AJ turned after slamming the door back to Billy who groaned, "I'm going to have to kill him."

"Only after I kill him first," she told him.

"AJ! OPEN THE DOOR!" Neal called from the other side.

AJ leaned back against the door and looked at Billy, "Should I open the door?"

He sat up finally getting a hold of himself, "He's stubborn, he'll stay out there until you do."

Letting out a frustrated sigh, DAMN YOU NEAL! Things were just getting interesting with your brother. She opened the door to find a completely confused Neal.

"What'd I do?" he asked genuinely concerned that he'd pissed her off.

"Nothing, I just wasn't planning on anyone coming by today, that's all. Come on in." she looked him dead in the eyes and lied. AJ stepped aside to let him into the place.

He walked in, not noticing that the two other people in the room were trying desperately not to kill him for interrupting what they in the middle of starting just a few minutes before. Both of their hair was in disarray but they quickly tried to fix it without calling attention to themselves.

"Hey Billy, what are you doing here?" he asked his older brother noticing that he was there.

"Hanging with AJ," he said. AJ's face fell almost imperceptibly when he said that. They had been so wrapped up with each other that they hadn't gotten around to telling their parents about the recent developments in their relationship. But then again Neal didn't need to know what had been in the process of happening between her and his brother when he decided to do a surprise visit. Nope, definitely didn't need to know that AJ had been trying to remember where the blindfold from her birthday was and have some fun with his brother.

AJ was sprawled on the couch stuffed while she was getting annoyed having to listen to Billy and Neal argue over who got the last slice of pizza. "If you both don't shut it I'm going to eat the pizza." She said not looking real threatening as she was slightly drowsy due to the amount that she ate.

Later that night Neal finally got up saying, "It's late I should probably be heading out." She walked out with Neal and Billy. Neal then turned to his brother, "Don't you think you've bugged AJ enough today?"

He just laughed, "Nah, I think I'll hang around here a little longer."

"You know you don't have to be here every second of the day. It's not like you two are dating or anything." Neal joked.

Billy and AJ just looked at each other. Billy came to stand next to AJ and rested his hand on the small of her back. Neal watched how the two weren't laughing and denying it. And the unconscious move of his brother made his eyes widen. "Are you?"

They nodded. Then fear and understand covered Neal's face, "Then, um, earlier, was I, um, interrupting anything?" He asked afraid of the answer.

AJ just grinned, "Do you really want to know the answer?"

"Not really."

AJ walked up to him and looked him sweetly in the face, "Just remember revenge is a bitch sweetheart."

Looking slightly scared, but laughing nonetheless Neal got into his car and drove off. As soon as Neal was out of sight Billy turned AJ towards him and leaned her against the car planning on picking up where they had been before they were so rudely interrupted. His lips were just about to touch her when AJ yawned. He couldn't help but to laugh, she was almost on the verge of falling asleep where she was standing. "Come on babe, you need to sleep."

"I'm not that tired," she protested.

"Well maybe not, but how 'bout we at least just lie down in case you are tired. Cause if you conk out here I don't know if I could carry you inside."

"Hey, I don't weigh that much," she said leaning against him as they walked inside.

He gently pushed her in the direction of the bathroom so she could change into her pajamas. While she was changing clothes, he put away the pizza. Billy turned around when he heard the door open, she walked sleepily out of the bathroom looking like it was taking every last drop of energy she had not to just fall asleep in the middle of the floor.

She was wearing a tank top and a pair of his pajama pants, "You know I those are mine." He said referencing the pants she was wearing.

AJ looked down then back up at him and gave him a sleepy smile, "I know but they're comfy." She was asleep seconds after her head hit the pillow. A few minutes later he got into bed next to her, she unconsciously curled herself up next to him.

Billy just stared down at the sleeping girl next to him. Asleep you'd never guess that this girl talked a mile a minute, moved a mile a minute, thought a mile a minute. You almost had to have ESP in order to keep up with her train of thought. She jumped from topic to topic faster than anyone he'd ever seen. Sure she was stubborn. Yes, she was hyper. Definitely she was opinionated. But she was also so smart, most of the time at least. She could always get him laughing. He loved those things about her. Love? He questioned before he drifted off to sleep pulling her a little tighter against him.

AJ woke up before Billy as she normally did. She loved watching him sleep. He looked so boyishly peaceful. Even when he would try to brush the same stray lock of hair out of his face.

