The rumor mill

Anthony and Rebecca's trip was over and they had returned back to work. The trip had been a great success and they had gotten much closer as a couple, with each day bringing its own form of progress. By the time they were driving back home, they were each even more convinced that they had made the right decision in changing the nature of their relationship and also finally really felt like they were in an actual relationship as opposed to that awkward stage they had been up till that point. In that short, but intensified time together, they had managed to slowly grow past the uncomfortable phase of no longer friends, but not yet lovers either. Although they hadn't crossed over fully to the other side of the fence, the title of fiancé was at least now more than just a title and started to match their feelings towards one another.

Their last day had been filled with spending some family time with Anthony's parents and some extended family as well. Playing some board games to allow Rebecca to get familiarized with them in a low pressure environment. Although she hadn't met everyone yet, Anthony's family wasn't too big, so she had now met most of them. This helped Rebecca feel more at ease about the future together, as not being accepted was one of her bigger fears. Now that she had actually met and spent time with his family, it was clear that they were just as kind and honest as Anthony. But they were also direct.

Saying everything that came to mind without even a trace of filter in sight. But the benefit of them being like this, was that Rebecca at least knew they were being genuine and treating her like one of their own. Plus, they didn't just use that honesty to tell it like it is, they also used it to make her feel welcome. One way of doing that, was by telling Rebecca straight up, "You know, you aren't the type of girl I expected Anthony to come home with, but I sure do like that it turned out to be you. You are quite the lovable child." It didn't take long for some other family members chiming in and agreeing with that statement.

Hearing these words after years of rejection from her own family, was something that took her quite off guard and made her feel touched. She caught herself getting a bit emotional and awkward from being told such a thing, especially so out of the blue and in such a straightforward manner. In order to not cry in that setting, as her eyes started to sting and her voice began to crack as the words "Thank you" left her mouth, Rebecca grabbed her own foot and squeezing it tightly. Her foot had been tucked behind her as they were all sitting on the floor, making it easy for her to do this without being noticed. Or so she thought. But at least she was fortunate enough that it didn't add to her awkward moment, instead it would be the reason for the awkwardness to end, along with her emotional state.

Because the one person that did, was the only person she was comfortable with noticing. That person being Anthony, who had just returned from the kitchen with some snacks and hadn't heard their exchange, but was having one of his clear moments, without any of the obliviousness that accompanied him most times. Clear enough to know something was off and he needed to do something to change it. He immediately came into action by distracting his relatives by throwing the dice and claiming he had won. This of course caught everyone's attention, as they can be quite competitive, followed by them telling Anthony that he had clearly not, as he had thrown two fours when he needed sixes. Him claiming a false victory, completely changed the conversation altogether and caused enough of a distraction to make them forget what they were initially talking about.

When confronted by his unfounded claim, he just put on a blank face and said, "Oh I didn't? I thought any double numbers would count.", despite knowing full well this wasn't true. His niece scoffed and said, "Yeah, to bring your pawn forward, but not to make you win!" This comment made everyone chuckle, along with Rebecca herself. Up to this point she wasn't aware that he had intentionally done and said what he had, but that didn't last long.

When their eyes met, that is when she noticed that this had been his way of helping her out of a potentially uncomfortable situation. She could tell by the look in his eyes and his gentle smile, so she mouthed the word thanks, which he responded to by squeezing her hand. Doing so, swiftly and quickly, so no one would notice. In that uneventful way that day came and went, and today they had announced their relationship to some of the colleagues they were close to, allowing the rumor mill to handle the rest.