Well, so much for a happy celebration!

He did his best to stuff down the flare of anger that he felt. She did not think they were serious! Did she truly have no respect for her daughter's decisions? Barnabas clenched his jaw and his grip involuntarily tightened on the one that grasped his cane. Having his new mother-in-law angry at him was no way he wanted to conduct his first familial act as a married couple.

"You doubt her?" He asked incredulously, meeting her skeptic gaze with a fiercely protective one of his own, "Maeve and I are in love and we were wed at Gretna Green just 72 hours ago. Show her your ring, darling." He directed the last at Maeve, releasing her left hand so that she might present the heirloom ring to her mother. He'd had it in his nightstand for over a year - having once presented it to another girl that Maeve still didn't know about - but it was beautiful and had once belonged to his grandmother. He continued coolly, "If you need further proof Mrs. Connolly, we'll have the marriage contract sent over forthwith."