[Music] growing up I always felt like life was steady and predictable I had my routines my home and the things that made me feel secure I valued that predictability until one night when my world changed in an unexpected way it wasn't anything major just a small disruption but it marked the beginning of a journey that would challenge everything I thought I knew about myself it started with a simple sound the clattering of a trash bin knocked over in the middle of the night startled me awake I was already annoyed this had happened before I figured
it was the stray dogs again but little did I know that this minor disturbance would lead me to meet two people who would disrupt my quiet life in unimaginable ways I groggy made my way to the back door Club in hand irritated by the all too familiar mess outside for the third time that week I'd been woken up by the sound of trash cans being knocked over I was fed up with cleaning up someone 's problem why couldn't people keep their pets under control while I understood the animals were probably hungry it didn't ease my
frustration I cautiously opened the gate ready to deal with the nuisance as I neared the overturn garbage I saw two shadowy figures standing by the mess and my grip on the club tightened as they noticed me please sir we're just hungry one of them said wek clean everything up don't hurt us these weren't dogs they were children but they certainly seemed wild it was dark so I I grabbed them by their collars and dragged them into the backyard under the security lights I picked them up to get a better look they were scruffy and dirty
dressed in oversized ragged clothes and baseball caps it was cold out and I saw them shivering did you two knock over my trash earlier this week I asked they exchanged glances yeah you always throw out something like pizza or food one of them replied I'm sorry we did this we won't do it again just let us go we'll clean everything up this won't do I gripped their shirts tightly and led them inside I brought them straight to the bathroom pushed them in and shut the door don't come out until I'm back I said I went
and grabbed some of my ex-wife's sweatpants sweatshirts clean socks and big fluffy towels when I returned they had tried to open the window to escape you might like being dirty I said but I doubt a hot shower will hurt you there's soap and shampoo here these are clean clothes and towels get undressed and get in the shower we don't like being dirty the larger one growled we just don't have a shower as nice as yours are you going to stand there the whole time you probably think we'll steal something I said yeah right the kid
snapped we're not going to steal your toilet paper we're not thieves what are you some kind of creep you into little girls I was shocked now that I looked closer beneath all that dirt they were definitely girls I I didn't realize you were girls just clean yourselves up and I'll get you something to eat come to the kitchen when you're done I left them in the bathroom and headed to the kitchen I opened the fridge and took stock there was cold Fried Chicken half a bowl of potato salad a tray of veggies some sandwich Pastrami
and Dill Pickles I split the chicken between two plates three pieces each and added a big scoop of potato salad I put some veggies on a plate with dip threw a few pickles on the side and made pastrami sandwiches for each of them I even added some chips for good measure hopefully they'd like the monster cheese mayo and mustard on their sandwiches I heard the bathroom door Creek open followed by hushed Whispers outside the kitchen a minute later two of the most beautiful girls I'd ever seen stepped into the room they had long jet black
hair olive skin and the brightest green almond-shaped eyes I'd ever seen along with high cheekbones and the cutest little noses they looked like they were still in their early teens maybe around 11 or 12 it was amusing to see them in Brianna's clothes she's tall and they were tiny with their sleeves and pant legs rolled up looking a bit like tramps have a seat I said offering them a chair do you want Coca-Cola or I have juice or milk they both asked for milk my name is McKay North I said as I poured the milk
and placed it in front of them what are your names my name's Maggie said the older one short for Margaret this is stokeley can we really eat all this she asked you can have more if you want sandwiches I replied but I'm not cooking at 2 a.m. I'll make something in the morning no this is great thank you stok said while Maggie eyed me wearily what do you want from us we don't do any dirty stuff Maggie said suspiciously I laughed neither do I if either of you had designs on my virtue you'd be disappointed
they didn't seem to get my humor I'm not into little girls I added they didn't like being called little girls but they started eating and fast like wolves hey slow down I told them the chickens aren't going anywhere they're dead and the potatoes were never fast you'll hurt your stomach this made them Giggle and they started eating more slowly where do you two live I asked there's an empty house at the end of the block Maggie answered we found a mattress and some blankets but we're afraid pill dependant might move in once they know it's
empty they will how about sleeping in a warm clean bed tonight I offered they looked at me suspiciously again not mine I laughed I have three extra bedrooms well they're mine too but you know what I mean they laughed nervously we don't have any money stokeley said we can't pay you we just collect cans but we spend all our money on food I'm not asking for money I said did I say anything about you paying me why are you doing this she asked why are you so kind to us Mac call me mac I said
