The family meet and greet dinner was tonight . Since the Michaels were all coming to the charity ball , Aaron that tonight would be a perfect opportunity for the families to meet before the wedding . As Rabena and the ladies began looking at gowns , Lisa started going over the list of family members . " Mom , exactly how many of our family members are coming tonight ? " Lina looked up to the ceiling as if she were counting to herself . " Well , quite a bit I imagine . Your brother booked out the entire restaurant for the evening . " Rabena couldn't help but laugh , Lina had no idea how extravagant her son was . He'd done the same thing just for a dinner of two . Lisa started counting on her fingers while naming some of their family members . " Well let's see , we have Dad , all five uncles , all five aunts , 27 first cousins , about 12 second cousins , and 7third cousins . Their spouses , Grandmom . Am I missing anyone from the Michaels side ? " Rabena's eyes nearly bulged out the sockets , were THAT many family members coming to this dinner . Not to mention , that was just the Michaels side ! After the engagement , Uncle Pete called every Price he could think of with all of them saying they couldn't wait to come . Although she was feeling a little overwhelmed , Rabena couldn't help but laugh , going from practically no family to a huge family after five lonely years , she'd take it . " Ruby what about the Prices ? Are your extended family members coming tonight too ? " Gloria was able answered that question more thoroughly . " We do have quite a bit of family members coming . " Although Pete and Paul were the only children of Pierre and Marla Price ; their father had two sisters and four brothers , while their mother had four sisters . All of them had children and grandchildren . On Grace's side the Martins , she had three sisters whom all had children , and the two families were all close . Rabena spent many summers growing up going to her extended family vacations and reunions , had the Crests never interfered , she would have more than enough family to love and support her . Giggling , Rabena started looking at some of the gowns Valarie brought over . " Is there going to be enough room at the restaurant ? " " Oh yeah ! Aaron had Vincent verify the Restaurant space and it's pretty big ! " Catherine , who was now trying on a gown behind a dressing curtain , poked her head out . " Not to worry Ruby , Sean sald fonight's dinner will be just us , Pete , Damon , the grandparents from both sides and the aunt's and uncles . Everyone else you'll meet at the ball . " 1/2 Chapter 36 That made Rabena feel much better , although she was excited to see and meet everyone , it felt like everything was happening at a rapid pace . Suddenly , Rabena spotted a gown she instantly fell in love with . It was royal blue with silver and diamond trimming throughout the gown . It reminded her of a dress in a fairytale book her mother read to her once she was a child . This would be the dress she would wear for the- gala . Valarie noticed Rabena admiring the gown . " It's beautiful isn't it ? " " Oh , my goodness , it truly is . Did you design this ? " Valarie blushed with pride ; this dress was an original creation of hers . " I think it's just your size but let's try it on in case I need to make some last - minute touch ups . " After Rabena and the other ladies chose their gowns for the gala , they decided to also purchase some dresses for the family dinner . The time was now 5:30 pm , knowing their women would be pressed for time , Aaron had a team of hairstylists and makeup artists meet the ladies at the boutique so that they could get ready there . By 6:30 pm a stretched limo arrived to take them all to the restaurant . Chapter Comments 2 POST COMMENT NOW