"Hey Daddy, what would you say to a little family and friends get together this Saturday afternoon?" Miley asked. "You, me, Jackson, Lilly, Oliver, maybe?"

"Sounds like fun. Will you be bringing Larry?"

"Not much stays secret in this business, does it? Well, we haven't really been trying to keep things secret anyway. Yes, I thought that might be a good way for you two to meet."

"I'm looking forward to it then," he said.

On the way there, she asked "Excited about meeting my dad?"

"More like nervous," Larry said.

"Well, don't be. He's going to like you, I'm sure. Besides, I'm old enough that you don't need his approval."

"Agreed, but things might be easier if we had it."

After they sat around making small talk for a while, Mr. Stewart said "Hey Larry, let's go take a walk down by the beach."

Miley said "Daddy, no need to be subtle, you want to have a private talk. So have one," she said lightheartedly.

"It's hard to put anything over on her," Mr. Stewart said.

A few minutes later, as they were walking along Mr. Stewart asked "Am I to assume that you and Miley are serious about each other?"

"Yes, we are, very."

Mr. Stewart laughed a little. Larry looked puzzled. Mr. Stewart explained, "I'm not laughing at you, but at myself. I was just remembering a time when she was in 8th grade, and I tried to forbid her from going out with a ninth grader. She went anyway. Now, there's a bit more of a difference than a grade between you two, but if you are happy together, that is what counts. If you're curious, ask her about it. She'll probably have a good laugh telling you. It's the one and only time in her career that Hannah Montana has surfed a crowd."

"I agree that being happy is what counts, and we are happy."

"Larry, I'm going to ask you something, and I really do want an honest answer, whatever it is. Are you with her to help boost your own career?"

Larry answered, "Mr. Stewart, would it help any if I honestly told that was not the ONLY reason I am with her?"

"All right, I appreciate the honesty. Good luck. And you're a fellow adult, so how about if you call me Robbie Ray?"

"Thanks, Robbie Ray."

Mr. Stewart went on "How much do you know about Miley's personal life?"

"Well, I know that she is maybe doing a bit more drinking than is good for her, if that is what you are asking," Larry answered.

"Ok, I didn't want to be the one to let you know that, but I did wonder. I really am worried about her, but I don't know what to do."

"Lilly and I have talked about it too," Larry said. "We don't know what to do about it, either."

"I can tell you when it started. Knowing this might help you understand her. She's been married four times now, but I think the second one was the only one she was truly happy with. His name was Dave, and he died before their first anniversary, in a botched convenience store robbery. The downhill slide started after that."

"Oh," said Larry. "I knew one of her husbands had died, but I didn't know the details."

"It was all over the entertainment news at the time, but let's see, you would have been about three back then."

"Yeah, I guess I wasn't paying much attention."

"It's lucky for for the guys who did it that prisons have guards. That way, I can't get to them. Ready to go back?"

"Sure, let's see what the rest are up to," Larry answered.

Later on, Mr. Stewart went walking with Lilly. "How are things going?" he asked her.

"You know something, Bob?" she said. "I was skeptical about Larry in the beginning. There is the obvious age difference, and it looked like he just wanted to hook up with a superstar for his own career. I no longer see it that way. He really is good for her."

"Can't you call me Robbie Ray?" he asked.

"Bob, I grew up calling you Mr. Stewart. Be glad that I can compromise on Bob."

"All right," he said. "And I agree about Larry. I don't know if he can substitute for Dave, but maybe he can come close."

"You know something?" she said. "I think she might be drinking and popping less. It''s still happening, but somewhat less. I wish she would stop, but less is good. The last two concerts have been live, although the last one was questionable."

"Now THAT is the best news I have had for a long time. If Larry has accomplished that much, he's all right by me. Thank you for standing by her all this time, Lilly. I know there have been tough times, but you were the one thing she could always count on."

"No, not the one thing," she said. "She could always count on you, too."

"True, but then a father is supposed to be that way. Her husbands all took a vow to stand by her no matter what, but you're the one who has actually done so. And I know you have had other offers. You're considered the best manager in music. Most people know that with anyone less than you, her career would have tanked long ago."

"Bob, I'm not a manager. I'm a friend who happens to manage. There is a difference."

"I know. Thanks again."

When he had a chance to talk to Oliver, Robbie Ray said "Oliver, did you know that Miles watches every Rams game?"

"No, she never told me that."

"She does. I'm sure that's why she had this little meeting on a Saturday, so that you could be here too."

"Wow. We've kept in touch all these years, but this is the first I knew she actually watched." After a pause, he continued, "How true are the rumors about some drinking and pill popping?"

Robbie Ray replied, "You know, I would really prefer that you asked her. I don't think it is my place to say anything."

"Good point. Sorry to put you on the spot."