Alright. Back again. Here we go.

Nekura Ookami: There you are! I missed your reviews!

S/o to jodieriot for the favorite and follow!

Enjoy!

Song for this chapter - lovesick ~ postu

California

~Raph's POV~

"Has she texted yet?"

"No Mikey, will you stop asking!?" I yelled, pushing his face away from mine. Lilly has been texting me as much as she can. Last time she texted me, she was about three hours away from landing. I couldn't sleep so I'm awake with Mikey being the only one for company because he can't sleep either without knowing if Lilly called.

"She told me she'd text and she hasn't. I'm worried." He said with a childlike pout.

"She's..." I sighed because I was worried too. But whenever she's away from me, I'm always worried I don't know why. "I'm sure she's fine. She probably just fell asleep on the plane or something."

"Or maybe the plane went down." Mikey said before latching onto my arm. "Call her! Call her! Please! I need to know if she's okay."

I shrugged his arm off, "Quit overreacting. I'm not supposed to call when the plane is in the air."

"Why not?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. Messes up with the radios or something." It's been a couple hours, and I can't sleep. I don't know how I'm gonna be able to handle three weeks. It was different when all I had to do was run a couple blocks to see her… Man, I wish I could fly with normal people.

"Are you worried?" Mikey asked.

I narrowed my eyes at him, "What do you mean 'am I worried'?"

"Remember that movie that took place in California and all the people with long hair were like…doing stuff with a whole bunch of attractive people."

"That movie was made in like…the 60's Mikey. Things are different now."

"Yeah, the people are more attractive."

"Shut up." I snapped. "No, I am not worried."

"Good, 'cause I don't think you should. Lilly looks at you like you just saved her, but like…all the time." Mikey said with a sigh.

I crossed my arms over my chest and tried to hold my smile in. I cleared my throat, "You think?"

"Totally. Kinda jealous of you two…" he looked over at the tv and slid down to the floor.

I finally smiled, "Really?"

He nodded, "Yeah… I'm not smart enough to have a girlfriend."

"Sure you are. As long as you don't get a smart girl you'll be fine…" I joked, clapping him on the shoulder. When he didn't say anything in return I suddenly regretted ever making that joke. "Hey…" I said, leaning forward. "I was just kidding. Any girl would be lucky to be with you."

"A girl like Lilly?" He asked.

I moved back, caught off guard from the question. I shifted in my seat, trying to process the question. A girl 'like' Lilly didn't necessarily mean Lillian. I opened my mouth to ask him to…elaborate, but my phone cut me off. Both Mikey and I looked at my cell that was right next to me before I quickly grabbed it.

"Hello?"

"Hey! You're awake? What are you doing up? Isn't it like 7:30 over there?" Lilly asked.

"6 and I didn't sleep. Did you land?"

"Yup, everything went fine. Had about 10 panic attacks."

"Only 10. Hey, you're improving."

Lilly laughed, "I know, huh?"

~Lilly's POV~

"We landed probably about 20 or 30 minutes ago, right now we're heading to pick up our suitcases." I explained. "Why didn't you sleep?"

"Um.. Because my girlfriend is all the way on the other side of country and not right down the block, like usual." He explained.

I smiled, my heart fluttering in my chest. Barry and my mother were already heading down the escalator, while Ian and Christine we trying to fix whatever they had going on behind me. "Awe, you do care…"

"Hi Lilly!" I heard Mikey yell. "Give me that!"

"Hey Mikey, sorry I didn't call you first."

"It's okay, I forgive you. Raph was over here all shaky, worrying about your plane going down." Mikey said.

"Mikey…" Raph growled in the back ground.

I chuckled softly. My attention was grabbed by the old man in a suit with salt and pepper hair at the bottom of the escalator who had a sign that said 'Anderson'. He was shaking Barry and my mother's hands. Barry pointed up in our direction and the man nodded.

He met me at the bottom of the escalator, "Good morning, Miss Aguilar. Shall I take your bag to the car?"

I held onto my bag and eyed him suspiciously, "Who are you?"

Barry smiled, "Lillian, this is Vincent. He has been my family's Butler ever since I was a kid."

I raised a brow, "Butler?" I shook my head slowly. He looked like he was about 70 years old, maybe younger but not by much. "I'm okay thanks…"

"Lilly?" Mikey asked.

