A month later...

5:00pm, Ryan and Taylor's House

Ryan, Taylor and Emily were in the kitchen. Taylor was sitting at the kitchen table making up party bags for Emily's birthday party, with Emily sitting beside her in her highchair, while Ryan was on the phone with his mother.

"So, how are you and Greg going?" Ryan said into the phone.

"We're working things out," Dawn said. "We're seeing a marriage counsellor and she's a big help..."

"That's good. So you think you guys will be okay then?"

"I hope so," she smiled. "Things are going well at the moment so I'm hoping that that continues."

"Listen Mom," Ryan started, "I'm sorry I caused so much trouble between you and Greg-"

"Don't be silly Ryan, it's fine. You've apologized enough already," Dawn replied. There was a short pause between them before Dawn began talking again, "So are you and Taylor all ready for the big party tomorrow?"

"Mostly. There's a couple of things we have to do tomorrow morning but we're on top of it," he stated.

"Well Greg and I should be at your house at around 10:30am tomorrow, we've got an early flight in the morning," she replied. "Are you sure it's alright for us to stay with you tomorrow night? I mean after last time-"

"Yeah, it's fine. We've already got Taylor's mom staying with us"- Ryan made a face, receiving a glare from Taylor-"so two more people won't make a difference."

"Okay, if you're sure..."

"Yes we're sure."

"Ryan," Taylor called from the table. "Can I have the phone, I want to speak to Dawn."

"Hold on Mom, Taylor wants to talk to you," Ryan said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay, bye honey."

Ryan passed the phone over to Taylor, who began talking at a hundred miles per hour about the plans for the party, and went and removed Emily from her highchair and into his arms. After a few minutes, Taylor finished her conversation, said her goodbyes to Dawn and hung up the phone.

"Oh my God this is so exciting Ryan," Taylor grinned. "I can't believe Emily's going to be one tomorrow!"

"I know, she's growing up way to fast," he replied, kissing his daughter on the cheek.

"Before we know it, she'll be going to school, having sleepovers with her friends, bringing home boyfriends for us to meet-"

"Boyfriends?!" Ryan exclaimed. "There's no way I'm letting any guy touch her until she's at least 25."

"25! What, do you want her to become a nun or something?" Taylor laughed.

"No, I'd just prefer that she doesn't start dating until she's old enough to handle it."

"Oh please, how old were you when you had you're first girlfriend? 10 years old?"

"Actually, I was 12," Ryan corrected her with a smirk, "and besides, that's completely different."

"Why? Because she's a girl?" Taylor questioned him.

"No, because she's my girl and I don't want some teenage boy with way too many hormones corrupting her."

Taylor just laughed.

"What?" Ryan asked.

"Nothing, it's just Emily's only turning 1 tomorrow and we're already arguing about whether or not she should date," she explained

"Yeah, we should probably get through her first birthday before worrying about that."

"Good idea. We'll finish this conversation 10 to 15 years from now."

9:00am the next morning...

Ryan was outside hanging decorations when he heard the doorbell ring. With a sigh, he stepped down off the ladder he was standing on, already knowing who was at the door. Ryan went inside, taking as much time as he could, hoping the women would think no one was home and leave. Unfortunately, he reached the front door, then opened it with a fake smile plastered on his face, "Veronica, it's so nice to see you."

"Why thank you Ryan," she replied with an equally fake smile on her face. "I really wish I could say the same for you."

As Ryan stepped back to let his mother-in-law inside the house, he resisted the temptation to shut the door in her face. Instead, he just rolled his eyes at the comment. Ryan was used to Veronica Townsend's snide comments after years of being with Taylor and he now just dismissed whatever she said, not bothered to think up a clever come-back.

As Veronica wheeled her Louis-Vuitton suitcase through the front door she announced, "Now where's the birthday girl?"

"Taylor's upstairs dressing her right now," Ryan replied. "They should be down soon. Just wait a few-" he stopped when he realised Veronica had left her suitcase in the living room and was now making her way upstairs.

