I can feel the blood draining from my face, icy fear taking hold of my chest. No. No, no no! She was supposed to be at Mom's. I told him not to bring her, I told him I didn't want her here! What the fuck?! The group around me looks unperturbed, clearly thinking nothing of the addition to the party, a few other kids are there after all. But as those hurried footsteps close in I can feel their attention shift. When little arms wrap themselves around my frozen legs I can practically hear their jaws hitting the floor. I never wanted her here. How am I supposed to protect her from them when I can't even protect myself? I turn around and sink to my knees, wrapping my arms around my precious little Clementine.
"Hey baby, I missed you," I whisper into her hair, kissing the top of her head. "I missed you too Mummy, Daddy isn't as good at snuggling." Clementine is nuzzling her little face into my shoulder and I can hear her sniffing my perfume. God, she is so sweet.
"Well I did my best, didn't I?" My husband's voice cuts in, his expensive black shoes coming to a stop next to us, "Hello, darling."
Standing up, I lift our daughter up with me, settling her on my hip. My gaze meets Emmett's, and I can tell by his sheepish smile that he knows I'm pissed at him. My mouth opens to ask him what the hell he was thinking, but I'm cut off before I get the chance. "Ew. Who would've thought it would trick someone to marry it."
"Excuse me?" Emmett asks.
"Hey, you know it's not a real lady right?" Brad jeered, that one directed at my husband. I blink hard, fighting back the shame turning my cheeks red. I hug Clementine closer, stepping back, trying to shield her from Brad. I never wanted her to be here.
"Stop it," I say, finally finding my voice.
"What is it, Mummy?" My baby girl's voice breaks me, tears starting to sting my eyes. I never wanted her to see me like this. I've been working so hard to be strong for her, but there is no way to pretend my way out of this panic.
"Playing house, what a freak," Tish sneers. I never wanted my baby to hear this. "Now hold on one mo-"
"You aren't a mother, Charles. You're disgusting," Meredith says, cutting off Emmett's protest,"is your kid a freak too?"
"Che due coglioni?!" Marie swears.
I never wanted Emmy to see this. I clutch her closer to me, turning her away from the bullies around us.
"How dare you?" The deadly tone stops the others in their tracks.
"Uh-oh. Daddy's mad…" Clementine murmurs in my ear.
"What the fu-" Hearing where he's going with this, I quickly cover Emmy's ears. "-ck is wrong with you people? Seriously?!"
"It's okay, he tricked you, we understand. How about you come here with a real woman?"
"How about you fuck off! That's my wife you're talking about, and she is a million times more of a woman than you. Fottiti!" By this point we've captured the attention of most of the room, but they do what they've always done best: stand by and watch. I tug on Emmett's sleeve, grabbing his attention.
"I want you to take her out of here," I say quietly, not surprised at the disbelief on his face as I transfer our daughter into his arms, his mouth open to start protesting. "Now, or I swear to God-"
"It's freaks like you that fuck things up for the rest of us!" Meredith says, taking three steps towards me before shoving me to the ground.
"Charlie!" Marie and Emmett shout.
"I said go!"
"You should've jumped back then. Then again, you always have been a coward!" She's towering over me, my eyes squeezing shut; just like old times.
"You guys are so fucking pre-pubescent. How are you all still so stupid?" I look up and see something I never imagined was possible: Josh is standing up for me. He's holding Meredith's wrist, having stopped her hand mid-swing.
"J-josh? What are you doing here?" She asks.
"You think I'm going to miss my reunion just because I cut you out? Pathetic," he says, offering me a hand that I hesitantly take. "Are you okay?"
"Yes. Well, enough. Why are you being so-"
"Not douchey?"
"Yeah…."
"I grew up. Something these fucks clearly haven't," he says.
"Last I knew, you were with-"
"Her? Yeah. But I got my head out of my ass and went to therapy."
"You turned into a fucking faggot, that's what," Meredith says, shocking me. "I didn't turn into anything. I figured my shit out, Meredith. Something you clearly need to do," Josh says before turning back to look at me. I'm a bit uncertain of where this is going. I look over my shoulder, seeing Emmett standing by the doors like I told him to, Clementine tucked against his chest. I see a man I don't recognize next to them, he keeps looking at Josh while he talks with Emmett. Huh.
"Come on, let's go," Josh says, tugging me with him.
"Josh!" Meredith cries indignantly.
"Bro, what even?" Brad says, arm wrapped around a scowling Tish.
"Go home. No one wants you fuckers here," Josh says without looking back. "No one really wanted you here either," Marie mutters as she takes my other hand, which makes me smile a bit. The three of us head over to the doors, pointedly ignoring the people around us. I wrap my arms around my family, taking a deep, calming breath of Emmett's cologne and Emmy's baby shampoo.
"Mumma, are you okay?"
"I'm fine now, baby. Are you okay?" I ask, kissing her tearstained cheek. "Scared," she sniffles, breaking my heart.
"Oh, basilico, everything will be okay. I'm sorry."
"Let's hit up Frankie's down the road, we need to wind down."
"Yeah, I need that, thanks Ri," I say.
"And for my favorite niece, I'll buy you hot chocolate with a butt load of whipped cream. That's the prize for a kid as brave as you. How bout that, darlin'?" Marie says, booping Emmy's nose, coaxing a hiccupped giggle.
"Okay, Auntie."
"That's my girl," Marie smiles. She looks over at Josh and gestures to the mystery man, who is standing somewhat awkwardly, "Hey, stronzo, I assume that's your boy? You're both comin' too. Got some explainin' to do."