Chapter 3 -
After going on a few more dates, after the first one with Olivia; Roderick felt comfortable to think it might be time to introduce her to his family, and the first ones he really wanted that to be, was Mikki and Sebastian; even though he really valued the support and opinion of his parents, and other sisters in his relationship, he knew too if it not be for having that conversation with Sebastian a few months ago, that he might never have struck up the courage to even ask her to go out with him.
Organizing with her, and also his sister and brother in law; picking Olivia up on a Saturday morning from her apartment and then making the drive to Columbia, Roderick turned off the highway to head towards Mikki and Sebastian's house.
"Ohh Bojangles" said Olivia, as they passed by the well known chicken restaurant, and Roderick looked to her with a quick laugh.
"Yep, you and Miks are going to get along so well" he replied, with a smile to her and Olivia gave a laugh.
"Well it's awesome" replied Olivia, with a smile to him also as he made another turn. "And also what isn't there to love about the ice tea from there also"
"Hmm, yeah I got to admit I did really miss food from here when I was living in California" said Roderick, with a nod. "Not that food out there isn't great" he continued, as Olivia gave a nod. "But there is something just so great about the food here, that I do really appreciate now that I'm back home"
"Yeah, and that's why I think I'd never be able to live anywhere but South Carolina" replied Olivia, with a laugh. "I'd miss the food way too much"
"Uh huh" said Roderick, with a nod as he turned into the street that Mikki and Sebastian lived on, and continued down the road.
"So is there anything else imperative that I should know about your sister and brother in law before we get to their house?" asked Olivia, and Roderick gave a small laugh.
"Not really, no" he replied shaking his head. "Think I've told you pretty much all you need to know, to be prepared for them"
"Yep, college sweethearts since their sophomore year" said Olivia, as Roderick looked to her with a nod, and started to slow down as he neared their house. "Had that little period of separation, but ultimately realized that they would never not want to be with one another" she continued, as Roderick turned into the driveway of his sister's house. "And now have been married almost a year, and have a little girl; who you also cannot stop talking about"
"That's pretty much it" replied Roderick, with a laugh as he turned off his car's ignition and looked to her Olivia with a smile. "Think you're pretty much set to meet them"
"Okay, yeah let's do this" said Olivia, with a smile also as they both opened their car doors and got out; Roderick then locking it up before they headed to the front door, he taking her hand as they approached and then pushing the doorbell, to let his sister and brother in law know they had arrived. "Is that wise?" she asked, looking to the guy who she had quickly come to like, and was about to meet some of his family of. "Ringing the doorbell?"
"Why would it not be?" asked Roderick, giving a laugh as the front door opened; Sebastian on the other side.
"Hey" he said, giving them both a smile. "Come on in"
"Thanks" replied Roderick, with a small nod as Sebastian took a step back to allow them to walk into the house and then closed the door behind them; and he looked to his brother in law. "So this is Sebastian" he said, looking to his girlfriend with a smile and then looked back to his brother in law. Seb, Olivia"
"Hi, it's really nice to meet you" said Olivia, with a nod. "And Liv's fine"
"Nice to meet you also" said Sebastian, giving a smile to her. "And also Seb, call me that"
"Yeah, only person who ever really calls him Sebastian" said Roderick, with a laugh. "Is Mikki when she is mad at him"
"Which for the record hardly ever happens" replied Sebastian, with a smile. "So Mik's in the living room" he continued, as Roderick gave a nod. "She told me to go and get the door, since she is in their reading"
"Sure, yeah" said Roderick, with a smile to his brother in law; as he and Olivia followed him into the living room, where Mikki was sitting on the sofa reading; along with Amelia, nearby on the ground in her bouncer. "Hey Mik" he said, as they entered; only to be stopped short by Mikki holding up a hand, as to say don't talk to me and he sighed, also giving a laugh. "One other thing about Mikki, don't interrupt her when she is reading. It makes for cranky mouse sister"
"Or cranky wife" said Sebastian, with a laugh and Mikki looked to her husband, with a frown; and Sebastian in turn smiled at her.
