Family Reactions: Heartbreak and rejection draws Tim & Beth closer to each other.

By neruval442. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.

 We drove the few minutes to Beth's house, and Beth used her key in the door. "Hi, Mom, we're back."

Her mother appeared from the kitchen. "Oh, hi, Tim."

Beth glanced at me, then held out her hand to her mother. "Look, Mom, Tim and I got engaged."

I

watched, my anticipation suddenly turning sour in my stomach as her

mother's face changed, her expression twisting. "Really? At your age?"

She

turned to me. "Don't think I don't know what you two have been doing up

there, and I'm sure on this holiday of yours. I can tell when you wash

the sheets, you know."

Beth

flinched as her mother continued. "Engaged, I don't think so. You've

got her pregnant, haven't you, don't even know enough to be careful, and

you think bringing her back here with some cheap trinket on her finger

will make it right. Well, you can forget it."

She

turned back to Beth. "You can do what you like when you're out of this

house, how are you going to get on at university with a brat, but while

you're still here I don't want to see him."

Beth's

face was as white as it had been in the car, but she took a deep

breath. "No. Nothing is like you've said. Tim's not like that, and, “

her face screwed up, tears forcing past her eyelids, "it hurts so much

that that's what you think of me."

She looked her mother straight in the eyes. "Either Tim's welcome here, or I'm not."

Her mother's tone was uncompromising. "Go with him, then, I don't care."

Beth was shaking as she turned to me. "Tim?"

"I'll work something out," I promised. "Do you need to fetch anything?"

She shook her head. "I already have everything important."

Beth turned back to her mother. "Call me if you change your mind. But you won't, will you, I know that from Grandad."

Her mother's face showed unmasked rage. "You, he, “

I

took Beth's arm, and she turned her back on her mother, walking out of

the front door. I pulled it closed, careful not to slam it, and guided

Beth to the car, helping her with her seatbelt. I started the engine,

driving just far enough to be out of sight of the house, and stopped the

car.

Beth came into my outstretched arms, sobbing uncontrollably, her tears soaking through my shirt. "I, oh god, Tim,”

She

broke down again, and I stroked her hair. Finally she looked up, face

tear-streaked, eyes red. "Thanks for looking after me."

"Let's

get going," I encouraged her. A few minutes later I pulled up outside

my parents' house, and Beth held my hand tightly as we walked up the

path. Mom opened the door, looking at Beth with a concerned expression.

"Are you two Okay?"

"I'll explain later, Mom," I offered. "But would you mind making up the spare room for Beth?"

"That's no problem."

We

went through to the kitchen, and Mom busied herself finding a pan,

milk. "Whenever Tim had something bothering him, hot chocolate would

always cheer him up a bit."

She set steaming mugs in front of us and Beth sipped gratefully. "Where's Dad?" I queried.

"In the garden as usual, I'll get him."

She

returned with my father, and he sat down at the table without comment.

Beth gave me an anxious look, then forced a smile. "Look, Tim and I got

engaged while we were away."

"Oh, that's wonderful," Mom exclaimed. "Let me look."

She

enthused over the ring, "I love the style, such a classic, “ while my

father gave me an uncharacteristically warm hug. "Well done, no point in

hanging about when you're sure."

Beth seemed to relax. "I'm sorry to impose on you, it'll only be for a little while before Tim and I go away."

My mother shook her head. "Whatever's happened, it'll be lovely to have you both until then."