Unlike what my best friend seems to think, Nathaniel wasn't all that bad…

I met him in middle school first. There, I will admit, he didn't pay me much attention, and when he did, he sort of snubbed me. I mean—who didn't. No one looked twice at me. I always wore my chopped short hair in my face and my clothes hung in layers on my slightly chubby middle-schooler body.
If I were him, I guess I would have done it too. Confidence is beautiful, and I was not.

I was very awkward through my middle school years, and I even went a little gothic in my eighth grade and freshman year. But, eventually, my mother and Rose convinced me to stop hiding. That summer I grew out my hair, and I started wearing more form fitting clothes. I hung up my overly baggy hoodies and the rest of my layers. I even began to wear a little makeup, experimenting with it until I found what made me feel prettiest.

Mari paused as she noticed Rose glaring at her, and for the first time all night, a buttered roll was thrown at her head. "Mari, I will only say this once-" she barked, "because I should only have to say this once, you are absolutely gorgeous! You are beautiful, you have always been beautiful, and you will always be beautiful!"

"Rose–" Rose was too quick for her.
"Shut up!"
"Bu-"
"Shut–"
"Rose–"
"Up…" Rose breathed dramatically. Mari opened her mouth to argue, but Rose gave her a look that dared her to attempt to defy her.

"I'll just continue…" Mari sighed, knowing she had lost this argument.
"That's what I thought…" Rose muttered smugly.

A lot changed over the summer before sophomore year. I got in better shape—more like slimmed down—and I came out of my shell a little. I stopped following Rose and doing everything that I was told. I finally grew a slight backbone, and it definitely showed through. I knew it did when one day, out of the blue, something changed.
Nathaniel — looked at me. He actually looked at me…he couldn't take his eyes off of me. In the social network of our school, he was rather high in the food chain. Tall, handsome, lots of money…he had it all. Or at least that's what many of us thought. Accept Rose of course, but you know Rose, she didn't like anyone.

I would have never believed that he would have ever talked to me until the day he did. I'd tripped over my own feet, and he ditched his friends to help me.

"Hey, need some help?" He said. His eyes didn't hold their normal snobbish indifference in them, but they seemed to yearn. For what, I didn't know–

"I know what he wanted…" Rose grumbled.

"Rose," Mari sighed irritably, "Let me tell the damn story." Rose let out a childish huff and copied her words rudely. "Rose."

"Um—I–sure, yeah…thank you." I muttered timidly. The nerves flopped in my stomach and a blush rose in my cheeks.
He scooped my things into his arms and smiled at me, "Why don't I walk you to class?"
"Sure…" I still remember the look of shock and irritation on Rose's face when he placed his arm around my shoulder and led me forward. Even Thyme and Constance were both staring with acute interest and a lot of admiration. I should have realized then that Rose would never like him.

"Damn straight." Rose pursed her lips, a look of sassy defiance on her face.

He walked me to my classes for the rest of the week, and that Friday, he asked me to be his girlfriend. I had many people ask me after I'd already said yes, but then I'd have to break the news that I was no longer single. Some would pitch a fit and insult me, tearing my confidence to an all new low until Rose would stand me back up, and then Nathaniel would just reinforce what Rose said before him—which pissed her off. Some would even stare at me in a state of disbelief. The rest would just walk away dejectedly, muttering about how they were rejected.

Months passed and our relationship was—

"Sickening to such a ridiculous degree that I seriously wanted to vomit." Rose grumbled, "And any time they kissed—I think I just puked a little in my mouth."
"Remind me not to kiss you…" MacFarlane muttered, his lips in a humor filled line.
Rose pressed her lips to his.

ANYWAYS!

Months passed and our relationship seemed perfect. We'd go on dates every weekend—Rose glowering at us from the background as she followed us—and he'd bring me flowers every week. If it wasn't flowers it was chocolate—I still have no clue to this day how I didn't get fat.
Rose absolutely insisted that she be there to chaperon my first official date. She actually dressed in male clothes and we went on a double date —to which she dragged Thyme as the girl/lesbian lover. Constance stood around the corner silently watching in the distance. When he picked us up, he handed me chocolates and flowers and stepped away to get his keys. That's when Rose deemed it appropriate to mock my boyfriend.
"Oh~roses and chocolates! How fabulous!" Rose mocked, "Now I will love you forever and ever, even though you are horridly cliché and unoriginal in every way. I do believe you suck dick in your free time—oh hey Natey-boy." She covered smoothly as he wrapped his arms around me.
He gave her a polite smile before driving us to a diner where we ate. The entire night Rose stared him down, Thyme just stared off into space, and Constance looked like a stalker hiding behind a plastic plant. But, Nathaniel didn't let it discourage him. He did everything he could think of to make this night romantic.
When we went to the movie, Nathaniel would go to put his arm around me, and Rose would throw popcorn at him. Of course, Rose hates popcorn, so she wasn't missing anything.
He looked back at her once, "So you mind keeping your popcorn to yourself?" He had a deadly smile on his face.
"Oh!" Rose was so faking it, "I'm such a messy eater—Ooh no!" She dumped half the bucket on him. She shrugged unapologetically, "Oopsies~"
He just smiled and continued on. By the end of the date, I though surely that he and I would kiss. But I remembered who my friends were, so they ruined it.

Mari shot a glare at Rose who laughed evilly and crossed her arms.

