Fighter

Ch. 59

"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.