Keeping Up With The Jeffersons (Uh... France? 2)

Mr and Mrs Madison

•01•

James was in a state of panic. He'd invited his parents over to tell them he was getting married, the only problem is that they didn't know about Thomas.

Taking in a shaky breath, he tried again.
"Mum, dad." He said into the mirror. "I have some news— no, no, no." James shook his head and sighed.

"Still practicing what to say?" Thomas asked as he entered the room buttoning up his shirt. He wandered over to James and pulled him away from the mirror. "Don't fret, Jemmy. Everything will be okay."

James nodded, taking in a few calming deep breath and letting Thomas pull him into a hug. Then the door bell rang.

"Oh God." James muttered, feeling panic rising in him again.

"That's them?" Thomas asked, carding his fingers through James' hair soothingly.

James nodded. "That's them."
Thomas quickly kissed James before pushing him out of the room and beckoning for him to get the door. He put on a brave face and opened the door, being greeted by his parents.

"James!" His mum squealed, pulling her son into a warm hug, soon joined by his father. "It's been too long."

"I know," James said with nervous laughter. His parents then released him from their embrace and he led them into the lounge room where Thomas waited calmly.
"Uh, you remember Thomas, don't you?"

"Of course," his father said first, extending a hand to Thomas. "Mr Jefferson."

"Please, Mr Madison." Thomas shook his hand. "Thomas is fine."
His mother then pulled him into a quick hug.

"It's been a while since I've seen you, young man." She scolded but a cheeky tone in her voice revealed it was fake. He laughed a little.

"It has." He nodded. "But Mrs Madison, you've hardly aged a day."

James's mother blushed and James rolled his eyes at his fiancé. After a little more nonsense chatting, Thomas announced dinner was ready.

"So, honey." His mother started when they were all seated and their meal was in front of them. "What's this little dinner party about?"

James froze. Finally the moment he'd been dreading.

"Well... uh... " James couldn't get his words out, too nervous to speak. Thomas found his hand under the table and gave it a comforting squeeze. James stole a glance at him before looking back to his parents across the table, he cleared his throat and continued. "Well, mum, dad... I'm getting married."

In an instant his parents were up and congratulating him, his mother engulfing him in a tight hug. Thomas watched with a nervous smile, James still has to reveal who to and that's what they were both iffy about.

"Who's the lucky lady?" His father asked, sounding somewhat proud.

"Do we know her?" His mother continued eagerly. James looked to his fiancé unsurely.

"Uh... yes."

"Then who is it?" His mother pushed excitedly. "Tell us, James!"

Thomas stood up and slipped his hand into James'. "I'm the lucky lady."

The room became quiet, Mr and Mrs Madison looked to each other. Neither Thomas or James could tell what his parent's expressions read. They were both panicking now

"O-oh." His mother finally said and James was just about ready to cry.

"Why didn't you tell us you were... " His father's sentence came to no end, his voice gave no hints to how he felt.

"I-I don't know." James held Thomas' hand tighter.

"So... " His mother started quietly. "No grandchildren for us then?"

"W-what?" James and Thomas shared a confused look before his parents faces lit up with beaming smiles. His mother pulled both Thomas and James into a hug. She really likes those.
When she pulled back, Mr Madison shook Thomas' hand firmly, giving him an approving smile.
"So... You're not.... mad?"

"Oh, James sweetie." His mother chuckled a little. "Why would we be mad? We love you."

That's what made the tears finally fall from James' eyes. He buried his face into Thomas' chest and cried though he couldn't help but laugh all the while. It was a relived laughter, one you'd do when something seemingly impossible happens in your life.

After James calmed himself down, they finished their dinner with positive attitudes until it was time for his parents to leave and while saying farewell, Mr Madison whispered a threat to Thomas about treating his son right. Seeing the panicked expression on Thomas's face, Mr Madison laughed and pulled him into a hug before leaving.

"What was that about?" James asked after they'd actually left.

Thomas shook his head and pulled James close. "Nothing."

Unedited