It took months later for us to plan another date because one of my friends—usually Thyme—would find out about them and tell the others. Then, they would just-so-happen to show up and ruin the plans by kidnapping me.
When we finally got out on our own, he took me to a movie. We held hands, cuddled, and even kissed each other's cheeks or noses. When he walked me home, I unlocked my door and stepped in. When I invited him in, he seemed to get a little handsy by the time we reached the living room.
I didn't know what to do, I hadn't been through it before. He was my first real boyfriend. I didn't know that it was normal, so I pushed him away. Which this made Rose—who I'd forgotten had a key to my house—clear her throat. She was seated on the couch glaring at Nathaniel.

"Dick to yourself buddy-boy." Rose grumbled. "Or I will personally cut it off."
After that, everything just kind of blew up. Nathaniel told her to fuck off, and Rose exploded. If I hadn't gotten in the middle of it, a fist fight would have started. Rose reared her fist back and nearly socked him until I pushed her away.
Of course, my anger bubbled over, and I told her that I think it would be best if she left. So, she left—turning away with out a word.

You know how guys are. Their mouth starts running before they think about the ranting that leaves it.
"She's such a bitch!" Nathaniel snapped.
"Don't talk about her like that." I snapped, slightly offended.
"You're going to defend her after she tried to attack me!?" He stood up angrily.
"You know Rose, if she was truly trying to attack you, you'd have gotten your ass kicked." I rolled my eyes. He was being such a dramatic baby. This was the only argument that we'd been in since we got together, and it was over something so trivial.
"What, so now you're calling me a puss!?" The accusation was clear in his voice.
"What!? No," My voice rose in pitch.
"Then what are you saying?" He snapped.
"I'm saying that Rose is protective, and if she really wanted to hurt you, she would've." I snapped back, standing. Though he towered over me, he didn't intimidate me. I was used to Rose.
"Well, if Rose is that opposed to our relationship, then maybe we shouldn't continue."
That sent a pang through my heart. "What!?" I shook my head, trying to think straight, "it doesn't matter that Rose doesn't like it!"
"I'll call you later Mari." He straightened his leather jacket, and walked out the door.

He didn't talk to me that entire weekend. Not a call, not a visit, not even a word. It wasn't until that Monday that I'd gone to school and talked to Rose that I'd noticed something was off. She wasn't mad at me—she was even angrier at him.
"Go glance around the corner." She told me. So I walked over quickly, seeing a few students—his friends—scatter. And around the corner, I found his lips connected to another girl's—a freshman girl's.
When her eye caught mine, she froze. She knew he wasn't single…that much I could tell. He asked her what was wrong before turning around to meet my—by now—teary gaze.
His mouth opened to speak, but I ran. "Mari–" I'm sure he was cut off by Rose's death glare as she flanked me, followed by Thyme and Constance.

That was the first downfall in our relationship. The first time he cheated on me…but it wasn't the last time we were together. He came to me with some sob story, and I believed him. So I took him back and things were great. He seemed to accept that he and Rose were doomed to hate each other for eternity, Constance didn't hate anyone—but he was damn close, and Thyme kept her "stalkerific" eyes on him.

Somehow we made it through high school, only breaking up a two other times. Each time due to ironic spats with Rose, which I'm sure he used to his advantage when he'd cheat again. It didn't matter to me. I wanted to fill a slot that I felt was missing.

Out of high school, he and I stayed together, but it was a sort of long distance relationship. I went to Oregon to a college of art, and he went to a tech school in California. We still occasionally saw each other, but it wasn't very often. I was too engrossed in my work at the college to spend much time with him. The only time I saw him was over the all too short breaks.
I hadn't seen him throughout all of my senior year, which was odd. Normally he would have visited me, but I brushed it off. He was just busy, I told myself. That was also around the time that I went to visit Rose for spring break. Of course, by now, I've already met the lord of perverts, so I had completely forgotten about Nathaniel. I was walking back to my 1990's, cream-colored coupé after having met Seth-freaking-MacFarlane. There was an unfamiliar car next to mine—one that hadn't been there when I'd first parked there.

I didn't think much of it. I pulled my keys out of my purse, fumbled with them long enough to find the car key, and unlocked. Then a male voice spoke, sending a familiar fluttering through my stomach.
"Well, it's been a while. You even went and cut your hair a little bit." I whipped around an faced him. He hadn't changed; his body was the same tall, lanky, athletic build, and he still held his head high.
"Nathaniel…?" I muttered. The frustration of his absence began to bite at my nerves, easing me into irritation. "Where the hell have you been!? Not even a call on the holidays?"
"Just wait a min—" He reached into his pocket, but I didn't care what he was reaching for.
"No, for once I'm going to take Rose's advice. I'm not waiting for you anymore." My jaw was set. I'd come to this conclusion long before this when he hadn't call Christmas morning. "It's me or nothing."
Then, he grabbed my hand and kneeled on one knee, "Mari, I want you and only you, Marry me?" My resolve faltered as he pulled out a diamond-studded golden ring.

"He proposed?" Anne's eyebrows raised, a shocked look playing on her face. "We never knew you were engaged before Seth."

"I did." Rose grumbled, "I just didn't know when he proposed." Rose shot a pointed look at Mari.
"I knew you flip." Mari stated simply.
"Duh." Rose muttered.

Well time passed, and about four years later, I met Seth Green. I remember telling Nathaniel that I'd met Seth Green.