AJ anxiously paced the baggage claim waiting for Billy. He'd had to go out of town nine days ago and she was slowly losing her mind waiting on him. Slowly people start filing in to claim their luggage. AJ was never more frustrated with her lack of height than she was at that particular moment while she was trying to crane her neck searching the crowd. Finally spotting him she went running in his direction.

Billy heard footsteps running in his direction. A second later AJ came into sight. He managed to drop his bag before AJ launched herself through the air. She grabbed his face pulled him down to her level to kiss him senseless.

When they broke apart he was laughing, "Miss me?"

"Nine days is far too long," AJ said leaning against him.

"I know," he said with one arm wrapped firmly around her waist and his other picking up the dropped bag.

They were just reaching her car when he stopped her, "Hey, I missed you too." Then he kissed her on her forehead. AJ was physically incapable of stopping the smile that spread across her features.

It was Thursday afternoon and Billy and AJ were in his car headed towards Northern Minnesota. AJ was nervously bouncing her leg. What was about to happen was the most heart-pounding, eye twitching, finger tapping , nerve wracking event ever. She was getting ready to meet his family. Not just his Mom and Dad. But his Mom, Dad, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and whoever else might be there. AJ had never experience just a level of nervousness in her life.

Billy reached over and put his hand on her knee to stop her leg bouncing. "It's going to be fine. I promise, no one's going to bite you. They will all like you, hopefully not like I like you," he said causing a nervous laugh from her.

"But this is a big deal," she stressed.

"You've met my family. You've played golf with my family."

"But now I'm meeting your WHOLE family. Besides when I met your parents we weren't……we weren't, US," she tried to get him to understand.

"It'll be okay," he tried reassuring her. She looked at him skeptically. "I promise, besides Neal will probably bug you about that damn leprechaun hat the whole time."

"Are you making fun of my leprechaun hat?" AJ eyed him.

"I would never," Billy feigned shock.

"You better not because who knows what other magical powers that, that hat has and might decide to lash out at a non-believer," she warned him trying to look serious.

"What magical powers?"

"You mean other than healing heads that have been hit by golf clubs?" she asked him.

"Had to bring that up didn't you?" Billy accused, thankful that something had gotten her mind off what was about to happen. Truth be told, he was just as nervous as she was.

"Well when the club fits swing it," she challenged him.

Billy reached across the car and started tickling her, causing her to shriek and try in vain to escape from his roving hands. "Aren't you supposed to be nice to me?"

"Aren't you supposed to be driving?"

"Nope, we're here," Billy told her as he pulled up to a cabin.

"Shit," AJ muttered.

AJ stepped warily out of the car. Luckily the first person she saw was his Mom. Gale gave Billy a hug then turned toward AJ smiling, "I'm so glad you made it."

She smiled still slightly nervous, Gayle noticed her nervousness. "Ready to be fed to the wolves?" AJ's head snapped to look at her in terror. Gayle just laughed, "I'm kidding, don't worry. I know exactly how you feel. You'll be fine." Then led her into the house.

Looking at Billy he mouthed to her, 'I told you so'.

"So Abby, first of all I don't want you calling me Mrs. Schneider. You called me Gayle before you started dating my boy you can call me Gayle now. Now how is your Mom? I haven't talked to her in a couple weeks."

"Mom's good. Still Mom," she said causing Gayle to laugh knowingly. Before AJ knew what had happened she was in the cabin. A few people had started arriving already, at least she wasn't going to have to face the whole group all at once. Their entrance caused them to stop their conversation and stare curiously at her. Buzz was the first to say something, "Hi AJ. How's the forehead?"

That caused AJ to giggle, "It's good. He hasn't hit me with any clubs lately."

"Alright I make one mistake and I'm never going to live it down?" Billy defended himself.

"It takes real talent to knock someone out GOLFING," Neal interjected.

"Well I will admit that my head was in his way," AJ laughed feeling slightly more at ease.

By now the other people in the room were looking at them confused. Buzz turned to explain, "When we were at Gayle's high school reunion we all went out golfing –"

Neal interrupted, "And she bought the BEST leprechaun hat ever, then while off he managed to hit her in the head and knocked her out cold." The room erupted in laughter causing Billy to turn a slight shade of red. He was standing behind her and put his arms lightly around her waist. "But she's still dating me, what does that say about her?"

