“I can’t believe you’re still dating that hockey player.” My aunt says, wrinkling her nose up in the air. “I mean, I saw a clip of him on the news and he’s just so....” She makes a face. “Ugh. He’s like a caveman.”

I roll my eyes and try to tune her and my cousin out, wishing I was anywhere but here. But no, sophisticated tea parties are the price I pay for being born into a family of New York’s finest. Finest what, I’m not so sure.

“Mother, I watched the game last night with Robert and Anastasia’s little..... boy actually got into a fight.” My older cousin Carmella says, disgust on her face. “Could you imagine? A boy who picks fights with other boys for a living?”

I take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. So Dan is a hockey player? So he’s considered a “goon” because he fights a lot? Why should that matter? I’m a hell of a lot happier with my life than Carmella is with her Wall Street bum fiancee who we all know is cheating on her with his assistant. I’d love to just lay into her and call her out on all the hypocritical things about her relationship. All the reasons why mine is so much better than hers.

But I won’t.

“Dear, when will you find a real man?” My mother asks, putting her tea cup down on the table.

“Dan is a real man, mother. His profession may be different than what this family is used to, but that doesn’t change the fact that I love him. And he loves me.”

My aunt snorts.

“Oh really Anastasia? Love? What would a barbaric caveman know about love? He probably isn’t even capable of such an emotion.”

I narrow my eyes at her and my nostrils flare. I slam my cup down to the table and grab my purse, opening it. I reach for my wallet and pull out the diamond ring Dan gave to me a couple nights ago.

“We know enough about love to be engaged.” I spit.
Their eyes go wide.
“Don’t worry, mother. Dan talked to daddy about it. And daddy said we have his blessings to get married.”

“Married?” Carmella scoffs. “You’re ridiculous if you think the family will be okay with you getting married to that hockey player!”
“Actually, Carmella. It’s none of your business who I marry. It’s none of any of the family’s business except mother and daddy. And since daddy is okay with it, I don’t give two shits what you think. Dan and I make each other happy. In the end, that’s all that matters to either of us.”

My mother looks at me, tears in her eyes. My aunt and cousin have shocked faces.

“I think it’s time for me to go. Dan should be home from his trip by now, and I’d like to spend the rest of the day with someone who is actually a decent human being.”

I grab my purse and head towards the door. As I reach for the handle, I turn back to look at the three women sitting at the table.

“Don’t worry, though Aunt Elena and Carmella. Dan and I will be sure to exclude you from our guest list for the wedding. I wouldn’t want either of you ruin my perfect day. And mother, if you have a problem with Dan you are more than welcome to decline the invitation.”

With that, I leave the room and head for the valet. He quickly pulls up my car and I get in, driving towards our downtown apartment. When I get there, I pull into my spot next to Dan’s car and the tears begin to flow from my eyes. I head for the door quickly, keeping my head low so no one can see my face. The doorman lets me in and I go straight to the elevator bank rather than talking to him like I normally do.

When I reach our door, I burst through it and find Dan on the couch with Brad Richards in a heated x-box battle. They take one look at my tear-streaked face and Dan jumps up, wrapping me in his arms just in time for me to break down in sobs.

“Ana, what’s wrong?” Dan asks, leading me to the couch.
“I’m going to be kicked out of my family.” I sob.
“Why do you say that?” He asks, rubbing my back.
“They kept saying mean things about you so I told them we’re engaged and they said our family will never accept you. I told them I don’t give two shits what the family thinks and walked away. I told my aunt and cousin that they won’t be invited to our wedding. And told my mom if she doesn’t approve of you that she can just decline the invitation. But now I realize they’re all going to shun me!”

Brad stands up and heads for the kitchen and I bury my face in Dan’s neck.

“Baby, I’m so sorry.” Dan’s voice is soft and comforting. “You shouldn’t have had to deal with that.”
“It’s not your fault.” I respond with a sigh.
“I know that. But you didn’t have to stick up for me.” He says as Brad comes back in with a glass of water and a box of tissues. He hands me one and I wipe my eyes.
“Of course I did. Dan, you’re my fiancee. You’re going to be my husband. One day you’ll be the father of my children. I’m not going to sit back and let them belittle you like that! Just because they’re stupid and stubborn and stuck in their ways doesn’t mean they have to be complete assholes to you. You’re going to be their family too.”

Dan grabs my face and presses a kiss to my lips, full of passion and love.

“I love you, Anastasia.”
“I love you too.”

He wipes the tears from my eyes and presses a kiss to my forehead.

“If your family does disown you, then at least you’ll still have me. Always and forever. I promise you that, Ana.”
“Danny... I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

He kisses me again and I lean into him, cuddling on the couch.

“So.... when did you two get engaged?” Brad asks, causing us to laugh.

Notes

Requested. Sorry it's a little short.