When Jen walked in both her parents were behind the counter. Her mother looked up and smiled.

Her father called out, "Jenny-girl! You're here."

She hugged them both and her mother said, "What's this about someone new?"

"We've been growing closer for a long time, but now that I'm no longer married. We've admitted we love each other."

The shop bell rang and her father looked up. "Alex, I'll be right with you. My Jenny has some news."

"Dad. Alex is with me."

"What?" Rick paused. "You and..."

"Yes." She smiled.

"Oh my! You said we'd like him. Never did I imagine," Alice said shocked.

Rick said, "You and my daughter?"

"Yes," Alex said meekly.

"Can you convince her to come home where she belongs?" Rick asked Alex.

"I think in time she may decide that for herself, but I can guarantee she'll be back to visit more."

"I should be upset since it's obvious she's staying with you?"

"Dad. I'm not in high school. I'm thirty-one years old and I'm divorced." Jen protested. "Can we get coffee?"

Rick looked at Alex. "You're still paying for your food."

"Of course." Alex laughed.

Jen was so happy to not have to lie to her parents any longer. They already loved Alex. She smiled at him and touched his arm while they were waiting on their coffee, because she could. When Alex went for his wallet, her father said, "I didn't mean this morning."

"Thanks, Daddy," Jen said before they turned to leave.

The house was taking shape. She walked around envisioning furnishings. She would work around the few items that Alex already owned. Peter stopped by. He had been on a run and saw Alex's truck.

"What you're out together in daylight?"

"I'm a divorced woman. I can be seen with anyone I choose. We just told my parents."

"Really? So no more secrets? I'm happy for you both. I'd love to stay, but I need to get home to get ready to take Nick to soccer practice. The house looks great!"

That afternoon, Alex took her to meet his mother and Hank. He was purposely trying to avoid Kate. The house was built with the same craftsmanship as Alex's houses. It was her turn to be nervous, but she didn't feel the dread she felt when meeting Sterling's parents.

Alex introduced her and his mother, Paula, had a friendly smile. "Come in. Alex how long have you been hiding her from us?"

"We met in March, but we were just friends for a long time. Things changed and here we are." Alex kept his explanation vague.

"How did you meet?" Paula asked.

"Jen's the designer I've been working with."

"You mean Avery's friend? The one that Kate keeps mentioning."

"Yes, but Kate got worked up before we even had a relationship."

Hank said, "Avery's friend. Don't you live in New York?"

"I do, but my parents live on The Point. I come back most weekends," Jen answered.

Jen liked them and would have thought Hank was Alex's father. He was Alex's role model. Compared to the Dixons, they were more than nice. She could imagine becoming close with his mother. Everything was different with Alex, if only she hadn't been so stupid. If she had visited through the years would she have met Alex and fallen in love sooner? She didn't know. Maybe they met when they were supposed to. They didn't stay very long. Jen wanted to stop for groceries so she could cook for Alex. She loved leaving him with meals for the week ahead.

In the car, she said, "That was nice."

"They loved you."

"That's good because the Dixons hated me." She confessed.

"How could anyone hate you?" Alex asked in disbelief.

It didn't surprise Kate when her mother called since they talked daily. She usually wanted updates on Josh. Her mother didn't like going too many days between seeing her grandson. With Kate working again, it was harder to see her mother.

"Hi mom, What's up?" she asked, preoccupied with making a shopping list for the morning.

"Your brother stopped by for a visit."

"So. I think he's been avoiding me," Kate said annoyed.

"He has a girl. We met her."

"What? He brought a girl home for you to meet! It has to be serious! Who is she?"

"Avery's friend, Jen. Remember the designer."

"You're kidding right!" What a mess!

"No dear. Why?"

"Mom, she's married. He's done it again. He's an idiot!"

"Are you sure?" her mother asked.

"Positive! I gotta go!"

She couldn't believe her brother. What was wrong with him? She knew something was going on. She saw all the signs. He denied it, but he was sneaking around.

"Kate, what's wrong?" Matt asked.

"My brother is what's wrong!"

"Which one this time?" Matt said bored.

He had told her not to overreact, but this time she had good reason to. She was sure that even Matt wouldn't be able to stay calm.

"Alex. He's messing around with a married woman again! He brought her to meet my mother. Why would he do that?"

"You're right. Why would he? Unless you're wrong and she's not married."

"I thought you were on my side." She felt hurt.

"It's not a matter of sides. It's about fact versus fiction. You could be wrong. Call him and ask."

"I'll call Tommy. He'll know."

Before she could call, she had a text from Alex. He sounded angry. Why did he send her a link? She clicked on it and it brought up a New York Times article. Oh man, she hated being wrong. She googled her to see if she could find out more. Oh wow! She just divorced Avery's gay friend. No wonder she liked Alex. Her brother reeked of masculinity. Her brother also may never talk to her again. Why was she always groveling?

Their day was wonderful, as he happily followed Jen through the grocery store. It surprised him to see Hank was calling him.

"Hey."

"I'm calling because your sister told your mother some disturbing information. She said that your Jen's married."

"What? She would, but no... She's divorced. I swear. Seriously, it was in the paper and everything. Tom knows, ask him."

He pleaded with his stepfather to believe him. Although ironically he was guilty of the accusation a week ago.

Jen watched him with a concerned look. "Listen, I'll send you proof and I'll deal with Kate. Tell mom not to worry."

He sent the link to the newspaper article to his stepfather and mother. Then he told his sister what he thought of her meddling and sent her the link.

Jen asked, "You okay?"

"Yeah." Truthfully, he had spent months justifying what they were doing was right when it wasn't.

Once in the truck she leaned over and put her hands on the sides of his face and said into his eyes. "It's alright now. We love each other, and we belong together. We know it and that's all that matters." Then she kissed him, soft and gentle and full of love.

Alex needed her and responded by increasing the intensity. He needed to feel the strength of their love and passion. Eventually, Jen whispered, "Take me home."

Later Jen was cooking when Kate barged in with Matt following her holding Josh with a miserable look on his face.

"Kate, haven't you done enough for one day?" Alex asked.

Jen just smiled. "Hi Kate. Wow, he's grown so much."

"I wanted to say I'm sorry. I thought you were up to your old tricks."

"Kate, I won't lie. We were involved before Jen's divorce was final, but her marriage had been over for months. It was just a legality."

"Were you involved that day at the party?"

"No, but we were both fighting it. You were shrewd, and you had me worried."

"So are you serious?"

"Yes, very," Alex said.

"What about New York?"

"We'll see each other on weekends for now." Jen said, "Kate, I know you're concerned about Alex. When I met him, I was separated and the man I married was in love with someone else."

"I'm sorry," Kate said.

"Don't worry about it. Do you want to stay for dinner?" Jen asked.

Alex looked at Jen wondering how she could be so nice. He had planned on spending time alone with her, but he made the most of it by holding his nephew.

Right as they started eating, with him and Jen standing since he only had two stools, Kate said, "So you didn't know he was gay before you married him."

Alex almost choked on his food and Jen, thankfully just laughed and said, "Stupid, huh?"