"Sorry Mikey, give me a second." I said before pulling the phone away from my face. "A butler?"

"I've cared for Master Bartholomew since he was a little one. His parents were always so busy." Vincent told me with a warm smile on his face. "I was very pleased to hear from Bartholomew that he was coming back to California with an entire family of his own. My warmest welcomes to you and you're loved ones. Your family is mine."

I smiled, "Thank you, Vincent. You're very nice."

Barry chuckled, pulling my mother close to him. "Please Vincent, call me Barry."

Vincent nodded at Barry before turning his attention to Ian and Christine behind me.

I shook my head from the realization just how much money Barry's family actually had if they can afford a butler. "Mikey?" I said, putting the phone back against my ear.

"Is it hot over there?" He asked.

"Actually, I'm still in the airport and its about 2 in the morning here so it's not that hot."

"In the movies it always hot."

"Oh movies aren't always accurate, Mikey." I said.

"Yeah. Well, I'm happy to hear your voice. Your boyfriend looks like he wants to kill me so I'll pass you onto him and go to bed."

"Awe, Mikey… You didn't sleep either." I held a hand to my heart.

"Nah girl! I needed to know you were safe before I got some shut eye. But now that you're on the ground, I can get some beauty rest. But, I expect to have my phone blown up when I wake up."

I chuckled, "Of course. But don't get mad if I fall asleep. It's impossible to fall asleep with those engines on the plane."

"You good, sis. Bye."

"Give me that. And quit taking my phone out of my hands whenever Lillian calls or I'll beat you with your own shell." Raph threatened. "Hey babe,"

I'm always amazed at how Raph can switch from mean and tough to soft and loving so quickly. "Leave him alone, he cares."

"Yeah, a little too much of you ask me."

I rolled my eyes, heading over to the round about thing and waited for it to start. "Oh shush, he's like my brother."

"You know he said he wanted a girlfriend like you." Raph said.

I snorted, "No he didn't."

"I swear, he did. He told me he was jealous of us."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I don't think he likes you though."

"Raph you think everyone likes me." I said, rolling my eyes.

"I just don't want anyone taking what's mine."

I couldn't help but smile. His? He's always calling me his. "Your brothers don't want me. They're my brothers."

Ian pushed my arm, "Is that Raph?" He asked. When I nodded he grabbed my hand. "Hey Raph, sorry I couldn't say bye!"

I pulled my phone away from him. "Was that Ian?" Raph asked.

"Yeah." I suddenly gasped when I remembered something. "Raph, I have some shit to tell you." I whispered, getting as far away from Ian as I could."

"Girl, spill." Raph chuckled.

I smiled, "Okay, so remember when I told you I was hoping Christine and Ian would get together?"

Raph paused for a while, I figured it was because he didn't remember. "No… Are they?"

"No but they fucked."

"Oh…ew."

"That's what I said! Anyways, turns out, things got serious which apparently freaked Chris out and now Ian is trying to save whatever relationship they have."

"Why did Chris…Oh wait, that's right. She hasn't been in a relationship since her kid died."

"Yeah, but here's where things get…weird." I looked to see if Ian was paying attention to me. Again, he was talking to Christine who seemed completely uninterested in the conversation. The baggage claim began to move around so I had to cut off the conversation with Raph. "I think Ian is in love with the girl."

"How do you know?"

"Well, I can always tell when Ian likes a girl. I think he loves her because he didn't deny it when I asked him but…I'm a hundred percent sure." I turned around when I heard the suitcases slamming against the giant steel merry-go-round. I sighed, "Raph, I gotta go. But I'll take to you tonight. We're about to get our suitcases."

Raph groaned, "Okay…"

"After I get some rest, and you get some too, I'll call you. I think we're going to stay over at Barry's parent's place in San Francisco. Apparently they own a couple."

"Jesus, a couple houses? In California? This is the type of money he was hiding from you guys. Unbelievable."

"Apparently. I'll call you later. I promise."

"I…okay." Raph said with a sigh. "Was kinda hoping you'd call and we'd get to talk more but…two minutes is fine I guess."

I frowned, "I know, I know. But you need sleep and I have to help with the suitcases so my mom doesn't stain herself. I mean, I know she's not that far along but still." I explained, making my way back over Ian who seemed to have given up on having a conversation with Christine.

