Dawn's Pov

The house had a pungent smell of garlic and roasted chicken when I stepped in.

"David?" I called softly as I tossed my bag on the couch and padded barefoot to the kitchen to meet a sight that made me stand still.

It wasn't every day I came home to the visual image of my husband hurrying around the kitchen in panic and confusion as he opened up the windows and arched doors for the black smoke clouding the kitchen atmosphere to air out.

Did I mention he did all this in nothing but his red shorts and that blue flower-patterned apron hanging over his bare chest?

His whole face lit up when they met mine. "Shit, Dawn, you're home, I wasn't expecting you until later."

The choking smoke wracked a cough out of me. "Yeah I know but my appointment ended early," I told him, carefully walking into the kitchen to access the damage done.

The open oven that looked like it had caught on fire was a wreck but that was nothing compared to the black whole chicken still sitting inside it. "What happened in here?"

"I can explain." He said, walking around the island to stand in front of me and I should've probably told him that he had a charcoal stain on his left cheek but he looked cute that way.

"I got off work early and thought It would be nice to surprise my beautiful wife with dinner but I think I followed the instructions wrongly and over-baked the chicken because it didn't come out right."

"David..." I wasn't sure if to scold him or applaud him. "You didn't have to."

"I know, I know," his shoulders slumped as he sighed. "I wanted to do something for you since you always come home from work tired and then head to the kitchen to make us a meal and anytime I offer to get a maid you refuse."

In my defense, I had read enough novels to know that maids always got the sexy hot owner which in this case was my husband. I lifted my hand to wipe his cheek with a smile on my face. "It's fine, don't worry too much about me."

He grabbed my hip and pulled me into him. "I'm sorry for ruining the kitchen." He nuzzled into my neck and blew out an exasperated breath. "I promise to make it up to you."

I smiled, running my fingers through his hair. "It's fine, and although I appreciate this, next time if you feel the need to help just give me a back massage."

The deep chuckle that erupted from his chest vibrated against my mine. "Noted Mrs. Agent." He pulled away slightly and kissed my head. "Since dinner is ruined, what about takeouts?"

I nodded. "I'll shower and join you shortly."

"Cool."

I padded out of the kitchen right after that and picked up my bag from the couch before climbing up the stairs to my room.

I started peeling my clothes off immediately and searched through my bag for the test kit I now hid in the drawer he never went through because he hated the sight of tampons.

My shower was short. I didn't wash my hair because I was too tired to do so. I tossed on one of my silk night dresses and pulled my hair up into a loose bun before adding a little moisturizer to my skin and heading back down the stairs to meet David dispersing the pasta into two red bowls.

I joined him and helped set up the side orders, instantly noticing the sealed letter sitting in the middle of the dining table.

"How was your visit to Paula's?" He suddenly asked, impelling me to look back up at him.

"It was," I blinked. "Um, nice. We couldn't talk much because she had a lot of appointments and all."

He sat down. "Does she still think I'm the cheating scumbag who's going to break your heart?"

The look he gave me told me he already knew the answer. I laughed away my nervousness, still unable to bring myself to tell him about the kit but I would, eventually. "She's just hard-headed like that. Give her time and she'll cozy up to you."

He shrugged and filled both our glasses with wine. "Hopefully she stops hating on me soon because the last thing I would ever do is hurt you. You know that right?"

"I know that." I simply smiled and looked over at the letter. "What's that?"

"What?"

"The letter." I nodded to it. "Who sent it."

He looked at the letter. "An invitation for my cousin's wedding in New Orleans." He rolled spaghetti over his fork. "I leave tomorrow. It's the wedding rehearsal. I was going to discuss it with you after dinner." He popped the fork into his mouth and chomped on it. "I'll be gone for a few days, perhaps a week since I know I'll be forced into attending the festival that follows."

My brow quirked up. "You're not taking me with you?"

He looked puzzled by the question. "Well, I didn't think you would want to come since, you know, my mother is going to be there."

I frowned. "It doesn't matter, I've always wanted to meet the rest of your family you always keep away."

"I don't keep them away, Dawn. I'm just not close to them. It's majorly relatives from my mother's side of the family." He gave me an uncertain look. "You sure you want to come? After what happened at the function I think it's best if you keep your distance from her and-"

"I can't keep running away from her forever, David." I cut him, reaching across the table to place my hand on his. "I'll be fine. I can handle her."