"I can hear you both talking still" replied Mikki, with a sigh of her own and grabbing a bookmark from the coffee table, marked her page and then put the book down. "And since you're going to be here talking, won't be able to read much more"
"Yes, there is that" replied Roderick, with a nod and small laugh. "And also you know have company other than your annoying little brother"
"Uh huh" said Mikki, standing from the sofa and looking to Olivia. "Hi I'm Mikki" she said, with a smile to her. "It's really nice to finally get to meet you after Roddy talking about you so much"
"Yeah, it's nice to meet you as well" replied Olivia, with a nod. "And Rod's spoken of all you so much as well" continued Olivia, with a smile to her. "I just hope him ringing the doorbell, just then didn't upset your daughter"
"No, she's fine" replied Sebastian, shaking his head and looked down to where Amelia was on the floor in her bouncer. "She had a bottle like twenty minutes ago, and has been happily mesmerized by Pooh and Piglet ever since" he continued, with a laugh as he knelt down to take her from the bouncer. "Hi my gorgeous sweetheart" he said, as he picked her up and placed a kiss to her forehead. "Are we going to say hi to Uncle Roddy and also Liv?"
"Oh, she is so precious" said Olivia, with a smile as Sebastian passed Amelia over to Roderick, who in turn placed a kiss to his niece's cheek. "Hi gorgeous girl" she said, gently taking one of Amelia's small hand as she looked to Olivia, and being interested in the new person in the room, also reached out too. "You are just too adorable"
"Adorable now" said Mikki, with a laugh. "Not so much at like three o'clock in the morning when awake, and all I am wanting is sleep"
But that's just normal, right" said Olivia, looking to Mikki, and her nodding in return. "How old is she now?"
"Just turned three months, two days ago" replied Mikki, with a nod and small sigh, as Sebastian stepped over to where his wife was and wrapped his arms around her waist. "And growing, way too quickly" she continued, as Roderick looked to her with a laugh. "Clearly does not take after my side of the family"
"Hmm, two of my brothers are on the short side too, except for Harts" said Olivia, with a laugh and Mikki looked to her with a smile and nod. "He and my dad, are like super tall" she continued, with a laugh. "Although anyone over my height literally seems like a giant"
"Yeah, I know I married one" replied Mikki, with a smile to her as Sebastian gave a laugh and quickly kissing her to the cheek. "You can hold Millie, if you want you know" she continued, as she saw how much it seemed to be that the girl Roderick had bought over to her place was adoring the little girl before her.
"You wouldn't mind if I did?" asked Olivia, as Mikki looked to her shaking her head.
"Of course not, no" replied Mikki, with a smile to her as Roderick looked to Mikki with a small nod and then carefully passed Amelia over to Olivia; the blonde then looking to the little girl with a smile.
"Hi, oh you are so gorgeous" said Olivia, as Amelia looked to her and reached out for her hair. "Do you like my hair, huh?"
"She also seems to be fascinated with Kitty's hair as well" said Sebastian, with a small laugh. "She's a blonde too actually"
"Hmm probably hoping she will have blonde hair" replied Roderick, with a laugh.
"Maybe, yeah" he said, looking to his brother in law with a laugh. "Possibility, but Kitty dyes her hair blonde. So it's not natural"
"Neither's mine" said Olivia, with a small laugh and looking to them all with a smile; as the sound of a bell went off.
"Oven" said Mikki, looking to Sebastian, who still had his arms around her waist and he looked to her nodding. "I'll go get the muffins out of the oven" she said, taking his hands and moving his arms from around her. "You stay here and talk with Roddy and Liv"
"Sure" replied Sebastian, with a nod; as Mikki moved from near him and looked to the Olivia and Roderick.
"Did you want a coffee Liv?" she asked, and Olivia who was once again looking at Amelia, and looked to Mikki.
"Only if not any trouble" she replied, as Mikki shook her head. "Umm sure, coffee would be great, thank you"
"Totally fine" said Mikki, with a smile to her and Olivia gave a nod. "How do you take it?"
"One sugar with cream" she replied, as Mikki looked to her with a smile and then looked to her brother.
"Usual, Roddy?" she asked, and he gave a nod.
"Yeah, thanks Mik" he replied, as Mikki looked to Sebastian, and he gave a nod and she then headed into the kitchen.
"So have a seat" said Sebastian, looking to Roderick and Olivia, and Roderick sat on the sofa, allowing Olivia who still had Amelia in her arms sit also; and then with Mikki returning with cups of coffee for them all and some homemade cookies from that morning, got to know one another before heading out for dinner later that evening.
