Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Author: SerenaJ
Title: Rachael and JD
Part: Chapter 3
Universe: Reedville and The Davidson Fishery
Summary: Rachael mets JD's family
Keywords: nosex

   Chapter 3: Welcome Home

   It was in the car almost two hours out from DC that Rachael started
having serious second thoughts.

   "Maybe you should call and tell them I'm coming." She said nervously. 
His whole family at one dinner.  It had a sink-or-swim feel that she
disliked.

   "Nonsense!  They'll be tickled pink to finally meet you."

   "They know we're engaged?"

   "No, but they have known I been seein' someone mighty special for
sometime."

   "They know I'm 26?"

   "Now, stop worryin'.  They'll love you just as much as I do."

   "And if they don't?"

   "We gonna have an awful small wedding." He glanced at her and smiled. 
"I'm too old ta be fightin' and carryin' on.  Either they like you or they
gonna learn to like you."

   She was silent again as she had been for most of the trip.  In her minds
eye were images drawn from `Gone with the Wind' of a southern family in its
worst incarnation: racist, chauvinistic, xenophobic.  She kept expecting to
see confederate flags and shot gun racks.  Instead, they drove down miles
of lush greenery, historic landmarks and a surprising number of wineries.
She made JD promise to stop at one on their way home.  She had the feeling
that a stiff drink would be the first thing she would need as they left.

   They passed the sign for Reedville.

   "Wasn't that your turn?" she asked as they sped past the exit.

   "If'n we was being picked up, yes.  But I figured we'd just drive on up
to the house." He paused and looked at her then back at the road, "Without
a car, someone has to ferry you to and from Reedville proper and, well,
some guests feel trapped.  So I thought, you might like to have a car
available.  If you need it."

   She nodded.  JD was aware that this might not be `love fest' he hoped
for.  She wished she found that comforting.

   After another hour, JD started pointing out local sights.  Finally, he
slowed to a crawl near a mailbox.

   "Open that, honey, an' see if'n the mail's come in yet."

   "You're becoming more and more southern as we drive, you know.  And
who's mail is this I'm stealing, anyway?"

   "Ours.  We's here." He turned on to a dirt road hidden along the
tree-lined highway and suddenly they were there.

   The house it's self was a four story anti-bellum beauty with well-kept
porches and delicately painted trim.  A few bushes dotted the grass in
front of the house and four large magnolia trees framed it all.  A little
ways from the house was an elegant willow tree.  In the distance, Cockerell
Creek glittered in the afternoon sun.  It was breathtaking.  The trip was
worth the view alone.

   "You grow up here?" she gasped as they got out of the car and she
surveyed the scene.

   "Yep.  That windo' there.  I used ta climb out at night and sit on the
roof `round the side.  Can't imagine why I didn't break my fool neck."

   The house door opened and someone yelled out, "That you, Julius?"

   "'Lo Marcus!  Come on down, want you ta meet someone." He put his arm
around Rachael's waist and pulled her along, "You've spoken ta Marcus a
hunnerd times, so now don't be nervous."

   Marcus met them at the base of the stair and the brothers embraced
briefly.  The JD introduced, "Ms.  Rachael Sullivan." Which is as far as he
got before Marcus cut in.

   "Ms.  Sullivan, well hello and welcome.  Hey boys," he yelled over his
shoulder, "Yo' Daddy's here.  Come on out.  Ms.  Sullivan, I am right
pleased to meet you.  I musta heard your voice just about as often as I've
heard Junior here."

   "Pleased to meet you as well." Rachael found it easy to like Marcus.  He
had the southern "good-ole-boy charm" that was much the opposite of JD's
dignified reserve.  He was a big man with all the marks of a one-time
athlete.  He towered over JD.  She also enjoyed the subtle changes that
came over JD - even as his age, it was clear that he was the younger
brother.  He bristled at `junior'.

   From out of the house came four men, whom Marcus took the liberty of
introducing.  They were his own son George and JD's sons Charles, Edward
and Wilton.  "Boy's this is Junior's secretary up in Washington, Miss
Sullivan."

   "Please, Rachael is fine."

   Wilton moved first, taking her hand and kissing fingertips softly, "My
pleasure, Miss Rachael.  I declare you `bout the finest thing Daddy ever
brought home from the capital." Somehow the gesture was creepy rather than
charming and as quickly as possible, Rachael pulled her hand away.

   "I've heard so much about you all, I feel I know you already."

   They gathered the overnight bags and everyone made their way into the
living room.  Sweet tea, mint juleps, and fresh baked cheese biscuits
waited inside and Rachael got a chance to talk to everyone for a few
moments.

