This is the worst day. Grandma is going in for surgery. The family has come in from all over the country to be here for her. Beckett and Quinn with their family from Texas are here. I swear Hope has grown up overnight. Quinn has her hands full. I bet she's got boys falling all over themselves for a shot with her. Even Landon has his eyes on her.

That won't be happening. As soon as Beckett gets wind of Landon's interest, he will be all over Landon's ass. Beckett is very protective of his niece, with good reason. When Quinn moved to Moss Bluff, Hope was just a baby. With the problems they had in the beginning with Hope's dad, Beckett stepped in and protected both of them. He has taken on a huge role in both their lives. But then so has Grandma.

The Segler's are here, from up the coast and New York, with their herd, as well as all of their extended family. Segler's, Tateman's, Stafford's, Drake's, Eldren's and Bradford's. Mixed among us are our friends that are as much family as I am. We aren't all Bradford's by blood but we are all Bradford's in our hearts. The family tree has a lot of tangled branches and woven roots that attach to different trees. In the end we're family.

Georgia made the decision that she wants to talk to each of us before she goes in. So three hours before her surgery, I prepared for what she had to say to me. Sitting in the waiting room waiting for my turn, the voices, loud and boisterous, calm and quiet surround me. I've not said a word since I got here. But I'm just sitting here waiting quietly all alone. Thinking.

Riley didn't think it was a good idea for her to be here. After everything with mom and dad, she thought it would be easier on me to stay behind. Mom and I have barely spoken about what's happened with Dad and Riley. I don't know what to say to her anymore. She's tried, just like dad, to destroy my relationship with Riley. And just like Dad she failed.

Riley's a good person, better than most. She's been nothing but kind to my family. And those who should be happy for us, who should be thrilled that I found a nice girl to call mine, are against it. All because her bank account isn't as big as mine. She's not from the rich side of town, she's not used to the spotlight like I am. That doesn't matter to me.

I don't understand that way of thinking.

I've worked hard for a place on the football team, for the opportunity to get drafted by a ranking team. I'm an excellent student, friend, son, grandson, nephew and cousin. I am willing to do anything to help my family. I'll do what I can for my friends. I'd never turn on them without a good reason.

But my parents turned on me

It baffles me. I know I've always been a second thought for my dad. My mom doted on me as a child but as I grew up, I depended more on Emma and Blake than my own parents. My parents didn't seem to notice or care. Why have kids if you have no interest in spending time with them? I swear, when I have kids, they're going to be front and center in my life. Just like I was for Blake.

I can't help thinking about all this. The people who have been here for me and those who haven't. I can't help being angry that Riley feels like she's not wanted here. Not because of me, but others. I'm not even angry at her for it. I'm angry she's been put in this position and feels like this.

"Everything okay? You're acting really weird lately." Sawyer sits down next to me with Harper and Landon joining us. My support group. These guys have stood by me through everything. They've never let me down."You act like there's a fifty pound monkey sitting on your shoulders, pulling your hair out."

"What can I say? I've got great hair, it's a pisser." I grumble, not feeling like talking, even to them.

"He does have decent hair. Mine's better, but he does have the better ass. Probably from doing all those squats with that fucking monkey on his back." Harper teases, earning a flip from my middle finger in his direction. The cackling laugh makes my lips twitch.

"Here I thought it was his eyes. Those bright green eyes tend to get the girls drooling, you know. Maybe he can't wink like he used to." Landon tilted his head down to look into my eyes.

Sarcastic Fucker! He's just jealous. Landon has never learned to wink right.

"You know semen retention can alter a person's personality. Aiden, are your pipes clogged? Do you need a roto-rooter job? I think I've got a couple numbers you could call to fix that." Wyatt is hilarious. He's gonna get his asss kicked one of these days for that mouth.

Despite my annoyance, my lips lift slightly at the jab. It was a good one. "Mine are a lot clearer than you ladies. Thanks for the offer but I've got a personal cleaner on standby."

"Aha! The sarcasm does still exist!" Sawyer smiles, nodding at the guys to give me space. "What did they do to you now?"