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A little later that day, still talking with Mikki and Sebastian, and Olivia filling them in more a little on her upbringing and background and those who were in her family; Mikki was also feeding Amelia a bottle before they were due to head out soon for dinner.
"You should have invited your brother and his girlfriend to come out for dinner, if they live that close" said Sebastian, looking to Olivia after she told them that one of her older brother, Hartley who was five years older than her and lived with his girlfriend, in Columbia; and that her and Roderick would then be staying at their place after having dinner.
"They've gone away for the weekend, as Pip's working tonight and her job can sometimes involve travel" replied Olivia, with a smile to Sebastian. "And they won't be back until mid morning tomorrow" she continued as Sebastian gave a small nod. "So when I told them, Rod and I were coming to see you, they said it was okay for us to spend the evening there so we didn't have to drive back tonight"
"Well next time, when you come down" said Mikki, looking to Olivia also. "Make it when they're available and we'll all go out for dinner together"
"Sure, yeah sounds like a nice idea" said Olivia, with a smile to her. "I think you'd like them both"
"So you've not met them yet, Rod?" asked Sebastian, looking to his brother in law; and Roderick looked to him shaking his head.
"No, but tomorrow before we head back" he replied, as Sebastian looked to him. "I'll meet them then"
"Well it can't be any worse than getting to know my brothers when you first met them" said Sebastian, as Roderick gave a laugh along with Mikki; who put Amelia's bottle down on the coffee table and then proceeding to pat her daughter on the back to make sure she expelled air, if needing.
"I don't know, I think Harts can be quite annoying sometimes" said Olivia, with a small laugh also.
"It's a built in thing, I think" said Sebastian, looking to her with a nod. "That all older brothers have to be a pain in the ass" he continued, as a "Hello" sounded from outside the living room, and Sebastian gave a small sigh. "Speaking of said older brother, it's here now"
"Yeah, what's that?" asked Jeremy, as he walked into the living room and hearing what Sebastian had said.
"We were just talking about older brothers" he replied, looking to them with a smile. "And what annoying pains they can be"
"You know I can head on home, if you want to start the name calling" said Jeremy, with a smile to him. "And then you have to take Amelia out for dinner with you" he continued, as he took a seat in the spare chair in the living room. "So, pick your words wisely Bash"
"Ummm, super awesome amazing brother who is being really nice to look after Millie for a few hours" said Sebastian, with a smile to him and Jeremy nodded.
"Hmm, much better" he replied, with a laugh and then looked to Olivia. "So you must be Olivia?" he asked, as Olivia looked to him with a nod. "Yeah, I'm Jeremy" he continued, with a smile to her. "Seb's older much better looking, much more intelligent brother"
"Oh, whatever you reckon" said Mikki, with a laugh and Jeremy looked to her with a smile. "Just do us a favor and take Millie for me" she continued, as Jeremy looked to her with a nod as she stood from her chair. "So I can go and get something else beside this top on, which now has spit up on it"
"Sure, yeah of course" replied Jeremy, with a nod as Mikki passed Amelia to him, and he looked to her with a smile, as Mikki then headed upstairs to change. "Just you and me tonight, Mills" he said, looking to as Amelia looked to him. "We'll watch a bit of sport, and then when you go to sleep. I'll hack into your parents Netflix, and find something to watch there"
"Don't you think Netflix, and something bright and colorful will be more enticing for Millie?" asked Sebastian, looking to his brother with a laugh. "And not sport?" he continued, and Jeremy looked to him shaking his head.
"If I have to watch any more kids tv shows, I'm going to go mad" he replied, with a laugh. "Paw Patrol overkill, I'm telling you" he continued shaking his head. "Nath and Lukey love it"
"Are they your boys?" asked Olivia, and Jeremy looked to her with a nod.
"Yeah, they're four and one" replied Jeremy, with a small sigh. "So that and Thomas and Sesame Street. I need some adult tv" he continued. "And hence why I said to Seb and Mikki, I'd look after Millie tonight as to have a kid tv free night and make my wife suffer"
"Such a lovely human being" said Sebastian, with a laugh as Jeremy looked to him with a nod and smile.