AJ was the first to reply, "That you hit something critical and caused brain damage?" Again the whole room laughed hysterically.

"That's not very nice," Billy told her. AJ's only response was to shrug her shoulders.

"Now, William are you going to introduce us to this lovely lady?" an older woman said.

AJ snickered at him being called William. "Yes, Grandma. This is Abigail Carver. AJ this is my Grandma Marie." AJ shook the woman's hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Schneider."

"Now you just call me Marie, okay?" she said clasping her hand between hers.

AJ felt instantly at ease with her, "You can all call me Abby or AJ."

"And this is my Grandpa Bill." Billy said.

"You better call me Bill," the kind looking man smiled.

By dinner that night she had met everyone and had so many names swimming around her head she prayed that she didn't mess up to many peoples names. The house was quiet. Most of the older people had gone to bed already; most of the younger ones had fallen asleep in various spots around the cabin. AJ was standing out on the deck that overlooked the lake. A familiar pair of arms took up their familiar place around her waist.

"Can I say I told you so one more time?" He grinned standing behind her.

"Only if you want me to hit you again?"

"I'll pass this time, I think."

"Very smart of you William." She couldn't help but laugh.

He turned her around so she was facing him. "You're enjoying this aren't you?"

"The only thing that could make it better would be if they pulled out home videos of you as a kid. One clip of you falling on your ass while skating would make my year I think. You're not human, you know that right. No one should be allowed to be that good at ALL sports, its just not normal." She informed him leaning back against his arms. Billy just smirked at her. "And just what are you smiling about?"

He didn't reply, just started leaning closer and put both arms on either side of her trapping her between the railing and his body. Before he could kiss her she pulled back slightly, "What if someone see us," she asked worried still a little bit concerned about offending anyone and making a good impression.

"I don't care. I haven't gotten to kiss you since we left this morning, and I don't like it." Billy said smiling.

"We've gone longer without kiss why is now so different. Not that I mind, mind you. Just curious."

"I never said I liked any of those previous times. But normally if we're ever together in the same room I can kiss you whenever I want," she explained leaning toward her again.

She managed to get an 'm'kay' out before their lips met. He pressed her back against the deck railing trying to get closer to her. Her hands were on his shoulders pulling him down to her level. His hands had slid around her waist and were resting on the bared skin on her back where her shirt had ridden up slightly. The light way he was rubbing her back was enough to cause her to groan. As if they read each others minds, they both went to deepen the kiss at the same time. At the first contact they tried desperately to get closer than they already were. She could feel every inch of his body against her. The railing was starting to dig in her back, but she paid no attention to it.

Then a voice clearing their throat caused them to break apart and stare at each other in fear. Both of their eyes looked at each other with 'not again' written all over it.

Slowly turning around to face the interrupter, "Hi," Billy said.

"Hi," Buzz said trying to suppress a smile.

"Hi," AJ said mortified at being caught by his dad.

"Well you guys better not stay up too much later, it's getting pretty late." He informed them.

As soon as Buzz was back inside the house AJ buried her face in his chest muttering 'Oh My God'. He hugged her to him, "I can't say I wanted that to happen."

"I'd hope not," she laughed. "But it was slightly embarrassing."

"But well worth it." He grinned wickedly at her. She shoved half-heartedly against his shoulder.

They stood there for a few moments enjoying the silence and the alone time, both knowing that they were going to be in short supply for the next couple of days.

The next morning AJ walked into the kitchen. Buzz and Bill were there drinking a cup of coffee.

"Good Morning," Bill smiled.

"Morning," AJ said rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"Coffee?" Buzz offered.

AJ shook her head, "Thanks, I'm good though." She sat down still sleepy.

"So what are you doing up so early?"

"No clue," she answered yawning.

"So how long have you been dating, my grandson?" Bill asked the sleepy girl.

"Since New Year's."

Before she could be grilled any further Gayle walked into the kitchen. Slowly the rest of the house began to wake up. People were laughing talking and bustling around getting ready for the day. AJ was eating breakfast when Billy came down the stairs. He came by and gave AJ a quick good morning kiss then grabbed his own breakfast. Billy hoisted himself onto the countertop while eating his cereal. AJ got up to put away her bowl when Marie spoke up, "So Abby how long have you and our own movie star been dating?"

