Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

Arizona

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Chapter Fifteen – Out With The In-Law

"Okay, I officially love Texas. Where else can you get a cowboy hat from the airport gift store?" Shane exclaimed excitedly as he and Mitchie sat in the dining room of a Subway grabbing a bite to eat before heading to her parents' home. When she didn't answer, he went ahead and answered for her. "I'll tell you where, no where! Gosh, why haven't we–"

"Wow, I thought I left my three-year old at home." Mitchie snapped at him. Shane's grin faded into an upset frown. "I'm sorry," She apologized running her fingers through her disheveled hair. "You're just not making this easy for me."

"Making what easy?" He questioned with a mouthful of his turkey sub. "Mitchie, I'm just meeting your parents. Its not like we're meeting the Queen of England or anything."

Mitchie pushed away the sub sandwich she ordered and shifted in her seat. She was contemplating whether or not to come clean to Shane now, or let him figure things out for himself. On the plane ride to Dallas, she knew she could have prevented all of this. None of this would have happened if she had told Shane about her family from day one. Instead, she chose to leave it out and now she was going to have to deal with her choices.

"Oh, hey, I've been meaning to ask you," Shane wiped the corners of his mouth before continuing his sentence. "What are your parents' names? I wanna know them before we arrive."

"Connie and Daniel." She answered flatly.

"Connie and Daniel…got it. So–"

"Shane I have something to tell you," Mitchie interrupted quickly. Shane nodded for her to continue. "My parents don't know we're coming."

"Oh, no big deal. It'll be a pleasant surprise when we arrive then." Shane said ever so optimistic.

"They also don't know that I broke it off with Ken." She continued confessing.

"Well we'll just tell them when we get there!" Shane's nervousness about this trip was beginning to increase a little.

"And we might also want to tell them that you're actually Hayley's dad…"

Shane's face fell. "You mean they think…Mitchie, have you told your parents anything about us?"

Mitchie embarrassingly shook her head causing Shane to throw his hands up, letting them fall loudly on top of the table. "See, they weren't exactly thrilled when I told them I dropped out of Arizona State because I met some guy but when I told them it was Ken and how he was an awesome lawyer who I was madly in love with, they were suddenly okay with everything. They were even happy that we were having a baby…"

"Are you telling me they don't know how he treated you, I mean really treated you either?" Shane asked stunned.

"I was too ashamed to tell them." She muttered quietly. "They were so happy for me and so excited to tell they're friends, 'hey, my daughter's marrying a rich lawyer', and I didn't want to ruin it. I know that sounds stupid but…"

"No, no, I understand." Shane said supportively. "Do you think they know now since our little showing on James Conway?"

"Probably not. Mom and Dad don't watch too much TV. Mom's too busy with her catering company and Dad's usually wrapped up in his teaching."

"Hm, well just promise me when we get to your parents' you'll tell them, okay?" Mitchie nodded and even gave Shane a small smile. "Now, let's get going. It's almost eight and I don't want it to be too late when we deliver all this shocking news."

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Shane and Mitchie stood on the doorstep of her parents' home, waiting to knock on the door. The house was average size and looked like every other house on the block due to the fact they lived in a suburb. Shane thought for a teacher and a caterer, the two sure had some impressive looking cars. After looking at his surroundings, he had realized Mitchie still hadn't knocked yet.

"Uh, Mitchie," Shane started. "Are you gonna stare a hole through the door or actually knock on it?" Mitchie snapped out of the trance-like state she was in and slowly and reluctantly knocked on the red hardwood door. She nervously looked back at Shane who offered her a small smile.

"Yes?" The door swung open and a woman who looked exactly like an older version of Mitchie stood in front of the two, gawking. "Mitchie?"

"Hey mom," Mitchie's voice was soft, almost like she was embarrassed.

"W-what are you doing here?" Her mother was so wrapped up in staring at her daughter she almost didn't notice Shane standing behind her smiling like an idiot. "And who's this?"

"Hi ma'am, I'm Shane. Pleasure to meet you!" Shane grinned extending his hand to her. She slowly shook it and smiled politely at him.

"Mom, we'd better go inside," Mitchie said slowly. "I have so much to tell you."

Mitchie's mother gave the two a confused look before stepping aside allowing them to enter the home. As they entered the house, Shane took in the interior design of the home. Everything was pretty modern, yet somehow traditional. It definitely had the appearance of being a home that two forty-something's lived in.

"Connie, who's at the door?" A deep voice from upstairs was heard yelling down. There were some footsteps before a tall, well-built man came from around the corner. One look at Mitchie and he came racing down the stairs. "Oh, my little girl is home!"

Shane stepped aside as the two embraced. A warm smile was brought to his face before it quickly faded remembering all there was to tell her parents. He wondered if the festive atmosphere would stay once everything was out in the open.