everyone does why are you being so nice Mack Maggie pressed I'm not trying to be cute I told her I'm a good guy just ask my mom this brought smiles to their faces and I liked it I made a mental note to get them to smile more often if I were in your shoes I'd want someone to be kind to me I said they seemed to be thinking it over can I have some of these chips stokeley asked I pushed the bag toward them and they both reached in while continuing to eat their sandwiches I
finished my own and noticed they were still hungry so I poured them more milk they drank it all and cleaned their plates even the vegetables they must have been starving go to bed I told them each of you has your own bathroom there are toothbrushes Combs and other things like that aspirin stomach medicine toothpaste and dentle floss are in the first aid kits if you need anything else just ask can we lock the doors Maggie asked yes but if I knock you have to open them within a reasonable time I said they exchanged a glance
then Maggie's green eyes lit up he thinks we'll steal something she told Stokely don't worry ma we won't take anything it's okay if you don't trust us we don't really trust you either I had to laugh fair enough we have mutual distrust but you'll soon learn you can trust me I almost never hurt beautiful girls this brought another set of dazzling Smiles they followed me down the hallway to their rooms I heard the locks click and smiled to myself as I returned to bed I lay awake for a while wondering what had happened to these
girls why were they digging through my trash why were they alone where was their family I planned to get some answers in the morning I was getting dressed when I heard the floorboards creaking in the hall I cracked the door open and saw them sneaking ing toward the living room I figured they were about to leave so I stepped out they froze girls are you ready for breakfast I asked they looked at each other maybe we should just leave Maggie said you're not going to lock us up or anything are you you mean make you
stay I asked they glanced at each other again and nodded no I won't force you to stay I said that's not how I do things but I'd love for you to have breakfast with me they looked at each other once more will you let us go after stokeley asked if that's what you want I said though I was hoping you'd spend the day with me but if you have somewhere else to be that's okay yeah we've got to meet our stock broker Maggie quipped her face lighting up like a Christmas tree so what's for breakfast
no what are you going to feed us she corrected herself are you an English teacher or something actually yes I said I teach English literature at the University cool said we don't go to school too busy but you're having breakfast right I was thinking waffles and bacon sound good it did so we headed to the kitchen they got out the waffle iron while I mixed the batter and they made waffles while I fried 2 lbs of bacon I'm kind of a syrup snob I'm a coffee snob too I let Maggie turn the bacon while I
ground the coffee beans everything came together nicely and we had real maple syrup and Waffles they horrified Me by asking for coffee creamer but I kept some around for the barbarians and Brianna and they love the vanilla flavor we ate all the bacon and they each had three waffles stick with me girls and in a week you'll be as fat as toads I joked they laughed and it was the best sound I'd ever heard then they gulped down milk like hungry calves my pantry was definitely going to need restocking so tell me about Maggie and
stokeley I asked what's going on with you to why are you digging through people's trash for food we took our coffee into the living room and they shared their sad story their father had been a car mechanic he lost his job when they were young which led him to start drinking and abusing them their mother eventually divorced him and they never saw him again the economy in Detroit was falling apart making it hard to find work their mom drove a taxi to support them but one night she picked up the wrong passenger he stabbed her
for the little money she had and left her to bleed to end of life the girls were put into foster care but the Foster homeowner began maltreating them they ran away and lived on the streets for 3 months months their last name was steel and they constantly worried about freezing to end of life being maltreated or eliminated and where their next meal would come from I sat quietly after they finished their story my heart broke for them I wondered how many more kids like them were out there living the same story this was probably more
common than I had ever realized I wondered if they'd let me help them and how I even could it seemed unlikely that Children's Services would let them stay with me a single man housing two young girls it sounded like something a carnivore would dream up and I doubted Social Services would allow it they interrupted my thoughts Mack are you married stokeley asked I was I replied but my ex thought I wasn't ambitious enough she's a hot shot lawyer and has been all over there was no room for marriage in her life what a witch Maggie
commented I laughed shek actually a really good person she didn't cheat or anything and we're still close friends we both agreed we should never have gotten married we were too young and too dumb how old are you stokeley asked I'm 28 I told her how old are you I'm 11 and she's 13 stokeley answered what are you doing today I asked what are we doing today she corrected herself yes what you said we're going to talk I said and I'll introduce you to someone I opened the garage door and suddenly a mass of fur came
