June 1st, 2002

Joanie walked out into the back yard and knocked on Syd's door. Her heart pounded as Syd opened up the door. Her hair was tossed all around her head.

"What do you want?" She asked.

"We need to talk...now." Joanie said walking in.

"Cant this wait until I shower and am awake?" Syd asked.

"I might not have the nerve to tell you." She said sitting on the bed looking up at her sister. Syd frowned slightly.

"What's going on?"

"Its about the person I've been seeing and been so secretive about." She said. Syd grinned and sat down.

"I knew something was going on." She said, "Spill." Joanie swallowed not able to look at her sister.

"Her name is Natalie." Sydney stared at her sister in disbelief. A woman? A female? A girl? A lesbian? "Sh-She is Hannah's dance teacher. We just…hit it off."

"I just…. Didn't expect this." She said.

"Nor did I." Joanie finally looked at Syd; "Do you hate me?"

"What? No!" Syd sighed, "I'm shocked yes, but hate you never. I've seen how happy you've been lately. It's so good to see that. I just…Does anyone else know?" Joanie shook her head.

"No." She said, "I wanted you to be the first one to know." Syd smiled softly at her.

"I'm honoured." Syd hugged her sister, "When is she coming over for dinner so we can meet her properly."

"Tonight if she's free." She said slightly nervous.

"Great. I'll be sure Owen and I are here and looking half way presentable." Syd chuckled.

"God, you're the best sister ever." Joanie kissed Syd's cheek and left. Maybe this would be all right. There would be no hiding anymore…except from the bigots that lived in Providence.

* * *

Syd opened the front door and a very nervous Natalie and Brook stood there. Natalie extended her hands.

"Hello. I take it you're Syd." She smiled. Syd shook her hands.

"I am. Please come in." Syd stepped aside, "Joanie is still upstairs freaking out with what she should wear. Hannah is in the living room playing."

"Can I go Momma?" Brook asked. Natalie nodded.

"Go." She smiled looking at Syd. "I brought some wine. I didn't know what to really bring. I'm very nervous."

"Me too." Syd admitted, "I wasn't really sure how I should act. I've done this before."

"I understand." Natalie smiled softly. Joanie walked down the stairs in her blue sundress.

"You're here." She smiled kissing Natalie's cheek. Both women blushed deeply.

"Told you I'd be here with bells on." Natalie tucked her hair behind her ear and glanced at Syd.

"Let's go into the dining room and relax. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes." Syd smiled, "Dad is at the clinic checking on a patient. He should be here any second." Joanie gave Natalie a look and led her to the dining room. Hannah and Brook sat next to each other giggling about something. Natalie gave Joanie a small wink as Syd brought out the food. Jim walked in.

"Why hello." He grinned politely.

"Hello, Mr. Hansen." Natalie smiled nervously. They all dished up all the food. Brook and Hannah sat talking about what they wanted to do for the rest of the summer. Natalie reached underneath the table and patted Joanie's leg. She smiled softly.

"So, Natalie, you're a dance teacher." Jim smiled, "I love to dance."

"Then you should come by my studio sometime. I teach all age groups, but I mostly specialize in Ballet, tap, and Jazz." Natalie smiled.

"Jazz. That sounds fun." He said. Natalie looked at Syd.

"Dance is a good form of rebilitation. I have one class with mentally challenged people and they absolutely love it. Frankly, I love it too." She said.

"That sounds nice." Syd looked at her father; "Do you want to do that?"

"I don't need any rebillitation." Jim frowned slightly.

"Oh of course not." Natalie smiled softly, "I have a senior citizen class also in tap." Jim smiled.

"Maybe Meredith would want to do it." Jim said. Joanie grinned from ear to ear.

"You should ask her, Dad." She said. She looked at Natalie with a grateful smile.

"Well, we'll see." Jim said.

* * *

Natalie buckled the sleeping Brooke into the back seat of the car. Joanie smield watching her. She was such a good mother.

"There." Natalie shut the door and looked at Joanie, "I had a really good time tonight. Your family is so nice." Joanie chuckled.

"I guess so." Joanie smiled, "I think they really liked you."

"As they should because I'm going to be here in your life for a long time to come." Natalie smiled putting her hands on Joanie's hips. Joanie smiled shyly at her.

"Good." She leaned over and kissed Natalie softly. Joanie loved kissing this woman. Never in a million years did she think she would end up like this, but she knew she'd never stop this. This was her.

* * *

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