At the Kelly's (everyone)

Thomas and Shannon were getting their place ready for the get together they were putting on, it was Shannon's idea and Thomas had agreed to it, in the back of his mind, he wondered if anyone would show up at all, "Sweetie, its going to be okay." she said to him, Thomas nodded, then kissed Shannon on her cheek, he finished up with what he was doing when the doorbell rang, he straightened his tie, then walked over to the door to see who add arrived

First I wasn't sure if I should be going to Thomas Kelly's get together, but thinking of my first week at the Crime Lab and my own House-warming party I did, when I got my new apartment, which was a week after I started working at the lab, I felt like I just had to go there. He had asked us to come and meet him and his family and I knew that this was a good opportunity to get to know him better, since I would be working with him at the lab and such. And I liked to know the people I'm working with, so I decided to go.
I had chosen a dark blue cocktail dress with a skirt that ended under my knees. Not too short, but not too long. My hair was pinned up at the back of my head, a few curls falling down my back and shoulders.
As I rang the Kelly's doorbell I was quite nervous about his reaction, but as he opened the door and looked at me with a nervous smile I instantly remembered how I felt at my house-warming party. I rewarded him with a sweet smile and offered my hand as I greeted him.

"Hey. Am I too early?" I asked him.

Thomas shook Haylen's hand, "No of course not" he replied as he stood back and let Haylen in, "Shannon is in the kitchen right now." he said to her

He let me into the house and I took a look around. I surely was impressed. All clean and bright and quite beautiful.
"You have a nice house, you know. Thanks for the invitation." I thanked him as I followed him into the kitchen to meet Shannon.

"Thank you" Thomas said as he closed the door, Shannon looked up, "Hello Haylen" she said to her, a smile on her face, "Thank you so much for coming." she added

I greeted Thomas' wife with a shy smile.
"Hi. Nice to meet you. Thanks for inviting me." I said and looked around. Shennon was really a good match to Thomas, good-looking by the way. Now I started wondering who else would come to his get together.

Shannon hugged Haylen, then pulled back from her as Sara, her and Thomas's oldest child walked up, "Aunt Haylen" Sara said to her

I was a bit suprised by the hug Shannon gave me, but otherwise it was great, because it really made me feel welcome and at ease. But I was more surprised by the girls, who must be Sara, calling me Aunt Haylen. I smiled.
"Hey. You must be Sara, right?" I said to the girl standing in front of me.

"Yep I am" Sara replied, smiling wide, Colleen, Erin and Bridgett came in behind her, Thomas smiled as he watched them, "Don't worry about Sara calling you aunt, she does that with Stella and Lindsay." he said to her

I greeted Thomas and Shennons daughters and smiled at Thomas as he told me to not worry about Sara calling me aunt.
"I don't mind, really. It's kinda sweet. You know, it's funny to see how easy everything is when you're a kid and how much that changes when you grow up." I said to him.

"Aye" Thomas replied, "You look so pretty" Erin said to Haylen as she stood next to Thomas

I could feel my cheeks blush to that comment.
"Thank you..." I said, smiling at the girl. "You're so sweet."

Erin smiled and giggled, "Thank you" she said to Haylen

"You're welcome, sweetie." I said and smiled.

Erin walked off to help Shannon, Thomas took Haylen's coat for her

"Thanks." I smiled at him. "You have really sweet girls, Thomas."

Thomas hung Haylen's coat up in the closet, "Thank you lass" he replied after closing the door

"So... anything I can do to help you?" I asked as I looked at him.

Thomas thought for a moment, "Shannon could use some help in the kitchen." he replied

I nodded and made my way to her, offering her my help.

Shannon looked over and saw Haylen walk in, "Haylen can you get the rose behind you in the oven for me." she said to her

"Of course." I replied and did what she requested.

Shannon nodded, then got back to what she was working on

I stood back and smiled a little, watching her.

Shannon soon finished up and set the salad bowl on the table