Hot Coffee (The Hollens) novel Chapter 68

Emma's POV

I watched my family sitting around the dinner table, eating the food I prepared. Ethan was at the head table, eating away at his delicious juicy steak. Evan was eating slowly because he was texting on his phone, which he hid underneath the table so I wouldn't notice. Emily was looking at the food carefully and always asking if it was going to make her fat or if it was full of calories. EJ was eating like the good boy he ought to be. His behavior had changed around for the better. He had made friends with everyone in his classroom and we had no more bad reports about his temper.

I couldn't help but look at what I'd accomplished with the man of my dreams. Never had I thought I'd be here in life, sitting in a mansion around a huge dinner table with my own family. Everyone in the foster homes and group homes told me I was worthless and I'd amount to nothing in life. No one loved me, cared for me or protected me-- even my parents deserted me. 

I wished I could see all of those doubters now and show them that I did amount to something. I amounted to happiness, peace and tranquility. I amounted to a life that was beyond words, that I was fond of, and a life that I'd never change. There were obstacles along the way, obstacles that almost tore away this sight before my eyes. I wouldn't have had all of this if I'd given up and walked permanently away from Ethan without looking back.

"Mommy, can I go up my room and play now?" EJ asked, shaking me from the admiration of my family. 

I smiled at him, seeing he had cleaned his plate. I allowed him to leave the table.

"Evan, stop texting and eat your food," I said. 

He gave me a 'how did you know?' look but put away his phone and continued eating.

"Mommy, is this going to let me gain weight?" Emily asked for the hundredth time She was slowly giving me a headache.

"No, Emily. Just enjoy your food and stop asking all these questions for once," Ethan answered for me.

_________________________________

"I love our family. The kids are growing up so fast," I said to Ethan , rubbing his back with my fingers as we laid on the bed watching television.

"Yeah," he answered shortly, eyes glued to the TV.

"Babe, did you talk to Emily?"

"No, why?"

"She wants to ask you something?"

"Well, I know she already spoke to you about it, so go ahead and tell me."

"She wants your permission to go on a date with a guy from her school."

"No!"

"Baby, she's sixteen."

"I don't care how old she is. She's not going out on any dates. She's too young. These guys are only after one thing, but it's not going to happen with my daughter."

"Babe, let's be realistic here. We can't cage her forever; and I was happy when she came to me instead of sneaking behind our backs."

"Well that's good and all, but she's not going on any date with someone I don't know and haven't met."

"Okay, well, what if we invited him over for dinner one night and get to know him?"

"Fine."

"I'll let her know."

_________________________________

The next Saturday, Emily invited over her would-be-date for dinner with us. We had the chef prepared something fantastic and delicious-- diced lobster with a garlic butter sauce, steamed vegetables and rice, and a chocolate ice cream cake for dessert.

"Mom! He's here! He's here!" Emily said as she heard the doorbell ringing. 

We were setting the table. 

She ran to the door and flung it open.

He looked her age with blue eyes, dark brown hair and a handsome face-- a scared face with wondering eyes. 

She took his hand and led him towards the dining room. "Mom, this is Sebastian."

"Good evening, Mrs. Hollen, it's a pleasure to meet you," he greeted and held out his hand. 

I pulled him in for a hug instead. What if he's my son-in-law to be?

"It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard so many good things about you. Please have a seat; we're about to start dinner. The others will be down shortly."

"Okay, ma'am. Thank you," he said with a shy smile. 

He pulled out a chair for Emily then another for himself. They sat down beside each other, smiling and talking softly; they seemed so happy. 

Young love. 

I went to alert the chef to serve dinner in the next five minutes. When I got back to the table, Ethan was standing there staring hard at Sebastian. He sat down at the head table, never taking his eyes off the boy. 

Evan and EJ finally came down.

I took my seat.

"What's your name?" Ethan demanded.

"It's Sebastian, sir."

"How do you know my daughter?"

"We attend the same high school and we take classes together."

"And what's your intentions for her?"

"Daddy please. Lets not play the hundred questions here. You're scaring him," Emily pleaded.

"Well, if he can't answer some simple questions then he's not worthy of

you."

"He is worthy," she snapped back.

"It's okay, Emily," Sebastian turned to her, and, shaking his fear away, he looked Ethan directly in his eyes. "Sir, I only have good intentions for your daughter. I know we're young and you may think that what we're starting won't last, but I assure you that I'm not going to hurt your daughter in any way."

A bright smile played on my lips as he said those words to Ethan. 

Ethan twisted his mouth, lost in words to give a response, so he only nodded his head. 

Emily hugged Sebastian and patted him on his shoulders.

"Hi, I'm Ethan Junior, but you can call me EJ or Little Ethan. I prefer EJ because I'm not little," he said to Sebastian.

"Hi EJ. I'm Sebastian, but all my friends call me Seb for short."

"Welcome to our home Seb," EJ said kindly, to my surprise. His manners and attitude had really turned around.

"Don't ever hurt my sister because I'll be coming after you with a loaded tool. I won't care about our friendship," Evan warned. The two of them seemed to be close as well.

Dinner was served. 

We ate and talked. Ethan and I got to know Sebastian better. By the end of the dinner, he and Sebastian were talking like father and son. He led him to the door and hugged him good night before Sebastian got into his car and left.

"I like him," Ethan said when we climbed into bed. "He seems like a great kid."

"Yes, he does."

"But I wasn't joking when I told him that if he hurts my daughter I'll hang his skin on the wall."

"Oh my goodness sweetie."

"Enough about him. I want my sexy wife, now."

"Ethan," I squealed as he pulled me into his hard chest and began sucking on my neck.