Blake was sandwiched in the back row of the SUV, right in between bickering twins.

They had all reappeared in the foyer seven minutes after Dan had given them the ultimatum. At exactly ten minutes after the warning, Dan was driving out of the driveway, the rear backdoor still ajar due to Ethan having to run back inside and almost missing the cut off time.

“...it was all your fault!”

“No, it wasn't, you were the one that decided to “pet” the sharks. Now there's a stupid railing thing there and we can't hand feed them like we used to!”

“Mom! Emily is bullying me!” Ethan yelled from his spot in the back, Sandra waved them off and turned up the volume on the radio.

Blake leaned back in his seat, as he fought the urge to smack the back of his cousin's head for no good reason. Since Calvin was happily chatting away with Claire, who after discovering he was single and not gay had decided to make him her plus one.

“Dad, Ethan is accusing me of bullying him!” Emily yelled over the music, causing Blake to take a deep breath. They acted worse than Kenny during a date, and the boy was getting paid to act like a brat.

After what seemed like the longest drive of his life the car finally pulled up in front of a small restaurant situated next to the beach. The place looked inviting and as they checked in for their reservation, Blake got a glimpse of the pictures that adorened the waiting area. He smiled at the sight of a Jones's family picture where the entire family was in party hats and matching sequin jackets.

“I want lobster” Ethan announced as they sat down, they had yet to receive drink menus and his outburst caused another argument between the entire group. The waiter stood at the end of the table, eyes bouncing back and forth as everyone began accusing each other of something once more.

“Could you just bring us all iced water, and maybe a dip appetizer?” Blake casually asked the waiter. The boy looked relieved to be out of the way and did not wait for any objections.

“So then Emily runs back outside in nothing but her underwear and declares her love to him!”

“Mom I was four!” Emily defended as her mother continued to embarrass her in front of Blake.

“Honey, it doesn't matter you it was still the cutest thing ever. Little Emily running outside with her usual curly hair and yelling at Marc that she loves him and that one day they were going to get married.”  Sandra continued as the dinner plates were being cleared away. Emily shook her head and hid behind the dessert menu, trying to hide her embarrassed face from Blake, who was doing nothing but encouraging her mom for more nightmarish stories.

“So, Blake, I hear you own the company Emily works for.” Dan asked trying to keep the stories to a minimum. Blake nodded in reply and turned to the older man who was now leaning back on his chair assessing his daughter's boyfriend.

“I do, she actually works for my VP and the two of them get along so well it actually scares me sometimes.” Blake admitted giving Emily a teasing smile. She shook her head was was going to hide behind her menu when all of the sudden she slapped the folder on the table causing everyone to turn to her.

“Dad, Blake used to frequent the Yellow House with his mom!” She announced not caring that the people seated nearby were giving them dirty looks.

“Really?” Dan asked intrigued by the new information.

“Yeah, we would go in every Friday, evening and order the steak dinner. I have to say, Sir, it is the best steak I've ever had” Blake complemented as both Ethan and Calvin began fake coughing. He caught the words “up” and “kiss” and could only imagine what the two had actually said. Dan however was staring at him with wide eyes.

“You're the kid that used sit in the corner and wait for hours until the lady showed up” Dan recalled as Sandra turned to her husband and began whispering something to him. He simply nodded and we they finished their discussion both were grinning ear to ear.

The waiter chose that moment to return with a small chocolate cake, and an army of servers, all  who began singing happy birthday as the sparklers where lit. Ethan and Emily smiled and held hands before blowing out the candles.

“You boys are staying for the night, right?” Sandra asked as they arrived back at the house. Blake and Calvin looked at each other confused and shrugged, unsure of how to reply.

“We have a guest room, you guys can bunk there” Dan offered as they all entered the house.

“Or, Blake can bunk with Emily. It's not like they haven't bunked together before.” Ethan offered wiggling his eyebrows, his suggestion made both Blake and Emily turn several shades of red, but it also earned him a glare from both parents.

“I was just saying, she's twenty three now and Blake's like thirty."  He defended earning himself an elbow to the ribs, courtesy of Claire.

“He's got a point, but anyways Blake come with me I have something you might be interested in. Ethan show Calvin to the guest room” Dan stated motioning for Blake to follow him down the hall.

“Well, that's my cue to leave. I shall be back for breakfast.” Claire announced turning to face Emily. She took an envelope out of her purse and handed it to Emily, while wishing her a happy birthday and giving her a knowing wink. Emily shook her head and headed up to her old room, ready to relax after an exhausting day.

She was bundled up in bed when there was a knock on her door, too lazy to get up she called them in, and was surprised when she saw Blake enter her room.

“Your dad said it was ok” He answered before she could ask. Emily rolled her eyes and began scooting to one side of the bed.

“It's not Dad, it's Mom you should be worried about” She teased as he approached the bed, Blake smiled and shook his head.

“Your dad showed me her trophies. Said that if I ever hurt you, he would personally shine her favorite gun.” He replied kicking of his shoes and pulling his shirt off.  "And I honestly believe him. What's that you got there?” Blake asked pointing at the unopened letter she was holding.

“Claire’s gift”

“Are you going to open it?” He asked as Emily continued to stare at the paper. She nodded before pulling the top open and pulling out a sheet of paper with a sticky note attached to it.

Calvin gave me this after dinner said some weird kid handed it to him before he left the picnic with Blake and said it was for you.  lemme know what it is will ya.

Emily looked at the piece of paper it was attached to, it looked like an invoice from an online order, curious to find out more she opened it and was met with horrible handwriting.

Emily, pretty lady, Happy birthday!

Also we know Mr Redwood is nearby, please hand him this paper.

She did as instructed and handed Blake the scribbles, she leaned her head against his shoulder as he unfolded the paper.

Dear Mr Billionaire,

We want you to know that we are proud of you for going after your woman. And that if you ever think about hurting her or making her sad you will be dealing with us in a similar way this punk did. Good luck to both of you and congrats on the dating. We can't wait for the wedding, because there's alway an abundance of single ladies at those function. We have to keep this short since you are walking across the park to your car now and need to get this to you. Enrique claimed to have been a track star, we're about to put that to the test.

Again congrats and happy birthday!

Be smart. Be safe. We are too young to be uncles.

EJ
EJ
EJ
EJ

“Uncles? Really?” Emily laughed as Blake folded the letter and set it on the bedside table and turning off the lamp.

“I'm not one to disappoint, so goodnight” Blake announced laying on his side and turning away from her. 

Emily glared at the back of his head before turning off the remaining light besides her. Before she could even think of a plan, pounding on the wall made her cover her face.

“Mom! Emily and Blake are keeping me up!”

“Ethan, leave your sister alone! It was your idea to have her bunk with Blake! And Emily, cover your face with a pillow!” Sandra yelled back, causing Emily to groan and Blake to have a laughing fit.

“You kids better be sleeping when I go down to set the alarm!” Dan's voice  threatened from down the hall.

More yelling and arguing continued making Blake turn to face Emily, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her towards, still laughing at her family's constant bickering.

“Goodnight EJ” He whispered as the house was down once more.

“Goodnight Mr Billionaire” Emily replied with a sigh.

The End

•~~~~~•~~~~~•~~~~~•

It's over. Thank you everyone ❤❤❤❤

There might be an epilogue, actually there will be one, in the next few days. Hopefully.

Then we have some spinoff sequel dealing with Kenny. More details to come in the upcoming days. It still needs a tittle, and a cover. Suggestions are welcomed btw.

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