Billy stopped mid-bite to judge AJ's reaction to his grandmother's question. AJ stared at everyone's confused faces, then finally turned to look at Billy questioningly. At his facial expression she frowned at him, put her bowl in the sink then making the excuse about getting ready for the day she left. As soon as she was out of the room all eyes flew to Billy who was still sitting on the counter.

"She didn't know?" they all asked him in shock.

He silently shook his head no, then he slid off the counter. "I need to go talk to her." He walked slowly and cautiously up the stairs. The door to the room she was staying in wasn't completely shut, he slowly pushed it open. She was busy digging through her bag if she knew he was there she didn't acknowledge his presence. "AJ?" still nothing. "Abby?" he pleaded. At least she stopped digging through her bag. "Abby," he said again softer this time.

He saw her take a deep breath, and then she turned around. The look on her face ripped his heart out because he knew that it was his fault. She looked totally defeated and was trying desperately not to cry. Tears were welled up in her eyes and she was blinking them back furiously. "For nearly a year. We've been friends for nearly year. We've been dating for four months. And you couldn't tell me. I get why at first, I do. But don't you think I deserved to have been told at some point. What had you planned on doing? Never telling me? " She looked up at him giving up the battle of holding the tears back.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say. I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you so many times. But I didn't know how, and then it just kept snowballing from there. I knew you'd be upset with me for not telling you, and I couldn't for the live of me do something that would make you upset." He looked at her locking eyes with her willing her to understand. She stood there for awhile staring at him, searching his eyes for the answers to all the questions she had.

Down stairs the rest of the family was quiet in shock absorbing what had just happened. They were half expecting raised voices to be drifting down, but so far they heard nothing but the hushed murmurings of the two talking. No one had even dreamt that she hadn't been aware of his movie. They'd known each other for so long now everyone assumed that it'd been mentioned at least once.

Upstairs they were still staring at each other. "AJ say something," he coaxed her.

She took a deep breath, "I can't say I liked being lied to. And before you say anything lying by omission is just the same. Part of me can understand why you did what you did, but it hurt that you didn't trust me enough to tell me. It sounds like it was one of the biggest things in your life and you didn't feel like you could tell me. Do you get how much that hurts?"

He slowly walked over towards her. When she didn't move to get farther away from, he took that as a good sign. As he slowly wrapped her up in his arm he leaned down and put his forehead against hers and said seriously, "I trust you."

She nodded bringing their lips closer together. "So you forgive me?" he asked his lips brushing against hers in the slightest of ways.

"Yes," she whispered. AJ said bringing their lips together in a desperate kiss. This was the first time they'd ever fought. Sure they'd argued all the time, but feelings were never involved before. As soon as she brought their lips together he tightened his arms around her trying to make up to her for hurting her feelings.

He walked them back towards one of the beds, they collapsed on the bed. They'd had passion driven kisses before but this was unlike any other kiss they'd shared. It was like they couldn't get close enough. She ran her hands down his back pulling him tighter against her. One of Billy's hands was on her hip resting on the bare skin where her t-shirt had ridden up and her pajama pants had sagged slightly. Her skin burned where he touched her.

Just as quickly as the kiss had started he ended it leaving a confused AJ lying on her back trying to get her breath. "What's wrong?" she gasped out.

"My parents are downstairs. Hell my grandparents are down stairs. And I know our luck. Someone is bound to come in here." He said running a shaky hand through his hand.

She just laughed at his prediction. AJ got up and fixed her hair slightly, she pulled her T-shirt back down to its rightful place. He walked over to stand in front of her, "So we're okay?" he asked her searching her face.

Biting her lip, "Yeah, we're okay. Better go let your parents know I haven't killed you yet." She smiled.

Before they walked back down to face the inquiring minds that they both knew would be waiting them, she gave him a small kiss on the cheek. Everybody stopped what they were doing when they entered the room. Gayle and Marie were cleaning up in the kitchen while the rest of the family was spread all around the living room. One of his cousins, she thought his name was Ty, or was it Jordon, was the first to break the silence, "So you didn't kill him?"

The younger boys' blatant honesty made the two smile. "Not yet, but it's still early though." AJ quipped. The rest let out their nervous energy by laughing. Although no one voiced their concern everyone was thinking it.

Marie came up to Billy and AJ, "I didn't mean to cause you either any problems."

AJ immediately soother her fears informing her that it would've come to a head sooner or later.

"And AJ, just give me the word if you ever want to see the movie. I'm pretty sure I've got a copy around here somewhere." Gayle informed her.

