What do you propose?

Jodie stopped on the stairs as she headed down to meet the Wesker family for lunch. She wasn’t in a big hurry and stopped to check her makeup in a mirror placed between paintings along the wall. Her makeup was flawless, though after meeting that young blonde woman last night she knew she wanted to get better at it. Her hair now once again back to its original raven black was pulled back on one side by a hair clip made to look like a rose. It would take some getting used to seeing her hair no longer red, but she was happy about the chance.

Looking down at herself she wore a red wrap dress that must be one of her dresses that used to belong to Becky, because it strained to hold in her DD chest. It made her consider changing, but the way Adam looked at her chest when he came back from his morning swim was the type of reaction she loved to get so it stayed on, even if she considered unwrapping the wrap dress for some private time with him. Today she had on nude sheer stockings with embroidered lace tops hooked to a black garter belt, to contrast the colors of her red bra and thong panties. She gave a little smile at what she used to think of as come fuck me pumps, they were glossy black with a thin stilleto heel of six inches. After making sure she looked the way she wanted Jodie started back on her way to meet the Weskers as she thought about the past evening.

Iris had been cruel and so did some of her guests and Adam not coming to her defense bothered her a lot, but so did the fact she didn’t really stick up for herself either. She never really did when people had talked down to her, let them think what they want was always her motto. But she really wanted to make a good impression on Adam’s parents and hearing her say those things just made her think of her parents. The way they treated her before and knowing if they saw her now it would be much worse.

The drive back to the mansion was a silent one, everytime she opened her mouth to say something she just ended up keeping it to herself. Unsure of where to start or what arguments she might have if he rebutted her and the idea of fighting with him out here without Eric, Tiffany, Lauren, Janet for support was too much. She decided to just leave it alone for now, leave it for later. Maybe on the way home she could needle Adam and get all of this over with. That decision was taken away from her soon as they crossed the threshold for the home.

“Jodie, I am truly sorry for what my mother said. It wasn’t right..” Jodie poked him in the chest with long nailed index finger to stop him right there. He wasn’t there for her, he practically abandoned her when she was insulted and he was not going to get away with just apologizing for his mother.

“And like where were you? Am I not important enough for you Mr. Wesker, or do you think of me that way too?!” She felt insecure about being called a harlot with how she had been looking at men the last few days and her confession to not just wanting to roll Adam’s cum around in her mouth, but feeling like she needed it. The insult felt way to close to the mark for her, making it feel worse.

“Jodie… no I would never think of you like that. Look, there are certain rules in these social circles. Everyone is looking to get a piece of the latest gossip, something they can use to feel superior to others.” Adam let out a long breath. “They feed on it like it is life giving water so that they can pull others down socially and hope to raise themselves up. I should have talked to you about this kind of thing earlier, this is my fault for not preparing you enough for them. We keep most of our personal lives private so they have nothing to gossip about and when you caused a scene…”

Adam held up his hands when he saw Jodie’s face turn into a scowl. “When you stood up for the waitress and told off that old hag, something I would love to do in truth. They would have let everyone know how badly they were treated at an event held by my family and that type of things spreads.”

“They were acting badly, like I was… I didn’t…” This was utter bullshit, these people thought they could be cruel to others and act like the victim when someone calls them out on their shit. She was so mad she couldn’t even form a full sentence.

“I get it my love.” Adam said putting his hand on Jodie’s arm. It was common for her to have trouble finding the word or words she wanted, but he could easily see and feel the frustration going through her. If I were to have spoken back to my mother right there at the party it would be the talk of the town and would our reputation more. Still… I should have done it, I was weak, when you needed me to be strong. I hope you will forgive me, I still have room to grow and I want you by my side to call me out on my weak points.”

“I’m totally still mad.” Jodie said with a pout.

“You have every right to be, your feelings are are not just valid, they are real. Unlike many of the people you met tonight. They smile, they will try to hitch their wagon to you if they think you are successful. But if they even imagine seeing weakness they will circle like wolves. That has been most of my life, and why I hardly ever come home.”

Her pout changed more to a frown as she thought about what that could be like. When she came here she had ignored what Adam said about his parents, with how wealthy they were and how polite she couldn’t imagine it being as bad as he said. Now though she thought of how lonely he must have felt, he knew a lot more people that she ever had, but not once had he ever spoken of a best friend. Their were people he went out to play golf or tennis with, but never did he say the word friend. She had friends, even at her lowest point she had one truly amazing friend, he seemed to have no one. Not even his brother. “That sounds lonely.”

