"Are you nervous?" The blond couple walked in unison on the cement.

"That's the fifth time you've asked me since I picked you up," Pam's date didn't sound tired of the inquiry he was just making an observation.

Pam nodded pathetically admitting, "I'm nervous."

Eric gave her and understanding smile sliding his hands along her waist as they walked the short distance to Pam's parent's front door from Eric's car. "It'll be fine," he assured her, "I'm fully capable of a little charm now and then."

He didn't know what he was getting into and she gave him a look that impressed as much. However the look was short lived when the door was thrust open revealing a smiling older couple. The matriarch ushered Eric in claiming his arm taking it upon her to make the introductions leaving father and daughter in the doorway to watch their retreating backs.

"What have I done?" she mused to her father.

"Given your mother a reason to live it seems," he joked shutting the door behind him then following Pam to the rest of the family.

When the duo rounded the corner her mother and sisters were swarmed around Eric like a pack of ravenous wolves hungry for details. He fielded questions like he'd been born for this moment and she liked to take a little credit for his ease because she did warn him about her zealous family.

Her father caught her attention pulling her away to the kitchen where he could have some one on one time with his daughter. They spent less time than he liked together these last few months and he felt the need to reconnect. He poured himself and corked the bottle when his daughter declined a glass of red wine.

"How have you been?"

Pam picked at the bowl of fruit on the island counter top. She loved grapes especially red. "Tired, who knew how exhausting it would be balancing a work life and a love life?"

"You know, if it's becoming too much I say dump the job and be happy."

Pam eyed her father strangely. Jerry wasn't afraid to say what was on his mind. And on several occasions he explained he worried over Pam's inclination to spend most of her time working. She always smiled away his concern placating him with a promise to do change her hours and come around more often. But, those were empty promises it seemed, that is until Eric came into her life. He wouldn't be as easily swayed as a placating excuse and she didn't mind his aggressive approach to force her to have fun. This was his idea tonight and somehow she agreed.

"How have you been?" Pam asked her father who swallowed his glass in a gulp and reached for the bottle to refill.

"As good as these old bones will allow your old man to feel."

"You're not old."

"I'm not your mother," he chuckled, "those types of compliments won't go to my head and it sure as hell won't hurt my feelings if you agree with me."

Pam admired her father's honesty and self assuredness. Two prime reasons why she latched onto her father in her younger as opposed to her sisters who took after their mother more.

"Might as well check on your friend," he could never bring himself to call any of his daughters' dates' boyfriends. They remained 'friends' until the day they said "I do".

On their out of the kitchen Diana was on her way in using this as the perfect time to grab Pam by the arm explaining vaguely about getting the roast ready. Jerry didn't question it aware what Pam was in for giving her a half pained half amused look before he skirted to safety.

"Where did you say you met him again?"

"I didn't," Pam responded, not because she was being difficult, but because she just never mentioned it.

The smell of the tender meat filled the kitchen and Pam could imagine how wonderful the meal was going to taste. She heard her mother close the oven door and pound on the oven clicking buttons. When she was finished the matriarch turned on her daughter and questioned, "Where did you meet him?"

"A restaurant."

Diana's eyes narrowed. Her daughter had no flare for telling a story and something could be animated and fun wasn't with her factual recollection. Sometimes she wished her daughter lied to keep her life more interesting instead of the boring truth that it was filled with work. At least this Eric person was a step in the right direction. He was charming, funny, and handsome—the perfect catch on the surface. Though, there was still plenty of night left before she committed to one conclusion.

"I like him, so far."

"So do I, so far," Pam mimicked her mother's apprehensive tone.

"But you should keep your options open."

Pam forced stopped herself from rolling her eyes, "mom, I just started dating again."

"Do you buy the first jacket that fits or do you take your time to shop for the right jacket that fits and matches your eyes."

"Mother…"

The matriarch continued as if her daughter hadn't been speaking at all, "I want you to have fun, take a few irresponsible risks playing the field." She gestured to the door, "he's not going anywhere."

Thankfully the kitchen door swung open and Nancy's husband peaking in to ask about the roast. Pam barely paid him any mind and Diana appeased him with, "dinner will be ready soon."

With oven mitts on Diana retrieved the roasts with the door swinging to a stop from where their visitor left. The blond considered the image of her mother as a housewife and then she became suddenly curious about the woman before her father put a ring on her finger.

"Dinner's ready," the older woman sang proudly while Pam held the door open for her t pass through.

"Saved you a seat," Eric smiled to her pulling her chair out for the empty chair. Pam thanked him needlessly then surveyed the room noticing something amiss, "where's Taryn?"

Nancy replied, "She wasn't feeling well so she stayed home."

"With who?" Pam was genuinely worried about her only niece. Both parents were here and Nancy never let them forget how hard it was to get a babysitter most nights.

"No, we have a new neighbor, Taryn adores her, and she volunteered."

Pam didn't like the sound of this, "you left my niece with a practical stranger."

"I've got her number if you want to check on my daughter," Nancy's tone was becoming irritated. Testily she dialed handing Pam the phone.

A giggling child answered, "Hello?"

Getting up from the table she took the call in the next room. Her eyes were glued to a family portrait when they were younger. The picture didn't denote the drama that occurred for most of the day leading up to their session. Her mother had insisted and no one at that time could bend her iron will. So they wore what she picked out for them specifically even her father wearing a purple bow tie he vocally disliked.

"Hey baby," Pam smiled into the phone.

"Aunt Pam," her voice lowered as if she was talking to someone else, "it's my aunt Pam."

"How are you feeling sweetheart?"

The girl gave her staged cough suddenly remembering to sound pathetic, "bad."

"I'm sorry to hear that," the already suspicious aunt responded, "how about I come over after to dinner and check in on you? How's that sound?"

"I might be sleep."

"How about I still come by anyway?" There was silence on the other end before she heard the child agree. "Good, I love you, and I hope you feel better."