Nathaniel's arms were wrapped around me gently as we cuddled on my couch in my apartment. "You'll never believe who I met."
Nathaniel chuckled, "Who?"
"Seth Green!" I chimed.
"You're right, I don't believe it." He laughed.
"I met him when Rose and I were meeting MacFarlane. We were discussing I guest starring on Family Guy."
"Really…" his voice was filled feigned interest.
"Ironically, Rose was the one that squealed first." I laughed as he placed a kiss on my forehead.
"You know, I support your show and everything Mari, but I doubt you're going to get big enough to have big names like MacFarlane or Green on it." Nathaniel muttered, shrugging in honesty.
"You don't believe me?" I lifted up to look at him.
"I thought that was clear." Clear surprise ran through his voice.
"And why's that?" I said irritably.
"Honestly, I expected you to become some big name artist, not some reality talk show hostess." I pulled out of his arms, "Hey, no—"
"No what?" I muttered softly, " no offense? Well if you don't believe me, then here—" I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. Why hasn't I thought of this earlier!? I went to my pictures and pulled the one of MacFarlane and I up.
"So what, you met MacFarlane and you got a picture. I still doubt you met Green too, and I doubt he asked you to be on family guy." I flipped to the picture of Seth and I, and I could see the jealousy flash in his eyes.
"Was this before or after we were engaged?" Danger rang through his voice.
"What should it matter?" I dared.
"'What should it matter?'!? What the hell—" by this point we were on opposite ends of the couch, and there was a knock at the door.

"Honey I'm home!" Rose laughed strutting in and cutting him off. Rose glanced at the looks of mutiny on our faces, "Oh! Are we playing a game where we confess our true feelings!? Oh, oh! It's my turn!" She bounced in and plopped down in my arm chair, "Nathaniel–" He huffed and glared at her, "I hate you." Rose snapped bluntly. Nathaniel was about to speak but she cut him off, "Mari–" She smiled, "You should ditch this asshole and accept the fact that you're going to go homo for me."
"Shut the hell up, Rose." Nathaniel snapped.
This time I rose from my seat, anger surging through me, "Don't talk to her like that."
"I didn't see you jumping up to defend me when she was digging on me!"
"It's Rose, you should have learned to expect it by now." I rolled my eyes.
"'It's Rose'," He mocked, "Who cares!"
"Eh! Don't make fun of my shawty!" Rose snapped standing.
"Shut—" Nathaniel started.
"Fuck—" Rose started.
"Up…" he finished.
"You…" She finished.

"Is it just me or did Rose hate this guy…" Sargent smart ass muttered.

"I'm beginning to hate this guy." Green muttered, "That's your definition of not that bad?" Mari pushed his face away.

"Shush." She smiled.

That argument was only the first of many. We fought often, usually over Rose. Over the next several days, we warred over stupid things. At first it was because I didn't stick up for him when Rose was digging on him. Then it was because of the picture of Seth Green and I standing side-by-side. After that it was because I'd actually met him. He threw out many accusations, all of which I smothered before they could get out of hand.

There were many times I found myself crying off set or when we weren't filming our show. Rick was usually the one who found me, and when he did he would just hold me and tell me it would all be okay. When Rose found me, I would have to stop her tyrannical rampage to find my fiancé. She would break walls—completely forgetting that Rick would have to repair them—and send death threats through my phone that never actually got sent.
Rose would give Nathaniel death glares of doom and wish him an unhappy life filled with death—her words not mine.

"Lots of Deathhhhhh…lots of it." Rose dragged out the 'th' as though she were a snake.

MacFarlane gave her a head cocked look, "Should I be afraid right now?" Mari just shook her head as Rose nodded.

"You guys are unbelievable." Mari muttered.

In translation, she sent him serial killer letters that Rick always seemed to pull from the mailbox just in time. He would try to warn her that it would only make it worse—and believe me it would—but she was determined to destroy him. I knew there was no begging and pleading that would call her off, so I didn't bother trying. I knew why she did it. She loved me like her sister, and she never believed that Nathaniel was ever good enough for me. That didn't seem to phase me at the time; I was blinded.

A few days after that was when we'd decided to start doing voice overs for Family Guy. It wasn't until we'd arrived that the Dark one himself had put us down for two episodes and that he would spare us not having to sing through the first one. I thought Rose was going to have to destroy him when he told her that he'd expected her to sing in our next episode that we co-starred in. I wasn't that amused myself. Voice acting I could do and I had been doing it for some time now. Singing, I could do fine, but my stage fright with that was severe.

There were many times I found myself distracted by mine and Nathaniel's last fight. He'd threatened to call off the engagement, so I could barely concentrate on my lines that my eyes skimmed off the paper in my hands. Rose and I would practice, but it was no good.

"Natural hair color, duuuhhh." Rose dragged sarcastically, reading from the script in her hands. I barely heard her words or her disgruntled sigh and she popped me with the packet in her hands. "Yo! Earth to Mari."
I shook my head, clearing it as my eyes dropped to the words on the paper before me. "Her hair color is the only protection she has against the harsh eyes of our critics, otherwise, they might actually think she was stupid." I read them almost robotically, not really processing what I just read.
"What happened this time?" She snapped. This question yanked my mind out of it's place as I looked at the script.