Adam gave his girlfriend a small smile before leaning in for a light kiss. “I filled my life with things that did not matter so I wouldn’t notice that little fact, but I promise you. Since the day you came into my life that hasn’t been a problem.” He gave her a reassuring smile before cocking his head thinking of something else. “Except those nights you tell me you are busy when I want to see you. Those nights bring truth to the words of absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

“When did you become sappy and super sweet?” Jodie gave him a large smile, the idea of someone thinking of her and wanting to spend more time with her, not less or wishing for more space felt amazing.

“Time with you and those lifetime or hallmark movies you make us watch.” Jodie bit her lip, she had started making him watch those just to annoy him, most of the time she would be on her phone, but having to watch them herself with Lauren made her appreciate them more and more. Things that seemed stupid before, now made her cry or be so happy for the girl in the movies.

“Okay, I forgive you.”

“I’m sorry we didn’t get to eat dinner, want me to see if I can find some left over or something in the fridge?”

Jodie shook her head and slid her hand to the crotch of his pants. “I was promised good food tonight, and I plan to get it.” She broke out into a fit of laughter as she was swept off her feet and carried up to his bedroom where they had enough fun that both passed out in each other's arms. It was one of the few times Jodie had woken up in Adam’s arms, cuddling like she did with Eric and it left her smiling as she went to meet Adam’s family for lunch.

Sitting down at the banquet table she sat next to Adam, across from her was his mother and the two others at the foot and head of the table. “Glad you could join us dear, I wasn’t sure if you would after you left without saying any farewells last night.”

Adam hadn’t mentioned them needing to say goodbye to people before they left or when they got back here, but the idea of taking the same amount of time to the pleastanties when all she wanted to do was leave was so stupid. “I”m feeling much better, I totally appreciate you worrying about me.” I can be catty too!

As lunch began Jodie noticed how quickly Iris was drinking down her wine and while she was no longer fond of the woman, she wished she could also drink like that. “So tell me Adam, does your girlfriend here strip for a living like the last one you brought home?” Iris said with a wicked grin.

“Mother she was a professional dancer I believe.” Brandon said, but she waved him off.

“Lorri, her name was Lorri Chubais and she was part of the Bolshoi Ballet Company. I met her when we saw Sleeping Beauty at the Bolshoi theater, when we were in Russia. I recall you rather enjoying the performance.” Adam said with an edge to his voice.

“The Bolshoi troupe, that was a wonderful trip. We should schedule a visit, I wonder what performances they have coming up.” Adam’s father said seemingly oblivious to the tension in the room.

“Hmm, but what is it you do dear?”

It was an innocent question, that people ask one another all the time, but the way she said it made Jodie feel like no matter the answer she had already deemed it not good enough. “I’m..” She looked over at Adam before continuing. “I’m Adam’s secretary, but like soon I’m getting a promotion.”

Brandon snorted at the answer while Iris swirled the wine around in her glass. “Well at least you aren’t playing with trash for a living.”

That remark stung, she was talking about her father. Being a garbage man wasn’t a glamorous job and he was a horrible man, but the job was a good job. It paid better than teachers, it paid better than any IT job she ever had, not to mention the job security. He worked hard and provided for his family. Jodie bit the inside of her cheek sure she was about to draw blood, she was ready to tell this snobby woman what for when to her surprise, she didn’t need too.

“I have had enough of the little jabs, and definitely the overt ones. You are not clever and it only shows how little morality you really have. Jodie is a gift, a gift to everyone she comes into contact with and she has deemed me worth of her love.” Adam didn’t remember standing, but his chair had been pushed back and his hands were balled into fists as he looked at his mother, his head pivoting between all members of his family.

Turning to Jodie Adam smiled at her, looking into her deep blue eyes. “I love you Jordan Applegate and I am sorry I brought you to see such cruel people.” He took a step toward her and got down on one knee as he reached into his pocket.

“I had this big thing planned with an orchestra showing up and fireworks ready, but I can’t go another minute without confessing my feelings. I need to ask you the only question that has been on my mind. Jordan Applegate, will you marry me. I have my faults, but I will promise to always love you.”

