“Squirt…shut up.” Abby said, thoroughly pissed that Michael was making Ian nervous out of his wits. “Anyway, what happened with you and Amanda Beard?”

“Oh…well…First I told her that summer flings never get anywhere, and that I really didn’t want to be with her.” Michael answered. “Then, she brought up you guys, and I was like, ‘Dude, that’s not a summer fling, they got back together, and one of them actually lives a normal life.’ I told her that’s why I’ve got Sara, because I’ve known her for a while and she’s not a swimmer and could honestly care less about when I swim just as long as I see her.”

“Well handled, squirt.” Abby answered, patting him on the back. “And if I see her, I’ll be sure to hit her, if she assails me.”

“Oh, by the way, mom and Aunt Nancy saved tabloids because they apparently thought it was funny that the public thinks that your relationship with Ian is splitting our family apart.” Michael answered. “So, I think that’s it.”

“Mom what? That’s…dumb.” Abby answered at a loss for words.

“So eloquent, Ab, so eloquent.” Ian grinned at her as they arrived at Abby’s home. “This…is your house? It’s more like an estate!”

“A mansion.” Michael corrected. “Anyway, they’ve been expecting you, and Alec, who still hasn’t shown. We’re thinking he’s bringing his fiancee.”

“His what?” Abby asked, stopping in her tracks.

“Oh…maybe that was supposed to be a surprise.” Michael said, looking shiftily. “Don’t tell, I swear, my mom will kill me.”

Abby instead went into the house, muttering. She shrieked as she was greeted by the family dog who was getting well up on her years. “PUPPPYYYYY!”

“I don’t think that’s a puppy, Abby.” Michael laughed, watching Abby pet the chocolate lab enthusiastically. “I really don’t think that’s a puppy.”

She stopped after Ian came into the entrance hall and both of her parents were standing waiting to be hugged but seemed a little miffed that she was giving more attention to the dog. “Mom! Dad!!” She got up and ran to them both, hugging them tightly.

“How’s France treating ya, kid?” Her dad asked, putting an arm around her.

“Oh you know the French…they don’t care where you’re from unless you pronounce their language correctly.” Abby answered, walking him towards Ian. “Dad, this is Ian Thorpe.”

“Whoa, the swimmer!” Her dad answered.

“Dad…have you been living under a rock?” Abby asked, seriously.

“I was kidding.” He said, making a face at her. “It’s nice to meet you Ian. Abby can show you her room, you’ll be comfy there, just watch the doorjamb.”

Ian walked up what seemed to be an endless number of stairs. “Abby, did he just…is he..”

“A nice guy? Yes.” Abby answered. “Michael’s been doing that routine for years.”

“I swear, I am going to beat him in every event we race, just for that.” Ian vowed. “I was nearly pissing myself because I’d never dealt with my girlfriend’s family, ever.”

“Ah well…welcome to dating real people.” Abby said, bowing. “I’m your girlfriend Abby Stewart, and this is my life.” Ian just looked at her funny. “Come on, I’m starved.”

There was a buffet set up in the dining room and Abby heard most of the commotion coming from the living room just across the hall. “Fooood.” Abby just grinned at him as she piled obscene amounts of pasta and ham onto her plate. Ian did the same only more protein as he wasn’t swimming for a week and needed to build up.

“Here she is, the princess, everyone.” Said someone that Ian assumed to be one of her brothers.

“Oh shut up Andy.” Abby said, sticking her tongue out at him. “Ian, this is my second oldest brother, Andy, who prefers to be called Andrew. But will always be known as poopface.”

“Oh mature…” Andy answered rolling his eyes.

“He thinks he’s cool now because he’s a lawyer.” Abby said, always wanting to stir up rivalries with this brother, partially because he couldn’t handle competition.

“Hey guys, cool the jets.” Another male voice said from behind them. “Aaron. Nice to meet ya, Ian. Good thing to knock Squirt down a couple notches.”

“Always reminds me of the one time he got a goal against you when we played hockey.” Andy said, overhearing.

“Yeah…still gloats about it.” Aaron said, shaking his head. Abby decided to not sit by her brothers who were bitterly reminiscing the past but on a two person, as of now unoccupied sofa.

“See…they’re not that bad, although it might be because Alec isn’t here yet, and he’s usually ringleader.” Abby said, digging into her pasta.

“Hey Ian!” Andy yelled from his spot in the room. “Play hockey?”

“Er, no, I don’t’ have much coordination on land…trust me.” Ian said. “I can barely drive decently as it is.”

“Alright…Abby, you up for a game in the backyard later?” Andy asked.

“You know it.” She answered with a grin. She looked up at Michael and his girlfriend Sara who just entered the room. “You two, hockey, backyard, after dinner. It’ll be even.”

Ian was feeling so overwhelmed. He’d never been with so many people all in one family. He had two other cousins on his mom’s side and his dad was an only child. So Christmas’s were pretty lack luster, especially when all he had was his older sister Christine.

Later, though he was stuffed with food, Abby was bursting with energy. She gave Ian a quick peck on the lips before running to the fieldhouse, in what Ian could make out was only a ski hat and a scarf. “She’s a tomboy when you keep her around her brothers.” Michael said. “And as much as I’d love to keep you company…she and I have a rematch.”

“Heyy remember that she’s smaller than you!” Ian yelled to Michael’s retreating back. Ian nodded to Abby’s parents and her aunt and left the room to find his jacket. He walked to the backyard which, not surprisingly, was an ice rink. Abby was making circles around Michael, hitting her stick against the ice menacingly. Ian looked to see that Sara was suited up as goalie.

“You know we can’t start until Alec gets here.” Michael said to Abby, still taunting him.

Andy came tumbling down the side of the house and lay on his back on the ice. “He’s HERE!” Getting up he skated over to Michael. “He’s just going to eat some pasta quick and then we’re on, bitches.”

What Ian saw unravel in the next half hour was the most violent display of family love he’d ever seen in his life. Abby had checked Michael into the walls more than he could count, and he’d slashed her with the stick plenty of times in return. An hour passed and they were all sore and wanted hot chocolate. Ian put an arm around Abby as she snuggled into him for warmth.

“You know,” Ian started. “There’s something so sexy about you when you play rough.” Abby just looked at him and laughed as they headed back into the house. Correction…mansion.