"Where's Riley? Did they do something else?" Harper looks around seriously concerned for my girl.

It was that simple for them. My parents have always been able to get me in this mood. They are a trigger point of contention that puts me in a foul mood every time. Sawyer and Harper have watched it happen too many times to try and hide the reason for my mood. That's family for you.

"Riley wouldn't come this morning, because she doesn't want to put me in between her and them. They've both fucking cornered her and told her that I'm better off without her. Now, she's keeping her distance." I explain the situation for what it is. Riley is trying to stay out of the middle as much as she can and I'm pissed about it. Not at her for staying out of firing range but the situation my parents created.

"But you two are okay, right? I thought you worked all this out." Sawyer knows we've been fighting pretty regularly. It just all seems to revolve around the same shit. Money and my parents.

"We're fine, as long as I don't try to give her money and they stay out of my life, Riley and I will figure the rest out." It's not like they pay me that much attention anymore. Only recently, when I screwed up dad's little plan, did I seem to matter. It's all about money for him. He seems to think I'm his way of getting back his fortune. Whatever I make in the NFL is mine. Neither of my parents will see a dime of it. "I just got a lot on my mind. Mom decided to try to get Riley to break up, she's obviously on dad's side." I won't say I told you so, to them. They don't deserve it. "Riley feels like she's getting put in the middle of it. She's not, not by me. I don't fucking care what they think anymore. It's my life, not theirs."

We look up as Mom comes into the waiting room with Isabelle. They've always been close but Cade treats Isabelle and his kids like his treasures. He makes no secret that he loves them and Isabelle is the same way. They have a great relationship with each other and their kids. It's what I wanted all my life and found with Emma and Blake. Now, I want that for my kids when they come into the picture. All of my family have good marriages, great families, except my parents. I don't know where they went wrong.

Emma and Blake walk out with Hunter. They're holding hands as the twins stroll behind them. Talk about a solid family. I've always wanted to be Blake's kid. He's the father I wish I had. As long as I can remember he's been the man I've looked up to. I still do.

"Aiden, Ma wants to see you next." Blake announces from across the room. Nodding, I get to my feet and see Mom stand up to join me. Blake shifts, scrubbing his hand over his face, obviously uncomfortable with his position. He steps in front of her, stopping her from moving down the hall. "Uh, Chloe, she just wants Aiden. She'll see you separately."

And this is why he's the head of the family. Blake now has the responsibility of putting anyone who screws up in their place. It's the crappy part of leading a big family, who is constantly in the spotlight. It's not all fun and games. It's not a happy, united family all the time. It's fighting and yelling, laughing and crying. It's standing strong together when things get tough and working together to pull one of our own through a difficult time. It's being a family no matter what, it's being Bradford strong.

The apologetic look on Blake's face matches the embarrassed hurt on Mom's. She knows Grandma is pissed over everything that's happened and all of it Mom let Dad get away with. There was a lot too. It's on her shoulders. Mom doesn't say anything but sits back down, the anger and hurt are a storm brewing in her eyes. I'm sorry she's hurting but it's not my problem. She never should have cornered Riley.

Walking passed everyone, I get several pats on my back of support, comfort, and there's an assurance that I'm not the one angry over my current situation. They're all pissed at Dad. They're all confused about Mom's motives. Blake walks with me down the hall to Grandma's door. His hand rests heavily on my shoulder, stopping me from going in.

"She's emotional today. I've never seen Ma scared, but today she is. She wants to know you're going to be okay without her." He's having a lot of trouble getting through this too.

My eyes raise from the floor to his eyes. Refusing to accept or think Grandma won't get through this. She's as strong and stubborn as they come. I don't know what this family would do without her. Even her meddling is done with love.

"That's bullshit! She's stronger than any of us. She's gonna be fine." I snap at him, not willing to believe we will ever be without Georgia Bradford.

