A/N: Before You read, allow me to apologize for the late updates! I know I've apologized numerous of times, but I really need to apologize once again. I don't want you to feel like I'm abandoning the story, I'm not! This story is my baby! I've just been so caught up with "Inhaling Alongside You". I absolutely have been under a trance with that story. And in the process I have abandoned my job in updating this story. So I hope this chapter makes up for it, just a bit of humor to ease the pain of waiting. Well anyways, here's chapter 71,
-Meeting The Maddox's- enjoy and please leave comments as well as vote!

*Jasmine's Point Of View*

"You have quite a lovely home. I think it's the biggest in the neighborhood" Mister Maddox compliments as we enter the dining room.

Mom and dad exchange glances before deciding it was a complete and thanking him. Mister Maddox nods and takes a seat next to Dylan and Jordyn. Jordyn squeals in excitement at the new faces, displaying her growing front teeth. Chuckling at the toddler, Derrek waits for me to sit before taking a seat beside me.

Dad escorts Misses Maddox to the next chair beside her husband before quickly aiding mom to her chair as well. When everyone is seated, he glances around and sighs happily as he takes a seat beside mom.

I glance around the table as well, my heart fluttering at my happy family. I wonder if this is what Derrek's and I future holds. Our families coagulating for dinner. I think it would be a beautiful thing to have this in our future, if there is a future.

"Well I didn't know what your interest are food wise, so I cooked a bit of everything. Chicken tacos with guacamole dip, that's how the kids like it, but I also made grilled shrimp in a festive fruit salad. And I hope you guess are in the mood for strawberry cheesecake" mom smiles, passing down the cuisines.

Derrek's face lights up as well as his fathers as they glance at the decorum in which mom prepared our meal. On the other hand, misses Maddox glances at the meal distastefully, only smiling when mom glance over at her.

That's something I really despise about miss Maddox. She's like an uptight prune. Derrek has warned me about her. His father maybe pretty hardcore in discipline, but his mother is all around rude and very out spoken. Just plain annoying.

"I've had fish tacos, but never chicken tacos. This is awesome Misses Jay" Derrek compliments, biting into his soft taco after our prayer.

Mom giggles, cheesing foolishly. That's what I love about Derrek, he was able to score mom from their first meeting, but he still had to put a bit more effort in order or dad to jump on the Derrek bandwagon. My fingers are crossed that his parents will do the same, especially misses Maddox.

"Thank you Derrek. I would've made fish, but the baby doesn't really like seafood all that much" She explains, glancing down at her stomach.

"Oh you're pregnant? Wow how far along are you?" Misses Maddox asks, genuinely surprised.

Mom giggles lightly, glancing up.

"Two months next week" She proudly answers.

Nodding oddly, Misses Maddox glances over at Mister Maddox for a quick second before forcing a smile.

"And how old are you again, misses Jackson?" She interrogates further.

"I'm thirty-eight. I'll be thirty-nine this upcoming month..." Mom answers, clearly confused by Misses Maddox's interrogation.

Derrek and I exchange uneasy glances as His mother continues with more personal questions regarding moms health and readiness for another baby. She even goes as far as stating a factoid about pregnancies after the age of thirty-five. With each statement and question, mom was slowly becoming bothered and even agitated.

All the while, dad tried to change the subject with questions about the Maddox's interests, sadly that conversation went laugh as misses Maddox made another inappropriate response.

"I don't believe in a man being an alpha. I believe both men and women can do each other's proposed jobs the society categorizes us with. I can't agree with you" Mom stresses, her eyes dagger with annoyance.

Misses Maddox sips at her raspberry tea, discreetly rolling her eyes at moms statement.

"Well... What does your husband think of this? What do you say about this Michael?" She asks, returning her glass onto it's coaster.

Dad glances around the table, taking a long sip of his tea before awkwardly smiling. I'm literally dying for him. If I was him I would give mom permission to allow her fist to become well acquainted with Misses Maddox's jaw. She's pushing it, and Mister Maddox hasn't said anything.

What a prick.