"Where the hell is that in this scr–"
"What did he do this time, Mari? What happened? You do this sort of thing all the time, why the hell do you have cold feet now!?" I sighed under her critical gaze.
"Noth–"
"LIES!" She barked, "What did he do?" She barked as the door to backstage opened. "If you don't tell me, I'll beat his ass and find out myself."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt!" I turned and gentle butterflies began to flutter through my stomach. He ran his hands through his red hair and his blue eyes widened in alarm.
"No," I shook my head, " You're fine. We were just running over our lines." I covered.
"It just sounded like you were having a private conver–" Seth said, seemingly abashed.
"No." Rose muttered harshly, "We'll talk about this later Mari." She nodded curtly to Seth, "later leprechaun." She pushed out the door.

Seth placed a hand on my shoulder, "You alright?" He gave me and empathetic smile.
I nodded, "Just having troubles with my fiancé, that's all."
"He's stupid if he's messing up a relationship with a woman like you." He placed a hand on my shoulder, "Only an idiot would let someone like you hurt." I couldn't help the nice, bashful smile that spread across my lips.

Over the time we spent working together, he and I managed to grow closer, becoming rather close friends. I was actually laughing again, and Nathaniel noticed. But, of course, he assumed he was doing it, so he didn't start so many problems. If he knew the real reason I was smiling and happier, he would just get pissed. So, I didn't tell him. I let him think otherwise.
Don't get me wrong, I was absolutely in bliss when I hung out with Seth. He was one of my favorite actors of all time and I thought he was the cutest thing, but he and I were both in relationships. I actually really liked his significant other, Clare. She was a really sweet girl, and despite the fact that it seemed as though I was openly flirting with her man, she was very good to me.

Years passed, and Clare and Seth finally got engaged. I couldn't help but find myself feeling happy for them. They were great people who made a wonderful pair—despite the fact that she was almost Rose's height and towered over him.
Nathaniel and I were doing no better, but I still found myself thinking that at least we weren't doing any worse. I always thought that Nathaniel was the love of my life. He was my high school sweetheart, lover, and my first real boyfriend. We we're due to get married this year, just as Clare and Seth were. Part of me envied Clare. She was getting someone who was such a beautiful person, and they deserved each other. Though, part of me swore that I didn't regret having chosen Nathaniel.

Several months later, Clare and Seth went their separate ways. I can't explain just how shocked I was when Rose told me.

There was a banging on my dressing room door before Rose burst in, "Mari, Mari, MARI!" She squealed happily. She bounced into the room and plopped down on the love seat adjacent to my chair.
"What's up?" No smile spread across my face. Nathaniel was supposed to visit me today. And of all days, both Seths would be here and that meant that Nathaniel would actually meet Green. This worried me…
"Guess what!" She flashed me a cheeky grin.
"What?" I sighed, Rose didn't continue before she was cut off.

"Mari–" His voice was sing-songy as he stepped into my handkerchief sized dressing room. Rose rudely mimicked him as I turned a soft smile on him. He was in a good mood at the very least.
"I was about to tell her something 'til yo rude ass interrupted–"
"Don't care," He brushed her off, handing me a bouquet of lilies. "I just wanted to say I was sorry and I love you. Today will be a good day, and I'll show you that I am the only one for you."
"Douche ass mothafucka," Rose grumbled as Nathaniel placed a kiss on my lips. "Lilies aren't her favorite flowers!" Rose shouted, immaturely stomping out of the room.

It was about half an hour until I saw an unexpected face.
My legs were draped across my fiancé's lap as he placed tingly kisses up my jaw. There was a soft knock on the door and a man with ginger hair peeked in.
"Hey Mar–" Seth Green glanced at Nathaniel, whose face dropped blank, "Was I interrupting something?"
"You must be the infamous Seth Green." Nathaniel's tone was deathly calm and cheery, "It's been nice to meet you. Maribelle has told me quite a bit about you."
"Oh-I-uh, Seth, this is Nathaniel," I stuttered awkwardly. My chest sunk into my stomach, "m-my fiancé."
From that point on, the day passed by awkwardly. Nathaniel put on his competitive face that he normally reserved for contests of masculinity with Rose.
He was also determined to establish that I was his, and Seth couldn't have me. He would pull me into kisses that made me swoon and giggle–

"And that made me vomit." Rose muttered.

He was the most civil that I'd have ever expected him to be around Seth. Even Rose, who he held a sworn hatred for. The day passed by in a dragging crawl, but at least some humor was found when Nathaniel met Seth MacFarlane.

MacFarlane raised a brow as he looked over Nathaniel speculatively, "Tall...athletic build...Say, what do you do for a living?"
Nathaniel let out a sigh that shook from laughter, "Why? I'm sure nothing that I do will compare to you, Mr. MacFarlane."
"Please, call me Emperor MacFarlane; Mr. MacFarlane was my father." He gave Nathaniel a cheeky smile.
I hid my face in my hands with an uncomfortable groan, and no relief washed over me when Nathaniel let out a hearty laugh. "I instruct little league at my Alma Mater in Tennessee."
"Mmhmm...so you watch kids all day long...I see..." MacFarlane stroked his chin and I let out another groan.
"Now I see why you and Rose are so good for each other." There was a stiff arrogance in his voice that made me want to crawl into a corner and die.
"Well, what are your life's goals?" The MacFarlane Inquisition kept rolling.
"Eventually, I want to start up a career as a talent scout in football." Arrogance rolled through his words. He had always been proud of that ridiculous sport called football.
"Mmhmm...so you want to be a deadbeat...I see..." I groaned once again, running my hands through my hair as my stomach flopped nervously.
"What's with the twenty questions?" Nathaniel asked cooly.
"I just...I just have to make sure you're good enough for our little girl, that's all." He casually shrugged an arm around Rose's shoulder. Rose's glare pierced Nathaniel, staring him directly in the eye, "Her mother and I get very worried about her, and we just want to protect our baby girl."
Nathaniel's lips dropped into a grimace, "I see what this is; It's an intimidation routine. Well, MacFarlane—Rose, I'm not going anywhere. Mari and I are getting married in Autumn, and nothing anyone says or does will make a difference."

