ficwhatfic | The Price Legacy - Generation One

Don is doing just fine, until an encounter with another woman threatens his relationship with Katrina. Subsequently, his life quickly falls apart - again. Will he try and amend his mistakes?

CONTENT WARNING: Sexual content, mature language, partial nudity.

These days, Don Lothario lived a charmed life.

Sure, he fell on some hard times.

But things were beginning to look up for him.

He was in the best shape of his life.

He worked low stress, part-time gigs to make some spending cash.

He even had a best friend.

Marci: “Put me down! You heard what that asshole called Johnny! Let me at him!”

Don: “No way! I am not getting kicked out of another bar! I like this bar, Price!”

Marci: “Puh-leeze! You just like all the sluts in the tiny skirts who work here!”

Don: “Exactly!”

And he was dating one of the most attractive women in the neighborhood.

Katrina Caliente.

They met while she was entertaining at the Solar Lounge. She was a talented piano player, and he was a single patron who attracted her attention. It didn’t take long for their whirlwind affair to take off. In a matter of weeks, she was asking him to move in with her — offering to take care of him while he got back on his feet. Who was he to say no to such an enticing offer? Living under the same roof as Kat, and he was so down on his luck and still crashing on a friend’s couch…

Don was a lot of things, but he wasn’t a fool, and he didn’t pass up an opportunity of a lifetime when it presented itself.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t anticipated how eager she was to build a life with him — or any man with a pulse, for that matter.

Katrina: “Say, Don, where do you see yourself five years from now?”

Don: “Why do you ask?”

Katrina: “Just a fun little exercise I pulled from a magazine. I was curious.”

Don: “Oh, I don’t know, Kat…I never think that far ahead. I live in the moment, you know? And this moment right here is fine. Ideally, I would be super ripped with piles of money in my bank account, but I’m flexible. What about you?”

Katrina: “Well, five years from now, I would like to be married again.”

Don: “Huh…I guess five years isn't too bad.”

Katrina: “And I’m still young enough to have more children if all goes according to plan.”

Don: “Oh. Okay.”

Katrina: “So at that point, perhaps I would have…let’s see, two little ones running around the house. Perhaps with another one the way.”

Don: “Three kids. In five years. That’s uh…ambitious.”

Katrina: “I always wanted a bigger family, especially now that my girls are adults in their own right! Oh, I should show you pictures of Dina and Nina when they were children. They were so adorable. I miss those days. Do you have any baby pictures of yourself? I bet you were a sweet little thing…”

Needless to say, he was constantly on the verge of screaming.

Not to mention she had two daughters around his age.

Two equally attractive daughters.

It felt as though the universe was setting him up for failure.

Unlike her mother, Nina was not impressed with him and went through great lengths to torture him, such as sneaking upon him when he was getting in for the night.

Don: “What the fuck, Nina?! You don’t sneak up on a man like that! What if they thought you were a burglar and attacked you?”

Nina: “Well first, a real man has to actually come through that door.”

Nina was as mischievous and quick-witted as Marci but while his friend jested in good fun, Nina meant every word of it.

As for Dina, however…

Cute, feisty blondes.

His Achilles’ heel.

Tried as hard as he might, Don found it difficult to ignore Dina’s flirtations and advances. Since they were the same age, they had more interests in common than he did with Kat at times. There was the added perk that Dina was too focused on her career ambitions to settle down; marriage and babies weren't on her mind whatsoever. She was nowhere near as intimidating to approach as her mother or any other woman for that matter aside from Marci.

One night, Dina made themselves a few drinks while she was testing out some new recipes.

He knocked back a few…

And she just kept supplying more.

Don: “Hey barkeep! Another!”

Dina: “Oh, no way! I’m cutting you off, mister! The last drink was a strong one, and it’s not even three in the afternoon yet! I’m getting you a glass of water instead. Your body will thank me later.”

Don: “Hey, I’m not that drunk! I can handle one more drink.”

Dina: “These last few ones weren’t even that good. You said so yourself.”

Don: “Exactly! We were getting somewhere with that last one. I don’t know what else you put in it, but it was far better than the drink before that. You can’t quit now while we’re both ahead.”

Dina: “Well, I say we quit before we get too ahead of ourselves, but at least I know I can always count on you to try my new recipes. You’re my most enthusiastic taste tester. Not to mention the cutest.”

Don: “What can I say? I’m a helper. And I wasn’t about to turn down free drinks from you.”

Dina: “I didn’t ask just because you like drinking, silly. I can count on you to be honest with me.”

Don: “Honest? Now there’s a word that no one has ever associated with me. You realize who you’re talking to, right? Do we need to get your pretty eyes checked? I’m no expert, but I can take a look for you.”

