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I go to argue with my very stubborn son, but a van pulling into the drive followed by Liam’s Suburban stops me from trying to explain something to my son when he already has another thing on his mind.

“Good, the food’s here,” I tell him as I walk towards the van.

“This isn’t over, Mom!” Charlie yells as I retreat from him and get closer to the cars coming up the drive.

“Mrs. James?” The driver gets out of the car and heads over to me. My eyes flick over to Liam, who is digging around in the back of his truck.

“That’s me.” I give him a smile, and he nods back.

“I have your entire order. Would you like me to start bringing it into the house?”

“Yes, that would be great.” I turn towards Trevor, who followed me out of the house. “Grab a couple of bags, honey.”

“No problem, Mom,” he tells me.

Jenna passes me, stopping to drop a kiss on my cheek, then continues on her way to the van. “Thanks, honey,” I tell her, patting her butt as she passes.

“Let me help,” Liam tells the driver as he loads his arms up with bags. “Geez, Whitney, what did you buy?”

“I think I got everything they offer at the health food store. Heath needs to change his diet, and I need to make sure that happens.”

When I turn around, taking a few steps up the brick steps, I see Heath standing inside the door. “What’s this?” he asks.

“This is you eating right.” I pat him on the shoulder as I head to the kitchen to start clearing out all the junk food.

“I’ve already been eating right,” he tells me as he follows behind me.

“Yeah well, now you’ll be eating even better.”

When Heath opens his mouth, I turn to ignore him. The delivery guy walks in at that exact moment, so I point towards the table, directing him where to set the bags. “I do have to do it, so please don’t fight me on this. You’re not even supposed to be up. You’re supposed to be in bed.”

“I’ve been–” he stops talking when he sees Liam walk into the house, arms full of paper bags. He watches Liam the entire time as Liam drops the bags and heads back out, not looking towards Heath and not saying a word.

“Does this mean we have to eat healthy too?” Trevor asks as he enters the room right after Liam leaves.

“Yes, you do. You need to encourage your father to eat healthy. It’s not fair for you to munch on crap when your dad has to stick to fruits and veggies.”

“You can eat what–” Heath cuts in.

“Ah!” I hold up my hand. “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence. You need a support system, and that’s what we’re going to give you.”

“I think that’s it,” Liam says as he and Charlie place the last of the bags on the dining room table.

“Thanks, Liam.” My gaze floats to Heath whose jaw is clenched. “Thank you for bringing the kids homework. I really appreciate it.”

“It’s not a problem.” He smiles at me. “Heath, I’m glad to see you out, man. The kids were beside themselves while you were in surgery. I can’t imagine what you were going through. I’m happy to see that you’re on the mend.”

“Thanks.” Heath gives him a curt nod.

“Well, I’m going to get going. Let me know if you need help with anything else. Whitney. That goes for you too, Heath.”

“Thank you,” I tell him as I walk him towards the front door.

Once I leave the kitchen, I hear the kids laughing and joking about the stuff that Heath is going to have to start eating. He makes no secret how he feels as he grumbles along with the kids’ chatter.

“You okay?” Liam asks as he stands outside the door. He reaches for my hand but stops himself.

“Yeah. I’m going to be staying here while Heath’s recuperating. Could you please keep an eye out for my place?”