Cody's POV- June 2017

Not only was I about to be meet Maddy's stepfather, I was also about to meet her father...No pressure at all. I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. The door opened a minute later to reveal Maddy holding her kitten, Poppy.

"Hi! Come on in"

She stepped back as I walked in. Once the door was closed, she set Poppy on the floor and looked up at me.

"How was your flight?"

"Long" I replied.

She smiled and looked at the bouquet of roses I was holding.

"These are for you" I told her.

"Thank you"

I handed them to her and smiled like a dork after she gave me a quick kiss. Sadly our intimate moment was ruined by a throat clearing. Maia offered us a smile before she made her way over.

"Hello Cody, I hope you came with an empty stomach"

She gave me a hug and squeezed my bicep once she had pulled away.

"Awww, you brought her flowers"

Maddy nodded.

"Just set them on the kitchen counter, I'll put them in a vase in a minute"

She smiled.

"Go on to the backyard. I'll be there in a minute"

I nodded and followed Maddy into the kitchen. She placed the bouquet on the kitchen counter before looking at me.

"There is no need to be nervous"

"Is it that noticeable?" I asked.

"Yes, you're fidgeting"

She took my hands and smiled.

"You've got nothing to worry about, they're big softies"

I doubt that, her dad was a physician where as her stepdad was a detective. They could literally kill me and commit the perfect murder. My body would probably never be found...Ok so maybe I was overthinking this.

"Come on"

She led me out of the backyard and cleared her throat getting the attention of two guys. They laughed and turned to look at us.

"Ahh, I see the famous Cody has arrived"

The guy with dark hair looked away from me as a dog barked. I was going to assume he was Maddy's dad because the guy with brown hair looked more like Noah and Nate.

"Rocky"

The dog quiet down and I watched as both men stood up.

"Madeline, introduce us to the young man you're getting to know"

They were both over 6'0, and could technically pass off as male models.

"Cody my father figures. My dad Mateo, and my stepdad Michael"

I nodded and shook her dad's hand first. Maddy was the perfect combination of him and Maia.

"It's nice to meet you sir" I said.

Her dad laughed as he pulled me into a hug.

"How about you, Mike and I go for a walk"

I turned to look at Maddy with wide eyes who gave me an apologetic smile.

"We'll be back in a bit"

She mouthed 'sorry' as I began to follow Mateo out. Once we were out of the property, he turned to me and chuckled.

"There's no need to be so nervous around us, we're harmless"

Michael nodded agreeing and Mateo continued speaking,

"I know your father, Clay"

Of course he knew my dad, my dad knew everyone.

"We have actually been trying to set you up for a while now"

I looked at him.

"We actually tried to get you two to meet Christmas morning"

I chuckled when I realized what he was talking about.

"My dad was pissed at me that morning" I admitted.

I refused to get up and go with him to a 'friends' house. It was too early and I was slightly hungover.

"I was angry at Madeline because she disappeared for about two hours"

He shook his head.

"Well at least you two eventually met"

"Oh we met before" I mentioned.

Michael nodded and looked at Mateo.

"They met during last year's Spring Training"

He looked at me and smiled.

"If it helps, the two homers you hit during your BP got some praise from her"

"You were there?" I asked

"Oh yeah, you gave her the biggest heart eyes I have seen to date. She was completely oblivious to it all"

Mateo chuckled as he looked at Michael.

"Was that when you lost one of your boys?"

"Yes, I was to busy watching Cody stare at Maddy"

They both looked at me.

"Let's head back, you must be starving"

We made our way back, and once we were in the backyard I noticed a blonde woman talking with Maia. I glanced towards the glass sliding doors to see Maddy making her way out. She smiled at me and placed a bowl on the floor. The dog who had barked at me when I got here made his at over and began eating from the bowl.

"Good game today"

Mateo patted my back.

"Let's get you fed"

While I fixed myself up a plate of food, they abandoned me to go look at a treehouse.

"Cody, come sit with us"

I made my way over to Maia who was sitting next to a blonde woman. The woman smiled at me as I placed my plate on the table.

"Hi, I'm Malin"

She was Maddy's stepmom.

"I got to say, pictures don't do you justice. You are far more handsome in person"

I accepted the hug she stood up for and took a seat next to Maia.

"Leave some room for dessert"

Just as I was about to start eating, I felt a light tug on my jacket. Looking down, I smiled at the little girl who was looking up at me.

"Hi, I'm Ella"

"Hi Ella, I'm Cody" I said.

I smiled as she signaled for me to lean down. When I did, she cupped her little hands against my ear.

"Can I sits with you?"

"Of course" I replied.

She stretched her arms up. I picked her up and placed her on my lap. Guess she wanted to sit on me not next to me.

"You smell nice"

"Thank you, I like your dress" I complimented.

It was a ruffled peach colored dress.

"Eat"

I glanced up as a drink was placed across from me. Maddy offered me a smile as she looked at Ella who was sitting on my lap.

"I see my youngest has taken a liking to you"

I chucked and nodded as the little girl on my lap looked at her mom.