Dina: “Oh, stop! I mean it, Don! You’ve always been upfront with us about yourself. I have to give you credit where it’s due. Now that I think about it, you don’t give us a hard time whenever we make mistakes. You’re probably the only person who didn’t lecture me about what happened with Beckham, you put up with Nina and her antics, and God knows you had plenty of reason to ditch my mother when she went behind your back with another guy.”

Don: “Uh, hold up! What? When did that happen?”

Dina: “Oh…you…you had no idea. I don’t think it’s a good idea if I—”

Don: “Too late now! Dina, you better tell me right now, did she mess around behind my back?!”

Dina: “No! Nothing that serious! It was a long time ago, on one of our Taco Tuesday nights. Remember, it was the same night that Katrina freaked about you and Marci? After you left with Marci to take her home, I was walking towards the living room, and I saw her put the moves on Johnny. He shot her down, of course, and she said she was drunk and went to bed. I promise that's it! Ask Johnny if you don't believe me!”

Dina: “I…I really am sorry, Don. I thought she might’ve said something by now. And I didn’t know if it was my place to say anything, or—”

Don: “No, it…it’s cool. I don’t blame you, Dina. She’s family. I wouldn’t expect you to throw her under the bus.”

To his surprise, Don wasn’t jealous. Not really.

Just hurt.

Katrina was always suspicious of his motives.

Any time he so much as made eye contact with another woman in her company, she was furious.

And yet…

She put the moves on another guy under her own roof, on the same night she accused him of cheating with Marci…and then never said a word about it.

When they got together, he was so convinced they were perfect for each other — at the very least, they looked perfect together.

All this time, he tried to put his old habits behind him and be an attentive, faithful boyfriend. He played by her rules, tolerated her temper and jealous fits, jumped through hoops to prove himself to her, and stay on his best behavior…despite all temptations.

And he was definitely tempted...

What was the point?

What was the point of holding back from what he wanted and constantly prioritizing her feelings at all times…when she couldn’t be bothered to do the same for him? Why stay faithful at all?

Dina: “Are you sure you’re going to be okay, Don? I promise, if I suspected she was doing anything more than flirting, I would’ve gone directly to you and fessed up! You and I are friends now. Maybe I should’ve said something a long time ago, but I didn’t know if you knew or if you two already talked about it or if it would’ve totally ruined what you had—”

Don: “Hey! Dina! Chill out. It sucks, but I’ll deal with it. Thanks for telling me the truth. It couldn’t have been easy holding all of that in.”

Dina: “It wasn’t. I really wish I could take back how I blurted it out, though. Classic Dina, opening her big trap and ruining everything.”

Don: “Dina, your secret’s safe with me. I won’t bring this up to Kat unless I have to. As you said, everyone slips up, right?”

Dina: “I guess so. Here, let me clean up and get you that water. You really need to stay hydrated while you’re drunk! It makes all the difference in the world, take my word for it.”

Don: “You sure you don’t want any help cleaning up?”

Dina laughed as she rinsed the cups out.

Dina: “I just love how you wait until I’m done to offer assistance. At least you get credit for trying, right?”

Don: “Heh…sorry. Nina says the same shit to me and I never listen.”

Dina put the clean dishes away. She approached him, both hands tucked behind her back, peering up at him shyly.

Dina: “Of course she does, but I was just messing with you. I know Nina and I tease you so much but believe me, I always come from a good place. Nina won’t admit it to you or anyone else, but she doesn’t dislike you half as much as she pretends.”

Don: “No worries, I get it. I never held it against yous. I’m the one who charged in like a bull in a china shop and broke up your girl gang.”

Dina: “Oh, hush. Living with you hasn’t been that bad. I can’t remember the last time we had this much fun around the house. And between you and me, Don? What Katrina did was wrong. If I had a boyfriend who was half as sexy and exciting as you, I would never take you for granted.”

Don knew Dina making a move on him was a bad idea, that Katrina would get hurt if she knew, that he should’ve pushed Dina away and turn her down…

Instead, he reciprocated her kiss and embrace, quite eagerly.

And sure enough, Katrina had just come home from her shift and caught them in the act.

She immediately came at her daughter.

Katrina: “How dare you!”

Dina: “Mother, let me explain—”

Katrina: “What’s there to explain? I return home from work to find you seducing my boyfriend? In my kitchen? What exactly were you thinking? How could you do this to me, Dina? Why?!”

Don: “Kat, hold on, we can explain—”

Katrina: “Shut up, Don! I’ll get to you, trust me! I want an answer from Dina! I want a proper explanation from my floozy of a daughter as to why she would hurt me like this!”

