridicule her. Eloise hadn't been a particularly graceful or feminine child. There was a photo on the Tessier mantelpiece of Eloise in a pair of dungarees, gap-toothed and covered in dirt, proudly holding up a handful of worms.

As he pulled, she  fell into him, her body colliding with his as she looped her arms around his neck for support. "I'm sorry," she said gently, enjoying the moment of intimacy when no one was around. "But did you really grow all that hair?" She asked with a grin, eyes sparkling, her awkwardness soon forgotten. "Mmm," she replied as her eyes slipped to a close, her fingers stroking the back of his neck as she momentarily indulged before cracking one eye open. "With a bottle of wine and lots of bubbles?" She asked, determined to make up for her bruising his ego in such a way.

Right! Action stations.

Eloise hated to floo. She doubted Dorian really knew that but he would now as she held back momentarily from entering the fireplace. She didn't like it. The noise, the sensation, the wobbly legs she got when she tried to clamber out of the other side. "Okay," the small blonde said, mustering up a brief smile at the kiss before she shot off. She spoke clearly but she was a bit worried that she would be misunderstood and end up separated from everyone.

Coughing, she stumbled out off the fireplace, eyes wide and with a small smudge of soot on her nose which went unnoticed. Hastily, Eloise set about brushing off imaginary bits of lint from the full skirt of her pretty dress and repairing the damage done to her hair by the gust of wind she'd endured. Looking around, she wondered if this was Thomas' office and if so, could she work here? She didn't have an office at school; she had a cubby hole. Eloise would be finished with her vet training in six months and she was currently looking for a job. She wanted to work in equine medicine like Thomas but she hadn't told Dorian. She knew he had equinophobia. She didn't really know why. Her horse, Patchwork, docile and sweet, had only taken a minor bite out of his camera the one time.

Smiling brightly, she was glad to see him and more glad still as he took her hand. Eloise followed him closely, walking briskly, keen not to be late. "This place is fancy," she told him gently, her eyes flicking back and forth as they walked before heading outside.

"Stables!" Eloise cooed, trying to make a break for it and stroke a horse before realising that Dorian still had a tight hold on her hand. The smell of manure, revolting to most people, didn't bother her much. The smell of hay was much stronger. "Aww look," she whispered, pointing to a broad black stallion who was being brushed. "Isn't he gorgeous?" She asked, craning her neck as she was swiftly pulled along before they came to the expansive grounds.

It was gorgeous. The weather was perfect. Warm, a light breeze and a cloudless blue sly. Eloise shielded her eyes from the sun as they walked, hearing the gentle sounds of laughter. It felt nice. Happy. She hadn't seen Thomas in almost five years now. She was willing to bet he hadn't changed. She remembered the Delerue brothers as having similar builds and curls. She also hadn't met Thomas' long-term girlfriend, either. "Are those mini burgers?" Eloise asked, spotting a pretty little platter and chewing her lip. "Yum. I think we need a blanket. And I got Thomas a card," she explained, holding out a pale yellow envelope. Ever thoughtful, it was just a little token to let him know she was very proud of him indeed.

"Come here," he whispered at her before they got too far, pulling Eloise closer with a cute smile on his face. He reached one hand up and gently rubbed the side of her nose with his thumb, erasing all traces of the soot that had gotten there. "Now let's go," he said again, gracing her nose with a swift kiss, before turning with her hand in his. Dorian murmured his agreement to her soft assesment of the place. It was fancy and the artist tried not to be to envious of his brother's success, but a lick of green weaved through him, wild and true.

Stables? His blue eyes quickly found Eloise's and he felt the pull of her on his hand, but he dug his heels, refusing to go that way. "I'm not going near the horses," Dorian said grumpily, a frown appearing between his eyes. She knew it, he knew it. Dorian didn't like horses. At all. Unless they were from a distance. He was still trying to convince Eloise to go into something not involving horses. Or at least he was secretly hoping she would. He didn't have enough guts to say it aloud to her for fear of tainting her dreams.