"I agree, Aiden, but she's scared. Ma isn't as young as she used to be. It's weighing on her." Holding my arm, Blake keeps me from going inside until he finishes his say. "Just tell her what she needs to hear, Aiden. Nothing else. Don't talk about Adam or your Mom. You leave them to me. Ma wants to hear you say you're happy with school, you're happy to go to the draft. Your focus right now needs to be on football and school."

"And Riley." I add, stubbornly. Out of everyone, I know he'll understand. His eyes jump to mine and I see his acknowledgment. Riley is a part of my life just as Emma is his. "She's my priority, over everything else, Blake. If I don't have her, there is nothing else."

"Yes, I know that feeling. Okay, and Riley." He agrees. His acceptance is so different from my Dad's. "Ma knows that too, but she's scared she hasn't done everything she could for you. Let her know that she can meddle plenty when she's better. Positive thoughts only in that room."

I understand but I still can't see Grandma as anything but a feisty lady willing to do everything for her family. Blake drops my arm and pushes the door open. He stands back as I step in. His voice stays low, so Grandma can't hear him. "I'll be close, if you need me."

Nodding, I walk in and see Grandma leaning back in her bed, dabbing at her eyes with a cotton handkerchief that I know belongs to Jim. He's been a steady rock for her. After twenty years of being together, when they thought they had lost each other in their youth, they are as solid as they come.

He was her first and her last love. She lost him and a piece of herself when she was forced to marry Grandfather. She's never actually admitted that to me but it's what I've put together from the things the family has said.

I know she settled for a man who didn't love her, who she didn't love. I know he hurt her, cheated, lied and in the end stole to have his way. I know his death was the best thing to happen to her. It was then Grandma found her true love again. And she's done everything she could to make sure each of us find our true love too.

It's not something I've put a lot of thought into. It's the girls who seem to daydream about true love and Prince Charming coming to sweep them off their feet. It's not been my priority to settle down with that one girl. Not until Riley. Now I don't think I can see a tomorrow without her.

"Well, don't just stand there, honey. Come on in here and sit. I'm okay, just a few tears for losing my mind." Her joke isn't funny. Grandma usually has a great sense of humor. But that one fell flat. Blake's right, this is bothering her more than she's let on.

"It's going to be okay, Grandma. You wouldn't have it any other way." I remind her of the same thing she's said to me several times.

Taking a seat next to her I take her hand and notice immediately how soft her skin is. It's thinned from years of healthy living but she's taken care of herself just as well as she has taken care of the rest of us. Her eyes are red and tired, holding in so many emotions she doesn't let anyone see. Her strength is never letting anyone see her vulnerabilities.

"Of course I am. I might be getting old but I've still got plenty of game left in me." Her small hand pats the one holding hers. "I'm worried about you, sweet pea. I know things have been rough with your daddy and all. Don't you pretend with me. I know what that little shit has pulled. I'm going to take care of it."

Of course she is. There's nothing in the world this woman can't handle. I've set the bar by her all my life. Her and Emma. No girl has ever reached that bar before. No one has come close to meeting my expectations of a woman worthy of my time, or my love. I understand now why. I was waiting for the one who could meet my expectations, who was every bit of a woman as my Grandmother is.

Now, I've found her.

"I told her I love her." I blurted it out as my mouth got away from me. "I told Riley that I'm in love with her." It sounds good to say this to her, to share such an intimate moment with the only woman who set the bar so high.

"Of course, you did. I assume this is good news? If I know my son, he's ordered only positive talk allowed to me." I look up to the door then back to her and wonder if she heard us.

"I'm still paying attention." Grandma taps her temple. "Now, I'm going to guess Riley is as smart as I give her credit for and returns your affection. I'm also going to take a leap that you're worried your parents are going to find a way to ruin this for you, just like they did with little Cami Toller."

How the hell does she remember this stuff? I was five and it was my first kiss. We met at the old field one day and behind the bleachers, Grandfather had installed for Blake's Play 60 program, I kissed Cami under those bleachers. We were caught, of course, by Emma and Cami's mom. Emma thought it was sweet and told the family that night at dinner.

