Chapter 126: Etiquette

Megan's POV

"Your husband used to play basketball so well, and I was wondering why he doesn't even know how to shoot the ball into the ring anymore," Isabelle commented as we watched the boys play the game. I couldn't stop my heart from hammering as I thought it was almost time for dinner, and I could no longer avoid facing Gregory.

The most awaited and thrilling part of our vacation is facing Ashton's father, and I don't even know how to address him now that I am married to his son.

"Thanks for coming here, Meg; this means a lot to my brother," Belle said as she continued watching the game.

"I always wanted to come here, Belle, to spend time with you guys, but the fear of meeting your dad always dominated me, but things became different when I became Ashton's wife," I said as I smiled at her.

"Of course, you have all the right to come here, Megan, you are part of our family now, and I felt so happy." She said while I could see the sadness beneath her smile.

"Thank you, Isabelle, I knew it wasn't easy for you to accept me as your sister-in-law since I am Dexter's sister, but even from the start, you welcomed me with warmed that I could feel it in my heart." I declared, and her face softened as she looked at me while. I could hear the boys' laughter as they ran and shouted inside the court.

"Hey, don't be silly, Meg; what happened between your brother and me has nothing to do with your relationship with my brother; I Love you like a biological sister, Megan; you were the sister that I couldn't have." She responded.

"Thanks," I mumbled since I didn't know what to say to her, for I felt afraid to hurt her feelings more.

"I messed up, Megan, and I knew I hurt your brother terribly this time; it wasn't my father's fault that I lost him for the second time." She declared.

"It is not yet late, Isabelle; you know him; he had been waiting for you for so many years; I think it is about time you give yourselves another chance, Belle," I replied, and she shook her head.

"I don't know what to do anymore, Meg, I felt so embarrassed about what I had done, and I don't think Dexter will give me another chance." She stated.

"You have to believe me, Isabelle; I am the one who knew about my brother; Dexter is in love with you; you must tell him you still feel the same towards him," I added.

"It is not easy to do it, Megan," she replied, and my face fell.

"Why?" I asked, confused.

"I don't know how to tell you this, but because of my anger and frustrations with Dexter, I told him I don't love him anymore. He was only wasting his time with me," Isabelle said, and I was surprised at what she had said.

"Why did you tell him something like that if you are still crazy in love with him?" I asked, and she was silent, and it took her a long while before she replied.

"It is complicated, Meg; I told him to move on with his life since there is nothing left for us; it was over a long time ago," Isabelle said, and I couldn't believe my sister-in-law said those words to my brother.

"I am sorry, Meg," she added while I was left speechless, and before I could formulate a sentence, I saw my husband coming to us, and I tried to smile at him.

We all went back to our respective rooms while I was wondering why Isabelle had to do it when she knew Dexter still cared about her, and I could say Ashton's sister was still in love with my brother too. I was excited for them since I thought they would be together again.

I felt nervous as we made our way to the dining hall. I could see the excitement on Axel's face, and I didn't want to disappoint our son.

My heart was racing when I heard Axel call his grandpa, and I could see the shock on Gregory's face as he looked at our son running in his direction; I felt Ashton squeeze my hand as we waited for his father's reaction.

"Didn't you teach your son some manners, Megan?" Ashton's father said as he looked at me with distaste on his face while our son stopped in his tracks. He looked at his grandpa with fear in his eyes, and then he turned his gaze at me, and I could see the worries and hurt on his face.

"I understand you became a successful career woman, but it didn't change who you are and where you came from; your duty is to educate your son with proper etiquette." He added while I could see the anger on Ashton's face.

"Is that your way of welcoming my son and wife, dad?" Ashton asked while I could see how his mother's face saddened as she looked at his husband and then at me with concern on her face.

"Why? What is wrong with what I said, son? Do you think it is acceptable that he would be running around my house at any time he wants?" Gregory asked.

"Grandpa, I am sorry if I ran when I saw you, it wasn't my mom's fault. She is the best mother in the world, and she never failed to teach me the right conduct and how to behave when I meet strangers and other people." My son talked to his grandpa before any of us could reply.

"I would like to apologize if I felt excited to see you since, for me, you are not a stranger; you are my grandfather, and grandpa should meet his grandchild with excitement; I didn't know you don't like my mother and me," Axel added with sadness all over his face.

Axel lowered his head while my husband walked closer to him and took him in his arms. I could see the shock on Gregory's face, and I wanted to hug Axel for being so brave.

Gregory stood up from his seat and left the room without saying another word while Ashton's mom followed behind him as she called out his name.

"I am sorry, dad, I didn't mean to make grandpa get angry with me, but I don't understand why he got angry with me; I was about to hug and say hi to him." Axel declared as he curled his arms around his father's waist.

"Hey, you didn't do anything wrong, buddy," Ashton said.

"Dad is not angry, he has some problems, and it wasn't his intention to say those words; okay, believe me, he will be okay tomorrow." My husband added, and I don't want him to give my son false hope.

"Yeah, your father was right, Axel, grandpa, was facing some difficulties at the moment, but it has nothing to do with you," I added while I looked at my husband, and we shared the same worried look.

"Axel, you better sit beside me, and we will talk about basketball, and we can play some video games in the family room later together with your uncle Cole and your dad." I heard Lennon say as he pulled out a chair for Axel, and some slowly let go from my husband's embrace.

"Can I play some video games, mom?" He asked excitedly, and I felt glad he didn't look sad anymore, and I smiled as I nodded my head.

"Yes, of course, you can; as long as you promise me, you will sleep on your schedule, okay?" I asked, and he grinned at me as he bobbed his head.

"Yes, I will, mom." He replied as he quickly walked and sat beside his uncle Lennon and Cole. My husband took out a dining chair for me, and we ate in silence.

I could tell Ashton's siblings were looking for the perfect opportunity to discuss their father's behavior.

"Meg, on behalf of our father, I wanted to say sorry," Isabelle said after we finished eating our dinner.

The boys went to the family room as agreed while Isabelle and I strolled in the garden.

"It was okay, Belle; I am just worried about Axel; I am thankful that Lennon found ways to make our son feel better," I responded.

"Axel is an adorable child, and I couldn't believe my father would do something like that; I felt disappointed by how he reacted a while ago," Isabelle stated.

"I guess it was his way of telling me to leave your brother alone, and he wanted to show it to my face that I will never be welcome here in his household," I responded, and I could see the worries on her face while I tried to hide the pain that I feel inside.

We talked some more, and I felt uneasy after we said good night to each other. Belle went ahead of me as she retired to her room early; I stayed in the garden a little before I decided to get back inside.

We talked some more, and I felt uneasy after we said good night to each other. Belle went ahead of me as she retired to her room early; I stayed in the garden a little before I decided to get back inside.

I was on my way to the stairs when I saw Gregory walking toward his study. I could no longer stop myself from walking after him. I didn't want him to keep attacking my child, and I didn't talk back to him in the dining hall since I wanted to show him some respect.

He needed to deal with me and not my innocent child. It would be okay with me if he would never accept me as his daughter-in-law, but I will never let him treat Axel that way ever again.

I knocked several times before he answered me to come inside, and I could see the shock on his face when he looked up and realized it was me at the door.