Meant For Each Other (Wattpad Version)

Epilogue: The Bennett Family

Mack

They say life is grand. I suppose it is for other people until I had a family of my own. When I met Paige, I didn't know where it would take me. Between my dipwad friends and Paige, I managed to end up with an extended family.

I watched Paige suffer from the loss of children while I managed to have one, Bella. Bella drove me nuts with her infatuation with Ty while Andy Panda couldn't make up his mind. Do you know how many times I had to figure out what to do with that Damn shirt?

Andy Panda finally did the best thing with his life. He married my kid and gave me grandchildren, who I have to share with Bob. Bob still doesn't know how to dress, and Ruth still wants to burn his shirt. I don't blame her. That's the ugliest shirt ever.

Miguel still agrees with me on TV shows. Ian needs to my off oil. He could change the oil in my car and even have some leftover with as much as he uses. Martin chilled out on the social issues with Brenda's help. Chad still goes with the flow. His son Kevin is the same way. We all need a Chad and Kevin in our lives.

It took the kids a little longer to figure their lives out. If one didn't have an issue, another one did. Let's not forget about the jail episode where they all confessed to a crime they didn't commit. If I learned anything from this family, they need me because they would suffer if I weren't here.

"Mack! Hurry!" Paige yelled.

"Betty! I don't need you to rush me!" I yelled back, pulling my line into me.

"My name is Paige!" Paige yelled.

I chuckled, casting my line again. "Yes, it is," I mumbled.

I heard footsteps as someone stood next to me.

"Yes, Bella?" I asked, holding my line steady.

"Everyone is waiting for you," Bella told me.

I glanced and looked at everyone gathered around, waiting to celebrate my birthday. I would rather fish.

"Did I ever tell you that fishing is like life?" I asked.

"No, I don't think you have," Bella replied.

"You cast your line into the water, hoping to hook a fish, but not any fish. You want the right fish. You wait until you capture it, no matter how long it takes. Fishing is like life. You cast a line and hope you catch the right people in your life to make it better. You throw back the bad ones. It's called catch and release," I explained.

"Did you catch the right fish?" Bella asked me.

I glanced at Bella. "No, the right fish caught the fisherman," I said, smiling.

Bella smiled as I reeled my line in, then packed up my stuff. I carried my fishing pole and tackle box to the table as everyone gathered around it.

"I'm not good with mushy stuff. That's Bob's department," I said, making everyone laugh.

"That's true!" Miguel yelled.

"When I lost my parents, I had friends that helped me get through it. Even though they're dipwads, I couldn't imagine not having them in my life. We all have a chance to meet people who become friends then turn into family. The Bennett family expanded, including our children and grandchildren with great-grandchildren," I said, looking at Andi, Brandon, and Marta's children.

I looked at Paige and Bella, who smiled at me.

"We hope one day that we find the people that mean the most in our lives. I found those people," I finished.

"Mack, you might have found us, but we found you too," Miguel said as everyone agreed.

"Let's eat!" Paige announced.

Everyone sat down as we passed dishes around and filled our plates. Paige finally cooked the fish that I caught for dinner. It was about damn time. As everyone ate and talked, I looked at everyone.

I tell people that they drive me nuts and wish they would leave me alone, but that's a lie. I didn't want my family to leave me alone. I wanted them to need me because it gave me a purpose.

People might have their families who do stupid shit, but I have mine. All we can hope is one day we find a family with friends. The family doesn't always come from blood; it comes from the people who came and never left. My family came from friends, and I couldn't ask for any better than that.

Plus, everyone needs a Mack in their life.