Bryce Santiago was sitting in his favorite chair, listening to the sound of Michelle, Sierra, Magda, and the musical styling's of Fifth Harmony. They'd been in the bathroom, using various blow dryers and curling irons for quite some time.

"Hey babe," Bryce called out. "Is it cool if Mark swings by before the party?"

"Sure," Michelle called out, before she went back to getting ready with her girlfriends.

Apparently, girls did this sort of thing, getting ready together and giggling all the while. Just being in the same space was making Bryce antsy, and he needed to balance out the estrogen-testosterone situation in his space. Not that he disliked her friends, they were great, but Bryce needed some man time. So he pulled out his phone and texted his friend.

BRYCE: Dude, can you stop by my place before the party. I'm outnumbered here.

MARK: What do you mean, outnumbered? And sure, I'm in the neighborhood anyways.

BRYCE: My wife has her friends over here to get ready together. Dude, there is glitter everywhere.

MARK: Are her friends hot?

BRYCE: I can't answer that without getting in trouble with my wife. But come and see for yourself, they're both single.

MARK: I'll be there in five minutes.

Michelle popped her head out, looking at Bryce. She had a little black dress on that hugged her curves in all of the right ways, and he suddenly lost all rational thought.

"Is your friend coming by?" Michelle asked.

"Yeah," Bryce said. "He's swinging by. He'll probably hit on your friends, sorry."

"No problem," Michelle said. "They're used to it. Do you like the dress?"

"Ummmm, yes, I love it," Bryce said. "But seeing as you're not available, maybe you want to wear a jacket. Those curves are for me, baby. And frankly, you look too damn good for my friends."

"Ahhh," Sierra said from the bathroom. "That was sort of sweet, although a bit controlling. Michelle is a woman, not a piece of property that needs to be locked down dude."

"She can wear what she wants," Bryce said. "Just know in that dress, I'm going to have to lay on the PDA pretty heavy."

"Don't you always," Michelle laughed.

Bryce shrugged his shoulders, as if to signal giving up.

There was a knock at the door, and Bryce went to answer it. Mark gave his friend a high five and followed Bryce inside.

"So where are all these women? I still have met the "MRS" yet...."

"Hey Michelle," Bryce called out. "Mark wants to meet you."

All three women piled out of the bathroom. Bryce shook his head as he noticed that Michelle's dress looked like parka compared to Magda's tight jeans and Sierra's short black skirt.

"Hello," Michelle said. "Nice to meet you, I'm Michelle."

Mark shook her hand and smiled.

"It's official, you're too good for him," Mark smirked as he said this.

"For all you know, I could be an axe murderer," Michelle laughed.

"Doesn't matter," Mark said. "Damn, Bryce, your girl is so-"

"That's enough, horndog," Bryce said. "These are Michelle's friend, Sierra and Magda. They are coming tonight as well."

"Hey," Magda said. "You're cute..."

"Jesus, Mags, he just got here..." Michelle scolded.

"I don't mind," Mark said. "How tall are you Magda?"

"I'm 5'13," She said, blushing just a bit. Michelle slapped her arm.

"She six feet tall," Michelle said. "But she gets embarrassed. Some guys don't like tall women."

"I don't mind," Mark said. "You should stick with me tonight, I'll keep you safe from all the losers."

"Really," Sierra said. "It took you five seconds to hit on the tall, skinny blonde? And now I'm the fifth wheel. I hate men, officially."

"Sorry," Mark said. "Don't worry, there will be guys there tonight."

"I miss Doug," Sierra said before she turned and went back into the bathroom.

She slammed the door behind her.

"Sorry, she is going through a breakup," Michelle explained.

"Plus she has anger issues," Magda said.

"Well, now we're all acquainted," Bryce said. "I guess we can head out and get our party on."

"Sure, we just have to get Sierra to come out," Michelle said.

There was another knock at the door and Michelle quirked an eyebrow. Who was here now? She walked over and opened the door, noting in the background Magda was coaching Sierra on how to chill out. Lila, Bryce's oldest sister was there.