"Oh Ryan," Veronica said, turning around. "Be a dear and bring my suitcase upstairs. I'd like to stay in the spare bedroom at the end of the hall. Last time I was in the one next to Emily's bedroom and she kept me awake all night with her crying. I know she's probably gotten over the all-night crying phase by now but I'm not taking any chances, okay?"

Ryan just rolled his eyes, "Of course Veronica, whatever you say." He had learned over the years that it was best just to humour her.

"Well, go on," she gestured to the suitcase. "What are you waiting for? And be careful, that thing cost me 5000 dollars." She then turned and continued up the stairs. Ryan grabbed the suitcase (which seemed to have enough clothes in it for a month's stay, rather than overnight) and followed Veronica upstairs.

Taylor was just finishing doing her daughter's hair in pigtails, when Veronica barged into Emily's room. "Taylor!"

"Mom, hey," she smiled, as she received a hug from her mother.

Veronica stepped back and looked down at her daughter, "You know Taylor, I think you've put on a bit of weight since I last saw you."

The smile immediately disappeared off Taylor's face. "Of course I've put on weight, I'm pregnant remember? I called you a few weeks ago and told you..."

Veronica's face was blank for a moment before she finally replied, "Oh, yes now I remember. Sorry I've just been really pre-occupied lately with work and things." Taylor just nodded in reply. Veronica didn't seem to notice that she'd annoyed her daughter as she turned her attention to Emily, "There's my grand daughter!" She picked her up and hugged her.

Taylor just watched her mother interact with her daughter in disbelief. Veronica Townsend was cold and rude to the whole world, but when it came to Emily, the woman was completely smitten by her. She would send presents regularly from Newport, mainly things like expensive clothes and dolls. Taylor couldn't wait to see what Veronica had gotten Emily for her birthday. Probably something along the lines of a pony, Taylor thought to herself with a smirk, Or maybe she'll go one step further and just buy her an entire zoo.

"So, are you okay to keep an eye on Emily for the next hour or so," Taylor asked. "I've got to prepare a few more things for the party."

Veronica nodded, "Of course. I don't get to spend enough time with this gorgeous girl."

"Thanks Mom, I'll be downstairs if you need me," Taylor replied, starting to move towards the door.

"Oh I nearly forgot," Veronica announced just before Taylor made it to the door of Emily's bedroom. "Emily's present is waiting outside."

"Outside?" Ryan asked as he entered the room, overhearing the conversation. "How big is this thing?"

"Oh no, please don't tell me you actually went ahead and bought a pony," Taylor said worriedly.

"No, close but no," Veronica replied. "Follow me," she said, as she left the room carrying her grand daughter. Ryan and Taylor exchanged worried looks before following after her.

When they got to the front yard, Taylor's jaw dropped in disbelief at what was happily sitting tied to the front gate. "Oh...my...God." She looked up at her mother in disbelief, "Mom..."

"She got Emily a puppy?" Summer asked as she rocked her three-week-old son gently in her arms.

"Uh-huh," Taylor nodded, turning around from the kitchen bench on which she was preparing food for the party. "It's not that I mind my mother spoiling her, but I wish she would have asked us before she went and bought a puppy."

"How did she bring a dog on the plane anyway?" Kirsten asked.

"She didn't," she replied. "She bought it when she got here." Taylor sighed, "The last thing I needed right now is a dog. We already have Flapjacks and we have the baby coming in a few months..."

"So tell Veronica to take it back," Summer shrugged.

"I can't do that, Emily already loves that dog," Taylor protested. "And so does Ryan. You should've seen his face when he saw him."

"Really?" Summer questioned. "I didn't think that Ryan would be a dog person."

"Me either," Kirsten added as Summer gave the baby to her. "Hi Matthew," she said to the baby with a smile.

"Aw, he is so adorable," Taylor commented as the three women admired baby Matthew.

"I know," Kirsten agreed. "Look at his little nose and little fingers..."

"Ahhh, admiring my offspring are we?" Seth asked as he entered the kitchen. "Now that," he started, pointing to his son, "is good genes."

