Chapter 20

"Well, that was interesting," Sandy said when they went to meet Paul's father and stepmother two weeks later while Tyler was on spring break from school. They were now on the way to meet Paul's mother in New Mexico.

"Uh, yeah, to say the least," Tyler added. "I think they don't like us much."

"It's all new to them, buddy," Paul said. "It will take some getting used to on all of our parts. They're not usually a joking bunch like I am."

"Yeah, I figured that out already, Then again, this wasn't really how I envisioned spring break, but whatever."

"Wanted to go to the beach to eye up all the hot girls, eh, Tyler?" Paul asked, trying to make light of the situation.

"Nah, that's Adam and Jesse's thing," Tyler said. "Besides, those kind of girls are mostly airheads. I want a pretty chick that also has a brain."

"When are you going to get a girlfriend anyway?" Paul teased again.

"Paul!" Sandy punched him in the arm.

"It's okay, Mom. He's goofing off again. And look at it this way, he doesn't have to do 'the talk' with me because you already did that when I was twelve."

Paul had a confused look on his face. "Uh….'the talk'?"

"Yes," Sandy replied. "You know, the talk? Didn't you have that with your parents when you were growing up? Birds and bees, all that happy stuff?"

"Oh, that! Okay, I see what you mean now."

"And Mom taught me to cook," Tyler added, grinning. "So I can make something besides reservations, TV dinners and microwave burritos."

"Very funny, dude," Paul said as Sandy began to giggle. "Don't make me let you off on the side of the road so you can walk the rest of the way to New Mexico."

"You wouldn't do that. Mom would whoop your butt."

"Got that right," Sandy agreed. "And you like our company too much anyway."

"Yeah," he laughed, pinching Sandy's thigh. "Especially yours."

"Ouch! Paul!" She giggled again, playfully smacking him.

"Will you cut it out? I was getting hungry, but now you two are making me sick," Tyler said. "Just go get a room for a couple of hours or something."

"There's some great little barbecue joints along the way where we can fill up," Paul offered.

"Now you're talking!" Tyler nodded.

"Come to think of it, we haven't had anything since we left your father's place this morning," Sandy agreed. "That sounds great."

They found a small barbecue place, where they pulled in and went inside, finding a booth in the corner. Sandy scanned the menu for a salad, while the boys drooled over the other items.

"How much longer before we reach your mother's?" she asked after their orders were taken.

"Should be about another hour," Paul answered. "Which reminds me, I better call her."

He then flipped open his phone, dialing a number, chatting in both English and Spanish to whom Sandy presumed was his mother on the other end.

"Right. We should be showing up in about an hour since there isn't much traffic," he concluded. "Yeah, they're with me. It's been interesting traveling with a teenager, especially a hungry one."

Tyler looked up, giving his future stepfather a perplexed look.

"Get used to it," Sandy nodded at Paul when he snapped his phone shut. "Better a teenager than a small child saying 'Are we there yet?' every five minutes."

"Are we there yet?" Tyler joked.

Paul laughed. "One thing about it, it's been a refreshing change traveling with you two."

"How long do you plan to stay?" Sandy wondered. "We're supposed to be at my mother's on Friday."

"Just one night," Paul replied. "I figured we'd fly to Philadelphia from there after I drop the rental at the airport."

"You are going to be exhausted by the time you head to Phoenix for Raw next week," Sandy warned him. "Especially with all this traveling in a few short days."

He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'm used to it; been doing it for years, baby."

"Guess we better get used to it too, Mom," Tyler added before he dove into the barbecued ribs in front of him. "This is the price of being married to a big star."

"Big star, my ass," Paul laughed. "And save some of those for me, will you?"

-------------------

Tyler had been spread in the back seat, snoring, and Sandy dozing on the passenger side in the front seat when they arrived at Paul's mother's home.

"Wakey, wakey, sleeping beauties," he called out. "We have arrived."

Sandy yawned. "Already?"

"Already? It's been over an hour," he laughed. "Come on, Mamá is waiting to meet you."

A woman that appeared to be in her late fifties answered the door, grabbing Paul in a hug and greeting him in Spanish, eagerly inviting them in.

¡"Mamá! Esto está Cubierto de arena y su hijo Tyler. Cubierto de arena, Tyler, esto es mi mamá Ana".

"I'm sorry," Sandy apologized. "I don't understand Spanish."

"And I only took French in school," Tyler added.

"Oh, it isn't a problem," Ana said warmly. She then looked Sandy over. "My, you are such a pretty little thing." She smiled at Tyler. "And such a tall, handsome boy!"

"Thank you, Miz Sanchez-Garcia," Tyler said, blushing a little.

"Please, call me Ana. I am going to be practically your grandma soon, after all."

"Okay," Tyler nodded.

Ana then looked over at her son. "So when is your wedding?"

"We haven't set a date yet, Mamá," Paul replied.

"He's stalling," Sandy joked.

"I am not!" Paul whined.

"In all seriousness, though, it's just getting a date in around his schedule. Between you and me, I think this son of yours works way too hard."

"I agree," Ana nodded. "He's lucky he hasn't gotten any bad injuries as a result like some of those boys. I always dread getting a call he's in the hospital or something. You understand how I feel, since you are a mamá yourself."

"Oh, absolutely," Sandy nodded.

Ana smiled over at Tyler. "So where are you in school, young man?"

"I'm halfway through eleventh grade," he replied. "I'm doing okay in school, though math isn't my greatest subject."

"Don't let him being so humble fool you," Sandy said proudly. "He's doing very well. It took a little getting used to from his old school, but it didn't take long for Tyler here to fit in. He's very smart."

"Old school?" Ana wondered.

"Me and Mom are from Philadelphia," Tyler clarified. "We moved to Austin when she got a job there. And met Paul." He gave a sly wink.

"And how did you two meet?" Ana asked.

Before Paul could get a word out, Sandy laughingly told her about them nearly colliding in the lobby of their building.

"And Tyler just happened to make sure we were there at the same time," Paul said, raising an eyebrow at his soon to be stepson.

"Haven't heard either of you complain yet," Tyler shot back, grinning widely.

"Well, I'm glad at least one of my boys is finally getting married. I'm not getting any younger and I'd like to enjoy at least one grandchild while I can."

"Mamá!" Paul cried. "Cubierto de arena y yo tengo ni discutí los niños todavía".

"Well, perhaps you're right. You haven't even had your wedding yet."

"Thank you," he sighed.

"So what kind of wedding will you have?"

"Nothing fancy," Sandy spoke up. "Maybe mostly family and close friends. Fifty, sixty people at most."

"Nice, very nice. You talk to your parents?"

"We're heading to Philadelphia from here Thursday night and maybe take off Saturday night. I have to be in Phoenix by Sunday for Raw," Paul explained.

Ana nodded. She liked the woman and boy her son had brought to meet her. She was sure that they would be perfect for each other. Ana hoped Sandy's family would think the same.