He opened the passenger door for her and relieved her of the bottle of Champagne she had been cradling in her hands. Heather’s heart wobbled as Simon took her hand to help her step out of the passenger seat of his electric car.

Her son was already jumping out of the backseat. After countless boxes of juice before their drive over to her parents’ house, Finn was on a sugar high that could not be contained.

“We’re here!” Finn bounded up to the front door and started knocking on it with his tiny fist.

She exchanged a nervous, but amused, glance with Simon.

“Someone’s excited,” he said with a laugh.

The rich sound of his deep laughter helped to calm her frayed nerves a little. It had been a week since she had first started out with her new lawyer, but each day that went by meant they were getting closer and closer to the custody hearing. A hearing she had spent days preparing for, but she still couldn’t wait for it to be over.

Tonight was the first dinner Simon would be having with her parents. The occasion was supposed to be special. A gathering to get reacquainted before the terrifying ordeal of next week’s court hearing.

The stress of the upcoming court hearing combined with the stress of having dinner with her new boyfriend and her family was sending her heart rate into overdrive. As if noticing her unease, Simon slid an arm around her and held her close as they headed towards the door together.

Stress aside, having Simon to lean on was the only thing that had gotten her through her extensive sessions with her new lawyer. Simon had insisted on going with her to support her during the exhausting prep sessions of the past week.

Her father stepped out and greeted Finn with their usual high-five. “Hey, Finnley, right on time. You hungry?”

Finn nodded so hard his entire body shook. “Yup! Can I have dessert first, Grandpa?”

“I don’t think your mother or your grandmother are going to like that idea much.” Her father crouched low. “But maybe if you try to save a little room for dessert, you’ll get an extra helping of chocolate cake. How does that sound?”

Her son cheered and raced into the house, calling for his grandmother.

When her father straightened, she leaned over to give him a peck on the cheek. “Hi, Dad.”

“You’re looking nice tonight, Heather,” her father said, giving her a quick hug.

“Thank you, Dad. Your new haircut looks nice as well.” She turned her attention to Simon. “You remember Simon, don’t you?”

“Hello, Mr. Monroe,” Simon said.

“Why are you kids being so formal?” her father asked, his voice a deep boom. “Of course, I remember Simon. He was here a while back to drop you off, wasn’t he? Simon, please, call me Bob.”

“Uh...” Simon held out his hand awkwardly, clearly surprised at this new informality after years away from her parents.

Her father ignored his outstretched hand to pull him into a bear hug.

The sight almost made her laugh. She knew how uncomfortable Simon was in social situations, while her father was the complete opposite. That had been one of the reasons she was still nervous about this dinner. Her parents were always welcoming, but there was bound to be some tension with so many personalities in the house.

When her father released him, he adjusted his thick glasses as he stared down at the bottle of Champagne in Simon’s hands. “That fancy bottle of booze for me?” her father asked with a gleam in his eye.

“It’s a gift from us to you and Mrs. Monroe,” Simon said, handing it over.

Her father whistled when he stared at the label on the bottle. “This is some pricey stuff, Simon. Thank you so much. And thank you as well, Heather. Kids, I really appreciate this. Hang on. Where are my manners? Please, come on in.”

Simon tucked her arm in his in a gentlemanly manner and she smiled at him. Together, they trailed after her father as he led them into the living room.

The living room was lovingly decorated by her mother, a shabby-chic quality to the décor. Her mother loved finding old stuff and reviving it, which had always given her parents’ house a homey, lived-in feel.

They found her mom chatting with Finn in the living room. Mom was dressed in a floral apron and hanging on to Finn’s every word. As always, Heather’s heart swelled at the sight of her mother getting along with Finn. She had the most loving parents in the world, and they were the ones who gave her hope that maybe Gary would come around and be the father Finn deserved.

She sat down next so Simon on the plush floral sofa while her father joined Finn and her mother on the opposite sofa.

“Look what Heather and Simon brought us, Sophie,” her father said.

Her mom’s eyes lit up when she saw the bottle. “Oh, this will go perfectly with the chicken I’ve got in the oven. Good heavens, I haven’t even said hello to you two.” Her mother turned to them and smiled. “Aren’t you two a cozy couple? Oh, look, Bob. Look how he holds her hand.”

Heather felt her cheeks heat when she looked down to see that, yes, her hand really was joined with Simon’s. Her mother’s fussing over them was already making her slightly embarrassed. “Dinner smells wonderful, Mom.”

“Thank you, dear.” Her mother smiled. “It’s so great for us to all get together like this. Bob and I have missed you, Simon. Well, that’s nothing compared to how much Heather missed you.”

“Mom.” Her cheeks were practically on fire now.

Simon chuckled beside her. “I’ve missed you all, too. The happiest times of my life were when I spent time with you and Heather.”