"Believe me, you'll be thinking soon" he said, with a laugh also. "Too much Barbie, too much My Little Pony, and whatever else Millie will start watching"
"Ohh, I use to love My Little Pony" said Olivia, with a laugh, and Jeremy looked to her; rolling his eyes. "But my brother Zach, he cut all the hair on the ponies I had, and I was so upset"
"Aren't you glad, you weren't born a girl now Bash" said Jeremy, with a laugh and looking to him. "Because that's totally something Dyl and I would have done to your toys"
"Hmm, you just instead told me scary stories instead" said Sebastian, looking to him and Jeremy nodded with a laugh.
"Yep, yingflay onkeysmay" he replied as Sebastian looked to him shaking his head; and Olivia looked on slightly confused as to what was actually being said, and Roderick leaned into whisper in her ear what they were talking about, and then eliciting an "Ohhhh" reply from her and a small nod before she looked to Sebastian.
"I was never fond of it that movie either" she said, as Sebastian looked to her with a nod. "I always felt sad that Dorothy couldn't stay there"
"Yeah, my problems as Rod seems to have just told you about with that movie" said Sebastian, with a small sigh. "Came about because of an older brother who thought it be funny to tell me what he did"
"Uh huh" replied Olivia, with a nod. "Don't worry, I won't make any mention of it"
"Thanks" replied Sebastian, with a nod as Mikki came back into the living room; having changed tops and also freshened up too her make up as well, and Sebastian looked to his wife. "Ready now?" he asked and Mikki looked to him with a nod.
"Yeah" she replied, with a smile to him as he stood from the chair he was sitting in, and she looked to Jeremy. "Spare bottles are on the counter, formula ration written on top of the tin" she said and Jeremy looked to her with a nod. "And she'll probably go down pretty soon for sleep anyway, since it's almost six o'clock"
"I think I've done this before Mouse" replied Jeremy, with a small laugh. "So go out and have a nice evening without stressing" he continued, as Mikki looked to him with a nod. "I totally got this"
"Just call us, if any problems" said Sebastian, looking to his brother and Jeremy looked to him with a smile.
"There won't be" he said, shaking his head. "Millsy and I, we're going to be okay"
"I think it's just natural for them to be wanting to worry though" said Roderick, who had also stood with Olivia from where they'd be seated. "And it is you, so you know I can see why they'd be worried"
"Oh you're so hilarious Padawan" said Jeremy, with a smile to him. "Keep trying, you'll get there one day"
"Yeah" replied Roderick, with a laugh also, and after saying goodbye to him along with Olivia also as well; since they'd be going from the restaurant to her brother's place for the evening, left Mikki and Sebastian's house to go and have dinner together.
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Spending the night at Olivia's brother and his girlfriend's place, the next day they waited for the two of them to get back from the trip the other couple had taken, for that of Pip's work; and were sitting in the living room of the house. The two of them talking, when they heard voices, and Olivia looked to Roderick with a smile.
"That'll be Harts and Pip" she said, as Roderick gave a nod; both of them standing from the sofa as Olivia's brother and his girlfriend came into the living room.
"Hey Livvy" said Hartley, with a smile to his younger sister, and she going over to him and the two of them hugging. "Hope you and your boyfriend behaved here last night" he continued, as Olivia looked to him with a frown. "Don't want to be ringing up mom or dad now, and having to tell on you"
"You're such a dick, Harts" said Olivia, looking to him and shaking her head and then back to Roderick. "So yeah, this is my dork of a brother"
"Hi, nice to meet you" said Roderick, stepping forward and holding out his hand to him. "Roderick"
"Hey man" replied Hartley, accepting his outstretched hand and shaking it. "Hartley" he continued with a nod. "Nice to finally meet you, after hearing Livvy talk about you so much"
"Yeah same" replied Roderick with a small laugh.
"Uh huh" said Harley, with a small laugh and nod also. "And this is my girlfriend, Pip" he continued, indicating to the blonde next to him and Roderick looked to her with a small smile.
"Hi, it's nice to meet you" she said, as Roderick gave a nod. "And it's actually Patty, but for some reason Pip has kind of just become something they've all taken to calling me now"
"Umm, well yeah it's nice to meet you, Patty or Pip" said Roderick, with a small laugh. "I'm not sure what you would like me to call you"
"Either is fine" replied Patty, with a smile to him. "However, I feel as if I know you from somewhere"
"Maybe Rod was at a wedding you photographed, Pip" said Olivia, and Patty looked to her with a nod.
"Possibly" said Patty, and looked back to Roderick. "Have you attended any weddings lately?"
