“This is Ashley, Dad.” Spencer smiled at the brunette. “She’s my girlfriend.”

“Really? That’s so great honey! Excuse me, sorry how rude of me, Arthur Carlin.” He said extending his hand to Ashley.

“Ashley Davies. You have a lovely home, Mr. C.”

“Mr. C….I like that.” Arthur smiled at both girls.

“Dad, the grill is almost ready.” Clay said walking into the kitchen.

“Ok…excuse me. I have to attend to some culinary matters.” He said heading out to the backyard.

“Spence! How are you?” Clay said hugging his sister and practically picking her up off the floor.

“I’m great Clay…How are Chels and the kids doing?”

“We are doing just fine.” She heard Chelsea say as she walked in from the back with two small children tagging along behind. They peeked around their mother’s legs and flew into Spencer’s waiting arms.

“You guys have gotten so big! Oh Chels, Clay, this is my girlfriend, Ashley Davies.” Ashley stuck out her hand but was soon caught up in a huge hug by Clay.

“It’s so great to meet you. This is my wife, Chelsea.” Clay said after letting Ashley go.

“Nice to meet you. You look a bit familiar. Have we met before?” Chelsea asked politely.

“Well I’m not really sure. We may have…are you from L.A.?” Chelsea nodded her head. “Did you happen to go to King High?” Chelsea’s eyes widened.

“Oh my god! You’re ‘the’ Ashley Davies. We had a few classes together but we never actually met. You look great. I last heard that you were touring in Europe. How was it?”

“It was an experience. I’m happy to be back, though.” She said smiling at Spencer who was giving her niece and nephew airplane rides.

“Touring? Touring for what?” Clay asked.

“She’s a rock star, man!” Glen piped in.

“Wow.”

“It’s really not that big of a deal. So, who are these lil’ ones?” Ashley asked picking up a small boy who looked exactly like Clay.

“The little man you are carrying is my son, Thomas. The beautiful little girl in Spencer’s arms is Tamara.”

 “They are beautiful.” Clay and Chelsea looked at each other and smiled with pride.

“Oh thank god you are here!” Marco exclaimed when he entered the house. “I was afraid that you wouldn’t show!” He quickly pulled Ashley and Spencer into a big hug nearly crushing the small children in their arms.

“Watch it there Marco.” Clay said while gathering his children.

“Sorry…look guys let me make it up to you. Do you want to go color?” Thomas and Tamara nodded their heads and grabbed Marco’s hands before heading into the living room.

“Well I’m going to go see if Dad needs any help. It was nice meeting you Ashley.” Clay said before making his way out of the house.

“Likewise.”

“I think I will do the same. I would love to hear how everything has been going for you. We should get together sometime. Maybe a double date?” Chelsea asked while getting some paper plates and plastic silverware off the counter.

“Definitely.” Spencer and Ashley said at the same time. Chelsea smiled and left to return to the backyard.

“Well I guess I’ll go help too.” Glen said heading out back.

“I told you Glen was an ass.” Spencer said pulling Ashley to her.

“Yeah but the rest of your family is wonderful. You are wonderful.” Ashley said kissing Spencer softly on the lips.

Just then the front door opened and a woman’s voice called out from the front of the house, “I’m home!”

Spencer quickly dislodged herself from Ashley’s arms and looked at her with a sad look and whispered, “It’s my mother…”