"Hey what are you guys doing here?" Kaitlyn asked Crystal, Matt and Elyssa as she opened the door.

"Matt volunteered to drop us girls off early, you know so we can help you with dinner." Elyssa said excitedly.

"Oh, Ok come on in." Elyssa said motioning for them to enter the house. Crystal and Elyssa made their way inside as Matt turned to leave. "Matt you're not coming in?"

"Nah, I was just the driver. I'll leave you girls alone so you can talk about us guys behind our backs, but don't worry Jeff, Shan and I will be back here in two hours to eat up the wonderful meal I can already smell cooking." Matt said as he walked to his car.

"All right we'll see you later." Kaitlyn yelled before Matt pulled away. "So ladies I already have everything cooking so there is no need for help in the kitchen, but do you think you can help me find something decent to wear?"

"Sure! I love playing dress-up." Crystal beamed.

"Yeah Kaitlyn we'd love to help you." Elyssa said as the three made their way up to Kaitlyn's room.

"What about this dress?" Kaitlyn asked holding up a burgundy strapless knee length dress. "No, not this it's way to dressy isn't it?" She asked.

"It's a beautiful dress but it is just dinner with Jeff and your friends." Crystal said.

"But it's not just dinner. I'm gonna meet Jeff's dad for the first time and I really wanna make a good first impression."

"Don't worry about it Kaitlyn. Dad is cool, he won't care if you come dressed in a potato sack as long as there is good food and with the aroma's that are filling this house I suspect that the food will be perfect." Elyssa said trying to reassure Kaitlyn.

"You promise?"

"You know I'd never lie to you Kaitlyn."

"Yeah I know. So I should go for a more casual look, eh?"

"Sure! Like maybe these low riders and this pale pink tank top. A little lip gloss and you'll look fantastic, won't she Crys?"

"I have to agree with the kid. And maybe those boots over there in the corner." Crystal said pointing to Kaitlyns combat boots.

"If you two say so."

"We do, now you get dressed and we'll make sure that none of that delicious smelling food down there burns." Crystal said as she and Elyssa left Kaitlyn's bedroom.

Jeff's House

"So did you tell Kaitlyn about Mariska and Olivia yet?" Shannon asked his friend.

"No, but I did tell her that we had to talk."

"Did you at least apologize to her last night?" Matt asked walking out of the kitchen with three beers.

"I tried..."

"What do you mean you tried? Either you did or you didn't."

"I actually made things worse."

"How'd you manage that?" Shannon asked.

"She just wouldn't drop it and I kinda blew up at her again, she thinks I don't trust her."

"Do you blame her?" Matt asked.

"No, I don't blame her. I just wish she would have dropped it when I asked her too."

"Did you drop it when she didn't want to tell you about that Doolittle guy?"

"No..."

"Exactly, so how would you expect her to drop it. I'm sure she could tell something was bothering you and she just wanted to help and you explode on her."

"I know that I screwed up Matt, you don't have to keep reminding me."

"Yeah, bro I think I do. Kaitlyn Ryan is the best thing to happen to you since Mariska and Liv died. It's the first time that you've been happy in over seven years. You'd be an idiot to lose this girl over something that you can't change."

"Matt's right Jeff."

"I KNOW! DAMN! I want this to work. I want Kaitlyn and I to be together but after she hears this she'll probably end up leaving my ass anyway."

"Do you really believe that Jeff?" Matt asked. "Because if you think that little of her then maybe you don't deserve her at all." Matt said as the phone rang.

"Jeff it's your dad." Shannon said handing Jeff the phone.

"Hey dad. Yeah we'll be there in about ten minutes. No, we won't be late. Ok see you wehn we get there." Jeff said hanging up the phone. "We have to go and get him now because he doesn't want to be late." Jeff sighed.

"You know how dad is. Let's just go and get him now like he wants because if we don't you know we will catch hell for it later." Matt said as he Jeff and Shannon got up to leave.

When the guys arrived at Kaitlyn's the girls were sitting in the livingroom listening to one of Kaitlyn's recordings. "Hey guy's you're right on time. We can eat as soon as Bella arrives." Kaitlyn said answering the door.

Jeff could sense the tension between them but decided to ignore it. Instead he smiled and walked over to Kaitlyn. "Kaitlyn Ryan this is our dad, Gilbert Hardy. Dad this is Kaitlyn Ryan." Jeff said making the introductions.

"It's really nice to meet you Mr. Hardy."

