Chapter 4

• Now, you would think that Leopold White was absolutely fine with his daughter to be considered or identified as gay- but truth was- he wasn't. Deep down, Regina knew that he was boiling inside because of the very cause.
• Good. This made her mentally smirk with satisfaction. At least this would destroy him in a way.
• "Mr. White… Mrs. White…" Sophia's soft, strangely tranquil voice broke Regina from her satisfactory thoughts regarding her husband's displeasure. Causing her to rapidly blink and snap back into her harsh reality.
• Her eyes stumbling their way upon Sophia's gentle and somewhat pained green gaze as the girl was now stretching her hand in greeting toward her direction.
• "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Sophia." The girl politely introduced herself, awaiting the ever so firm handshake of her girlfriend's mother.
• A shake Regina wasn't able to deny as her hand stretched out and gripped tightly toward Sophia's hand.
• Both Sophia's green eyes and her own deep brown ones connected in that moment, which to Regina felt like something she hadn't felt in a long time…
• Salvation.
• Sophia she was most definitely not what Regina had pictured to be her daughter's girlfriend. It's true she had yet to know more about her, other than her name and last name. But, from what Regina could observe of Sophia as they shook hands was that she was a sweet, gentle person. She obviously didn't care about money or had ambition for it. Her green eyes were the most gentle ones Regina had ever seen. She liked that. Audrey deserved someone as good as Sophia .
• As for Sophia … Elise had told her many stories about her mother, and how beautiful and poise she always was, but she didn't expect this amount of beauty to stand before her.
• "Wow," Sophia flashed a smile with a small shade of pink coating her cheeks as she shook Regina's hand. "With all due respect, Mrs. White, but you are truly a beautiful woman."
• "Thank you very much, Sophia" This made Regina blush as she took her hand back.
• Elise happily grinned in approval as she gave her attention to her mother.
• It had been a long time since Regina had heard a compliment toward herself or her so-called beauty. The last time Leopold ever told her how beautiful he thought she was, was when they met and he began to court her.
• So for Sophia to stand before her and say how beautiful she thought she was… Was something unfamiliar to her. But she had to keep up appearances, and right now she needed to act like the doting, happy wife, who heard how beautiful she was from her loving husband all the time.
• "I'm serious. I can definitely see where Audrey gets her looks."Sopha grins, her eyes never leaving Regina's.
• "Uh, Elise," Leopold finally spoke. "I wish you would have told us that you were bringing… a girlfriend home with you. Your mother and I would have been more prepared to welcome her properly." That's when Regina felt his arm snake around her waist. All for show, of course.
• God, did she tense up every time he touched her. But she couldn't back away.
• "Well, it was a last minute decision." Elise smiled at her father, practically pleading him with her eyes to allow Sophia to stay. "It's summer and Sophia didn't have any big plans, so," she exchanged a quick doting smile with her girlfriend. "I told her she could spend the summer here." Her attention moves back to her father.
• "I'm afraid she insisted," Sophia grinned, her finger pointing toward Elise.
• 'You are coming home with me. End of story. I am not leaving you all alone all summer, just so you can meet some other girl and fall out of love with me.'
• It was said jokingly, of course. Thank heaven's, Regina was proud that their daughter didn't turn out nothing like her father. In the abusive sense. She was a nice girl. Very bright, strong headed just like the both of them, always thrived for more and went straight for what she wanted. And she couldn't hear a no from anyone. Audrey was a girl who fought for what she wanted. She was driven.
• And besides… After Elise and Sophia had been dating for a year now, she was dying to introduce her to her parents. Why not get it over with?
• Leopold chuckled, playfully slapping Sophia on the shoulder, which made Regina cringe a little. Just by the look on this poor girl's face, she could tell Sophia felt the slap against her arm a little too much.
• "Don't worry about a thing! You are welcomed here, of course." His voice sounded so happy, it surprised Regina. "Why, any friend of our daughter, is a friend of ours and is always welcomed."
• "Girlfriend, dad. Girlfriend." Elise smiled a little sarcastically as she said this. Again emphasis on girlfriend. She knew her father wasn't at all comfortable with the idea, but of course, she didn't care either.
• "Right," Leopold cleared his throat to compose his discomfort. "Well, who's hungry, huh? Your mother has cooked us all a delicious meal. Your favorite!" He grinned at his daughter.
• "Ooh, mom, really? Lasagna?" Audrey was beaming as she looked over at her grinning mother before looking back at Sophia. "You are going to love her lasagna. It is the best in the world."
• "Really?" Sophia had heard enough of Elise's mother's lasagna. Frankly, she couldn't wait to try it. Especially when she was starving.
• "Well, I wouldn't say that." Regina smiled along, thanking God and all that was holy that her daughter was finally back home. It really was like a breath of fresh air to have Elise back.
• "Well, why don't you two get settled into your old bedroom, hm?" Leopold smiled at the young couple. "Freshen up and come down for dinner."
• "Yeah!" Elise's attention turns to Sophia again, "Come on, I'll show you my old room."
• Sophia's eyes turn back to Audrey's parents, particularly Regina's as she says, "It was nice to meet you both."
• "Likewise, dear. Welcome." Regina smiles, giving the girl a curt nod, earning another smile from Sophia.
• Regina and Leopold turn to face Elise and Sophia as they watch them together head up the stairs with their suitcases in hand.
• What a perfect portrayal of a happy little family. Just like Leopold wanted it in front of company.
• "It's good to have her home." Leopold smiled, maintaining his arm around Regina's waist.
• "It is." Regina said through a now forced grin.