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carpet. 
    “Oh, hell. Can we not discuss it?” Artie begged.
    “Oh, were discussing it, alright,” Philomena reassured him.
    “I love you Philomena, and our children, but you all drive me insane.” 
    Suddenly the server came to the lobby and escorted the group to their seats. Arthur attempted to be a gentleman and took Philomena’s coat for her and hung it up on the coat rack that stood in the corner by their table.  
    “So, I’m sure you’ve heard by now that our Sloane is engaged,” said Philomena opening up the conversation in a happy tone of voice.
    Arthur refrained from showing his great disdain for the topic, for now.  
    “I did hear… We are so excited!” said Gloria as she eyed Arthur hoping to get a good read on him. 
    “So when is the big day?” 
    “Apparently sometime in June,” Arthur said gruffly.  
    “Don’t sound so thrilled…” 
    “I just don’t want her rushing into something.” 
    “Honestly, I don’t think she is. She’s known the fellow for a really long time, and they’ve gone out for over seven years…” 
    “It’s just so sudden for me. I just met the bloke yesterday.” 
    “I wonder why…” quipped Marv as he smirked at his friend. 
    Looking confused, Artie gave Marv a hostile glare. 
 
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” 
    “You’re a tad overbearing. Tone it down a bit. They’ll come to you more readily with this stuff.” 
    “Oh, right. Father-in-law of the year who actually set his daughter up with his son-in-law. I forgot.” 
    “Yup. I know what I’m talking about,” said Marv proudly. 
    Artie rolled his eyes.  
    “He’s a good kid, Artie. Once you get to know him. He has a good head on his shoulders,” Marv said agreeing with Philomena. 
    “It seems like it, and I’m happy for her. Truly, I am. I am just not pleased that they are breaking tradition. He didn’t even ask me for her hand in marriage.” 
    “You do know who your daughter is, right?”  
    “Of course. Bull-headed, stubbornly independent Sloane.”  
    “How can you give something away, that wasn’t yours? She’s a grown woman, pal. It’s time to let her go.” 
    Arthur looked at his jovial friend Marv with solemn eyes. For once Marv was not joking. He said exactly what he needed to hear. For once, it wasn’t agitation that took over him, but sadness. Marv could read his friend like a book. While he seemed against the idea completely, he was just against the idea of losing his daughter. Philomena and Gloria exchanged surprised but pleased glances. Marv had cracked his hard exterior. It was time to monopolize. 
    “So, Gloria… Do you and Marv have any special plans for Valentine’s Day?” Philomena asked with a spark of excitement in her eyes.  
    “I was hoping that we could go down to the Casinos for the weekend. It would be  so  nice to get away.” 
    “Ya know… I was just thinking the same thing. Arthur, wouldn’t it be lovely to visit St. Thomas and start scouting out venues? It is beautiful there this time of year.” 
    “Will it get me out of the dog house?” 
    “It just might.” 
    Arthur grumbled to himself as he thought about his credit card bills. He was wealthy, there was no questioning that, but he was also a spend thrift, too. Philomena, on the other hand, was not. At the end of the day, though he complained every second of it, he just wanted to make Philomena happy.
    “Oh, just book it.” 
    “Big spender!” cheered Gloria as she gave Philomena a high five. 
    Artie shrugged as if it was no big deal. 
    “Whatever is going to keep her happy.” 
    “God, you people make my trip to AC look cheap. Thanks,” said Marv playfully. 

Chapter Six
    A Fine Frenzy
     
    Sloane paced the hardwood floor of her living room as everyone’s eyes followed her every movement. With her clipboard in hand, Sloane browsed the list of things to do. Holly and Brant huddled up on the sofa dressed comfortably in jeans and