The Middle of Love

Chapter 7: Social Season

Katie:

"Mom, Dad, please just give him a chance." I beg for the millionth time, "Axl's an amazing man. I love him."

"Can't you see he just wants you for our money sweetheart?" My mother asks. "You have to have had seen his family the way they acted at the party."

"So you'll judge him based on his family's actions the first time you meet them?" I ask spinning around in my pacing around my father's office. My hair flying over my shoulder, I haven't been allowed to see Axl or leave the manor for weeks since we got back from Hollywood, except for going to do my daily volunteer work I've been grounded, no shopping, no Axl. "That is completely unfair. Axl's had nothing but nice things to say about you and the family. His family think this family is pretty great to, they talk highly of all of us, they couldn't care less about our money." I tell them, "How were they supposed to react, I told them it was a family event, just you, Jenny, and the boys. They show up and the boys are on the front steps with Jenny to greet them. It makes me upset that you've judged them against somethings they've never been part of. They stuck out because they didn't know what was going on. I felt out of place because I didn't know what was going on. You swore to me it was just family, that's why I invited Axl's family. I thought it would be a safe place and time to meet. I was wrong."

"Katherine, please." My father's sharp but gentle voice cuts into my monologue. "Understand what we see from where we are."

"What are you seeing that I'm missing dad? Axl hates it when I pay for things. The only reason it happened during our trip to Hollywood was because all he had on him was his license and a couple twenties he paid for what the money he had could cover. It was my fault he was put in that position." I tell them, "He's nothing short of a gentleman. Chivalrous, charismatic, kind, gentle, romantic. He makes a walk in the park feel like I'm walking through the botanical gardens I love in New York."

"Katherine, I understand how you feel, but until we can see that Mr. Heck is a suitable boyfriend for you-"

"I will not break up with him if that's what your about to tell me." I warn them, "I'd rather be cut off."

"Very well, I expect to see you both at the dinner, at The Rose Garden in three days." My mother looks like she wants to object, but once my father speaks, it's done.

"Yes dad." I turn and walk out of his office and up to my room. Alpha lays on my bed not doing anything. My poor boy. "Alpha, ready for a walk?" I ask him. He doesn't move. It really is like losing Caden all over again. He rolls over.

"Katie, Axl's down in the foyer." John says; Alpha sits up at the mention of Axl's name.

"I'll be down in just a second." I tell him. He nods walking away. "Did you want to go see Axl?" I ask Alpha he bounds down the stairs with the most energy I've seen him with since I got back. I smile to myself before following Alpha downstairs.

Axl's sitting on the ground playing tug of war with Alpha. Both of them happy. I stay on the steps and just watch them. Axl finally looks up and stands up. He quirks a grin and walks to meet me. As soon as my foot steps of the stairs he wraps me into a hug. "I love you." He whispers into my hair. "I love you so much."

"I love you too Axl." I tell him. Alpha wiggles in between us and yips. He's looking up at us and I can't help but aww at the sight. Axl laughs and I smile at him when he looks back to me. He grins and laces our fingers together. "Lets take this guy out for a well needed walk."

Alpha races to the closet where I keep his and Bravo's leashes. He sits wagging his tail. "I'm in. Where's Bravo?"

"At the v-e-t." I tell him Axl looks confused for a moment before nodding. I clip Alpha to his harness and we head out.