Luckily she followed along and they were on the grounds, safely away from the stables in no time. "I'm hungry," Dorian said with a nod toward the food. "Let's go get a plate." He got in line behind an elderly witch who was nitpicking at her husband and tried but nearly failed to stifle his laughter. He glanced sidelong to share an amused look with Eloise. "You got him a card?" he repeated as she mentioned it. "I didn't get him anything. Should I have gotten him something? I should have," Dorian asked and answered his own question and took his eyes to the sky. What an idiot. He worried his lip as he loaded up his plate with a mixture of foods; cucumber salad and a mini burger, finger sandwiches and little vegetable kabobs.

He really was hungrier than he remembered and he glanced around for an open table, but couldn't wait that long. Dorian had stuffed the entire mini burger into his mouth, his lips bulging with the bulk of food, just as a firm hand clasped him on the shoulder and a familiar voice greeted him. "Dorian! Mum and Dad told me you were here, good to see you!" His brother Thomas stood before him, striking and charming with a big white smile and a sharp suit. Thomas's gaze turned to Eloise and he leaned in to kiss her cheek as Dori awkwardly tried to chew his way through the burger he had just inhaled. Thomas looked at him with an amused smile and then shuffled to the side as a lithe, tall woman joined him.

Adrienne. Thomas's girlfriend. "Eloise, have you met my girlfriend Adrienne?" Thomas said introducing the two ladies.

"Eh?" Eloise asked intelligently, frowning as Dorian touched her face. She likes his hands. Artist's hands. They were large and warm and rough but not in an unpleasant sort of way. It probably came from years of holding paintbrushes. She rather liked that he smelt like cologne and faintly of turpentine. She offered a dippy grin as he removed the soot from her nose. She liked this. Those clandestine moments of peace they shared in the midst of other people. "Thank you," she said brightly.

Desperate to stoke a horse, Dorian's firm resistance had her staggering backwards towards him like a snapped elastic band. She blinked. "But why?" She groaned. She knew he'd had a bad experience when he was thirteen. He'd been flung off a horse and broken one of his arms. She chewed on her lower lip. Horses were great. So majestic. "I can't just go and touch one?" Eloise asked, giving a futile pull on his hand. He was holding her so tightly, there was no way she'd be able to leave. Not that she minded. A little bit of possessive behaviour was kinda sexy.

All traces of horses were erased as they queued for food. Holding a plate and a napkin, she strained to see around the figured. What food did they have? Would there be chicken? More importantly, would there be cake? Catching Dorian's eye, she grinned. It was cute! Instinctively, she slumped into his side affectionately. "I promise I'll let you eat whatever you want when we're that age." It didn't occur to her that thinking of their shared future might be presumptive but yeah. Eloise had ideas of hers and Dori's future. Dating for a while, a nice quiet wedding, a nice quiet house and kids. Turning her head, she grinned at him suddenly, wrinkling her nose and trying to calm him. Men often bolted at the talk of settling down.

"I signed it from both of us," Eloise whispered, meaning the card. "I also slipped in some money. Not a lot," she added hastily, trying to avoid her boyfriend complaining. "Just a token, really." She thought such formalities as gifts may slip his mind. They often did. "Ooh!" She squeaked, her emerald eyes wide as she went at the buffet full-pelt. Loading her plate up with salad, sandwiches, mini burgers, cheese and pizza. Eloise wasn't stick thin. Nope. She had curves and she was a healthy girl with some meat on her bones. She'd be damned if she was passing up free food.

Chewing on a cube of cheese much like her rabbit alter ego, Eloise almost choked. Thomas Delerue cut an imposing figure. Despite being totally and completely in love with his younger brother, the vet always seemed to reduce her to a giggling mess. Tall, broad, handsome and well educated, Dorian's brother was also very kind. When she was much younger, he'd been her very first crush. Unable to help herself, she let out a girlish giggle and twirled a lock of hair around her finger. She greeted him in return, standing on her tip toes and kissing his cheek, holding out the card swiftly, "Congratulations!" She gushed, her cheeks still pink, fighting the fact she was a little star struck. There were no feelings for Thomas at all. He was just kinda hot.

Her smile faltered a little as she was introduced to his girlfriend. Adrienne was a totally knock out. She looked as though she'd been carved from marble by a renaissance sculptor. Eloise was floored. She was beautiful. Slim, toned, gorgeous. She had a feeling it was down to impeccable genes and not hours in the gym. She opened her mouth and closed it, feeling dumbstruck. Forger Thomas. She might have a small crush on Adrienne.

