CHAPTER 25 - THE MOTHER'S APPROVAL

All throughout the car ride Ben didn’t let Courtney’s hand go until they heard a pinged from Courtney’s phone. It was Mrs. Montini giving the exact restaurant location of the reservation she made. Courtney replied that they will be there soon and thanked her mother. Around six fifteen in the evening, the couple reached their destination.

"Buona sera (Good evening) we have a reservation under Mrs. Montini." Courtney greeted the waiter.

“This way please.” The waiter led the way.

Ben safely placed his hand behind Courtney's back as they walk in sync. He wants to show everyone in the room that she is his especially the guys who were eyeing his woman.

"Mamà.” Courtney acknowledged her mother.

“Tesoro.” Mrs. Montini gathered her daughter with her arms.

“Mamà, by the way this is Ben.” Courtney introduced her mother.

“So… this is him." Mrs. Montini studied his physical appearance.

“Buona sera Signora Montini. My name is Ben, your daughter’s boyfriend.” Ben offered his hand.

“Finally we’ve met in person and not just my daughter’s imagination.” Mrs. Montini smiled delightedly.

Ben got confuse of what her mother is saying but decided to ask Courtney about it later when their alone. For now he needs to pass the mother’s support for dating her daughter.

“By the way where is Papa?” Courtney intentionally cut them off to prevent her embarrassment.

“My apologies, he couldn’t come tonight because they was an urgent matter he needs to attend too.” Her mother looked repentant.

“It’s alright Signora Montini.” Ben smiled genuinely.

“Please cut the formalities, just call me Arianna.” Mrs. Montini suggested.

“It’s my pleasure to meet you Arianna, the lovely mother of my girlfriend. Now I believe that beauty does run to the famiglia (family).” Ben gave compliments.

“So sweet of you to say, thank you.” Mrs. Montini looks very happy with the words she heard.

Courtney watched them in amazement and she knew her mother approved her tasted and his boyfriend is real. Now she can finally breathe since her engagement will not be happening.

“Let’s sit and dine shall we Mamà.” Courtney meddled politely.

"Right it’s time to order, I’m starving." Her Mamà suggested.

“After you ladies.” Ben gestured his hand.

Soon as the waiter arrived he handed the menu and to Ben’s surprise the menu are well selected mostly with spicy food which is a bit rare in Italian cuisine.

“I’ll have Paccheri al Forno con Pomodoro & Mozzarella.” Mrs. Montini ordered too.

It is a large, hollow, tube-shaped type of pasta shape is similar to rigatoni but a bit shorter. High-quality cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella are used in this type pf pasta, plus bronze-extruded, air-dried pasta, whose coarse texture will hold up to the sauce.

“Lo Spaghetti al Pomodoro for me please.” Courtney speaks after her mother was done.

This pasta is truly an iconic Italian cuisine because it only has five simple ingredients. It is a combination of fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and fresh basil.

“I’ll take Bucatini all’Amatriciana.” Ben ordered last.

It is along and hollow pasta, perfectly picks up the simple sauce, which is perfectly balanced with spicy chili, sharp Pecorino Romano cheese, sweet-tart tomato sauce, and rich cured pork cheek.

"So tell me how you both meet?’’ Mrs. Montini started interrogating them.

Since Courtney and Ben talked about this it was easy for them to tell the story. By the looks of it, Mrs. Monti was pleased hearing them both answered the same time.

“Wish your father is here to see how you both look good together.” Mrs. Montini stared at them in awe.

“It’s okay Arianna, I’m sure there is going to be another time, right hun?” Ben gave a meaningful winked at Courtney.

“Of course.” Courtney confirmed.

“How long are you planning to stay here?" Her mother throws another question directly at Ben.

“I’m actually staying for good to spend more time with your daughter. I realized when I was away for months I have missed Courtney so much and there was so much that happening that made me returned in hurry.” Ben was good at this story, Courtney commented on her mind.

“I supposed you’re referring to the fidanzamento (engagement) correct?” Mrs. Montini went straight to the topic.

“I will be honest Arianna, when Courtney told me about it I went ballistic.” He made his reaction a bit dim to make it convincing.

“I understand how painful that will bring for the two of you truly now I can see how you adore each other. “ Mrs. Montini wiped her lips.

“You can’t even imagine how that feels to hear from the woman you love that she will be married to someone else. It was heartbreaking for me and Courtney.” He answered while holding Courtney’s hand.

All the time Ben was being extra sweet with Courtney not just to show her mother that they are acting but personally he wants to do it too. After the confession they did, Ben is pretty sure they are not pretending anymore on showing their emotions.

“Out of curiosity, you’ve been together for three months now and I can see you’re in love so why did you guys wait this long to meet us?” Mrs. Monti gave a very logical observation.

“It was my choice Mamà not Ben, I wanted it to see how our relationship will go before introduced him, you know how strict and conventional Papa is, right Mamà?” Courtney saved their asses on that.

“Sorry if I didn’t listen and believed in you, I felt so ashamed for not trusting my own daughter.” Her mother gave a tearful word.

“It’s okay Mamà but what about Papa?” Courtney accepted the apology and opened up about her father.

“I am certain that he will be by your side after tonight, but will you promise to give him a call?” Her mother pleaded.

“I will.” Courtney agreed.

“Thank you Tesoro.” Mrs. Montini hugged her daughter sideways.

“I don’t want to interrupt your moment but for our peace of mind, can we convince Courtney’s father to stop the engagement?” Ben asked since this was the reason they had a deal in the first place and he doesn’t want that to happen either.

"I will talk to my husband to stop the engagement since it is no longer necessary.” Mrs. Montini gave a promising statement.

“You don’t know how happy that makes me and Courtney feels.” Ben saw the mother and daughter

“All we want is for our daughter to be happy and I can see it now.” Mrs. Montini switched her gaze from Ben to Courtney.

“That we are Mamà.” Courtney seconded.

“Have you thought about getting married and how many kids you plan to have?" Mrs. Montini grinned.

Her bluntness about having kids and the whole marriage resembled Ben’s mother point of view. He can't help but smile how their mother thinks alike and how mentioning kids gets them excited.

“Mamà, I think that’s too early to discuss.” Courtney almost choked on her pasta.

“I think it is considering you’re madly in love with each other and soon enough you’ll plan the wedding unless you don’t have plan to marry my daughter Ben.” Mrs. Montini cornered him.

“Don’t get me wrong Arianna, yes we love to have kids someday but for now we want to focus on spending time together since we have been a way for long time. But you have my word when the time is right, you’ll be the first one to know.” Ben used the same alibi he did with his mother.

“I’m looking forward on that.” Mrs. Montini seems to have confidence in his word.

The conversation after that went very smooth; in fact you can hear laughter and interesting stories that Mrs. Montini shared about Courtney’s growing up years. It was entertaining for Ben but it is the other way around to Courtney, she prayed mentally for the ground to swallow her. After dinner Mrs. Montini finally bid goodbye making Courtney relief of those memories she can’t barely remember.