Anonymous asked:
Rose's parents have difficulty accepting Jake as their son in law because of their infidelity. Set in the Duke universe.
I've done something a *little* different here so let me know what you think!
This takes place after the dinner where Jake is introduced to Rose's parents.
Warnings for this one: infidelity mentions, swears, written on my phone
"That," Carl said, "was exhausting."
Melinda nodded and splashed more wine in his glass and pushed out one of the stools at the kitchen island for him. Grateful that she knew him so well, Carl sunk into his seat next to her.
"Don't be so loud," Melinda chided. "Rachelle's right upstairs and she seemed to like Jake."
"They're twins, Mel, all they've ever done is validate each other's stupid choices. Remember when they cut each other's hair off?"
"They were six!" Melinda said but she laughed despite herself. "I don't think Rachelle would endorse Rose cheating on her husband."
They fell silent again, brooding over the bluntness of it. Their daughter had cheated on their son-in-law and Duke was a wonderful son-in-law. From the very first time Rose had brought him home, they had loved him. He had been a part of the family. For Rose to so casually replace him, it was unfathomable.
"There's nothing about Rose that Rachelle doesn't know," Carl said. "She probably knew what was going on before Duke did and she never bothered to tell the poor bastard."
"They have always been in cahoots," Melinda agreed. "And that Jake! He seemed nice enough but …"
"But what kind of man takes up with another man's wife? No man at all."
"I feel like we went wrong somewhere," Melinda whispered, as though she were ashamed of her feelings. "For her to do something like this? That's not the daughter we raised."
"Apparently it is," Carl said.
At that, they both sighed and lifted their wine glasses.