"Everything will be fine." Ainsley said, taking Sam's hand in hers. They were sitting in Sam's car, staring up at the Hayes' estate.
"It's huge."
"We have some money."
"I can't go in there."
"Why not?"
"Your family is Republican. They know who Sam Seaborn is."
"Why are you talking in third person about yourself?"
"I'm just saying they know who I am and... they'll slaughter me."
"And then my father is going to hang you on the wall of his office next to the deer he hunted." Ainsley drawled. Sam stared at her and she rolled her eyes. "I was kidding Sam."
"Don't do that."
Ainsley leaned over the arm rest and kissed Sam so lightly, he wasn't sure if she had really kissed him or not. Her eyes opened slowly and their blue eyes met.
"They will love you."
"I'm not so sure about that."
"Come on." Ainsley unhooked her seatbelt and got out of the car. Sam warily followed her lead and she wrapped an arm around his waist as they walked up to the grand house. "Baby, they have to love you because I love you and no one in this family disagrees with me."
"Really?"
"Oh yeah. Alex and Casey know I'll kick their asses if they open their mouths. I'm a daddy's girl. My mother just wants me to get married and everyone else loves anyone I bring into this house."
Sam ducked his head, trying not to laugh.
"I can believe that." he finally said, looking back at his girlfriend. "You're pretty vicious and get most people to do what you want."
"Oh I do, do I?"
"Yes."
"I guess you're right." Ainsley opened the front door and poked her head into the foyer. "No one. Come on."
She grabbed Sam's hand and pulled him into the house.
"Wow. This is amazing."
"I know." Ainsley smiled, closing the door behind them.
"How long have your parents lived here?"
"This was my grandparents' house. My father inherited when they died."
"It's beautiful."
"Thank you. Let's go see if we can find anyone for you to meet."
"Do we have to?" Sam whined. Ainsley gave him a look and he sighed. She dragged him down the hallway to a closed door and she knocked on it lightly.
"Come in." a male voice called. Ainsley opened the door slightly and poked her head in.
"Hi Daddy." she smiled.
"Ainsley! Open the door and come in! I didn't even hear the door opened."
"I was sneaky." she was still smiling and opened the door all the way as Robert Hayes moved out from behind his desk. "I figured you'd be at court."
"Your mother made me take a vacation. She's driving me insane." he replied. "Come here!"
Ainsley moved from the doorway and into her father's arms, hugging him tightly. Sam tried to hide but Robert saw him. Ainsley felt her father's grip on her falter and she pulled away from him.
"Dad, this is Sam Seaborn. Sam, this is my father Robert." she said, introducing the two.
"I know who he is." Robert said quietly. Ainsley thought Sam looked about ready to piss his pants so she quickly changed the subject, or at least tried to.
"When is Casey coming in?" she asked.
"Why is there a Democrat in my house?"
"Dad..."
"You're dating him aren't you."
"Yes. Now when is Casey getting here?" Ainsley asked.
"Don't change the subject Ainsley." Robert ordered, walking over to Sam. Now Sam was tall, around six feet, but Robert still had a few inches on him. This made Sam feel a bit inferior and seem to shrink in the doorway. "I've seen you on TV. My little girl kicked your ass once."
"Yes she did."
"You deserved it."
"I most likely did sir."
"Don't try being modest with me boy."
"I... I wasn't." Sam stammered. He gave Ainsley a pleading look and she stepped up, resting a hand on her father's arm.
"Dad, stop."
"I've seen your work." Robert went on. Sam closed his eyes, preparing to get another verbal blow from Ainsley's father. "You write very well."
"Thank you."
"You'd write better for the Republicans."
"Dad!" Ainsley exclaimed, an exasperated tone in her voice. "Where's Mom?"
"Upstairs."
"I'm going to go say hello."
"You stay." Robert pointed at Sam, who paled about ten shades. Ainsley patted him on the shoulder and walked out. "Close the door."
Sam obeyed and Robert pointed to a chair. He sat down, ready to die.
---------------------TWW-----------------
Ainsley walked upstairs and saw her mother busying herself in one of the rooms.
"Hi Mom."
"Ainsley!" Emily exclaimed, rushing over to her daughter. They hugged and Emily pulled away from her. "You look good. You look happy."
"I am happy."
"Did you see your father?"
"Yes I did. And we should go down there soon."
"Why?"
"You'll see." Ainsley smiled.
"Honey, did you bring someone to meet us?" Emily asked.
"Only if Daddy didn't kill him."
"Please tell me it's that Bruce you've always talked about. Nice Republican boy right there."
"No Mom. It's not Bruce. I also mentioned him once."
"Oh. Well let's go meet him."
The two women walked downstairs, chatting the whole way.
"So is he cute?"
"Very."
"What's his name?"
"Ah... hold on." Ainsley opened the door and her eyes widened, seeing Sam and her father laughing and having a good time.
"I like you!" Robert exclaimed. "Ainsley, I like him."
"I'm glad Dad."
"He didn't kill me." Sam laughed. "We've actually gotten along."
"I'm glad Sam. This is my mother Emily. Mom, this is Sam Seaborn."
"Oh dear." she sighed.
--------------TWW------------
"Why doesn't she like me?" Sam asked.
"She thought I was bringing down some nice Republican boy." Ainsley replied. They were sitting in the backyard on the swings as they talked. "But instead I brought some bad boy Democrat."
"Were you always a rebel?"
"Sometimes."
"God, I hope our kids aren't like you." Sam thought.
"What?"
"Don't tell me I said that out loud."
Ainsley gave him a smile and slowly sat down in his lap.
"You know, when this swing breaks, I'm not going to be held responsible." Sam said.
"Our kids..." Ainsley said.
"It slipped."
"You want kids. You want kids with me?"
"No. Why would I want kids with you?"
"You know, sometimes you say the sweetest things then you screw them up."
"They'd be bipartisan. We can't have that. It's just not right."
"So no kids."
"I... we don't even know if we're going to stay together or not."
Ainsley raised an eyebrow and Sam groaned.
"Shut up Sam. Just shut up." he muttered, making Ainsley giggle.
"Do you want to stay together?" she asked.
"I'd like to."
"Then I guess we'll make it work. How many kids you want?"
"How many do you want to give me?"
"I need a number so I can decide if I need to put a limit on you."
"Four or five."
"That's not bad." Ainsley said.
"Nope." Sam shook his head and again his thoughts went to the engagement ring in his sock drawer. He still did not know how or when to propose to her. Obviously they had the same thoughts about each other. If only he could be a man and get it over with.