And I could, I think. Ugh, it didn't matter, I was going to.

"Alright then." He heaved out a breath and smiled. "You're welcome to join me."

***

I spent the latter part of that night getting my luggage ready and setting things in place.

The next morning, we were sitting in the back seat of David's car as Oscar drove us to the airport.

It was about mid-afternoon when we finally arrived at the Louisiana port and upon our ride to the estate, I couldn't help but stare out the window in awe of the scenery that was to die for.

Every block we drove by had something uniquely peculiar about it, a large number of building walls were damped with electrifying murals and laid-back artworks that left me in astonishment.

When we pulled into the rocky driveway of the family estate which was by far the greatest sight I'd seen, and cut the engine, I panicked.

Ultimately, I had expected to see at least a few butlers and maids standing outside the door but, nothing prepared me to be welcomed by a crowd of unfamiliar faces waiting by the porch.

"I should warn you," David spoke, pulling my gaze away from the glass and back to him. "I have a family of huggers."

I gulped but somehow nothing went down. "Are they all family?"

He nodded casually. "There's more inside."

"Oh my God David, there's more?"

He gave me a nonchalant shrug. "Think of us as the Crazy Rich Asians. We throw parties and we throw them big."

I felt like I was going to throw up because I had watched that movie and knew how hard it was for Rachel to fit in. "I swear to God, I wasn't expecting this. We've been married for a year and I didn't know you had such a huge family."

"Like I said they're from my stepmother's side and I'm really not a family man."

I blew out a breath and tried to stop my hands from sweating so much. Why did this suddenly feel like the time when I first met his parents and literally almost peed my pants because I was in the middle of a nervous breakdown?

"I'm so nervous, how am I going to address them? I don't even know what to say. What do I do, David?"

"Look, my love, you need to just relax." He rubbed my arm. "And be yourself okay? they are not picky and they are not going to judge you like my mum so it's going to be fine." He assured me with a soothing smile that made my heart somewhat feel warm.

I sighed. "You think they'll like me?"

"They'll love you." He looked at me intently and then leaned in for a short kiss that somehow made adrenaline pump through me.

"Can we just ditch them and make out instead?" I moaned, letting his lips linger on mine for more than intended.

He chuckled into my mouth and broke away with his thumb coming to brush my cheek. "As much as I would love to take you up on that, my aunties are going to come yanking us out of this car if we don't get out soon."

I bit my lip. "Then I guess we have no choice."

"We could do one more." He leaned in for another quick kiss and nibbled softly on my bottom lip before breaking away from me and opening the car door.

I wasn't out yet but I could hear their heavy chatters and it brought back my anxiety.

"You go first." I urged him and he nodded before stepping out into the sun and walking up to the front porch where he got yanked into a bone-crushing group embrace, the kind that left you breathless but you just had to comply because, well, you had no other choice.

With the front porch overflowed with screeching relatives, I stepped out and perched by the car exterior whilst watching David collapse into laughter as he chatted with his family.

I had to admit, I felt a tinge of jealousy as I witnessed the display of so much love. For a moment, it made me wonder how different things would've been if my father hadn't run off. I'd have a complete family- a mother and a father who would've loved each other and-

"Dawn?" David all of a sudden called for me and the chatters stopped as all heads turned my way.

"David, is she the lucky bride?" One of the women who I presumed was one of his aunties asked with a look of pure curiosity on her face and the moment he nodded, her eyes widened.

I cleared my throat and stepped forward whilst soothing the none existent wrinkles on my dress "Hi everyone, I'm Dawn Araceli Argent and I'm David's-"

"It's her!" the banshee shriek that ripped out of the crowd nearly left me jumping out of my skin and nothing prepared me at all for the bone-crushing hug that followed right after.

They launched themselves at me so much so that I almost lost footing. "Everyone! It's the Argent wife!"

My heart fluttered down my chest. I chuckled, trying to pull back but this big hug was unbreakable.

"Welcome to the family!"

If Becky was here, she would've told me I just passed the vibe check.

I laughed to myself and shook my head.

Now, I had just one demon to deal with and it wasn't going to be an easy struggle.