A/N: See intro for the standard stuff. Please R&R. I am so sorry for the delay in this. I hope it was worth the wait.

Jamie: Welcome. I'm glad you're enjoying this. I hope you get some new epis soon down there. RS: We'll see about meeting Steph. I make no promises. Little Corinthinan: Glad you're hanging in there. SoccerBitch: Hope you like this chapter too.

Well, since there is little canon on Flack's family, I made some stuff up. Hope you don't find it too out of line.

Tess heard the knock on her door and ran her hands down over her skirt. She peered into the mirror and wondered for the 100th time if she should take her hair down. There was another knock.

"Keep your shirt on, Don," she muttered under her breath. Tess opened the door and let him in. Don smiled at her and gave Tess a quick kiss.

"Ya ready?"

Tess nodded. "I've just got to grab the bread and my coat and…" She notice Don was staring at her. "What?" Her hand went up to her hair. "It's the hair, isn't it? I look like my grandmother."

Don quickly shook his head. "No. Yer hair looks fine." Tess was still patting her head. Don reached over and took her hands in his. He tried catching Tess' eyes. She wouldn't look at him. "Are ya nervous, Sweetheart?" Tess didn't answer. Don pulled her into his arms. Her rocked her a little and kissed her hair. "Ya don't have ta be nervous. Yeah, my family can be a pain, but you'll do just fine." Tess mumbled something into the front of his jacket. Don let her loose. "What?"

Tess rolled her eyes at him. "Of course I'm going to be nervous. This is a big holiday and I'm meeting your family. It's a big deal."

"It's not a big deal."

Tess stepped back and balled her hands on her hips. She raised her eyebrows at him. "Exactly how many women have you brought home to meet your family?" Don looked away and refused to meet her eyes. "Oh, that many, eh?" she teased.

Don gave her an annoyed look. "Ya want the truth? Not a single one. Does that make it easier for ya?" Tess took a deep breath and shook her head. Don pulled her back against him. "See. Ya had ta bug me. And look what it did. Just got ya more worked up." Don rested his cheek against her hair and took a deep breath. "I wonder if Ma would notice if we were late?" He bent his head and nuzzled her neck. "Ya really have got ta stop wearing that scent, Tess." He kissed her ear. "We could skip dinner."

Tess gave him a slight push away. "Put it back in your pants and get your mind out of the gutter, Donald Flack." He just grinned at her. Tess shook her head. "And after dinner you'll be snoring away pretending to watch football."

Don traced his finger down her neck. Tess shivered a little. "Ya wanna take bets on that, Sweetheart? Ya might just convince me to show ya some of the more secluded parts of my parents' house."

Tess blushed furiously. "You wouldn't. Not at your parents'."

Don grinned, but shook his head. "Had ya goin' for a minute. Too many people around. I did warn ya that both my sisters seven kids under seven between 'em."

"Yes, and thanks for making me nervous again. You do know that your mom and sisters will be checking me out trying to decide how serious you are about me and if I'm right for you and the like."

Don shrugged. "I'm sure they've been doin' that for awhile now. Doreen flew in last night with her gang and I'm sure Deirdre arrived early this morning to help with the cooking."

"That's just great. I am totally doomed." Tess rubbed her stomach.

Don frowned at her. "Yer not gettin' sick, are ya?"

"No, just nerves."

Don reached over and squeezed her hand. "You'll be fine. You've survived hangin' wit Danny."

Tess grinned. "You'd better hope I don't repeat that."

Don laughed. "There's my girl. We should get going."

Tess nodded grabbed her apple bread from the counter and handed it to Don. She slid on her jacket and grabbed her purse. She linked her fingers through Don's and they headed out.

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Tess stood at the bottom of the steps and looked up. The curtain in the front window swished. Tess smiled.

She leaned into Don. "I think someone was watching for us."

Don smiled at her. "I'll bet. The house is full of little spies." He glanced at his watch. "We're not late, so it can't be they were waitin' dinner for us." He tugged on Tess' hand. "Ready?"

"Like I've got a lot of choice." Don just smiled and led her up the steps. The door opened as they reached the porch and a dark haired boy came flying out.

"Uncle Donny!" came the cry as he hit Don's legs. Don let go of Tess' hand and scooped the child up. He tossed him over his shoulder and spun around. The boy giggled hard.

"I swear that just a minute ago I was run down by a missile named Jake. Where did he go?"

"I'm right here," Jake called.

Don spun around. "Where? I don't see ya back here."

"Up here, Uncle Donny!"

