Ch. 59

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An hour before we have to leave I ask Maddox what I should wear. All he said was white, what is with him and white? I decide to try and look good because I know Lauren will be trying to do the same.

I lay out my short white dress that I made Maddox go get from Aunt Mary's. John was at practice with J.J. or else I doubt Maddox would have gone. I style my hair in loose waves and put on light makeup. After I get my dress and shoes on, it’s time to go. I walk out as Maddox is coming down the hall.

"You look great." Maddox looks me over.

"Thank you. So do you." I say looking at his dark grey slacks and black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up his forearms.

"Let's go." He says and takes my hand.

Once we're in the car I can feel my nerves start. I hate knowing how awful this is going to be, but I’m unable to really do anything about it. I don't want to see either Jason or Lauren. One has seen me naked and the other wished I was naked...in a morgue.

"This is going to be awful, isn't it?" I ask dreading this dinner.

"Probably." He smirks.

"This is not something to smirk about, Maddox."

"Sorry." He says turning his smirk into a full-blown smile.

"Yeah, you look it." I reply sarcastically.

Twenty minutes later we pull up to a huge two story house with a six car garage. Maddox gets out and as I go to open the door it's opened for me. I look up and Jason is standing in front of me.

"Hello, beautiful." He greets smiling.

Maddox pushes him out of the way and helps me out of the car.

"Well hello to you, too, Maddox." Jason teases.

Maddox doesn't say anything as we walk to the front door where Lauren and two older well dressed people are standing. Her parents I'm assuming.

I can feel the death glares coming from Lauren so I don't look at her. Jason is walking somewhat beside me and I know Maddox is not happy by the grip on my arm.

"You must be Hadley, we've heard so much about you. I'm Jack and this is my wife, Lori."

I shake his hand then Lori's, she looks at me like I'm lacking. Great, another Lauren. "Nice to see you again, Lauren." I say to her. I'm a polite person, I can be civil. It's on her if this dinner gets ruined.

She scoffs and Jack quickly ushers us into the house. We go to a sitting room with chairs and couches. We sit and a server with a tray of drinks comes in. I see that it's all wine. So this is how they want to flush it out that I'm pregnant. I can tell Maddox notices and his eyes narrow on the drinks.

"I know you think Hadley is pregnant. It's true, she is." Maddox says without ceremony.

I blush at their shocked faces, way to go Maddox! Just lay it on them. Jason recovers first.

"Damn, Maddox, way to lock that down. That was a fast decision, even for you." He says knowingly.

"What a slut, everyone knows she did it to keep Maddox." Lauren says acting repulsed by me.

"That's enough, Lauren." Jack scolds.

"She's not a slut, she was a virgin. And Jason is closer to the truth than you are." Maddox replies calmly.

"Why her anyway? She's nothing special, she's the size of one of my legs." Lauren complains.

"I love her. Now enough, Lauren. I mean it." Maddox warns almost daring her to say more. Lauren huffs but stays silent.

"Well, I hate to admit it, but you couldn't have chosen any better. She's perfect." Jason says begrudgingly.

"So, when is the due date?" Jack asks trying to ease the tension in the room.

"There are complications. We won't know until next Friday if the baby will even make it." Maddox answers sadly.

"Well everything happens for a reason." Lori states trying to hide a smile.

I’ve never wanted to slap someone as much as I do right now. Even Lauren isn't that classless.

"This is our baby we're talking about. Do you think you could try harder to wipe the smile off of your face? And nothing will change between Hadley and I. I plan on marrying her regardless, when she's ready. I can assure you, I will never be with Lauren, ever. You may want to pull back on the desperate attempts. Next time, I won't hesitate to cut this family off."

Lori gets red in the face and Lauren looks shocked at his speech. Jack is glaring at his wife, he looks disgusted with her behavior.

"I can't believe you’re still trying that shit. I told you enough was enough! I had hopes for them, too! But this is our daughter, not a desperate prostitute." Jack is scary when he's angry just like Maddox.

Jason starts laughing and when Jack glares at him he waves his hands in surrender, trying to stifle his laughs. I can't believe this family...then the song, Mo Money, Mo Problems comes to mind and I cover a grin. This family is crazy.

"Sorry, dad, it's just that I doubt Lauren needed any prompting to go after Maddox. She is her mother's daughter."

"Jason." Jack warns, his face going even redder.

"What? Only those two could call a virgin a slut with a straight face. Or accuse an innocent girl of doing what they failed at."

"Get out now." Lori says seething.

"What? Why? It was just getting good. I can't wait until dinner." He mocks.

Just then the woman that severed the wine enters and announces dinner. I can't help it, I giggle, I think I like Jason.

Jason smiles at me and raises his glass of wine to me, "Welcome to the family, Hadley." I lose it and start laughing.