Dina: “Floozy?! If anyone here is a floozy, it’s you! Don is my age, mother! Don’t you see what’s wrong with that? Don’t you care how it looks? Wait, what am I saying? Of course, you don’t! What the neighbors say behind your back never bothered you! It never stopped you from making a move on mine and Nina's boyfriends!”

Katrina: “Now see here, young lady! That is no excuse for what you just did, and for the record, I did no such thing! If they happened to look my way, that was no fault of mine! I can’t help that I’m an attractive woman. You ought to be grateful for that, seeing as you certainly didn’t inherit my wits or my good senses!”

Dina: “Oh, really? Then tell me, what happened with you and Johnny? Did he look your way? Last I checked, it was the other way around!”

Katrina: That…that was a judgment error! I was drunk!”

Dina: “That's no excuse! You embarrassed me, just like you always do! And tell me, how’d I manage to get your boy toy to sway if I don’t have wit or sense? It didn’t take much effort on my part. I learned from the best.”

Katrina: “Trust me, dear, you didn’t need my help. Men love girls like you: desperate, attention-seeking, empty-headed whores—”

Dina: “I’ve had enough. I’m leaving.”

Don: “Dina, she didn’t mean that—”

Dina: “Yes, she did! She meant every word! She just never had a good enough excuse to say it until now! Well, I’m tired of her abuse and her mind games!”

Dina: “Come on, Don! We’re clearly not welcome here! Let’s go!”

Don was caught off guard. So much so, he was speechless for a moment.

Dina: “You…are coming with me, right?”

Don: “Dina, I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Dina: “I…I can’t believe you. I thought…we were hitting it off so well, weren’t we? Don, please…you kissed me back. I know you felt it, too.”

Don: “No, I didn’t. That kiss didn’t mean anything, Dina…not that way. I’m sorry. You got the wrong idea.”

Katrina: “See? What did you expect, Dina? It was just as I said. He was only after one thing from you, and now that he got it, he’s not impressed. Was he worth it? Was it worth hurting me? I hope you had fun sabotaging my relationship.”

Dina: “No. I definitely didn’t…but I see people for who they really are now. I have you two to thank for that. Goodbye, mother.”

Dina fled the house in tears.

And Katrina dragged Don outside and screamed at him in broad daylight.

Katrina: “I want you gone!”

Don: “Kat, listen to me—”

Katrina: “I told you, if you brought this behavior into my house, I wouldn’t tolerate it! You have some nerve, moving in on Dina! My own daughter! You creep! This is what I get for ignoring what everyone said about you!”

Don: “Can’t we just talk about this? You know me! Just hear me out! I’ll never do this again, I swear—”

Katrina: “That’s the problem, Don! I know you all too well now, and there’s no turning back.”

Don: “Can I at least get my things? And where am I supposed to go?”

Katrina: “That’s not my problem! And I’ll leave your items here in the morning! Once you pick them up, don't you dare come back!”

Well, scratch that.

Don Lothario was living a charmed life, until he fucked it up.

Again.

Don: “Couldn’t she at least let me grab my wallet?”

Don called a friend across town and asked for help. Thankfully they were willing — just for a few nights, but still, it was better than nothing. He still had his card information saved in the Uber app, too.

Then he headed over to Marci’s place for a much-needed pep talk.

…And instead, he immediately got a lecture.

Marci: “What the fuck is wrong with you? You kissed Dina?!”

Word traveled fast in Oasis Springs, but this was a record.

Don: “How did you…?”

Marci: “Johnny just texted me! He said Dina showed up at his trailer in hysterics! He wanted to know if I knew anything about it…you know, that you kissed Kat's daughter right in front of her!”

Johnny Zest, you fucking rat.

Marci: “Seriously, nothing? You have nothing to say right now?”

Don: “Marci, I know! It was stupid! We didn’t mean for it to happen, and nothing did really. We had a little too much to drink. Dina all but threw herself at me when Katrina walked in. She threw me out and won’t talk to me or listen to a word I say.”

Marci: “I can’t say I blame her, Don! That’s her daughter. I’m a mom now! If I were in her shoes, I’d kick your ass all the way back to Pleasantview!”

Don: “Don’t you think I know that? That I don’t feel bad? If I was sober, it would’ve never happened, not like that.”

Marci: “The fact it happened alone is bad enough! You should apologize! If you want Kat back--”

Don: “What if I don’t want her back, though? Isn’t that part of the problem? All this time I've been trying to fit into a mold that she wants — she barely sees me for who I am anymore! She can go and flirt with another guy behind my back, but the second I talk to another girl, I’m the asshole?! How does that make any sense? I’m sorry it was Dina, but it would’ve been someone else eventually! You get it, don't you? Even you said she was being irrational lately!”

