"Hey baby," Brandon looks at me. "When can I meet them?" I must look confused because he says, "Your family!" I think about it for a minute. "Soon. My brothers birthday is next week." He has seen my brother before, but for a second. I tell my parents I am bringing someone to my brother's, Jeydon, birthday. I am the youngest of 4 and the only girl. The oldest is Dan, he is 32. Then Nick, he is 30. Then Jeydon, he is turning 28. Lastly, me of course who is 22. All of them played sports. Dan was track star and played soccer. Nick did wrestling and baseball. Jeydon did football and baseball. I was in band and played the flute. I am by far the smartest after Dan. I tell this to Brandon on the way to the party. My dad, Larry, is very protective of his only girl. He stares down anyone who looks at me a certain way. When I walk up, my mom, Cassidy, runs out to see me and greet Brandon. My dad stands in the door, Nick, Dan, and Jeydon behind him. I walk up to my dad and say, "Hi dad! This is Brandon. He plays hockey." My dad eyes him up and down as Brandon sticks out a shakey hand. "N-Nice to meet you, sir." I say hi to Nick, Dan, and Jeydon and introduce them to Brandon too. My dad asks what team he plays for. "Dad!" I exclaim, " He's number 20 on the Chicago Blackhawks! Brandon Saad!" Everything gets quiet. I didn't realize they honestly didn't recognize him. They all laugh and my dad seems to warm up to Brandon right away. I go to help my mom in the kitchen as they all go outside to start cooking and drinking. I hear them talking sports then my dad yell, "Brandon! Just call me Larry! Stop calling me Sir and 'Mr. Johnsen' just call me Larry!" I am happy to hear this. I finish helping my mom and she starts asking me about Brandon. "Where is he from? How long have you known each other? Where did you meet? Have you met his parents? Does he have siblings?" "Pennsylvania, a month or so, a bar, no, I don't know" I say quickly after she finished. After we finish there I tell Brandon he has to meet my grandpa. "Well, where does she live?" He wants to put it in the navigation system. I tell him I know the way. As he drives he asks why I'm getting teary eyed. I tell him not to worry about it. I tell him to pull into a cemetery. I show him the way to his plot. My grandpa. I get out of the car and walk up to the plot. "Hi grandpa! I wanted you to meet someone very special to me. This is my boyfriend, Brandon." Brandon looks at me shocked then looks down and says "Hi Jen's grandpa. Nice to meet you." I start crying and Brandon pulls me closer. I hope my grandpa doesn't see this, I always showed I was strong. He looks at the day and month he died. "That is 3 days after your birthday." I nod my head and Brandon pulls me closer. I stand there and we wait until I stop crying. I promised my grandpa he would always meet my boyfriends. "Bye grandpa. Nice talking to you. Come visit sometimes. I miss and love you more than anything." Brandon puts his arm on my shoulder and walks me back to the car. I see him start to get tears in his eyes but he pulls them back. I finally stop crying and listen to the music. "When did it happen?" Finally breaks the silence. "My 14th birthday. Never got a happy birthday. Miss his bear hugs the most. And his voice." I try to not cry anymore. When he drops me off at home, he stands in my livingroom, holding me. I finally stop crying. I look up and give him a kiss. As he walks out the door he turns looks at me and says , "Jen. I love you." And leaves. I stand there shocked. A small "I love you too." comes out but not fast enough for Brandon to hear. I close the door and call him back. "Brandon? I love you, too." And I hang up. I go and turn on some movies and hear my doorbell ring. It's Brandon. He runs in picks me up and kisses me. He brings me over and puts me on the couch with him right next to me. We watch The Longest Yard, Hairspray, Super Troopers, The Mighty Ducks, and get half way through Dodgeball when I fall asleep. I wake up and Brandon is laying in my bed next to me and wakes up when I wake up. He has finally done it, he made me fall head over heels for him. Clearly I was doing the same without knowing it.