All the feelings I felt seeing my mother are forgotten as we drive down the residential suburban streets to my dads house. The excitement to see everyone is almost overwhelming and I can't keep this stupid grin off my face. I glance at Truex giving him a sly grin.

"Nervous?" I ask. He keeps his eyes on the road. It's obvious he's a little more nervous now that he's met my mother. "They're nothing like her." I assure him. "Right here. The blue house on the left." I see the telltale sign of smoke coming from he backyard. Dad is barbecuing something.

Truex puts that truck in park and I watch and the front door open and Logan and Brian spill out. I can't help but squeal and jump out of the truck. "You two are getting tall! Stop it!" I command, laughing as I hug them both. "Miss me?'' I ask, looking up at their twin grinning faces.

"Nope, just wanted to see if you were really bringing Truex Marshall." Logan, smirks looking exactly like his dad. I glare at him and look to Brian seeing the same face.

"You both are here to meet him! Not greet me!" I accuse, trying to control my smile. I feel Truex behind me and sigh. "Truex, these are my snot nosed brothers Logan and Brian." I watch as Logan holds out his hand and then Brian.

"Nice to meet you." Truex tells them and I hear the front door open again. I look up to see dad coming toward us. I meet him halfway and give him a hug.

"Did you find the place okay? Didn't get lost did ya?" He asks.

"Nope, I remembered the way." I assure him.

"Good! Now you don't have an excuse not to come more often."

I groan. "You know its been hard." I say, shaking my head. I feel the sense of guilt creep up as it does every time I see him. His eyes scan my face, he doesn't miss the regret in my eyes.

"I would never blame you. You're my daughter. I would like to see more of you." He responds, earnestly. Making my eyes water.

I nod. "Sorry." Taking me in his arms again he hugs me tightly.

"You're the only thing I miss about your mom. We love ya, Briar Patch." He says, kissing my cheek.

"Alright. Don't make her cry, dad." Logan scolds. "Look! She really did bring him." He says, pointing excitedly to Truex.

"He's huge!" Brian chimes in. "How's he gonna fit through the door?"

I laugh at the image. Truex will have to duck down really low. "I smell Barbecue. What do you got on?" I ask, dad. My stomach rumbling.

"Your favorites, ribs and brisket. Been cooking all morning." He replies, proudly. "Before we do that, you mind introducing me to your fellow, here? Then we can to the backyard and avoid having to fold him up to get him in the house."

I wave towards Truex. "Truex this is my dad, Chris. Dad, this is Truex...my husband." I state, nervously.

I feel all four men freeze and silence issues. Dad is the first to recover.

"Husband? I heard the rumors, we didn't think it was true. God, you didn't tell your mom did you?" He winces, knowing full well how Alicia can be.

"We told her yesterday." I reply, grimly. "It did not go over well."

"Not surprised." He grunts, shaking off the shock. "Well, congratulations." Dad says, holding out his hand to Truex.

"Welcome to our dysfunctional family." He smiles, holding his arms out wide.

Truex smiles. "Thank you, Chris."

He turns to me, whispering loud enough for everyone to hear, "You could've told me you were dating him a while ago. Then your marriage wouldn't have nearly knocked me over." Dad scolds, jokingly.

I laugh. "I think it still would've knocked you over. But we also haven't been together long." I say. Looking at the ground, I shuffle my feet in the dirt, not knowing what to say. Why didn't I think he'd want to know how this all came about? How we got married, why he wasn't invited? All of it. Gathering my courage I look up to Logan and Brian. "Give us a minute, please." I ask them. They nod in understanding and leave through the side gate to the backyard. "It wasn't a planned event, dad. We just decided one night in Vegas of all places." I say, resentfully kicking the dirt like its to blame.

"Well, I'd like to see pictures." He replies. I can't tell if he's disappointed or not, so I make myself look at him. Our eyes meet and he shakes his head. "Just stop that right now. Not everyone gets married in Vegas and not every Vegas marriage ends like your mothers did. If you keep comparing yourself to her, you'll lose your mind. What you have left of it, that is." He teases. I nod and smile, knowing he's right.

I grin up him, "I'm starving." I announce.

"You're always starving." Dad and Truex reply in unison, making us all chuckle.

"Where's Lynn?" I question, as we walk to the backyard through the side gate. The gate looks bright white and freshly painted.

"She had to work. She tutoring at the community center. Not making much money but she enjoys it. She'll be back in an hour or so. You'll stay until she gets here, right? She'd be crushed if you didn't." He says, looking at me worriedly.

"Of course! I wouldn't leave without seeing her." I assure him. The gate opens and I see dads been doing a lot of yard work as always. "Wow, this looks great." I tell him, honestly. He was always fastidious over the grass, and landscaping has always been a priority to him.

"Thank you. A lot of hard work, but Logan helped me out." He replies, proudly.

Logan hears his name and lifts his head from his phone, not knowing what we are talking about. "Nice work on the yard, bro." I explain, coming to the patio table to sit. I hold up my hand for a high five and his hand slaps my palm.  I watch dad go to the grill. I notice he's being followed by Truex and they're in deep conversation. I try to listen to whats being said but the light music coming from the kitchen radio and Logan talking about the plants they chose over others, I can't make out a word.

Finally, Truex looks at me and I raise my eyebrows in question. He smirks and looks down at the grill, discussing meat with dad I guess.  I tune back into what Logan is rambling on about as Brian sets down a Iced tea in front of me.

"Thank you." I tell him as he walks to Truex with another glass. Logan gets up to join the others as I sip my tea and watch amused, as the guys, my guys gather around the grill. The lid in covering the meat, nothing to really watch. Yet they stand there waiting. I feel myself smile, truly happy to be home again. I've missed being apart of my family, I wont push them away again. I hear the gate open and turn to see Lynn, her face lights up when she sees me at the table.

"Finally!" She yells, rushing over to me. I stand up bracing myself for impact. Lynn is only 17 but has 4 inches on me and about 20 pounds. I see she hasn't changed a bit. Her auburn hair is pulled back in a high ponytail cascading down her back. Her dark brown eyes are generously lashed, she has no need for makeup, she is just naturally stunning.

"You're getting more and more beautiful." I complain, hugging her tight.

"So, I'm told." She replies, jokingly.

"I'm serious." I tell her. "Any boys dad has to worry about?" I question, interested.

She blushes and shrugs. "Only one and he likes him."

"I have to meet him then." I reply, excited to see her happy.

"Stick around and you will." She promises.

"Alright." I nod and more seriously, I add. "I want a name, age, shot records, police records and dental."

"Dental records?" She laughs.

"Yep, I want it all." I demand, jokingly. "But you can start with his name." I encourage her, hoping she'll fill me in on what I've missed.

"His name is Payton, he's 17 and we go to school together. We've been dating since junior year. Dad has met him several times. He's a great guy, you'll approve of him." She nods, knowingly.

I smile, looking at her face as she talks about him. "I like him already if he makes you that happy." I tell her, honestly.

"Dinner's ready! You made it just in time, Bean!" Dad calls out, referring to Lynn who before puberty was tall and lean like my brothers. I look around to all the smiling faces as we walk into the house to grab plates and silverware. I glance at Truex and my smile wides. We may be a dysfunctional family, but I wouldn't change a thing.