Ellie

Thirty Three

"I am so glad we were able to get back from our tour, in time to celebrate my parents anniversary," Ellie said as she allowed Brett to zip up the back of her red dress, her eyes resting on him through the long mirror in front of her, "The fact they invited you along too on this special family occasion, shows they are making an attempt to accept us as a couple, which makes it even more special" she smiled

It had just been a few weeks from they had returned to England since their tour finished, and although Ellie had spent most of that time trying to convince Brett her father was ok with their relationship now, tonight was the first night Brett would be in the same room as him face to face and spending time in his company, so it was going to be interesting

Standing directly behind her, his hands now coming to rest on bare shoulders, as he had finished with the zip on her dress, he eyed her back through the mirror, " Yeah, I suppose so," he relented before frowning a little, "Yet why do I feel like I am going to be on trial, and on show, to see if I meet with your father's approval?"

Ellie laughed, "That's silly, that is not how it is at all. It's just giving them a proper chance to get you know you better, because you are now an important part of my life, and they realise that" She now she turned her head, so she could look him in the eye with an almost challenging look, and a teasing smile on her lips

"Wow, don't tell me that you, Brett Carter, who is ready to take on the world and everyone in it, are actually intimidated by my little old parents?" she then mocked

"No, of course not," Brett denied indignantly, his hands tightened his grip on her shoulders slightly,  but then after a moment he shrugged, "Well, maybe, just your father," He then relented, "he can have a mean grip when he shakes hands with you, as I recall" he then grimaced in remembrance .

Ellie just giggled, "don't worry, I will tell him he has to be gentle with you" she soothed him, "Now I must finish getting ready, why don't grab yourself another beer from the fridge to help your nerves" she suggested.

"Now that's something I can agree on" Brett agreed kissing her shoulder, "By the way you look gorgeous already, it's hard for me not to want to unzip your dress again" he admitted huskily.

"Just go and have a beer, I have no intention of letting you undress me and try and delay the inevitable" she admonished him good humouredly

"Spoilsport" he complained with a little sigh, but there was a humorous smile on his lips as he left her bedroom to let her finish getting ready to go get a beer as she suggested.

Meanwhile, not very far away at their family home, Gemma sat in front of her dressing room mirror in her and Jake's bedroom. Jake appeared  at the doorway occupied buttoning up, his blue shirt, and Gemma who had been applying lipstick to her mouth now stopped to turn to face  him, "Oh, I just got a text from Ellie ten minutes ago, just to inform us that she and Brett should be her in the next half hour or so"

"Good," Jake replied,

"Though She is still a bit concerned about how you are going to be around Brett tonight"

Jake frowned a little in bewilderment, as he looked up from his shirt, "I don't know why? After all, I told her I was happy he was able to come with her tonight"

"I know, but it will be the first time they will be all together with us as a couple, she just wants it to go well" Gemma then explained

"Well I don't see why it shouldn't," Jake replied, "I mean she has spent most of this week extolling his virtues to me, about how he is going out of his way to help his invalid step-mother, having their house renovated to make life easier for her. And how sweet and supportive he's been to Ellie when they were on tour together" he now recounted dryly, "The next thing you know, he will rescuing helpless puppies and kittens from death and danger"