A/N: I just arrived in Las Vegas and I am shattered but I managed to finish this chapter on the plane for you!

After an amazing nationals, and a whirlwind of media appearances that were surely making up for the lack of post-Olympic appearances, it wasn't too long before JJ was back in the air travelling again.

However, this time, it was for a completely different reason. After some discussion, she and Will had decided to have their engagement party in New Orleans, and knowing life was only going to get busier as Worlds got nearer, they had decided to do it sooner rather than later.

So on the Wednesday two weeks following Nationals, with the promise of a short notice but amazing party at the hands of Janine, the two of them had flown down to Louisiana, with Sandy, Nick and Tash, and some of their Pittsburgh based friends due to join them on Friday and Saturday. JJ had also put the call out to her teammates, getting enthusiastic responses from Simone, Aly, Maddie, Laurie, and Kyla. It had not escaped JJ's notice that McKayla had read but not responded to any of her messages. It was something that had been going on for nearly the last eighteen months. Initially it had worried her, making her think that potentially she had upset McKayla somehow. But in speaking with Aly and Kyla, JJ had discovered that it wasn't just her; Mac seemed to be ignoring everyone. It was blatantly obvious that her friend was going through something, and while JJ had a sinking feeling it had to do with Nassar, she knew McKayla would talk when she was good and ready.

In the meantime, she just wanted the younger girl to know that she was still very much loved, cherished, and wanted in her life.

They had arrived in New Orleans around midday on Wednesday, after a seriously hairy transit through Atlanta where Will had marveled at JJ's ability to outrun him despite being half his size, followed by her intense proclamation that she was never flying Delta Airlines through Atlanta again.

With all of the LaMontagne family together again under one roof, Janine and William had organised a summer cookout, complete with shrimp, gumbo, and all the fixin's. The kids had run themselves ragged in the backyard, chasing fireflies and swatting mosquitoes, while the adults talked and laughed from up on the porch.

Inevitably, the sun had set and the kids were yawning, so after rounding up all the little ones and getting them into bed, they had retreated to the lounge room for more chatter, which inevitably turned into the subject of Will's rather large childhood crush.

"I get a call from the school to say Billy had had an injury and I would need to take him to the hospital. So I took him to the ER, and while we were waitin' on X-rays, he's just sittin' there boppin' his head and singin' a little song," Janine chuckled. "Ah, I'll never forget it, the sight of my little Billy sittin in a hospital bed with a broken foot, lookin' like a lovestruck puppy," she teased. "And then he starts tellin' me about the pretty girl in his class, and that he thinks they will be good friends"

"Even though she broke his foot," Sam quipped, getting a laugh out of the group.

"Yeah, he didn't tell me that bit until JJ had already been round for dinner three or four times," Janine said with a laugh.

"You had it bad," JJ said quietly, smiling at him as he squeezed her hand and nodded in undeniable agreement.

"Yes I did," he chuckled, making everyone else in the room laugh. "Wanted to make sure Momma didn't ban you from bein' my friend since you broke her baby's foot"

A comfortable silence fell, little chuckles still filling the room as the laughter faded out slowly.

"You know what I'd like to know?" Charlie spoke up after a few moments. JJ couldn't help but notice the slightly malicious quirk in his smile, her stomach clenching uneasily as he locked eyes with her. "Let's hear about LA"

The wind seemed to leave JJ's lungs, her smile sliding from her face as she felt Will stiffen beside her. Madeleine nudged Charlie's side, shooting him a warning look, but he never wavered.

"I… I-" JJ stammered, not entirely sure what to say.

"No," Will said firmly, keeping a grip on her hand as he forcefully stared his brother down. His entire family's eyes flickered between them, and the tension in the room had suddenly risen to an all time high.

"Aw, come on," Charlie jibed, chuckling. "I think we all wanna know what happened"

"No, Charlie," Will repeated, rising from his chair. For a moment, JJ thought he was going to hit his brother, but after a tense moment, Will strode forward, yanking Charlie up off the couch and dragging him into the next room, his face set in stone.

JJ shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her gaze trained on the floor as a lump rose in her throat.

"What are you playin' at?" Will spat in the next room, throwing the door closed behind him as Charlie folded his arms and stared down his younger brother.

"I just wanna know why my little brother is turnin' out to be an absolute idiot"

"Oh, you're gonna insult me now. Great," Will said dryly.