Jodie felt parilized when he got down on one knee, he was going to tie his shoe, he was teasing her after she had pesterd and prodded him for so long. His last words, a promise to always love her ran through her mind and it felt like they spun around her heart like flying butterflies. Giving her a feel of elation, this man who she once thought could only really think of himself was pledging to love her unconditionally as he stood up to his own parents. The very thing he had told her he was too weak to do the night before. Tears came to her eyes as she nodded and before she knew it he was holding her in his arms kissing her.

When he put her down Jodie looked down at the massive ring on her finger, not remembering when it had exactly been put on. She didn’t love Adam did she? She was trying to break up with him, but her heart was beating so quickly and she felt so happy. She loved Eric, but now looking at the ring she thought she might love Adam too and maybe had been feeling that way for longer than she thought. This entire time she was trying to push him away and now she was engaged to him, engaged to a man who had no one else but her. Eric deserved someone better than her, Adam was flawed like she was. She thought she really might actually be in love with Adam, that promise to always love her going through her mind.

She wasn’t sure how long she had been looking down at the ring, she wasn’t even sure she remembered standing up, but a light touch on her shoulder made her look up to see Adam’s father. “It looks like congratulations are in order Jodie, you will soon be a Wesker. I would like to be the first to welcome you to the family. I would like to say if you believe that you have been treated badly or unfairly, I would like to personally apologize. Not just for myself, but for anyone that has made you feel this way on your trip here. We not cruel people.” The elder Wesker moved his eyes over to Adam for a second, before refocusing on her. “I do see how we can come across that way, like my son said. We have our faults, and I hope now that we will be family you could find it in you to give us a second chance.”

Jodie was blown away, her mind still felt so numb from surprise and yet she was actually being apologized too. Jodie did notice Iris swallow the rest of her wine angrily, but her husband patted her on the arm and gave her a smile. She could see where Adam got his confident smile from, this man didn’t talk a lot, but when he gave her direct attention it made her feel like she was the only one that mattered to him at that second, another thing his son inherited from him. “Don’t mind her, she will come around. She has always wanted another girl in the family and I suspect when talks of wedding planning happen she will be constantly excited as she talks to you.”

The shock was far from letting up, this felt surreal to Jodie. Every time she met Adam’s eyes she would ask him the same question. “Really?” No thoughts of the future, or even of the present went through her mind, she just felt stunned. Both her and Adam were too caught up in their moment to notice Adam’s father move to his wife or pay any attention to what they spoke of.

“Why would you welcome that harlot! She is not going to be a Wesker!” With a steady hand he took the wine glass from his wife. “That is beyond our control, but we need to play nice so that we can have as much control as possible. You will play nice, you will be happy for your son and his soon to be bride. You will do this so that we can get her to sign a prenup, the last thing we need is someone like her stealing from us when Adam finally comes to his senses.

With all the excitement Jodie let down her guard and started to partake in the wine as Adam did the same, them celebrating. She was happy, confused about those feelings, but didn’t want to explore them. If Adam’s father coming up to welcoming her to the family and apologizing was surprise, it was doubly so when his mother called Jodie over to her as she walked into the adjoining room. “I spoke out of turn before, and I wanted you to know I am aware I shouldn’t have, it was beyond rude of me. What my husband says is true, I have always wanted another woman in the family.” Iris put her hand to her stomach.

“That was taken from me long ago, but I understand you know how to play the piano. I play myself, and my boys never seemed to be musically inclined.” Jodie smiled at her as the older woman sat down at a piano and patted the bench next to her.

“Umm I do actually love to play and recently have been playing at a piano bar a few nights a week.” Jodie said it a bit unsure of herself, she was incredibly proud to have a consistent gig. It was something that was never true before, but things seemed so fragile she was afraid of saying the wrong thing. Like if she did everything that had just happened would break apart.

“That sounds wonderful, the next time I am in your area we should get dinner before. I would love to hear you play and I was hoping that you might be open to me sharing with you a song that was passed down to me from my Grandmother. I hoped to pass this along to my own daughter, but now as my Adam put it. We were given a gift with you being here with us.”

“That… that would be amazing! Yes I would love to hear your song!” Jodie felt more tears coming to her eyes and started to fan her face. She felt incredibly emotional at the moment and was so happy she was able to see passed herself and grow to accept her so quickly. Like how Adam had pushed himself to stand up to them and like most bullies once you did they backed down.

“Okay, you just sit here with me and listen and then I will show you the fingering.” Iris took a small swallow from her wine glass, her cheeks long ago gaining a rosy color from all the wine. Then she began to play and fill the room with a sweet melody that seemed to reflect Jodie’s current mood.