AJ grinned evilly at the prospect, "I just might have to take you up on that Gayle."

Billy just grunted his opinion of that idea. AJ just smiled a 'too bad' kind of smile at him.

It was after lunch that day when AJ did take Gayle up on the offer. By now she was almost giddy with excitement. They were watching the movie with his cousins and Neal who was trying to be angry with her when he discovered she hadn't brought the leprechaun hat with her.

"Are you sure you want to watch it?" Billy asked for what seemed like the millionth time.

And for the millionth time she rolled her eyes, "You're not getting out of this that easy."

She settled between his legs leaning against his chest. It was there standard movie watching position. Soon the intro appeared on the screen and AJ let out an excited noise.

"You okay?" he laughed.

"Shhhh," AJ instructed him placing a hand over his mouth. She proceeded to watch the movie with a small grin on her face.

The first time she noticed the wedding ring on his hand AJ erupted in giggles. "It at all creepy to you that you were married to your MOM?"

"A little," he admitted.

"I'm not sure how I feel about seeing you with a ring on."

The entire movie went like that, AJ cracking jokes until eventually Neal and his cousins started piping up.

During the part at the bar, AJ couldn't help but laugh. "Blink much?"

"Really, bro do you need some Visine or something?" Neal asked him.

After hearing the line 'You look like a monkey humping a football out there,' AJ couldn't help but laugh again, "And I thought that this was a Disney movie.

After watching the Norway scene AJ looked at him mischievously, "So you like blondes huh?"

"Apparently my Dad does."

"Uh huh, so we're they cute?"

"I think it might be safer if I don't answer that," he replied causing the whole room to laugh.

AJ turned her attention back to movie, 'God that hurt,' she heard him groan while watching the Herbies on the screen.

"AND NOW for the gratuitous shower scene," Neal announced.

"Well you know they're bonding so apparently you have to shower together as well," AJ was barely able to contain her amusement.

Further into the movie someone on the floor muttered, "Nice nose." Which caused AJ to snicker.

In the middle of the football scene AJ sat up and stared at the TV for a second then turned to look at Billy, "Why the hell do you have a scarf tied around your head?"

His only response was to shrug his shoulders. Except for a few comments from the peanut gallery they watched the rest of the movie in silence. When she saw the smile that the actor playing Jack O'Callahan gave she said only loud enough for Billy to hear, "That's such a just got laid smile."

Billy burst out laughing causing everyone to look at him oddly, "Nothing," he mumbled.

"Those are some GREAT looking suits by the way," AJ laughed.

"Oh yes, I just love the ensemble dahling." Neal said sounding frighteningly like one of the guys on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

At the end of the movie when she saw them all celebrating AJ just smiled. Not a smile of humor, but just that smile of pride almost. "Now we're watching all of the extra things," AJ declared.

"Now don't you think you're taking this too far?" Billy asked.

She just gave him a look, "Don't you think that it's a fair trade? I ain't letting you get off that easy," she informed him.

Slowly the other kids drifted outside leaving only Neal and AJ to mercilessly tease Billy. They watched everything on both of the DVD, including forcing Billy to sit through the movie a second time this time listening to the commentary.

During the shower scene and after hearing the director ask how many boys people could watch in the shower AJ commented, "I could watch more boys in the shower."

Hearing her say that caused the two boys to look at her slightly frightened.

AJ was in the kitchen helping to fix dinner. She'd been put in charge in charge of peeling the potatoes. "So what did you think of the movie?" Gayle asked.

"I liked it, Billy wasn't too thrilled when I made him watch it twice plus all the extra stuff," AJ grinned evilly.

This caused the other women to laugh. "He deserved it," one of his aunts replied.

"That's what I thought," AJ agreed.

"MOM! I'm HUNGRY" Neal bellowed as he entered the house. He went to sneak a deviled egg but his mother smacked his hand away. He left the kitchen looking like a dejected three year old.

"So Abby, what do you want to know about Billy?" Marie smiled.

"OH any and all baby stories and you'd be my hero," AJ crowed with excitement. "Just please tell me that there's some sport he can't play because I don't think he's normal."

"Well," Gayle started slowly. "There was that one Pee Wee hockey game."

AJ's eyes got wide with promise, "You better be finishing that story, please."

"He must've been six or seven years old. Well I think my son had been hit too many times. Well he went flying up the ice with the puck. He made a goal. Only he made a goal for the other team."

