AN: Well, they have arrived, and a showdown, so to speak, will be taking place soon enough. What is going to happen when Miley and Marie (Michael's older sister) see each other in person? Nothing good, that is for sure...

You know when you're young you think you will always be, ... As you become more fragile, you reflect and you realize how much comfort can come from the past. Hymns can carry you into the future."

Andy Griffith

Chapter Two: Fourth of July

Michael noticed that Miley looked really worried when they slowly pulled up in front of Marie's home. Ever since they got off the plane, Miley had this look of concern on her face, and Michael could literally feel the nervousness in his fiancee. Miley took his hand, and as they came to a stop in front of Marie's home, she squeezed it really tightly.

"Do not worry. Everything is going to be okay." Michael whispered.

Miley nodded, and gave him a quick kiss.

"Alright. We are here. Grab your bags, and get in the house, because I am not lugging all of this shit on my own." Charles said, getting out of the car, grabbing his bag, and then going inside.

Melody, Michael, and Miley did the same, and followed Charles inside. Charles announced his presence, and was greeted, surprisingly by Jeff.

"Greetings, welcome to Casa De Harris." Jeff said with a smile. He greeted them all in toe, but looked genuinely surprised to see Miley there with the rest of them.

"Miley, nice to see you here." Jeff said in a somewhat monotone voice.

"Hi Jeff, nice to see you again." Miley said, giving him a brief hug.

"Jeff, is Christian here?" Michael asked him.

"Downstairs playing Time Crisis or Donkey Kong." Michael said. Michael gave a nod, and went down stairs to see what was going on with his cousin.

Charles pulled Jeff aside, and whispered to him.

"Where's Marie?" Charles asked him.

"She took Lori Ann to get some fireworks and her hair done." Jeff answered.

"Does she know that Miley is here with us?" Charles asked.

"No, and boy is she in for a surprise." Jeff answered. "She was just telling me that she would flip a shit if Miley came out here."

"Great. I am not looking forward to this." Charles said.

"I am." Jeff said, slightly laughing.

"Well, you are a dick, so..." Charles said.

"I love you too, family member." Jeff said, walking off.

Michael walked down the steps, and saw Christian playing Donkey Kong, on the arcade machine. He was playing really good, until he died on the first level, again. Christian stopped playing, and turned to the steps, just in time to see Michael standing there, watching him.

"Trouble dodging barrels, cousin?" Michael asked with a sly look on his face.

"Fuck you." Christian laughed, giving Michael a hug.

"When did you get in?" Christian asked.

"A few minutes ago." Michael asked. "When did you get in?"

"This morning." Christian answered. "So, what's up?"

"What type of mood is Marie in?" Michael asked, a little on edge.

"I joked about you bringing Miley here, and she said and I quote, 'I am gonna kill the bitch when I see her'. Then she laughed and left with Lori Ann." Christian said.

"Okay..." Michael said.

"Wait, she's here, isn't she?" Christian asked.

"Yeah." Michael answered.

"Dude, why would you bring her here?" Christian asked him.

"I wanted to settle things between them before it's too late." Michael said, sadly. Christian knew what he meant, and did not press that further.

"When Marie sees Miley, she is gonna flip a shit, dude." Christian said.

"I know. How can I do damage control?" Michael asked.

"Pad up sharp corners, and hide the sharp utensils." Christian said.

"I am being serious!" Michael told him.

"So was I." Christian answered. Michael shrugged his shoulders and went upstairs with the rest of his family.

Everyone was sitting in the living room, minus Miley because she was in the bathroom, watching Christian and Michael playing New Super Mario Bros. Wii. The five of them were so much into the game that they did not notice Lori Ann and Marie come into the house. Lori Ann saw Michael, and ran right over to him, jumping right on his lap.

"Hi, Michael!" Lori Ann said cheerfully.

"Hey there, little bit. How are you doing?" Michael asked, giving her a hug.

"Fine. Mommy and I got a lot of fireworks for tomorrow. I can't wait to use them." Lori Ann said.

"We got a lot." Marie said, holding up the bags that had the fireworks in them. "Go upstairs and change your clothes, Lori Ann."

"Alright mommy." Lori Ann said. She hopped off Michael's lap, and went upstairs.

"So, how is everyone?" Marie said.

"Fine." Michael said. He set his game controller down, and walked towards his sister.

"Sis, I have something to tell you..." Michael said, taking a deep breath.

Then the toilet flushed, and out walked Miley. Marie looked, and faced her, and Miley looked back.

Both women were basically glaring at each other.

"Oh, shit." Christian said under his breath.

"Hello Miley. Fancy seeing you here." Marie said through gritted teeth.

"Likewise, I suppose." Miley said. Both women not giving an inch.

"Okay, now that the introductions are out of the way. I can see that you two are really happy to see each other." Michael said. "Alright, look, can you two get along, please?"

"No." They said in unison. They stomped off in different directions, leaving Michael there in total smoke.

"That went a lot better than I expected." Michael said.

As they were asleep, all but Miley and Michael, late at night in Marie's home, Michael literally felt the anger in Miley. It was safe to say that she was not nervous anymore, but really pissed off.

"Babe. Are you alright?" Michael asked softly, reaching over to stroke her cheek. Miley felt is concern, and turned over to face him.

"Fine. Why is she so mean to me? Why does she hate me?" Miley asked Michael.

"She has been like that for a long time. Every time I brought a girl home that I liked, she was apprehensive about that girl, but it is more intense with you." Michael said.

"Why is that?" Miley asked.

"That is something that you will have to ask her yourself." Michael said.

"Like we will get on speaking terms anytime soon." Miley said.

The next day came and went with little to no trouble. Miley and Marie did not speak to each other, and when they were forced to be in the same room with one another, they only shared a glare. Michael was there, just in case things jumped off. Things were either going to get better or worse for the two of them, and Michael was sure it was not going to be better, at least without some help in the right direction.

It was the evening of the Fourth of July. Marie, Charles, and Jeff were in the front yard, popping off fireworks like mad. Miley and Michael were standing together, watching the fireworks go off. Michael looked out towards the ring on her finger. Miley noticed this, and looked at him.

"I want to tell Marie that we are engaged." Miley said.

"Really? Why?" Michael asked her.

"Honestly? It would kill her." Miley said with a smile on her face.

"Come on, don't be like that." Michael answered.

"Fine, but before we leave here, we are gonna tell her the truth." Miley said.

"I will, promise." Michael said.

Before Michael could say another word, he heard the faint sound of police sirens in the distance. Miley noticed an irritated sigh escaping her fiancee. Then she turned and saw Christian and Melody running inside, and that Marie, Charles, and Jeff were busy gathering fireworks up.

"Time to take this party in the backyard." Marie announced.

"Family tradition, we pop fireworks until the cops come." Michael whispered to Miley.

Miley laughed, and Michael shut the garage door. Happy Fourth of July indeed...

AN: In the next part, the rivalry between Miley and Marie hits an all time high, and it will get to a certain point that someone will have to step in. That someone being Michael of course thanks for reading and stay tuned for more!

R.I.P.

Andy Griffith

(June 1, 1926 - July 3, 2012)