Don held the boy up and looked at him. "Up here, ya say. Well, look at that. Ya are up there." Don set the boy back down and ruffled his hair.

"Mom said you'd play basketball with me. I've been practicing."

"Have ya? How about after I go inside and say hi to everybody? That okay?"

Jake gave a heavy sigh. "I guess."

"Jacob O'Connell, I told ya not to attack yer uncle before he even got in the door." A woman stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. There was no doubt she was Don's sister. They had the same hair and eyes.

Don grinned down at the boy. "Uh-oh. Guess yer busted." He pushed him back toward the door. "Go on. I'll find ya in a bit and ya can show me yer moves." Jake nodded and scurried into the house. Don placed his hand on Tess' back and steered her inside. His sister stood in the door and looked Tess over. Tess tried not to shrink down. As they reached the door, she held out her hand.

"Hiya, I'm Doreen, Donny's older sister. That was my oldest son, Jake. And you must be Tess." She gave Tess a bright smile. Tess smiled a little shyly back and shook Doreen's hand.

"Yes, Tess Nagy."

Doreen nodded. "Nice to meet ya." She glanced at the wrapped package in Don's hand. "Didn't Donny tell ya not to bring anything?" She looked accusingly at her brother.

"Yeah. I told her. Tess wouldn't come empty handed."

Tess looked down. "It's not a big deal. Really. I like cooking."

Doreen nodded and grinned. "Good thing. Cuz Donny here loves to eat."

Tess grinned back and gave Don a speculatory glance. "Really? Hadn't noticed that. Eats like a bird around me."

Doreen looked confused a minute and then burst out laughing. She tugged at Tess' coat and pulled her into the house. "Oh, I can see why Donny likes ya. Come on in."

Don groaned as he stepped inside. Tess turned and smiled at him. "I told you to just let me stay home," she said sweetly. Doreen started laughing again.

"Deirdre, ya have ta come here and meet Donny's Tess. He's found a girl that can finally keep him in line." Tess turned beet red at that comment, but allowed Doreen to lead her away. Don shook his head as he watched them go, a little worried that Tess would get along a little too well with his sisters. He hung his jacket in the hall closet and went into the living room.

Don dodged a couple of running bodies as he headed for the couch. His dad was sitting in his chair with command of the remote, Don's two brother-in-laws were sitting on each end. Don stepped over a toddler pushing cars across the floor and settled in the middle. As soon as he sat down, a baby was dropped into his lap.

Don picked up the baby slightly and looked over at the father a little bewildered. "Hey, Matt, what's up wit this?"

Matt stood up. "I gotta run for a sec. Just keep a hold of him until I get back." Matt dashed from the room. Don tried to pass the baby down the couch. The man at the other end shook his head.

"Oh, no. I have my own if I want a kid ta hold."

"Aw, come on, Mike."

"Matt stuck you with him. Have fun."

Don sighed and settled into the couch. He slid the baby into the crook of his arm and tugged the blanket a little closer around his thrashing arms. The baby whimpered slightly and Don bounced him. After a bit, the wiggly baby settled down. Don looked down. Eyes were closed and the baby was breathing peacefully. Matt came back and sat down on the couch.

"Ya want to give him back," he asked.

Don shook his head. "I'm fine. He's sleeping." Matt nodded and turned back to the TV.

Tess sat in a corner of the kitchen while Don's sisters and mother buzzed around her. She tucked her feet closer in and felt a little out of place. Don's mother stopped in front of her and smiled.

"Would you like to help, dear?"

Tess nodded vigorously. "Can I? I feel kind of silly just sitting here."

Don's mother nodded. "Okay. You can work on the rolls. The dough is over there in the bowl, under the cloth. The muffin tins are right next to the bowl."

Tess stood up, went to the sink and washed her hands. She looked over her shoulder. "Do you want just round rolls, or…"

"Whatever you'd like to do. We aren't picky." Tess nodded. She grabbed the butter and buttered the tins. She lifted the towel and dug into the dough, shaping it into cloverleaf rolls. Doreen and Deirdre looked over at her carefully making the rolls and elbowed each other. Their mother shot them a quelling look.

"So ya teach English at Hunter?"

Tess nodded. "Yes, but I started out at Kennedy with Teach America."

"How'd ya end up in New York?"

Tess shrugged. "I decided I wanted to be somewhere besides Toledo. I always wanted to come to New York."

"And ya met Donny how?" asked Deirdre.

Tess ducked her head. "In a bar," she mumbled.

