co-written by RatedrKjErIcHo

Alex stood next to Randy looking over at Holly and Amber as they sat at the table talking. The picture Randy had shown him hadn't done her justice. She was beautiful. Randy looked over at his friend as Ted walked up to them.

"Hey Randy, what's up?"

"Same old, same old." Randy said looking at Alex. "Have you talked to Holly yet?"

"Wow, couldn't have gotten a bigger snub if I'd have asked for it. Why are you so cold to me? We used to be friends." Ted said.

"Used to be being the operative word. I'm just praying Amber comes to her senses and dumps you soon. She doesn't need to worry about the both of us."

"We're getting married. I asked her a month ago. She's been too afraid to tell you. Because she knew you'd be an asshole about it. So like me or not, we're about to be family."

"Did you ask mine or my dad's permission to marry her?"

"He asked for mine and I gave it." Bob said walking up. "They are in love and happy. I think it's great. And you will just have to get over it."

"Fine." Randy stalked off into the kitchen.

Amber looked at Ted and then at Randy. She knew he had told him about the engagement. She sighed and got up and followed him. After Randy headed into the house, Alex went to sit by Holly.

"So, Alex, what exactly do you do?" Elaine asked as they sat there. Dena had explained that Randy wanted to set Alex and Holly up.

"I'm in advertising actually."

"That sounds like a great career." Bob added.

"It is. I like it."

"I bet your parents are proud."

"They died when I was younger actually. I was raised by my godfather."

"I'm sorry." Elaine replied.

"It's fine really." He said while turning to Holly. "What do you do?"

"I'm a nurse in the NICU."

"NICU?"

"The neonatal intensive care unit. I work with babies all day." She said moving some of her hair behind her ear.

"That sounds very rewarding." He smiled. She really was a beautiful girl. And he hoped to definitely get to know her better.

"It is." They continued to talk while Elaine and Bob looked on. Both smiled. He was definitely better than her past boyfriends and if Randy thought he was great, then they trusted his judgment on that.

Randy stood in the kitchen trying to get his temper under control. He couldn't believe that Amber or his parents didn't tell him.

"I was just waiting for the right time to tell you." Amber said walking in.

"When was that going to be? When I got the invitation in the mail?"

"And you'd have been okay with me coming to you and telling you I was in love with him? That I love him more than anyone. That I want to spend the rest of my life with him."

"No. He's a cop. A cop I warned against getting involved with you."

"What bugs you the most about this? Huh? The fact that I'm marrying a cop or the fact that I don't obey your every command the way Holly does?" Amber said. "You're my big brother Randy. Not my father. And I can damn well marry anyone I want to. I'd love for you to be there."

"I'm not happy about this but you know I will be there." He walked out of the kitchen and onto the patio where everyone else was.

"Everything okay?" Bob asked his son.

"Just sibling stuff." Randy replied as he sat down at the table. Amber soon came out of the house and sat by Ted.

Everyone was quiet during lunch as they ate. Alex turned to Holly who was sitting by him. He figured now was as good as time as any to ask her.

"So, Holly, I was wondering if you would like to go out with me maybe tomorrow."

Holly looked at her brother first and then Amber. She wasn't sure about going out with Alex since she was supposed to be dating Josh. She noticed the smile Randy was giving her and she figured it was okay. "Okay. Tomorrow sounds good."

"Great. Say seven."

"Seven it is." She smiled before turning to eat.

Amber rolled her eyes where no one could see her. It was just like Holly to okay something with Randy. Her mom always said that Holly was the weaker of the three. That's why she rarely did anything without Randy's approval. The one exception had been up until then Holly had always picked her own guy to date. Their mom had also always said that Amber had the classic middle child syndrome which made her the strong one of the three. Never one to ask her brother's approval or permission. Always doing what she wanted.

She looked over at Ted. "Can we just go? I really just want to be alone with you right now." She said. Ted nodded and they went over to Bob and Elaine.

"Mom, Dad...we're going to go. I...uh...I'm not feeling so well all of the sudden and Ted's going to take me home and put me to bed." She said. Randy huffed and rolled his eyes a little.

"Yeah, I'll just bet he will."

"You know what? Yes! Okay? Teddy and I have had sex. And I'm sorry that you think you own the whole world and can just walk into everyone's apartment whenever the hell you feel like it. You're not God! No matter how bad you think you are. So get over yourself and let Holly think for herself for a change." She said as she stormed out.

Bob followed her. "Get back here, Amber. NOW!" Her father's stern voice made her stop. "Sit down." Amber sat down on the sofa and Bob motioned for Ted to step outside. Bob walked to the patio door. "Randy, Holly inside now!"

"What did I do?" Holly asked.

"Now Holly Ann."

Holly and Randy followed their parents in. Bob told them to sit on the sofa. Holly was in the middle to keep the peace between Randy and Amber. Elaine took a seat in a chair nearby. Bob took the position in front of his children. It was time they acted like adults and not teenagers.

"If you are going to act like children, I will treat you that way." Bob started. "I'm tired of this between you and Amber, Randy. She loves Ted and wants to be with him forever. I know you don't want her with a cop. I didn't either at first but I see how much she loves him and he loves her. You need to deal with the fact that Amber is an adult and can make her own decisions."

"Thank you." Amber said.

"And Amber, you need to remember that you're a lady and you don't go airing your dirty laundry in public." He said.

"I'm sorry Daddy."

"I'm sorry Daddy." Randy mocked. "Yeah because that makes things so much better."

"We've been through this. You're not my father. You never will be. So quit trying to force decisions on me like you do Holly."

"Hey!"

"Sorry sweetie but it's true. You may buy into what he tells you, but I'm going to do what I want when I want. And Randy, if you must know, yes. I'm going home to have sex with my fiancé. If you decide to come over, you might want to knock first." Amber said as she got off the couch and walked outside and grabbed Ted's hand and they walked out to the car.

"Well, I think this is over now. So let's finish the BBQ." Bob said walking outside.

Holly turned to her brother. "Do you really like Alex?"

"Yes. I invited him to meet you. He's a great guy with a good job. And he's respectful. He is much better than Josh Matthews or any other loser you have dated. So give him a chance."

"Okay, I will." She smiled and followed him outside.

The BBQ was soon over and everyone headed home. Randy was happy that Holly was going out with Alex but still upset with Amber for getting engaged to Ted. He just wished she would listen to him about things. He was only trying to protect her.

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