"You don't have to explain. I get it. I just… Yeah, call me as soon as you get the chance."

I smiled sadly, "Bye." I hung up the phone, clutching it in my hands. Jesus, I can't even get through a call without forcing tears down. This vacation or whatever it is needs to go by as quick as possible. I cursed before going back over to where everyone. "So," I started, Ian's attention snapping towards me. "Where are we sleeping tonight?"

Ian pointed over at Barry, "Master Bartholomew over there refuses to go over to his parents house and won't tell anyone why. His butler is going to help us with the bags and drive us to a local Four Seasons."

"Four Seasons? So we have to share rooms?"

"Ladies in one room, men in the other. Two rooms with two beds and bathroom and living room. Barry seems like he has some skeletons in the closet." Ian said with a shrug.

"He doesn't want to take any money from his parents." Christine said, grabbing a suitcase of the baggage claim. "Aniya told me his parents want to pay for the wedding but anything else he does not want anything to do with it."

I blinked, "Really? A little hypocritical don't you think? Pay for my expensive wedding but don't buy me lunch?" I said, grabbing one of my suitcases when I saw them.

Ian nodded, "Hey, if there is going to be a big wedding and someone is offering to pay the bill, I would jump on that offer in a second." He grabbed his own suitcase. "I mean, Barry has a big job, but it's not like he works on wall street."

"Yeah, but his paycheck still isn't bad too look at. Four bedroom home and a backyard? In New York?" Christine scoffed. "No wonder people think he bought his way to the top."

"Do you think he did?" I asked, just wanting anyone to answer. I don't really care if he did or not but I'd like to think he is a good cop.

Ian shook his head, "Nah, Barry would ooze corruption if he bought his position, I think. Its just his attitude towards money is so…nonchalant that he almost seems uninterested in how much things cost. He doesn't throw his money around, he just pays what he has to pay. You know?"

"Money is nothing to a rich kid like Barry." Christine added. "I don't think he bought his way to being commissioner because he cares about his reputation, but I do think he's getting money from somewhere."

I snapped my fingers, "Maybe he has a side job doing something that involves the governments interest in mutants and stuff. Maybe that's why."

"Would explain a lot." Ian nodded, grabbing one of my bags as they came through. I watched Barry's butler from afar, who was pulling these big baggages out all while telling my mother to relax. Barry smiled at her in a way that made me swear...it was the same smile my father had whenever he'd look at my mother. "Maybe he's working with the CIA or the pentagon. That'd be kinda cool. Maybe it has something to do with the aliens and that's why he can't talk about it because...well you know how the government is with the aliens. Touchy...subject... Lillian?"

I blinked and looked away from Barry and my mother for a moment. "Sorry," I said. Ian just shrugged me off and continued grabbing all the bags. Hmm... "Ian?"

"¿Que paso?" He asked, rolling one of Christine's bags to her. He gave her a handsome smile while she just smiled shyly before grabbing her bag and scooting away from him.

"Do you think it's possible to fall in love so quickly?" I motioned over to my mother when he stared at me oddly. Probably confused by the sudden subject change.

He looked over and smiled in amusement. I could swear he saw the same thing I saw. "I think your mom and Barry are two adults who know what they're doing. And when it comes to love...if it's with the right person, anything is possible." His eyes shifted at Christine for a split second before he snapped himself away from her and stared back at the baggage claim. "You got all your bags?"

I nodded, "You?"

"Still need mine, but it'll come around."

The next morning…

"What time are we supposed to be there?" I asked my mother, dragging the eyeliner across my top lid very quickly.

"Barry told me around 4 o'clock." My mother said, fixing her hair. The mirror in this bathroom was crazy big, all three of us could use it at the same time.

"Isn't it weird that you have to basically make an appointment to meet your fiancé's parents?" Christine asked, sitting on the closed toilet seat as she typed something on her phone.

"It's not an appointment, they're busy people. They're simply taking time off from their busy schedules to meet us." My mother explained.

"That sounds like an appointment to me." Chris mumbled.

"Why do I have to meet them? They're just a bunch of entitled rich people." I sighed, finishing my liner.

My mother sighed, "We don't know that yet. They could be nice people."