"Hi daddy," Mitchie said wrapping her arms tight around her dad. Once she let go, she backpedaled until she was standing next to Shane.

"Who's this young man?" Her dad asked, the smile from their hug still on his face.

"Mom, Dad, this is Shane, my boyfriend." Shane couldn't help but notice how she had difficulty getting the word 'boyfriend' out.

Both of her parents wrinkled their brows at her, their faces obviously questioning the whole situation.

"What, uh, what happen to good ole' Ken?" Her dad asked.

"We broke up." Mitchie said matter-of-factly.

"Why? He was such a nice boy." Her mom cooed.

Shane's face contorted into a 'yeah, right' kind of expression. It actually kind of angered him that Ken would actually play good guy in front of her parents but then turn around and lay hands on Mitchie when they were alone. It was sickening him to think about it.

"We just didn't work out, Mom." Mitchie linked her arms with Shane, a smile forming on her face. "But Shane and I are working out perfectly!"

"Well I'm glad to hear this sweetie but what about Hayley? What is she going to think now that her dad isn't there? Where is she anyway?" Her dad questioned.

"But, you see, her dad is here…" Mitchie quietly said, ignoring her dad's last question.

"What are you…?" Her dad's sentenced trailed off. His eyes widened as he realized what she was trying to ambiguously say. "I think I need to sit down,"

Mitchie's mom too realized what her daughter was trying to get across and followed her husband to the beige couch that sat in the middle of the living room. They both sat staring at the brown hardwood floors while Shane and Mitchie stood in front of the door, linked by the arms, waiting from one of them to say something.

"But all this time we thought…" Her father started to say but stopped not being able to find the right words to explain the situation.

"Look, it's getting late. Your father has some papers to grade and I have some menus for some events to work out so how about we all go get some rest and we'll talk about this in the morning?" Her mom said, trying to placate the situation.

"Come on Shane, I'll show you to my room." Mitchie said grabbing one of the duffle bags Shane had carried in and his hand to lead him up the stairs.

"Wait a second," Her dad called out. He walked over to the couple, who were already two or three steps up the staircase. "Shane, right?"

"Yes, sir." Shane confirmed.

"You play golf, Shane?" Shane slowly nodded. He had never played a game of golf in his life but he'd say anything if he felt like it would impress her dad. "What do you say we go tee off tomorrow? Just us guys?"

"That sound great, sir. Looking forward to it." With a confirming smile from her dad, Mitchie dragged Shane upstairs and into a small bedroom. The walls were dark purple and bare. There was nothing much in the room except a small bed in the middle.

"That went better than expected, don't you think?" She asked plopping down on the edge of the bed.

"Mitchie, I don't know how to golf." Shane confessed.

"Well I guess you better learn how before tomorrow." She said simply. Shane gawked at her. Just an hour ago she was so worked up about this visit and now she was laid out, relaxing on a bed. Maybe he was wrong but he definitely thought they were far from in the clear. He supposed he'd have to use tomorrow's outing with her dad to actually get himself in the clear.

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Man this sweater vest is itchy, Shane thought as he sat in the passenger seat of Mitchie's dad's Expedition. He had made sure to wake up extra early and head to the nearest Academy so he could pick up some proper golfing attire. Not only was his light pink and powder blue sweater vest itchy, but his khaki shorts were a bit too tight and his newsboy cap just made him look silly. After looking at himself in the mirror, he decided that was the last time he'd let an Academy employee tell him how to dress.

"That's some outfit there," Her dad commented. Shane looked over at him. Red polo and relaxed navy blue shorts. If everyone on the course dressed like her dad, Shane was sure he was to gain unwanted attention.

"Yeah, the guy at Academy told me this is how all good golf players dress." Shane said, defending his outfit.

"I'd hate to tell you but the guy at Academy lied to you." Her dad laughed as they pulled into a golfing range. They exited the car, her dad going around the back to get his set of clubs. "I'm guessing you don't have any clubs? You can rent some at the front."

Shane nodded and jogged over to a small booth, renting out a set of golf clubs. Just as he was done, Mitchie's dad zoomed next to him in a golf cart. Shane loaded his clubs in the back and took the seat next to him. It was a long way to the section of the course her dad wanted to tee off at so the ride gave them some time to talk.

"So Shane, what do you do for a living?" He asked. Shane snorted.

"Is that supposed to be a serious question?" When he dad looked over at him with a very unpleased expression, Shane's cocky smirk was wiped off of his face. "I'm a musician, sir. I sing for a band, Connect Three. Its me and my two brothers Nate and Jason."

"Ah, a singer. That's a very non-practical job. How on earth do you expect to support my daughter with such a non-practical job?"