AJ laid her head down laughing uncontrollably. The stories kept flowing and AJ kept laughing. Billy knew something was wrong because the second he walked into the kitchen everybody got dead quiet.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing," came the not so innocent reply of everyone in the room.

AJ then came up to him barely suppressing her laughter, "So do you normally score goals for the other team?"

This caused the whole kitchen to erupt in hysterics again. Billy just pressed his lips together trying to look upset. "Mother, I thought you were supposed to love and support your children?" he asked coming to stand next to her.

"Yes, but another bonus is I get to embarrass them whenever I please as well." She grinned up at her oldest.

After the sun had set they built a campfire outside in a fire put that'd been built who knows how long ago. AJ just watched as he played some made up game with his younger cousins. It was a completely non-sensical game that after watching them for a few minutes she still hadn't figured out. They looked up at there older cousin in complete awe. Watching them play made her smile. It was things like that made her fall for him a little bit more each time. She'd accepted that awhile ago she was falling quite hard for him.

Billy was so good with them. He looked up from his spot on the ground and smiled at her. AJ returned the smile. Billy turned back to his cousins and whispered something she couldn't quite make out. He pulled himself up off the ground to sit next to her.

He bumped her with his shoulder, "Hey you."

"Hey you," she mimicked bumping him back.

"Well I think I'll leave these late nights to young people," Billy said getting up. Everyone called out good night to him. He was followed shortly by his wife then some of the others said it was time for the younger ones to go to bed. Their parents ignored their pleas for just five more minutes. Slowly but surely everyone went to sleep leaving only Abby and Billy up. Before going inside they made sure that the fire had been completely extinguished.

Neither one was tired yet and truth be told neither wanted to go their separate ways just yet. So they curled up on the couch watching some movie on TV. AJ could tell without looking at him that he was worried about something. She shifted, turning to face him. She could barely make out the features of his face with the glow of the TV.

"What's wrong?" she brushed his hair, that'd gotten slightly long, back.

"Nothing."

Not believing him for a second she gave him a disbelieving look. "You can tell me."

"I was thinking about this morning," he confessed. At her curious face he continued. "Are you sure you're okay? You just seemed to forgive too easily. I know you, you normally can normally scare people with your homicidal urges. I don't want to push my luck but it just seems odd."

AJ studied him carefully for a minute before replying, "I told you, I understood. And I do. At least I think I do. I didn't like being lied to, knowing that you thought I couldn't handle the truth hurt. But at the same time if our places had been reversed I might've done the same thing. I'd be scared that you were only dating me because of what'd I done or the size of my bank account." He nodded, relaxing that she really did get it. "Besides," she continued. "If I'd been after your bank account, I'd have been gone a while ago," she smirked.

"You're too good to me," he said.

"Glad you're finally catching on."

"I have so many stories I've wanted to tell you."

"Well I'm not going anywhere."

For once Billy woke up before her. When he woke up he felt something different, he finally noticed the blanket that was covering them both. Billy heard hushed voiced coming from the kitchen. He stifled a groan of embarrassment when he recognized them as his Mom and Grandma. Luckily no one else was awake yet. Carefully so not to wake a sleeping AJ he slid off the couch.

Billy walked into the kitchen pecked his Mom and Grandma on the cheek. "Morning, uh thanks for the blanket," he said to no one in particular.

"Your welcome," Gayle replied.

"Were you two up late?" Marie asked.

"Yeah, we must've fallen asleep talking," he sat down with them at the table.

"Is everything okay between you two after yesterday?" his Mom asked concerned. She'd never seen her son quite like this before with any other girl he dated and she didn't want to see him mess it up. He nodded.

"You like her a lot don't you?" Marie observed out of the blue.

Billy looked at his grandmother in shock, "Yeah I do," he replied.

The two women looked at each other knowingly. He was completely see-through. They both looked at him curiously urging him to continue. Before he was able to respond a load yawn drifted over from the couch. Billy smiled when he heard her groan and roll over trying to go back to sleep. A few minutes later they heard her mumble something incoherent. Knowing that she'd be getting off the couch shortly he stood up and started getting her, her morning Dr. Pepper.

The rest of the weekend flew by. They were all busy hanging out, goofing off, and playing around. On their last full day there, it also happened to be Billy's birthday. That morning his mother woke him like she had done every year that he was home, with a plate of pancakes with a candle on top singing.