"Sure…" I said. "If controlling your son so much he had to become a police man and move across the country is considered 'nice', then sure."

My mother snorted, "What?" She laughed as if I were joking. "Who told you that's why Barry became a police man?"

Oh, was I not supposed to say that? "I thought he already told…"

"He told me once that he didn't like to talk about his parents so I never bothered him about because I hate my parents." She suddenly gasped. "Fuck, I haven't thought about my parents."

Christine blew a raspberry, "Fuck them. Why should you even think about our parents?"

"Because despite all the stuff they've done, or haven't, doesn't mean we can't invite them."

"I beg to differ." I scoffed. "If you're parents didn't like dad, what makes you think they're going to like Barry?"

My mother frowned, "Well..."

"Barry's a rich white guy. It's what her dad wanted." Chris stated before getting up from the toilet.

"What? That's why they didn't like dad?" I shook my head, tucking my make up in my make up bag. "Fuck him. Don't invite him."

Chris nodded, "I've decided to willingly forget I ever had parents. You should too."

"Yeah, he always gave Ian a hard time too. Said Ian was corrupting our young pure minds." My mother sighed.

"It was all racist bullshit. I had a fucking kid for Christ sake and you and Tony were banging like bunnies." She walked out of the bathroom.

I gagged, "Ok...ew." I said before taking my things and walked out behind her. "Speaking of Ian..." I said going over to the bed I had to share with my mother. "You and him are getting kinda close, huh?"

Christine groaned, "Aniya,"

"What? He's like her brother, and you two weren't exactly hiding it." My mother said, coming out of the bathroom. "She asked so I told her."

Christine let her head fall before she raised her hand, "Do not make this a big deal."

"What do you mean? I couldn't be more happy about you two." I said with a smile.

"I don't care if you're happy or not. There's nothing to be happy about okay?"

I frowned, "Do you not like him?"

Chris glared at me instead of answering.

My mother came up behind her and hugged her, "Of course she does, that's the problem. She's so fucked up she doesn't know how to process any of her feelings."

That's a little harsh. Christine scoffed, clearing insulted. "Thanks, Ann... Real nice."

"Ian's the only guy that knows about your past and doesn't care. Those guys are hard to fine. And you're the only girl that's ever treated him with love." I said. In a way, Ian and Raph are similar. Both are really nice and don't judge, only difference is Raph isn't nice at first and that's what threw me off about him at first. He was a total dick. I didn't even want to be around him. Now, I have to. I also have to call him soon.

Chris pulled my mother's arms off of her and groaned again almost as if she were in pain. "I care about Ian. Okay? I do. I have since I was a little girl. Before Brian. After Brian…" She rubbed her face and sighed. "I haven't been in a relationship since Brian so I don't really know what…I'm supposed to do."

"What did you do when you were with this Brian guy?" I asked, putting on my shoes.

"Got pregnant… Don't really feel like doing that ever again." She said with a frown. "I don't know. I don't know…"

"You seemed really happy when he came back." I stated.

Christine sat down, smiling softly as she shut her eyes. "When he came back his hair was so short and he was so tan…and tall. Way different then the last time I saw him."

"When was the last time you saw him?" I asked.

"Before she ran away." My mother answered.

"What? How old was he, like 16?"

Christine nodded, "Just about I think…maybe younger. About a week after he came back, he came over my house to drop off the new shipment of hair extensions I told you to give to me." She told my mother. "He said I haven't aged a day and that lead to us talking about the past…" She sighed. "He brought up all the nice memories…nothing but nice memories and then he said something I will never forget."

My mother smiled at her sister, "Mm?"

"He said I was too pretty to be with someone as boring as Brian." She laughed.

"What did you say?" I asked.

Christine smirked at me, "We didn't really say much after that…we just made noises."

It took me a while to actually understand what she was talking about. I gasped before I gagged, "Oh ew!" I covered my mouth. "I mean awe, but ew."

Chris rolled her eyes, "Yeah whatever. I have needs and he offered to satisfy them."

"It's not like it was the first time, Lillian." My mother told me.

"Well…we never had sex before. When we were kids we would just fool around, do what kids do. Nothing was inserted anywhere."

I stood up, "Shut up. I get it you two have sex. Now just be his girlfriend and be quiet."

"See that's the problem. I don't know if I want to be his girlfriend." Christine said. "I don't think I can."