"Well, Billy, I just don't understand why you're engaged to a girl who let some guy finger her in a club while she was high as a kite. Because let's be honest, I don't need her to tell the story. It's been splashed across every news outlet in America"

"You don't have to understand it," Will growled. "She's my fiancée, this is my relationship… I don't have to answer to you. We've worked things out… it's been fine for months, and you just have to be an asshole and bring it all up again!"

"Oh, it's all worked out? What's your agreement? She'll only let random guys fuck her once a month? She cheated on you Billy. And if you're gonna stay with a girl who cheated on you, you're stupider than I thought"

Will's eyes burned with anger and he lunged forward, shoving Charlie back with a flat hand to the chest. "You will never understand because you've never had somethin' like we have! You may think I'm stupid for stayin', but I'd be even stupider to let her go"

"You're settin' yourself up for more heartbreak Billy. I'm just tryin' to help"

"Well you know something Charles? To me, it just sounds like you're bitter and jealous because JJ's achieved more than you'll ever dream of"

Charlie's face hardened and Will immediately knew he'd pushed the wrong buttons, but he was seething with anger, so riled up that he didn't care.

"Is it money? I know she's loaded, but you don't need that. I'll help you, Billy, if it's the money that's keepin' you there"

"I don't want nor do I need her money! Why is it so hard for you to fuckin' get it into your head that I love her! I love her and she's a human bein' who made a fuckin' mistake, and YOU DON'T GET TO HAVE A SAY IN THAT!"

"Then what is it?" Charlie exclaimed, his voice rising as he advanced on his brother. "If it's not money, what is it? Is it the sex? Does she have some kind of magic pussy? Is she suckin' your brain out through your prick? How else could you be so fuckin' DUMB?"

"DON'T TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT, LIKE SHE'S SOME KIND OF SEX OBJECT!"

"You need to keep your voices down," William hissed as he came into the room. "There are children asleep upstairs who do not need to hear that kind o' talk"

"He needs to shut his fuckin' mouth," Will growled, ignoring the dagger look his father shot him in response. "You don't get to come in here right as we're about to celebrate the fact that we're gettin' married and start makin' those kinds of disgustin' comments about JJ"

Charlie slowly stepped towards Will, his eyes burning maliciously as Will stood before him, his chest heaving with fury. "You called her a sex object… not me. Maybe that lil' romp in LA really did change how you feel about your dawlin' JJ"

Before Will knew what he was doing, he'd launched himself at Charlie, his fist connecting with Charlie's left eye and echoing a dull crack through the room. Both of them fell, Charlie crashing backwards into the dresser behind him, startling their family into action in the next room. Will was blinded by anger. He wanted to rip his brother limb from limb for even daring to think about JJ in such a horrible way, for speaking such vulgar and awful things.

In a flurry of bodies and limbs, Will was being dragged away. Someone was holding his arms tightly to his sides. He was seething, his mouth aching, the taste of blood on his tongue.

"Go outside," came his father's commanding voice, and he knew he wasn't to argue. Wrenching himself from his father's grasp, he stormed through the house and out onto the back patio, leaving behind the chaos. He tried to force himself to breathe, but all he could see was red.

"Will"

At the sound of JJ's voice, he turned, his chest still heaving as he tried to gather himself. When he met her eyes, he was surprised to find her looking at him with concern. He had half expected her to be upset. Exasperated, he flung an arm back towards the house. "He… no-one gets to say those things about you, he just… it's… none of it's true, I… I don't feel that way, I-"

"I know," JJ said softly, coming to stand in front of him, her hands trailing gently down his arms until she could take his hands in hers. "You're bleeding. I think he got your lip"

Heaving a breath, Will pulled one of his hands away to swipe at his face, leaving a little smear of blood from his lower lip. "I hate him"

"No you don't. He's your brother. You're just angry," JJ said gently.

"Did you hear even half of what he said?"

JJ nodded. "I know what he said. But you know he said it just to get a rise out of you"

"I don't care, he's a fuckin' asshole," Will growled.

"Babe," JJ said gently, a sad smile crossing her face. "I love that you defend me so strongly, and I love that we've gotten back to a place where you even want to defend the stupid shit I did… but we're here for a happy occasion. Please don't turn it into World War Three with your brother"

Will forced himself to take a deep breath, lifting a hand to cup JJ's cheek as he gave her a small smile. "You're too kind, JJ. He doesn't deserve a pass for what he said"

"It'll come back to him. I'm a big believer in karma," JJ said with a chuckle, tugging gently on his hand. "I know how you feel about me. And I know where we stand. Some nasty comments from Charlie are not going to be enough to unravel this, I promise. Besides… I gave him a real serving at Christmas"

"It doesn't matter. You were hurtin', he's just bein' a dick for the sake of it," Will huffed, wiping at his bloody lip again. JJ lifted her hands, gently cupping his jaw and turning his face to take a closer look.

