The Fenton house was a flurry of activity as the family prepared for the arrival of their guests. Dan had spent the entire morning in the backyard, meticulously setting up two separate barbeques—a smoker for his mouthwatering brisket and ribs, and a charcoal grill for the other delectable dishes. It had been years since Dan had exercised his barbeque skills, his enthusiasm and ability with the grill had always made him popular among his friends.

Inside the kitchen, Paul and Maggie moved with a sense of urgency, ensuring that all the food was prepared to perfection and the drinks were ready to be served. Mary, on the other hand, took charge of setting the table, cleaning every room that the guests were likely to visit, and attending to any other small tasks requested of her.

Having completed her assigned duties to the best of her ability, Mary decided to slip away from the kitchen, yearning for a brief respite in the backyard. She wanted to avoid the kitchen in case her parents suddenly remembered additional tasks that needed her attention. Quietly closing the door behind her, she made her way across the patio, her footsteps barely audible against the backdrop of the bustling preparations.

In the backyard, Dan was fully engrossed in his cooking, sweat glistening on his brow from both the heat and his unwavering concentration. Oblivious to Mary's approach, he tended to the grill, ensuring that the timing was just right to serve the guests the meat at its peak freshness. Quietly, Mary reached out and handed Dan a can of soda, her presence finally catching his attention. A warm smile graced his face as he accepted the refreshing beverage.

"Thanks, Mary," Dan expressed his gratitude, his voice tinged with appreciation. "You're a lifesaver."

Mary returned the smile.

"You're welcome," she replied. "I'm just going to hang out here with you until the guests arrive. Cleaning three toilets, vacuuming, and dusting every living room in the house has left me utterly exhausted." She said, feigning exhaustion.

Dan chuckled, his laughter easing the tension of the preparations.

"Just wait until you move out and have to do it all yourself," he teased. "You'll be doing it every single week."

Mary playfully rolled her eyes.

"I won't move out unless I find a boyfriend who promises to do all the housework," she retorted, her tone filled with determination.

Dan shook his head, his smile widening.

"You won't find a boyfriend if you're making demands like that," he gently admonished.

Mary countered confidently, a hint of mischief in her voice.

"Why not?" she challenged. "I would make a wonderful girlfriend, and any guy would be lucky to be with me."

Dan couldn't help but smile at Mary's infectious enthusiasm. He quickly gave her a hug.

"I've missed you Mary" he confessed, his voice filled with genuine affection. "It's been too long since we've hung out together."

Mary reciprocated the hug, cherishing the connection they shared.

"I've missed you too, Dan. Have you thought about moving back home? The house feels so big and empty without you."

Dan took a sip of his soda and returned his attention to the grill, contemplating Mary's question.

"I don't know," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Being back home these last few days has been a mix of good and bad. It's been great seeing you and Mom again, but I'm not enjoying the tension and avoidance when it comes to Dad."

Taking a seat beside Dan, Mary watched him tend to the grill, her eyes filled with concern.

"Why don't you just talk to Dad about it?" she suggested, her voice gentle yet firm. "Lay it all out and try to work through each issue one by one."

Dan hesitated, the conflict within him apparent.

"There's no way I'm going to apologize to Dad," he stated firmly. "I still haven't forgiven him for what he said about Lisa."

Mary nodded in understanding, her expression sympathetic.

"Yeah, dad can be such a jerk sometimes," she agreed bluntly, her words laced with frustration.

Dan chuckled, appreciating Mary's candor.

"You know, Mom is the only one who can put up with him," Mary remarked, a fondness evident in her voice. "Mom's an angel. Dan, I get how you feel, but you can't avoid talking to dad forever."

Dan sighed, his attention divided between his cooking and Mary's words.

"Well, it's worked so far for the past year and a half," he admitted with a shrug. "I've gotten used to it. You know, not everyone gets what they want from a relationship with their father. You can choose your friends, but not your family."

Mary felt a twinge of sadness at Dan's words, but she summoned her strength, determined not to let her emotions overwhelm her.

"You're right," Mary agreed, "I sometimes wish we had cool parents like Becky. But no matter what happens between you and dad, you will always be my favorite brother. You're cool."

Dan laughed, the sound filled with warmth and affection.

Suddenly, the back door of the house swung open, Maggie stood at the doorway with an exasperated expression. Her once neatly tied hair now hung in disarray, and splatters of sauce adorned her apron like a barbershop surgeon.

Maggie's voice echoes through the backyard, filled with a mix of frustration and urgency.

"Mary! There you are! I've been searching high and low for you. I need you to ice the drinks and mop the kitchen floor. Your dad has managed to make a mess of things with the salad dressing."