   Charles was most like JD - same short but stocky build, same thick hair
- dark brown still not white - and like his father had gotten a law degree.
He had much of JD's reserve as well.  Edward must have taken after his
mother for he seemed to have nothing of JD's build or persona about him. 
He was tall, thin, fair and prickly, with the family constantly telling him
to `sit down and relax.' But he was nice enough in general and Charles
blamed his nerves on the fact that Ed had always preferred spending his
time at sea rather than on land.

   "I think he's the only actual sailor in the family." Charles laughed,
"Not a good trait to lose in a family of fisherman."

   Wilton kept watching her, though he kept his physical distance, and in
truth, her eyes kept finding him.  He had the looks she classically went
for - dark hair, tall and muscular.  He had razor stubble, and although he
said he was a deckhand on one of the family boats, his hands had the smooth
feel of a man who'd never worked a day.  He looked like Central Casting
sent over an actor for the family black sheep.

   "Momma!" She heard JD's cry over the rest of the room's conversation and
stood up to greet her future mother-in-law.  Rachael was just a touch
surprised.  They were here to celebrate the woman's 83'd birthday and
Rachael had expected an elderly, frail woman.  Instead, she looked and
moved as if she were considerably younger.  `Here's to good living' Rachael
thought, admiring the woman's grace.  JD called her over and Rachael took
his hand.

   "Momma, this is Miss Rachael Sullivan.  Miss Sullivan, my mother,
Cecelia Rose Lee McElroy."

   "How do you do, Ms.  McElroy?  It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

   "And a pleasure to meet you, child.  Now how did you meet my Julius?"

   "I'm his secretary."

   His mother snap to attention, "Julius!  Don't you be sneaking off down
to that office, ya hear?  This ain't no working week, this is time to spend
with your mother who's old and won't be with you much longer." She turned a
cold eye on the whole family, "That goes for the rest of you as well." A
chores of "yes, momma" broke out amid the laughter of the room and Mother
McElroy took Rachael's hand, "I don't care why Julius brought you down with
him, while you are here you are my guest and not his employee, you hear
me?"

   Rachael laughed, "Yes, Mother McElroy."

   "Now, don't go standing on formality, here.  You call me `Momma' just
like the rest of them." She leaned in to whisper, "I'm getting' so old, I'm
not sure I'd answer ta anythin' else."

   "I would say you are anything but old, Momma."

   "Keep this one happy Julius or I'll tell Marcus to hire her out from
under you.  We could do with a good secretary."

   "I intend to, Momma." JD said mildly and Rachael bit back a giggle.

   As the afternoon strolled along, more family members arrived.  George's
wife and children.  Charles' wife and children.  Ed's wife and children. 
Rachael began to loose track but things became simpler when she was pushed
with the other "womenfolk" into the kitchen to help with dinner. 
Thankfully, a local caterer cooked, they just had to heat and serve. 
Rachael and Hanna - Marcus daughter - set the table.

   "Seat's eight comfortably but I ain't never seen a family dinner here
where we didn't squeeze twelve or more round this table." Hanna chatted,
"We'll put all the young'uns at the card table in the living room so us
grown folk can talk." Hanna - short for Rappahannock - was in college and
was glad that at least one non-family member was attending, "Otherwise, you
can't git my daddy to stop talkin' `bout fishin'.  Uncle Julius `bout as
bad.  I always ask him what's happening in Washington, he always come round
to some ole fish story."

   Rachael thought for a moment, "What's your major?"

   "Architecture."

   "Oh!  Well, you have to see the city itself!  When you get your next
break from school, come up and see us and I'll take a couple day's off and
give you a tour."

   "Really?"

   "Sure!"

   Soon the food was set out and the men were called to the table.  Before
they sat down, JD caught Rachael's hand and pulled her aside.  "I was
thinking after dinner would be a good time to make our announcement.  When
everyone's been well feed."

   When there is no possibility of her escaping the room.  "Ok."

   "Oh, and uh, have you meet Claudia yet?"

   "I can't tell who I've meet anymore."

   "Woman on the far side of the table with the garish red hair."

   "Yes, we were introduced but that's about it."

   "That's my ex-wife."

   "She's here?"

   "As the mother of my sons, she and momma spent a lot of time together.
They grew quite close.  The gentleman beside her is her new husband,
Parker."

   She looked at his face closely, "Are you ok?"

   He smiled, "I lost her and gained you.  I think I'm quite ok."

   "Come on, Uncle Julius," some called out, "Stop harassing that po' child
with business."

