Nobody's Fool

Hell to Pay

****Jonathan’s POV****

The next day we arrived at Meme’s about 11:30 loaded down with all kinds of food from various take out places I didn’t want Meme to have to cook for all of us again.  I immediately knew Meme wasn’t feeling great, she and her cats were outside in the shade laying on a lounger while my parents were inside watching TV, reruns of Drew and my shows on DIY network.  When I went out to see my fiancé her eyes were closed, and she had her E-Reader on her lap.  I could see she was clearly sleeping so I snuck back indoors to let her rest.  A few cats came with me.  “She is out for the count.”  I proclaim.  “Yes, she was really sick this morning, so she wanted to go out and get some fresh air.  Guess it took more out of her then we thought.” Dad replied turning back to the TV.  Anna and Linda had started laying out the food on the kitchen island and soon it was time to eat.  Anna went outside to wake Meme from her nap so she could eat something.  We began making our plates up and sat down at the dining room table, Meme was sitting between Drew and me.  While I was eating I noticed how stilted Meme’s responses were to any question asked of her, at first I thought it was because she wasn’t feeling great, but after watching Mom and Dad’s reactions I knew something was up.  I was going to talk to her privately when lunch was completed, but before I could the ladies stole her off to dress shop.  I asked Anna to keep an eye on her because I could see she was upset.

While they went to search for a dress, the guys and I went to the tux shop to get ready.  I could tell Dad was upset about something and so I got him alone for a few minutes to find out what was wrong.

Me:  Hey Dad, how was your trip?

Dad:  Fun, I’m just glad we were so close when you found out about the baby coming.  Your mom was beside herself when she heard the news.    

Me:  I’m glad you both were able to get here as fast as you were able to, as well.  But I can tell something is upsetting you, so spill.

Dad:  You mom and I are just concerned that you don’t really know this Meme as well as you think.

Me:  What do you mean, Dad?

Dad:  We want to make sure you aren’t rushing into something you will regret later.  Like marrying someone who trapped you by getting pregnant.

Me:  Wait, you think she trapped me?  No, Dad, I trapped her.  I knew from the first time I saw her I wanted to make her my wife.  I fell in love with her laugh, her smile, her sense of humor, and her inner beauty.  I could see how amazing she was from the beginning and I wanted to know everything about her. 

Dad:  She seduced you.

Me:  No, Dad, I seduced her.  She wanted to keep our relationship purely professional since I lured her here to Vegas by offering her a job.  The day before her surgery I knew what I was doing when I got her into bed.  I didn’t use protection because I was hoping they would call off the surgery until we knew if I knocked her up.  Although, I only got her to sleep with me that day, after that she sent me home every night because she didn’t want to risk it.

Dad:  You were trying to knock her up?

Me:  Yeah, please don’t tell her.  I don’t want her to get mad at me, but I had to find a way to tie her to me for the rest of our lives.  Dad, I love her.  It’s just like the stories you and Mom told us about knowing right off the bat that you were meant to be.  I know she loves me; Anna says you can see it in Meme’s eyes and so has Linda.  I’m hoping she will tell me herself soon.  That is why I’m pushing for a quick wedding.  I don’t want to give her time to back out and leave me.  She still has her inheritance to fall back on if she needs to.

Dad:  What inheritance?

Me:  Her parents left her and her brother over $5,000,000.00 each when they passed.  From what Anna found out, Meme has tripled that from living frugally and making smart investments.  Right now, my fiancé’s net worth is higher than mine by quite a lot of money.  I’m just hoping her brother doesn’t call me a gold-digger because of it.

Dad:  Oh, crap.

Me:  Oh, crap?  Dad, what’s going on?

Dad:  Your mother was so sure that Meme was after your money that she interrogated her last night and called her a gold-digging slut.

Me:  WHAT? There will be hell to pay if she said that to my Meme.

I grab my phone to call my mother and tell her off, but Dad stopped me.

Dad:  I will set her straight as soon as I see her.  Please don’t call and yell at her right now, it won’t solve anything.  I know that we owe Meme a huge apology and she will get it before the day is over.  I swear we will do it in front of you.

Me:  I’m so mad right now, you had better make this right. 

He left the area to call Mom, while I let my brothers what was going on.  They were as outraged as I was at Mom’s comments to Meme.  I called my love to find out where they were, which dress shop they were at right now. Her phone went to voicemail, so I had Drew contact Linda to find out their location.  Once we knew they were, we headed over there as fast as we could.  I was determined to have it out with Mom for everything she put Meme through the night before and this morning.  Dad said Meme made mention of recording the whole conversation and I was determined to listen to it.  So much so, I got Anna to swipe her phone and send me the audio file, which I played on the car speakers for my brothers.  By the time we got to the dress shop, we all were fuming.  I strode in and started to tell off my mother, but Meme stopped me.

Meme:  Jonathan, calm down please. 

Me:  She insulted you in the worst kind of way and I don’t want her around you anymore.

Meme:  She’s gonna me my mother-in-law, grandmother to the child growing inside me, and your mother for the rest of time.  There is no getting around having her in our lives.

Me:  We can ban her from coming to the wedding and keep her from seeing our children.

Meme:  NO!  You can’t, Jonathan, I lost my mother to a stupid accident and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t crave her voice, smile, laugh, arms wrapped around me, and all the great advice she gave me.  I know for a fact that everything your Mom said and did was because she was trying to protect you the same way she used to when you were younger.  If you try to cut her out of your life you will be miserable in a matter of days.  I know that you both love each other more than mere words can express and because of that you must forgive her trying to interfere with your decisions.  No matter how old you get, she will always see you as her little boy, who she held safe for all those years you were growing up.  Face it, every parent looks at their kids and sees them as the baby, helpless in their arms, we will be the same with this one. (she pats her belly)

Mom:  Jonathan, I have always tried to keep you untouched by those who would use or abuse your kindness.  Dad called and told me my mistake when it came to Meme.  I can see that she has a wise soul and her parents raised her to be an amazing young woman.  (She turns to look at Meme and takes her hands.)  I can’t begin to apologize for the cruel things I said to you last night and this morning.  Please accept my humble expression of regret at my actions and words, Meme.  I would be honored to have you as my daughter-in-law and hope that one day you will find it in your heart to forgive me enough to call me Mom.

Dad:  I’m sorry as well, Meme.  We came at you without knowing all the details and I acknowledge how wrong we were to do that.  Please give us the chance to show you how much we are truly remorseful for our conduct.  I hope one day you will call me ‘Dad’ as well.

Meme: (Crying softly) Is it too soon to claim hormones are causing me to be so emotional?  Of course, I forgive you both, life is too short to hold grudges, Mom and Dad.

Mom:  Not at all.  Thank you, my darling. 

She started crying too as Dad held open his arms and both Meme and Mom moved in for a hug.  Linda and Anna joined in followed by us brothers on the outer edge.  Even the ladies in the shop were wiping tears from their cheeks as we held each other.  Finally, Linda pulled away and looked at the clock as stomachs began to rumble.  She and Drew declared that they would stop at the store on the way back to the house and pick up ingredients for dinner.  Meme hugged the ladies in the shop and promised to be back in the morning to try the other dresses they had in the back ready for her.  I made sure that my astonishingly awesome fiancé rode in the backseat with me.  Her capacity for forgiveness made me fall deeper in love with her each minute.