The ride to the restaurant was extremely entertaining with Major Whitlock regaling Annie, Alex, and Kevin of Chelsea's adventures as a child. He had Chelsea blushing several times but AJ was enjoying it, pulling her closer to him and giving her a kiss each time.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Chelsea spotted her brothers standing near the entrance. "Daddy, Adam and Brett are here."

"I asked them to join us…to apologize for their behavior at Monique's wake. Unfortunately, I put them up to it. They fought me…telling me what a classy place 'Snappers' was." Putting the SUV in park, he looked back at his daughter. ""It'll be okay, baby girl."

The group piled out and before she would follow the others, Chelsea froze. AJ took her hand. "'Beautiful', are you okay?"

"Just a little nervous. I know Daddy said he told them to apologize but… they were extremely nasty."

"Your dad said they were apologizing, that he had put them up to it. Don't you trust your dad to fix this?"

"I want to."

AJ took her face in his hands. "Close your eyes and make a wish."

Chelsea smiled and closed her eyes. AJ leaned in to place a soft kiss on her lips.

"Let's go get some lunch. If this goes sideways, Kevin and I are here for you."

"Thank you, Alex."

With his arm around her, Alex led her to where everyone was waiting.

"Hey, brat," greeted Adam as he moved to hug his sister.

Chelsea let out the breath she had been holding as she moved into his hug. "Hey, Antman!"

"Got a hug for me, squirt?"

Chelsea let go of Adam and moved to hug Brett. "Of course! I have missed you BOTH!"

As Chelsea stepped back, Adam said, "We're really sorry for the nasty things we said at the funeral home."

"It's over and in our past. Adam, Brett, this is your niece, Annie, her father, Kevin, and my fiance Alex."

"I remember both of you from Chelsea's posters when we were in Germany," remarked Adam. Looking at AJ, he asked, "Didn't you do some time in rehab a few years back?"

AJ felt Chelsea's arm around his waist, her support as he faced his demons. "Yeah, I did, and every day is a struggle with my sobriety."

"Let's go in and get a table. We can talk more over food," suggested Major Whitlock seeing AJ's discomfort.

Annie was seated between herself and Kevin so that they could shelter her if necessary.

As soon as drink orders were taken, Major Whitlock spoke to primarily his children, "This is a chance to get to know Alex, Kevin, and Annie and repair the damage with Chelsea. I don't want anyone to be rude."

All three of the children chorused, "Yes sir."

The rest of lunch was relaxed as they all got to know each other. Annie was showered with love from her uncles and grandfather as well as Alex, Chelsea, and Kevin. Alex spoke about his time in rehab and Kevin talked about his relationship with Chelsea when they had met in Kentucky. There were more stories about Chelsea growing up which once again embarrassed her but AJ loved it. Not once though did AJ shy away from showing his love for Chelsea or vice versa.

As everyone was finishing their lunch, Major Whitlock spoke, "Alex, I'll have to admit, I had my doubts about your relationship with Chelsea. It has been fast with Chelsea being injured the majority of the time. Seeing your tattoos, piercings, and nail polish, learning of your struggle with your sobriety, and knowing your celebrity status, I didn't think you were a good match for my daughter or a suitable step-father to Annie but the way you look at both of them, the love is unmistakable. Chelsea was always my little rebel but she has always had a good head on her shoulders and despite the lack of support from her family, she got her undergraduate degree and her law degree while raising Annie and working full time. I don't necessarily agree with one of the ways she made ends meet but it was a classy place. I made a mistake once with Chelsea that cost me 7 years. I'm not about to do it again so…you both have my blessing for this wedding. I pray that you continue to love each other the way you do right now."

"Thank you, Daddy," breathed Chelsea.

"Thank you, Major Whitlock," said AJ.

Adam laughed, "From stripper to lawyer! We're proud of you, brat."

Chelsea saw Kevin's jaw clinch and felt AJ's hand tighten on her but she handled it. "Gee, Adam, didn't Daddy say to play nice?" she smirked.

Adam blushed as Major Whitlock said, "I think that covers it. Now, Chelsea, I have a favor to ask of you and Annie."

"What is it?"