   Everyone gather around the table and held hands.  Marcus led the family
in prayer.  A long prayer.  Rachael had wondered early on if JD's religious
expressions were born of real faith or local idiom.  He rarely went to
church even though he tithed regularly.  Listening to the family now
however left no doubt.  This was a family of believers.  Her own family
were lapsed Catholics and she had never had much reason to reconsider the
choice.  It occurred to her now that this was a meaningful part of his
life. That family was a meaningful part of his life - standing around this
table were four generations of a family who had lived in this house since
1804 at least.  JD had asked her to become part of that.  It was
overwhelming for a moment.  She found herself suddenly close to tears. 
`More than anything, God', she thought, `please let them accept me for his
sake.' Creating a rife between him and his family would be unthinkable.

   When Marcus said, "forever and ever, in the almighty's name we pray..."
Rachael joined the group's "Amen." and wiped her eyes.  JD caught the
gesture.

   "Willow?"

   "I'm fine."

   Eventually, the meal started.  Conversation and wine flowed and Rachael
found the family to be open and warm and nothing like what she feared. 
When Marcus' wife stood to start clearing the table, JD squeezed Rachael's
hand and tapped his wine glass.

   "If everyone would just stay put for a moment, I have a few words I
wanted to say on this occasion." He cleared his throat.  "Now, as most of
you know, I have a young woman in my life in Washington with whom I have
spent some time with.  And I wanted the family to know, that although I
have not introduced her properly as yet, I have asked this woman to marry
me and she has accepted." There were sighs and applause from around the
table.  "Thank you, thank you.  Now, I haven't discussed it with her yet,
but I was hoping we could have the service here on Christmas Eve." Several
people thought that a lovely idea and mummers of agreement drifted around
the room.

   "Dang it Junior, when do we meet this woman?" Marcus roared.

   JD grinned, "You already have."

   Everyone in the room exchanged confused looks except Marcus who suddenly
went pale.  After a moment, JD took Rachael's hand and stood her up, "May I
present my fiancée, Miss Rachael Sullivan."

   The room went silent.  Instantly Rachael knew this announcement was a
mistake.

   "Oh, well, hell!  Someone say something!" JD finally snapped.

   There was more silence then Claudia laughed.  It sounded as gleeful as
broken glass.  "That child is gonna marry you?" she cackled, "Julius, be
sensible."

   "Good lord, Daddy, she's younger than me." Wilton sneered, "You get a
taste fo' Yankee poon, ain't no need ta bring it here."

   "Hell, yes, Junior!  You don't need to go marryin' yo secretary just
cause yer doin' yo bizness with her." Marcus' eyes narrowed, "less'on there
more you need to tell us."

   Marcus' implication sunk in slowly around the room.  Momma cleared her
throat, "Is there something more you need to tell us, Julius?"

   "I'm not pregnant, if that what you mean." Rachael felt like the
elephant in the middle of the room, "I'm not pregnant, I don't want money
and it's not just sex.  I love JD and I want to be with him and that's
all."

   There was actual snickering from Wilton's direction.

   "You need to make another comment, boy?" JD's voice held more menace
than Rachael had ever heard.  "Be my pleasure to school you, boy."

   Charles interceded, "Daddy, come on, now.  No offence, Miss Sullivan,
I'm sure you right nice young lady, but you can't really be in love with my
Father."

   "Why not?" Rachael faced him, "Age mean he can't be kind, or intelligent
or witty or fun, charming, handsome, generous..."

   "...Arrogant, self-centered, alcoholic, domineering, and just plain
mean?" Claudia added.

   "If that's the man you married, he must have mellowed with age." Rachael
shot back.

   "Julius, you hardly know this woman." Someone's wife offered.

   "Miss Sullivan and I have worked together for nearly ten years - eight
of them well prior to our relationship.  I assure you, I know this young
woman quite well."

   "Then maybe you ought to consider a longer engagement.  Two - three
years ought to be time enough to see if'n you have real feelings or are
just abattin' yo' lust."

   "I don't want a two year engagement.  I think a Christmas wedding is
lovely, JD." Rachael turned to him suddenly, "But I don't want a long
engagement because, well, there is that massive coronary..." her voice
dropped.

   "Tomorrow is not promised to any of us, Willow.  But I was following a
similar line of thought." JD sighed deeply, and looked around the room. 
His eyes settled on his mother, "Momma, I love you but, frankly, I'm a
grown man.  I am marryin' Miss Sullivan in December.  Now, I'd rather do it
here with your blessings but the court house been marryin' folks fo' a
little while now and we can do it there if need be."

   Cecelia Rose Lee McElroy looked at her son for a long time before she
silently stood up and left the dinning room.