Melanie

Pulling up to my family's estate in Austin, Texas, I braced myself for what was to come. Kaden parked the car, next to one of my father's many luxury cars and sat back in his seat. Kj's light snores can be heard from the backseat as we both seemed to take a breather.

What is he breathing for? This was his idea to accept the invitation to stay the weekend. We could have easily made this a day trip and went back to Houston as soon as my meeting was done.

" Are you ready?" Kaden asked as he gave my hand a squeeze.

Hell the fuck no.

" As ready as I'll ever be." I got the car and opted to carry Kj myself while Kaden grabbed the bags. Sad to say that I am using my baby for leverage so I don't have to deal with the bull...

"Melanie! Oh there you are darling, How are you?" My mother said, opening the door before we could even ring the doorbell.

Was she waiting by the door or something?

" Hello Mother." I greeted her with a double air kiss since I have Kj in my arms.

"Kaden" She gave him a quick greeting bitterly as if she was trying to force herself to behave.

"Hello, Ms Janine. You look lovely this evening."

" I looked better earlier today. You would have noticed if you two were on time." She slightly scolded me with a tight lipped smile.

" I'm sure you were dazzling but we had other engagements that needed tending to." Kaden explained with ease as I watched the wheels turn in my mother's facial expressions.

" Engagements more important than having dinner at a decent hour with your parents?" She was looking for me to answer but I was quiet. We had nothing to do. We were merely passing time at the various malls and took KJ out to see the city of Austin.

" Well yes." Kaden answered for me.

Kaden wasn't nearly as intimidated as I was in greeting her. He sported a condescending smile and his arm muscles flexed as he carried our bags.

It made me think of the way he had me pinned down with fist full of my hair in his hands as he rammed into me from behind over and over... and over

" It's never too late for dinner." I heard my father say as he came up behind his wife with his signature stone face.

" Hello My honey bee." He kissed the top of my head and nodded at Kaden as a greeting. " Let's get you three settled for dinner. Your sister and cousin are waiting. The children have already eaten."

He gestured towards Kj with his mouth slightly open as if he was trying to figure out what to say. " Um, What's his name? Has he eaten or is he down for the night? It's been a while since I've been around a little one."

We all walked further in the house. My mother went to tell the cook we were ready for dinner as my father, Kaden and I lagged behind near the grand staircase.

" His name is KJ. I'm not sure yet, we've had a long day. We'll need a few minutes." I answered.

" Certainly. You know where your room is." He gestured towards the stairs before he walked away himself.

We made our way to my childhood room and got settled. Kj wasn't budging in getting up so I put him to bed. Since we are at my parents I had a baby monitor to take with me. Once downstairs we made our way to the dining room hand in hand. As we walked in it was like all eyes were on us as they waited to be served.

I greeted Mia and China as Kaden pulled out my chair. He gave me a kiss on the cheek like a statement that he was still around and nothing was going to change that. With a smile on his face, he sat in his seat with confidence. The maid and cook, Marisol asked us what we would like to drink before she and her daughter, Marina brought out the food. We said a quick prayer and dug in.

" Sit up straight, China. Your posture is poor." She scolded.

China, who was still rocking her green hair, completely ignored mother's comment. In fact she slouched even more, making Mia softly giggle. She focused on the food which consisted of lamb chops, caramelized carrots and parmesan crusted brussel sprouts.

" Marisol, you put your foot in this food." China praised, causing mother to frown while everyone else agreed with a head nod and laugh.

" It is quite excellent." Father added.

" Well thank you. My baby, Marina, made Tiramisu. Let me know when you're for it or want seconds. There's plenty to go around." She beamed before dismissing herself to the kitchen.

" China, your posture." My mother made mention again.

China blew out a breath. " Uncle Monty"

As giving a warning to him that if he didn't check his wife she might explode. I can imagine mother picking on her all day, complaining about her colored hair and skin tight clothing. She was probably sick of it by now. My father, Montgomery, was always our savior when it came to mother's belittling ways. He didn't play about his niece and daughters. Well until he starts annoying us with his controlling ways when it comes to success.

" Janine, leave the baby doll alone please and enjoy your dinner."

Mother mumbled under her breath calling China a spoiled brat before father spoke again. " So honey bee, how did the meeting go with your advisor? Sorry I couldn't join you. A last minute meeting occurred."

" It went well, daddy. I'll graduate really soon."

" With a business degree I hope." He said and like a ricochet everyone's eyes fell on me.

Father's eyes looked like I better say what he wants to hear. Mother's eyes looked like she was pleased at the fact I wasn't being lazy. Mia's eyes looked on wondering what I was going to say and China looked like she wanted to scream " Girl stand up!"

" I'll actually be graduating with two degrees. One in business administration and a fine arts degree with emphasis in painting and design." The room fell silent as a grin played on my lips. The idea that I will finally finish something made me happy. " I should add that despite the breaks I decided to take on, my lonesome, did not affect my grades. I will graduate magna cum laude as an honor student."

I felt Kaden's hand fall onto my thigh under the table. He gave it a nice squeeze as I subconsciously opened my legs. When I looked over at him, he had a huge goofball smile on his face.

" My baby, beauty and brains. I'm proud of you.."

It made me smile but it quickly fell at my mother's comment...

" If she had a brain, she wouldn't be with you but what can we do? Divorce is certainly out of the question."

" Momma!? Was that necessary?" Mia fussed.

China scoffed at the comment. Despite our little fall out, she was ready to defend me to the end. I can tell by the creases in her forehead and the way her green hair swayed as her neck rolled. Kaden was ready as well as his body turned away from and turned towards my mother who was at the other end of the table, opposite of my father.

I stopped them from saying anything as I stood on my feet. "Comments like that make me wonder why I even try with you. I'm here because you asked me to be but if you can't respect me or my husband then we can go back to not speaking."

When mother just stared on wavering in her stance, I prompted Kaden to stand. " Well, we will just grab our son and be on our way."

As Kaden stood, a calm deep voice spoke, " Sit."

My father with a glass of dark liquor in his hands. He gestured for us to sit back down again. " Sit, and enjoy your dinner. It's way too late in the evening for this bullshit. Janine, mind your business. If she didn't have a brain she wouldn't be graduating at the top of her class, now would she? " He said with all seriousness.

" I only wanted you to finish school honey bee. You are finishing with two degrees with the time you've been in is more than I can ask for." He raised his glass to me as Kaden and I both sat back down. In a way his salute to me is as good as an I am proud of you that I'm ever going to get.