I recover quickly, "Thank you, Jason. This has been one of the most welcoming experiences I've ever had." I say, trying to keep my face serious. "I’ve always wanted a brother."

"Well, sis, look no further. I've always wanted a little sister I liked."

"Oh, good we’re the perfect family now." I reply.

"Don't start crying, if you cry, I'll cry." He says wiping fake tears.

"All right, Jason, enough." Jack huffs now that he's calm. "Let's get through this meal. Hadley, I'd like to get to know you better."

I smile at him and we walk to the dining room. Every place setting is perfect. I sit next to Maddox. Jason sits directly across from me next to Lauren. Jack is at one end of the table and Lori the other.

Seconds after we sit, two people bring out the starter course, a mushroom hazelnut salad. It looks delicious and everyone starts eating.

"Are you starting college in the fall, Hadley?"

"Yes, I am."

"It starts soon I believe."

"Yes, nine more days."

"Is that wise with the baby? You don't want to stress yourself. If there are complications you should be resting."

"It's not that type of complication. She has a cyst on one of her ovaries that could burst and cause a miscarriage. It can't be helped even if she rests and doesn't move for the next nine months." Maddox explains, taking my hand in his and looking at me lovingly.

"What do you even need to go to school for? Don't you have your meal ticket sitting right next to you?" Lauren asks snidely.

"This is the mother of my child and future wife. I'll be no one’s meal ticket, Lauren. Something you need to understand."

"I'm sure if Hadley was looking for a meal ticket she would pick someone a little less crazy and hard to be around. Really, how can you stand him? He can be so domineering and arrogant." Jason says disgusted.

"Well, he's working on it." I reason, smiling at Maddox and he leans over and pecks my lips.

"Whipped." Jason says smirking.

Maddox laughs for the first time since we got here. "Very." He agrees still laughing.

"Do you have any sisters?" Jason asks me.

"No, I'm an only child." I answer.

"How quickly you forget your honorary big brother. That hurts, Hadley."

"You said sisters!"

"You said only child!"

"All right, I'm sorry, big bro." I apologize letting him win.

"What should your punishment be?" He pretends to think. "You know, I do owe you a good spanking."

I turn bright red. I pick up a mushroom and, without thinking, throw it at him. I hit him on the forehead and Maddox and Jack laugh. Jason is trying not to laugh but failing. "Mom, Hadley threw a mushroom at me!"

"And if I were her I'd have thrown my plate." She says to Jason smirking.

This earns a laugh from everyone. Wow, it's almost becoming normal in here. The next course comes out, its chicken with wild rice and honey glazed carrots. I start eating, I am trying to ignore Lauren's constant glare but finally I look at her. I raise my eyebrow slightly asking her what her problem is.

"How do you even know if it's yours? She was sleeping with Tyler, too." Lauren declares looking at me.

I look at her, shocked at her outburst. She seems pleased by my reaction. "I didn't cheat on Maddox." I say seething. "I want to go.” I say looking at Maddox.

"You’re such a bitch." Jason says irritated with his sister.

Maddox stands up and I get up as well. "Thank you for having me." I say feeling emotionally drained.

Maddox doesn't say anything but he grabs my hand and turns to leave.

"What?! It's an honest question. I heard she was with Tyler for a whole night without Maddox." Lauren shouts.

Maddox stops and his shoulders tense up and he turns to Lauren. "If I hear you've been helping to spread those rumors, you'll regret it." He says coldly.

"I doubt it. You just don't want to admit that," she points to my stomach. "Might not be yours. Trust me, get a paternity test." She says smugly.

"God, you are one pathetic little girl. Grow up, Lauren, you’re going to have to sooner or later." Maddox growls and turns to Jack. "Our relationship is quickly becoming strictly business. I don't want Lauren around Hadley. If I hear of any rumors she spreads about Hadley, I will pull all of my money out of your business. Talk to that spoiled rotten brat before her mouth puts you in the poor house." Maddox warns dangerously calm. "I won't have Hadley disrespected by this family again."

Maddox lets go of my hand and puts his arm around my waist as we leave the house. "I'm sorry, Maddox. I just can't take being called a slut more than three times in one day."

"It's not your fault. I expected to leave long before now."

"I like Jack and Jason, they’re nice. I think even Lori was starting to warm up to me."

"It's still Jack's responsibility to talk to his family about their behavior. I was simply disgusted with Lauren and Lori, I'm not sorry about what I said. If she steps out of line again I'm not helping them anymore financially or any other way."

"They're your family, Maddox, you can't just walk away from them."

"We're a family too, the three of us. They aren't much of a family to me if they don't make an effort to get to know the woman I love. They talked about you and our baby like trash, I won't have it." He says shaking his head adamantly.

I don't say anything but I hug him before getting into the car. As we drive away I think back on dinner. I honestly hope Lauren doesn't alienate Maddox from the only family he's had for so long.

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