Second Chance

Chapter 20

**Everly**

“Is everything done?” I yelled to Kennedy as I looked at myself in the mirror one last time. 

“Yes, Mom, stop freaking out. They are going to love you.” 

“Yeah, and if they don’t I'll handle it.” Kora winked and gave me a hug. 

Why had I invited his entire family? I just came out of my mouth while I was talking to Faith. What if they didn’t like mw? What if they wanted somebody younger for Dustin so they would be able to have more grandchildren? 

The worst part was, not only was I meeting his family for the first time, but he was meeting mine. I had only planned on him meeting my brother but my brother mentioned it to my Dad and now my father, his wife, and my half siblings were joining us. 

Before I could have a complete meltdown, Dustin and Adalyn showed up and instantly I felt better. Adalyn was instantly in my arms and I did not complain. I adored this little girl like she was my own. 

My brother and his family were the first to arrive and, thank goodness. I needed him to keep the peace. Then Dustin's family and finally my father and his family. 

Both of his parents looked very young. Dustin looked exactly like his father and Faith seemed to be a good mix. His mother was beautiful. She had blonde hair, deep blue eyes and the most amazing cheek bones. The woman could be a model. Not to mention she was in perfect shape. 

The moment I saw her I was intimidated and found myself pulling at my shirt. However, that feeling quickly left when she pulled me into a hug and had tears in her eyes. 

“I am so glad my son finally found you.” The moment she pulled away, Dustin wrapped his arms around my waist. 

“I told you she was perfect.” He mumbled because he had already started getting into the food. 

“My son was right. You are a very beautiful woman and we are looking forward to getting to know you.” His father said, causing me to blush. 

“Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey.” 

“Oh, please call me Sara and my husband Kurt.” 

“Thank you Sara and Kurt.” 

Not only did Dustin’s parents look young, but so did his grandparents. My entire life I thought I was lucky to age slowly like my father, but they must have some super genes. 

Everything seemed to be going well at the start. Until we sat down to eat. I sat my plate down next to Dustin and somehow managed to be right across from my father and his wife. Dustin took Adalyn to change her diaper, leaving me alone with them. 

“Don’t you think you should eat less?” Michele, my step-mother snickered. 

“Excuse me?” 

“The man you are trying to trap obviously works out and next him you look like a slob.”

I looked over at my father but he kept his head down and kept eating. This was not the place to cause a scene, I kept telling myself, but my blood was boiling. I knew my face was 6 shades of red. 

“I think she looks perfect just the way she is and if anybody is trying to trap somebody it’s my son trying to trap this beautiful woman in front of me.” Kurt said as he sat down next to me. 

“Thank you.” I whispered. 

“Your son doesn’t know what he is getting himself into. She drove her last husband to drink and it ended up killing him.” 

Tears threatened to escape my eyes. Deep down I knew I was not the cause of my husband’s drinking, but it didn’t make it hurt any less. 

“His drinking was not my fault.” I managed to get out. 

“I can’t imagine it was dear.” Kurt placed his hand on mine and gave me a smile. 

“What is going on?” Dustin came out and handed Adalyn to his father and they quickly changed places. Dustin placed his arm around me and took my chin, forcing me to look at him. 

“Are you OK?” He asked. 

“She is fine. Don’t let her trick you like she did with David and, apparently, your father too.” Michele continued. 

“Eve is the most amazing woman I have ever met. She could trick me anytime she wanted, but I know that is not the kind of woman she is.” Dustin replied. His eyes never left mine. 

“How could you want a woman like her?” 

“Honey, enough.” My father finally said, but for me it was too late. 

“What? Look at her.” 

“I am looking at her and she is perfect.” Dustin slowly turned towards my father and step-mother. “You, on the other hand, are a disgusting waste of space.” 

My eyes must have looked like those cartoons where the eyes bulge out of the cartoon's head, because I was in shock. 

“Excuse me?” She replied offended. 

“You heard me. Not only is your personality ugly, but so is your face. My girl had amazing curves and I am lucky to be the one that gets a chance to hold onto these curves. You, on the other hand, look like a bowling ball with legs.” 

“Everly are you going to allow him to talk to your step-mother that way?” My father asked as if this was the first time he understood what was happening. 

“Yes, and you have two options. You can both shut up or leave. I can’t keep doing this.” 

With David, he would tell me to ignore it and we would avoid being around my father and his family. Never once did he stick up for me. It just wasn’t in his nature. If somebody tried to physically hurt me, he would have jumped in front of a bullet for me, but when I came to verbal abuse he just didn’t want to make a scene. 

“If we walk away now, we won’t be coming back.” My father threatened.