Emily

The movie just ended and I have to find a way to invite him to this week's family dinner. My family wants to meet him, but I'm still a little worried. What if they scare him off?

I take a deep breath as the lights come on and look to Cora. She was enraptured throughout the movie and loved it, but I'll be honest I didn't really see most of it.

"So Braxton, do you have plans on Sunday?" My voice sounds pretty stable, but I feel anything but.

"Nope, unless I get to hangout with you two." He sounds so sure, so definite in what he wants his plans to be.

"Okay, my mother asked me to invite you to our family dinner. It's usually just my parents, Ethan, my brother and his girlfriend. Well, now fiancé, they just got engaged. They want to meet you. I wouldn't be surprised if they had already run a background check, so hopefully you don't have a record. Crap, I promise I don't think you are a criminal, unless you are. And now I'm rambling. I'm just nervous." I don't think I could have messed that up any more. Like at all.

"Take a breath, Emily. Yes, I would love to meet your family. I wouldn't blame them if they did make sure their family was safe. No, I don't have a record, unless you count the speed ticket I got when I was 19. As for the rambling, it's cute. Don't be nervous, it will go great."

"How do you always know what to say? Don't answer that. Okay, let's go Cora. It's almost time for bed." I grab her and lift her on my hip as we walk out of the theater

"Okay, mommy. I'm tired." She says this through a yawn, so I know she's worn out.

"I'll send you the address for Sunday. Thank you for tonight." With a wave we walk out of the theater and I put her in her carseat.

When I get in I hurry to turn the car on and get home. I am tired too, work has been super busy lately and very draining. When I pull into the driveway, I see we have a new package from Amazon, but I'll grab it later. I need to get Cora to bed.

"Come on, baby girl." She drops her head onto my shoulder as I walk her to her bed. I grab the pjs she wore the night before and quickly change her.

"Let's go brush our teeth." Once I get her ready, I read her a story. Usually it takes more than one, but she had a busy day today.

By the time I finish the book, she is conked out. I'm ready to be too, but I'm still anxious about dinner this weekend. At least I have a few days before I throw Braxton to the wolves. It'll be fine. Maybe if I tell myself enough times I'll believe it.

***

Here we go, I just got to my parent's place and Ethan and Braxton have yet to show, but it's still early.

I'm helping my mom in the kitchen with the cookies, when I hear the front door open.

"Come in. Come in, you must be Braxton." My mom's voice is friendly and I'm glad she hasn't written him off yet. I trust her more than anyone and if she didn't like him then i would definitely take that to heart.

"Hi, you must be Grandma Jo. Cora doesn't stop talking about you. Do you have a vase for these?" Wow, I'm impressed, flowers are my mom's weakness. Maybe this will go better than I expected.

"Thank you. They are gorgeous. I'll grab a vase."

I walk out of the kitchen to introduce Braxton to my dad.

"Hey dad, I'd like you to meet Braxton. Braxton, this is my dad."

"Nice to meet you, sir." The men shake hands and stare at each other for a moment.

"Do I need to worry about you? You show up out of nowhere and now you are getting to know my daughter and granddaughter. Do you plan on sticking around?" I can feel my face heating as my dad practically interrogates Braxton.

"No, you don't need to worry. I plan on sticking around, I love spending time with both Cora and Emily. I'm not going anywhere, I want to be a father to Cora and I care about Emily as well." My dad seems to accept that answer because he nods and sits down in his recliner.

"Tell me more about yourself then." They start chatting and everything is going smoothly, but Ethan still isn't here yet and that is going to be a whole other story. I go grab Cora and she sits on my lap on the couch.

Just then I hear the door open and Ethan and Julie walk in. Braxton stands as Ethan walks over to him.

"Ethan, this is Braxton. Braxton, Ethan." Braxton holds out his hand.

"Nice to meet you." Braxton is the picture of confidence, whereas I probably look terrified.

"Look, you may be a stand up guy and all, but I've been here the past 4 years. I've watched Cora grow up and Emily be both her mom and dad. If you think you can just swoop in and play dad all of sudden you're wrong. You better be here for the long haul because if you make Cora and Emily rely on you then up and leave I will kick your ass from here to Sunday. I'm watching you. Got it?" I'm pretty sure my jaw is on the ground by now, but Braxton didn't waver.

"I understand, but I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. I can't tell you how much I wish I had been here, but I can't change that. I can do my best to be here now and I plan on it." Ethan shakes his hand and Julie comes to sit by me.

"How are you doing with all this?" The guys start talking about the latest game.

"I'll be honest, it's weird. I'm not used to having another guy in our lives, but he has been really great. I was really worried about tonight."

"I was too. I know he can be super protective of you, especially since you had Cora."

"Dinner's ready! Come and get it." My mom yells into the living room. I walk into the kitchen and grab a plate for myself then go back to grab one for Cora.

"Do you need any help?" Braxton asks when I walk through the line again with Cora on my hip.

"I got it, but thanks. I'm sorry about that earlier."

"I'm not. I'm glad they were protective of you two. I know I would be of my sister." I shake my head and walk back into the dining room. We sit down to eat and I just hope the rest of dinner goes well. I think I've had enough threats and interrogations for the day.