"Mommy, he smells nice and has pretty eyes"

Malin laughed.

"Ella, why don't you go and play so Cody can eat"

The little girl on my lap frowned a bit, but nodded. She looked up at me and placed her small hand on my cheek.

"It was nice to meet you Cody"

"You too, Ella" I answered as she patted my cheek.

I helped her down and watched as she skipped away. Maddy placed a plate across from me before taking a seat.

"Are those macaroons?" I asked as I looked at the colorful cookies.

"Yes"

I nodded slowly.

"Did you make them?" I wondered.

"Yes, Polly and Ella helped"

I continued eating.

"Speaking of your sisters, where's your other sister? I met Ella but I haven't met Polly" I mumbled.

"She's somewhere inside"

That made sense.

"Where are the twins?" I suddenly asked.

"Upstairs playing video games, it's probably where Polly is as well. She likes watching then play"

I eyed the macaroons as I ate.

"Maddy saved you a box"

"You're the best" I told Maddy.

"When you're done eating, go on inside so Maddy can show you around the house"

Malin grinned and winked.

"The bedroom door stays open"

I felt my whole face begin to heat up as Maddy shook her head at both her mom and her stepmom.

"How was your flight?"

"Long" I replied.

Maddy smiled and stood up. She went around and took a seat next to me:

"Dad and Mike didn't intimidate you, right?"

I shook my head as I reached for my drink.

"Quite the opposite" I answered.

I took a sip of my drink.

"I'll show you around, and then we'll go to my room. You look like you need to lie down"

"Do I look that bad?" I joked.

She smiled as I proceeded to yawn. I continued eating, and when I was done I ate the macaroons. I picked up after myself and excused myself as I followed Maddy inside. Once we were inside, Maddy looked at me.

"You've got a really close family" I told her.

"I'm glad you think that"

I followed Maddy to the 'study room'

"I have something to ask you"

"Yeah?"

"I'll ask later though" I replied.

"Ok, so this is my mom's family shrine...I mean...her study room"

I chuckled as I looked around the room.

"My mom is worse" I admitted as a picture caught my eye.

It was a photograph of Maddy on her college graduation day. Maia was standing to her right with Michael next to her and Nate and Noah in front of them. Mateo was standing to Maddy's left side with Malin next to her and his two girls in front of them. Most divorced families could not stand to be in the same room, but I had seen the exact opposite today.

"You had a game the same day as graduation, right?" I asked.

"Yup"

I looked up and to my left to see a team picture.

"This was your freshmen year?" I wondered.

Maddy looked at the photograph.

"Yup; top is Freshmen year; top right is my second year; bottom left is my third year; and bottom right is my fourth year.

Engraved at the bottom of the frame was The frame next to it said; and under The frame for her third year had engraved;and underThe following frame had; and under

"Are you getting this season's frame anytime soon?" I questioned.

"I actually have it, Mike is supposed to put it up. He'll probably do it on his day off, but it's supposed to go under the graduation picture"

I watched as she picked up a box and placed it on the desk. She carefully opened the box and I looked at the frame that had engraved; and under

"How long is your dad here for?" I asked.

"They head back to Arizona tomorrow night"

I nodded and looked down when I heard purring.

"Hi Poppy" I greeted.

I laughed as he dropped by my feet and wiggled.

"You can pick him up"

I did just that and smiled as he nudged himself against my face.

"I actually got him something" I admitted.

"Really?"

"Yeah, Joc made me go to Petco with him and I remember you telling me he lost two giraffe mice he loved dearly during the move out" I began saying.

Apparently one got lost during the actual packing, and the other got lost while traveling. It was Poppy's favorite toy. Maddy looked in every pet store, but found none. She had found a similar one at Walmart, but he didn't like it.

"I left the bag in my car, let me go get it" I told her.

"I'll go with you"

I nodded and followed her out. Poppy stayed inside while we went to go do that. Once we were in front of my car, I opened the door and reached for the bag.

"Are these it?" I asked.

She looked inside the bag and gasped.

"Yes! Seriously you are the best"

I gladly accepted the kiss she was leaning in for.

"Come on, let's give him one"

I got all seven giraffe printed mouses that the store had. Once we were inside, she called for Poppy. He jumped off his cat scratcher and made his way over.

"Look what Cody got for you"

He sat on his bottom waiting for Maddy to show him. I chuckled when he began meowing, and purring at the sight of the giraffe printed mouse.

"Here you go boy"

She squatted down and set the mouse on the floor. He gently picked it up and bolted out of the room.

"Let's go up to my room"

Before I could form a response she made her way up the stairs.

"Come on"

I followed her up the stairs and slowly stepped inside her room.

"The door stays open!"

She rolled her eyes and turned to look at me.

"Why don't you lay down?"

I was tired, and I knew it was very noticeable.

"We could watch TV"

I nodded and took my shoes off. She curled up next to me once I had lied down. I was going to fall asleep, the bed was too comfortable and Maddy was providing enough heat to lull me to sleep. She chose Parks and Rec and I didn't even make it past half an episode.