> Barbara couldn't stop beaming, moving to kiss both her son and Julia on
the
> cheeks, making the younger woman blush slightly and chuckling at her own
> reaction. After all, it wasn't often Barbara was this open about her
> emotions.
>
> "That's perfect news." she told them both, right before Sloan walked in
and
> heard the tail end of what she had said.
>
> "Perfect news?" he asked, raising an eyebrow "Share, I could use some
about
> now."
>
> Barbara had been looking at her son and patting his cheek when something
> flickered in her gaze, probably alerting Derek that there had been
something
> said prior to the London Precept and her entering the kitchen. But she
> straightened and smiled brightly at Sloan "My son is getting married."
>
> Sloan looked at Derek, right before his gaze slowly slid, with growing
> realization, to Julia.
>
> "He can't."
>
> Julia blinked, her hand, still unseen under the table and on Derek's leg,
> stilling in reaction to Sloan's order.
>
Derek did catch the look in his mother's eyes and his hand went
instinctively to hers, enclosing it in his own reassuringly. He turned his
gazed to Sloan, about to elaborate on the anouncement when the other precept
made his proclaimaiton.
Derek's jaw tightened and his happy expression vanished almost completely.
"Don't be ridiculous William, of course I can." His voice was calm, but
firm. "I am getting married and I don't recall asking for your approval."