Her mother placed a hand over her heart, her eyes shining. “Did you hear that, Bob? Oh, aren’t you sweet! Speaking of happy times, do you remember the time Heather tripped into that puddle in our backyard and you got a photo of it, Simon?”

Finn started laughing and that was when Heather knew she had to nip the story in the bud. If they weren’t careful, her mother was going to talk their ears off and bring up even more embarrassing childhood details that Heather did not want to revisit in front of her boyfriend.

“We don’t need to go over that, Mom,” Heather said quickly.

“But Heather, these are priceless childhood memories.” A mischievous glint flashed in Simon’s blue eyes and she groaned. He looked like he was enjoying this story way too much, but he cleared his throat and leaned forward. “Do you need help with anything in the kitchen?”

“Don’t tell me he cooks as well,” her mother gushed. “Rich, handsome, cooks.”

“I’m not much of a cook, I’m afraid,” Simon said. “Maybe I could help cutting up some vegetables or something?”

“I do need help with a salad.” Her mother stood up and smiled. “Follow me, Simon. We have so much to catch up on.”

Heather’s apprehension started to dissipate. They seemed to be hitting it off, and as Simon and her mother disappeared from the living room she hoped that they would continue to get along in the kitchen. Simon seemed relaxed, which meant that maybe this dinner would turn out to be a success. Suddenly she realized with Simon and her mother out of earshot, her mother could regale him with even more embarrassing childhood stories and there was nothing Heather could do to stop her.

~~*~~

SIMON SET THE OVEN-roasted chicken on the dining table. “Dinner is served.”

“Not quite,” Sophie said as she stepped into the dining room with the bottle of Champagne in her hand. She gently placed the bottle on the table that was already laden with so much food Simon had no idea how they were going to finish it all. “Now it’s served. Simon, please sit down. You’ve helped so much already.”

He smiled and sat down between Heather and Finn, while Sophie took her seat at one end of the table opposite her husband.

“This looks wonderful, Sophie,” he said.

Heather’s mom beamed but she waved her hand. “It’s nothing really. Now go on and eat, everyone. Tell me how the tomato soup is.”

They all started to dig in, each of them complimenting the delicious soup.

All the nervous energy he had been carrying all day over this dinner was starting to vanish. Her parents had always been welcoming when he was a child, but he didn’t know how they would feel about him being back in Heather’s life after all these years. As it turned out, he shouldn’t have worried. Bob and Sophie were the most gracious people he had ever known, and they had put him right at ease. And the way Sophie still fussed over him, it was as if he had never left.

With the soup finished, Simon helped to clear the soup bowls away while Heather’s mother began to serve the pasta and the roast chicken.

“So, Simon, I hear that you and Heather are working together again,” Bob said.

He nodded. “Yes. Heather is my media relations assistant and spokeswoman.”

“That sounds like a pretty important job,” Bob said.

“It is,” Simon said with a nod. “It’s important enough for me to give her a hard time about it.”

“Not a fan of the media, huh?” Bob chuckled. “Well, I think you’ll both work it out. A business needs strong personalities if it hopes to thrive.”

“I totally agree,” Simon said.

“Boy, you’ve really done well for yourself,” Bob said. “I know I had nothing to do with your success, but seeing how far you’ve come I’ve got say I’m proud of you, Simon.”

Simon blinked away the sting in his eyes. “The truth is, Bob, you and Sophie have more to do with my success than you know. Your home was a haven for me during my childhood. I got most of my childhood dreams and ideas at your house. Your support, combined with Heather’s, is why I managed to accomplish anything at all.”

Bob smiled. “I appreciate you telling us that.”

“And we’re so happy to have you, Simon,” Sophie said. “It’s just wonderful to see you two together again. We’re so lucky to have you here.”

He smiled at Heather. “I’m the lucky one.”

Heather returned his smile and placed her hand over his affectionately.

There was so much kindness and warmth from Heather’s family. Over the years, Simon had put aside the desire to connect with people. Spent his days focused on nothing but work. But each day that he shared with Heather his heart opened more and more than it ever had. More people were getting through the defenses he had put up around his heart. First Heather. Then Finn. Now her parents.

A loud, distant bang made Heather snatch her hand away in surprise.

“What on earth was that?” Sophie cried.

“I’ll go see what that is,” Bob said.

Simon shot to his feet. “No Bob, I’ll go.”

The sound of heavy footsteps started to echo in the next room, and Simon instinctively reached for the carving knife by the chicken.

“Heather? Where the hell are you?” Gary’s familiar voice echoed before he stumbled into the room.

“Gary?” Heather gasped. “What are you doing here?”

Gary snarled at them, swaying on his feet.

Even though he had just walked into the room, Simon could smell that Heather’s ex-husband reeked of alcohol. “Have you been drinking?”