*Michael's Point Of View*

Why does the subject of feminism always come up in an conversation? Why can't we talk about the cat that was stuck in the city's pipeline last week? Anything but this. What's even worse is that I'm being dragged into this.

Purposely chugging down my tea, I gulp and smile awkwardly at Misses Maddox.

"Well, I agree with my wife on this one. No one has specific jobs in a marriage or in life. It's all what society has came up with" I carefully answer, placing a comforting hand on Marilyn's thigh to calm her down.

The kids look to Misses Maddox for a smart reply or a rebuttal to my answer. Instead, she nods and silently continues eating her food. I couldn't help but stifle a laugh and a foolish grin as I have finally silenced the lion.

"So misses Jay, I think that cake of yours is calling our names" Derrek interrupts the silence, capping his hands together in anticipation.

Tearing her glare away from Misses Maddox, Marilyn smiles and nods.

"Yeah, cake is definitely in order. Michael can you help me cut the slices?" She asks standing up.

I glance up at her I'm confusion before awkwardly agreeing to assist her. Politely excusing ourselves, we slip out of the dining room and quickly enter the kitchen. Marilyn walks over to the cake which is in a glass covering.

"That woman is annoying as hell..." She grumbles, violently removing the cake knife from it's holder.

Chuckling lightly, I walk over to her as she frustratedly tries to focus on cutting a slice of the cake. It's amusing when she's agitated. My poor babygirl.

"Mama, don't let her get to you. You see she's just one if those uppity people. Make like the back of a duck and let the water roll off" I advise, taking the knife from her.

She sighs in defeat, watching me slice seven pieces of the delectable cheesecake. Handing me our finest china plates, she leans against the counter and glances down at the floor.

"Papa, maybe she's right? Seeing that you bring home the bacon, I shouldn't worry about working. I mean, being a house wife isn't bad. Look at the women on the television. They are happy wives" she tries to reason with herself.

I pause from placing the last slice onto it's plate. I know Marilyn is just talking out of worry. Marilyn hates playing "housewife" after her daycare was shut down. Even through her nights of ravaging through alcohol, she still was well aware that being a "housewife" wasn't for her. I agree.

"Babygirl, you're not like those women. I've seen the other shows and those wives are making a profit for themselves as well. I don't believe in that breadwinner crap. You're intelligent, beautiful, and ambitious. You're not a housewife. No wife if mine will be a housewife. Stop letting Curella in there get in your head" I preach, setting down the knife.

Walking up to her, I place my palms on her growing belly.

"Our little ones look up to you. Brandon was inspired to become a pharmacist because of you. You're not a housewife. You never have been and never will be" I assure her.

"I guess. I don't see the witch with a makeup line... I should recommend some for her because her eyebrows aren't the life of the party" She giggles, glancing up at me.

"And maybe some primer for those crows feet. Poor woman, maybe she can be your newest client" I laugh along, pecking her lips.

Giggling a few minutes more, she kisses me again and suggests we hurry with the cake before she starts another argument.
Chuckling, I nod in agreement and follow her with the plates.

Later Into The Night...

"I'm telling you the Patriots will beat the Pistons!" Damien exclaims, biting into his third slice of cake.

I shake my head in disagreement. A couple of hours into dinner, everyone decided to disperse and get to know each other. Though Kirsten came off as an annoyance earlier into the dinner, she apologized and asked for a clean slate. After a few exchanged glances Marilyn and I agreed for the sake of Jasmine and Derrek.

So now that leads into my current situation. Damien and I decided to break away from the girls along with Dylan and Derrek to have a little time to get to know each other as well.

Damien surprisingly isn't a terrible man. He strongly believes in fairness and tries to apply it to his approach in office. I essentially presumed he would be a male version of his wife, Kirsten. Instead he surprised me with a humorous personality and poor choice of sports teams. Apart from talking of our general interests, we also talked about our careers.

He complimented me for making a long term goal and actually achieving it. He mention his admiration of my journey to success. I reminded him that my work is never done, but I still appreciated his compliments. It's a great feeling to have someone recognize your results of many trials. Mainly because they have no idea what you did to get to where you are. It's a funny illusion.