"Yeah, two" replied Roderick, with a nod. "Two of my older sisters they got married, both here in South Carolina" he continued, as Patty gave a nod. "Marley got married first and then Mikki a few months later"
"Marley" said Patty, looking to him her eyes slightly widening. "She was from San Francisco, and got married here, because she's from South Carolina"
"Yeah, that's right" replied Roderick, with a nod. "She still lives over there"
"I know, yeah" said Patty, giving a laugh. "My little sister Hannah, is one of her best friends and was also one of her bridesmaids"
"You were the photographer for Marley's wedding?" asked Olivia, as Patty looked to her with a nod. "Okay, that's just so coincidental"
"Yeah" said Hartley, looking to Patty. "Didn't you say Pip, that the wedding that your sister was a bridesmaid at" he continued, as Patty looked to him. "That the guy who you dated for a few months, he was going to be there also?" he asked, as Patty gave a nod. "And you wanted to know if I was okay with you doing it"
"That's the one, yeah" replied Patty, with a small sigh and looked to Roderick. "I actually know, Sebastian" she continued, as Roderick looked to her. "He and I dated for a short time, whilst your sister was also living in San Francisco"
"Okay, yeah wow, I know Seb did date someone else" said Roderick, with a small nod. "And it is kind of freaky, that you're now dating Liv's brother, who I am dating" he continued, as Patty gave a nod. "And also probably a good thing you were busy last night, since when we told Mik and Seb that we'd be staying here; they said we should have invited you and Hartley along as well for dinner"
"That would have been rather awkward" said Hartley, with a small laugh. "Not knowing, who you were and also your family"
"I guess, though if we ever did do that next time Rod and I were to come down for the weekend" said Olivia, with a smile to her brother. "We'd be able to give Rod's sister and brother in law a little warning about it, and just how you know them Pip"
"Uh huh" replied Patty, with a small smile to her. "Just so weird that you would end up with the brother of my ex boyfriend's wife" she continued, with a nod. "Although weirder things have happened, so I'm not finding this at all strange to be honest"
"What other weird things?" asked Hartley, looking to his girlfriend and Patty turned to him with a laugh.
"Hannie and Blaine" she said, as Hartley gave a nod; and she looked to Roderick. "Blaine, being the guy your sister dated for a little while in San Francisco" she continued, as Roderick gave a small nod. "He's now with my little sister, Hannah, and living with her in fact"
"I know Marls said something about her friend, dating Mikki's ex" replied Roderick, and Patty looked to him as did the other two. "Just wasn't aware it was that serious with them" he continued. "Because honestly that guy didn't seem the type to be wanting to settle down when he was with my sister"
"Or maybe, it was your sister who wasn't wanting that" said Patty, with a small smile to him. "Because she was still hanging on to the idea of being with Sebastian"
"Yeah, I think so" replied Roderick, with a nod. "And I mean this in no offence to you, because I really don't know you" he continued, as the other three looked to him. "But I couldn't have ever seen my sister or Seb even, with anyone else but each other"
"Uh huh, well you know what I think" said Hartley, speaking up and looking to the other three with a smile. "We should go and get some lunch" he continued, with a nod. "Before Roderick and Livvy have to head back home, and we can talk more over that"
"Sounds like a good idea" said Olivia, with a smile to her brother; and the four of them headed out to get some lunch, before Roderick and Olivia headed back home after spending the weekend with some each of their families.
End Note : And yet, another twist in this ongoing connected up saga of mine. Olivia's brother's girlfriend, is in fact, Patty; who at one point was dating Sebastian, whilst Mikki was in San Francisco dating Blaine, who is now dating Hannah, who is the younger half sister of Patty!
If you're confused, I don't at all blame you - think how confused I get! So many notebooks, and story planners for characters and plot lines, and twists; that when I was sitting trying to figure out Olivia's brother's names and also who they were with if dating anyone - she has two older brothers who have a wife, in the case of the oldest not yet mentioned one, and Hartley is dating Patty; and also a younger brother who has just started college, and doesn't at the moment have someone as such in his life.
But when I was sitting plotting, the crazy part of my brain kicked into overdrive, and thought let's make another twist of irony in this, and have one day Patty be the brother in law of Roderick.
Anyway, thanks always for reading and I will catch you again with another update on something soon.
Love always,
KJ xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo