We were sure that we wanted to get married eventually, but others were still confused. Having to weigh the slander and rumors they had heard about the woman sitting in front of them became increasingly difficult. Jeannie's credibility had suffered a serious blow, no one knew what to believe anymore. I smiled throughout the meal and hoped the time would help them see me clearly. Once dessert was served, I couldn't wait to leave, courtesy dictated that I had to stay for a while. Out of nowhere, in front of his mother, brother and sister-in-law he gets down on one knee and proposes. My mind was racing, of course I wanted to marry this man, but not like this, not with hostile eyes trained on me, judging me. Having spent too much time unhappy, I shrugged it off, what did it matter how they felt, this man wanted to marry me. Apprehensively, I agreed, his mother threatened my life if I harmed him, and we returned home. There have been many meals since that day, but now they are filled with genuine laughter, people I call family, and everyone I love dearly. Those uncomfortable days are now a thing of the past, as is Jeannie. His toxicity has been eradicated, we are thriving and his mother is now a grandmother, and to