“Watch it, idiot!” M.J. quickly moved out of his brother's way, watching him leave through the front door. “Good to see you too, Peter,” he mumbled. “You're home,” Brett said happily as she came to greet him. “Your dad wants us all to have dinner together. As a family.” “Yeah,” M.J. nodded with a forced smile, “that's why I'm here.” “You know, Micaiah, you don't have to come over only when your dad asks - you're always welcome here. This is your home, too.” “I know. Thanks, Brett,” he said before hastily retreating to his room. Brett's attempts to force the family together was one of the many reasons why M.J. chose to stay away. While he appreciated her efforts, M.J. knew that the family Brett envisioned in her head was far different from reality.

Brett viewed the family as a whole, but M.J. saw them in distinct groups based on his father's multiple marriages. His father, Mickey, had married and divorced his mother, Tiffany, twice, having twins Elliott and Peter, then daughter Hallie with her the first time, and M.J. the second time. Between those two marriages to Tiffany, Mickey was married to Vanessa, with whom he had Miranda, Jade, and Hannah. After his second divorce from Tiffany, Mickey married Brett and had triplets. Additionally, Mickey had three illegitimate children from three different women: Evan, Ian, and Antwan, commonly referred to as "outside kids” in Paradise. M.J.’s relationships to his siblings and half-siblings varied in closeness, but he had love for all of them. He was closest to his sister, Hallie, but she was currently studying in Ireland, living with some of their father's distant relatives. With Hallie gone, M.J. felt even lonelier and out of place at his father's house. “M.J.?” His half-sister, Jade, called out from the other side of the door. “Can I come in?”

“Sure,” he replied. Jade slipped inside, closing the door behind her before wrapping M.J. in a warm hug. “I'm glad you came.”

M.J. rolled his eyes with a soft smirk. “Like I had a choice.” Jade chuckled in amusement as the two sat down together. “How was it at Frank's?”

“Wish I was still there,” M.J. sighed. “Do you know why dad wants us to have dinner together tonight? And do you know where Peter was going in such a hurry?” Jade shrugged, “I think Dad just got a wild hair up his ass. As for Peter, if it's not something for dad, he's probably off to hang out with his little cronies. Did you get to see Ian?”

“Only for a bit, but he seemed just as busy as Peter,” M.J. said. “Knowing Ian, he's probably out womanizing somewhere.” M.J. agreed. “For their relationship to be so bad, he and dad are a lot alike.” “I wouldn't tell Ian that.”