"Oh please chile, Call me Gilbert or Gil, and it's great to finally meet the girl of my sons dreams." Gilbert said kissing Kaitlyn on the cheek. When he pulled back he realized that Kaitlyn was crimson red. "I didn't mean to embarrass you chile."

"No, It's ok. I just didn't realize that Jeff thought of me as the girl of his dreams. He never told me that little tidbit of information."

"Me either."

"Then why did you make that comment?" Kaitlyn asked confused.

"Because I'm his father and I know him better than he knows himself, and I know that you are in fact the girl of his dreams." Gil replied.

"Ok dad that's enough of that." Jeff said.

"Jeffrey don't act like you're shy." Gil said laughing at his son.

"Dad." Jeff warned.

"Fine."

"Can I get you guys anything to drink while we wait on Bella and Al?" Kaitlyn asked.

"Did we just hear our names?" Bella asked as he and Al walked inside.

"Yes you did old man, I can't believe you're on time." Kaitlyn said walking over to Bella and Al giving them both kisses on the cheek. What's this?" Kaitlyn asked taking the glass dish out of Bella's hands. "Bella tell me you didn't." Kaitlyn beamed. "Baklava?"

"Your favorite." Bella told her.

"I told you that you didn't have to bring anything."

"I know but I had nothing better to do last night so I fgured what would it hurt."

"Well thank you, Bella. You know how much I love your Baklava."

"Dad this is Kaitlyn's mentor and coach, Bella Karoli. Bella this is Me and Matt's dad, Gilbert Hardy." Jeff interjected.

"Good to meet you, Mr. Hardy. You have raised up one hell of a son." Bella said.

"Please call me Gil, and thank you. From what I hear you raised Kaitlyn and I must say she is a true doll." Gilbert replied.

"Yes our little Katie is one of a kind." Bella said musing her hair.

"Bella...cut it out." Kaitlyn laughed.

"And this is a really good friend Al Sapparo." Kaitlyn said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all." Al said.

"So Kaitlyn... can we eat?" Shannon asked causing everyone to laugh. "What I'm starving?" Shannon said.

"Sure Shannon, everything is ready." Kailtyn said as everyone followed her into the kitchen. "Elyssa, why don't you show everyone into the dining room."

"Ok. Guys follow me." Elyssa directed.

"Quite the little hostess aren't ya E?" Matt joked as he, Jeff, Shannon, Bella, Al, and Gil followed her.

"Crystal go have a seat." Kailtyn said.

"No, I think I'll help you in here."

"You don't have to do that."

"I know but I want to." Crystal said grabbing the mac and cheese and walking towards the dining room.

"Can I help?" Jeff asked walking back into the kitchen.

"Ummm...no I don't think so." Kaitlyn said taking the roaster out of the oven.

"I can carry that."

"Jeff I said I got it covered."

"I just want to help."

"Fine, grab the potato salad out of the fridge." Kaitlyn sighed. "And If you think you can handle it grab that big bowl off the stove."

"Wow it smells great what's in here?" Jeff asked trying to peek under the foil covering the bowl.

"Fried chicken." Kaitlyn smiled.

"Jeez Kaitlyn what all are we having today?" Matt asked when she had finally put everything on the table.

"Well I didn't know what you guys would like so I made a little bit of everything. I made four different meats. I made a pot roast with carrots and potatos, fried chicken, baked salmon, and smothered porkchops. For the sides I made broccoli casserole, mac and cheese, potato salad, greens, corn, rice to go with the gravy from the pot roast and porkchops, and I made homemade sweet rolls, and sweet corn bread and there is tea and just about any kool-aid or soft drink you can think of." Kaitlyn said.

"Where'd you find time to cook all of that?" Gil asked.

"Even though it's just me, and sometimes Bella and Al, I always cook tons of food. That's the way my mom cooked so I guess I got it from her. It doesn't take me very long really. I started this meal at nine this morning because I kind of overslept." Kaitlyn laughed. "It was all done by three."

"Maybe I should hire you to cook for me sometimes." Matt joked as they ate. "Is there any broccoli casserole left?" He asked hopefully.

"Yeah there is a little small dish in the oven. Here I was thinking that I may have made too much." Kaitlyn laughed.

"Well if there is anything left that you don't want I'll take it." Matt said.

"I'll fight you for it." Shannon said.

"No need to fight over anything. You guys are welcome to take whatever is left."

"At the rate they are eating nothing will be left." Al joked.

