A Tattered Love (35 page)

“Actually, Dad.” Dustin turned to Mitch, “I’d like to go home too, with Riley and relax. It’s been a hectic time here in the hospital, and I want to be there for Jordan’s big homecoming and to get Molly settled in also.”

“That’s fine. We’ll discuss this at a later time. I’ll deal with your mother for now, and hopefully knock some sense into her. It was nice meeting you, Riley, congratulations on the birth of your son.” He hugged me awkwardly and then looked at Abby and Evan and nodded as he half-hugged Dustin on his way out.

“Well, that wasn’t awkward.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sorry, babe. I just want to get home.” I shook my head.

“Let’s get you home, then.”

I got in the car with Dustin, and we put Jordan in the backseat. Molly wanted to ride with Abby and Evan since they had driven my car to the hospital. Gram and Galena were getting things set up at home for our return.

***

Time clicked by very quickly over  the next two weeks. Abby and Evan took their vacation time, and they had been out here since Jordan was born. They had a few more days left before they had to head home. I was anxious tonight because Evan, Dustin, and Gram were watching Jordan and Molly, while Abby, Galena, and I would be going out for a girl’s night. Since I gave birth early, we pushed the baby shower to the end of the month until we could be settled more, and maybe make it a meet and greet for Jordan, too. I was really excited about tonight, actually. It seemed like an eternity since I had been out to a bar, and especially for a girl’s night. I was nervous how the men would do with the baby for a few hours, but I trusted Dustin. He was really good with Jordan, and I envied the relationship they will have when Jordan grows up.

Molly was just a mess. She was the most adorable little girl I had ever had the privilege of knowing. She immediately fell in love with me, and I couldn’t even put into words how that made me feel. She desperately missed her mommy and it was very hard on her to try to understand why she was no longer a part of her life.

The girls had just shown up at our place, and Molly ran to the door to greet them. She loved them to pieces.

“Hey, Molly!” Abby picked her up and hugged her tight. She was wearing the cutest outfit, a black cocktail dress. Now I felt underdressed wearing jeans and a fancy ruffled blouse. Oh well, it wasn’t a big deal.

“Hey girls! I can’t wait to get this party started!” Galena chimed in.

“Hey, ladies.” Dustin smiled and grabbed Molly. Jordan was down for a nap, and soon Molly would be in bed for the night. She wanted so badly to stay up and see Abby and Galena! I had told her it was ok.

Seth was on his way, and Gram was coming up in a few. Dustin didn’t look like he had a nervous bone in his body, even though we were leaving him for the first time with the baby alone. I was certain he would do great.

There was a knock at the door, and Abby answered it for me as I finished getting everything together. I transferred everything from my purse that I needed to my clutch, and then looked up at the door to find a woman standing before me that I’d never in a million years thought I’d see here. Dustin stood right beside me, and wrapped one arm around me. I think he was just as speechless as I was looking at his mother standing in our doorway. Abby just knew, and she didn’t know what to say herself. Finally, Lori spoke.

“So, this is your life now, Dustin? You’re picking a girl who could be better looking in my eyes, with an abominable past and family, and now a baby before marriage? I guess she wasn’t protecting herself from tying you down.” She spat.

Abby stepped in front of me and decided to open her big mouth, “She isn’t a build a bitch workshop! She’s a gorgeous new mom, so you had better watch what you say. Dustin’s happy. Why don’t you leave him the hell alone?”

I glared at Abby my not now look and Galena stepped in. This could be bad. After all, she was my sister and she not only was about to be fired up for her talking about my past, but she used the word family.

Galena stepped up to her in her black stiletto heels and put her hands on her hips. “You think you’re so great? The person you have been backing for years, was just arrested for embezzlement. You want to sit here and complain about Riley? Are you out of your damn mind? On top of the fact that your husband is the one who put her in jail. You must live in lala land? I suggest you walk out that door right now and leave before there’s trouble here.”