Mary rolls her eyes, sharing a knowing glance with Dan. She mouths the words 'save me!' to her brother, who responds with a stifled laugh.

Mary whispers to Dan, a hint of playful sarcasm in her voice.

"I should have hidden myself in the guest house."

Dan leans closer to Mary, offering a solution.

"Well, how about this? I'll help you out in the kitchen if you can handle the grill for me. Deal?"

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Mary considers Dan's proposition but hesitates.

"Thanks, Dan, but I don't think I can be trusted with something as important as the grill." Mary replies, grateful for the offer.

"Mary! Now!" Her mother shouted with impatience.

As Mary reluctantly heads back to the kitchen, mimicking her mother's shouting in a lighthearted manner. Dan takes a moment to check his phone during this interruption. He finds a message from Becky, indicating that they will arrive in about five minutes. Another message from Mike catches his eye, mentioning that his dad brought a surplus of beers despite Mike's warning that Dan's dad prefers wine.

Dan smiles at the message and taps a response to Mike.

In the car with Mike and his dad Harry, the atmosphere was relaxed, the radio softly playing in the background as they drove down the familiar streets of their small town. Mike had just received the message from Dan, and he couldn't help but share their plans with his father.

"Hey dad," Mike began, breaking the silence. "Is it okay if I stay back after lunch to hang out a bit with Dan? We've bought so much beer that it'll take us the whole afternoon to finish it all."

Harry hesitated for a moment, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. After a brief pause, he replied.

"Sure, that's fine. I might go back home first if that's okay. I can come back later to give you a lift home."

Mike's face lit up with excitement. "That's okay, Dad. I can get a ride home from Dan." He grinned. "Actually, I was thinking maybe Dan could come over later for an all-night video game session. What do you think?"

Harry smiled, appreciating his son's enthusiasm. "That's a good idea, Mike. Maybe we can finally have that pizza we couldn't have before." He glanced at his son. "By the way, are you and Dan okay now? I'm assuming you guys are talking again?"

Mike nodded, a sheepish look crossing his face. "Yeah, it was just a stupid misunderstanding."

Harry sighed with relief. "Good. I'm glad you both understand each other and we get to see the Fentons and Joneses, but I'll be honest, I'm not going to stay any longer than I need to. I'm a little afraid of Paul Fenton."

Mike chuckled, understanding his father's apprehension. "I get it, Dad. Every time I go over to Dan's and if his dad is around, he's always checking on us like convicts. He's constantly trying to make sure we aren't getting up to any trouble."

Harry nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that's actually understandable. I can empathize as a dad myself. Dads know the kind of stuff that boys get up to at your age. We've done the same things ourselves."

Mike smiled warmly at his father. "But you're a lot more reasonable. I never feel like I'm never good enough or that I'm always doing the wrong thing."

Harry gripped the steering wheel tightly, stealing a quick glance at his son. "Sometimes, I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing, Mike. I worry a lot about you. I worry you'll get into some sort of trouble again or that you won't become the man you're capable of being." He took a deep breath. "That's why I like Dan. He's a great kid and a good influence on you."

Mike listened intently to his father's words, feeling a sense of gratitude. "There's a lot I can do better," Mike admitted. "But I'm working things out. I'm really enjoying what I'm doing at the hardware store. What I do there is important, and I can see the difference I'm making."

Harry smiled to himself, his pride shining through his tight-lipped expression. "I know you're trying your best. I got a call from Emily just the other day, telling me about the great job you did at her shop. I just want you to know that I'm proud of you."

Mike tried to play it cool, but a genuine smile crept across his face. "Come on, Dad, knock it off. We're almost at the Fentons. Look! There's the Joneses."

"Thank God, the Joneses are here," Harry whispered under his breath as he caught sight of Ted and Sally next to their car. "We don't have to go meet Paul alone."

Harry parked the car in the expansive driveway leading to the grand Fenton residence. Sally, Ted, and Becky were already outside, unloading gifts and food from the trunk. Ted noticed Harry and waved in greeting. Harry approached the Jones family, while Mike started unloading the numerous cases of beer his father had brought along.

Harry shook hands with Ted and exchanged kisses with Sally and Becky. Turning his attention to Becky, Harry smiled warmly. "Becky! I heard you're back. How are your studies in California going?"

Becky beamed at Harry. "It's going really well, I'm loving California, but I'm also enjoying my time back in Sommerfield."

