Chapter 4: Friends and Family

The next morning, John and Kimberly packed their bags and hit the road to stay at her house in Amesbury while visiting his friends and family. He noticed a frown on her face as they drove the 3 hours to West Newbury. "What's wrong, baby girl?" he asked as he reached to hold her hand.

"Do you think it's a little soon to meet your parents?" Kimberly asked nervously as she stared out the window. John chuckled at her nervousness.

"If it were my choice you would have met them months ago. Everyone's going to love you."

For the rest of the ride they held hands in between answering phone calls. John's Mom called three times, his Dad once, excited to meet the girl John's been talking about for months. John's cousin and best friend, Marc called and two of John's four brothers called. Kimberly took numerous calls from her assistant and one from her housekeeper in Amesbury. They pulled into the driveway at John's parent's house to be met by not only his parents but his four brothers, his friends and their girlfriends and Marc, his wife and his sister and brother-in-law. Kimberly was still on the phone with her assistant trying to hang up. Her eyes grew wide as she saw everyone in the front yard. "Holy shit the whole town's here."

John laughed and got out of the car greeting everyone with hugs, handshakes and a kiss for his Mom. Kimberly slowly exited the car giving them a moment and to build her courage. She was still trying to hang up with her assistant as she walked around the car to greet the excited mob. About half of the group stood staring at her as if star struck, jaws hanging open. She finally got her assistant off the phone and John introduced her to his parents and brothers. His Mom, Carol, greeted her with a hug and a kiss on both cheeks and promptly pulled her away and started asking her question after question. John's father watched his son as he looked at Kimberly with nothing but love and adoration in his eyes. You are completely in love with her."

"Is it that obvious?" John Sr laughed and patted his son on the back walking away to join his ex-wife and talk more to the woman who stole his son's heart.

Instantly John was bombarded by the group that was star struck. Marc's wife, Angie, grabbed John shaking him. "John, do you know who she is? I can't believe it's really her!"

"You know her?" John then realized the looks on everyone's faces. "What am I missing?"

"Dude, that's Kimberly Mitchell. The Kimberly Mitchell." Marc claimed just as excited as the others.

"I know her name and I still don't know what I'm missing."

"John, honey, she's only the richest woman in New England." Angie spoke like a proud parent. "She's responsible for saving a lot of farms around here, personally paying off the farmer's bank loans and getting them new equipment. No reason, she just does it. She donates a lot of her money. That's just what the TV and newspapers report, imagine what she does that nobody knows about. I can't believe you have no idea who she is."

"Wow that's a successful club she owns." John said.

"Club?" Angie continued, "try clubs, restaurants, boutiques; we all shop at her stores. You've got quite a lady, John."