Chapter Text
Edward’s mother lives in an outdated, senior apartment center of dark brick and smoking chimneys. Stede asked beforehand if it would be a problem that Edward was moving in with her, seeing as he’s under the age limit to be a tenant, and Edward assured that his mum’s kept her share of secrets in her lifetime. Plus, it’s a temporary arrangement, anyway.
Stede drives his Mercedes onto the property and follows the signs through the winding roads. He makes a worrisome face at the half-fallen trees and yellowed grass. From the passenger’s seat, Lucius scoffs, “My God, they had better landscaping when I used to go to the men’s prison to visit Pete.”
“Sounds like the courthouse when I went to sign my divorce papers.” Stede circles the wheel to turn a corner. “Immaculate foliage.”
“You nervous? Bout meeting his mum.”
Stede scoffs a laugh. “Nervous is a strong word, Lucius.” He hums a smile. “I did a great job when I met Mary’s parents. Well, technically her family had gone to church with my parents since I was a boy, so it’s not like I actually had to introduce myself.” His smile falters. “And make a good impression.” They peel around the corner and Building 3 comes into focus. “Damn it all, Lucius, I’m terrified.”
“Babes, she’ll love you. Edward’s been dating you for a few weeks now, so it’s not like you’re a total stranger to her, even if you’ve never met face-to-face. She’s heard great things about you, I’m sure.”
“Right, right. Great things, awesome things.” He keeps muttering to himself as the car pulls in closer. The building is two stories, and they find 3B on the bottom level with a parking spot left open for them. Excitement surges through Stede as he drives up next to Edward’s motorcycle; he still can’t quite believe he survived riding that thing. Stede can hardly cope with the fact that he had his arms around Edward, hands on his hips, for several minutes.
“Stede? You just hit the parking bump.”
“Shit.” Stede puts the car in reverse, and the vehicle rolls back but not without scraping the front bumper. He winces before Lucius gives a long-suffering sigh.
3B’s door opens and Edward is still in his checkerboard pajama pants and a tattered tee at eleven in the morning. He’s bleary-eyed with a cup of coffee as he gives a little wave and a beckoning gesture.
Stede steps out of the car and Lucius does as well, grabbing his iPad. Lucius says, “I see you’re enjoying your day off.”
“Absolutely,” Edward rasps, still hoarse. He watches curiously as Stede rounds the trunk to pull out a gift bag, but Edward’s need to touch outweighs his questions as he lifts an arm for Stede to snuggle into his middle. Edward presses a kiss against his temple, whispering, “Morning, pup.”
“Hi, darling.”
“What’s in the bag?”
“Afraid it’s a gift for your mum, not you.”
Edward pouts before smiling. He leads Stede and Lucius into the apartment and closes the door behind them, securing all four of his mother’s locks before guiding them through the living room. The television still uses an antenna; a hand-knitted blanket lies over the back of the olive couch. Yellowed wedding pictures sit on the shelves and Stede’s hand flies to his heart as he notices the largest frame. “Is this you?”
The baby laughing in the photograph is hardly recognizable, yet Stede’s seen those eyes many times before. “Yeah, that’s me,” Edward chuckles, coming to stand beside him. “How’d it all go wrong, yeah?”
Stede nudges him in light reprimand. “You’re still cute.”
“Aw, really?”
Lucius clears his throat and fans himself with his iPad.
“Right,” Stede and Edward say, flustered.
The linoleum hallway creaks in certain spots as they step into the kitchen. Wooden cabinets hang lopsided on their hinges and a pair of pliers sit by the oven which is missing its dial. At the breakfast nook is a woman with a dark plait and an even darker cup of coffee. Just by the way she is sitting, one can tell that she has endured many trials; the long-set effects of grief are in her shoulders, in the lines of her face – but in the one welcoming glance she sends Edward, it shows that without a doubt, he is her life.
In the one piercing stare she gives Stede, she is deciding whether he is worthy, and not even Stede can answer that question under the scrutiny of such a gaze.
Edward sets his coffee on the counter and places a hand on his mother’s shoulder. “Mum,” he says. “This is Stede.”
She lifts her chin as she sizes him up. “Hello, Stede.” The woman holds out a long-nailed hand.
Blubbering like a fish out of water, Stede sets his gift bag down and hurries to cradle her hand in both his own. “Hello, Mrs. Teach. It’s such a pleasure to meet you. Your son, he’s –” Stede smiles hopelessly. “You’ve raised such a lovely son.”
“Thank you.” She lifts her hand to her shoulder where Edward’s holding her. “He’s my pride and joy.”
“Yes, I imagine so –”
“He’s sensitive.”
“Mum,” Edward groans. “You swore you weren’t gonna do this.”
Mrs. Teach shrugs through a gesture. “Sue me.” She levels her gaze with Stede. “Eddy told me what you did for him when everything happened with Izzy and Jack.” She sighs. “I’ve never trusted Jack, but I was hurt by Izzy. He’s been like family for so long.” She shakes her head to clear it. “Keep protecting Eddy and we will get along just fine.”
Stede blinks. “Right. I can do that.” He takes the gift bag and hands it over like a peace offering. “Ed tells me you like cashmere.”
Mrs. Teach grins so much like her son as she digs through the wrapping paper to pull out a rippling cashmere blanket. She gasps in delight and rubs it across her cheek. “Feel, Eddy, feel.”
“Yes, Mum,” Edward laughs. “It’s very nice.”
“That’s a French cashmere,” Stede tells the woman. “One of the finest Parisian exports.”
Mrs. Teach puts her hand over her grin and sweeps her blanket around herself. She grabs the walker beside her. “You boys go ahead and get started on your house hunting. I’ll just be in the living room if you need me.” She pats Stede’s shoulder on the way out and he mouths a victorious Oh my God to Edward.
“Now then,” Lucius sighs, taking Mrs. Teach’s place at the table. “We’ve got a lot of properties to shift through, so you better make some more coffee, Edward.”