"That's great! Why didn't you tell me that you were getting married so soon!" A shorter man—still taller than Mari—with ginger hair ambled forward with a large goofy grin on his face.
"Oh god..." I groaned. I wanted to crawl even deeper into my corner and die...just die...
He wrapped an arm around me patting Nathaniel's shoulder jovially before turning his grin on bright, "Congrats you guys-" He squeezed me gently, "Clare and I were getting married in the winter, and we were going to invite you guys, but..."
A look of mutiny landed on Nathaniel's face for a brief second, sending a pang of nerve into my stomach and flipping it up-side-down. "Hello Mr. Green. It's a pleasure seeing you again." His words were careful and much too controlled.
"Hey, Nathaniel–"
"Friends call me Nate." A controlled, stiff smile spread across his lips.
"No they don't..." Rose grumbled.
"You're not my friend." He grumbled at Rose.
"Well...Nate, then." Seth allowed, "Well, I'm glad you consider me enough of a friend to call you by a nickname and all..." He glanced around at everyone; from MacFarlane's cheeky smile, to Rose's surly sneer, to Nathaniel's stiffly polite stance, and then to my raw red cheeks, "So, what...are we having a little intervention?" He looked at Rose, his smile widening, "Rose, are you eating all of the powdered sugar again?"
Rose stuck a middle finger into the air, pursing her lips like a pouting child.

"Yes! And. It. Was. Delicious!" Rose shouted standing dramatically. "And I do not pout..."
"Ha!" MacFarlane laughed.

The rest of the day carried on much like that. Rick had already met Nathaniel years ago, and we didn't have many others to introduce him to. He kept his arms wrapped around my waist almost possessively, and every time he caught Seth even glancing at us, he would press his lips to mine.
That night, we sat in a rather up-scale restaurant—MacFarlane's treat.

Before hand, I literally had to drag Rose into my room and force a plain, snug, body-hugging black dress over her head. It cut off at her thighs, so it showed off her legs. I stepped back to admire my handiwork—I did pretty damn good. She looked hot. Her plain, yet stylish, updo only complimented my work. Once again, I did pretty damn good, and MacFarlane only helped to reinforce my smugness.
When she walked out, I though lord Pervert had crapped a brick. I smiled to myself, pleased until Rose turned her gaze on me.
"Your turn..." She muttered a grin sliding into place.
I glanced down at her bare feet, judging whether or not I could out run Rose before she caught me and forced me into a little black dress like I had done to her. I bit my lip, contemplating whether or not it'd be worth it...damn it... Why hadn't I already forced her into heels!? Then she wouldn't catch me.
I ran. And of course, she caught me—rather quickly might I add. I forced into a dress similar to hers and she let me keep most of my hair down, only curling it into submission. By the time I walked out, I was extremely self-conscious and showing way more skin than I was previously going to allow.
"Revenge is sweet." She whispered into my ear.
As I walked out of my room, I got a whistle from MacFarlane. My cheeks heated, and I kept my eyes on the ground, "Well, Rose—Mari, are you sure you don't want that threesome? That would be one hell of a night...Whaddya say?"
"No." Rose said bluntly.
The door opened and Green poked his head into the door, "Hey guys–whoa! Mari...you look...amazing!" His eyes briefly trailed downward before he adverted them. Rose motioned to herself expectantly, "You look good too Rose."
"I look sexy." Rose corrected.