"Hi!" The vet gushed, thrusting out a chubby hand to the must-be-model. She grinned. "I've heard a lot about you," she said kindly. She felt fat. Barely five foot with child-bearing hips, her pretty dress felt frumpy in comparison. Out of instinct, she reached behind her, fumbling for her boyfriend's hand. Eloise hoped Adrienne was nice and not one of those pretty but bitchy girls. Unable to help herself, her gaze dropped down to Thomas' girlfriend's bust before she jumped. Crapola. She was making her doubt her sexuality and Eloise looked a bit dazed. "You both must be so proud," she said kindly, smiling at them both. "It's really great to meet you." She said again. Adrienne had been mentioned in passing. She and Thomas had been dating for years now and she did wonder if maybe a proposal was on the cards this afternoon.

"I just don't," Dorian grumbled, a whiny sort of boyish immaturity sneaking its way into his voice. He almost crossed his arms and tucked his chin to his chest before he realized that he should at least try not to act like a complete baby. "Can't you do it later?" he suggested instead of answering. He hoped she would forget about it later so they didn't have to go at all. Sure, he could have let her go without him, but he didn't want to hang around outside the stables all by himself and he definitely wasn't going in there.

He was all too happy when she seemed to be on board with getting some food instead of visiting the horses. He grinned down at her when their eyes met in a shared moment of laughter at the couple in front of them. Dori popped his hip to bump gently against hers and nodded. "I sure hope so. I won't have to look after my girlish figure anymore," he joked.

"Oh," he said as the glanced at her with brows pulled low. And then again, he said, "oh," as she mentioned the money. His frown deepened. "How much?" Dorian felt uncomfortable with Eloise giving money to his own brother when he hadn't even thought to get him anything at all. "I can pay you back," he told her. As soon as I scrap together some sickles. To say he wasn't the most successful painter was the understatement of the year. He had only sold one painting in the past six months and he was pretty sure that old wizard had been blind...

Luckily Thomas and Adrienne's appearance saved him from his train of darker thoughts. And while he was embarrassingly unable to speak because of the wad of food in his mouth, he was more intrigued by Eloise's reaction. Her high-pitched giggle that he had not heard before had him turning to look at her, eyes questioning as a smile tried to pull up his mouth. He was still working on chewing the mini burger though. Amusement at her behavior coursed through him and made him feel lighter as he finally swallowed thickly and coughed to clear his throat.

"Good to see you again, Adrienne," Dorian said with a smile in her direction, leaning in to leave a quick peck on her cheek. He smiled at his brother and her girlfriend as they made small talk, glancing down in question as Eloise sought out his hand. He gave it to her willingly, squeezing her fingers gently as he spoke. "Eloise has a card for you," Dori added as the chit chat about the award, the weather, and the location all dwindled down. He tried not to let the twinge of guilt leak into his voice at not having participated in the gift at all.

"Fine," Eloise huffed, blowing at her hair. The same, stubborn golden curl which covered her left eye flopped back down, despite her use of potions and spells to tame her hair. Actually, going by herself seemed like a much better idea to her. Dorian could catch up with her family and she could leave without being rude or feeling like she imposing. With previous boyfriends when meeting their families, she'd always been ignored and left feeling like a spare peg. It was awkward but inevitable so Eloise thought she might as well take a pre-emptive strike.

Ah, the money conundrum.

The vet sighed heavily and turned towards Dorian. Swiftly, she placed her plate down into his other hand, leaving him unable to protest without dropping things. Aware that she was holding up the buffet queue, she reached up. She cupped the artist's face with both hands, standing on her tiptoes and forcing him to look at her. "Listen to me," she said softly but confidently, sliding one of her thumbs across his defined cheekbone. "You need to stop doing this." This was considered a warning, albeit a soft one. She was fed up of having stupid fights about stupid money.

While flattered that he felt the need to provide for her, it was wholly unnecessary indeed. "We're dating," she reminded him as though the curly haired man had somehow forgotten. "We share things. Stories, time, a bed, wealth or lack thereof," she said with a sunny smile. "I like Thomas and I like you. Not very much," Eloise said honestly when questioned about how much. It was like the Muggle tradition of giving kids £10 for their birthday; a very small amount but a token. "Just enough to cover a meal out for the two of them." Dorian might be freaking but Eloise was rather calm. There was very little money there. Letting him go, she took her place from him and chewed on the edge of a carrot stick nonchalantly.

