Message in a Bottle.

10.

Bo was pacing like a manic.

He didn't know why. Logically it would be fine. Not logically, everything possible would go wrong.

He'd asked Dolly what everyone liked, he'd made that. Some fish dish that had been easy enough with a few side dishes that also included cornbread and Mac n Cheese.

"Yer pacin'" Lester had deadpanned as he leaned against Bo's doorway. Bo took his cap off and brushed a hand through his hair.

"A bit" Bo confessed to Lester who sighed,

"Bo, if ya think much more, the entire apartment is gonna fill with smoke"

Bo glared at Lester but got his gist, sighing and rolling his shoulders back to relax a bit.

"I just don't wanna fuck this up y'know? This of all damn things...think those two don't like me none anyway" Bo said, closing his eyes and huffing, he could practically see Lester's shrug,

"Can't win em all Bo Boy" Lester said and Bo opened his eyes purely to glare at Lester who grinned innocently back.

"We got Michael" Lester said to Bo. "We got Vinny's weird ass, y'ain't no pushover either"

"What about you?"

"I'm too cute to fight anyone" Lester said, batting his eyelashes at Bo who couldn't help but smile at his brother, "but if it was for you and them fishes? I'd go to bat for y'all"

Bo's heart softened at that. It always did when it came to his brothers and he went over to Lester, taking off his cap and ruffling his hair which made Lester snort, grabbing his cap and putting it back on.

"All I'm sayin is we're good...and I bet them mer's ain't pushovers either"

"You're right...I'm freaked over nothing big" Bo said with a sigh, rolling his shoulders just as a knock sounded at the door.

Lester went to answer it, upon hearing his greeting of a usual "Howdy", Bo braced himself.

Good thing as immediately after, Dolly had launched herself into a hug with him, he smiled despite his fears.

"Hey Doll" he said softly, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her forehead, "y'look lovely"

She did. She was wearing a powder blue sundress that really brought out her eyes. She beamed at Bo,

"Thank you!"

Bo gave her another forehead kiss. Looking past her to see Lily, Rosalie and Lester all talking about something or other while Raphael sat nearby, side eyeing Michael who was sitting stoically like usual. Vincent was just cuddled into Lily's side like an overgrown puppy.

"Dinner should just be about ready now" Bo said softly, looking at Dolly, "wanna help me?" He asked and she nodded, taking his hand,

"Lead the way" she said with a smile so nice that Bo kissed her cheek before leading her to the kitchen.