"Come on. Let's go get this cleaned up. Can't have you looking like some street thug at our engagement party"

"Alright, JJ would you mind handin' me the milk?" Janine asked as she stirred the contents of the bowl in front of her. Thursday had dawned with plenty of preparations to be made, and by early afternoon, the kitchen could have been likened to that of a commercial restaurant.

Whirling around towards the milk, JJ realised all too late that the jug of salad dressing Janine had on the counter was right behind her. "Oh!" She exclaimed as she accidentally knocked it from the counter. It clattered to the floor, spilling over Janine's pristine tiles. "I'm so sorry!"

"Don't worry about it, it's fine," Janine chuckled, bending down to grab the jug. "It's our family dressin'... I've always got a huge pot of it in the fridge, there's plenty more"

"Yeah, apparently we forgive you for everythin'," Charlie muttered as he passed through, heading in the direction of the garage.

"Charlie," Will growled from behind JJ, his hands balling into fists as he started to follow his older brother. JJ quickly reached out, placing a hand on his chest to stop him.

"Let me," she said softly, looking him firmly in the eye. "Stay here and help your mom"

Swallowing hard, Will nodded, his expression softening as JJ stretched up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. He watched for a moment as she turned and followed Charlie out to the garage, before letting out a sigh and turning to help his mom.

JJ entered the garage as Charlie straightened up from the fridge, a fresh beer in his hand. Closing the door behind her, she stopped on the step, watching him as he turned around with a sigh.

"Don't bother Billy - oh, it's you," he muttered, knocking the fridge closed with his elbow as he pulled a bottle opener from his pocket and removed the cap from his beer.

"What's your problem?" JJ asked, fixing her gaze firmly on Will's older brother.

"Who said I had a problem?" he replied coolly.

"I must be going mad then, because it sounded like you're pissed off with me," JJ snapped back.

"Sorry. Didn't realise we're not allowed to be upset with America's sweetheart," Charlie said, moving towards the steps with the intention of leaving the garage. JJ stepped in front of him, blocking his path even though he was quite easily twice her size.

"So you do have a problem with me," she said firmly.

"JJ, just get out of my way"

"No!" JJ exclaimed, surprising Charlie. "Spill it. What's your problem?"

"You wanna know what my problem is?" Charlie exclaimed, taking a step back and slamming his beer down on the nearby working bench with such force that some of it sloshed out of the bottle. "Like you don't already know, JJ! My little brother has been nothin' but devoted to you from the moment he met you, and the first opportunity you get, you're all over another guy like a bitch in heat, wearin' the engagement ring he saved almost everythin' he had to get you!"

Charlie's words stung, making JJ take a step back as her eyes burned. She swallowed hard; she wasn't going to cry. Not now. She'd kept it together through his tirade yesterday, she wasn't going to change that today.

"You think I don't know how badly I fucked up, Charlie? I screwed up, I know, and I'm going to live with that guilt for the rest of my life. I almost lost the most important person in my life because of a stupid mistake I made and I don't even remember it," she spat back, keeping one hand clenched tightly on the railing of the steps.

"I always said he should be careful of a girl who injured him the first day she met him," Charlie replied quietly.

"I get enough shit, every day, from thousands of people who don't even know or understand this at all, I really don't need it from you too Charlie"

Stepping back, Charlie grabbed his beer, taking a swig from it as both of them stood in seething silence.

"I know I fucked up. And I don't know why Will didn't leave, he honestly should have. But he's still here, and I've never been more grateful for him in my life. He's going to marry me, Charlie, and I'm going to spend the rest of my life proving to him that he made the right decision. I know that to you, to your family, I'm just some stupid bitch who doesn't deserve your brother, trust me, I know I don't deserve him. But I'm doing my best, Charlie. That's all I can do," JJ said softly, a few tears slipping out and running down her cheeks.

They stood for a moment in silence, before JJ wiped her cheeks and took a deep breath. Without another word, she turned on her heel and left the garage, leaving Charlie standing on his own in the tense silence she had left behind.