~Raph's POV~

"So what are you doing now?" I asked.

"We're about to meet the in-laws right now. Still don't know why Ian and Chris get to stay at the hotel but here we are…" Lillian said.

"Whoa whoa whoa, hotel? I thought you were staying at Barry's house?" I held my phone with my should for a brief moment, just so I could open the door to my room. I just got back from fighting a ghost who wanted to posses April and her friend. So all I want to do now is talk to Lillian and sleep.

"Well, apparently, Barry doesn't want to accept any help from his parents."

I threw myself onto my bed, "But they're paying for the wedding? A little hypocritical."

"That's what I said! Those are almost my exact words." Lilly shouted.

I smiled, "Where are you now?"

"Well, our hotel is in this suburb called Millbrae, so it's like a 20 minute drive to where we're going right now. I'd say we're about 10 minutes away." She explained, I just listened even if I had no idea what she's talking about.

"So I get 10 minutes to speak to you? Awesome…" I said sarcastically. I wanted to video call her but she texted me saying that she'd just voice call me instead.

"I'm sorry but I'm gonna be busy for awhile and I don't know about you but I'd rather have 10 minutes of a phone call a day than no phone call at all."

"I know, I know… I just want to see you, I want to talk to you for hours even if you have nothing to say. Kinda sucks that we can't…do that." I sighed, feeling a little embarrassed that I actually said all that.

Lillian chuckled, "You're so cheesy. I love it." I felt my chest warm up at the sound of that word coming out of her mouth. "So, what did you do today?"

I opened my mouth to tell her about this whole ghost thing, but I then closed it when I remembered Ian's words. 'If that means you have to stop talking about yourself completely, fine but keep her out of it.' I just sighed, "Actually, it's been pretty uneventful. Patrolling every night, training in the morning…doing everything I can to get you out of my mind."

"Oh stop it with the cheesiness." She joked.

"You bring it out in me." I took out my sia and began twirling it. "Did you get enough sleep?"

"I slept until 12 in the afternoon so I think so. You?"

"I had to wake up and train but knowing you were on land, I guess I slept the best I could."

She groaned, "I'm gonna get diabetes if you keep saying sweet shit like that."

"I can't help it! It's literally word vomit. I can't stop it." I laughed. "Someone has to be cheesy in this relationship because you're not going to."

"Hey," She chuckled. "I can be it's just seems cliché."

"It is! But who cares? Only you and I get to hear it." Lillian's pride sometimes gets in the way of her even saying that she loves me. But the only thing that stops me from getting mad is that I already know she does. I can just tell. She doesn't even have to say it.

"It's weird." She giggled.

"Weird? That I'm showing you affection?"

"Weird seeing you so affectionate with only me."

"Well, 'cause I'm in love with only you."

She was silent for a moment before sighing, "Oh my god, you're…"

I smiled amusingly, "I'm what?"

She giggled, "You're...my baby."

"I am. And you're mine."

"I am? I'm glad." I could practically hear her beautiful smile. These three weeks aren't going to go by as fast as I wanted to. Listening to her, and hearing her laugh made me realize just how much I'm going to hate this.

"Okay let's stop before I get mad at the fact that I can't see you right now."

"Okay." She suddenly gasped. "Let me give you an update on this Christine and Ian dilemma." She said. "I talked to Chris and she told me that everything is true basically and that she cares about Ian as well."

"That's great! Now they're together and it's a happily ever after."

"Well see, that's the sad part. Christine said that she doesn't know if she actually wants to be his girlfriend. Her last relationship was with the father of her child…so I guess I kinda understand."

"Well, maybe it was just a one time thing. Maybe it wasn't meant to be."

She sighed, "Yeah, I know. It sucks because Ian has always been into her. But one: it's none of my business and two: I can't force her into anything and I won't because I know Ian wouldn't want her to be with him if she didn't want to 100%."

"Well, don't stress yourself about this. They're both adults and I'm sure they'll figure it out."

"Yeah, no, I know. But if they don't end up together..." She sighed. "What can you do?" She paused for a quick moment and I suddenly felt my heart drop. I groaned softly, knowing what was coming. "Okay Raph… We're here… Holy crap this house is huge."

I forced myself to chuckle, "Alright babe, call me when you can. I love you."

