The rain was starting to drizzle down on them as they left the restaurant, Julie limping all the way to the car. Nick helped her slide carefully into the front seat but no matter how gentle he moved her, she still winced in pain. As he drove, she leaned her head against the window watching the dark rural scenery go by, shivering despite the eighty degree weather and increasing humidity. They swung into the gravel driveway of his parent's property and she felt her stomach twist into knots, nervous at what was waiting for her behind those front doors. It was going to be awkward facing everyone after running away but she didn't have a choice. Nick guided her up the porch and through the double set of front doors where Bill, Jillian and Jessica were all seated at the kitchen counter looking anxious. Jillian noticed them first and jumped up to help, spotting Julie's injured leg and looking alarmed.
"Honey, you're bleeding," she gasped, fumbling with half a dozen tissues she produced from her robe pocket as if the thin material would have any affect on the massive wound.
Julie recoiled when Jillian approached her, leaning against Nick, swaying unsteadily on her injured ankle, feeling untrustworthy of anyone but Nick.
Jillian stepped back feeling rejected but understanding Julie's hesitation. She glared at her husband now, knowing this was his fault. Nick too eyed his father, waiting for him to speak.
"All right look," Bill said, lifting himself from the tall counter chair and turning to face them "I know you heard what I said but that doesn't excuse you running off like that, you scared everyone."
"You expect anyone to stay here after what you said?" Julie snapped back "I love Nick, we shouldn't have to explain our lives to you, it's stupid and awkward and-
But she couldn't find the words.
"I've watched families be destroyed by divorce," Bill explained "and I've watched all my kids find love and be happy, Nick's the last one, and he's my only son, I guess I just thought he'd end up with someone different."
"I've been told that it doesn't matter if I understand what you kids have or not," he continued "so go ahead, do what you gotta do, but I don't want any part of it and God forbid something happens, I will not hold back my "I told you so."
It was not the apology Julie wanted or even expected but she was exhausted and hurting physically and emotionally. She had seen her fair share of meddling in-laws, but this tested her nerves like no other.
"I'm sorry you feel that way," Nick said hugging Julie closer to him as she leaned on him for support, her entire right leg was aching from the jump and fence attack. "All I wanted was for you guys to meet Julie and see how amazing she is, I guess that won't be happening any time soon, we're catching the first flight out tomorrow and you won't have to worry about us bothering you again."
It pained him to have to speak like that to the family that had supported him in ever other endeavor in his life except for this one, but he couldn't sit idly by and let his father hurt Julie. Jillian and Jessica watched sadly as Nick guided Julie back upstairs. He knew it wasn't their fault and he knew they cared but there was no way they could stay here with all this hostility. They made it to the guest bedroom as the storm broke and rain began to pour out of the sky, pounding the roof and windows, trapping the occupants in its quarters, tenser than ever before.