Billy Collins was making breakfast when I got to the kitchen. He had played sold-out stadiums, won countless awards, and had written some of the most well-known songs in the world, but at that moment, he was burning his fingertips on toast that had just popped from the toaster. His lips accented the moment with a silent curse as the toast clattered to a plate.

"Are we having avocado toast?" I teased from behind him.

"Never," he shot without looking at me. Instead, he focused on making sure the eggs weren't burning.

"Looks like you've advanced beyond peanut butter toast," I added as I looked at the spread he was creating.

"Honestly, if I smeared peanut butter on that, it's all Viv would eat." I could see a dimple prick his cheek at the jest.

"Hey," I whispered, letting my hands fall to his torso. "I love lame dad."

"Good, because I spend a lot more time being a lame dad than I do a rock star these days." He leaned down for a lingering kiss before returning to the stovetop.

"Can I help?"

"Depends. Can you cook yet?"

"Um, define cook?"

"Have you learned to nourish yourself without using a phone?"

"No, I have not," I confirmed.

"Then no, you cannot help. Sit," he nodded to a stool at the kitchen island. "You still drink your coffee black, right? Or do you want tea?"

"Coffee is good, and yes, black, please."

Billy slid a mug to me. "What are your big plans today?"

"I was thinking of seeing if Timmy was free."

"Really? What do you plan to do with Tim?"

"I wanted to check out some of the record stores." The steam from my coffee danced to my face as I blew on it.

"I don't know if you know this, but I also know a thing or two about music stores."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But I thought you had big plans with bathroom tiles, and Jackson and I could use some Timmy time."

"And buying a car. Did you think I forgot?"

"Billy, I'll never accuse you of being forgetful."

"Dad, it's too early for bacon...." Viv's annoyed tone ricocheted ahead of her as she thumped down the stairs. "You know I can't sleep through bac..." Her words dropped out as her eyes fell on me.

"Morning, Vivee," Billy leaned against the counter as he focused his eyes on her.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice dripped with accusation.

"Drinking coffee?" I awkwardly offered.

"Was that a joke? Is this a joke? Did she spend the night?" Viv snapped her face to her dad.

"Yes, she did," Billy calmly nodded.

I should've known that Billy would go straight to unabashed honesty.

"Dad, she can't... you can't be serious?"

"I'm very serious and rapidly growing concerned with your tone and manners."

"But Dad, she's... she... Uncle Tim used the phrase wrecking ball."

"Uncle Tim needs to use better discretion," Billy grumbled as he tossed a dish towel down to the counter.

"Dad..."

"Viv, give it a moment, okay? What do you want for breakfast?"

"Breakfast? Seriously, you're asking me what I want for breakfast?"

"Yes, I'm seriously asking you what you'd like for breakfast; bacon, eggs, and toast are ready."

I felt bad for Viv. I knew the feeling that was coursing through her. There was nothing more annoying when you were angry or frustrated than when Billy would try to diffuse you with his rational, calm side. It was truly infuriating.

"Coffee," Viv grumbled. "I just want coffee."

"Viv, you're not allowed to have coffee," Billy reminded. "What about peanut butter toast?"

"Don't try to sweet-talk me with peanut butter toast. Coffee is the only thing that'll go with the bitter taste in my mouth." Her eyes flickered to me as she spoke. A flash of disappointment at my lack of response crossed her face.

I winced too late, wishing I had focused on the shade she had thrown me to give her some satisfaction. Instead, I was taken by her words. She was Billy's daughter, highlighting the unsavory situation with the bitter taste of coffee.

"Orange juice and peanut butter toast; last offer," Billy added as he pulled the jar of peanut butter from the cabinet.

"Fine, but I want bacon on top of the peanut butter," she shot as she crossed her arms in annoyance.

"Gross." Billy shook his head, but added the bacon to the smear of peanut butter.

"Oh, we're talking about gross things?" Viv defiantly spat.

"Viv, enough. Dining room; now."

Viv stiffened at Billy's caveman directions. His words consistently decreased as his frustration grew.

"We'll be back in a few moments," he whispered as he passed me and let a hand glide over my arm.

"Take all the time you need." I smiled, grateful that I didn't have to be present for the entire conversation.

"Viv, we talked about this last weekend," Billy began as the door closed behind them, obscuring the rest of their discussion.

I made a plate of eggs and bacon and returned to my spot at the island. Billy was a good cook, which wasn't surprising given their life around Mary. I was pulling my phone out to text Tim when Jackson quietly entered.

"Morning," I kept my voice low, as though I may spook him.

"Morning," he offered back as he poured a glass of juice.

"I spent the night," spilled from my lips.

"I didn't ask." Jackson shook his head to himself.

"Sorry, Viv didn't...."

"No worries, I don't need to know. You could have just said Viv." He shrugged.

"Your dad cooked all that, not me. So, it should be safe to eat." I added.

He gave a small smile at my cheesy joke and grabbed a plate. Once he had doled out some food, he slid up to the counter facing me, as his dad often did.

"So, you're in IT?"

