Hayden had chosen a time when Tove was back from Los Angeles -- after all, the family couldn't be properly told if Hayden's older brother wasn't present...and Tove would've killed him otherwise.
It had been decided at Hayden's urging - the Christensen family was all going to gather on Friday night for a family dinner - one that was met with much suspicion from Tove, especially when he discovered Kristen was also invited.
"I don't know K, I think something strange is going on," Tove said, sipping a glass of wine at the kitchen counter while Kaylen was rinsing the vegetables for the salad.
"What do you think is going on?" Kaylen asked.
"I don't know...but this whole gathering the family thing...its a little fishy," Tove replied.
"Not necessarily," Kaylen responded. "I mean, maybe he just wanted everyone together before you guys have to go back to L.A."
"Nah, I don't buy it," Tove said. "I know him...something is going on -- I think they're back together, that's what I think."
Kaylen looked at him, "Tove, they dated for four years...why would they get everyone together just to announce that they're dating again."
"Oh god, you're right," Tove turned pale. "It could be worse....they could be engaged."
Kaylen looked at him wide-eyed, "you really think so?"
Tove looked at her, took another sip of wine and answered, "it could be...but I hope not."
"You really don't like her huh?" Kaylen commented.
"I don't like what she did to Hayden," Tove answered.
"Ya know though?" Kaylen spoke up. "If Hayden's managed to get past it, maybe you should too."
"I just hope he knows what he's doing," Tove said.
"You could be completely wrong about the whole thing-- you're jumping to an awful lot of conclusions here," Kaylen said. "We don't know anything...it may be nothing."
Even as she spoke the words though, she and Tove weren't too sure that they were gathered here for 'nothing.'
~~~
Around 5:30pm, Hayden was firing up the grill when he saw Kristen walking up the driveway.
"Hey," he said stepping toward her.
"Hi," she replied.
"Here, let me take that for you," he said, taking the covered dish she had brought with her. He looked at it, "Is this?"
"My homemade baked macaroni and cheese," she smiled.
"My favorite," Hayden grinned.
The two walked the short distance across the lawn to the backdoor of the patio.
Hayden opened the door for her and she stepped in with him following.
Kaylen looked over at her, "Hey Kristen!"
"Hi!" Kristen responded.
The girls hugged and started making conversation about their mutual friend Linda.
Tove looked at Hayden, still trying to read any expressions on his face, any evidence that could decipher what was happening here.
Soonafter, Hayden's parents came into the kitchen and hugged their hello's to Kristen.
Hejsa and her brood walked in a few moments later and soon the whole group was engrossed in various conversations.
Hayden stepped out to put steaks on the grill. Tove followed him outside where the two were alone.
"Alright man, now that we're alone...what the hell is going on?"
Hayden didn't want to turn around and face him, he just continued putting steaks on the grill. "What's that?"
"This whole gathering....what's going on?"
Hayden turned around with the empty plate, shut the grill, looked at him and walked inside.
The truth was, Hayden wanted to tell everyone at the same time, but he could never lie to Tove. He couldn't stand there and tell him it was nothing...that nothing was going on.
This behavior further convinced Tove of his suspicions.
He followed Hayden back into the house.
The four ladies were at work, putting together the salad and setting out the covered side dishes when Hayden brought the grilled steaks in a short time later.
The group stacked their plates and began to sit around the dining room table.
Hayden looked nervously over at Kristen throughout the meal. The majority of the time she returned the expression.
Now that he had everyone here, it was just a question of the right time. The right time to drop the bomb that would forever change his family. He knew then that there would never be a right time.
Hayden stood up from his chair. "Hey, I wanted everyone here tonight, because there's something I need to tell you...."