"Oh don't be so full of yourself Cohen," Summer smirked. "These are my 100 percent flawless genes. We're lucky neither of our children got your annoying and sarcastic genes."

"Don't insult my parents' genes like that Summer, especially not when my mother's in the room," Seth teased.

"That's not what I- I didn't mean-" she stammered to Kirsten. "Oh shut up Seth, I hate you."

"I love you too," he replied with a grin. Summer just gave him an evil look.

"Come on you two, no fighting on Emily's birthday," Kirsten announced.

A few moments later, Ryan and Veronica entered the kitchen. Ryan was carrying the puppy.

"Isn't he great?" Ryan said to Taylor, holding up the puppy.

"She," Veronica corrected him, for the 10th time that morning.

"Yeah, great," Taylor nodded, with a forced smile. "Uh, what type of dog is she?"

"She's a pure-bred Golden Retriever," Veronica announced proudly.

"A Golden Retriever," Taylor repeated, her eyes widening a little in shock. "They grow really big, don't they?"

"Yeah, but we have a big backyard to keep him in," Ryan replied, patting the dog on the head.

"HER!" Veronica corrected him again.

Ryan just rolled his eyes, "Whatever..."

"She's such a cute dog," Summer commented, walking over to Ryan so she could pat her.

"Just keep her away from all the food Ryan," Taylor said to her husband.

"Where are Sandy and the girls?" Kirsten asked, referring to Emily, Sophie and Lucy.

"We left them in the playroom playing doctors," Ryan explained with a smirk. "I think Sandy was the patient, Sophie was operating on him and Emily and Lucy were the nurses, although I don't think Emily really knew what was going on. Sophie kind of just took over..."

"Poor Sandy," Summer commented with a laugh. "He's being attacked by three little girls."

"Why don't you guys go save him," Taylor said to Ryan and Seth, "while we get the food ready. Everyone will be here in half an hour."

"Okay," Ryan nodded. "Come on Seth."

"Oh, and put the dog outside," she added. "I don't want her messing up the house today."

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. "That should be Dawn and Greg," Taylor announced, wiping her hands on a tea towel.

"Wait a minute, Dawn's coming?" Kirsten asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, Frank's coming with Julie. That could cause a bit of a problem don't you think?"

"Oh no, I didn't think of that," Taylor gasped. "Oh my God, what am I going to do?"

"Just relax Taylor," Summer said. "I'll go get the door. You, just breathe okay?" Taylor nodded, and with that Summer quickly left the room

"Oh God, don't tell me we're going to have a Chino-style bust up in the middle of Emily's birthday party," Veronica groaned.

"Mother," Taylor started, "please try not to be rude today, if not for my sake, but for Emily's."

"Excuse me I'm never rude. I simply state facts," she replied, flicking her hair over her shoulder.

Kirsten and Taylor just looked at each other, trying not to laugh. "Sure Mom, whatever you say," Taylor replied as Summer came back into the kitchen with Dawn.

"Hi everyone," Dawn greeted Kirsten, Taylor and Veronica.

"Dawn hey!" Taylor smiled, giving her a hug. "Where's Greg? I though he was coming with you."

"He decided to stay home at the last minute," she explained. "We both thought it was best considering the circumstances."

"He was welcome to come, Ryan and I are over what happened last time, really."

"What happened last time?" Veronica asked.

"Nothing Mom," Taylor responded quickly. "By the way, Dawn, this is my mother Veronica. Mom this is Ryan's mother, Dawn."

"It's nice to finally meet you," Dawn said with a smile.

"Yes it's nice to finally meet the woman who brought the criminal my daughter unfortunately married into this world," Veronica retorted.

"Excuse me?!" Dawn exclaimed, shocked at what had just come out of the other woman's mouth.

"Mom!" Taylor exclaimed. "That's an awful thing to say. How many times do I have to tell you that Ryan's not a criminal?"

"Was he or was he not in jail?" she replied.

"Yes but-"

"I rest my case," Veronica replied triumphantly, while Kirsten, Dawn and Summer all looked on in shock.

"Oh my God," Taylor groaned. This was going to be a very long day.

Reviews are always welcome.