I pull at my neatly pressed navy shirt with white skirt and matching blazer nervously as we enter the doors and walk down the side isle.

Today the Dennison's are joining me at church for the first time and I'm a little nervous because I'm going to meet the rest of their family and possibly Mr. Dennison. Glen is already ahead of me looking like an adult in his slacks and button down.

I'm so proud

Wipes a stray tear

Snickers

He's got a small version on him in his arms, with an addition of a clip on tie and his long brown hair pulled into a ponytail. Arin is holding his free hand while she twirls the left side of her yellow dress with her other hand.

Ashley is slightly behind me looking around. She told me once before that the kids' father grew up in this church so I'm assuming she is on the lookout for familiar faces.

Is it bad that part of me is sad and anxious to meet him

I mean, with the exception of the one slip up I've never heard Ashley speak of him, hell I don't even know his name, if they're married, divorced, and the list goes on

It's like he's a ghost

The kids really don't even speak of him

"I think they miss having a man around." Ashley leans in my ear just as we are about to take our seats.

"Huh?"

"Arin and Addi. I think they miss having a man around. Ever since Aiden, they're father, yeah, they haven't really had a constant male figure in they're lives. Especially Addi, but let's face it, my baby is a mama's boy." We share a laugh and I know she can see all the questions that lie in my eyes. She just gives me a wide smile that I can tell she is struggling to keep up which I know means this is something we will definitely have to talk about later.

I grab her hand and lace our fingers together and they stay that way for the next hour or so.

-----

"Gampa, Gampa!!" On the way to our cars Arin gets a twinkle in her eyes and dashes to a tall man with dark hair and he picks her up with a spin and kisses her little cheeks with love.

"How's my baby girl?"

"I'm awesome! Guess what Gampa?! Mommy's gonna gett'a married ta Dr. Spencer. Look see," she points in our direction and all three of our faces are of shock. Make that four because I forgot about Glen.

To be honest I'm not sure if my shock is from Arin's blabber or the fact that this man looks just like Addison, in about 50 years.

I pass glances with Ashley who just shakes her head and walks towards said man. "Hey Marlin, how are you?" She gives him a tight hug and he kisses her forehead before releasing her

"I'd be even better if you brought my grandbabies over to see me more often young lady."

Ashley looks sheepish and gives him a 'I've been busy' excuse with he dismisses and orders her to bring them by tomorrow morning.

I lose sight of the conversation because I'm trying to regain my steady breathing in knowing that this is GRANDPA and not DADDY

Whew

"Where's my big man?"

I see Glen walk closer to the group and Addison reaches for Marlin

"So I take it you're Spencer young man?"

"Umm," Glen rubs the back of his neck while my eyes get big as saucers. "Actually…"

"No Gampa," Arin points at me, "that's Spencer."

"Oh." He kind of looks back and forth between Ashley and me. "Ohh!"

And all the adults say…

"Yeahhhh"

-----

"I don't see how this is funny guys"

"OMG Spence I can't believe you'd think of me to date someone his age. What the hell, do you think I'm desperate?!" Ashley and Glen are having a ball at my admittance of thinking Marlin was Arin and Addison's father.

"Har har. It's not that funny assholes." I continue to sulk with my dessert at the restaurant table.

"Yeah it kinda is baby sis." I stick my tongue at Glen and focus the rest of my attention on my fudge covered brownie and ice cream." I can hear their conversation around me as I feel a hand come to rest on my knee and squeeze, bringing a smile to my face but I keep eating my little piece of happiness.

Another great day for Spencer Carlin

I'm starting to think that the people sitting at this table with me have a bit to do with those days