Author's Note: Just a few housekeeping things. The contest mentioned in this chapter is completely fictional. If one like this exists, it was not my intent to swipe it. Also, this chapter contains what I think is a rather good moment, so I'm issuing a coffee/tea/beverage alert just to be on the safe side. Would hate for anyone to douse their computers! :D Enjoy! ~lg
oOo
The next week brought some changes to Sara's life. The day after he visited her home, Evan called her to find out how she handled returning to work. She blushed the entire time and smiled for another hour. Having someone think enough of her to call like that meant a lot, and she wasn't sure how to explain it to Evan without it sounding over the top. He probably called her out of some sense of obligation, anyway. Not that she minded. She'd known since their afternoon on the beach that she could easily fall for him. In fact, she had already fallen for him, just hadn't had the courage to admit it.
Another change the week brought was her anticipation of the weekend. On previous weeks, she'd waited for the inevitable phone call saying Evan had to cancel their plans because he got called out of state. It only happened once more, and she coped well. This week, however, he'd called to tell her that his mother planned a family dinner to celebrate his recent promotion and had asked him to invite his friends from work. Would she like to go with him? She immediately said yes before thinking about it. When she hung up the phone, Sara suddenly realized that he'd asked her to meet his mom and sister. Did that mean something about what he felt for her?
Finally, she also realized a way to change the course of her career. Sara knew she couldn't just quit work at the crime lab. She really did make a difference with her crime scene photos. But she did check into area photography contests. One, in particular, intrigued her with its desire to showcase various cities. Only one photo from every city would be chosen for a coffee table book, and the photographer would win a decent check and further opportunities for this company. Evan encouraged her to pursue it, so she set out to capture her best shots of San Francisco. She spent hours at the Golden Gate Bridge, thinking of the day when Evan established their relationship. She visited the iconic Painted Ladies, first during the day and then at dusk, capturing a striking photo with the city lights behind it. She strolled the Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, hoping to catch more than a few odd looks from other tourists. And she rode the trolleys, trying to gain a unique perspective on San Francisco's most famous form of public transportation. By the end of the week, she admitted that she could use a break from looking through a camera lens.
On Saturday afternoon, Sara stood in front of her mirror, agonizing over her choice of attire. She'd found the dark purple blouse at a small shop during her trolley ride, and she'd been unable to pass it up. Today seemed like the perfect day for it since Evan said his mother wanted to grill steaks. The weather hadn't completely warmed to springtime temperatures, yet, but Sara needed to feel like it was spring. She was tired of long sleeves and thick sweaters. This blouse defied long sleeves and thick fabrics. Sleeveless with sheer ruffles that covered her shoulders, it accented her waistline with a belt that matched. She paired it with hip-hugging jeans and slip-on flats.
Evan arrived before she had the chance to change her mind, and his appreciative grin made her face heat. He stepped inside. "Nice."
"Thanks." Sara grabbed her knee-length overcoat and a large black scarf. She hadn't taken much time with her hair, and it hung around her face and over her shoulders. "You're sure I don't need to bring anything?"
"Mom would be offended if you did." He took her coat and helped her into it. "Though you can help in the kitchen if you like."
She smiled at the nearness of his voice and wondered what she'd do if he ever truly kissed her. He'd dropped little pecks on her lips before, but he'd never really taken the physical aspect of their relationship too far. Now, she debated the wisdom of making a move on him as he led her to his car. Deciding that now would not be a good time, she settled into her seat and allowed him to drive. The silence got to her, however, and she glanced at him. "So, who all is coming to this thing?"
"Me, you, Addison, Coughlin, Sheppard, Ronon, Teyla, McKay, Jennifer. . .and I think that's it." He grinned at her. "Oh! And Reed."
"Basically everyone you work with?"
"Yeah, but Addison and Coughlin are dating." He started the car after she'd buckled in. "And he's even more nervous about meeting Mom than you are."
"I don't know. I'm pretty nervous."
Evan gave her a sharp glance and took her hand in his. "Hey, you don't have anything to worry about. Mom's not gonna bite or anything. Neither are any of the guys I work with. And you already know Jennifer."
"I know. It's just. . . ." She shrugged. ". . . .meeting the family and all that."
"Is there a reason I wouldn't want my family to meet you?" He glanced at her. "You're a pretty special lady, and I'd like my mom and sister to get to know you."
"No reason." Sara bit her lip to keep from saying more. He wasn't ready to make any firm commitment, and she didn't want that sort of thing today. She just wished she hadn't become so nervous all of a sudden.
When Evan pulled the car to a stop, Sara stared in surprise. "Your mom lives in a Painted Lady?"
"Has for years." He frowned. "Why?"
