Magician's Assistant - Friends & Lovers Part 10

Without prying very much, her mother proceeded to ask Nicole if she would like to stay and have dinner with the two of them. Nicole replied that she'd love to, if that invitation might also be extended to include her friend, John. That comment of Nicole's led to her mother then asking the obvious question, "So, am I to take it that after all these years the two of you have known one another, you've finally come to your senses and realized that you're perfect for each another?"

Hemmed in as she was, Nicole could only answer, "Yes, mother. We have."

"Good! It's about time! Fact is, as far as I'm concerned, it's way past time! So, when's the wedding?"

"Mom!" Nikki's voice was iced with the raw edge of sternness. "How 'bout we discuss that when John and I come over on Sunday?"

"Nicole." Nicole's mother's voice noticeably moderated. Instead of conveying a sense of joyful anticipation as it had but a moment before, it was laden with an uneasy sense of apprehension. "You're not getting married because you have to, are you, dear?"

"No, Mom. You needn't fear on that account. I'm not pregnant. John and I are getting married because we want to, not because we have to."

"I'm glad to hear that, dear, you know, because even though your dad and I dearly want to become grandparents one of these days, you and John need some time to yourselves before thinking about starting a family."

Nicole waited until all four of them had finished with their desert before she told her parents the truth about what had occurred the week before. Though both were astonished and flabbergasted initially, not to mention a little discombobulated due to the residual side-effects of the full restoration of their prior memories, the Gerlachs handled the news that their one and only son was now their one and old daughter quite amicably. Though at first somewhat at a loss for words, Nicole's mother was overjoyed with the turn of events. She had always wanted a daughter, and now that she had one, she was bound and determined to make the best of it, even if that daughter of hers had once been her son. Plus, as an extra bonus of sorts, thrown into the mix so as to sweeten the deal, as the mother of the bride-to-be, she had a wedding to help plan and coordinate.