Aware that he might think she was bonkers, Eloise was nodding happily, ignoring both her boyfriend and Thomas' girlfriend. Dorian's brother had been her first crush but aside from that, she genuinely liked him. He was kind and funny and genuinely down to earth. He didn't seem to mind much about her incessant questions about equine medicine.

That being said, a horrible twinge of dark jealously licked her insides when Dorian kissed Adrienne. Eloise knew she was being unreasonable and stupid but grabbing the artist's hand made her feel better. Not that Adrienne would have noticed that much anyway. She was far too pretty and successful to worry about what short, chubby girls thought of things.

Swiftly, Eloise elbowed Dorian in the ribs. "We got you a card," she corrected, steering the conversation elsewhere. She handed Thomas the yellow envelope with a broad and sunny smile. She imagined that he had lots of cards and gifts so he'd probably just open them later. Eloise was a modern woman. Though very kind and sweet Dorian was, his need to pay for everything was grating. She didn't stop to think that she might be accidentally embarrassing him but she honestly thought she was just being polite and nice.

Still smiling, she wondered if Thomas had to get some photos taken. Didn't people get photos taken at fancy picnics? Distracted by a lovely cheese and salad sandwich, she chewed, wondering if Dorian would help her stuff food into her handbag so they needn't cook dinner later on that evening.

The queue for the food had dwindled down so she leaned into Dorian softly in the pretence of flicking some lint from his shirt front. "Okay," she said softly. "Do you want to help me steal some food for later?" She asked, hoping he wouldn't think she was cheap or cheeky. The idea of having their own picnic back at either of their apartments seemed fun to her. Looking over her shoulder, it was hard not to feel like a naughty school girl. "Quick," she whispered with a grin. "While everyone's taking photographs." She hoped it wasn't rude that she was attempting to sneak away and spend ten minutes alone with her boyfriend underneath the large and lovely weeping willow tree.

Dorian automatically grabbed at the plate she pushed into his hands and shot her a confused look before his attention was dragged to her face, her cool hands on either side of his cheeks. Blue eyes to green, he gazed into her green, green eyes and as usual, got lost in them. Her thumb across his cheekbone had him tilting his head into her hand, seeking more of her touch. Her reprimand had him frowning, but he didn't really want to have this argument again. "Ok," he muttered, though he knew deep down it wasn't something that he could get over any time soon. He should have just gone into something where he actually made money. Like banking. Or the Ministry. Even if his soul would have died piece by piece, day by day there.

"A meal?" he asked and then regretted the question. Oh, so more than he had initially thought she might have put in there. Damn. But he nodded anyway and tried to pretend as if he was fine with it. As if it didn't bother him that his girlfriend could afford to give his brother a gift when he couldn't. Damn it all.

Dori glanced at her with a soft smile when she corrected him about the card, but was proud of how gracious Thomas was in accepting it. His tall, extremely successful brother. Damn him too. Someone clapped his brother on his shoulder and Thomas turned away to greet some other extremely successful and probably wealthy man, excusing himself and Adrienne from him and Eloise. He promised to catch up with them later and their parents, but Dori was kind of glad to see him go. And then guilty on top of it. He turned back to the table of food, sulking, as he loaded up his plate with little dessert items.

To hell with it. He wasn't even being polite. He didn't care if he took the last little eclair or five of those mini oatmeal raisin cookies half dipped in chocolate. He was hungry and he was going to make himself feel better with all these desserts! Eloise leaning into to him had him automatically placing his hand at her waist and his answering question was just as soft. "Later?" he asked with a frown of confusion, her bright eyes distracting him from his other thoughts. He gave her a wide eyed look, but he flashed a small grin at her as well. He slyly grabbed a few more of those cookies and nudged her to open her purse. "Put 'em in your purse," he said as he shoved them toward the bag.

He wasn't sure why she wanted cookies for later, but as with most things with Eloise, he wanted to give her whatever she wanted. He clasped his hand in hers and smoothly slid away from the table, never looking back to see if anyone noticed. That was the most important part, not looking back. "Do you think anyone saw us?" he asked out of the corner of his mouth as they moved away from the table.