Marci: “I…I don’t know, Don…I want to defend you, but this is really messed up, even for you. I get that you were hurt, but making a move on her daughter? And what are you doing, throwing Dina under the bus? Like you had no part in this?”

Marci: “Forget how sleazy all of this sounds. That’s just cruel.”

Somewhere in the room, a baby monitor went off. One of the twins woke up.

Marci: “Ugh, there goes Holden, right on cue.”

How did Marci know which twin was which? All crying babies sounded the same to him.

Don: “I’ll uh…let myself out.”

Marci: “What? No, just wait for me, or come downstairs with me. This will just take a minute.”

Don followed Marci downstairs to the basement, past the laundry room, and right into the nursery.

It was odd, seeing her in action, being a mom. When Marci announced her pregnancy to him, the idea didn’t sit well with him. Of all the people in Oasis Springs, she was the last person he’d expect to be a parent - and she confessed the same fear in private.

However, the twins’ arrival brought out a new maternal side in Marci. These days, she was softer, nurturing, and more patient. She was a natural, easing Holden back to sleep with a song.

Don: “Are you home alone? Where’s your man?”

Marci: “Oh, he’s upstairs in our room. He didn’t get any sleep last night, so I made him go to bed early. Besides, they’ve been quiet all day — they haven’t thrown anything my way that I couldn’t handle on my own.”

Lea stirred but hadn't started crying yet.

Once, Marci and Joshua explained twins tend to synchronize, waking up at the same time for meals or attention. It was still fucking weird to watch this phenomenon unfold.

Marci: “You know…it just occurred to me, you never held the babies. You want to pick Lea up?”

Don: “Oh, no no no no. No offense, but I don’t want anything to do with babies and trust me, you don’t want me near them. They smell my fear.”

Marci: “Well, can’t you make an exception? My babies are awesome if I do say so myself! Josh and I made some really cute tykes!”

Don: “Tykes who cry, drool, throw up, and pee all over themselves, so really, how cute are they?”

Marci: “Are we talking about my babies or you when you drink an entire bottle of tequila?”

Don: “You got me there.”

Don: “Well…I should get going. You’re busy with the kids, and I have my own shit to sort out.”

Marci: “Are you sure? You can stick around for a while. Do you have anywhere to stay tonight? We don’t have another bed, but you can sleep on the couch.”

Don: “That’s okay. I have a buddy who’s got a spare room for a few days. Besides, what’s Josh going to say if you let me crash in the living room now? Especially when he hears what happened?”

Marci: “Don, it’s not like I’m going to tell him! That’s your business. Where are you going to stay permanently after this?”

Don: “Marci, it’s fine. I have a place to stay tonight, and I can figure the rest out later. I need some space right now, anyway.”

Marci: “If you say so. The offer’s still on the table. And Don? If you need help getting your shit back from Kat tomorrow, give me a ring. Josh has the day off, so I can always swing by for a few minutes. I can bring our gardening shovel in case she starts anything.”

Don: “You sure you want to put your neck out for me? Even you thought what I did was disgusting.”

She pulled him into an embrace.

Marci: “It is, but I’m still your friend, idiot. Seriously, just let me know. I’ve got your back.”

Don didn’t deserve Marci Price’s loyalty or her friendship…

And yet, she gave it to him freely, even in the face of his atrocious actions.

No one else went through those same lengths, even the fair-weather friends who offered him a bed for a night or two when he was in a bind.

And the few others who took a chance on him, quickly learned he didn’t deserve it.

Dina wasn’t answering any of his calls or texts…

Johnny: “Who was that?”

Dina: “Nobody important.”

Nina was probably patting herself on the back for seeing this coming from miles away…

Nina: “Look, I’m not saying Don Lothario isn’t a scumbag, and I sure as hell am not sorry to see him go…”

Nina: “But you should’ve known something like this was going to happen! You bringing a guy who looks like that into this house, with his reputation…Dina is a sucker for morons like that.”

Katrina: “Nina, how was I supposed to predict this? That Dina would betray me? I finally found a man who made me happy since your father left, and she sabotaged it!”

Nina: “I sincerely doubt Dina is that diabolical…and are you really going to let some douchebag get between you two?”

Katrina: “You’re wrong! Your sister wants to hold a grudge because of some imaginary rivalry in her head and she just had to destroy my relationship to get back at me! What have I ever done to deserve that? I sacrificed so much for you girls! And that man… Mark my words, neither one of them will ever cross my threshold again!”

And Katrina was never going to forgive him.