So there we sat. The lights were lit in a dim way that added to an air of mysteriousness. The long glass table was sleek and shone with an elegant centerpiece accenting its beauty. Rose and I were forced to sit across the table from each other—she sat with Captain Booze, I with Nathaniel, and Seth with Clare. The air was rather awkward, no conversation being attempted. The wine had been served, but even that wasn't enough.
"So..." At least Clare was trying to break the ice. "Nathaniel...How did you and Mari meet?" It was an earnest question.
"We're actually high school sweethearts." He muttered proudly. Rose mocked him silently, earning a snort from colonel Smart ass.
"Really! That's great!" The conversation sort of died after that. When the entree was served, Clare tried again. She was persistent, "I'm absolutely in love with your show." She said to Rose and I.
"Who isn't." Rose smirked.
"Thank you. It means a lot," I smiled sheepishly.
"Win an Oscar, then we'll talk." Nathaniel muttered bluntly.
"Well, that's not really fair." Clare raised a brow. Oh no, "It takes a lot of hard work to even get nominated, and there are plenty of rumors of their show being on the up and coming."
Nathaniel pointed gently, "Exactly. Rumors. It isn't a reality."
Clare raised her eyebrows as I rubbed my temples. Why...he was great all day long, and he waited until now to show is ass... Rose opened her mouth to speak, but luckily MacFarlane cut her off.
"Well, Natey-boy, Rumors are the first step to being nominated." He stated, a deadly polite smile on his face, "It's too soon to shoot them in the foot so bluntly because, from a professional's point of view, they have just as much of a chance as my show Family Guy and Green's Robot Chicken. So, next time, before you start crapping on compliments your lovely fiancé and her friend receive, take the time not to say anything at all."
"Seth—can I call you Seth?" MacFarlane nodded, "I apologize for attempting to view the world rationally. I just don't want Mari to be upset when her dreams crash and burn."
"I think you mean if; if they crash and burn." MacFarlane corrected him graciously.
"No. I meant what I said." Nathaniel stated nonchalantly, "IF the day comes and Mari proves me wrong, I will graciously accept it. Until that day, I will be the rationalizing Angel perched on her shoulder."
"Can I be the rationalizing devil on her other shoulder putting a gun to his head: Say it mofo, I dare ya." Rose asked hopefully, tilting her wine glass to her lips. This earned a snort from half of the table. I took a long gulp of wine. This was going to be a long night...
From that point on, I don't think Nathaniel liked MacFarlane very much.

Later that night, we parted ways. Rose, my fiancé and I went back to our two bedroom apartment in L.A. The drive was awkward, and I think the only think that kept it silent was the fact that Rose—who never drank—was a little bit tipsy. So, she just sat in the passenger seat smiling out the window.
When we entered the apartment, Rose plopped down on the couch and passed out. I ambled into my bedroom to grab comfortable clothes and changed in the bathroom. After drowning myself in the shower and wiping the makeup from my face, I walked out and heard the fridge's door open. Raising a brow, I stumbled into the kitchen to see Nathaniel downing a beer.
"Didn't know you drank..." I muttered, a small, playful smile tugging at my lips.
"Didn't know it mattered." He grumbled, taking another swig.
I raised both brows, my stomach tightening is surprise, "I-I–What?"
"What was with the 'bashful innocence' routine?" He barked.
"Bashful innocence...wait, what!?" I shook my head, trying to clear it.
"That little miss innocent routine at dinner." My eyes were drawn to the beer bottle in his hand.
"I think you've had enough to drink." I motioned to the bottle, not daring to take it from him.
"I think I'll be the judge of that," He drained the bottle dry before reaching for a new one. Where were these coming from!? Rose and I didn't drink.
"Nathan-" His hand covered my mouth.
"You're voice sounds like a kid...and I hate kids..." He growled. I pulled away from him, my temper beginning to spark. "That little miss innocent routine makes it worse."
"What the hell was with your 'realistic douche bag' routine." I countered.
"Douche bag? So we're name calling now, are we?" He barked.
"Nathaniel, that's the alcohol talking." I soothed, trying to ebb my own temper sparking. "Why don't you put down the bottle and we'll-"
"What? Talk?" He barked out a laugh, chugging the bottle until it was half empty. "There's no talking because we don't have a problem."
"Apparently we do–"
"Says Miss Good-two-shoes." He took another gulp. As he ruffled my hair, the smell of cheap liquor on his breath instantly nauseated me.

"Nathaniel, put down the damn bottle." I yanked it from his hands and spun around to pour it down the sink before facing him again. His jaw tensed and his nostrils flared.
"You had no right to fucking take that bottle out of my hands," He yanked it back from me, looked through the opening, and glared at me darkly. I yelped as he threw the bottle down at my feet, "Now look what you've done, better get cleaning before I get pissed off."
"I'm not your maid." I grumbled defiantly, "You clean it up."
"Don't tell me what to do." He growled taking my up by my shirt. I never panicked so badly in my life than that moment. He was about six feet tall, so my tiny 5'2" frame was practically like a rag doll compared to him as he lifted me off of my feet, my toes barely scraping the ground.
"Nathaniel..." I started, trying to control my breathing. My heart thundered in my chest, "P-put me down-"
"Shut up!" He shook me, but I still tried to keep a calm head. If we woke Rose, it would only cause an even bigger fight.
"Nate...Nathaniel, listen to me." I tried to keep the waver out of my voice as the memories of my mother's first bitter marriage popped into my mind. For that brief moment, Nathaniel reminded me of my father...and not in a pleasant way. "Please put me down and we'll—"
"Would you stop with the good girl routine!" He growled, pushing me away. I stumbled back, narrowly missing the glass that littered the floor and bumping my head against the door frame across the tiny space. A dull ache began in my forehead and radiated through my skull.
"Dude...what's with the damn n-" Rose grumbled stumbling into the doorway, "Why is there glass on the floor?" I pushed myself off of my butt and to my feet, dusting myself off and ignoring the pounding in my head.