“What are you doing here, Mom?” Dustin asked furious.

“Babe, wait, let me.” I stepped in front of Dustin interrupting him. “Listen, you may not like me, and that’s fine. I’m over it. Just keep trying to threaten me and get me away from your son. Yeah, it worked a few times. The first time, shame on me, the second time, shame on me, but the third time, shame on you, Lori. I’m with your son whether you like it or not. Accept it, or move the hell on. I am so done with this bullshit..  You're a bully and you should be ashamed of yourself. For someone with your reputation and your first class taste, you of all people should be better than that. In fact, you should be a damn role model for your kids and grandkids, but in fact, you're just a bully." I cringed at the sight of her but felt relieved to get it off my chest. 

“You think I’m going to give up so easily on my son? Guess again, Riley, you’ll mess up again, and I’ll be sure to be all over it,” Lori hissed.

“Seriously, you’re going to keep trying? What’s the point? What’s in it for you Mom? You come here to bitch about Riley when you should be coming here wanting to see your grandson. Get out of my house! Get out of my life until you realize, Riley isn’t going a.n.y.w.h.e.r.e” Dustin let go of my hand and walked up to Lori, “Now please, leave.”

“You’re making a big mistake, son.” She narrowed her eyes at Dustin.

Was she really that cold hearted that she couldn’t see the person I really was? Not what my past represents of me.

“I’m making a big mistake? I’m pretty sure my son isn’t a mistake. Maybe you’ll open your eyes someday, but until then, its best you go. Oh, and tell Dad he can come by any time since he’s willing to
accept
Riley.”

Dustin walked back over to me, and wrapped his arms around me as tears stained my cheeks. Why was she doing this? Why couldn’t she just like me? She doesn’t want to leave us alone and now I had several witnesses. Evan stayed out of it as usual, but I was so glad these girls stuck up for me. It was true, she had been fighting against me so  Sabrina could be back in his life, and now Sabrina was arrested for almost the same thing she hates my family for. Come on? Really?

I stood in Dustin’s arms as she walked out the door. Abby kicked the door, slamming it hard behind her. Abby came up and joined the hug with Dustin.

“I’m sorry, girl. Don’t worry about her; she’s just jealous of you. You took her son away and she didn’t like it. We love you, Riley.” Abby grinned.

“Go on now, get out of here, and have an awesome night!” Dustin spanked my ass.

***

The three of us headed over to the club. These  ladies were my best friends, and the only women other than Granny that I need in my life. Abby and Galena got along as if we were all meant to be sisters. We walked into Club Stripes and took a seat in the corner. Galena had somehow been able to get us VIP seating. Hell, I wasn’t going to complain. I sat in the middle of the two, and we were somewhat silent. I knew that this whole situation with Dustin’s mother put a small damper on our moods.

“Ladies, fuck his Mom, we’re not letting this ruin the night. Abby, if you don’t start humping my ass on the dance floor right now, there’s going to be some big problems. We need to reminisce.” I laughed and my arms wrapped around both of them, “Shall we?”

Abby took my hand and Galena followed. We made our way out onto the dance floor and started dancing like fools. This time, we were sober because this wasn’t going to be a drinking night. We laughed, and then we laughed harder, and made complete idiots of ourselves dancing as we had never danced before. At this moment, I was so happy. Everyone was happy. I knew that Abby wouldn’t ever be far from me, and I knew that Galena finally came around. My life had finally came around.

“So, did you really see yourself back home with all of us here and a gorgeous family? Beautiful baby boy and wonderful baby girl, Molly. Did you see yourself as Mom?” Abby looked at me with her puppy eyes and it made me think.

“I definitely didn’t see this coming, but I couldn’t be happier where I’m at. Now you and Evan just need to move up here, already. I don’t know if we can live apart.” I laughed and kissed her temple. Best friends for life.

