The Most Fateful Day

The Parents: Part 2

*Duncan's POV*

     Courtney and I head over to my parents' house this time. It's such a relief that the Barlows finally accepted my part in her life.  This trip should definitely be easier considering they're my parents and have always approved of me being with Courtney.  My father always said that maybe some of her wellbeing and intelligence would rub off on me.  Then my mom would give him a smack on the shoulder and claim that I was perfect just the way I was.  Let's just say I've always had a much better relationship with my mom than with my father.

"You ready, Princess?" I ask Courtney as I park in the driveway of my parents' house.

"Yeah," she sighs. Court rakes a tan hand through her light brown hair. "I haven't seen your parents in years."

"Well, I'm sure they'll be excited to see you again, just like I was all those months ago..." I reply, planting a kiss on her lips. She blushes a little bit and we get out of the car. I walk up to the porch and ring the doorbell, Courtney following close behind. After a minute or two, the door opens revealing the old, tired face of my father. His hand goes up to adjust his glasses and his dark grey eyes squint up at me. His eyebrows turn down and then he slams the door shut right in my face. I look at Courtney and she looks up at me in shock. Wow Dad... I hear my mother's voice and then the sound of footsteps approaching the door. The front door swings back open, this time revealing my mom with a angry expression.

"Duncan!" she exclaims. She steps out of the house and gives me a big hug. "Courtney? Is that really you?"

"Yeah, it's me, Mrs. Nelson." answers Courtney. Ma steps back from me and goes over and embraces Courtney.

"Nevermind my husband who just so happened to slam the door in his own son's face!" Ma yells back towards the house where my father's pouting. "Anyways. What are you two doing here?"

"Well, we've got news for you and dad so..." I say, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Come on in then!" Ma exclaims, ushering us inside and to the family room. Courtney and I take a seat on the purplish blue couch. Ma runs into the kitchen and comes back with a plate of cookies. "Cookies? They're chocolate chip!"

"Ooh my favorite! Thank you very much," says Courtney, grabbing a handful of chocolate chip cookies.

"Yeah, thanks Ma," I say, taking one for myself.

"You're welcome!" Ma replies with a smile. She walks away back towards the kitchen and shouts, "Rob! You better get your ass in there and act like a grown man or so help me!" Courtney and I look at each other and snicker a bit.

"Yeah yeah yeah..." mumbles Dad as he saunters in and sits in a recliner on the opposite side of the room.

"Promise me you won't be that difficult when we're their age..." Courtney whispers to me, leaning in close so no one else hears.

"I promise you all that and more," I answer, kissing her ear causing her to giggle.

"So, Duncan and Courtney, what's your news for us?" asks my mother, finally coming back in and taking a seat on the recliner closer to the couch we are sitting on.

"Kristen..." my dad says as he eyes the three of us.  "Do you know why they're here?"

     "Not yet, but maybe if we let them explain why instead of slamming doors in their faces, we'd know!" Mom exclaims again.  I forgot how difficult my family was, I guess. 

     "Fine." says Dad.  He raises an eyebrow.  "What are you two doing here exactly?"

     "Well..." I start.  Courtney sits up a bit and shows off her left hand.  My parents eyes widen. 

     "We're getting married!" We exclaim in unison.  Mom rushes over from her seat in the recliner to where we are on the couch and grabs Courtney's hand.  She moves her ring finger over to examine the engagement ring.  Then my dad speaks up.

     "Courtney?" he inquires.  "Do you really want to marry this guy?  I mean he's been to both juvie and prison!"

     "Rob!" Ma yells at the same time I yell, "Dad!"

     Courtney looks at me with sympathy in her eyes.  Then, something else flashes behind her eyes; almost as if a flame that was long extinguished has now been reignited.  "Well, Mr. Nelson, maybe if you gave your son a chance the way your own wife and I do, you'd understand why I'd agree to something as big as marriage.  You see, Duncan is one of the best men I know.  He loves me and I love him, so yes I agreed to marry him.  And, if you have a problem with that, then you'll just have suck it up and fucking deal with it!  Your son is an amazing good person and gives you respect whether you deserve it or not, so the very least you could do is treat him like a son and not a vermin!" Courtney states, her hands bunching into fists.  Everyone in the room, even me, looks at her in shock.  "Not to be disrespectful to you in anyway, sir, but your son deserves your good graces..."  Man do I love that woman!  That's my girl right there!  She straightens out a bit, takes a deep breath, and I pull her close, enveloping her in my arms.

     "I always liked you, Courtney." My father says, standing up.  "You were the best, brightest, and by far most mature girl Duncan here ever brought home.  You were just what I wanted for my son and I see that you've clearly rubbed off on him.  I do see that he's grown into a good man, though I don't give him credit for it..." he continues, giving me a little wink.  "I'm glad you said what you did."

     Courtney, Ma, and I all let out a sigh of relief. 

     "Congratulations to both of you!" Ma suddenly says.  She wraps both Courtney and I into a big hug.  "I'm so excited!"

     "Here," Courtney says, taking an envelope out of her purse and handing it to my mom.  "It's the wedding invitation; we wanted to personally deliver it to the two of you..."

     "Oh, thank you!  Come on with me to the kitchen, we've got quite a few things to catch up on!" Ma says to Courtney, dragging her into the kitchen.  Court gives me a mock look of worry and I shrug with a smirk on face.  Once they're both out of sight and in the other room, Dad comes up to me. 

     "I really am proud of you, ya know." Dad says looking me in the eyes. 

     "Thanks, Dad.  That means a lot..." I say, rubbing the back of my neck.  He gives me a good pat on the shoulders. 

     "You did good, son, you did good..."