Side by side

79

I'm so nervous when Tyler and I drive through the gates to Marshall's house. I haven't slept all night because I've been so nervous to meet his kids. What if they don't like me? Marshall has told me to relax but that's really hard when I know what their opinion means to him. It's been much easier for Marshall because he was around with Tyler before we even thought of dating each other. His girls of course know who I am and I've also met them a lot of times but not as Marshall's girlfriend. Marshall's girlfriend.. it still sounds so weird!

Tyler rings the doorbell and it takes a little time before Marshall opens the door. He offers us a smile and Tyler immediately hugs the life out of him since he hasn't seen him since we had dinner with my mom and Sam.

"How's it going?" He asks us as he now lifts Tyler up on his arm.

"Good." I smile as I walk inside and I can immediately hear talking from the kitchen.

Marshall takes my hand which makes me look at him.

"Hey.. relax." He says softly and presses his lips against mine. "It's gonna be fine." He apparently notices how nervous I am.

He takes my hand and we lock fingers as he leads me into the kitchen. The girls are sitting at the dinner table and they go completely silent when they see us.

"Hi." Alaina then says and gets up from her chair. She walks over to me and shakes my hand. "Nice to see you again."

"You too." I say politely and Hailie and Whitney now comes up and say hi to me as well.

We all sit down at the table and I'm seriously shaking from being so nervous as they sit there watching me with a polite smile on their faces.

"So.. dad told us you lived in Chicago before you moved to Detroit." Hailie says. "What did you work with in Chicago?"

"I was an accountant in a bank." I tell her. 

"So you have never worked in the music industry?" Hailie asks.

"No." I smile. "But it's actually way more interesting than working in a bank."

"I could only imagine." Hailie giggles.

"And then it's of course interesting working for me." Marshall cuts in which makes me look at him.

"Sure." I say in a sarcastic tone.

"You're very brave." He chuckles.

"Like I'm scared." I laugh.

"Oh you have some guts." Alaina laughs.

"He has it all in his mouth." I say giving Marshall a smile.

"Your mom is about to get into trouble." Marshall tells Tyler and Tyler just giggles being so cute.

"I'm scared." I whisper but loud enough for the whole table to hear.

"You should be." He smirks and something tells me that I'm gonna pay for this later.

"Hey Jenny." Alaina now cuts in which makes me look at her. "Hailie and I are making dinner today. Maybe you would like to join?"

"Yes, I'd love to." I say as it gives me a better chance to talk to them.

We begin to sit and talk casually and I get to know his girls a lot more. They're some smart girls and they're really dedicated and strong minded. They know what they want and they work hard to get there. Marshall is a really good father and he raised these girls good. I understand why he's so proud of them.

...

When we reach late afternoon then Marshall, Tyler and Whitney go into the living room to do something together as Hailie, Alaina and I start on dinner in the kitchen. Even though we've been at the table talking for hours then I'm still nervous just because Marshall isn't here.