"You know… for someone who's having an engagement party this weekend, you sure do look kinda down"

JJ glanced up, seeing Juliette walking towards her holding two steaming mugs. She remained silent as the older woman sat down beside her and held out one of the mugs. She'd been sitting in a semi stunned silence ever since her encounter with Charlie in the garage, and she knew it hadn't gone unnoticed, but she was at a complete loss as to how to fix it.

"Thanks but… I've had enough caffeine for today," JJ said softly, holding out a hand to stop Juliette. Juliette chuckled, shaking her head.

"I know. That's why it's hot chocolate"

JJ managed a smile, taking the mug from Juliette's hand and taking a sip. The warm creamy chocolate slid down her throat with ease, seeming to quell the constant anxiety that lived inside her.

"JJ, I may be a scientist rather than a psychiatrist, but I know when something's bothering someone," Juliette said gently. "It helps to talk about it"

"Talking about it just makes me feel worse," JJ replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she steadfastly avoided Juliette's gaze.

Juliette gave a soft sigh. "I know LA was bad… I saw it on the news, heard about it from Will… we all did… but you can't keep beating yourself up for it"

"Why not?" JJ asked, a little more harshly than she'd intended. "Will sure as hell hated what I did, why can't I? Charlie hates me… he doesn't want me to be a part of this family"

"Charlie's just upset because he's the oldest, he feels he has to protect Will, but he is a little out of line. It's not his place to be mad about it right now," Juliette explained softly. "You know, JJ, Will called me one night, not long after all that shit went down, and he was in tears. He could not stop crying, JJ. Do you know why he was crying?"

"Because I cheated on him and he wanted to break up with me," JJ said sadly.

"No. Because he loved you so much and didn't know what to do to fix it because he was so angry. He blatantly said to me that he wanted to fix it. But he didn't know how"

JJ looked up at Juliette in surprise.

"So let me get this straight for you," Juliette said gently. "Yes, you cheated on him. Do you regret it?"

"Of course I do!"

"Did you apologise?"

"Yes"

"Did he forgive you?"

"Yes"

"Then it's done," Juliette said softly, reaching over and squeezing JJ's hand. "It's time to forgive yourself and let it go"

Suddenly, JJ felt tears welling up in her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she willed them back down, before turning to face Juliette. "I don't know if I can," she said in a shaky whisper. "I don't know why he's still here… I broke his heart"

"You also never let it go," Juliette said with a smile. "Will is still here because he loves you. I have never seen him look happier than when he's with you, JJ, and yes, you made some bad choices, but we all do at some point or another. My baby brother is still with you because you make his world a better, happier place. And I'm sure you feel the same way about him"

Sniffing, JJ lifted a hand and wiped away a stray tear.

"It's time to let yourself be happy JJ. You deserve it"

Minutes later, JJ had left Juliette in the lounge room, searching the house for Will. It didn't take long for her to find him; all she had to do was follow the laughter from the kitchen. In there, she found Janine and Sam goofing off as they prepared dinner, while Will and his father watched on in amusement.

Making a beeline for her fiancé, she walked straight into his strong frame, wrapping her arms around his midsection and burying her face in his chest.

"Hey," Will said gently, smiling down at her as he wrapped her in a tight hug. His family's antics continued on around them, offering them a small moment of relative privacy. "Everythin' ok?"

"I'm sorry," she breathed, willing herself to keep the tears at bay.

"For what?" Will asked gently.

"Everything," she whispered, her voice cracking.

Will let out a saddened sigh, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as she clutched onto him for comfort. "You know I've forgiven you. I've made my peace with it," he said gently. "It's ok Jayje… I promise"

Early on Friday evening, JJ was sitting at the kitchen table, watching with a smile as Juliette and Sam joked around with Janine and Sandy, who had arrived earlier that afternoon. Even though the two of them were definitely hindering their progress on dinner, the older women were laughing, none more so than Janine who was clearly glad to just have all of her children under one roof again for a little while.

"Hey you. I wanna show you somethin'," came Will's voice in JJ's ear, making her jump slightly as she turned to face him. He was smiling down at her with that handsome smile she loved so much, making her heart give a little flutter in her chest.

"Ok," she said softly, taking the hand he was offering her and allowing him to pull her to her feet.

He led her outside, away from the hustle and bustle of the house, and towards his father's truck.

"Where are we going?" she asked as he walked over and unlocked the doors.

"You'll have to wait and see," he said with a grin, opening the passenger door and gesturing for her to get in. She cocked an eyebrow at him.

"I get it now… Conneaut Lake isn't your serial killer lair. New Orleans is," she teased. Will feigned defeat, making her laugh.