"It your birthday,
Happy Birthday,

People dying everywhere,

In misery and despair,

On your birthday,

Happy Birthday"

Everyone else who had been sleeping woke up feeling slightly confused. Billy glanced over to AJ who was smiling sleepily, she mouthed 'Happy Birthday'. Then everyone else decided to serenade the birthday boy as well.

"And many more on Channel 4

And Scooby Doo on Channel 2

And the big fat lady on Channel 80,

And Frankenstein on Channel 9," they bellowed at the top of their lungs. Neal was obviously the ring leader of the song birds.

After the younger ones finished their grand finale, Neal continued, "You look like a monkey! And you smell like one too." Laughing Billy threw a pillow at his younger brother.

Gayle left letting Billy eat his breakfast and the others to get ready for the day. Eventually as it seemed to always happen AJ and Billy were the only ones left in the room. Smiling AJ linked her arms around his neck, "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks," he said not making a move to bring them closer together. Slowly he loosely draped his arms on her waist. Then standing on her tip-toes she brought their lips together. Billy let her dictate the intensity of the kiss. Billy was willingly being subjected to the assault on his senses. The feel of her fingers idly moving over his neck. The scent that could only be identified as Abby. He could tell she was getting frustrated because he wasn't kissing her back. She broke away to look him confused. AJ had barely broken the kiss when his arms tightened around her dragging her back to him.

Now, this was what she had been hoping for when she kissed him before. AJ loved the feeling of being wrapped up in his arms. As the kiss continued his hands began to roam. One came up to cup her face and gently keeping her in place. As if she'd willingly move. His other hand seemed to take up its favorite place, flattened across the small of her back under her shirt.

"Billy, hey people are wondering where you ---," Neal said walking into the room. "UH, sorry. Okay I'm leaving now." He said leaving the room. He could be hearing, "I really did NOT want to see that," quietly to himself as he left.

AJ and Billy had broken apart when he had walked into the room. "We're moving to a deserted island," Billy whispered as their heads rested against each other.

AJ nodded her agreement. This was starting to get very frustrating. Although with his family downstairs this probably wasn't the right place, but damn it sure as hell felt right, "As long as I can have my Dr. Pepper and peanut butter I'll move anywhere," she informed him.

"So now all I need to do is find a deserted island with a lifetime supply of Dr. Pepper and peanut butter and you're all mine."

They stood there, like that for a moment longer. "You finish getting ready I'm going to go downstairs."

"Don't kill Neal without me, okay?" Billy asked.

"I won't, I might scare him a bit," she grinned wickedly back at him.

That night everyone crowded into the living room to watch Billy open his presents. He got gift certificates, clothes, a couple of movies he'd been wanting. It had taken AJ forever to come up with something that felt right for him. Finally she decided on two things, she had given him a watch now and he'd have to wait for the other until later.

Later on AJ came up to Billy and whispered, "Walk with me?" He looked up at her and noticing her expression nodded. The moon was out, it looked amazing reflecting off the lake like it was. He intertwined their fingers loving how her small hand fit inside of his. Walking in silence along the lake Billy was starting to worry why they were out there.

"Abby?" he only called her Abby when he was worried about her.

"Remember the first day we met?" she asked.

He smiled, "Yup, I thought you had to have been crazy for going out in the middle of the night barefoot just for peanut butter."

She laughed, "Well I thought you were far too serious for your own good."

"I think I knew we had to least be friends when I first saw your in the leprechaun hat looking like it was no big deal." He told her, causing her to laugh.

"Neal still wants to steal that hat."

"He loves you, you know that right? He told me once that you're like the big sister he never had or something."

"As long as you don't think of me as a sister we're all good," she teased him.

Pulling her closer to him, "Nope, definitely no sisterly thoughts," he confirmed.

"That's good to hear."

"Do you remember New Year's?"

"Of course," she said softly.

"Did I ever tell you I was out in my car for about twenty minutes working up the nerve to knock on the door," he confessed. She looked at him in shock, stunned by his confession. "Yeah, I have no idea what possessed me to come down."

"I'm glad you did though," she said leaning against him as they continued to walk.

"Me too."

They walked a bit more, both thinking, both content to enjoy the silence. There was a dock stretching out on to the lake ahead of them. He leaned back against the railing pulling her back against him. They stood there awhile until AJ turned around to face him. He left his arms around her waist.

She took a deep breath before speaking.