Chapter 5

Nathan and I sat in my old room on my bed while mom and dad stood in front of us with arms crossed and serious expressions on their face. It honestly felt like I was seventeen again back in high school. Neither one of them had said anything in twenty minutes which would explain the stare down, it was making me nervous.

Mom I could deal with but dad had a no bull shit expression and looked the least happy out of the two of them. It was safe to say they were not handling the news very well.

The awkward silence filling the room was killing me. It made me uncomfortable.

‘For the love of all that’s holey would someone just say something already?’

You would think I just told them I was single and pregnant.

Mom shook her head before throwing her hands up in the air. “I just don’t know where we went wrong.”

And here she goes with the blaming herself routine. Nice to know some things never change around here.

I sigh. “Mom it’s not your-”

She held up her hand stopping me. “I don’t want to hear it Payton.”

This time dad decided to step in. “I thought we taught you to take responsibility for your actions?”

“But dad I did. I sent him the divorce papers four times.”

“That’s not what I meant. Divorce is not the answer. If you make the decision to get married then you need to stick with it. Don’t take the easy way out.” He said.

“We both made a mistake. A divorce was a way to fix it.” I said.

“Don’t give us that crap Peyton you know we don’t believe in divorce.” Mom snapped.

Great I haven’t been home in years and as soon as I come back I get in trouble. And it’s all thanks to Nathan.

“I’m sorry this is my fault.” Nathan finally spoke up.

It about time he took some responsibility here. I wasn’t the only one at fault here.

“I should have gone after her the moment she left but I thought with some time and space she would come back.” He finished.

Oh no. He did not just go there. We were eighteen. What was he going to do, kidnap me? I wouldn’t have come back with him.

“We don’t blame you Nathan you didn’t run.” Mom states still giving me the upset look.

Right now I would love nothing more than to yell at them that it’s my life and I’m not a kid anymore but I’m too afraid to tell my parents that, especially my dad. He can be a scary man when he’s upset.

“Well what was I suppose to do? Stay married because we both made a mistake?” I questioned in disbelief.

“Yes, that’s exactly what you should have done.” Mom says. “Do you know we have never had anyone in our family divorce? Are you trying to be the first?”

Oh jeez.

“No mom.” I say trying my best not to roll my eyes.

It doesn’t even have anything to do with that. I could care less about our family record. I’m more concerned about what’s going to become of us if I stay in this marriage. Wait ‘if’? No. No way. There isn’t even an ‘if’ to consider. I’m not doing it. Well unless my dad gets even scarier.

“I’m trying to rectify the situation by getting her to move in with me but she refused.” He said.

“I was with someone else at the time.” I defended.

“Was?” He emphasized. “Am I to understand you are no longer with that…what’s his name…Mason Bell?”

Oh I might as well fess up to it. He’ll just find out anyway.

“No, if you must know. We broke up, ok.”

I could see the satisfied look on his face at my confession and I just wanted to smack it off. I’m not even a violent person but right now the urge to scream and do something insane was overpowering.

“Ok enough with the arguing.” Dad said. “You know have the chance to make it right so Payton…”

He looked directly at me when he spoke. Oh no.

“I think you should move in with your husband.” He finished.

I nearly jumped up from the bed. “But I have a life back home. I can’t just uproot everything and leave. What about my job?”

“I can arrange for you to work where ever you would like here.” Nathan says.

“And what about friends, are you going to buy me new ones?” I ask.

“Payton!” Mom scolded.

Ok maybe that was a little mean but I’m really upset right now.

“You’ll make new ones.” He said unfazed by my words.

Doesn’t he get it? I don’t want new ones. I want my old ones and my old life back. Not this one.

Mom and dad still stood next to mean with arms crossed wait for my answer.

“We have family coming up next weekend and you both have a high school reunion coming up to isn’t that right?” Mom questioned.

Where is she going with this?

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“Then now is as good a time as any to start working on your marriage. Who wants to go to a reunion single and divorced? Better yet who wants to break the family tradition? You?” She asks.

Well when you put it like that. That would be kind of embarrassing. I mean the only thing we have to show for ourselves is our jobs. I’m sure most of the people there would have the job and family. I suppose we’ll be coming up a little short in that area. I’m mean do I really have to go back home to anyway? I just ended my relationship and my job as an interior designer . Would it really be so bad to move here and see how things go? Now I’m not saying I’m ready to get involved with Nathan but I think I should maybe attempt the whole living together thing. It can’t be that bad. I hope.

“Fine.” Say giving in to them. “I’ll do it.”

Mom and dad both looked relieved and Nathan was overjoyed. I think everyone here was much happier than I was right now. 

“So when do I move in?” I ask looking to Nathan.

“Today works for me.” He smiles. “I’ll have Carl go pick up your things from the hotel. You can come back with me when we leave.”

Well that was fast. Within one minute of agreeing to this I’m already moved in with him. I think that was the fastest step in the history of relationships ever.

“Uh…ok.” I reply. “I guess it’s all worked out then.”

Now that our marriage is taken care of mom starts to gush. “I can’t believe our daughter is married to one of the most successful people in the world.”

And here we go.

“I can’t wait to call Maryann and tell her all about it.” She adds.

“Actually if you don’t mind I’d rather deal with the press first. We need to get the story to them that we’ve been keeping our marriage a secret for my wife to retain some normalcy in her life and her career kept her away for a while.” He says.

“Oh of course. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.” Mom says embarrassed.

“After that’s taken care of you can tell anyone you like but I must request you keep the waking up married story just between us. That wouldn’t look well.” He states.

“You don’t have to worry about us.” Dad says. “We wouldn’t want that getting out either.”

An hour and a half and one long talk later I was now in Nathan’s car on our way back to his house. His mood seemed a lot better than the last time I saw him but I assume that’s because of our agreement.

Unknown to my parents Nathan and I had agreed on a three month trial period for our marriage at which point if I decide not to follow through with the marriage after that amount of time than he would sign the papers without a fight. That’s the main reason I agreed to this. Well that and a few other things but we won’t go into that right now. I just want to make sure we don’t get hurt in all of this and see if we can make this work. I’m still a little unsure but you never know until you try right? I just hope I don’t regret this in the end.

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