bounding in he spotted our guests and leaped onto the sofa settling on their laps and licking them with his big pink tongue this is Granville I said but I call him Grandma the girls burst into Giggles as the dog covered them with licks at 130 lbs they could barely move him lie down Grandma I commanded and he reluctantly settled on their legs heun huge stokeley laughed stroking his head what kind of dog is this he's striped like a tiger HEK a bull mastiff I explained that's why he has that brindle color he looks like he
could bite our faces off Maggie said yes he could but he won't he's gentle with my friends he sees you here being kind so he loves you if you were threatening he'd get aggressive now that he knows you he won't let anyone be mean to you if I yell at you he won't like it he protects the people he cares about stokeley slid down and wrapped her arms around the dog's neck as he licked her hand I love him she said he so wrinkly and cute does he live in the garage she asked no he
lives in the house I replied he got sick yesterday so I put him outside to avoid a mess what made him sick stokeley asked he eats things he shouldn't sticks bugs dead stuff you name it he seems fine now though gross Maggie said he licked my face yeah heun's a bit disgusting but he's my buddy he'll be your buddy too if you let him we should take him for a walk I grabbed his leash and Maggie wanted to lead him but really the dog L her dragging her a few yards ahead of stokeley and me
stokeley slipped her small hand into mine and I looked down at her she smiled up at me she was so beautiful everything okay she asked of course sweetheart I said I like holding hands with pretty girls she blushed a little but didn't let go we walked for a couple of miles and by the time we got back Granville was panting and drooling it was cold out but he didn't seem to care we drank more coffee and talked for the rest of the day eventually I asked them if they'd let me help them what can you
do Maggie asked I'm not sure I admitted but I could talk to Brianna she's a lawyer though A different kind maybe she'll have some ideas is this the same witch Maggie asked Maggie stop calling her that shek not a witch do you trust me I asked they exchanged looks and nodded yeah I guess stokeley said you've been really kind to us okay let's call her and see if she can come over I think you'll like her just give her a chance Rihanna was busy but agreed to come over for dinner Bri is a tall stunning
redhe head and even though she doesn't realize it she's incredibly zxy when she walked in I could tell the girls were impressed she kissed me until my toes curled then hugged both girls you've replaced me she teased winking at them no Bri you're irreplaceable I joked she beamed clearly pleased I explained to the girls that Bri and I were still good friends and we were we had a Friends with Benefits kind of relationship we still had great ZX sometimes once a week sometimes more occasionally she'd stay with me for a week and we'd have Zex
like rabbits but she didn't have time for a husband and I doubted she ever would we loved each other but we couldn't make marriage work as friends we were great but as a married couple we fought constantly so who are your new girlfriends she asked smiling at them I saw they were dazzled I'm Maggie and this is stokeley nice to meet you Bri said you know this guy's dangerous right not to us stokeley said but he could be to someone who's his enemy he has a club and a very big dog Bri nudged Granville with
her boot and he grumbled in his sleep hey big guy she knelt down and hugged him miss me he rolled his eyes but didn't have the energy to lift his head what's going on Mac she asked what did you need to talk about not that I mind coming over for dinner he's a great cook girls if you can get him motivated I think he made lamb chops Maggie said we've never had anything like this before well sounds like I'm in for a treat but seriously what's the big deal she asked again during dinner I explained
we need your help Bri I said we don't know anything about legal stuff the girls are orphans their dad might be alive but no one knows where he is he abandoned them and their mom was eliminated they ended up in foster care where some creep started maltreating them they ran away and have been living on the streets I found them digging through my trash and now we're trying to figure out how to keep them from going back to that life she looked at me for a moment you want them don't you she said exhaling Jesus
ma you've always wanted kids and because I didn't give you any you want them don't you I blushed yeah I kind of do what do you think Bri what's the best way to handle this I don't think it's possible she said no family court is going to give you two young girls you're a single guy it's a disaster waiting to happen they won't allow it I looked at the girls and their wide eyes were on me what I asked they exchanged glances and suddenly burst into tears running up to hug me you wanted to keep
us stokeley sobbed I can't believe it I never thought we'd find anyone anyone she couldn't finish through the tears I held them tight yes girls I did think about it you need someone to look after you and I need someone to look after me I thought we could figure this out together their small bodies trembled as they clung to me I looked at Bri helpless as tears streamed down her face she glanced from the girls to me damn it Mac look what you've done to me just when I think I've got you figured out you
