Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, obviously.
AN: Thank you to Spin84, SchaMG, and joaniefan for the lovely reviews!
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CHAPTER 21
(Summer 1989)
Minerva was as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Daniel's family were about to arrive, and she was watching for them out of the front window.
She'd never had to deal with in-laws. Although she had been married previously, Elphinstone had been so much older than she that his parents had already been deceased when Minerva had finally consented to the marriage.
What if they don't like me? She fretted. Her mother had always warned her that when you married someone, you married their family too. At least Daniel's family didn't live nearby. They wouldn't be able to just drop by on a regular basis.
Because cars were not allowed on the island, Daniel had picked his family up from the ferry in a golf cart. He'd been talking non-stop about Minerva all the way across the island, telling his parents about her. His brother, Jimmy, with his wife and teenaged daughter, were following behind in a second golf cart they'd rented.
When they pulled up to the house, Minerva walked down the steps to meet them. The family all stopped and watched her descend the steps, her tall, lithe frame perfectly accentuated by a flowing white sundress. Her long, black hair was down, gleaming in the sunshine, and she had a shy smile on her regal face.
"Holy cow, Daniel!" Jimmy whispered. "No wonder she's named after a goddess!"
The whisper wasn't loud, but Minerva's sensitive hearing picked it up, and she blushed becomingly.
"Mr. and Mrs. Jamison," Minerva extended her hand. "I'm very pleased to meet you."
"Oh, I love your accent!" Jimmy's daughter gushed, and they all nodded.
"Told you!" Daniel said, winking at her.
Daniel's mother stepped inside of Minerva's outstretched hand and embraced her. "We're going to be family now, so we might as well be huggy right off! And call us Frank and Debbie." she said with a smile.
Minerva patted her future mother-in-law somewhat awkwardly. She was unaccustomed to physical affection with perfect strangers—even if they were about to be family. She forced herself to submit to hugs from each member of the family, then helped them to carry their luggage into the house.
"We really could have rented another house, but Daniel insisted that we stay here." Debbie said apologetically when Minerva brought a bag into her bedroom.
"Please, Mrs—I mean Debbie," Minerva said, "You've just dropped everything and traveled so far at the last minute, I agree completely with Daniel. You should stay here! There's plenty of room."
"But Daniel's giving us his bedroom, and Jimmy and Lauren are in the spare room and Caitlyn in the small room." Debbie said worriedly.
"Yes," Minerva answered. "Daniel's going to be sleeping on the fold-out couch in the den. He doesn't mind at all."
"But…aren't you staying with him?" She asked, hesitantly, "I mean—I don't want to pry, but I just assumed…"
"I'm staying at my cousin's house next door," Minerva smiled.
"Yes, Daniel told me how you two met." Debbie said.
Or at least a version of it. Minerva thought to herself.
"But, well…you're engaged…" Debbie trailed off, blushing. "Not that I really want to think much about that. I mean, he's my son…"
Minerva couldn't help but chuckle. "Not to worry, Mrs—Debbie," she grinned conspiratorially, "My father is a Scot and a Presbyterian minister." She paused, letting the implications sink in.
"Ohhhhh." Debbie said, her eyes widening.
"My parents and my brothers will be arriving tomorrow, so we decided that it would be better for Daniel's…personal health…if we stayed in separate rooms—indeed, in separate houses—until after the wedding." She finished with a smile.
"Goddess of wisdom, indeed!" Daniel said from where he'd been listening in the doorway.
Minerva rolled her eyes at him but chuckled.
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After getting everyone settled, they took the golf carts back across the small island to have dinner in one of the bistros by the harbor.
Minerva could tell that Daniel's family was not trying to interrogate her, but they were understandably curious about the woman who'd so quickly captured Daniel's heart—and who was about to join their family.
"So, Minerva," Daniel's father, Frank, said from across the table, "Daniel said this will be the second marriage for both of you."
"Yes." She confirmed.
"Are you divorced?" Jimmy asked.
"No," she replied, eyes downcast. It still pained her to speak about Elphinstone. "I was widowed. Three years ago." Daniel reached for her hand under the table and gave it a comforting squeeze.
"I'm so sorry!" Jimmy said, looking embarrassed.
"That's quite alright." Minerva gave him an understanding smile. "You couldn't have known."
"So, Daniel," Lauren said, clearly trying to change the subject, "Jimmy told us you got yourself a cat!"
Minerva, who'd just taken a calming sip of water, sputtered and coughed while Daniel smirked at her and patted her back.
"Yes, but she's very shy." Daniel chuckled. "You probably won't see much of her."
"She really only likes Daniel." Minerva added, clearing her throat again.
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After the family had driven the golf carts back to the beach houses, Daniel and Minerva took a moonlit stroll along the beach. They walked hand-in-hand for a while, happy to be alone together. Then he put an arm around her shoulder and she put hers around his waist while they strolled.
They stopped to watch the moonlight dancing on the waves, and Minerva breathed in the sea air and released a contented sigh.
"Happy?" he whispered in her ear.
"Mmmm." She agreed and turned to kiss his lips.
He returned the kiss with an enthusiastic moan and pulled her body tight against his. She wrapped her arms around his neck, one hand sliding into his hair, the other clutching his shoulders.
The kiss deepened, their tongues gently exploring. Minerva ached with longing and pressed her breasts tight to Daniel's chest. He moaned again and rocked his hips into hers, letting her feel his arousal.
She rocked her hips back into his, desperate to feel more of him. She struggled for air and broke off the kiss with a gasp, leaning her forehead against his.
"I'm sorry," his breath was quick and shaky, and she could feel his heart pounding against her breasts. "I got a bit carried away there."
"Me too!" she said, breathing hard through her own desire.
"I love you." He said, running his hand softly down her hair. "And I want you."
"Believe me, Mr. Jamison," she said a rueful smile on her face, "The feeling is entirely mutual."
"Just a few more days…" he sighed.
"I'm very much looking forward to it." She whispered.
"Me too," he said, letting his hand slide down to caress her soft behind.
"I can tell." She grinned and kissed his lips once more. "We'd better head back. It's getting late, and my family will be arriving early tomorrow morning."
"Okay." He said, patting her behind appreciatively once more, then turning them to walk back to the houses.
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AN: How was it? This was my first time writing a scene like the one above, and I was a bit nervous about it. Thoughts?