Her frown mirrored Dorian's. It was such an almighty shame that money tended to both run and ruin everything. Neither of them made that much money but maybe Eloise had been a bit naïve in thinking that their love made up for their lack of funds. It was her fault, course. Always was. Things were getting tangled. It was dulling the sparkle of meeting his wonderful family all over again and she didn't want that. She didn't want to ruin this day. She wanted nothing more than to go back to either of their dinky little dwellings, get into her pyjamas and snuggle.

The sun was warm on her bare skin. Usually pale, her smooth skin was taking on a faint and healthy tan. Not really a beach bunny, tanning was rare. Neither of them  really lived near a body of water much. She supposed that by spending her lunch breaks on the banks of the Seine had changed her skin. Her freckles were decidedly more prominent today.

She didn't want him to be sad and she especially didn't want him to be sad because of her. He was still reeling and hurt from his art exhibition and she was concerned that he might throw in the towel all together. They were too young to be stressing about this sort of shit. Without saying anything, she simply reached out to squeeze his shoulder affectionately, a non-verbal apology as she rubbed his back softly. She needed to be more mindful of his feelings. Disappointing Dorian was like kicking a puppy.

"Yeah!" She gushed, smiling brightly. "We can have our own picnic back home," she said brightly. It'd be cheaper and it'd save either of them cooking when they got back. Looking over her shoulder, she waved her wand across her bag swiftly. Suddenly, the interior of the purse grew, allowing more room whilst still keeping the size of the bag. At his insistence, she did as he asked. Whistling casually and feeling like a naughty school girl, she hastily wrapped a number of sandwiches in paper napkins…along with sausage rolls, cheese, bread, quiche and a couple of slices of pizza. Eloise was basically doing her weekly shop at the buffet table.

Her heart lifted as he took her hand. He looked distracted enough from the previous events so she went along willingly, trotting besides him. "Nah," she said brightly, not really caring if they had. Casually, she swung his arm gently and childishly between them as they walked away from the chattering crowd.

"Thanks so much for letting me meet your folks again," Eloise said with a blush and a flush of pleasure. He must be serious about her, right? Meeting the parents was a massive deal where she came from. They'd not been dating too long but she was adamant that Dorian was The One. Eloise was head over heels, totally wrapped up in him and she hoped her little happy love bubble would never burst. "They're really nice," she tacked onto the end of her comment absently.

"Do you want to come and meet mine next weekend?" The words were out before Eloise could stop them, her big green eyes wide with shock. She didn't stop to think that Dorian might be busy or working but she wanted to repay him. He'd been mad enough to let her meet his family and Eloise did want her boyfriend (!!!) to meet her motley crew, too. Her mum knew she was batty about him. In fact, she hadn't been this crazy about someone before. She had a really rather vivid dream the other night about them getting married and holidaying and having babies. Thank goodness she hadn't spent the night with him, it was all rather overwhelming.

Reaching the large tree, she brushed aside its gorgeous and full low hanging branches, happily sitting on the grass in the shade and pulling her knees up to her chest, discarding her shoes easily as she closed her eyes and inhaled, losing herself for a moment. "This is nice," she replied softly, reaching for a snaffled sandwich. "I do love you," she told Dorian seriously. "You know that, right?" She asked with a gentle frown creasing her smooth forehead.

Dori smiled softly as he glanced down at Eloise’s hand in his, as she swung their arms between them and walked away nonchalantly as if they hadn’t just snatched food from the buffet table and ferreted it away. She always had that uncanny talent of distracting him from his moodier moments and every time he realized it, he appreciated it all the more.

Her mention of his parents had him smiling and rolling his eyes playfully. “I can’t believe she showed you those baby pictures,” he said with a groan and a shake of his head though it was all very light and there was still that amused sparkle in his blue eyes. He glanced down at her then, his hand squeezing hers gently as he added, “they really like you, you know. My mother especially.” He could just tell. He just knew from that look his mother had given him as if he had done well. It made his chest swell with pride.