"Well, I've been doing an alright job of it so far."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Mitchie and I got together a while back. During that time I've bought her clothes, moved her into my house–"

"Sounds like you're trying to buy my little girl off." He stated flatly.

"No. Never. I just feel like after what she's been through she deserves that world." Shane's statement caused the cart to come to a screeching halt.

"What do you mean, 'after what she's been through'?" Her dad's eyes squinted at Shane, intimidating him.

"I just meant…it's actually really not my place to tell." Shane said.

"I'm her father, whatever she's been through, I think I deserve to know."

Shane took a deep breath. He knew he should probably let Mitchie tell but he also knew if he didn't tell her dad right then and there, he'd probably never get the chance to see Mitchie, or anyone else for that matter, ever again.

"Sir, I'd really love to tell you but I honestly think that information is something Mitchie should tell you." Shane said reluctantly.

"Alright, I guess I'll find out when we get back home." The cart started moving again which was a relief to Shane. "Which reminds me, about last night, what Mitchie said. Are you Hayley's dad?"

Shane proudly nodded. Once again, the cart stopped.

"So where the hell have you been for the past three years, Mr. Singer?" Her dad asked him angrily.

"It's complicated, sir." Shane said truthfully.

"Un-complicate it." Her dad demanded.

"Okay," Shane agreed quickly, gulping down a huge knot in his throat. "Your daughter and I foolishly had a one night stand about three years ago which resulted in Hayley but see I didn't know until some months ago when I toured through Phoenix, saw Mitchie and found about Hayley."

"If you never would've gone back through Phoenix, would you ever have tried to see Mitchie again?"

"Honestly, yes. I would tell you how bad I felt for what I did that night but I left my shoebox full of remorse songs at home in L.A." Surprisingly, that earned a chuckle out of her dad. "I know you and your wife were probably very excited to have Ken as a son-in-law and I know my career isn't exactly white collar and I know that how I met Mitchie and how little Hayley was created isn't exactly picture perfect but I also know that I'm completely in love with your daughter and I wanna marry her someday and I just want to maybe, get your blessing…if it's not too much to ask."

"All right Mr. Singer," He began, stepping out of the golf cart. "I'll give you my blessing to propose to Mitchie if, and only if, you can beat me."

Shane's stomach dropped. "Beat you at golf?"

"No, at basketball. Of course golf! Now, hand me my driver." Shane felt the tops of the golf clubs hoping he'd pick whatever a 'driver' was. Mitchie's dad looked over to him and laughed before pointing to the correct club. If his future with Mitchie was dependent on his ability to play golf, he was in trouble.

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Mitchie nervously sat in the couch, tapping her foot a hundred miles a minute. Her mom watched her amusingly from the kitchen.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he's doing fine." She said to her daughter. Mitchie jumped up and walked into the kitchen.

"Mom, you know how dad is with any guy I'm dating. And he's going to be worse with Shane because he's Hayley's dad." Mitchie whined to her mother.

"Honey, do you love Shane?" She nodded. "Does Shane love you?" Again, she nodded. "Well then your dad is going to love him, okay? At the end of the day, all he wants for you is someone who's gonna make you happy. And from what I hear, he's good with Hayley, right?"

"Oh my gosh mom, Hayley loves him. I mean, she should, he's her dad but sometimes I think she forgets that I even exist. She's gonna grow up to be such a daddy's girl, I can tell already."

"Well, like mother like daughter," Her mom teased. Before Mitchie could retort, she heard the door open. She ran out of the kitchen and into the living room. He dad walked in, a huge smile on his face while Shane stood sadly at the door.

"Hello sweetheart," Her dad greeted her with a kiss on the forehead. She waited for her dad to enter the kitchen before running over to Shane.

"What happened? Tell me everything." She said quickly.

"I…I just don't know." Shane uttered, his face looking completely defeated.

"Mitchie," Mitchie turned to see her mom and dad walking out of the kitchen, both looking very amused. "Your boyfriend shot a 25 on a 4 par."

"Is that good?" Mitchie asked dumbly.

"Good? That's the worse I've ever seen anyone do!" Her dad said before busting out into a hearty laugh. "But you know, Ken always used to beat me at golf and this was the first time I've actually won a game so…" Shane lifted his defeated head a little to see her dad walking toward him, his arm extended. "You're alright with me, Mr. Singer."

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So, was this chapter good or…? I'll never know unless you leave me some reviews! I actually planned to update this sooner but never got the chance to! I apologize for that! Hopefully I can get the next one out sooner! Oh, and just as a little teaser, the next chapter will be titled, 'I Think I Wanna Marry You' but it might not be what you're expecting so get ready for that! Oh the anticipation…haha. Well, leave me some awesome reviews like you guys always do and…

Thanks for reading! :]