"I was here just this week." She pointed. "Standing over there, taking pictures of these houses. Well, these and the ones on Alamo Square park. I was thinking about using one of them for the contest, but I'm not sure."
He waited to answer her until after he'd parked and opened her car door. "And how do you think Mom will feel if I give her a copy of the book for Christmas and reveal that you took the winning photo?"
"You don't know that I'm going to win." She laid a hand on his chest. "Don't get your hopes up too high. It might wind up on the floor with a thousand others like it."
"I don't think so." He paused for a moment, his eyes dropping to her lips, and Sara thought he might kiss her right there. Instead, he took her hand and pulled her to the door.
Margaret Lorne opened the door with a grin. "I was wondering if you two were going to stand there all day."
Evan glanced at Sara before grinning at his mom. "Thought about it, but changed our minds. Mom, meet SaraLeigh Johnson. Sara, this is my mom, Margaret Lorne."
Sara held out her hand, hoping it didn't shake too badly. "It's nice to meet you, ma'am."
Margaret shook her hand and pulled her into the house. "Call me Margie. It's nice to finally meet you. Evan's mentioned you a few times, but I didn't think he had the guts to bring you home. Either that, or he wanted to keep you all to himself."
Evan slipped an arm around Sara's waist. "Imagine that, Mom."
"Well, you have to share sometime, Son. Might as well start now." Margie took Sara's coat and hung it in a coat closet. "Now, come in here, and I'll introduce you to Evan's sister and nephews."
Immediately relaxing in Margie's kitchen, Sara smiled when Evan's sister appeared. Her hair hung in messy waves around her face, but her eyes sparkled with the same dry wit that Evan's did. She disengaged her hand from a small boy's and stuck it out. "Hi. I'm Addison."
"Sara."
"Nice to meet you." Addison returned to helping her son wipe his nose. "Sorry. We had a little bit of a cold last week, and it hasn't gone away, yet."
"No problem." Sara bit her lip to keep from saying that runny noses didn't bother her. Not with the crime scenes she visited.
Evan and Addison exchanged greetings, and the four adults settled into friendly conversation. Sara relaxed and found herself wondering why she'd stressed about this meeting. Evan had always been easy to talk to, and his mother had clearly taught him the skill. A little less refined than Sara had pictured her, Margie Lorne had a way of stating things without sugar-coating them. Her seemingly brash ways disappeared, however, when one of her grandsons misbehaved. She took the boy aside, spoke softly to him, and sent him on his way with a gentle reminder to be nice to his brother.
Evan appeared at Sara's side. "You okay?"
"Yeah." She grinned. "Your mom's not what I pictured."
"I know." He glanced at Margie, who had started digging in the fridge. "I take after my dad. Or, so she says."
The doorbell rang, saving Sara from having to answer, and Addison rushed to get it before Margie could respond. Sara glanced at Evan, who grinned mischievously. "That must be Coughlin."
"Ah. . .yeah." Evan nodded. "And I'm not sure I'm ready to see this."
Brian Coughlin appeared a short time later, holding Addison's hand and carrying flowers for Margie. Addison's two sons rushed him, and he knelt down to greet them. Then, he and Evan escorted the boys to the back yard while the three ladies prepared the potato salad and banana pudding. Sara laughed with Addison and snuck glances out Margie's kitchen window as she sliced bananas and layered vanilla wafers into the pudding. Evan tossed a football with his nephews, laughing and chasing the boys like he didn't have a care in the world. His smile captivated her, and she enjoyed seeing this side of him.
When Brian and the boys came inside for drinks, Sara slipped onto the back patio. Margie's grass hadn't started turning green, but the back patio sported lawn furniture, a fire pit, and large grill. Evan started the grill and set the temperature before turning to Sara. She had stepped to the edge of the patio, right where the sun hit the pavement, and crossed her arms. She should have worn a warmer blouse, but she enjoyed the look in Evan's eyes every time he looked at her. Right now, however, his glance couldn't take the residual sadness she felt at seeing the patio so perfectly arranged.
His hands settled on her shoulders, sending shards of warmth down her arms. "You okay?"
"Yeah." She leaned back into him. "I'm just remembering a few things right now. My mom never had many family dinners, but she loved to sit on the patio in the evenings and read."
"I understand."
"I know." She turned so that she faced him. "So, what's the plan for the afternoon?"
"Grill steaks, eat, talk, maybe play some games."
"So long as I'm on your team for Pictionary."
Evan laughed. "Deal." He sobered quickly. "You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah." Sara shrugged. "My mom died a year ago. I just wasn't expecting the memories to hit as hard as they suddenly did."