surprise me what am I going to do with you she had a strange expression like she was seeing me in a new light give me a few days to think girl you're coming with me you can't stay here with Mac it'll ruin everything if anyone finds out Mac we're taking Grandma too I can't stay home without him and you'll have to look after the girls she whisked them and the dog out the door like a whirlwind and into her Mercedes I'll call you she said over the next two weeks she called me for about 30
seconds three times but I didn't see her or the girls that on a Friday morning she called and asked to meet for dinner at Alfonso's a little Italian place in Pontiac that we frequented when I arrived she was already at the bar with guys hovering around her the moment she saw me she jumped up leaving them in the dust we walked to our usual Booth but this time she sat next to me instead of across the table which was unusual we ordered and she stayed quiet for a bit finally she said you know I love
you right Mac yes and I love you too I replied I'm not talking about loving your mom or anything like that I'm in love with you Mac I always have been ever since that day at Cedar Point you're the only man I've ever loved or will ever love she said I trust you completely I love everything about you except the part where we were married you know I need to be free no commitments no baggage no ties I love my job and my life but I don't love them more than I love you and I
don't have to choose you're as faithful as grandma we've got an understanding I don't sleep with anyone but you never have you always got that about me which is why what I'm about to say is going to sound crazy ooh I joked sounds like I'm in for a shock she gave me a look yes you are will you marry me mac I nearly choked on my wine getting wine in your lungs is not ideal once I recovered I just sat there stunned my mouth open stop being an idiot and answer me she barked hell no
I finally managed why Bri we make each other miserable in a month we'll be at each other's throats what's wrong with how things are now nothing she admitted this isn't about us it's about the sweetest most Ador adorable girls on the planet Mac I'm completely in love with them you wrecked my life by inviting me over that night they're desperate to see you every night they beg and cry to come see you but I'm not giving them up I've never been happier than I am with them and no judge would give us custody not to
me not to you not to either of us alone but if we were married they'd give them to us in a heartbeat so I need them and if I need them I need you if you want them you'll have to deal with me too can we do this Mac I doubt it I told her you're as bad as me you come home drunk you're never on time for anything except work and half the time you don't come home at all Bri we've been through this I know but what if things are different now I can't
wait to come home to them I always call when I'm running late and since they've been with me I only have one glass of wine a night I didn't know I could feel this way marry me mac give me a chance we should talk this over I said then talk what are we doing here you think I'm joking around tell me what's going on should I start I signaled the waiter for more wine go ahead what drives me crazy about you is your need to control me she said you have to know every detail where
I am who I'm with what I'm doing when I'll be home you're paranoid if you could just stop trying to control me we'd still be married but you can't help it you know you're the only man I've ever cared about right yeah I do I said it used to drive me nuts I was always worried you'd find someone else and leave me that's never going to happen she promised I've never even considered another man since the day I met you sure I go to dinners and dances with clients and colleagues but that's just what I
do no one has touched me and no one ever will do you believe me yes and it's the same for me I trust you Bri I know you'll never hurt me I've always been in love with you and I think you feel the same way we were comfortable where we were well I'm not comfortable anymore she said those girls need a family I love them almost as much as I love you more than my job and I want to be part of their lives the only way that happens is if we do this together will
you give me a chance Mac will you marry me so we can be a family I'll never have kids of my own I'm too selfish for that but these girls we can take care of them marry me and I'll make you happier than you've ever been okay clearly you've had time to think about this I said give me a little time too okay she looked at her watch you got 20 minutes she said wait what do I have a deadline I asked yeah the girls are waiting outside they'll be here in 10 minutes and after
a quick walk with Grandma a car will pick us up and take us home we quickly finished our food and stepped outside a limo was waiting but the girls were nowhere in sight the driver mentioned they were walking the dog he didn't seem too happy about it probably not a fan of dog Drool on the seats after a few minutes I saw the girls hurrying toward us letun go Maggie said as they approached some guy was watching us and grandma doesn't like him he growled at him I looked down the street and saw a young
man walking our way he looked about 20 with tattoos piercings a knit cap and a hoodie his sagging pants barely stayed on he probably thought he looked intimidating what are you staring at he snapped at me nothing we just leaving I replied it's all yours nice jacket fancy car pretty women he sneered looks like you've got some cash the guy was nuts I stood a good 8 in taller than him and outweighed him by at least 100 lb no beer belly either you better move along kid I told him my dog really doesn't like you