"Hey Lila," Michelle said. "How's it going?"

"Good, sorry, I didn't realize you guys and company."

"We're just getting ready to go out," Michelle said. "But you can always swing by, I don't mind."

Bryce walked over and hugged Lila, smiling at the sight of his sister.

"It's good to see you two are still spending time with your friends," Michelle said.

"They'd hunt us down if we didn't," Bryce joked.

"I have a favor to ask," Lila said. "Bryce, I got these free concert tickets tomorrow night. But the girls are hosting this slumber party. I know it's a lot to ask, but Daryl and I could really use a night out. It's been forever since we had a date night."

"Sis, you know I would," Bryce said. "But honestly, I have to work tomorrow night. I won't get off until 9:30, so unless it's a late night concert."

"I could do it," Michelle said. "I mean, I know you don't know me that well, but I'll be careful."

"You'd be willing to watch 8 young girls, six of which are all six year olds," Lila asked. "And you'd do it for free."

"Well, I assume I can pillage the slumber party food," Michelle said. "You know, pizza, cookies, whatever is there. But sure, I like kids. And from what I understand, you Santiagos help each other out. And I'm a Santiago now, so why not?"

"I love you," Lila asked. "And this is great, since the girls are so anxious to meet their new aunt."

"Ok, I'll come over at five? Then you guys can go get dinner too."

"Wow," Lila said. "You're officially awesome."

Lila and Michelle worked out the details, and then Lila was off. Michelle closed the door and looked at Bryce.

"You're amazing, you know that," Bryce said.

"Well, I do try," She smiled. But she knew that it meant something to Bryce that she got to know his family. Even if she was actually just his girlfriend, she still wanted to make him happy.

***

Michelle arrived at Lila's house at five o'clock, a bag full of babysitting ideas to keep those girls busy. She rung the doorbell, noting how much she liked this side of Queen Ann. It was friendly, and warm. Lila opened up, smiling brightly.

"How is my favorite sister in law?" Lila said.

"Good, though I'm your only sister in law..."

"Still, I'm so excited you're here. And the girls are stoked to meet their cool new aunt."

"Well, I'm excited too. I never thought I'd get to be an aunt."

An older man with a goatee and dark hair walked up behind Lila, smiling at Michelle.

"Hey there," He said. "I'm Daryl. Welcome to the family. Come on in."

Michelle walked inside, noticing the warmth of the home. There were silly portraits, toys scattered about, and a feeling that actual people lived there. She realized how much she preferred it over the plush palace she'd grown up in. Home wasn't bought with a price tag, it was made with love.

"So we have Pagliacci's delivering pizza later on," Lila said. "The other girls will get here soon. Kennedy, Leann, and London all go to bed at 8:30. Martina and her friends can stay up later, but make sure their beds are set up by ten. They'll sleep in the basement in sleeping bags. I am sure they will giggling all night, but they'll go to sleep eventually. We'll be back by 10:30."

"Ok," Michelle said.

"I'll grab the girls," Lila said.

"So, how is the married life?" Daryl asked Michelle.

"Good," Michelle asked. "I mean, we're sort of getting to know each other along the way."

"Well, it doesn't matter how long you've been together, marriage still brings surprises. I think that the reason people stay together is because they decide to stay together, not because they're a certain age or because they know each long enough. Those things just make the journey a little simpler."

"Wow, well, thanks, I think." Michelle said. "Have you guys been married long?"

"Married for eleven years," Daryl said. "And we've been together for fourteen. I married my high school sweetheart."

"That's sweet," Michelle said. "I am happy to say that Bryce is big step up from my high school boyfriend. He's great."

Lila and four little girls came down the stairs. They all had long brown hair and the same hazel eyes that Bryce and Lila shared.

"So Michelle," Lila said. "This is Kennedy, and she's three. London is four. And these two tall girls are Leann and Martina, who are five and six."

"Wow, you had them all in a row." Michelle replied. "But you girls are so beautiful. We're going to have so much fun tonight."

"Mommy was right, you're pretty," Leann said.

