“No.” Scott nearly giggled. “He just watchedThe BradyBunchreruns for years.”
Ryan blushed. “I always wanted a big family.”
I snorted. “Be careful what you wish for, baby.”
They both laughed as the volume outside went up a notch.They knew they’d won. My family could always smell defeat. They were a bit likesharks.
“We can do this.” Scott seemed to have found the confident, take-chargeside of his personality he brought out at work.
All it had taken was for me to panic.
Good to know.
“If they say anything inappropriate, I need you to tell me.They’re excited to meet you guys but some of my siblings weren’t blessed withcommon sense.” Fingers crossed everyone hadn’t managed to be free at the sametime.
They both nodded, but it was Ryan that responded for them.“We will, as long as they keep it to teasing about our relationship in generaland not about…well, you know…it’ll be fine.”
Yes, they were used to dealing with people all day long andthey’d done sports in high school and college, so they could deal with idiots.
Even well-meaning ones.
“Yes, it’s going to be fine.” Or I was going to call mymother.
One more deep breath and I turned toward the door, steppingaway from my boys. Putting my game face on, I opened the door. “I hope youdon’t think this is a good time.”
Okay, it was only four of them.
It wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been.
Rich gave me very well-done puppy dog eyes. “But we wereexcited and when you gave Mom the address, we knew that meant you wanted us tocome visit.”
“No one here is that gullible.” I rolled my eyes as Ryan andScott tried not to laugh. “That’s not believable at all. You need to work onyour bullshit. I taught you better than that.”
I turned to my boys. “It’s really sad when you teach usefulskills and then you see people completely ignore them.”
Their eyes were sparkling as Ryan nodded. “Family’s hard.It’s not surprising that you’re the smart, witty one.”
I loved those two.
Sighing, I played along. “I know. I tried to help, but therest were hopeless.”
Meggie sighed. “God, they’re just as dramatic as you are.They’re clearly made for you.”
Rich, Adam, and Grace laughed, nodding as they pushed incloser, making it clear they wanted introductions and a tour.
That took more than a few minutes, but eventually theycalmed down and managed to look like we weren’t raised by monkeys.
“Darey kept you to himself so long we thought you might beimaginary.” Grace’s wicked grin had the boys chuckling.
“I was protecting them from this insanity.” I waved at thefour of them. “And I was right. On the day they’re moving in?”
That had them finally looking chagrined.
“We’re going to help.” Adam was generally more laid back, sothat didn’t surprise me. “Put us to work. Oh, and Mickey and Anna are going tomeet you at their old place tomorrow as long as you give them the address. Theycouldn’t come today, but they wanted to help the cleanup there.”
Okay, maybe I wouldn’t kill them.
“They don’t have to do that.” Ryan’s tight expression andthe way his gaze was bouncing around between everyone said he was worried aboutimposing on them.