he got about 4T from us I'm not scared of any dog he said how much cash you got on you he reached under his jacket and I caught a glimpse of metal I kicked him Square in the chest sending him flying backward a weapon fell out of his pants Maggie lost her grip on granville's leash as he lunged the guy managed to protect his face with his arm but I heard the crunch as Granville broke his forearm he screamed and Granville shredded his sleeve Granville down I commanded he backed off sitting by my side the
guy ried on the ground as I knelt next to him Granville close by take it Grandma I said Granville lunged forward his Jaws closing near the guy's neck I think you're an idiot I told him what are you some kind of [ __ ] he nodded fear etched on his face face say it I demanded he didn't respond bite Grandma I ordered the guy whimpered as blood trickled from where granville's teeth grazed his neck the sound of granville's breathing filled the air say it I repeated I'm an idiot he whispered how much money do you
have on you I asked handed over he reached into his pocket but Granville squeezed a little harder slowly I warned he pulled out a watt of cash and handed it to me let him go Grandma I said Granville released him and the guy scrambled backward I'll give you a 20 yard ah Head Start I told him then I'm sending the dog after you better run fast he bolted like a sprinter but his pants fell halfway down he stumbled yanked them up with his good hand and took off you need a belt I called after him
I turned back to the girls who stood there with their mouths hanging open I kicked the weapon into a storm drain what I asked Bri was the first to speak you're one nasty son of a witch Mack remind us never to piss you off the girls rushed over and I hugged them oh my God Mac stokeley whispered into my chest I thought that guy was scary but you you didn't even break a sweat you did it for us didn't you well Nobody messes with my girls I told her he even left you a little something
for your college fund I handed her the cash she counted it $700 the guy must have mugged a few people recently she split it with Maggie and we got into the limo as I leaned back hugging Maggie I noticed something a Van's coming for us I said I know Bri replied it's got some of our stuff I raised an eyebrow I know I take a lot for granted she laughed girls I said yes Bri and I will get married again and you'll stay with us the girls gasped and screamed really Maggie asked she's really not
a witch you were right we love Bri she's been so good to us we have all these new clothes and she got us into this amazing School we'll make you both proud I promise we know you will sweetheart don't worry Bri reassured them I was still in shock trying to form words but nothing came out Mack you okay stokeley asked Bri chuckled no he's in full panic mode his perfectly ordered world is about to get flipped upside down his house is spotless everything in perfect condition now he'll have underwear hanging in the shower mixed up
books and drink rings on the coffee table and it'll drive him crazy I don't even know how he candles living with Granville we'll just have to love him enough that he won't care about crumbs on the table think we can do that I think we can Maggie laughed I'm not sure how Brie started but oh he loves pretty girls just bat your eyelashes and he'll melt he'll be mad at me but you girls will have to love us through it wait a minute I groaned I didn't exactly agree to any of this Bri like her
usual Whirlwind self was sweeping us all along do you you love Bri stokeley asked me yes I love her on the other side of the city I joked yeah but we all need to be together Maggie said they all burst out laughing at my remark and I had to join them the idea was absurd how had I lost control so quickly as usual Brianna had just taken over what started as my little attempt to help the girls had snowballed into a marriage and adoption plan it was wild how small actions could send your life spiraling
out of control I thought it was Reckless and told Brie so when we got back to my house there was a flurry of activity movers were everywhere hauling in piles of stuff and placing them in different rooms to my surprise loads of women's clothes started showing up in Maggie and stokeley's rooms where did all this come from I asked Maggie as she zipped past Bri took us shopping a few times she said before disappearing into her room Bri popped her head out of my bedroom Mac do you ever throw anything away you still have things
from when we were married I'm getting rid of this junk I need drawer and closet space I rushed over to rescue my High School letterman jacket from the trash stop it Briana I shouted you can't just throw my stuff away if I didn't want it I wouldn't keep it this is my house and I'll throw your bony back out if you don't stop she stuck her head out and glared at me bony back huh she snorted then she grabbed my sleeve and dragged me into the bedroom which looked like a tornado had hit it in
one swift move she locked the door pulled her dress over her head and leaned over the bed my breath caught she wasn't wearing any underwear we made love and the next morning I slept in until 10:00 after stumbling into the shower shaving and freshening up I finally felt somewhat human again Bri was still asleep her fiery red hair falling across her face as she lay on her stomach damn her bum was incredible I wandered into the living room and found Granville fast asleep drooling all over a pile of my best shirts I sighed grabbed a