"I'd like you two to be at my pinning-on ceremony."

Excitedly, Chelsea said, "You made Lt. Colonel! Of course we'll be there. When is the ceremony?"

It was Major Whitlock's turn to blush as he said, "August 6th, at 2 PM. It's at Quantico though, not far from the farm."

Chelsea looked at AJ. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all, 'Beautiful'. We have to be at the venue by then for soundchecks and interviews. It'll give you and Annie something to do in the afternoon."

"Not to spoil the fun but Alex and I need to get to the venue," spoke up Kevin. "Major Whitlock, I appreciate the invitation to lunch."

"I enjoyed getting to know the two men that captured my daughter's heart. You would have made a good Marine."

"And she won't have to do that any more," stated AJ. "Both Annie and Chelsea will have both of us to support them in whatever they want to do."

"Can I take care of the bill for lunch?" offered Kevin.

"It's my treat," stated Major Whitlock waving Kevin's offer off. "It's the least I can do for the punk who protected my daughter."

"Thank you," laughed Kevin. Leaning over to Annie, he gave her a kiss on the head and said, "Mind your mother."

"Yes sir!"

AJ leaned to give Chelsea a kiss, "You going to be okay?"

"Yes, dear!" snarked AJ.

Kevin had stood and leaned over to give Chelsea a kiss on the cheek. He whispered, "We're just a phone call away, baby."

"Thank you," she said softly, putting her hand on his.

With AJ and Kevin gone, Major Whitlock said, "I'm going to pay the bill and then we'll head to the beach. Adam, Brett, what are you two going to do?"

"We only had a 48 hour pass so we have to get back to our bases," said Adam.

Adam and Brett had both enlisted in the Marine Corps. Adam had made the sniper corps and Brett was in the special forces.

"Will you be able to come back for the wedding next week?" asked Chelsea.

"Wouldn't miss it, Chelsea," smiled Brett.

Both brothers were standing so they moved to their sister and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Then they each gave Annie a kiss.

"We'll see you next week," said Adam.

As soon as Major Whitlock paid the bill for lunch, he, Chelsea, and Annie headed to the beach to spend some time together. The major rented an umbrella and chairs and had brought along buckets and shovels to make sand castles. He and Annie sat together building sand castles as Chelsea looked on. She loved seeing the relationship between her father and daughter budding. This was what she had dreamed about over the last seven years.

"Daddy, have you tried to fix things with Mama?" asked Chelsea as Annie was getting water from one of the eddies.

"She won't take my calls."

"I'm sorry."

"You weren't the reason, just the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back."

"Why lie to her that I ran away?"

"I didn't lie. I didn't tell her anything and that's what made her angry. I would never tell her anything about our conversations and she hated it. She felt like I was keeping secrets from her."

"But she used to listen at the door."

"She tried but she couldn't hear anything through the door. Your grandfather had made it sound proof for his business."

Chelsea looked down to where Annie was playing in the water of the eddie. "Daddy, I was nasty to Mama…accusing her of listening in at the door."

"But she and your grandparents are moving out to California to be closer to you and Annie. Didn't you work things out?"

"Sorta. I didn't want them moving out there though. They bought Alex's house since he bought one for the two of us that is being decorated with both of our ideas. It's got a back yard too for Annie and the dog Kevin bought her."

"A dog?"

"A chocolate lab named 'Bo'," grinned Chelsea.

"Kevin regrets the last seven years, just like I do."

"He made the right choice, Daddy. I am totally into Alex."

"It shows in your eyes. I'm here if you need ANYTHING, 'Baby Girl'." Major Whitlock looked at Annie and smiled, "She is so much like you."

"But she has Kevin's eyes. Daddy, I don't regret anything. Annie is the best thing I have ever done."

Major Whitlock smiled, "I fully understand, Chelsea." Looking at his watch, he said, "What time do you need to be at the venue?"

"By four. I think Alex wants me there for the sound checks. Fans are always asking about our relationship."

"Annie, come on," called Major Whitlock.

Annie came running into his arms, "Thank you, Grandpop!!Today has been so fun."

Major Whitlock felt his heart melting as he held the little girl and Chelsea had to wipe a tear.