Aubrey catches Jedediah glancing at her as they walk, hand in hand, up to the door of his house. She smiles nervously at him before he turns her to face him and kisses her lightly. A blush covers her cheeks and a smile graces her lips.

"That's better, sweetheart. I promise it is going to be good and I can take you home whenever you are ready."

"I love you, Jedediah Williams."

He smiles and kisses her lips softly. "I love you too, Aubrey Newben."

She nods, takes his hand again and follows him into the bachelor pad she has come to love, all while a bright smile rests on her lips. The scene before her isn't exactly what she was expecting, but then again she didn't know what to expect. An older lady, she guesses his mom, tosses a salad before handing it to, she assumes, his sister. Around the table an older gentleman, she figures his dad, sets two chairs at the little extension that a man a couple years younger than Jedediah is setting up.

Before she really has time to take it all in all four heads snap up and smiles spread across the bright faces. "Hi! You must be Aubrey. I'm, Debra, Jedediah's mom."

Aubrey smiles shyly. "Yes ma'am I'm Aubrey and this is Cole. Nice to meet you."

Jedediah slips his arm around her hips. "This is my sister, Stacy, my dad, Joseph and my brother, Clay." He nods to each as he says their name.

"Nice to meet you," the three chorus. Their voices are bright and cheerful making her feel more welcome than before.

"Nice to meet y'all too," Aubrey says with a smile. She turns to Cole who is in Jedediah's arms. "Can you say hi?" He shakes his head and buries it into the crook of Jedediah's neck. "I'm sorry he's a little shy."

Stacy smiles and waves her hand as if to clear the air. "It's no problem. I'm sure he will warm up to us in no time."

Then as if nothing happen the four went back to preparing the table to eat. Aubrey feels as though she is watching a happy family movie as everyone gets along. Only when Jedediah kisses her cheek does she come out of her daze. "You okay, sweetheart?"

She looks up at him and smiles. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just not used to this."

He nods in understanding. "How about we sit down? You can sit between me and Stacy and Cole can sit on the corner by me and my dad. Sound good?"

Slipping a kiss onto his cheek she smiles and nods. The evening of getting to know his parents has only begun and her nerves are raging high. She watches in silence as his mom finishes placing the food on the table, with the help of Stacy and Clay. Just as she thinks there can't possible be anymore room she brings out one last dish. Steaming hot rolls.

After they hold hands and pray the food begins to pass around and everyone begins to talk amongst themselves, but all Aubrey can do is take in the food and try to hold back the tears that threaten to fall. The meal looks much like the ones her mom made when she was growing up, and even like the ones that her aunt made after she moved in with her when Cole was born. The thought of the happy times in her family and that the two best cooks she knew have now passed, all piled on top of the nervousness of meeting his family is just too much for one girl to handle. "Excuse me," she mutters standing up from the table and making her way to the bathroom.

Jedediah immediately stops cutting meat for Cole and watches as Aubrey hurries to the bathroom. Is she feeling okay? She didn't say anything about not feeling well before. He mentally scratches his head as to the reason for her hasty exit. He sits Cole in the chair beside him and stands. "I'll be back in a moment."

His family only nods in understanding while wearing worried faces. Cole, on the other hand, shakes his head. "No, I go check on momma."

Jedediah can't help, but smile at the love and care the little boy has for his momma, but he also know this conversation is best done without little ears around. He looks to his brother and raises an eyebrow. "What if I go check on your momma and Clay takes you to see the horses? Then when momma feels better we will come see them with you?"

Cole continues to look up at him as if thinking the idea over before shrugging. "Okay, I guess."

Clay smiles and takes the little boys hand. As they begin to walk out the back door he asks, "Do you like to ride horses?"

Cole smiles real big and nods. "A lot, but sometimes it scares momma."

Clay chuckles. "I used to scare my momma when I was little like you. She always said I rode too fast, but then she got used to it."

Jedediah chuckles and shakes his head as he watches his brother and Cole chat as they walk out of the house. It is like they are old friends that have spent years together. Then he turns his attention back to the sweet woman that he loves so much.  As his gaze passes over his family his mom smiles at him and nods. They don't know her whole story, but he is pretty sure they know enough to gather that his it a raw spot in the soft caring heart of his girlfriend.

He knocks on the bathroom door before opening it a little and stepping in. "Aubrey, sweetheart, what's wrong? Do you feel okay?"

She slowly looks up at him with tears still running down her flush cheeks. Looking at his confused and concerned eyes makes her want to be wrapped up in his arms. She always feels safe in his strong arms. "Nothing. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make such a fuss."

He picks her up from her perch on the toilet and places her in his lap as he sits on the side of the bathtub. "You didn't make a fuss and yes something is wrong. Please talk to me about it." When she remains silent he adds, "You are kind of scaring me, sweetheart."

She sniffles as he wipes the tears from her eyes and cheeks. "It just all reminded me about how it felt at home. And at my aunt's. It reminded me of how close family can be and how much I miss it."

He wraps his arms around her tighter and pulls her to him. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry. I never thought about that. I don't guess there is anything I can do to help is there?"

She shakes her head against his chest.

He gently lifts her chin so that she is looking at him. "I know it is not the same and I know that you just met my family a few minutes ago, but I want you to be my wife. I want to marry you."