Dad hated the idea of me being around a girl who lived in a mobile home. He gave her family money with the stipulation of not having any further contact with me. I was then forbidden from playing with her. I was pissed for a month, but then Sawyer and Harper razzed me over and over about it, so I moved on.

I wonder what happened to Cami?

"She's a senior at Harvard now. Her mother is so proud of her. Cami has been on a four year scholarship, full ride, with all expenses paid for. She's going to make a lovely nurse." Grandma smiled with a wink. "She was the Bradford Foundation's first scholar, I'm proud to say, we had a part in who she's become."

"You gave her the scholarship because of Dad... because of how he treated them." I guess we owed them that much.

"I did not. I don't bribe or payoff anyone. Cami worked hard for every grade she got. Blake and I had been talking about opening up the foundation for a while. I just happened to catch wind about her not being able to afford college. I knew that girl was smart the moment I met her. It was an honor to help her go to school. As much as it's been an honor to help Riley. I've been funding her schooling for two years now. I'm sorry she decided to return the last check." Grandma looked so regretful over it. I think she's more upset than I am.

"Is there anything you don't know about?" I wonder, because the woman always seems to know everything that's going on. Even when we're all under strict rules to keep shit from her.

"Very little, and sooner or later I find out that too." She proudly admonished. "Where is she, sweet pea? I want to talk to her too. I need to."

"Riley stayed at the apartment. She didn't want to cause anymore problems with Mom and Dad. She thought this was easier for me." I look down at my shoes and give a shrug. "It's not. I need her, Grandma. She's who I've waited for. Riley's the only girl that's ever measured up."

"Measured up to what, pumpkin?" Her hand lifted my chin to look her in the eyes.

"To you." Instantly, I regret saying that because Grandma suddenly teared up on me. "Don't do that, Grandma. Come on, I meant it as a compliment. You and Em are exactly the kind of women I've wanted for myself. I just never saw it in any of the girls I dated. Not until Riley."

"Oh, honey, that's the best compliment you could ever pay me. I love you, sugar. With all my heart." Her soft lips touch my cheek and her arms wrap around me in a grateful hug.

She knows I hate tears. It's always been a problem for me to deal with. Give me blood, guts, even puking, but please don't cry in front of me. I just don't know what to do to fix it. I end up being clumsy about it and stick my feet in my mouth every time.

"It's going to be fine. I'll fix everything once I'm home again. This is temporary." Sweeping her arms out, and motioning around the room and equipment in it.

"I'm okay, Grandma. You don't need to worry about me. I'm busy as usual with classes and football. The combine is around the corner then the draft. I've got plenty to keep me out of trouble." Just as Blake instructed. All positive thoughts and keeping it to school and football.

Grandma raised a single eyebrow speculating about my comments. "And Riley? She's still with you, right Aiden? You said she's at the apartment and you love each other but they haven't ruined this for you, have they?"

"She's mine." I can't hide my frustration from her. She knows me too well. "She's busy. School and she's looking for a job again. Her car isn't working again, she's refusing help from all of us. I know she's independent, I love that about her as much as it frustrates me. I just want to take care of her."

"Hmm... I guess I have to do it." Grandma says before she puts her finger to her lips shushing me. "Blake, honey, please come here!"

"What's wrong? Ma, you okay?" Blake rushed in worried as the questions rushed out.

Taking Blake's hand, she turned back to me. "Aiden, I'm an old woman now. I may not have much time left in me."

"Good God!" The sarcastic sentiment was echoed by both Blake and I.

"I am and I'm heading to surgery soon. I need to know my family is okay before I go in." She nodded solemnly to Blake then focused those green eyes I inherited right back at me. "Part of that is knowing you've fixed your relationship with Riley."

"Ma, they're fine." Blake tried to assure her. "Right, Aiden? You're good. Tell her, you guys are fine."

"We're fine, she's just busy." I repeat what I've already said.

"And you aren't busy? I know damn well you burn the candle at both ends. Between classes and football and trying to get time with Riley and let's not forget about our little family drama." Did she just forget everything we just talked about? It's like she just forgot our whole conversation. "She's perfect for you, Aiden. I know that in my gut."