Hello fellow fanfiction writers and readers, here is another chapter of this story that I hope you guys will enjoy. As usual I own nothing except new characters and ideas, I make no money from writing, and all rights go to the rightful owners. Thanks for reading, please leave a review!

I was on a plane with my best friends and fiancé heading home to Louisiana!

I was super excited, we all were. Our family would be waiting for us when we landed, I was going to Alabama for five days after seeing my mother, we had ten days; that was it. I was sitting on Keagan's lap as we all laughed, his Old Spice and musky scent washed over me, his arms tight around my waist. My father, Jackie, Uncle, Mable, Mother, and Bob will be having a nice dinner tonight, I was so happy she married Bob, he grounded her on some level but she was still stuck up.

But we made it, we are Marines!

I was in his arms as we filed off the plane, Hal behind us with Vanessa in his arms; both thrilled. The rest behind them all laughing still. Jackie was the first to screech alerting us our family was waiting, her face covered in tears. It has been so long since we have seen them. My father, Mable, Josephine's parents, Hals parents along with Ash's rush towards us with banners. Each was wearing matching tee's "Proud Parent of a United States Marine" Bob was there with his tee but my mother was absent, my eyes scanned but she wasn't there.

My heart dropped.

Josephine yelled, "Hey Bob, forget to bring her mother?"

Bob groaned, "She refused." his face pulled in a frown as my father patted him on the back.

"All you can do is try, Bob." daddy says, this was true she was her own person. I am passed around while the females all talked about the wedding, I left it all up to Jackie. I gave her an outline that was it, she knew enough about me to guess what I would like.

But for now, we head to this dinner; she was supposed to be there. Uncle said she would be dragged if she must. He is as proud as my father with my accomplishments during my training and scores at the end. I was driving with daddy, Jackie, and Vanessa; guess now all the parents and Marines will be having a large dinner together. Keegan drove his mama's truck to the restaurant, it was nearly eight at night, I was tired and hungry my body not fully back to normal.

My Uncle and mother stand side by side near the double doors, she didn't look thrilled.

Vanessa groaned, "She looks ready to blow." She was always uncomfortable around my mother and for good reason too. Mother just has this I am better than you and always will be vibe about her, but she was my mother and I loved her. I rushed to her wrapping my arms around her she just patted my back with the enthusiasm of a two-hundred-year-old man.

She says, "Hello, Iris. You look thinner, almost ill." that was harsh, her scent was home the smell of white diamonds and vanilla swirling together.

I smile, "I know, training was brutal we only slept six hours in forty-eight hours and hardly had eaten anything. But I have ten days to gain it all back." all she could do was nod as we walked together into the fancy restaurant, guess I was just lucky she didn't comment on my clothes this once.

Even after we all are seated the tension was so thick, the hostess did in fact comment on our clothes, "I am sorry Mrs. Davenport but as you know we don't allow casual dress here." Her eyes lingering on us as the rest of the restaurant also glared at us teenagers dressed like well teens.

In a surprise move my mother stood up, "You will do well to turn and walk away. My daughter and her friends are now United States Marines, I am so sorry they didn't have a chance to change into more suitable attire. I am proud of my child and right now her clothes are the least of my worries, young lady. Now you may take our order then remove yourself." my mouth was on the floor as was everyone else's, this wasn't like her. Bob helped her sit but he was grinning from ear to ear.

I laughed, "Go, Mom."

Dinner was actually great the food perfect and free since our waitress caused a scene. I did drive home with her; the ride was silent her face illuminated by the passing street lights. Bob was in the driver seat as she watched trees pass by through her passenger widow, the house was dark as we pulled into the iron gates.

Everything seemed normal as Bob went to bed having to get up rather early for work, but my mother passed me a cup of hot chocolate, her eyes lingering on me.

Her voice was cold, "I heard a rumor from Carla. She was in Sheri port and saw Jackie, Mable, and Joslynn. They were ordering a wedding dress, now all those ladies are married. But she heard your name along with his." her eyes now colder.

I spoke, "I am marrying, Keegan. Mother he is not the best man but I love him." I wasn't about to lie, wasn't about to hurt her either; my life was one mess up after another.

