"We weren't expecting you until tomorrow." Evelyn said monotony as she stood from Alexander's lap. She helped her boyfriend to his feet and looked at her father with dreadful eyes.
"Well hello to you too, my dear daughter. I've missed you as well." Evelyn's father said sarcastically.
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Jane Khinbert, Alexander's and Dawson's mother. She's 38 years old. Married at 19 and had Alexander at age 20. Mrs. Jane has dark brown hair and hazel color eyes. Pearled skin, slim body and a height of 5'6.
Sophia Adams, she is Matthew's and Evelyn's mother. Had her first child at age 22 and married at age 20. She is 39 years old now. She took back her maiden name after the divorce. She is around the same height as Mrs. Jane and has a similar complexion. Her hair is dark blonde and straight and her eye color is a dark brown.
Maverick McNealy, Evelyn's and Matthew's father. He is 42 years old, but he looks a couple years younger. He is around 6'2, with golden color eyes. He enrolled in the Army once he was allowed to by age and has since then served his country being deployed everywhere. Last time he saw his family was when Evelyn was around 10 years old. Evelyn took it as him abandoning his family and hasn't forgiven him since.
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"Matthew said you were getting here before his track meet, but we expected it to be tomorrow morning at least." Evelyn replied, ignoring his attempts to lighten up the mood. Evelyn making absolutely no attempt to greet her father as she stood in place with Alexander by her side.
"I decided to get here before tomorrow. I was hoping I could spend some alone time with my kids." Maverick emphasized the word 'alone' as he turned to look over at Alexander who was just staring back at him motionless. Alexander turned to look at Evelyn, wondering if she wanted him there or if she wanted him to leave the father-daughter duo alone. She only shook her head knowing what he was thinking. "Good for you darling. Show him who wears the pants in this relationship." Evelyn turned to look back at her father with furrowed eyebrows. He was trying to get under Alexander's skin, but Ale knew better.
"Indeed. She is a great master. I only do and follow as she commands." Alexander said calmly as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Maverick raised an eyebrow and started to laugh.
"You don't understand the situation here, do you kid? I am her father. This here is my house. I can forbid the two of you to ever see each other again. Whether you two like it or not." Evelyn pulled herself out of Alexander's hold and slowly walked to her father. Maverick smiling at her actions. "I knew you'd understand, darling." He opened his arms ready for an embrace, but soon the smile that had formed on his face turned into shock. Evelyn slapped him hard across the face. Flames and rage could be seen in her eyes.
"You have no right to walk in here and say this is your house, you lost that privilege the second you walked out on us." Evelyn spit out. "And just who do you think you are talking to My Fiancé like that? Get one thing straight father, you're the one that isn't welcome here." Evelyn said the word 'father' with so much bitterness you could almost see the poison in them. Alexander grabbed Evelyn's hand and led her upstairs and into her room, leaving behind a still shocked wide eye Maverick. Matthew walked over to his father; he had been standing a few feet away listening to every word. He shook his head and placed his hand on his father's shoulder.
"I tried to warn you, she hates your guts. Trying to be the head honcho by ordering her around and messing with Ale won't get you into her good side." Matthew patted his father's back and walked towards the staircase, stopping at the base. "I suggest you get some rest. You will get nowhere if you try talking to either of them tonight." Maverick turned to look at his son, the shock slowly but not entirely dispersing. He pointed up to Evelyn's room.
"The two went into her room. As the man of the house, do you allow them to sleep together?" Maverick didn't understand why his son was so calm about his younger sister having a boy in her room behind closed doors. Matthew raised an eyebrow and shook his head, disappointed at his father.
"If you're not going to trust them, how do you expect them to trust you?" Matthew crossed his arms and continued. "Ale has been my best friend for almost half a decade. He has known and followed my rules each and every day he stays over, most times." That last part he said in a whisper, mostly a comment to himself. He knows they both sneak ones in a while into each other's rooms, but he also knows they just want to keep each other company. "He respects this house and respects this family as if it was his own. I know my sister like the palm of my hand, and I know my best friend like it as if he and I were one. Truth is, they've been together for nearly four years and those two are purer than the Virgin Mary herself." Matthew started making his way up the stairs but stopped midway. "Ale tells me everything. Yes, he has thought about doing the deed and I know my sister is all down for it, but he knows they aren't ready. He says they are still young, and condoms aren't always effective. His biggest fear has always been ruining Evelyn's future. He genuinely cares for my sister and loves her with all his heart." Matthew didn't give his father the chance to reply as he continued walking upstairs and into his room.
"I understand that you hate me, my dear daughter. I just wish you would tell me what I could do to make it up to you." He took out his phone and dialed his ex-wife's number as he made his way into what used to be their room. The master bedroom was side to side from the kitchen and paralleled to the living room. The kids' rooms were all upstairs. "I'm home." He said as soon as Sophia answered.
