“What!” She shrieked, nearly drowning.

“Nothing, just checking to see if you’ve fallen asleep.” Ian replied. He looked at himself in the mirror and was looking at his jaw as if he was trying to decide whether or not he wanted to shave. “You know we’ve got a flight in…six hours, right?”

“Yes.” She replied as she got comfortable again. “Why? I’m packed, I’ve got an outfit set out.”

“Traffic.” Ian said as he reached for the razor and shaving foam. “Hey, are you sure it’s okay with your mom that I come over and that my parents come for dinner Christmas eve?”

“Of course. My mom’s already preparing the guest room as we speak. For your parents I mean.” Abby answered, deciding she was wrinkly. “Hand me a towel?”

“No, I prefer seeing you this way.” Ian replied, grinning.

“Careful or you’ll nick yourself.” Abby said, still seated in the tub. “Towel? Pleeease.”

“Sure.” He said, turning away gentlemanly as she wrapped it around herself.

“Okay, I’m decent, you can look now.” Abby said, tapping him on the shoulder. She ran a hand down his newly shaved cheek. “Abby likes…Abby likes a lot!”

Ian laughed. “If you liked me shaved why didn’t you say so?”

“Probably because I like you scruffy too?” Abby shrugged as she left the bathroom. “I don’t know, sometimes I just want you to stand in front of me and look pretty. Because I can do that all day you know.” Ian shook his head and just laughed as he continued shaving.

Ian stepped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom where Abby was contemplating which top to wear. “Ian, which shirt? Rampage? Or Armani?”

“I’d prefer seeing them on the bedroom floor, but if you insist on being clothed…Armani. I’m partial to its…pinkness. It brings out your…skin tone?” Ian suggested, himself pulling on a rather taut long sleeved t-shirt from his sponsor Adidas. He looked at his well packed suitcase. “I swear I’m missing something.”

“Full-body suit? Swim cap? Goggles? Dangerously low riding speedo?” Abby asked, standing next to him, peering into his suitcase.

“That last bit is Michael’s style, I believe.” Ian replied, curtly. “No, I’ve got everything, and I trust you have stores nearby if I forget.”

“Or you can borrow…no wait, my brothers are all shorter than you. They’re 6’3 ish.” Abby said, eyeing him. “Hm. It’s hair time. I’ll be back.”

“Make it curly…please. I love it when it’s curly.”

“You might, but I don’t.” Abby said, rather darkly as she heated her straightener. “Okay…before we go and get completely conked out on the plane, I need to tell you about my family. My dad’s name is Clifford, he’s a radiologist, and he’s going to retire in two years. He’s fifty-five and he likes red wine with his steaks, and loves jazz music.”

“Clifford, doctor, red wine, jazz.” Ian replied, leaning against the doorframe, watching Abby straighten her hair. “Mum?”

“Nancy, she’s a high school social studies teacher that’s retiring when my dad retires. She’s…in her fifties, and she really likes sapphires.” Abby informed him. “Are you getting this down?”

“Yes…so far I have to pick up some red wine and some sapphire earrings.” Ian grinned at her. “Siblings?”

“Three older brothers. My oldest brother, Alec, is a cardiologist, he’s thirty one and he really likes ACDC and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Then there’s Andy, he’s thirty, a lawyer and he’s big into that Sims computer game because he really really likes controlling people. Finally, Aaron, twenty nine, businessman, and likes making model cars. He doesn’t have a model T Ford…which is the only thing he’s missing.”

Ian had propped the laptop onto the coffee table and had gone onto Amazon and in an instant bought gifts for her family. “Should I get something for Michael?”

“Some pants that don’t fall off of his ass. But that’s okay, you don’t need to get him anything.” Abby replied. “I’ve gotten him something, and you can just put your name on it.”

“That feels like cheating.” Ian answered, putting the laptop away. He went back to his post at the door frame and watched as she put on some lipstick and other makeup. “Stop with the makeup, you’re gorgeous.” He walked up to her and hugged her from behind. “Come on…if we want to beat the traffic, we should go now.”

Abby sighed. “Before I forget…I must say, you smell very good.”

Later they found themselves in first class on Air France headed for Logan International in Boston and later a commercial flight to the airport in Hartford. Abby fell asleep on Ian’s shoulder as he watched the movie “Miracle” with much interest.

Eight hours later, Michael met them at the airport. “Abbyyy!”

“What up, Squirt?” Abby grinned, hugging her cousin.

“Shhh…don’t let Ian hear you!” Michael said, nudging her as he took her carry-on.

“Don’t let me hear what?” Ian asked coming behind Abby. “Why are you picking us up? I thought her parents were.”

“Well I picked you up to warn you about her brothers.” Michael answered.

“Oh shut up, they’re fine.” Abby said, brushing him off.

“They’re all a lot older than her, and very protective of her. So don’t be surprised when they ask you to speak with them.” Michael said conspiratorially. “I’ve seen it done to her other boyfriends. Some are scared to death.”

“Don’t listen to him!” Abby warned as she walked ahead. “I’ve gotta go to the bathroom. I’ll meet you at the baggage claim.”

Michael shrugged and walked with Ian. “So, how are things between the two of you?”

“We’re fine…the usual spat about toothpaste in the sink, and caps being left undone, but I’m cleaning up after myself better.” Ian answered. “Abby’s been so good to me. She’s so…real.”

“That’s cuz she is, man.” Michael laughed. “She’s not some blonde bimbo that wants your for arm candy and has nothing in between her ears.”

“Yeah…definitely.” Ian answered. “It’s nice to date someone smarter than me, it’s refreshing to lose a debate.”

“Oh…you’ll always lose to Abby.” Michael replied with sound experience. “Always has to win.”

“So are her brothers really that bad?” Ian asked. He was beginning to get worried that they wouldn’t approve of him…at all.

“They were, but maybe not so much, especially because you’re an Olympian.” He replied, pulling Abby’s bags from the carousel. “But…I’d sleep with one eye open if I were you, and with clothes.”