"Guess I better turn myself in," he chuckled, before motioning for her to get in the truck. Giggling, she obliged, climbing in and buckling her seatbelt as Will closed the door behind her. Minutes later, he too had gotten in, and they were pulling out of the driveway.

They stayed in a comfortable silence for most of the drive. JJ was happy to watch the world go by, the urban spreading of the city gradually giving way to more sparsely populated areas thick with trees and mangroves.

Eventually, Will pulled off the main road, following a little track through the trees.

"Close your eyes," he said with a smile.

"So you can drive us into a tree?" she joked. He laughed.

"Close your eyes!" he insisted through a grin. She smiled, giving in and closing her eyes.

The truck bumped along the track for another minute or so before they came to a stop. JJ stayed still, listening as Will jumped out before coming around to open the passenger door. She unbuckled her seatbelt, keeping her eyes shut as Will guided her out of the truck.

"Can I open my eyes now?"

"Not yet," he chuckled, coming to stand behind her as he brought his hands up over her eyes. "Just start walkin' forward"

"Will, I'm gonna land on my face"

"No you won't, it's clear flat ground in front of you"

Heaving a sigh of defeat, she started walking forwards, relying on the safety of Will behind her to stop her from falling over.

"Ok… little step up in front of you," he said after a short while. She awkwardly stepped up, stumbling slightly as her foot found the new surface. Hearing Will laughing in her ear, she reached behind her and swatted his thigh.

"Hey!" he exclaimed, bringing a grin to her face. "Alright… open your eyes"

When he pulled his hands away, she opened her eyes, and immediately let out a gasp.

They were standing on a jetty, at the edge of a large bayou that seemed to be totally secluded. Through the trees on the other side, the setting sun's last rays were poking through, bouncing off the shimmering surface of the water.

"It's beautiful," she breathed, taking a step forward to take it all in.

"It's one of my favourite places in the whole world," Will said softly. "My dad always brought me here when everythin' was getting too much… when I just needed to breathe and shut off from the world for a little while"

Turning around, JJ looked at him with a small smile playing in the corners of her mouth. He walked towards her, turning her back towards the water as he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin against the top of her head.

"I know you feel like everyone is watchin' you right now… I want you to truly believe me when I say that you and I are ok," he said gently. "It's been a rough few months, I know… but in it all, I've learned just how much I love you… so I want you to stop doubtin' everythin'… I want you to let yourself be happy, because it's what you deserve more than anything else"

JJ swallowed back the lump in her throat, leaning back against him as he tightened his hold on her.

"You know what my other favourite place in the world is, JJ?"

She tipped her head towards him, waiting for him to continue.

"Anywhere I am with you"

"No Uncle Will!" Charlotte screamed as she tore around the yard with Will hot on her tail. She giggled hysterically, dodging as Will tried to grab her, before crashing into her brother and going sprawling across the grass.

Will turned to go and grab Charlotte, before he was tackled by Sam, both of them landing in a flying heap in the dirt, laughter echoing around the property.

"Be careful! Sam, if you break him before this party, I swear to God, I'll break you!" Janine bellowed from the kitchen window, making the two men laugh even harder as the kids ran across the lawn to join the dog pile.

JJ was curled up on the outdoor lounge, watching Will with a smile. He was so good with his nieces and nephews. The kids absolutely adored him, and watching him interacting with them made her excited to one day see him with children of his own.

"Hey," came the quiet voice of Charlie, pulling her attention away from Will. "Can I get you a drink?"

She smiled, shaking her head. "I'm ok, thank you"

He nodded, crossing in front of her and taking a seat on the other side of the lounge. He leaned forward, playing absently with the empty beer bottle in his hand before he looked up at her. "I thought about what you said the other day," he said softly, all the anger from earlier suddenly missing from his voice. "And I realised I wasn't bein' entirely fair"

He took a deep breath, glancing down at his hands and then back up to JJ. "If your apology was good enough for Will… then it has to be good enough for me too. He's the one who's going to marry you… he's the only one who has the right to be angry… so I wanted to apologise for how I've been actin'"

A small smile graced the corners of JJ's mouth as she looked out into the yard. Charlotte and Zach had now jumped on top of Sam and Will, pinning the two men down in the dirt as they squealed with laughter.

"Thank you Charlie," she said softly, turning her head back towards the older man.