glass of orange juice in a bun and called to him come on Grandma let's get out of here he lifted his head rolled his eyes and groaned as he got to his feet we headed to the backyard where he did his business before flopping down on my legs the sun was warm and I felt lazy like a lizard basking in the heat it was unusually warm for this time of year the door opened and stokeley stepped out with a glass of milk and a bun hello angel I waved hi Mac she said closing the door
behind her after a moment she walked over to the glider where I was sitting is there room for me she asked I shifted over and she curled up on my lap resting her feet on the empty space she sigh took a bite of her bun and looked at me with those big green eyes Mac she began crumbs falling onto our laps ah ah I interrupted finish eating drink your milk and then talk she giggled and waited until her mouth was empty Mac she started again if you adopt us will you be our dad and Bri
our mom is that what you you'd like I asked oh yes she said Bri would be the coolest mom ever you're not exactly cool but you're reliable I love you and I think you'd be the best dad in the world I almost choked well I muttered being reliable is better than being cool right she laughed I didn't mean it like that I just mean Breeze like a force of Nature and you're like a mountain you know she really really loves you she talks about you all the time she's told us everything about you too do
you love her yes sweetie but like you said she's a force of nature loving her is like loving a thunderstorm or a wildfire mountains don't care about thunderstorms or wildfires she said Maggie looks a lot like her I'm more like you she pressed herself against my chest I think we could be the calm at the center of their storm she looked up at me I want you to be our dad Mac I never thought we'd find someone like you and Bri too her voice cracked a little we were so scared and alone m do you
have room in your life for girls like us I hugged her tighter in my heart stokeley there's always been a place for you and Maggie I've wanted someone like you to love me for years I didn't think I'd ever have this Bri never showed any interest in having kids and I think you girls turned her world upside down just like you did mine I've seen the way she looks at you it's like she woke up one day and realized she loves being a mother you've changed her you were right about her she admitted she's amazing
it's overwhelming sometimes she makes a decision and you just get pulled along I laughed that's always been Bri the first time I met her I went to an amusement park with some college friends she decided I was going to be her ride buddy I'd actually gone because I liked another girl but Bri dragged me away and we never saw the rest of the group we were 20 and I fell in love with her that day she's like a virus she invades your life and takes over we had our first fight a month after we got
married what did you fight about she asked you're going to think this is silly it was about shoes she kept moving mine and putting hers in their place I had to dig through her stuff to find mine she thinks I'm obsessive she's probably right but is it too much to ask that she keep her shoes on her side of the closet she exploded and then I started driving her crazy and she drove me crazy I like to have a plan and she's totally spontaneous it's just who she is I love that about her but it
also drives me nuts she that I'm organized but it drives her nuts and those differences just kept clashing stokeley giggled Maggie and I fight about stuff like that too she's always losing things and then she just decides on the spur of the moment what we're going to do I think we need to change a little mac we need to go with the flow more but they need to change too they need to understand we like things in their place do you think we can figure this out I don't know I admitted Bri and I never
had a reason to try our relationship is weird I love her more now than when we were married and I think she feels the same but she's not one to talk about it she just does things we're closer now than we ever were when we were married I like her better now back then I loved her but we were always angry we got to a point where we didn't need to change but I think we were too immature and selfish maybe you and Maggie made us realize what we were missing the idea of being a
family is exciting but also terrifying what if we screw it up we could lose everything I hate that kind of risk I know but sometimes you have to take a chance she said you can't get anything good without risking that it might go wrong I hugged her and she snuggled against me you're the wisest 11-year-old I've ever met I said I'll be 12 next month she replied we finished the bun and headed back home the others were still asleep so we took Grandma for a walk by the time we returned the Sleepy heads were up
Bri and Maggie never mourning people looked like groggy beautiful cats stretching and yawning after their showers they were like new full of energy Bri whisked us away to get our marriage license file for adoption and start temporary custody later we had Seafood for dinner and the girls couldn't stop raving about the food and prices wow Mac you must make a lot of money Maggie said I chuckled I make about $90,000 a year which is more than enough to support us but Bri she makes 10 times more they stared at at her in shock Bri laughed
it's just money the point is we can treat you girls whenever you want and honestly Mac Cooks better than most restaurants you cook Maggie asked Bri nodded yes but simple things anyone can follow a recipe but this guy he's a genius in the kitchen she's pretty good too I added if only she could stay focused Bri playfully hit me make one mistake and he'll never let it go she joked I grinned in our first year she burnt food so bad not even the dog would eat it she'd Take It Outside and leave it under a
