This is not related to children, the other story I am also working on.
As they were nearing the house to his in laws Shepard got nervous about meeting them hoping that they would like him.
Ashley was in the passenger's side of the car telling him when and where to turn.
She could tell he was a little nervous since this was the first actual time they will meet. She told her mom and sister's all about him and him about them.
They were about 15 minutes out from their home. They lived in a small town with a nice sized home.
When they were pulling into the drive way Ashley's sisters and mother were standing on the porch waiting for them.
They said they would stay the week with them since they had nothing else to do.
Shepard got out first and helped Ashley out saying, "after you."
She then replied "look who is acting like a gentleman for once."
She was now smiling.
"Hey I always am, see the Halo on my head."
"I'm sure their is in your mind."
They then grabbed their suitcases from the back seat and locked it up.
About halfway up the walk way Ashley dropped the suitcase she was rolling and ran to her family while leaving Shepard to now carry all of them.
He was about to get to the steps before her mother came and helped him out.
"Hello Commander, it is very lovely to meet you. Ashley told us alot of things about you.
"Well thank you Mrs. Williams, it is a pleasure to meet you as well. But please call me John if you don't mind."
" That is no problem at all John. I can't believe Ashley left you to carry her stuff, here let me take one."
"Well thank you Mrs. Williams, I appreciate it."
As they were coming up the stairs Ashley's sister's just ran all over Shepard saying hello all excited and smiling. He then just jell backwards of the steps and the suitcases went all over the place.
Ashley quickly came to his side and helped him up. Ashley's sisters then said sorry and of course he forgave them and they helped him grab the 3 suitcases that were on the ground all around where he fell.
As they all walked into the house Mrs. Williams showed him the room they were staying in so he could put the suitcases down. It was almost lunch time so they just started unpacking. About half way through Ashley's sister Sarah yelled up saying it's lunch time. As they were coming down the stairs they could see a plates on the coffee table with a TV show paused and ready to be watched.
When they all were settled they played it.
John then asked, "What show is this?"
Sarah then replied, "40 most stupid. The topic today is bank robbers."
"Well this should sure be good," he replied.
It turned out to be one of the funniest things that he's seen on TV in a while. It lasted for a good 2 hours and by the end, he was stuffed.
The Mrs. Williams got up and said, "I will start bringing in the dishes since everyone is done."
"Here, let me help you," Shepard and Ashley said at the same time.
"Well thank you both, at least I have on good daughter and son in-law."
"Hey I resent that, I help you all the time," Sarah had said in some sort of shocked voice.
"Ya sure you do."
"I do."
"Well then you don't mind washing the dishes then, do you?"
"You tricked me!"
"No, you just said you helped so I figured you would not mind doing it for me."
"Fine."
Shepard, Ashley, and Ashley's other 2 sisters just sat there laughing for a minute or two after that.
"Where should I put these Mrs. Williams," Shepard asked curiously.
"Right on the counter next to the sink will do thank you."
As they finished cleaning up their mess and Sarah did the dishes they sat on the couch again just talking about things that would help them get to know Shepard a little bit better than what Ashley told them about.