"I know you've been through a hell of a lot in the past two years… I hope Will has been able to help you through some of that. He's a good man"

JJ smiled. "The best"

"But I hope you realise… if you ever hurt him like that again… you'll have Sam and Jules to answer to as well, not just me," Charlie said, a hint of a smile playing in his eyes. "And I promise you it won't be me or Sam who's the most scary"

JJ laughed. "That doesn't surprise me"

Charlie chuckled, glancing at the empty bottle in his hand. "I think it's time for a refill"

He rose to his feet and started to head inside. At the last minute, he turned, looking back at JJ. "And, JJ?"

She turned to him expectantly.

"Don't… don't think that you don't deserve him… or that we think you're a stupid bitch, because… we don't. You're… an incredibly smart, kind, talented person… and you make him happier than I've ever seen him before. You both deserve that in your lives. One mistake shouldn't write you off"

Swallowing back tears, JJ nodded, managing a smile before Charlie turned and headed back inside.

"JJ, would you mind getting the door?" Sandy called from the kitchen as a heavy knock sounded against the front door on Saturday morning. Pulling herself up from where she was cuddled into Will's side, JJ left the room and headed towards the front door. When she pulled it open, she found Simone standing on the doorstep, beaming with her trademark grin.

"Hey!" JJ said happily, breaking into a smile as she reached out and wrapped her friend in a tight hug. "I've missed you!"

"I've missed you too!" Simone gushed, pulling back and tugging her backpack higher on her back. She looked back over her shoulder, her eyes searching for someone JJ couldn't see. "Stace! Hurry up!"

Before JJ could even question who Simone was talking to, a young man appeared on the porch behind Simone, carrying two large suitcases. He was taller than both JJ and Simone, yet shorter than Will, with a mop of crazy curls framing his handsome face.

"Hey. You must be JJ," he said warmly, lifting a hand. "Simone left me to carry all the bags"

JJ laughed as Simone shrugged.

"I was excited to see Jayje!"

Shaking her head, JJ stepped aside to allow them inside, where Will had now come in to the entryway.

"Hey!" Simone gushed once she was through the door, walking up and throwing her arms around Will's torso in a warm hug. "I hope you don't mind us coming here, the hotel didn't have our room ready yet and I was too excited to see you guys"

Will chuckled, giving her a squeeze back. "It's fine, we wouldn't have given you the address if you weren't welcome"

JJ closed the door behind her guests, turning to face them as Simone's friend set down their suitcases and extended a hand to JJ.

"Stacey. Stacey Ervin. Technically a Jr too, but we're gonna ignore that," he said with a grin.

"Oh, sounds like someone else I know," JJ said sarcastically as she shook Stacey's hand, looking pointedly over at Will. "I don't want to sound rude or anything, but… how do you know Simone?"

Stacey chuckled, looking over at his tiny companion. "Simone? You wanna fill in your friend like I asked you to a week ago?"

Simone grinned bashfully, pulling away from Will and sidling up to Stacey. She slipped an arm around his waist, smiling at her friends. "We're dating. We… haven't made anything official yet… between us or publically, but… we're going to. Soon," she said softly. "So if either of you post anything that gives this away, I'll kill you"

JJ laughed, gesturing for the couple to follow her as she started towards the kitchen. "I promise we won't. I'm just glad you're happy"

She rounded the corner, leading them into the kitchen where her mom was straightening up from the oven, while Janine put the finishing touches on a frankly incredible cake.

"Mom, Janine, Simone's here with Stacey," she said, catching her mom's attention. Sandy turned, beaming as she walked over and wrapped Simone in a tight hug. Janine smiled from behind the counter, giving the young couple a friendly wave.

"Oh it's so good to see you again," Sandy gushed, pulling away and turning to Stacey. He was pleasantly surprised when she also hugged him. "And it's so nice to meet you! I'm Sandy, the one who keeps JJ in line"

"What am I, window dressing?" Will said dryly as he sidled up beside JJ. They laughed as JJ lifted her face and pressed a kiss to Will's cheek.

"It's so nice to have you here. I'm excited to see all you girls again," Sandy said as she stepped back.

"I'm glad to hear that, since Simone didn't even bother to tell anyone I was coming," Stacey laughed, nudging Simone's side.

"I told JJ I was bringing a plus one!" Simone exclaimed.

"And failed to mention that it was the guy you're dating? Didn't think there would be any questions about that?"

"JJ passes no judgement," Simone giggled. "I mean, she lost a whole night in January, she's the queen of no judgement"

JJ grimaced. "Probably still a little too soon Simone. We've been engaged for barely a month"

"Right. Sorry," Simone chuckled. "Foot in mouth"