Cody

Just as I thought, mom was standing outside when we arrived.

My mom is a beautiful woman with a kind heart. I think June is the only person I've ever seen mom show a kind of dislike towards. That's because she truly believes June trapped me when she got pregnant. I also believe it's true, but at the same time having sex has consequences.

I put my truck in park, and she was already at the truck waiting for a hug.

"Oh, I've missed you." She held on for dear life. "I'm so sorry about Sean."

Caroline got out of the truck and approached us, but mom was distracted.

"Missed you too, mom." I hugged her back. "Mom this is Caroline. Caroline this is my mom, Hannah." I said.

Mom looked at her and smiled. "Welcome to our home, you're so pretty." She gave her a hug too.

"It's nice to meet the girl that gave my son his spark back. Now, don't you mind June, she's harmless." mom said.

"Yeah, we've met. You have a beautiful home." Caroline said.

"Thank you, we built this with our own two hands. My in-laws had the land before passing it down to my husband. Now, I heard your not just any teacher, but a music teacher. We have plenty to discuss during your visit." Mom was walking her into the house.

"Hi, dad." Jessie walked by.

"What's this? No, hi daddy, or hugs?" I asked.

"I already saw you today, silly." I bent over and tickled her, before picking her up.

"But I miss you when you're not with me, it doesn't matter that you just left the farmhouse." I said.

"Jessie!" I heard June call for her from upstairs.

"Gotta go, mom's wanting me to take a bath...cause fishing." She said.

"Run along." I said.

"I'll be right back, don't go anywhere." She said.

"We aren't going anywhere," I said.

"Hi, Caroline. Bye Caroline." She giggled and walked away.

"Hi, Jessie." Caroline greeted with a soft laugh.

"Come in, let's talk." Mom said to Caroline.

"Where's dad?" I asked.

"Fixing a fence line really quick, he should be back at any time." We followed mom in the kitchen.

"Ava and Bridget should be here soon, and Zack is out with your dad." She added.

"Is Bridget bringing the new guy?" I reached in the fridge and grabbed a beer to offer Caroline, but she shook her head.

"Thanks anyway, water would be good." She said and I went and grabbed a glass.

"No, she's moved on from that boy, but Ava has a new beau. He's new to town, he's actually the new deputy. He really seems like a good catch." Mom said.

I set the water down in front of Caroline and sat down next to her. "I guess Dean spoke to you about who to contact for use of the high school gym?"

"Yes, but I don't understand why they don't use the gym from his high school." She made me wonder the same thing.

"I don't know. I hope the school officials didn't turn the family away because of the way he died." I said.

Mom nodded. "That could very well be the reason. Anyway, Caroline we watched the live stream of the concert. How did you know the music so well? Are you a fan?" Mom asked.

I had to chuckle.

"What's so funny?" Mom asked.

"Caroline isn't a country music fan, she's classicly trained." I said.

"I don't dislike country music, I just don't spend so much time listening." She defended.

"Don't worry sweetie, I'm not either." Mom laughed. "For Cody, it was a good fit."

"He's an amazing musician." Caroline smiled, and both mom and I said thank you.

Jessie finally came back down just about the same time the rest of the family arrived. I introduced her to my two sisters, father, and we both met Kyle, Ava's new boyfriend. He seems okay, and Ava seems happy. June, not so much. She's out of place, and I find it odd she would want to be around my family during our divorce.

Dad asked for some help out in the barn after dinner, which left Caroline alone with the women of my family.

I was helping dad out in the barn."I've never seen anything so ridiculous in my life. Your wife is in there with your daughter, but so is your girlfriend. What part of this coincides with the morals you were taught?" He asked.

"Well, being that my soon to be ex-wife is pregnant with someone else's baby, it happens to be something you never prepared me to face. So how can you judge my actions at the moment?" I asked.

"I'm not saying June would have been our first pick for you, but she is still your wife. How could you bring that woman here knowing June and Jessie would be in our home?" He asked.

I'm getting annoyed.

"June was never invited, and nobody told me my parents would allow her to stay in their home. I stayed faithful, but she didn't, dad. I never planned to meet Caroline, but after so many years of being restless, I can finally say I'm content. She's the one, dad. I always knew it wasn't June." I explained.

"That girl better not be a rebound, because you're playing with fire, son. I see how you could fall for her, but don't bring her down with this divorce. God knows, the last thing we need is to piss anyone off in the Whitehouse." He said.

"I would never hurt Caroline, not on purpose at least. She and Jessie are my world. I can't tell you how much they both mean to me. I may not have it all figured out yet, but I'm on the right path, you just have to trust me." I said.

"I've never heard you talk like this about a woman." He said.

"I've never felt like this for a woman," I responded.

"Sounds like you love her, but please, don't confuse love with infatuation. She seems to be a good girl, and she will pay the hardest if you screw this up. If you thought June cared too much about image, this girl has a lot more to lose." Dad said.

"I know, dad. I appreciate your concern, but Caroline is permanent in my life. That, I do know for sure." I assured him.

We finished up in the barn, and I got cleaned up to go back in with the family. I can't wait to get Caroline home. It's all I've thought about the entire day.