(A/N: Thank you all for your patience, I hope you enjoy this chapter!)

Meeting the Families Part 2

Following his meeting with Theresa's family, Ethan made his way back to his house, waiting for the following day, when he would meet Gwen's family.

"How is it that I have come so far in this experience, and now I find myself falling for two women? Theresa's family was so warm and loving, just the way a family should be. What will Gwen's family be like? I like her, I do. There's just something more I need from her in order to find out if she's truly the one for me. Yet, what is that something? I don't know."

The following morning, Ethan hears the doorbell ring around 10 am. "Morning, Carl, how are you today?"

"Great, Mr. Winthrop. Are you ready to head off?"

"Sure, let's go."

On the road, Ethan ponders what to expect at Gwen's house. "Well, she seems very classy, so I'm assuming her family is that way, too. God, just let things go well today."

Upon arriving at the Hotchkiss mansion, Ethan walks out of the car, and looks around. "Impressive. But, very big. I think this is bigger than the Crane Mansion is, in my opinion." Looking toward the front door, Ethan smiles as Gwen comes out.

"Hi there" She says as Ethan takes her into his arms for a hug.

"Hi yourself, how are you?"

"Good how are you?"

"Great. You have a beautiful home."

"Yes, well, mother knows how to decorate." They share a laugh, as they walk into the house. "How was your date with Theresa?"

Taking a breath, Ethan looks at Gwen, "Let's not talk about Theresa. I am here today with you, okay?"

"Hmm. I wonder if Ethan had a bad experience with Theresa..hmm all the more reason I will win!" "Of course, Ethan. Come meet my parents."

"Oh, goodness, this must be Ethan!" He heard as he turned around and came face to face with Rebecca Hotchkiss, Gwen's mother.

"Hello, I'm Ethan."

"Yes, doll, I can see that. I'm Rebecca, Gwen's mother. She has told me so much about you! And now I can see why you picked her! And you thought that Tacosita was in the picture, Gwen, puhlease!" Gwen's mother said as she nudged Gwen in the ribs.

"Well, Mrs. Hotchkiss, Theresa—" Ethan began, but got interrupted.

"Oh, never mind her, this is my daughter's day now! Come, come, let's go eat. Guadalupe, please serve the meals!"

"Yes, Mrs. Hotchkiss."

"Where is Daddy, Mother?"

"Here I am, princess."

"Daddy, this is Ethan. Ethan, my father, Jonathon Hotchkiss."

"Pleasure, sir."

"Likewise. Come, let's all eat."

As the group go to eat, Ethan looks around the house. "You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Hotchkiss."

"Only the best for my family, Ethan."

"Of course."

As they sit and begin to eat, Ethan feels a hand on his leg, and looks to his left to see Gwen smiling. He smiles back, and gives her hand a squeeze. God, I have to stop thinking of Theresa. It isn't fair to Gwen. Please, God, just let things go well today.

"So, Ethan, what can you tell us about you?"

"Well, Daddy, Ethan is a lawyer. He is very intelligent. He hopes to open his own law firm one day."

"Gwen, I believe I was talking to Ethan, and not you."

"Oh, sorry daddy."

"It's alright, Gwen. Well, as she said, I am a lawyer. I mostly deal with corporate law, it is a tough job, but I love what I do."

"Yes, and how would you provide for my daughter should you, and hopefully will, pick her?"

"Well, Mr. Hotchkiss, love is the number one thing on my list. Secondly, as I said, I have a good job and I am living a very comfortable lifestyle."

"Yes, well, my Gwen has to be well taken care of."

"Of course, sir."

Taking a deep breath, Ethan thinks to himself, "God, this is so hard. Gwen's family is a lot stricter than I thought. Gwen is almost acting like a spoiled brat in a way. What am I going to do?"

"Ohh, Gwennie! I forgot to tell you! I have some gossip to share with you! Come, let's go and leave our men to chat."

"Sure, mother." The two women leave, as Ethan clears his throat uncomfortably.

"Now that they're gone, I want to make one thing clear, Ethan. Gwen deserves everything. She is a very beautiful and intelligent woman. I admit, her mother and I were very shocked that she wanted to apply to such a low life show just to find a husband. You better treat her well and pick her. And just to make sure of that…" Jonathon reaches into his pocket to take out an envelope. "I don't want Gwen to see this, just keep it between you and I. Consider it a payment for my daughter."

Shocked, Ethan is too speechless to say anything, so he just takes the envelope and puts it away. Oh, God, what is going on.

Later in the day

"I had a great time, Ethan."

"Yeah, me too, Gwen." He gives her a small kiss on her lips.

"Ethan, you can do better than that, can't you?" After saying this, Gwen takes Ethan's face into her hands, and kisses him passionately.

Ethan attempts to move away from her, but finds himself drawn in deeper. God, what am I going to do?

Later on at night, Ethan sits on his bed, and reflects on the actions of the day.

Flashback

"I don't want Gwen to see this, just keep it between you and I. Consider it a payment for my daughter."

End Flashback

"How could Mr. Hotchkiss be so cruel as to buy off his daughter to me? That just threw me for a loop tonight. This isn't fair, anymore. I can't stand the fact that I have to juggle myself between two women. They both are so beautiful and decent, and yet now I question what I am going to do. How could Gwen be one way one minute, and then totally different the next? God, what I am going to do."

"Maybe when I bring Theresa and Gwen to my home and family, I'll see things in a different light…hopefully."

Coming Up

What will happen when Gwen and Theresa meet Ethan's family?

And who will receive the final rose?

Please R/R