"Yeah, I started in marketing, but now I manage all the randomness that doesn't fit elsewhere."

"Like what?"

"Well, let's see. My team has the customer service team, business analysts, project managers, recruitment."

Jackson nodded quietly.

"Are you interested in IT?"

"No, not really. I don't like computers that much. They hurt my face."

A laugh burst from my chest. "That's the most Collins thing I've ever heard."

He shrugged, but a smile stretched across his face.

"Hey, thinking of Collins family traits. Would you be interested in hitting up some records stores after you're done tiling with your dad today?"

"Sure, you have anything specific in mind?"

"Not really. I'm hoping to find what I'm looking for when I see it," I offered.

"Look who's talking in Collins riddles now," Jackson laughed.

"Yeah, I deserve that." We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes before I added, "are you looking forward to tiling with your dad?"

"Not really, but it needs to get done. I mean, who gets excited about tiling?"

"Your dad," I nodded.

"Yeah, he's weird."

"He likes to get his hands dirty," I offered. "Have you learned any new songs lately?"

"No, not really." Jackson's eyes dipped away from me, signaling it wasn't a topic he wanted to discuss.

"Oh, well, maybe something at the store will spark something."

"Hey, Jackson," Billy greeted from behind me.

"Hey, Dad," Jackson slid down from the counter as though he expected a reprimand, even though Billy frequently sat on the counter himself.

"You ready to do some tile work today?" A bubbling excitement in Billy's voice caused both Jackson and me to giggle. "What?" Billy asked as his eyes moved back and forth between us.

"Nothing," we said in unison.

Viv had quietly settled on a stool next to me and was poking at her half-eaten toast without making eye contact with anyone.

"I think Jackson is going to come to the record store with me this afternoon. Anyone else interested?"

"I'm in," Billy absently said as he refilled his coffee. "Is Tim coming?"

"Not sure, haven't texted him yet. I will right now," I said as I pulled my phone from my pocket.

"We're not allowed phones during meals," Viv murmured in a low tone.

"House rule," Billy offered.

"Sorry," I apologetically tucked my phone back into my pocket.

"If Dad had his way, no one would have a phone ever," Viv mumbled.

"Let me guess; the screens make your face hurt too?"

"Too?" Billy asked.

"Jackson, screens cannot hurt your face," Viv chided.

"Yes, they can," Jackson shot.

"That's ridiculous. A screen would only hurt your face if I slapped you upside the head with my laptop."

"Viv," Billy shot.

"What? It's just a stupid thing to say," Viv complained.

"I agree with Jackson. The screens mess with me," Billy countered.

"I agree with Viv; you're both ridiculous," I offered.

"Don't connect with me." Viv recoiled from me as she spoke.

"She wasn't trying to connect with you, stupid. She works in IT, of course; she agrees with you," Jackson grumbled.

Viv stared at her brother for a moment before finally slipping from the stool with an "ugh, you are all the worst" and stormed from the kitchen.

"Well," Jackson started as he set his empty plate in the dishwasher, "looks like you two have that under control. Let me know when you're ready to grout," and followed Viv's path from the kitchen.

"I don't know which one is more like you; stubborn Viv or sarcastic Jackson," I teased Billy.

"I'm stubborn and sarcastic?" He shot as he pulled Viv's half-eaten toast concoction across the island. He gazed down at it for a moment before he picked it up and took a bite. "Son of a bitch, it's good," he grumbled before tossing the rest into the garbage disposal.

"Okay, well, I'm off," I slipped from my stool.

"Off? Where are you going?" Billy's eyes grew with surprise.

"I was going to head back to Mary's until you're ready to hit up the record store," I offered as I came around the bar.

"I thought you'd hang around here." His bottom lip puffed out in an unintended but adorable pout.

I pinched it gently between two fingers. "You're so cute," I smiled.

"Cute enough to stay?" A cheeky smile curled his lips and pricked his cheeks with dimples.

"What will I do? You and Jackson are grouting, and Viv is avoiding me."

"Well," he glanced behind him, "you could do the dishes."

"Billy Collins, you're asking me to do your dishes!"

"I'm asking you to do our dishes. You ate too!"

"Ugh, is this how it's going to be? I'm going to have to do chores."

His brow furrowed as he looked down at me. "Yes. I mean, yes. Life is chores."

"Ugh, fine." I turned away from him with a curt twist and clattered with the dishes loudly.

As he drew close to me, I felt his hands land on my hips. "Who's adorable now?" His words breezed across my neck and sent a surge through me that caused my body to twirl and collide with him.

"I have an idea that is better than the dishes," I smiled.

"Mmhmm, I'm sure you do." He pulled me to him, but his lips did not drop to mine. Instead, he let his chin rest on the top of my head. "I like the slow. The catch-up is working; the talking is working."

I wanted to argue, but as a heavy sigh seeped from my chest, I admitted, "me too."

"I love you, Lil." One of Billy's large hands coursed up and down over my back as he spoke. "This is going to work this time."

"I know," I agreed as I rested my head on his chest.