This was the exact same thing that my mother went through with my biological father. He was extremely emotionally abusive—at times even reaching physically. His abuse didn't just stop at my mother, so those thirteen years of my life were the worst I'd ever experienced. It wasn't until this moment that I realized, if I married Nathaniel, not only would I be subjecting myself to that sort of torture again, but I would be subjecting my children to that. I should have realized it years ago when he'd cheated on me or when he would pick a fight for absolutely no reason, but—just like my mother before me—I loved him so much that I was blinded to it.
"Nathaniel," I didn't hide the tears in my voice, "I think it's best if you leave." He opened his mouth to argue, but I didn't let him continue, "We'll talk in the morning. Just leave."
"You don't mean that." He spat.
"Leave." I ordered.
"Mari." I shook my head, "Maribelle-"
"You heard the girl, leave." Rose's thin, ivory index finger pointed to the door across the hall.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me," He sighed. "Mari, look-"
"Leave." I choked.
"Mari-" His voice was growing angrier by the minute.
"Leave," Rose barked, "before I call the damn cops." He glared at her before grabbing his leather jacket off of the counter and shoving past her.
"Fine..." He barked, "I don't need this shit."

That night was one of the longest I'd ever had. I stayed up all night, Rose holding me as I cried and ignored all of his calls. He left me countless voice-mails, all of them probably relaying just how sorry he was. He called at least fifteen times when Rose finally turned my phone off. The dull ache reverberated through my head, eventually dulling me into a deep sleep around two o'clock in the morning.
Rose was already awake, and my alarm was a rude wake up call by my phone going off next to the bed.
Pour some sugar on me/in the name of love—
"Hello?" I groaned. Mr. Family Guy, himself, spoke into my ear.
"So, did Rose kick is ass?" I had to shake my head to make sense of his words, but they were still ambiguous and groggy.
"Wha..."
"Did Rose kick his ass?" His voice sounded eager.
"Whose ass...what?"
"You just woke up didn't you?" He chuckled.
"Yeah, why're you callin' at—" My eyes jumped to the digital clock on my bedside table, "Ten o'clock in the morning...?" Wait! Ten o'clock!?
"Uh...because it's ten o'clock and most people are awake by then..." He droned sarcastically.
"Slow down smart ass..." I groaned.
"I heard that you and your lover boy got into a disagreement last night," He started, "I was just wondering if Rose kicked his ass...I wish I could've been there."
"N-no...I-MacFarlane, I'll talk to you about it later." My voice broke despite my concentration.
"Gotcha." He muttered, "Talk to ya later." Click.
What the hell was that... Did Rose tell him?

My phone rang again. Pour some sugar on me/in th- "Hello." I muttered, not bothering to look at the caller i.d.
"Oh! Mari, thank god..." His sigh of relief formed a lump in my throat.
"What Nathaniel?" I muttered, forcing the lump down.
"I'm so sorry," He plead, "I wasn't in my right mind. It was the liquor talking, I swear–"
"I don't care." I muttered solemnly.
"You said we'd talk about it right?" He said quickly.
"Yeah-"
"Then give me a chance to explain, please." He begged. "I promise, no alcohol, nothing, completely sober and everything...bring Rose if you think it'll help, but just...please."
"Fine. Give me a minute to decide where." I ended the line, only to call Rose. The phone rang three times before a pleasant British male voice entered my ear.
"Hello, baby girl." Rick said.
"Where's Rose?" I muttered, wiping my prickling eyes.
"Just dropped her off with MacFarlane, she must've left her phone in the car." He stated, "What happened last night? Rose was awfully pissed off this morning."
"I—" I cleared the tears from my throat, "I'll talk to you about it if you can do me a favor."
"Anything, sweetie."
"Pick me up and take me to the park near our apartments." I muttered, wiping my eyes again.
"Of course, baby girl." He said, "I'll be there in a second, darling. Be outside in ten."
"Kay." End. I called Nathaniel back.
"Mari!"
"Meet me at the park down the street from the apartment." End.

I dressed in comfortable clothes: leggings and a plain dress—and walked down to the front doors just as Rick pulled up in his Camaro.
I opened the passenger side door, slid in and kept my eyes on my hands as he turned the car around. The drive was only five short minutes including traffic.
"So, who do I need to talk to about hurting one of my girls?" He flashed me a very Rick-like smile.
"Nathaniel and I just had a disagreement last night." I wiped my eyes again.
"Disagreement? Disagreements don't have you in constant tears, Mari."
"Sure they do, Rick." I muttered, sniffling in a breath.
Rick pulled into a parking space and we both got out. In the distance, I could see Nathaniel sitting on a generic wooden park bench, his head in his hands.
"Do you want me to wait in the car, sweetheart?" Rick nudged me.
"No, I'll need some support." I muttered softly. Rick and I walked forward as he lifted his head. He stood as we approached.
"Mari–"
"Have a seat, Nathan." Rick muttered coolly. His eyes flickered to Rick with defiance, but he thought better and obeyed.
"Mari, I'm so sorry. I-"
"Save it." I sighed, not wanting to bother with the explanation. "What happened last night-"
"You have no idea how bad I feel about-"
"Let the girl talk." Rick warned. He fell silent again.
"What happened last night was ridiculous, and in many ways, unforgivable." I continued, forcing another lump down, "I don't care how drunk you were, you shouldn't have pushed me around. You were lucky Rose didn't clock you where you stood-"
"Mari, please, let me explain!" He begged, "I love you. I will always love and you will always be the only one for me. Please believe me...I would never hurt you, and I know I shouldn't have ever-"
"Alright, I've heard enough." Rick muttered running his hands through his gently graying hair. "I should clock you where you stand, boy. Your first mistake: You picked a fight. Second Mistake: You were drunk. Third Mistake: You put your hands on her. Shall I go on?" Nathaniel opened his mouth to speak, "Now you have the audacity to beg for her forgiveness...you aren't the sharpest tool in the shed, are you boy?"
"Rick," I cautioned. I looked back to Nathaniel, "I don't know if we'll work."
"Are you ending our relationship?" He gave me a heartbreaking look.
"Nathaniel..." I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"I understand..."
"Don't give me that look..." I groaned plopping down next to him.

