Martha, Martha, Martha....

“I don’t think that I can do this.” Her fingers were shaking as she dressed her young daughter, her voice low so she wouldn’t disturb the nearly-asleep child. It was a week after Tegan’s second birthday, and Martha’s family had finally decided to take an interest in the young child and her parents. This bothered Martha, as she was of the opinion that the people she’d come to love in the United States were her family. Her biological family had died with Aunt Polly. Still, her brother had come and talked her ‘round, convincing her that she ought to go and see them at least once. Jack had promised to accompany her- his presence would certainly take the heat off of her for the moment, and it would be nice to have him around. So Martha had agreed.

Johnny and Martha had come to England a week early, bringing Tegan and Jack with them, determined to have some fun vacation time while they could still enjoy being in Martha’s native home. It was a fun-filled week, and Jack and Martha kept Johnny entertained. Little Tegan enjoyed herself too, though being so young meant that she couldn’t really enjoy it on the same level that the adults did. The week didn’t last long enough for Martha, who relished spending so much time with the three people she cared most about in the world. An emotional moment cropped up when she took Tegan to see Polly’s grave, but aside from that it was a lighthearted week, and Jack and Johnny prevented Martha from being too nervous.

That is, until the morning before Martha was to go with the others. As she stood there, dressing her child, Martha could feel the nausea welling up inside of her. After the treatment she experienced at her parents’ hands, she was reluctant to expose her own child to such people. Just as she was about to give up, and just go back to bed, warm hands descended to her shoulders and she looked up to see her husband watching her.
“Hey, relax, alright? It’s going to be okay. I won’t let anything happen. I promise.”
His hands rubbed her back, and attempted to soothe her. “Just get Tegan ready, and we’ll get this over with, alright?”

Martha had no idea how Johnny could remain so calm. After all, he was meeting his in-laws for the first time. When she’d met Johnny’s parents, she’d been so nervous she could hardly move. Fortunately for Martha, her in-laws adored her, and she adored them. Rather than simply marrying into Johnny’s family, she’d gained a mother and father who adored her, and grandparents who thought she hung the stars. Not to mention another brother. The whole family had been so involved in Martha’s life since, welcoming not only Martha but Jack, who was the other black sheep of the Smith family, into their family with open arms. In fact, the whole lot had been incredibly involved with Tegan’s gestation and birth. They remained as involved today as they’d always been, and Martha loved every one of them.

Unlike Martha’s parents, who hadn’t cared since she was a young adolescent. Of course, she’d sent perfunctory notes on her graduation from CBA, her graduation from University, her marriage, and the birth of her first child. By that, Jack forced her to by threatening several things. (One of which, texting her husband, must be noted resulted in a pleased and very tempted expression on Martha’s face). The Smiths had never replied to any of these letters, not until two years later. Now they were practically demanding to see their granddaughter.

After quite some time getting ready, Martha turned her dark gaze to the clock, and sighed deeply.
“I guess it’s time to go.”
Jack pulled his little sister into a big hug, kissing the top of her head, and swaying them from side to side.
“Martha, have I ever let you down?”
“Saying that usually indicates that you either have or will.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Probability.”
Jack pulled away, grinning widely at the shorter woman.
“You’re adoreable when you let out that little maths geek.”
“Think Mum and Dad will like it?”
“No-“ He paused. “You haven’t seen Mum and Dad since they shipped you off to live with Aunt Polly, have you?”
“No.”

Another arm was draped around her shoulders, and the pair went out to where Johnny and Tegan were waiting in the car for them. Martha smiled for her husband and daughter, securely seated in the back, and then she slipped into the front passenger seat, closing her eyes to ease her nerves as her brother started the car.

A little while later, the family pulled up in front of Martha’s childhood home. Or, well, the one she’d started in at any rate. Jack bounded up the steps that led to front door, Martha following slowly, and Johnny bringing up the rear with Tegan. The door opened, and a tall and straight woman answered it.
“Jonathan.”
“Hullo, Mum! I tend to go by Jack now- I always liked it better, and it prevents confusion. Martha’s bloke is named Johnny you know.”
“Mmm. I see. Jonathan, to inside, your father is waiting in the drawing room.” Jack winked at Martha, and grinned, before trotting off to face the wrath of his father.
“Evageline.”
Martha flinched, as she hated that name. She never used it or went by it anymore, and had actually had it changed after becoming a citizen of the country between marrying Johnny and bearing Tegan.
“Mum, I go by-“
“Come inside. Mustn’t let the child grow chilled, now.”

As Martha crossed the threshold, she felt Johnny’s hand on her back. Tegan reached for her, and she took her child, feeling the comforting weight of the little girl against her hip. As they joined her father and brother, yelling abruptly stopped. To ease the awkwardness, Martha settled on the couch, and set Tegan on her feet, holding both hands to keep her from wandering off.
“Evangeline.”
Martha didn’t respond to the unfamiliar name.
“Evangeline!”
Again, nothing.
“Evangeline Martha!”

At this, Martha looked up, seeing her mother hold out her hands imperiously. Clearly, she wanted to hold Tegan. Slowly, Martha slipped her hands from her child, letting her mother pick the little girl up.
“She’s quite precious, Evangeline. What’s her name?”
Pain repeatedly wore at Martha. The name she despised, her mother’s lack of knowing her own grandchild’s name…Martha could feel herself slipping into the recesses of her mind, much as she had as a child. A blank stare took over her face.
“Tegan.”
Her mother snorted, and jolted Martha out of her state.
“What a fanciful name. You always were off in the clouds. I’m surprised you got a degree. Probably had to sleep with half of your professors to get it.”
The passive-aggressive tactics had resumed. Calling her a name she hated, putting her in the room she hated the most. Her head was spinning, and her eyes glazed over, despite the tears that welled in them,
“Evangeline, what on earth is this child saying? She’s a freak! She’s talking to soon.” Mrs. Smith lowered the child to the floor, stepping back in disgust. “Full words at two! You’re corrupting your own child! I always knew you’d be a terrible mother!”

Tears slid down Martha’s cheeks, and she continued to gaze blankly at the wall, Tegan noticed her mother’s tears, and toddled over, leaning against Martha’s legs.
“Mommy why cry?” Tegan began to cry too, pressing her face to her mother’s knees. Wordlessly, Martha picked her up, cradling and soothing her child.
“Evangeline! Put her down-“
“Enough.” The word was spoken with a quiet intensity that startled those present. “You will not speak to my wife that way.”
Johnny took his wife’s hand, and pulled her from the couch carefully.
“We’re leaving. I did not bring my wife and daughter here to be treated this way. She deserves respect, and Tegan deserves consideration. Mrs. Smith, Martha is a good mother. Better, by far, than you were. And I resent implications otherwise. I would thank you for your hospitality, but there was none. We’ll see ourselves out.”
“Evangeline, stop this at once! I forbid you from leaving!”
Johnny smirked, turning his head to look at the old woman who was trying so hard to regain control of the situation.
“I don’t know who Evangeline is, but when I see her, I’ll let her know.”

With that, Johnny slipped his arm around his wife, and led Martha and Tegan from the house. Jack followed, a stricken look on his face.
“Johnny, I didn’t-“
Johnny paused, and looked at his brother-in-law, a man he’d become good friends with over the past several years.
“I know. Would you mind driving? I’m not used to this opposite-side-of-the-road thing.”
Jack smiled, and kissed Martha’s forehead.
“Sure will.”