"Oh, Jackson…," Mom cooed, her voice thick with southern honey, "Come over here and give your mama a kiss. And bring that lovely woman of yours over for a proper introduction." Then she called back over her shoulder. "India," she chided, "you didn't tell me what a pretty little thing she is!"

I bent to kiss her pink cheek as she wrapped her arms around me. Libby's hand was damp in mine. "Mom, I'd like you to meet Libby Jones. Libby, this is my mother, Vivian." Dad came out of the house and I saw his eyes light up. "And my father, Fletcher."

"Oh, honey, I can't tell you how happy we were when India told me Jackson was bringing his girlfriend home for dinner," Mom gushed. "Now you just call me Viv," she took Libby's hand and pulled her in for a kiss, leaving a pink lipstick stain on her cheek. "And come right on over here and meet the rest of the family."

I watched from the outside of the circle as Libby smiled and shook hands all around. She nodded and laughed. My three brothers had each given her a friendly hug and India stood next to Mom, exchanging satisfied smiles. Dad brought her a glass of sweet tea and ushered us all toward the backyard. I could smell his famous smoked brisket before we'd even gotten out of the car.

"Now this is real barbecue," he said, opening the grill and letting the mouthwatering aroma fully escape. "None of that bottled sauce…" He touched the meat with a fork and it began to fall away in shreds. "Spices, a good, long smoke, a little love and a touch of magic," he drawled. He cupped his hand under a forkful of tender meat and held it up for Libby to taste. He laughed out loud when she chewed and pretended to swoon. "Everybody get your plates, now. Miss Libby, will you have some potato salad?"

The barbecue, my sister's suggestion, had been the perfect call. As usual. We gathered under the trellis that covered the flagstone patio, warmed by the outdoor fireplace. Ben and India sat, legs crossed, with their plates in their laps. Mom and Dad shared a loveseat as did Libby and I. Reid and Blake sat on either side of Janet, Blake's longtime girlfriend. I'd told the story of meeting Libby, and how we'd been together every moment since. No one had blinked an eye when I said I'd moved her into the lake house with me. So far, everything had gone smoother than I'd dared hope.

It was the kind of evening we'd had countless times through my childhood. Even a dozen or so times during my marriage to Elaine. But as I settled back next to Libby and watched as she chatted and laughed, my brothers trying to ply her with second helpings, I realized that in all those years I'd never been as relaxed and happy as I was now. My dad and brothers had taken to Libby instantly. How could they not? She was bright and vivacious and charming, seemingly at perfect ease in spite of the secrets we were keeping. And Mom had already warmed to her in a way she never had with my ex-wife. When Mom leaned toward Libby and wiped the lipstick smear away with her thumb, Libby just glowed. I put my arm around her possessively, pulling her closer and dropping a kiss on the soft curve of her neck. We had appearances to maintain, after all…

"You're perfect," I said into her ear, nuzzling as I spoke. "I think everyone here has fallen for you tonight." I flashed to how she'd felt in my arms only hours ago. Naked and soft. I hadn't been able to shake the image. Or the feeling. Or the desire…

"I… you…," she started under her breath. "Well, you're lucky, Jack." Her breath tickled my jaw. "You have a terrific family. It must have been incredible, growing up like this…" We watched the others as they ate, leaning toward each other… laughing easily. My brothers took turns keeping Libby's plate full. From the looks on Reid's face and Ben's, it was a good thing I'd found Libby first…

The evening was wrapping up, just as the first raindrops started to fall. It was only a light mist in the beginning, giving us enough time to gather the plates and glasses and head for the house. But by the time we came back for the brisket and the salads, it had become a downpour. Dad and I saved the last of the food, but stood streaming onto the kitchen floor along with the rest of the crowd. Mom tossed us all towels, but only after draping one carefully around Libby's wet shoulders.

"Well, that's it then, isn't it?" Mom said, wiping her own face with a kitchen towel. "I'm not letting any of you drive back out in this tonight. You can all have a hot shower and just sleep in your old rooms. Head home in the morning, when the storm's blown over?"

* * *

"But we have the insemination scheduled in the morning," Libby said as I closed my bedroom door behind us. "We can't just sleep here… together…"

"The procedure isn't until eleven," I answered. "There'd be plenty of time to get there…," I pulled the curtains aside and was blinded by a flash of lightening, followed a second later by a deafening crash of thunder. "We can't make it back to the cabin in this this, Libby. We don't have a choice." We stood on opposite sides of the twin bed. My hair was still dripping and Libby's dress was thinly plastered to her body. Our eyes met…

"You should shower," I said, inclining my head toward the adjoining bathroom door. "Get warm and I'll find you a pair of my old pajamas…" I broke our gaze to rummage in the chest of drawers and found a single pair. I held out the blue flannel, trying to force the smile from my face.

"Tops for you, bottoms for me…?"