tree like some kind of burnt offering everyone laughed Bri and a great mood snuggled up to me and the girls giggled we've never eaten anywhere this nice Maggie said Bri gave her a serious look Maggie say it again with confidence Maggie smiled straightened up and repeated herself with pride Bri grinned see we may be from Detroit but we've got class the girls beamed clearly proud over time Bri taught them everything from how to dress to how to walk talk and carry themselves in just six months they went from Street Smart to sophisticated excelling in everything
they did that night Bri was excited back home she told the girls turn on the TV and leave it on all night they laughed knowing what was coming next she grabbed my hand and led me to the bedroom we're celebrating tonight she said with a mischievous smile what are we celebrating I asked the start of something incredible she whispered I love you Mac I'll remind you of that every night and show you just how special We Are Tonight we take it to a new level ready show me I said feeling the heat between us with
a smile she let her fiery red hair down a rare sight her hair fell in waves down her back making her even more irresistible she turned her eyes gleaming unzip me she murmured I slowly unzipped her dress feeling the tension build as the fabric slid off her shoulders she stood before me in high heels and a lacy white bra arching her back slightly more stunning than than ever Bri always exuded confidence but tonight was different she radiated sensuality as she dropped her bra and teased looks like you're overdressed and what are we going to do
about that I asked my voice full of anticipation she moved closer her body flowing smoothly and gently pushed me onto the bed kneeling beside my hips she unbuttoned my shirt slipping it off and briefly trapping my arms before tossing it aside with skilled hands she undid my belt and pants pulling them down along with my socks and shoes I lay there fully exposed overwhelmed by her intensity this wasn't just physical it was Bri at her most vulnerable we made love and afterward I felt a new depth in our connection she looked at me her eyes
soft but full of emotion Mack I love you she said her voice trembling I've been selfish never really giving myself to anyone until now do you want me I'm ready to be your friend lover wife and a mother to the girls will you help me be patient with me you'll never regret it I kissed her deeply I love you more than anything you'll need to be patient with me too we're a team and we can do this together I'll do anything for you and the girls she whispered I'm scared I'll be a bad mom I've
always feared it that's why I never wanted kids I don't know how to be a father either I laughed but I think we'll figure it out I don't know how to be a good wife she admitted we messed up before I know I agreed but it wasn't all you it was she said I was immature but I'll try to grow up me too I said holding her close eventually we drifted off to sleep the next morning we showered together laughing and teasing afterward Bri put on her pajamas glowing with happiness what's going on I asked
we'll have guests soon she said with a Sly smile I Shrugged put on some clothes and sure enough there was a knock at the door stokeley burst in followed by the family dog and soon Maggie joined too we had a playful wrestling match with the dog winning of course after a while we all headed out for breakfast later Bri announced we had an appointment where I asked suspicious you'll see she said with a grin we drove to the courthouse and as we entered I started to understand do you have business here I asked yes a
very important case she laughed inside Bri knelt down and pulled a small small box from her purse ma will you marry me again she asked her voice confident this time it's forever I never stopped loving you and I want to be your wife again she held our old wedding rings along with her engagement ring Brianna are you sure I asked my heart racing I've never been more sure she replied girls help me out he's so stubborn yes please Mac They begged we want to be a family we love you and Bri how could I resist
and about 10 minutes we were married again to celebrate Bri took us to a new Greek restaurant as I sat there looking at Bri the girls and our future I felt my life unfolding the most beautiful woman was my wife and I had two amazing daughters who were growing up fast their happiness filled me with joy could we make this work only time would tell it took a month to get custody of the girls Bri worked tirelessly and when it finally happened they were the happiest I'd ever seen them and so were we Brie sold
her apartment and moved in with me I worried about us getting on each other's nerves but it went better than I expected a few weeks after the wedding Bri forgot to call us after a dinner with a client when she came home we were all waiting stokeley held up the phone and Bri immediately realized her mistake without saying a word she burst into tears dropping to her knees in front of us I'm so sorry she sobbed I forgot to call I'll do my best not to let it happen again her apology was a turning point
Bri rarely apologized OLED so this showed real growth stokeley hugged her first then Maggie and finally I joined them it's okay we understand I said from that moment Bri and I made more effort to make each other happy and the girls were great at helping us we had small disagreements but I'd never felt more content Bri enrolled the girls in the private school where I taught and we grew closer during our daily rides together they shared their thoughts dreams and worries filling my life with energy after school they do their homework and then we'd walk