"Who wants desert?" Kaitlyn asked.

"Oh come on Kaitlyn you stuff us with all this food and then ask who wants desert? That's cruel." Crystal said.

"I have Oreo cookie pie, strawberry shortcake and Bella's delicious Baklava." Kaitlyn informed them.

"What are you having Kaitlyn?" Elyssa asked.

"Baklava definitley." Kaitlyn answered.

"Then that's what I'll have."

"E, you've never had Baklava before, what if you don't like it?" Jeff asked.

"If Kaitlyn likes it I'm sure I will also." Elyssa retorted.

"What about the rest of you?"

I think I'll try your Oreo Cookie Pie concoction." Al said.

"Me too." Gil said.

Everyone else ate strawberry shortcake with vanilla ice cream and whiped cream on top.

"Dinner was absolutely amazing Kaitlyn. You really outdid yourself this time." Al said as he got ready to leave.

"Thanks Al. You have to start visiting more often."

"I will sweetness. I will."

"Well Jeff I think you boys better get this old man home." Gil said from the sofa.

"But Dad we aren't ready to leave yet." Elyssa whined.

"Sorry Elyssa but I'm not as young as you all are I am a old man and I'm ready to retire for the evening." Gil told her.

"But dad..."

"Don't 'but dad' me young lady."

"Gil If the kids want to stay and keep Kaitlyn company for a little while longer I can drive you home." Bella offered.

"Oh no, I couldn't ask you to do that."

"Well you're not asking now are you? I'm offering."

"He's got a point Gil." Kaitlyn said.

"Well if it isn't any trouble."

"No trouble at all."

"Then I guess I'm ready when you are."

"I'm ready now. Kaitlyn sweetheart I'll see you tomorrow at the gym." Bella said kissing Kaitlyn's forehead.

"Alright drill sergant Karoli." Kaitlyn joked. "Gil it was so good meeting you. You'll have to come over again real soon."

"Chile, just cook another meal like the one you served today and I'll be here." Gil said as he hugged Kaitlyn. "Keep my boys in check, would ya?"

"Sure thing Gil." She said as Bella and Gil left.

Everyone sat around for a while just talking and laughing. Shannon and Matt told Kaitlyn stories about Jeff from their old OMEGA days and Kaitlyn told them about all the things she saw during traveling for competetions. She told them about the mother of one of the girls she trained with making her daughter do 1,000 chin-ups everyday to make her upper body stronger. All it had really done was exhaust her daughter and she actaully passed out during a tournament once. "Bella wasn't too happy with the mother about that one." Kaitlyn told them. When they looked at the clock again it was almost eleven.

"Kaitlyn, Shannon and I really hate to be party poopers but we have to get going." Crystal said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, Shan has to get packed up."

"I understand. You guys come and see me before you leave ok?"

"Sure honey." Shannon said. "Thanks for all the food." Shannon said grabbing his bag full of potato salad, greens, strawberry short cake and pot roast.

"Don't eat it all at once, and share with Crys."

"Oh girl I'll be lucky if he lets me lick the plate afterwards." Crystal joked.

"Crystal feel free to call me when ever. It'll be nice to have a girlfriend to hang out with." Kaitlyn said hugging both Crystal and Shannon.

Kaitlyn walked back in side and saw Matt picking Elyssa up off the loveseat. "She really had a good time today, didn't she?" She asked Matt.

"Yeah, she's out cold. Jeff I'm just gonna take her to my place tonight." Matt told his brother.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. You and Kaitlyn need to talk anyway, right?"

"Yeah, we do." Jeff sighed knowing exactly what Matt meant by his last comment.

"See you later Kaitlyn." Matt said as Kaitlyn handed him his bag of leftovers.

"Bye Matt. Tell Elyssa goodnight for me." Kaitlyn said walking Matt to the door. She waved good-bye as they pulled off before walking back inside. "Well today turned out a lot better than I thought it would." Kaitlyn said flopping down beside Jeff on the couch. "I myself am beat. I think I'm just gonna go to bed, you can let yourself out." Kaitlyn said standing.

"Kaitlyn I know that you are still mad at me, but remember we have to talk."

"I don't really feel up to it tonight, maybe another time."

"Kaitlyn... please." Jeff pleaded.

"Fine, Let me go take a shower and get comfortable. You can wait fo rme in the bedroom." Kaitlyn said walking away.

"God, please don't let her hate me after this." Jeff sighed as he walked up the stairs behind Kaitlyn.