Engaging in casual conversation, Harry asked Sally and Ted about their grocery store and the progress of the radish seeds that he had shared with them a year ago. As they chatted their way towards the house, Mike caught up with the group, carrying the cases of beer clumsily in his arms. He approached Becky, a friendly grin on his face.

"Hey, Mike!" Becky greeted, "need any help carrying stuff?"

Mike laughed, glancing at the food she was already holding. "I think your hands are full already. Thanks for the offer but I'll be fine."

Ted and Sally turned back to greet Mike, exchanging pleasantries. Mike returned the greetings, noticing Ted's dignified attire.

"Hey Mr Jones, some nice threads you've got on today." Mike said.

Sally grumbled good-naturedly, while Ted smiled appreciatively at the words of praise.

"Thanks Mike, glad to know there are still some in Sommerfield who have good taste in fashion."

Laughter filled the air as they reached the front door. Sally pressed the doorbell, and almost immediately, Mary swung open the door with a cheerful greeting.

"Hi, everyone! Welcome to the Fenton family home!" Mary's high spirits were contagious as she ushered them inside.

The visitors entered the house, embracing Mary in warm hugs before making their way to the kitchen. As they walked down the long foyer, Ted took a moment to admire the grandeur of the rooms, captivated by the ornate furniture that adorned each space.

In the kitchen, Maggie and Paul had paused their preparations, standing rigidly as they awaited the arrival of their guests. Spotting Sally, Maggie immediately approached her, embracing her with a heartfelt hug, thrilled to see her close friend. Ted observed the warm exchange between the two women, his gaze shifting towards the stern figure of Paul, who remained unmoving. Taking in the sight of the vast kitchen with its marble countertops, adorned with an array of delicious food, Ted voiced his admiration.

"The food looks incredible," Ted remarked, his comment directed to no one in particular. "You must have spent the whole day preparing it."

Paul turned towards Ted, striding over with purpose. Extending his hand, Paul delivered a strong handshake that caught Ted off guard, almost crushing in its intensity.

"Ted, you're here." Paul said stiffly, his voice lacking warmth. "How was the drive?"

"It was good," Ted replied, wincing slightly at the memory of Paul's grip. "Stayed under the speed limit for most of it."

With an awkward pause, Paul spotted the others who had arrived and abruptly excused himself, making his way towards Harry, Mike, and Becky. Ted smiled to himself, content to join his wife in engaging in small talk with Maggie, who graciously handed them both glasses of wine.

Paul Fenton strode over to Harry, his eyes quickly assessing his appearance. "You've grown your hair longer since the last time I saw you," Paul remarked, extending his hand in greeting. "How's your architecture business going?"

Harry shook Paul's hand, trying to maintain a sense of composure despite the nervousness he felt. "It's going well, thank you. Just picked up some work over in Millerton," Harry replied. "They're building a new community hall next to the baseball field."

Paul raised an eyebrow. "Millerton, huh? Dan's living there now. Millerton has a lot of catching up to do to become more like Sommerfield."

Harry laughed nervously, not entirely sure how to respond to Paul's comment. "Yeah, no place like good old Sommerfield," he said, trying to steer the conversation away from any potential disagreements.

"And how's the franchise going, Paul?" Harry asked, attempting to reciprocate the small talk.

Paul straightened up, taking a long sip from the wine he was holding. "Business could be better, but I can't complain. Got a new BMW from my bonus this quarter," Paul said with a stiff laugh.

Harry chuckled awkwardly. "Nope, can't complain about that," he replied, finding it challenging to connect with Paul on a genuine level.

As their conversation limped on, Paul's attention shifted to Mike, who was standing quietly next to his father. "Dan's in the backyard minding the barbecue," Paul informed, trying to fill the silence with some useful information.

Mike nodded, quickly realizing that he should go and join his friend. He excused himself from the conversation, eager to escape the awkwardness.

Paul then turned his attention to Becky, giving her a warm handshake. "Becky, it's always a pleasure to see you," he said with a hint of warmth in his tone.

"Thank you for inviting my parents over. They were both really looking forward to it." Becky replied, smiling knowingly to herself.

Becky glanced across the room to her mom, who seemed engrossed in lively conversation with Maggie. On the other hand, her dad appeared relieved just to be away from Paul and in the company of the much friendlier Maggie.

"It's always nice to see your mother again," Paul commented, "She always manages to light up a party."

Becky noticed Paul's momentary gaze at her mom before he turned back around.

Harry gently placed his hands on Becky's arm before speaking, "You're probably keen to catch up with Dan and Mike, you can leave us old folks to fend for ourselves."

She nodded and excused herself, catching Mary's attention before the both of them headed towards the backyard together.