Mother gasped, "Iris, you can do so much better! I forbid it. You deserve more, more than the likes of Xanthe." this was always going to be her reaction, I couldn't stop it or just ride it out. I knew Bob's daughter Constance was slowly becoming my mother's favorite, she was stunning, proper she was everything I wasn't. They just clicked. I was the odd girl out. I was a rule breaker. Unruly, a Marine, not a socialite who's becoming a Doctor. I was following in my father's and Uncle's footsteps. Something she never wanted for me, she thought I would be a lawyer like her but I didn't want to spend my life arguing for corrupt politicians or business.

I sigh, "Mother, you have no choice. This will be my choice and if it just blows up in my face that will be something I live with not you. You're my mother, not Constance's but not one time did I get a letter from you while I was in boot camp. Jackie wrote me every day I was there, I got mail from her, and Uncle, Father, Mable, Joslynn, but never you. Then you act all high and mighty telling me to call off my wedding. Here it is: the wedding is in nine days, we are doing it the day before we leave back to the Corps, it will be on daddy's land in Gulf shores. I want my mother there."

She snapped, "If you chose to be with that godless delinquent you deserve every dreadful thing he will do. I have warned you more times than I can count he will hurt you, now you must choose an un-happy marriage or a loving family with me."

I stood, being the same height was not a remarkable thing but now my personality towered over her's. I snort, "Happy loving family with you?! You're a miserable woman! You have tried to get me to be the same way. I am not choosing Keegan over you but I am choosing me. I can't understand you mother, this is never something you should have tried to force me to make!" I was flabbergasted she was pushing new bounds in her bullshit, I loved her, I loved him but I valued myself above them both.

She and I stood head to head than she spoke words I will never forget "Leave my house, you have chosen him over our family. I never want to hear from you again, I am going to bathe. I expect by the time I am done you will be gone. Your car is in the garage I didn't let your father take it." she walked away but then she stopped at the sight behind her, her husband was listening the entire time with an expression mixed with sadness and fury.

I had never seen him this way, he was always so calm and happy. He spoke, "This is not the woman I married, after your bathe we will talk about us. Because I think I want a divorce. Being with a woman who would toss her own child out is not something I will tolerate. Constance, even though she is snobby and self-centered, adores Iris. She wishes she could be like that, be free."

He escorted her away, a small sob escaped her but he turned to me "You're my daughter, I will be at your wedding with bells on." I smiled.

I packed all my clothes and things when he came in "She has taken it back, you don't need to leave." but I knew better.

I smile, "She only said that to get you to call off the divorce, she wants me out of her life." he knew it just as much as me, he helped me pack my car up, luckily, I didn't own as much as Vanessa. I was driving to the hotel, I would stay until morning and then escape to Alabama. My life was now all in my hands. I drove off my eyes burning from crying, my limbs trembling from the sheer force of emotions running through me. I focused on the road, getting away from the place I wasn't wanted, the place that was once my home.

I had money, I wasn't desolate, but I need my family: Vanessa, Josephine, Ash, Keegan. They are all still in town at his place, the elders heading back. I missed Freya and Sirena, we would have to make a trip to Hawaii as soon as we go on leave.

I left everything but the backpack in the car, I needed some form of rest. It was nearly ten but I am an adult now, I don't have a damn bed time. I could pig out on McDonalds if I wanted, I could eat ice cream naked with the door open too but there was a fine line between adulting and breaking the law. So, I look down at my cell before I dial his house number. I knew with everything I was this marriage was going to be hard, but something tremendous as well.

Two rings, "Hello." his deep husky voice echoed.

I answered, "Hey Keegan." he knew my voice.

You could hear the smile, "Iris, shouldn't you be passed out?"

I groaned, "I am an adult now I can stay up. I got into a huge fight with mother she told me pack my shit and get out if I continued with the delusion of marrying you. So, I am at Debroch Hotel." his muttered cursing along with the sound of the phone dropping was all I hear as I called for him, for him to calm down.

"Hello?" it was Vanessa.

I say, "Vanessa where has he run off too?"

"Ran out cursing your mother to the high heavens. What happened, sissy?"

I regaled, "My mother's friend saw Jackie and the rest ordering my dress, they mentioned my name. So, she blew said if I chose to be with him I had to leave her home and never speak to her again. I just lost my mother." tears falling now since I was talking to my best friend, my sister was so familiar that it was okay to cry.

Vanessa was hootin and hollering as the gang was heard in the background, she alerted them "I assume Keegan is on his way, I will talk to you in the morning. After I eat I am heading back to Alabama if you and Josephine want to ride with me."

We talked for a little until the door was nearly knocked off the hinges, I was greeted by the face of my future husband, he was seething.