Thea needed to discuss something with her sister and sister in law, she asked to meet at her brother's house. Out of earshot from Roman.
Joey was running around with her cousins.
"He said what?", Brie asked, as her sister just finished telling her and Renee what Roman said.
Thea nodded. Both women looked at each other, than back at her.
"He said, I think I'm falling in love with you", Thea repeated, her heart beating fast.
"And you said nothing back?", Brie asked, making sure she heard her sister right the first time.
"Well, what was I suppose to say?", she asked.
"Thank you?", Renee shrugged.
Brie and Thea laughed.
"I would have said I love you too, but it was the, think, part that had me stop.", Thea said.
Brie and Renee nodded.
"Think is a maybe", Thea added.
"I would agree there.", Renee said.
"You'll be at the party, right?", she asked Brie.
Brie nodded.
"He doesn't want to go either, but since it's a family thing, he has to be there", Brie sighed.
Thea giggled.
"Good, I won't be alone with them", Thea replied.
"Let me get this straight, you said, I think? Really? I think", Dean said.
Roman sighed and set his hands on his hips. Thea had said she was going to see her sister in law, so they decided to go to the gym.
Roman explained to Dean what happened last night.
"I shouldn't have said that, right", Roman sighed.
"No brother, you shouldn't have. Think is more of an, I don't know if I love you or not", Dean replied.
Roman felt horrible now. He sat down on the bench across from Dean.
"Do you love her?", he asked.
Roman sighed.
"She makes me feel something I haven't felt before. She's different.", Roman said.
Dean smirked.
"What?", he asked.
"Yeah, you've told me before", Dean nodded.
Roman smiled.
"Truth?", Roman asked.
Dean nodded.
"Do you think she'll hate me if I don't remember our old life?", he asked.
Dean smiled.
"No", he replied.
Roman relaxed.
"You and Brie going to the party?", Roman asked.
"Don't want too, but mom would never let me live it down", Dean replied.
Roman chuckled.
"Does she like Brie?", Roman asked.
Dean paused.
"Yes.", Dean nodded.
Roman was confused by that.
"I mean, at least she acts like it. Would talk her ear off when we would get together", Dean shrugged.
"So then what makes Thea different?", Roman asked.
"Well when I first introduced Brie to mom, they didn't know she was Thea's sister. Honestly, I think its more to get under Thea's skin and hurt her", Dean said.
Roman nodded.
"Why do I believe that", he chuckled.
"Because its something they would do", Dean said.
"Yeah", Roman sighed.
Dean wished he could do something about his family. He knew it hurt Brie too, when his mom adored her and not her sister.
Thea never resented Dean and Brie for it. She knew what her mother in law was doing.
"I asked her if she would be mad if I went to work with Ric", Roman brought him back from his thoughts.
Dean chuckled.
"I don't even want you working with that man. The further he is from my sister in law and niece, the better", Dean said.
"It was just something I needed to ask, but I wouldn't do anything to make her feel uncomfortable. I've actually been talking to a few different firms", Roman said.
"Around town?", he asked.
"Two or three, but one in L.A. and another in New York", Roman said.
Dean nodded.
"I just want to give my daughter the world. Also, if Thea and I decide to have more kids, we won't have to worry about money", Roman said.
"You know she doesn't care about money. As for Joey, her world right now, is Thea and you", Dean replied.
"I'm talking about future colleges", Roman said.
Dean nodded. He could see that. Universities were expensive.
"I don't want to take either of my girls away from home, but this is for our future", Roman said.
"I'm excited for you and your little family", Dean said.
"And you? What about Brie?", Roman asked.
"I want to ask her to marry me. I've just got to find the perfect moment", Dean said.
Roman smiled. He knew his brother and Brie had put a pause on their relationship after what happened.
He was glad they could pick it up like no time has passed.
"You know her and what she likes, you'll find the perfect moment", Roman replied.
Dean nodded with a smile.
"We are so glad Dean finally brought you over to meet us. We've been telling him since he told us about you", his mom said, hugging her tight.
"I'm happy to finally meet you too", Brie replied.
She knew how bad this family had treated her sister. If they were greeting her with kindness, it means they don't actually know who she is.
Dean took her hand. His family ahead of them. She leaned into him.
"They don't know Thea is my sister?", she asked.
He cleared his throat.
"No. I wanted you to get a fair shot with them. I love your sister, don't get me wrong", he said.
"I understand", she replied.
"I'm going to tell them, just after dinner. I kind of want to see how they're going to react", he said.
"Me too, honestly", she nodded.
The front door opened again. Roman and Thea walking in. Dean was surprised by this.
"Hey, what are you two doing here?", Dean asked.
"Mom invited us", Roman replied.
"I actually just invited you, but I guess I can place another set", his mom said, hugging him.
Brie could see Thea from behind Dean. Her sister was trying really hard not to let it get to her.
She quickly texted them both before they said anything about Brie being her sister. She wanted to see how differently they treated her.
Roman met her eyes and nodded.
"Why would you think I would come alone? She's my girlfriend", Roman replied.
His mom didn't say anything.
"Here we go", Dean mumbled.
They had all sat. Everyone asking Brie questions, from where she works to how she handles Dean.
Dean looked towards Thea, a sad expression on her face. They never treated her this way. Her dinner was mostly silent.
Roman excitedly told his family all about her as she sat there being judged by them. He couldn't believe his family.
Bringing him back from his thoughts, he watched his brother lift Thea's hand to his lips and leave a kiss. She smiled at him.
"I'm okay", she whispered.
Brie looked at her sister as she was being left out. At this point she didn't care if they pushed her out too.
"You know, one of my sisters is an elementary school teacher. My youngest sister actually", Brie said.
His mom nodded. Brie looked at Thea.
"Isn't that right, T", Brie said.
Thea looked up at her. His sisters and parents looking between them. Dean smirked.
"Oh did I forget to mention, Brie and Thea are sisters", Dean said.
Everyone cleared their throats as the room grew silent.
"I'm proud of my little sister. She's amazing and talented. Smart and funny. The biggest heart anyone has seen, but I'm sure you all already knew that", Brie said.
Thea was happy to hear her sister say those things, but also sad. Now they were going to treat her the way they did her.
"Do they know we live together?", Thea asked as she nervously kept fixing her dress.
"No", Roman replied.
Thea nodded. He looked over at her.
"Because I was waiting for the house to officially be under my name. This way they can't take it from us", he said.
"I don't like lying", she said.
"Its not lying unless they ask", he replied.
"True", she said.
"We can tell them, if its something you want to do", he added.
"Only if they ask", she replied.
He nodded.
"Do they know we're dating?", she asked, after they pulled up the driveway.
"No. I wanted to enjoy my time with you and Joey before mentioning anything and they ruin it.", he replied.
"Okay, I just want to know what I can tell them and what I shouldn't", she said.
"You can tell them the truth babe. I won't be mad if you do. This is our life", he said.
She smiled and nodded.
"Ready?", he asked.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded again. Even though she was nervous.
He smiled and leaned over, kissing her cheek.