"Everyone knows the Patriots suck ass. I'm sorry Damien, but you are terrible with sports teams" I reject his excitement.

Chuckling wildly, he sets down his empty plate and leans back into the couch.

"Your wife has hands of an angel, that food was a blessing" He laughs, rubbing his stomach in satisfaction.

I nod in agreement, mirroring him.

"So are you boys done goofing off now? Should I schedule a second date?" Kirsten teases as she enters with Jordyn clasping onto her right hand.

Damien and I both stand up lazily and walk over to them.

"Candy!" Jordyn exclaims, showcasing her sticky fingers.

"Oh my, my peaches is covered in a strawberry blow pop" I gasp, kneeling to her level.

"I'm sorry, it was the only way she would talk to me. She's such a candy digger" Kirsten laughs.

Stealing her away and into my arms, I stand upright and poke Jordyn's stomach before acknowledging Kirsten's statement.

"Oh I know how much of a tyrant this one can be. I hope she said thank you?" I playfully glare at Jordyn, who is now working on the second lollipop.

"Yes. She's very persuading and mild mannered" Kirsten confirms as I direct them out of the living room.

Jordyn happily continues gnawing on her lollipop as we enter the front, joining the rest of the gang. Setting her down onto the floor, I let her throttle towards the staircase and watch her sit on the last step. Seeing that she's in good hands, I turn my attention I the departing Maddox's.

"I'm so sorry Marilyn. I can be a bit of a prick with meeting new people. I'm working on that" Kirsten sighs as we assist them with their coats.

Marilyn and I discreetly nod in agreement only to shrug it off when Kirsten glances at us.

"It's fine. The slate has been clean. I enjoyed your company, I will definitely keep in contact with you for next weeks conciliation" Marilyn smiles.

Apparently, Marilyn made use of my sarcasm about Kirsten's make up and decided to advertise her make up line and fortunately has now gained a new client, Kirsten.

"Oh yes... You see I have terrible crows feet it's just a terrible burden" She rambles.

I stifle a laugh as Marilyn's and I conversation about Kirsten's makeup, replayed in my mind.

"Alright Kirsten, don't talk their ear off now. We should get going now, Derrek has a big game tomorrow and he needs his rest" Damien interrupts Kirsten's ramble.

Derrek walks from around the corner along with Jasmine, blushing violently at the mention of his name. I eye them suspeciously, watching their hands release each other as he shuffles next to his parents.

"And where were you two?" Damien questions.

Dylan bursts into laughter as the color in Derreks and Jasmines face flushes completely.

Caught.

"W-We were looking at the pictures. Y-you have a lovely family Mister Jackson. A-A big loving family" Derrek stutters aimlessly.

I open my mouth to interrogate further, but Marilyn gives a look to drop it. Reluctantly agreeing, I nod and continue showing them out.

"See you soon Damien and Kirsten. It was a pleasure!" Marilyn yells after them as Bill escorts them into the driveway.

"By Derrek! Call me tonight!" Jasmine yells, stepping outside.

"Get in the den house crazy girl!" I playfully scold.

Blushing again for the hundredth time this evening, she slips past as I close the door. When I turn around, her arm find their way around my torso. Taken a back by her sudden affection, I chuckle and return her hug.

"Thanks for being awesome dad. I love you. I really do" She whispers into my chest.

"You're welcomed princess. I love you too" I smile, pecking her forehead.

She releases our warm embrace and smiles foolishly. I'm so glad she's happy again, even if it's because of a boy. Just as long as he keeps her happy, I won't mind that smile.

"And yes, you definitely earned some cool points" She giggles, turning to walk away.

I stand beside the door for a few minutes longer. How may forty year old fathers can proudly say that their fourteen year old, nearly fifteen year old daughter has given him cool points? Not many, I'm taking this award out in stride.

Laughing quietly at my own childishness, I proceed to the kitchen to tell Marilyn if my gain in cool points.

Operation Meet The Parents, complete success...

To Be Continued...