There stood a tall, burly man, a short, petite woman that greatly resembled Mitchie, and a sixteen year old girl. The woman threw her arms around Mitchie and sobbed.
"I missed you so much baby. I had no idea that it would take a wife and daughter to get you off that damn mountain."
Mitchie laughed and held her mother tightly. "I missed you Momma. You look as beautiful as ever."
"So do you sweetheart. There is a glow to you that I have never seen before. Where is the woman responsible for this wonderful change and my grandbaby?" questioned Dianna Torres as she stepped away from Mitchie.
Mitchie wrapped a protective arm around Alex's waist. "Momma, Dad, Maddie, this is Alexandra Torres, my wife."
Dianna thought that Alex was absolutely gorgeous. She had a natural beauty that was rare to find. Dianna pulled Alex in for a hug when Alex attempted to shake her hand. "Welcome to the family sweetie."
Eddie stepped in shaking his head good naturedly at his wife and opened his arms. Mitchie jumped into them immediately. "Daddy," was all she whispered as she felt her father's protective hug. Eddie was a tall, burly man that spent his life protecting his daughters. They were his little princesses. Eddie kissed the top of Mitchie's head before releasing her. "I'm glad you're back princess," said Eddie before turning to Alex and hugging her as well. "It's a pleasure to meet you Alex," he said as he pulled away with a smile.
Maddie also hugged her sister and new sister in law, but for the most part remained quiet. She tended to be somewhat shy.
"Mitchie I'm dying to meet my grandbaby. What are you waiting for," nagged Dianna.
"Angel can you go get the baby before my mother explodes," suggested Mitchie causing them all to laugh including Alex.
"She was napping, but I will be right down. Why don't you get them a drink honey and have a seat while I get her?" Alex turned to leave the room, but turned back towards her new family with a smile. "Thank you for being so welcoming. It means a lot," she said before heading upstairs.
"She's beautiful sweetheart, said Dianna watching Alex leave. "Why don't you tell us about your work while we wait," suggested Dianna.
"I called Hannah and told her to book me a studio. I have a few songs ready to record as soon as possible and one that I will not release. It's too personal."
Dianna was shocked. Mitchie had never considered any song of hers too personal to not release. It must really be special. "It must be a masterpiece."
"You can decide that when you hear it," she said and turned her attention to Alex who was standing in the doorway with the baby in arms watching the couple seated on the couch.
Dianna practically flew to the door. "O my god she is precious, can I hold her?" she said holding her arms out.
Alex instinctively held the baby closer, but one look at Mitchie reminded her that these were not the Raccoons. "She'd love that," she said handing the baby to Dianna.
"She is absolutely gorgeous. Look Eddie, isn't she the most beautiful baby you've ever seen?" questioned Dianna turning to show her husband the newborn.
"Hey I thought I was the most beautiful baby that you have ever seen!" exclaimed Maddie.
Just then Dallas opened her big brown eyes. "You wanted to meet grandpa, didn't you baby?" said Eddie with a proud grin.
"She wanted to see her grandmomma. Why would she want to see you?" countered Dianna sticking her tongue out at her husband.
Alex and Mitchie both laughed. Alex was amazed at how different the Torreses were from the Raccoons. They were so down to earth.
"No, she wants to see Aunt Maddie. She could care less about you old people," teased Maddie kissing the baby's cheek.
Eddie led Alex to the couch. "Have a seat sport. You must be tired after being on the road for so long."
"What's her name? I just realized Mitchie didn't tell me my grandbaby's name," said Dianna.
"Dallas," said Alex.
Dianna briefly closed her eyes and opened them with a smile. "It's perfect," she whispered kissing the baby's forehead. "Mitchie, your dad and I brought gifts. Can you please go to the car and get them?"
Mitchie glanced at her mother and they had a wordless conversation. "I will be right back."
"I'm not gonna bite her Mitch. Relax honey," said Dianna with a laugh.
"So the cradle is for Dallas and the flowers for me?" asked Mitchie with a grin as she walked back into the house carrying a pretty white cradle full of pink frilly sheets with a bouquet of pink roses on top.
"No, the flowers are for Alex," said Dianna. "She deserves a present for marrying you," she joked as she handed Dallas to Eddie and stood up to pick up the flowers. I will get a vase to put them in," she said walking out of the room.
"The cradle is beautiful, said Alex as she admired the wooden cradle. "I was just telling Mitchie that Dallas needed a crib."
"The Torres Cradle," said Eddie. "Let's put her in. See how she likes it. All the Torres girls have slept in it."
Alex watched Mitchie set Dallas in the cradle and felt a pang of guilt. "This isn't right Mitchie."
"What isn't right?" asked a confused Mitchie.
"She isn't a Torres. She's not your biological daughter," cried Alex.
Mitchie shook her head and picked her daughter up. "Do you think that they care about that?" she questioned walking out of the room with the baby cradled in her arms.
"Should that make a difference?" asked Dianna who caught the end of the argument. "I think I should tell you that I know Patty Raccoon, but we will save that talk for later. Right now, I must say that Mitchie considers the child hers. Do you?"
"Yes," replied Alex without any hesitation.
"If Mitchie and you both consider Dallas to be Mitchie's daughter, why would Eddie and I object? If Mitchie were unable to have a child and had to adopt, we would still think of him as our grandchild. So, don't you think that you should let us treat Dallas as our granddaughter if that is how we see her? Do you have any objections to us being Dallas' grandparents?" asked Dianna.
"I don' know. Do you have any objections to me being Mitchie's wife?" countered Alex.
"Do you love her?" asked Dianna.
"That is something that I should discuss with Mitchie before anyone else."
Dianna smiled. That answer had pretty much answered her question. "I have no objections to you being her wife."
Alex smiled at the older woman. "Mrs. Torres, who is Dallas named after?"
"Call me Dianna and she was named after my daughter, Mitchie's older sister. She died over a year ago. We should get going," said Dianna kissing Alex's cheek. "I hope you know that I will be buying out baby boutiques."
They all laughed as the Torreses bid their goodbyes.
"Maybe you guys can come by next week for dinner, once I've had a chance to get settled and find things," suggested Alex.
"Beautiful and she cooks. Good job Mitchie. This one's a keeper," said Eddie pinching Alex's cheek.
When they were finally gone Alex turned to Mitchie. "I'm sorry Mitch. They are very nice people."
"Damn, it Alex, this was not an audition. You are my wife, this is our home, and the Torreses are our family!" exclaimed Mitchie.
"You have to give me time Mitchie. I've never really had a family and since this is my home, then I'm painting Dallas' nursery myself!" called out Alex as she climbed the stares leavin Mitchie shaking her head.