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Rick climbed out of his Corvette as Molly did the same. He met her at the steps as he asked, “You ready to brave coming back home?”

She nodded, steadying herself as they walked up the steps. At the front stoop, Molly rang the bell. A few moments later, the door opened to reveal her mother, Beverly.

“Hello, there, Molly,” her mother said as she reached out and gathered her daughter into her arms. “Welcome home.”

“Thanks, Mom,” she said against her mother’s shoulder.

“We’ve missed you so much,” her mother stated, continuing to hold onto her.

“Let the poor girl go, Beverly,” Molly’s father, Ken, stated from behind them.

Beverly did as ordered, quickly dropping her arms from around Molly. “Sorry I held on so long. It’s just been forever since we’ve seen you.”

“It’s only been six months, Mom,” Molly pointed out.

“Six months feels like forever when it’s your child,” Beverly corrected. “You’ll understand soon enough when you settle down and have kids.”

Beverly eyed the man next to Molly skeptically. “Aren’t you going to introduce us to your new boyfriend?”

“Of course,” She gestured to her boyfriend, “Mom, Dad, this is Dr. Rick Colson. Rick, these are my parents, Ken and Beverly.”

Everyone greeted each other before moving into the nearby living room. Once inside, they took seats on the couch and chairs in the center of the space.

“Have you decided how long you are staying?” her mother asked with a hopeful tone.

“Well, at least through the weekend. The reunion is Saturday night,” Molly explained.

“I have to get back for work on Monday,” Rick stated. “I have two breast augmentations and a rhinoplasty scheduled.”

“But that doesn’t mean you have to leave, does it Molly?” her mother asked. “Can’t you stay on even if Rick has to get back to Seattle? Your dad can drive you back to the city later.”

“Quit hounding her, Beverly, or you’ll just end up driving her off quicker.”

Her mother nodded her head, her eyes averted to mask her disappointed expression. “You’re right. I should just be happy for the time I have with her.”

“Can we help you with your luggage,” her father offered. “We have you set up inseparaterooms upstairs.”

“Molly, you get your old room, and Rick, you can use the guest room.”

Rick raised his eyebrows in surprise. “We can’t share a room?”

“Not under my roof,” Ken stated adamantly. “We’re Christians. Only married couples get to share rooms around here.”

“Oh Dad, you don’t have to be so traditional. It’s no big deal. You can’t expect—”

Rick raised his hand towards her to stop her. “It’s okay, Molly. This is your father’s house. We should respect his rules.”

“Thank you,” her father said, “now let’s go get that luggage.”

“May I use the restroom first?” Rick asked. “It was a long drive from the city.”

“I can show him,” Molly stated, wanting a moment to make sure Rick was really okay with the sleeping arrangements.

As they made their way down the hall, Molly broached the subject. “I’m surprised you reacted so well to my father’s conditions for staying here. I honestly thought you would insist we go stay at a hotel.”

“Oh, I don’t plan to follow them the whole time. I just said that for his sake. Believe me, when everyone is sleeping, I’ll be sneaking into your bedroom,” Rick explained with a wink.

Molly wasn’t sure what to think of Rick’s plan. Though she didn’t necessarily agree with her father’s archaic rules, she didn’t like the idea of breaking them. She had been pleased, thinking Rick was being respectful. This new information, however, made her realize he hadn’t any intention of following through on what he said.