AVA AND AXEL: FROM SOULMATES TO INMATES

Chapter 5: The Parental Dinner

The date was set for the following Saturday, a dinner at an upscale downtown restaurant, and Ava spent the entire week in a near-constant state of low-level anxiety. She imagined all the possible ways things could go wrong: her dad, Greg, offending Axel's mom, Sandra; her mom, Vivian, engaging in some passive-aggressive showdown; or, worst-case scenario, a full-blown argument with everyone storming out before dessert. Axel kept reassuring her that everything would be fine, but her imagination wasn't buying it.

When the night finally arrived, Ava changed outfits at least three times, finally settling on a sleek black dress that made her look polished but not overdone. Axel, looking effortlessly dapper in a dark suit with his hair tied back, grinned as he picked her up, catching her nervous glances in the mirror.

"Relax," he whispered as they walked toward the restaurant's entrance, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "They're going to love you."

Ava gave him a weak smile, though her stomach was doing somersaults. Sandra and Tom, Axel's easygoing stepdad, were already seated and waved enthusiastically as they approached.

Sandra greeted Ava with a warm hug before she even got a chance to say hello. "Ava, it's so wonderful to finally meet you! Axel hasn't stopped talking about you. We practically know you by heart already."

Tom leaned in, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Hope you're ready for some embarrassing stories about Axel's teenage years. I have a whole catalog."

Axel shot him a look. "Tom, please. Let's not."

As they sat down, Ava felt herself starting to relax. Sandra and Tom were exactly as Axel had promised a warm, down-to-earth, and brimming with humor. Tom's dad jokes, cheesy as they were, started melting her nerves, and she found herself laughing genuinely.

Then her parents arrived.

Naturally, Greg and Vivian were late, her dad never managed to be on time unless a golf tee was involved. They entered with a bit of a commotion, Vivian looking impeccable as ever in a designer dress with diamonds flashing under the restaurant lights, and Greg, well... he looked slightly tipsy.

Ava tensed as they approached, bracing herself for whatever was about to happen.

"Sorry we're late!" Greg boomed, a little louder than necessary. "Traffic was a nightmare." He glanced around at the empty wine glasses on the table. "What's everyone drinking? Let's get this party started!"

Vivian flashed Sandra a tight-lipped smile as they sat down. "It's lovely to meet you, Sandra. And Tom." She smoothed her dress, looking as though she could single-handedly erase the chaos that had just entered.

Sandra, always gracious, nodded politely. "Not a problem. We're just getting started."

Ava held her breath, hoping this would continue smoothly, but the night had other plans.

As the wine flowed and small talk blossomed, Greg's tipsiness evolved into full-on "guy with no filter" mode. It started with veiled remarks and escalated quickly.

"So, Axel," Greg said, words slurring just a bit, "how exactly do you plan on providing for my daughter? I hear you're a car salesman."

Ava cringed. Here we go.

But Axel, calm and composed, just nodded. "That's right. I work at Luxe Street Riders. I've been the top salesman for three years."

Greg leaned back, a smug look on his face. "Selling cars, huh? Not quite what I envisioned for my daughter, but I suppose it's an honest living."

Ava shot her dad a glare, her voice taut. "Dad, Axel's very successful. He's worked hard to get where he is."

Her father shrugged dismissively. "Sure, sure. Just doesn't seem to have the same longevity as, say... investments? Real estate? Big money, you know?"

Axel's jaw tightened a bit, but he remained poised. "I've built a career I'm proud of, Mr. Delaney, and I'll take care of your daughter, I can promise you that."

"Oh, I'm sure you will, kid," Greg said, smirking as he swirled his wine. "Just make sure she doesn't get bored."

Sandra's fork paused mid-air, her polite expression slipping for just a second, but Tom leaned back with a grin. "Oh, Axel here could sell snow to an Eskimo. I'd say the kid's got a solid future."

Greg chuckled, oblivious. "Snow to an Eskimo? Maybe he could sell me a car I don't need next time!"

Tom raised an eyebrow, the smile never faltering. "Well, good luck with that. You don't seem like a man easily impressed."

Greg laughed, oblivious to the subtle dig. "You got that right, Tom!"

Then, as dessert arrived, things hit their breaking point. Greg, now past tipsy, began loudly recounting his business "successes," peppered with jabs about how "kids these days" lacked ambition. Vivian looked mortified but kept her composure, sipping her wine and staring hard at the tablecloth.

Sandra's patience finally snapped. She leaned over to Axel, muttering just loud enough for Ava to hear, "Pretentious snob."

Ava stifled a laugh, her heart warmed by Sandra's quiet support.

But the real kicker came when Greg casually dropped a comment about Axel's "simple upbringing," contrasting it with Ava's "high society" background.

Ava's patience finally broke. "Maybe you should have raised me like Axel, Dad," she snapped. "Then maybe I wouldn't have had to fix my life after following your example."

The table went dead silent. Greg blinked, thrown off balance by Ava's outburst, while Vivian flushed red with embarrassment. Axel reached under the table and squeezed Ava's hand, giving her a supportive smile.

Sandra lifted her glass, unbothered by the tension. "To strong women who know how to speak their minds."

Tom followed suit with a wink. "And to family dinners we all survive!"

The uncomfortable tension broke, though Ava's parents sat stiffly, unsure of how to respond. Greg quickly drained his wine, muttering about an early morning, while Vivian gave her best "we're leaving" smile.

Ava's parents made their exit, Greg nodding grudgingly at Axel. "Good luck, kid."

Axel just smiled back. "Thanks, Mr. Delaney. I'll take that as a compliment."

When her parents were finally gone, Tom let out a low whistle. "Well, that was... eventful. Your dad's got some, uh, strong opinions, huh, Ava?"

Ava groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I'm so sorry. This is why I didn't want to do this."

Sandra reached across the table and patted Ava's arm. "Honey, don't apologize. Honestly, your dad's just... let's say he's got a lot of confidence."

"A lot of alcohol too," Tom added, chuckling. "But hey, every family's got one."

Ava looked up, embarrassed but grateful. "You guys are way too nice about this."

Sandra shrugged. "Honestly, Ava, I like you. And I don't care what your father thinks. You're obviously important to my son, and that's all I care about."

Tom raised his glass one more time, smirking. "To family dinners and everyone surviving!"

As they finally left the restaurant, Axel pulled Ava close, wrapping his arm around her. "See? I told you everything would be fine."

Ava smiled, feeling a new warmth toward Axel's family. Despite her dad's best efforts, the evening hadn't been a disaster. In fact, she felt closer to Axel than ever, like they'd just passed a test.

As they stood under the city lights, Ava looked up at him and whispered, "I love you, Axel."

Axel grinned, his voice warm as he replied, "I love you too, Ava. And don't worry, I'm ready for whatever your family throws at us next."