"You're not ending this because you've fallen for someone else is it?" I let out a groan.
"Did you hear a word I just said!?" I sighed.
"Yes-"
"No. I haven't-"
"Really... What about Green?"
"Oh...you're asking me about..." I let out a shaky sigh of frustration, "You honestly believe that what happened last night isn't the only reason that I don't think we'll make it...?" Rick let out a frustrated sigh himself.
"I've seen the way you look at him, Mari—"
"Of course...Seth has nothing to do with this—yes, he and I are on a first name basis. We've done two episodes of Family Guy together and we've hung out since then. I think I reserve the right to be friends with him without having fallen for him." I said, a frustrated sigh lifting my words, "Yes, I am a fan of his acting. Yes, I think he is a very attractive man. Yes! I am an incurable Seth Green fan girl, but YOU have always had my heart Nathaniel."
I stood and pointed to him, "You still hold it, and you will for a long time. After last night, I just can't do it any more. I can't handle the constant bickering over stupid things and nothing. I can't waste almost twenty years of my life devoted to someone who gets jealous over something as trivial as meeting one of my acting idols. Nathaniel, I love you. I just can't marry you. Not now. Definitely not after last night..."
"I understand." I could see the hurt and betrayal in his eyes that told me that he fully believed that I was going to run into the arms of another man the second he was gone.
"Bye, Nathaniel. I wish you happiness." I slid the generic diamond ring off of my finger, "Maybe we can try again when the two of us grow a little bit and progress in our lives." The corners of my eyes prickled again as I handed him the ring.
"Are you sure?" He stood. I nodded standing too, "Well, I hope you have a nice life." He grumbled, stalking off into the distance.
I cried.

A few days later, I actually found out that Seth and Clare were no longer together, and Clare was just there as a friend for him the night Nathaniel visited. Part of me tried to tell me that I regretted letting Nathaniel leave, but I knew that I would be better off. I couldn't make the same mistake my mother did and ruin, not only my life, but a child's.
I was sitting in my dressing room, putting on my makeup and getting ready to start filming this week's episode. I was fluffing my hair, my mouth in a blank line. No smile. No grimace or frown. Just blank.
A knock sounded at the door and a head poked in, "Hey, Mari." It was Seth.
"Hey, Seth." I greeted softly.
"How're you doing? I heard that you and Nathaniel aren't a thing any more." I held up my hand to show the absence of an engagement ring. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." I muttered, "I'll be much better off." I spun in my chair to face him. "How are you and Clare doing?"
"Oh, well, we called it off about a week or two ago." He shrugged, a small smile on his face.
"Oh. I thought—wait. You said you were getting married in the winter." I shook my head, wrapping my thoughts around his words. He wasn't engaged?
"Were." He said, "Between work and personal life, we figured we were better off staying friends."
"I guess it's a good thing he didn't know that at the time..." I muttered, exhaling a shuddering breath. "Well, I'm glad you're still on good terms."

He came in and sat on the love seat, "What about you and Nate? Still on good terms?"
"Not really. He's convinced that I left him because I wanted another man, not just because he's a mean drunk and too much like my father." I sighed, swallowing the lump in my throat again.
"Well, that mythical man would be a lucky one." Seth gave me a kind smile, stirring something in me that he somehow always did.
"Well...He's not so mythical." I could feel the blush rise in my cheeks as I turned away.
"Really? So what poor man was the jealousy aimed at?" He laughed.
"Truth?" I muttered timidly.
"Sure." His brow creased as he raised a brow.
"You."
"Me?" He paused for a moment before letting out a laugh, "I'm actually kind of flattered. If he saw me as a threat, then I must be something sort of special."
"Always have been." I muttered.
"Well, since you're free, no ring or anything, want to go out sometime?" He stood. The heat in my cheeks and tummy intensified.
"S-sure...I-I..." I cleared my throat, "I'd love to."
"Great!" He chimed.

"What a story..." Anne muttered dreamily. "So that was the start of your relationship?"
"After a few dates, we tried our hand at dating." Mari smiled fondly, "A few months later, we were engaged. Then a few months after that, we were married." She and Green shared a soft kiss, their fingers intertwining.
"Did you ever regret leaving Nathaniel?"
"There were a few times I was tempted to call him back and beg for his forgiveness, but Rose smacked some sense into me, and I was cured." Mari chuckled.
"Well, what about you Rose, how was her love life?" Anne looked to Rose.
"Rose had a significantly...larger love life than I did." Mari muttered, "Other than my husband, Nathaniel was my only other significant relationship. I never had any in between booty calls like Nate."
"Mari." Rose muttered.
"Yes?" The brunette turned to her friend.
"Your love life sucked." Rose stated bluntly.
"Yeah I know." Mari giggled.
"Tell us about yours, Rose." Anne urged.
"You asked for it..." Mari mumbled.

This is a long ass chapter. If you finally get to the bottom of this to read this. I hope you enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I actually based Nathaniel off of a mix between one of my exes and my father. Just shows you how the men around me work huh...
Enjoy, and I apologize for the long ass wait. ~ Funsize