“Hey, who was that Austin guy, anyway?” Abby asked curious.

“Just a guy who made me realize the things in my life that were important.”

“Wait, Austin? Like Austin from Guilty Tendencies?” Galena overheard and chimed in.

“Yes, Galena, that Austin. We had a hot moment, nothing happened and he was the sweetest guy because of it. Let’s keep this to ourselves, ladies. What’s happened in our pasts, stays in our pasts.” I smiled at both of them as I pushed my butt into Abby knocking her into Galena.

The rest of night was laid back with lots of dancing. We just let loose and escaped from what we called reality. All I could think about was Dustin, and how he was doing with Jordan. First time watching him alone, well he’s not alone, but all men pretty much as I was sure grams would head to bed early. This should be interesting. I hoped I didn’t come home, and there was a diaper on the baby’s head instead of his bottom. I was sure his clothes would be on backwards. I laughed at the thought.

Abby tugged my arm as I turned around, and my mouth flew open. There in the center of the spotlight in the middle of the dance floor was Evan.

“What is Evan doing here, and hey, look Dustin’s here too with Seth!” I glanced at them very confused. I immediately thought where are my kids, but I figured if Dustin were here, that Granny had them. All the sudden the spot light glared on Abby, and Evan held his hand out in the middle of the dance floor. I gave Abby a push and she started walking. I had no clue what was going on, but I was sure it was about to be epic.

Evan tapped the microphone the DJ gave him and the crowd stood around staring as Dustin came up behind me, and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Watch this,” he whispered in my ear as we put our attention back on Evan.

“Abby, you mean the world to me. We were meant for one another. We complete each other.” You can see Abby start to tear up.

“You’ve been my sunshine, my best friend, and the girl I don’t want to live without. Over the last few weeks, it just proved to me why you’re so special. You helped two people come together that deserved it and didn’t even flinch or think about it. You just acted on it. That takes a lot from somebody. I didn’t want to waste any more time. I want you to spend the rest of your life with me, forever. I love you. Will you marry me, Abby?” Evan got down on one knee in front of the entire dance floor and Abby just stared in shock. He held open a silver box and her hands rushed to her face to cover her mouth that hung open.

She flew right into his arms and hugged him as she screamed yes! He twirled her around and set her down. He placed the elegant ring on her finger and kissed her passionately in front of everyone. I turned and smiled at Dustin as he kissed my head.

“Will you have this first dance with me as my fiancé?” Evan smiled at her.

“Yes!”

The DJ was cued and he played their song, Can’t Help Falling in Love with You, the Elvis version. Everyone cheered them on and watched as they danced together. It was a surreal moment and everything was just the way it was supposed to be. I grabbed her arm and smiled and took her in a big hug. “I’m so happy for you, Abby! You guys are perfect for one another. Now we can help plan one another’s wedding craziness!” I wiped a stray tear from her eyes and kissed her cheek. “I love you Abby.”

“All right, all right, all right! Enough of this sentimental shit. I love you all, and congrats. I’m so happy for you both. Please though, go continue on your damn girls’ night and make sure to come back to us fiancé’s over here.” Dustin came with open arms and we did a group hug. We were all each other needed as a family.

That was just it. We all may have had a tattered love at some point but everything always works out in the end.

EPILOGUE

(((Five Years Later)))

Riley

“Sweetie, hurry up, Jordan’s kindergarten talent show is in a half hour. We need to go!” I yelled up the stairs in the hallway.

I looked at Molly, and she smiled as she stuck her tongue out at me. She was all dressed and ready, waiting patiently by the door to head out. I knew she couldn’t care less about Jordan’s performance. She just wanted to go and mingle with her friends. I truly feel like a mom now, knowing that Molly was almost ten years old, and she had a boyfriend or, so she thought. She wasn’t dating until she turns eighteen in my book. Daddy says not until she turns twenty-one, but I could see us maybe getting by with eighteen. If only!