the dog before dinner dinner was usually at 5:00 and Bri would join us around 6:30 if she was running late she'd call and we'd go out for dinner instead when Maggie turned 16 she only wanted one thing her driver's license she studied hard and passed on her first try the night before her birthday Bri casually brought up a new idea in bed I want to buy Maggie a car she said okay what kind I asked a new Camaro convertible she said with a gleam in her eye I'm much will that cost I asked ma does
it really matter she replied rolling her eyes do you think we're going broke no I just like to know I chuckled sorry she smiled kissing me I think it'll be about $60,000 I whistled that's a lot for a car she deserves it Bri said softly yes she does I agreed we ordered the car a bright yellow Camaro with black stripes and a sleek black interior Bri insisted on getting the big V8 engine thinking it would hold its value better and although I had some reservations she was probably right when the car arrived we parked it
in the garage and waited until Maggie's birthday morning the next day as usual the girls grabbed their bags and followed me to the car for school Bri was already in the garage but I hadn't unlocked the doors dad let us in stokeley said sounding confused you're not riding with me today I said teasingly Maggie looked puzzled you're driving Maggie I said holding out the Keys mom's not going to work Maggie asked still not catching on no I said motioning toward the garage shek leaving but what are you going to drive Maggie looked confused and then
I pressed the garage door opener as the door lifted her new Camaro came into view her big green eyes widened in shock they both Stood Still speechless suddenly Maggie started crying tears streaming down her face as she trembled unable to speak I jumped out of the car and Bri rushed over over wrapping her arms around Maggie what's wrong honey I asked worried we thought you'd be happy this is your car it's for your birthday Maggie buried her face in Breeze chest crying too hard to answer stokeley hugged her too and we stood there holding Maggie
until she could calm down enough to talk finally Maggie whispered I don't need a car I love you both so much and this is too much stokeley and I already talked about it we don't need anything we just need you to love us I kissed her cheek we love you so much Maggie Brie said her voice shaking we love you both more than anything in the world having you in our lives is a dream come true we love giving you things because it makes us happy to see you happy it's one of the ways we
show our love now stokeley was crying too I hugged them both letun go check out the car I said gently at least take a look they wiped their tears and let us lead them to the garage I opened the driver's door for Maggie and Bri opened the passenger side for stokeley Maggie put her hands on the steering wheel smiling through her tears it suits you I told her softly go ahead start it up Maggie turned the key and the V8 engine roared to life both girls giggled through their tears excitement starting to take over I
knocked on the window and Maggie rolled it down I leaned in and kissed her forehead see you at school I said with a grin she drove out of the garage and stopped just outside the driveway then she suddenly ran back throwing herself into our arms kissing us over and over I love you so much she cried thank you you're the best mom and dad ever she ran back to the car and they drove off the engine rumbling I turned debris and she was crying too somehow I realized I had tears running down my face as
well look at us I said laughing through my tears you'd think we were the ones turning 16 it was a great idea Bri you're incredible I said hugging her tightly for stokeley 16th birthday we did the same thing it wasn't quite as emotional as Maggie's but it was still a special moment the girls were growing up fast and our family was stronger than ever we took them on trips to Hawaii and Biz celebrated their achievements and watched them grow into amazing young women when Maggie graduated from high school she was already well into her College
studies the day stokeley started college I came home to find Bree sitting on the couch crying I sat down beside her and wrapped my arms around we sat in silence for a while just holding each other eventually Bri looked up at me her blue eyes full of tears our kids are grown up Mack she whispered I know I replied kissing her gently that's what kids do she cut my face in her hands looking deeply into my eyes letun have another one Mac she said her voice trembling this time just you and me I want a
baby Mac she broke down crying harder I never thought I'd want this I love you so much and I missed them so much already I want to do it again it was so amazing I know they're only 60 M away but I missed them I miss them too kitten I whispered holding her close maybe we should start practicing if we're serious about this baby Bri gasped looking up at me with wide eyes really you mean it you want a baby of course I said smiling I hope it's a red-haired girl just like you I love
you with all my heart Bri I picked her up and carried her through the empty house to our bedroom ready to start the next chapter of Our Lives we had to kick Granville out of the room but that didn't matter we were building something new something beautiful as I drifted off to sleep my eyes landed on the picture of Maggie and stokeley on the nightstand they didn't look like strangers anymore they looked like family [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music]