"Mother!" Viper said at the same time in response to the barely veiled threat.
Hope put her hand on his arm and smiled.
"I'm glad you are protective of Viper. Human families are similar. But I only know how to be who I am and in my world relationships progress differently." Hope replied diplomatically.
"It would seem to me that you have not changed your mind at all, you still reject the mating. My son deserves better than to be subjected to your whims." Hyla replied then turned to Adder. "We will need to cancel the mating ceremony!"
"I did not say that you should plan one." Viper told her with more than a little frustration.
"I assumed she'd come to her senses."
"We'll give them time. It is reasonable considering the upheaval Hope and her people have experienced." Viper's father ever the peacemaker replied.
"Thank you." Hope said to Adder then turned to Viper. "I'm not rejecting you, I just need time." She looked torn.
Viper looked over at Tara and JP's wide eyed expression, sorry that all of them had to witness this. His mother was out spoken, but never this out spoken. Then again he was her only living young.
"So it is decided we will not revisit this subject again for at least a moon." Adder declared and his mother shoved a piece of bread into her mouth looking peeved.
Viper really hadn't been ready to discuss this. He and Hope were just getting to a place where she was receptive to the idea of being his mate, and then Hyla goes and blows it out of the water.
Viper understood his mother's reaction. He too felt his relationship with Hope was tenuous, but he was also trying to see things from Hope's perspective. He certainly didn't want to push her. She had every right to be wary of him considering how things began. It would take time for her to trust him.
Yet still Viper didn't understand the intricacies of how humans mated. To him it seemed backwards. He agreed that one should get to know his subeo, but the Anguis did it after the bond where humans did it beforehand. Viper wondered how many human males and females courted only to find they never bonded.
The rest of the meal was slightly strained to stay the least.
Hope
Viper's mother raked her over the coals. Viper didn't pressure her but Hope felt like they expected a vow of undying love here and now that she just couldn't offer up. Viper was a proving to be good guy, romantic, sweet, and the sex was mind blowing. If she'd met a human version of him before all this craziness she would've dated him. Hope liked where things were going but she didn't hear wedding bells just yet, it was way too freaking soon. Thank god Adder didn't force the subject.
Hope listened politely to the various plans for their new colony. She tried to pay attention, so she'd be useful later but the whole mating thing had her distracted.
Everyone started to disperse and Hope was more than ready to escape Hyla's disapproving glances.
"Do you think there's time to lay down before we land?" Hope whispered to Viper.
They hadn't gotten much sleep the night before.
"Mother, sire if you'd excuse us." Viper told excused them as he got up and held her chair.
"Ophidian will notify you when we reach orbit." Adder nodded.
"I will send more appropriate clothing for the landing reception to your quarters. " Viper's mother added and Hope knew she was referring to how she was dressed.
"Thank you." Hope tried to say graciously.
Viper led her out of the arboretum and she was immediately relieved.
They arrived at Viper's quarters and Hope crawled onto the bed. Viper joined her and pulled her into his arms.
"Viper I don't think I'm in the mood to play."
"I can see that." Viper said into the back of her neck. "Hope don't feel pressured. I understand we come from two different worlds. Let's just enjoy being together today, we can worry about tomorrow when it comes." Viper whispered as he ran his nose through her hair breathing Hope in.
Her friends had said the same thing.
"I can do that." Hope snuggled into him.
Maybe their relationship was a diamond in the rough. Hope wondered if they had what it takes to chip away at the veneer to find what lies beneath? One day at a time was sound advice. If everyone would just gives them that chance and stop rushing things.
"I'm pretty sure your mother hates me." Hope moaned.
"She's just over protective of her only young." Viper attempted to reassure Hope.
"I know I'm trying to remember that."
"You were very diplomatic. My mother can be very vocal."
"I'm sure she has to be considering her position."
"I hope you weren't teasing about that nap, I'm exhausted." Viper hugged her close.
"Well who's fault was that?" Hope wiggled her hips playfully against his crotch. She felt better after talking with him, some of the weight lifting off her shoulders.