Her question had him looking back her way with a satisfying smile spreading across his face, his blue eyes bright. “Of course,” he told her without hesitation, excitement in his voice. He was eager to meet her mother. He kind of felt like he knew her already with how much Eloise mentioned her, but he tried not to let the anxious thoughts overwhelm him. He ran a hand over his curly hair, trying not to think about the possibility of her mother not liking him..

As they reached the large tree, he held the branches back for her as they slipped into the privacy that its low-hanging branches created. He copied her actions and toed off his shoes, only too happy to be without shoes. Barefoot was his natural state and he loved even tiny moments like this when he could be rid of his shoes. He sat beside her for a moment, his shoulder brushing hers, but then in the next moment, he was shuffling down and nudging her knees with his hand so that he could lay his head in her lap. When he was finally situated, he smiled up at her, his dimples winking at her from his cheeks. Her serious confession had him stilling and he looked up at her, unblinking.

“I know,” he whispered to her as he reached a hand up to touch her cheek. He didn’t like seeing that frown on her face as she said it though and he wondered if he had caused it. He vowed to try to be less moody or at least hide it better. “I love you too, El,” he said, sincerity burning in his voice.

"But they were so cute!" Eloise gushed with a twinkling smile, her cheeks hurting due to all of the grinning. She snorted softly and shook her head, wrinkling her nose cutely. She knew it was wrong to laugh but she didn't think they were at all embarrassing. She wanted to look at all of the photos. She wanted to see him growing up, the late teenage years that she'd missed out on, all of his travels, family snapshots, the lot. Everything. All of it.

"Really?" Eloise asked, her bright green eyes wide as she nervously touched her hair and chewed on her lower lip. His family's approval meant the world to her. She knew that she'd need to spend more time with them all, maybe have a dinner or something. Her apartment was small but she was sure she could squeeze them all in, including Adrienne with her tall, statuesque, decidedly French beauty. In the end of things, she was going to marry Dorian whether they liked it or not but she hoped they'd all be on board.

"I was so nervous," she finally admitted, squeezing his hand back and revelling in the relief. She hoped now, at least, that the ice and been broken. They'd been sweet and warm and welcoming. She offered an embarrassed smile, leaning up on her tippy-toes to kiss his cheek softly. "I really liked the baby photos," she admitted with a giggle.

The fact that Dorian wanted to meet her brood made her heart flip in her chest with excitement. She grinned up at him, bouncing excitedly. "Yay!" She cooed, happily wiggling on the spot. "Maybe later on in the month?" She asked, her eyes large and imploring and almost puppy dog-ish. That'd give her time to warn Dorian, make plans and execute them.

Her mum would be head over heels. Her dad might be a bit reserved but would come round eventually. The main problem was her brother, Adrien. Towards the end of her sixth year, Eloise had to endure double heartbreak. First from splitting with Richard and then having Dorian confess his feelings and then ignore her for the remainder of her schooling. Adrien had found her sobbing her heart and soul out in the back garden and consoled her. Her brother had been the one to pick up all of the pieces. He still was a bit unsure about Dorian, no matter how many times Eloise had told him that things between them now were really good.

"Thank you," she said brightly, smiling at him as she settled down. Eloise laughed, looking down and flushing with pleasure at her stomach being used as a pillow. Her small hands gently ran through his dark curls, the moment slow and serene, like they were the only two people in the world at this moment, far away from the bustling and busy picnic across the grass. Her other hand made slow, intricate patterns with her fingertips on his collarbone. Eloise, for the first time that day, did feel phenomenally at peace.

Dorian's hand on her cheek made her smile, leaning into his touch before bending a little further and kissing his forehead. "Good," the vet said with a cheeky smile. Honestly? She could stay like that for the entire day in their warm, secret little cocoon. The stress and excitement of meeting his family made her feel suddenly drained. She could easily curl up in a ball.

"What do you say to getting out of here?" She asked Dorian gently. They could go barefoot in her apartment or sit on the banks of the Seine and dip their feet into the cool water. She shifted, gently manoeuvring him so she could eventually stand, grabbing her purse and holding her shoes in her free hand. "C'mon. I wanna snuggle." With that, she hauled Dorian to his feet and marched him swiftly across the grounds. Ever polite, Eloise said goodbye to his family before apparating them both home and swiftly dropping her shoes and curling up on the sofa with him.