“Please, no. Gary, don’t tell me you drove here in this state...” Heather stood up.

“You’re not going to replace me, Heather.” Gary’s words were slurred. “Simon isn’t my kid’s father. I am.”

Finn suddenly started crying, his chubby cheeks streaked with tears. “Daddy? Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

Simon knew that if he didn’t put some distance between Finn and his stupid-ass drunk father, things were liable to get even more traumatic for the poor boy. “Heather, why don’t you take Finn upstairs to wash his face?”

She exchanged a knowing glance with him and nodded. “Okay.” Lowering her voice, she leaned towards him and said, “Just be careful, Simon. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“I won’t,” he assured her. “Focus on Finn while I get Gary out of here.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Gary demanded.

By now Finn was weeping, clutching tightly to his mother as she lifted him into her arms.

“You go upstairs with them, Sophie,” Bob said as he stood up. “I’ll stay down here with Simon.”

Sophie’s face was ashen, but she nodded and quickly scurried out of the dining room with Heather and Finn.

“Do you have any idea how much you’ve just scared Finn?” Heather’s father narrowed his eyes at Gary.

“How did you even find us?” Simon demanded, fighting to keep his anger in check.

“I saw a post on Sophie’s social media, bragging about having dinner with her family and Heather’s new boyfriend,” Gary spat out. “How nice of you all to invite me.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Bob asked. “You and Heather are no longer married. We’re not obligated to invite you.”

Gary took a step towards them. “You said I was family, Bob. Right before I married Heather, you said I was family. I know we’re divorced, but what’s changed?”

“What’s changed is you trying to take Finn away from Heather. Away from all of us. That poor boy has been through enough, but you keep piling on, Gary,” Bob thundered. “You’re ripping this family apart, you selfish son of a—”

“Gary, you need to leave so you can get sober,” Simon interrupted. As much as he would have liked to watch Bob tear Heather’s ex-husband a new one, all that mattered was keeping Finn safe. Getting Gary sober and out of here was the top priority, no matter how much he hated the guy.

“I drove here.” Gary groaned and rubbed his temple. “I don’t think that was a good idea.”

“How about I drive you home?” Simon offered.

“Simon, are you sure?” Bob asked. “You’re not obligated to help him. Not after the hell he’s put us through.”

Simon placed a hand on Bob’s shoulder. “It’s not about an obligation. This is for Finn.”

Bob sighed. “You’re right. I just feel so helpless, watching Gary self-destruct like this.”

Gary started swearing loudly and Simon gripped the blade of the carving knife even more tightly.

“Say whatever you want to me, but you’re not talking to your son’s grandfather like that again,” Simon said firmly.

Gary snarled but held his tongue.

“Bob, if you want to help, how about you stay here and keep everyone safe while I drive Gary home?” Simon suggested.

“I don’t want you going off with him alone,” Bob said. “There’s no telling what he’ll try to do.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m sober and he’s so drunk he can barely stand,” Simon pointed out. “I’ll be all right. But right now, your family could really lean on you, Bob.”

Heather’s father sighed and then nodded. “Okay. I’ll stay here to take care of them, but if I don’t hear from you within the hour I’m coming down there myself to finish Gary. Forget the cops. Just take care of yourself, Simon, and be careful around him.”

With a grim nod Simon headed over to Gary, placed a firm hand around his shoulders, and started to guide him towards the front door. Gary was slurring something incomprehensible, but at least he seemed to be ready to go quietly. No doubt the alcohol he’d consumed had thrown him way off balance.

Once they got to Simon’s car Simon heaved Gary into the backseat, got his address from him, and got behind the wheel and drove off. The drive down to Gary’s house was, thankfully, uneventful.

After he parked the car, Simon hauled Gary out of the backseat. He was so drunk that Simon had to practically drag him up to the front door.

Simon grabbed the keys out of Gary’s pocket and unlocked the door. The house was a complete mess, but there was no time for that. He had no idea where Gary’s bedroom was, so he helped him down onto the sofa in the living room. Gary let out a loud groan and stretched his legs out on the sofa to lay down.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Simon asked.

“You’re not going to give me the money, are you?” Gary asked, his voice a pathetic whine.

Simon frowned. “Is that the real reason you barged in like that?”

“Yeah. The minute I saw Sophie’s post I knew you weren’t going to pay up. Why would you? You already have Heather. Already have her parents’ affection. Me leaving isn’t going to seal the deal for you.”

“This discussion is over, Gary,” Simon said flatly. “Call me when you’ve sobered up. Until then, stay the hell away from Heather.”

“Until next week’s court hearing,” Gary retorted in a menacing tone. “She’ll finally have to face me and what she’s done, and not even your money can stop that from happening.”