"Okay, love you too."

"Hey..." I gasped playfully. "You actually said it back."

"Yeah yeah, goodbye."

I laughed, "Bye babe." When she hung up the phone…I probably have never felt that sad before.

~Lilly's POV~

"Jesus, how do you not go crazy in this place. Its so big…" I said.

My mother turned around and glared at me, "You and that smart mouth need to chill out today. Okay? Just for today." She begged.

Barry gave my other's hand a little tap, "Relax sweetheart, let Lillian be Lillian."

"Oh Bartholomew!" A sudden voice rang throughout the house. "Oh my Barry, is that you?"

Barry put on a fake smile, "Yes mother, it's me."

I saw this elderly woman with shoulder length straight blonde hair. She was dressed in a white pantsuit and the way she walked down the stair was almost like she was gracefully in a rush. She walked over to us but stopped when she saw my mother and I. "Oh…hello…" Why is she surprised? Did she not look at her appointment book? "You must be Aniya." She gave her hand to my mother who gently took it.

"Mrs. Anderson, it's a pleasure to meet you. Barry has told me nothing but good things about you and your husband." My mother said with hopeful yet terrified smile.

I looked over at Barry, wanting to grab his and ask him if he told my mother the truth about anything but I couldn't because I was next. "I'm Lillian." I said holding out my hand.

Barry's mother jumped back for a bit before she grabbed my hand gently. "Oh…hello." She chuckled. "Its…its lovely to meet you." She turned her attention to Barry, "Oh sweetie, you haven't called me in months. You work so close to your father and he hasn't heard a word from you either. How have you been? You look so skinny, have you eaten anything? Oh you must be exercising like crazy. You have to keep your looks up you know. You are the commissioner."

Barry sighed at his mothers rambling, "Where's dad?"

She waved her hand, "Oh he'll be here any minute. Of course, come sit. Let's talk!" She wrapped her arms around Barry's arm, the hand that was holding my mothers no less, and practically dragged Barry over to this living room. The first thing that caught my eyes was the view of the bay. There was a big swimming pool and a balcony that must have costed more than my entire existence.

"Mother," Barry took his arm out of his mother's grip. "We're just here to talk about the wedding arrangements, nothing more."

"Of course…" She looked over at my mother. "Come then, I have a whole bunch of things you should look at. All you have to do is tell me what you like and don't like."

My mother hesitantly followed Barry's mother into the living room. I grabbed Barry's hand and tugged him away before he walked with them. "You never told my mother how horrible your mother is?"

Barry shushed me, "No, I haven't. I don't want to make your mother worry. I'll tell her after everything."

"You selfish-" I growled, my hand automatically punching him in the arm. I don't know what happened, my muscle just acted on itself. "You're going to tell my mother everything now. Not after you guys are married. When we get back to the hotel. Or I will."

"Lillian," Barry grunted in a father tone.

"No. I really want to like you, but everything you do is forcing me to hold off on giving you my total support. I'm done with the secrets." I growled at him. "I'm done." I walked off to where my mother was, leaving Barry alone with his mouth open but his voice silent. I really didn't mean to hit him but I'm sick of having the same conversation over and over again and when my mother's feelings are at stake, I will not take any chances.

We spent about three hours just talking about the wedding. My mother was going to be fitted tomorrow for a Dior wedding dress and Barry was going to get a suit with Ian and his father. There was going to be a live band, bunch of tables for a bunch of people I didn't know. Photographers, waiters, bartenders at a place they had already rented out. So much stuff that I didn't care about.

I've been sitting here, texting Raph. But I think he fell asleep on me because it's been about 30 minutes since his last reply.

"Lillian, can you fit into a size 6?" I was suddenly asked.

I pulled myself away from the phone to look up that this woman, "I'm sorry?"

"Can you fit into a size 6? Or do you need a fitting tomorrow too?" She asked.

"Um...let's go with a fitting just to make sure." I said with an apprehensive smile. Why is she...never mind. Jesus, am I that big that she has to ask?

"Alright, but don't eat beforehand. When I go for a fitting, I always wait till after just so they can get an accurate size. You can manage right?" She smiled at me.

"Mother, she's a person not an animal." Barry defended. Somehow, that didn't help me feel better.