Rather than speaking, he pulled her into his arms. Sara let her arms snake around his waist and tucked her head under his chin. His steady heartbeat calmed her emotions, and she realized she didn't want him to let go. Not for a while, anyway. Still, after a long moment, she forced herself to raise her head. Evan didn't release her, however, and she kept her arms around his waist. "We should probably get back inside."
He shrugged, his eyes lighting with a strange glint. "Only if you want to." His gaze dropped to her lips again, and he didn't seem intent on pulling back this time.
"Mmm." She smiled. "I'm not sure I want to."
"Oh, good." He didn't give her time to respond but leaned in and kissed her.
Oh, sweet heaven, the man could kiss! Sara leaned into him just to keep herself upright as he quickly robbed her of the ability to breathe. By the time he pulled back, she'd forgotten about sad memories, chilly air, nervousness, or anything that required higher brain function. Trying to think of something to say, she let out a quick breath when he said, "Now that is nice."
"I agree." She raised an eyebrow. "Though I'm curious as to what took you so long."
"Don't spoil the moment." He let his hands rest on her hips, keeping her close without smothering her. "We'll have plenty of time to talk about that later."
"So, what do you want to talk about now?"
"This." He kissed her again.
Sara smiled against his lips and allowed him to take the lead. Just as he moved to really deepen the kiss, however, the back door of the house opened, and Margie walked out. She cleared her throat, effectively breaking into their blissful moment. "I sent you outside to start the grill, Son, not heat up something else."
"Thanks, Mom." Evan's voice rumbled under Sara's ear as she buried her face in his chest. Still, she couldn't bring herself to be too upset with the woman. It was Margie's house, after all.
For her part, Margie just grinned. "No charge." She moved to the grill to check the heat and nodded toward the back door. "More of your friends are here."
Evan turned toward the house, his arm still on Sara's waist, but a huge bear of a man appeared in the door before they moved more than two steps. Sara stared as the guy greeted Evan with only his last name. For his part, Evan seemed perfectly at ease with the dreadlocked giant and the slender man who had hair even more unruly than hers. She clearly remembered them from Jennifer's wedding.
Finally, Evan turned. "Sara, I'd like you to meet my CO, Colonel John Sheppard. And Ronon Dex."
Ronon gave her wave from the hip, but Sheppard grinned. "We met at the wedding," he said. "But it's still a pleasure."
"Likewise." Sara breathed easier when Evan returned to her side.
"Where's Teyla and the McKays?" Evan glanced into the house.
Ronon jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. "Talking with your sister."
The afternoon continued, and Sara eventually settled into the easy camaraderie around the table. Margie teased everyone equally, and Teyla watched her son, Torren, play with Evan's nephews. Jennifer and Rodney chatted amicably, and Sara admitted that their presence eased her tension. Still, she had several brief moments when homesickness overwhelmed her. Evan seemed to sense those and usually gave her hand a squeeze to remind her that he was there.
After the meal, John, Ronon, Brian, and Evan took the kids outside. Rodney, who claimed seasonal allergies, settled into Margie's couch to watch the news while the women congregated in the kitchen. The dishes were finished with an abundance of laughter, and Sara found herself thoroughly at ease. She liked Evan's friends, and his mom and sister also shared his dry humor.
After an hour, though, Rodney called Jennifer from the kitchen. Evan bounded in with his nephews, all of them looking for something to drink, while John and Ronon joined the McKays. Evan dropped a quick kiss on Sara's lips, commenting about how his nephews wore him out.
"Oh, my God!" Jennifer's exclamation brought everyone from the kitchen to the living room. Sara followed and blinked at the TV, where a reporter spoke about an accident that had occurred a week ago. The family of a twelve-year-old boy had sued the owner of a large SUV, as well as the maker of different bicycle safety gear. After warning that the images might not be suitable for young children, the screen changed to a photo of crime scene tape, cops, a broken bicycle, and blood.
The floor fell out from below Sara's feet. She struggled to keep her dinner down, and her hand inevitably tightened on Evan's. He turned, alarmed. "Sara? What is it?"
Jennifer whirled. Seeing her friend turning white, she rushed over. "Sara? Sara, I need you to sit down." She pushed Sara into a chair and shoved her head between her knees. "Take deep breaths."
The drama on the TV screen now forgotten, everyone watched as Sara fell apart. She sucked in deep breaths, her face heating in embarrassment. "I'm sorry," she said when Jennifer allowed her to sit up straight.
Evan, who had knelt in front of her, took her hand. "What happened?"
She pointed at the TV. "Those crime scene photos?"
"Yeah." He frowned.
She swallowed, knowing her admission might change everything. "They're mine!"
~TBC