The Bet

Chapter 16

Emma's parents did not like me. I was quite certain of it and I didn't really know how to handle the knowledge. I'd told Emma when I met her that I didn't make very good first impressions and she knew how nervous I was, but she'd tried to calm me down as well as she could.

They didn't explicitly tell me that they didn't like me, but her dad, David, was glancing at me in a way that indicated he didn't think I was good enough for Emma. And, to be honest, he was right.

Mary Margaret, her mother, tried to keep herself kind and open, but I could see her sceptically staring my way as well. Could I blame them, though? I'd met Emma through a bet, rejected her ruthlessly, lied straight to her face for two months and let my best friend get her pregnant because of said bet.

They didn't know about her pregnancy, though, and I could see Emma was nervous to tell them. I was, too. I bet they were going to call Emma afterwards, asking her whether I was the right "fit" for her. If they found out I wanted to help Emma with the child, I think they'd have even more concerns.

We'd just eaten dinner and I'd helped Emma in the kitchen, until she'd told me to get back to the living room and talk to her parents. She'd told me they were still a bit unsure of me, given the fact I could've treated her better in the past, but she was convinced once they got to know me, they were going to like me.

"Emma looks very happy with you," David stated matter-of-factly. It wasn't a compliment and I didn't know what to respond, so I just forced a polite smile and nodded.

"I'm very happy with her," I softly responded, knowing this conversation wasn't going to go anywhere if I didn't engage. I wished Emma would hurry up, but knowing her, she would elongate the time in the kitchen to really give me time to bond alone with her parents.

"You should be," David muttered softly and I could see Mary Margaret roll her eyes briefly. She put her hand on his knee and shushed him. "Sorry," Emma's dad muttered.

"Don't get us wrong," Mary Margaret kindly said, "we know Emma is very happy with you and so far, you seem like a.. lovely woman. Emma has just had some bad relationships in the past and given the.. type of person you are, we don't want her to tumble into any relationship that's bound to hurt her."

I tried to remain calm, but internally I was screaming. I'd never met someone's parents before and they were all making valid arguments. I wasn't going to hurt Emma, of course, but sometimes relationships did end in heartbreak. Did that immediately mean that it wasn't worth having?

"I'm not intending on hurting Emma," I said. "I know we come from different environments. After all, we can't all have loving parents and a great childhood," I let out a nervous chuckle, "but I don't think that means we shouldn't try."

David and Mary Margaret looked at me for a moment in complete silence. I felt my hands starting to get sweaty, but I wanted to remain classy, so I didn't wipe them off on my lap.

"What do you want to gain from this relationship? Is Emma just another side chick or are you really monogamous?" David inquired and I found it a ridiculous question. He could've at least formed it better and ask me directly whether I was cheating on her.

"I.." I cleared my throat and really wished for Emma to come back. She was making tea, so she said. I could really use something to drink, because my throat was drying. "I'm not cheating," I managed to croak out. These questions were making me nervous. "We've only been together for two months, but I really love your daughter."

Mary Margaret nudged David's elbow and he nodded slowly. I had to admit it was kind of sweet that he was in such a protective dad mode, but I really wished I wasn't the victim of it.