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LEENA

“Well, here goes nothing. I mean, maybe it won’t be as bad as Sunday?” It’s been three days since what was almost a disastrous event turned into something that thankfully went much better after everyone talked.

“Baby, my parents already know about us. This is just a formality at this point. Hell, Maya was about to send you flowers in thankfulness on Monday when I went into the office.” It’s like déjà vu, except this time, we’re walking into his parents’ house, both of us getting off work early to be here at a decent time.

I didn’t want not to come empty handed, which meant my lunch break was spent at the grocery store, picking out a bottle of wine, and some candy for his niece, Melanie, and nephew, Mitchell.

I like what Maya did there, keeping it the M’s; it’s perfect really.

“Shit,” Decker breathes behind me, hand attached to my waist as we walk in the side door of a house situated much like Decker’s, where the kitchen is to the side, and instead of using the front door, this is the main entrance.

“What’s wrong?” It’s when I look into the kitchen that I notice there’s a stillness.

I see Decker’s parents, Keith and Elizabeth, Maya, the kids, and I’m guessing the person who’s sitting at the end by himself, slumped over in his chair, is Elijah.

I’d say judging by the way his brother is looking, he’s on one of his benders.

“I’m about to throw you into the mix while Dad and I take Elijah back to his place. I’m sorry, baby.” The feel of his lips skates across my ear, sending me into sensory overload even in a shit situation.

“Don’t worry about me. Want me to corral the kids? You know, bribing Jace with candy always worked. Maybe Melanie and Mitchell will take the bait.” It’s horrible to joke at a time like this, but it’s better than me opening my mouth and being a bitch.

“Total goof, Leena. Fuck, do I love you, though, and yeah, you do that, I’ll try to do some damage control.

” We step further into the room. I disengage from Decker and walk towards Maya, seeing she’s got her arms wrapped around her kids.

Keith’s are crossed and at his chest. Elizabeth seems to be worrying herself with a towel; either that or she’s going to whip Elijah with it.

“Hey, guys, I got you something. Is it okay if we go into another room?” I don’t even introduce myself, attempting to diffuse a situation without overstepping.

They nod, rapidly. I look at Elizabeth, but she just shakes her head in a sad way.

God, this must be tearing her apart, seeing her son like this.

“Leena, we’ll do the formalities later. Thank you,” Keith says. We make our way towards another room, which in this house, after never being in it except for today, makes things a little tricky. What’s even trickier is how to keep my cool walking past Elijah and biting my tongue.

“Thank you,” Maya says low, in a way you know she’s worried anything will trigger her ex-husband into waking him up. I can’t say that I’ve ever been around someone in this situation, but I am one hundred percent empathetic for everyone involved.

“You’re welcome. I have a nephew who’s about Mitchell’s age. If you’d like, maybe I can convince my brother to steal him away, and they can meet,” I offer.

“I’m sure he’d love that.” Of course, that’s the time we walk by Elijah and bad things turn to worse in the way.

“You’re not going anywhere, Maya,” Elijah slurs out, except he doesn’t reach out for his ex-wife; he grabs my forearm instead, in a pretty aggressive grip, too.

I don’t think anything of it; in my next movement, with my right arm in his hand, my left hand comes down, hitting the clearly overdosing dude who’s slumping in a chair, and when I deliver the blow, he rears back. “What the fuck, you cunt!”

“Leena, come on, let them deal with him,” Maya says, but I shake my head.

No fucking way will I ever let someone use those words towards me, drug addict or not.

When I see that she and the kids are out of the room, I cross my fingers that the door is closed because there is no way on God’s green earth I am going to curb my attitude.

“You touch another person like that, I guarantee you won’t have fingers to use to snort your blow or pop your pills, let alone hurt someone. ”

“Yep, she’ll fit right in,” Elizabeth states.

Keith chuckles, and Decker, well, let’s just say my husband looks like his head is going to explode if I don’t diffuse the situation.

I skate around Elijah, not that my words were comprehended.

I get it; addicts have a disease, and in order to kick that habit, they have to be stronger than it.

Hopefully one day, Elijah can beat it. Until that day comes, though, there’s nothing anyone can do.

“Decker, honey.” I reach his side, my hand going to his heart, feeling it beat rapidly. “Breathe for me. I’m okay, promise.” I stand on the tips of my toes, gliding our noses across one another until he takes a deep breath.

“Yeah, I know you are, baby. I fucking hate that my own blood is like this.” After I fall flat on my feet, his lips graze my forehead and he continues on, “I know this sucks. I’m going to take him back with Dad to wherever he’s staying. Then I’ll be back, and we’ll have our dinner together, okay?”

“I’ll always be wherever you are.” And that’s how I met my in-laws. It seems every family has a bit of drama sprinkled in along the way. Was it a great way to meet one another? Probably not, but that’s life. No, that’s our life, and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.