"I'll manage." That's the last time I talk. I swallowing a 'fuck you' right now.

The doorbell suddenly rang and the butler that was standing in the corner of the humongous white room when to it without a second thought.

Barry's mother smiled, "That must be your father." She handed my mother another picture of silverware. "Now these ones are going to be imported from Tokyo. Oh, have you ever been?"

No bitch. My mother shook her head, "I heard it's beautiful."

"Oh yes, just like New York City. But cleaner." She giggled like she made a clever joke. "I recommend these over the ones from England. Just because of the embroidery."

My mother really was not this type of person, "Whatever you think is best." She said with a smile.

A man in a suit suddenly walked into the room. My mother and I stood up for a moment... Wow, Barry looked exactly like his father. Except for the hair. Barry's father had white hair but both had the same build, Barry was more muscular, same chiseled jaw, Barry's was softer though, and same piercing blue eyes. "Don't get up, I'm not here for very long." He said with a deep, yet charismatic voice. "Son," He grabbed Barry's hand and shook it. "Last time I saw you, you were leaving for New York. Now I see you and you're getting married. Next time I see him, he's gonna have a kid." His father laughed, giving him a pat on the arm. He hasn't told his parents that my mother is pregnant?! "Judith,"

"Hi, Richard. How was your flight?" Barry's mom asked, staying where she was sat.

"Long, but worth it now that I get to see how beautiful Barry's wife to be is. Hello, sweetheart." He said coming over to my mother, he grabbed her hand and kissed it.

My mother smiled softly, "Hello, Mr. An-"

"Please, call me Richard." He looked at me, grabbing my hand to give it a kiss. At least someone is nice. "You must be Lillian. Hard to believe you're Aniya's daughter. You two seem like sisters you're so young." He laughed. "How old are you?"

"Almost 17." I said with a nervous smile.

"And how are the grades?"

"Pretty good."

"That's the only thing that matters at that age." He turned to Barry, "Let's take a walk around the pool for a moment. Shall we? I feel like we haven't seen each other in years." He said, putting his arm around Barry's shoulders.

"That's because we haven't, dad." Barry said.

His father laughed, "Oh right."

I watched Barry's mother watch them both until they were completely out of the room. Afterwards, she got up and went over to pour herself a drink. "Would you like a scotch?"

"No thank you." My mother said, looking back at the papers laid out on the small table in front of her.

"Oh..." Judith tossed her drink back before coming back over to us. "So, you love Barry?"

My mother and I blinked at each other before looking over at her. My mother nodded slowly, "I do."

Judith came over and sat down. "Mmhm... After two months?" She looked at my mother with a suspicious glare but before my mother could open her mouth, she continued. "Right, how much?"

"Um..." my mother was taken aback by her question. "I'm sorry? How much for what?"

"How much is it that you want? Because if it's money you want, we have plenty." I was about to speak up but this lady wouldn't let anyone get a word in. "I did my research as soon as Barry told me he was engaged and gave me your name. You were born in San Diego and you had Lillian with a man named Anthony Aguilar. He was older than you the he died. Years later you moved to New York and now you're not living so great, huh? Well, obviously that changed when my son came into the picture. He wants to get married to you so quickly? For what?"

"Excuse me, lady-" I began before my mother raised her hand to stop me.

"Lillian," she growled before putting on a smile for Judith. "I don't want his money."

"Oh please... You were living off of the government for the longest time. Money is all you people think about. That man... John?"

I stood up, "Imma stop you right there."

"Lillian," my mother grabbed my hand before pulling me down to sit. "Stop. Ma'am I can assure you I don't want your husbands money. Or yours. My past will haunt me, and I've learned to live with that. But Barry is the one to wanted to pursue a relationship, and then moving in with him, and then marriage. I wanted nothing of the sort. I don't want his money, I don't want his name. I want him. And you can't change that."

I wanted to say more to this woman. How about a fuck you bitch and move on but my mother wanted to be classy. Meh... oh Jesus, I really am turning into Raph. I have to calm down and reevaluate myself. I'm too violent and angry I don't like it.

My mother grabbed a picture and smiled, "I want these ones, and these and these. Everything else is really tacky for my taste. What do you think Lillian?"

"I like the lavender better than the beige one."

"Lavender it is."

This is going to be a long vacation...

See you in the next one!