"Glad you got there safely. Please, no fighting."
"Yeah, I know. I'll keep peace with the kids." He sat on the edge of the bed, looking around. He hadn't been in this room for years. Everything still looked the same.
"Did you meet Alexander?" Sophia said from the other end.
"I did. Matthew speaks wonders of him."
"He is a good gentleman. Be kind, remember he is a Khinbert." Maverick snorted at the last name.
"Who would have thought, my best friend's son became my son's best friend and my daughter's boy toy." Sophia giggled at the last comment.
"He does do everything she tells him. Evelyn has him wrapped around her little finger. That boy is deeply in love. I'm glad. I know he will always be there for her." Maverick stayed quiet. "Everything ok?" Sophia asked as she noticed the awkward silence.
"Evelyn already has a man to protect her, she no longer needs a father." He leaned down on his hand trying to hold back tears. Maverick knew he made a horrible mistake choosing his job over his family. He regretted it every day, but he knew he was doing it all for his family, for they could have a better life. Being in the army had great benefits and a great pay. Even after the divorce Maverick never stopped financially supporting his family.
"She'll come around. She was just too young when you left. And too young to understand why." Sophia sighed. "It was also my fault. Going through that phase of depression didn't help. She always blamed you for everything and no matter what I said to make her change her mind, she was too stubborn." Sophia paused. "Just like her father." She soon added. Maverick chuckled a bit, knowing she was right.
"It's late. I know you had a long trip, so get some rest. Tomorrow will be a new day." Maverick 'mmh-ed' in agreement and hung up the phone. He laid back on the bed and soon dozed off. It had indeed been a long journey.
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"Eve, don't you think you were a bit harsh on your father? You took it as far as to slap him." Evelyn ignored her boyfriend and walked into her restroom. "I'm talking to you, young lady." Evelyn poked her head out.
"Honey, I have sand in places you can't imagine. My skin feels irritated and hot. All I want to do right now is take a long shower." She popped her head back in and shut the door. Alexander scratched the back of his neck and sighed.
"You really are something special." He called out, loud enough for her to hear over the running water.
"I know!" She called out with laughter. "Go take a shower. I know if I feel this irritated you probably feel the same." She added, drowning her words under the water. She was right, he did feel the sand in his shorts and hair.
"Won't argue with that. Meet me in the kitchen after you're done." He said before leaving her room and going into his own to get a change of clothes and towel.
'How dare that man talk to Alexander as if he were a child? Does he really think I'll forgive him just because he decided to come back? It's a little too late for that. He left me and Matthew through all of our teen years, the years of our lives we needed him the most. If he thinks just because he has the title of father that we will welcome him with open arms, he is dead wrong.' Evelyn thought as she washed herself up. After her shower she got into comfortable pajamas and made her way down into the kitchen, Alexander already waiting for her.
"Do you want a snack?" He questioned as he saw her walking in. He was already prepping a light snack for himself. They hadn't really eaten much other than sandwiches at the beach. He was prepping some instant fettuccini. His mom had left some already cooked chicken in the fridge, he reheated that with it. Alexander placed a few slices of already cut frozen garlic bread in the oven.
"Yes, please." Was Evelyn's only reply as she sat down on a stool nearby. She sighed as she placed her chin on her hand. She felt both physically and emotionally exhausted.
"How are you feeling baby girl? I know it's been a rough day from morning until now." Evelyn 'mmh-ed' under her hand. "Want to talk about it?" It took Evelyn a couple of minutes before she replied.
"It's just been too much to handle all in one day, you know." She started but Alexander knew her better and he knew that there was more she wanted to say. He gave her a reassuring smile and she continued. "I…" She paused once more, taking in some air. "You know I don't really hate my father, right?" Alexander only nodded. He didn't want to interrupt her; he knew she needed to let it all out before he could comfort her. "I'm just so mad at him for abandoning us. He left my mother when she needed him the most. He left Matthew to take his role at such a young age. He left me alone." Evelyn covered her face with both hands. She didn't know if she wanted to cry or scream. Alexander walked over to her and held her in his arms, soothingly caressing her back. "I want to be able to forgive him and give him another chance, but then I think about the possibility of him abandoning us again and I close myself up again." She looked up at Alexander, a few tears trying to force themselves out. Alexander cupped her cheek and smiled.
"It makes me happy that you can trust me with this." He placed a light kiss on her forehead. "Before today I had never met your father, I don't know what type of person he is, so I can't really say much but…" He paused looking his girlfriend straight in the eyes. "I know the person that you are, kind and lovable. It's going to take time for you to open up with your father, but I think you should try and give him a chance. I'm not saying to forgive and forget right away, but it's good if you can start with small steps."
"I'll try my best as long as you're by my side with every step." She said as she clenched onto his shirt and held him closer.
"You know I will. I would do anything for you." He tightened his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "Now come on, food is ready."