"Aww, thank you," Michelle said. "So, I was thinking we could make brownies and watch some movies. I rented Tangled!"

"And then we can do your hair and makeup!"

"Well, it sounds like you have a fun night ahead of you," Lila said. "So we'll be off."

"Have fun," Michelle said. "Girls, kiss your parents goodbye."

***

Bryce had gotten off of work a bit early, and hopped on a bus to his sister's neighborhood. He'd texted his friend Mark to see if he could hitch a ride home, but it was to no avail. The text response was immediate.

MARK: Can't help you, bro. Spending time with Magda.

How Bryce had accidentally set up his best friend with Michelle's best friend was beyond his imagination, but he didn't mind. Mostly. He would just have to find another way to get to Lila's and check in with his family. He knew his nieces were spirited, but he thought Michelle would handle it. Three stops later, and he hopped off and walked up the stairs. He put his key into the lock and turned the door, hearing giggles and little girl voices drifting over the way. Bryce saw his eldest niece, Martina, walk past the front door and point at him.

"Uncle B! You came! But this is a girls only sleepover."

"Well, I get a free pass," Bryce said. "How's my wife? Are you girls being nice?"

"We made brownies and she let us paint her nails. We gave her a princess makeover!"

"Ok, well, if you girls have been good, I might let you paint my nails."

"Yeah!" Martina said. Bryce fluffed up her hair and they both walked over to the kitchen. Michelle was washing the dishes and humming to herself as the girls watches a movie in the other room. She had a bit of brownie batter on her jeans, and her hair was in several tiny braids with bows. The girls had clearly done her makeup, with bright red lipstick and glitter smearing her face.

"Hey gorgeous," Bryce said, causing Michelle to turn and see Bryce.

"Hey honey," Michelle said, then put her hand to her head. "Sorry, I'm a bit silly looking right now."

"Is it weird how into it I am?" Bryce chuckled. He walked over and kissed Michelle, pulling her into his arms. He forgot monetarily that he wasn't alone with his wife, allowing himself to get lsot in the moment. The sound of little giggles interrupted the almost passionate moment, and Bryce pulled back,

"Hey munchkins, stop being creepy," Bryce said.

"Be careful, if you kiss too much you get pregnant." Martina explained. "That's how auntie Tia got pregnant."

"Where did you learn that?" Bryce asked.

"TV," the little girl said. "When people kiss, they always end up pregnant."

"Go and watched your movies," Michelle said sweetly. "I'll make you all some popcorn."

"Sweet!" Martina said before scurrying off.

"You know," Bryce said. "I think that you're actually good at this sort of thing. So, do you want kids someday?"

"Isn't it a little late to have this conversation," Michelle asked with a wink. "Or is it early, since were so freaking young."

"I think as my girlfriend/fake wife, we might as well discuss it," Bryce said. "Clearly I want kids, since I came from a big family. I love kids, that's why I'll probably go into pediatrics someday."

"Well, I like kids too," Michelle said. "I think. I've never really been around them before."

"Well, you seem like a natural cool aunt," Bryce said.

"Yeah," Michelle said. "They're going to hate me someday though."

"No they won't. Why do you think that....wait, because you think they'll hate you when we get divorced. I get it."

"It's just, I'm afraid that somehow this will all blow up in our faces. I like your family Bryce, I feel bad lying to them."

"Now that we're actually together," Bryce said. "It's not really a lie, it's just an embellished version of the truth. When you date someone, you don't know what the future holds. If you break up, your friends and family get the shock waves from the breakup. So, yes, there's a chance things could go wrong, people could get hurt. But, maybe not Michelle. I'm not asking you to commit to forever, I'm just asking you be present. Right now, we work. Let's worry about the future when it comes."

"You're sweet," Michelle said. "But right now, we need to make out a little bit less and go play with some little girls."

"Whatever you say, Mrs. Santiago," Bryce said with a wink. She watched him walk, trying to quiet the voice that told her she was just playing house. She was going to be present, and let tomorrow worry about itself.