Samantha's study group had come about quite by accident. During one of her first biology classes they had been asked to break into groups of five for a group assessment task and presentation. When Samantha had looked at the assignment it was one she could have easily completed on her own. Truthfully, she had always hated group tasks. The first time she had been at high school she had made the mistake of thinking she had been finally accepted by her classmates when several of them had requested she join their group. She later discovered they had only wanted her because they knew she had no friends and could easily be convinced to do most of the work.

This time, with the confidence of adulthood and being the 'new girl' she had approached the four students who were clearly not being asked to join any other group. Annie reminded her of herself the first time she had been at high school. She was a younger than the rest of the class, not quite 16 and was clearly bright, she just lacked the confidence to let anybody see. Drew was already six foot six inches tall and had a face covered in one of the worst cases of acne Sam had ever seen. Michael was so painfully shy he had blushed beetroot red and barely been able to respond to her when Samantha had asked him if he wanted to join their group and then there was Oliver. Oliver had been the brightest in the class until Samantha had arrived and had made no secret of the fact that he planned to compete with her for top marks. Samantha smiled knowing he didn't stand a chance but employed the military tactic of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.

Of course their group had received top marks and even Oliver could see the advantages of staying together as a study group for other subjects as well as biology. They met at Sam's after school every Monday and Wednesday – the days Jack had basketball training, so he had yet to meet Sam's friends. She had however, been dragged to several games and post-game parties and got along remarkably well with Jack's friends.

This week however, they had been given another group task and Sam had invited the group over on a Friday. She knew Jack had a game so invited everyone to stay for dinner thinking he would go out with the guys after the game and wouldn't be home until around 10.

While she was in the kitchen preparing the simple spaghetti dish she was planning to serve, Annie joined her.

"Do you want any help?" Annie asked shyly. She was completely in awe of Samantha. Samantha was everything she wanted to be and wasn't, she was stunning, intelligent, friendly with everybody and had a manner of talking to teachers as if she was their equal, something the teachers seemed to accept from her.

Samantha smiled. "Actually you could get the garlic bread out of the oven and cut it up if you don't mind."

Annie got the garlic bread out and shyly asked, "Is it strange not living with your parents? I can't even imagine going to school and having to do all that grown up stuff like groceries and cooking and pay bills."

"I guess I'm used to it." If only you knew Samantha thought. "I don't really have much choice, besides it's not like I have to do everything, Jack helps."

"Jack? Is he your brother?" Annie asked.

"Oh wow, I can't believe I haven't told you guys, I just assumed you knew." Annie looked at her strangely. "Jack is my husband."

Annie stood there in a state of shock. In a way she idolised Samantha and here she was telling her this huge thing and she had no idea how to react. "Husband, as in married?"

"Umm yeah." Samantha could tell she had shocked the young girl she had taken under her wing, she felt an odd mix of motherly and sisterly feelings for her. "I'm so sorry Annie, it's not like it's a secret we just don't make a big deal about it. I honestly just assumed you knew." Samantha stood there waiting for Annie to say something.

"So you live here with your husband? And you…." Annie's immediate thought was wow she actually knew someone who'd had sex!

Samantha giggled knowing exactly where the teenagers mind had headed. "Yeah we do…..quite a lot actually." Samantha was surprised when Annie hugged her.

"You are quite literally the coolest person I know, probably the coolest person in the whole school and I'm your friend!"

"So cool by association?" Samantha asked her with a huge smile of relief, glad that knowledge of her marriage hadn't damaged their friendship.

"Oh I hope so!" Annie laughed with her.

A hot and sweaty Jack Neil let himself into his apartment hoping to find his wife curled up on the couch ready to order pizza and watch a movie. Instead he saw three strange boys sitting at his dining room table staring at him.

"And you would be….?" He drawled having a fairly good idea of who they were and all hope of a quiet night with Samantha suddenly flew out the window.

One of the poor boys blushed the colour of a tomato, the tall one slumped in his chair and hung his head so he couldn't make eye contact. The one who had the air of superiority answered. "We are Samantha's study group." He said as if it was the most important thing in the world. "And you are?"

Ahhh this must be Oliver Jack thought, yup he was exactly as Samantha had described him. He took great delight in dumping his gear on the couch and turning to the annoying boy. "I am Samantha's husband."

All three boys jaws dropped at his announcement. Oliver was the first to recover and laughed. "Yeah right. She's 17, as if she's married."

Sam and Annie came out of the kitchen laughing, Samantha hid her surprise at seeing Jack standing there.

"Jack! You're home. I thought you would be going out after the game." She questioned him.

"Turns out it isn't as much fun without you, so I thought I'd come home and we could have a night in."

Sam placed the spaghetti on the table and walked over to him and kissed him while whispering 'sorry'.

Jack pulled her into a hug and kissed her temple. "S'ok"

Four teenagers just stared at them and their affectionate display. Annie, who had marginally longer to absorb the news of Samantha's marriage recovered first. "Wow you really are married, you're like my mom and step dad…just not... gross."

"Oh yeah definitely married". Jack announced meeting Oliver's stare with one of his own. "Let's eat!"

The meal had gone surprisingly well. Samantha had talked about her study group enough for Jack to feel like he already knew them. And after meeting them he had developed a real liking for Annie, Michael and Drew. Jack had always been drawn to kids who needed his special brand of friendship, he thought of Cassie, Merrin and Retou Charlie, these kids sitting at his dining room table needed him too. Even Oliver, who he had trouble liking, probably because he had sensed immediately that Oliver had developed feelings for Samantha.

"So you guys wanna go bowling tomorrow night?"

Samantha flashed him that smile that told him how much she loved him right at this moment, she followed it up with a wink that told him he was soooooo gonna get lucky tonight.

"Ummmm Jack, kids like us don't go bowling." Drew practically whispered.

Jack's heart went out to the poor kid. "Oh sure okay if you don't want to go bowling we could do something else, movie, baseball game oh hey I know, what about we go to that new Italian place in town?" Jack was met with complete silence, obviously they would have to work up to going out in public. "Or we could have an Xbox marathon here and order pizza?" Drew and Michael looked at Jack barely believing that this cool guy wanted to spend time with them. " I have the new Grand Theft Auto…." He tempted them.

"Umm that would be great. Thanks Jack. As long as you're sure. I mean you must have friends you want to hang out with." Michael mumbled.

"You guys are Samantha's friends, Samantha is my wife, that makes you guys my friends." Jack told them simply and sincerely.

Annie grinned. "I can see why Samantha loves you."

Jack laughed and smiled at the young girl who reminded him of his wife. "Oh Annie, you have no idea, I have a long, long list of terrible things about me – just wait till you get to know me!"