Everyone took a seat around the living room. Kerry and Sandy stayed on the loveseat, while Pilar and Luis sat on the sofa across from them. A small serving tray sat between them on the elegant stained oak coffee table, which held several glasses, a jug of Coke, and a pitcher of Kool-aid.

"So, Kerry, Cassandra tells us you're a Doctor?" Luis, after firm instructions from his wife, took a glass and poured a generous amount of Coke into it, then handed it to the red head in question.

"That's right," Kerry took the glass and smiled her thanks. "I'm an Emergency Doctor at Cook County General Hospital back in Chicago."

"Don't be so modest," Sandy lightly patted her arm, then turned toward her parents. "She was the Chief Of Emergency Medicine, and was recently promoted to Chief Of Staff." No one failed to notice the pride in the fire fighter's voice as she spoke.

Kerry blushed and fidgeted with her glass. She was glad that Sandy thought so highly of her, but if she kept up the constant praise, the Lopez family would think she thought too much of herself.

"Wow," Pilar smiled. "I always hoped Sandy would meet a rich Doctor."

They all chuckled at that, and then there was a quiet pause.

"So what do you two do?" Kerry asked, trying to keep up the flow of conversation. She sensed Mr. and Mrs. Lopez were as nervous as her, and that somehow left her feeling both relieved and anxious.

"I'm an architect, I work with a company that builds office buildings and shopping centers," Luis informed her.

"Don't forget the most important building you worked on," Sandy wagged her finger at him, then turned to her wife. "He designed and built the big play-house out back. You have to see it. It's like a mansion for tykes. We all used to play in it when we were kids. Used to invite friends over and have sleep-overs."

"You'll have to give me the grand tour later," Kerry laughed affectionately. Sandy's face was glowing with the happy memories, and she spoke like an excited child. Bringing the conversation back on track, Kerry smiled at her partner's mother, "What do you do Pilar?"

"Just about everything," The older woman waved her hand. "Thursday's I give tours at the children's museum, and I'm a substitute teacher for the local elementary school. I adore children. That's probably why we had so many of our own. Well, maybe that and other reasons." The older couple exchanged flirtatious grins.

"Ugh, please" Sandy mocked. "Do I need to separate you two?"

"Hey," Pilar replied, good naturedly, "This is our house, we can be all lovey-dovey if we want"

Kerry smiled at their banter, feeling a tad homesick for her own parents and the way they used to share a similar routine. She recalled one instance while she was still in med school, she had spent the night at her parents house and had gotten up early the next day. Walking into the kitchen she had caught her parents standing over the eggs kissing. She had cleared her throat and told them to get a room. Her mother had lightly swatted her behind and laughed, saying that Kerry might think their affection was gross now, but someday when she was in her own committed relationship, she'd understand. Her mother was right. Not only did she understand, but that memory of her parents necking in the kitchen was one of her favorites. It was nice to remember them being in love, especially when her own first marriage ended in divorce.

"Anyway," Pilar continued, patting her husband's hand affectionately, "We love children, and are just counting down the days until we become grandparents. Did Sandy tell you that her brother Miguel and his wife Maria are expecting twins?"

"No," Kerry glanced at Sandy, wondering why her wife hadn't shared this information with her.

"Twins? That's a joke, right?," When no response to the affirmative was given, Sandy frowned. "I talk to him every other week and he never mentioned anything to me about having a baby, much less twins. How long have they known?"

Pilar and Luis exchanged worried glances.

"For awhile now," Luis replied. "Maybe they thought you already knew? Miguel probably assumed we told you."

"So how come you haven't said anything to me until now?"

"We assumed he told you."

Kerry could feel the tension in the room, and tried to change the subject.

"So, Sandy tells me the whole family is coming," she glanced from parents to daughter. "When were you expecting everyone?"

"Any minute now," Pilar smiled thankfully at Kerry, no doubt grateful for the topic change. Sandy was having none of it though.

"Does the rest of the family know?" she asked tensely. She was upset. She couldn't imagine what reason her brother would have for not telling her his good news. They were as close as siblings could get despite living miles and miles away from each other. They always told each other everything. She was the first to know of his engagement to Maria, and he was the first person she had come out to.

"We don't know who they've told," her mother replied diplomatically. The furtive glance she shared with her husband belied her words.

"You're just trying to cover for him," Sandy crossed her arms angrily. "Am I the only one not in on it?"

"Cassandra, it's probably just a simple misunderstanding"

"Oh don't give me that," She stood up. "They've been trying to have a baby forever. I think they'd be excited to tell anyone, whether they thought they already knew or not!"

Kerry stayed quiet. She felt uncomfortable with this whole situation and wished for a distraction, which was granted a moment later when an unfamiliar voice called out a cheerful hello, followed by the entrance of a young couple.

Upon entering, the couple stopped, their smiles fading as they sensed the tension in the room. Kerry studied the new arrivals. The young woman was petite and quite attractive. She had Sandy's facial features, and the same thick hair. She knew without a doubt that this was Corina, Sandy's sister. That would make the man Corina's husband, Jeff. He was large with broad shoulders and thick arms. He was what most people described as football player shaped. He was also light skinned like Kerry. She remembered Sandy mentioning something about another family tiff that was created when Corina had decided to marry Jeff, and not a Latino man like the family expected. Much like with Sandy's lesbianism, there had been resistance at first, but they had come around in the end. Even Oton was able to accept Jeff into the family, even though he still hadn't accepted Sandy's lifestyle, and most likely wouldn't accept Kerry.

"Hey guys," Corina smiled slightly, her face puzzled. "What's going on?"

End Part Eight