Doreen laughed. "Don't be embarrassed about that. I met Matt in a bar too. He dumped a beer in my lap." Tess giggled. "Don't tell me Donny did that."

Tess smiled and shook her head. "He was worried about my safety." Both sisters raised their eyebrows. Tess ducked her head. "It was during the baseball playoffs. I wasn't rooting for the Yankees."

Doreen gasped. "Blasphemy. And Donny still asked you out."

Tess smiled. "Yes."

"Well, Dorie, it looks like our brother did something smart for a change."

"Okay, you two. No picking on Donny when he isn't here to defend himself and quit grilling Tess." The sisters rolled their eyes, but did what their mother asked.

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Later in the evening, Tess was seated cross legged on the floor with one of Mike and Deirdre's daughters cuddled in her lap reading a book. Don paused in the doorway and watched the pair for a bit. Deirdre stopped next to him.

"Hey, big brother," she whispered. Don glanced over and smiled and went back to watching Tess. "I like your Tess. She's nice."

"I think so," agreed Don.

"Don't screw things up." Deidre stepped away.

Don frowned at his sister and followed her. "Whatdaya mean by that?"

Deirdre turned back. "Exactly what I said. Ya haven't exactly been the settle down type. I just think ya should stick with Tess for a while."

"Ya hardly even know her. Maybe she's just putting on an act."

Deirdre rolled her eyes. "Gimme a break. Yeah, she's smart, but She couldn't be that good. And I've seen she won't take any of your garbage. Come on, even Dad likes her and he doesn't agree with you on anything."

"I don't need ya and Dorie pushing me, Dee."

"You need someone pushing ya, Donny. Yer thirty years old. Ya can't go chasing around the rest of yer life."

"I said lay off, Dee," growled Don.

"Fine, I'm jus' sayin'," she shrugged.

"I heard ya. Now lay off." Deirdre just rolled her eyes and walked away. Don went to the kitchen and dug in the fridge for a beer. When he shut the door, he found Tess there with her arms crossed over her chest watching him. She gave him a small smile.

"Interesting conversation?"

"Ya heard us?"

"I'm surprised the whole family didn't hear you."

Don shook his head and took a swig of his beer. "Wouldn't that be just terrific," he mumbled.

Tess drew her eyebrows together. "I didn't say anything to your sisters to give them the idea that…"

"I'm sure ya didn't that's just the way they are." Don leaned against the counter.

"I just don't want you to think that…" Tess shook her head. "I just… Never mind." Tess shook her head again, turned and walked away. Don swore softly under his breath and went to follow her. Before he could catch up, Jake was tugging at his arm. Don looked down at his nephew.

"You said you'd shoot some hoops with me. It's getting pretty dark outside." The boy gave him an accusing look.

"Grandpa has lights out back. Tell ya what. I'll flip 'em on and we'll head out. Okay?"

"Great! I'll go grab my ball." Jake jogged down the hall.

Don snuck up behind Tess and leaned in. Tess jumped a little at his breath against her ear. Don put a hand on her hip to steady her.

"Jake and I are gonna shoot some hoops and I was wondering if ya wanted to come out and watch? I could use a cheerleader."

Tess glanced over her shoulder. "I'm not the cheerleader type."

Don tugged Tess a little closer. "Oh, I bet you'd make a cute cheerleader."

"In your dreams."

"Ya may be right about that."

"Trouble."

"If ya won't come outside to cheer me on, how about a good luck kiss?" Tess glanced around and turned to face Don. She leaned up to give him a quick kiss. Don wrapped his arm around her and wouldn't let her end the kiss. He held her lips until she was breathless. He let Tess go and smiled. "I need a lot of luck."

"Against a seven year old?"

Don grinned. "He's been practicing."

Tess smiled and shook her head. She gave him one more quick kiss. "Try and keep up, old man. Don't wear yourself out too much."

"Hmm. Ya got plans or somethin' for me later?"

Tess just rolled her eyes and shoved at him. "Go play basketball."

"Yer sure ya don't want to be my cheerleader?"

Tess pushed him again. "Go on. Get out of here." Don chuckled and went to find Jake.

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Tess hugged everyone as they left with vague promises to get together on Sunday for dinner. Don wrapped his arm around her shoulders and got them away before his sisters tried to talk Tess into staying the night. As they headed for the subway, Don kept his arm around Tess. Tess leaned into him smiling.

"Was that so bad?" he asked.

"No, not at all. And I really like your sisters. I learned some interesting things."

Don groaned. "Ya know ya can't believe everything they tell ya."

"So what can't I believe?" Tess smirked up at him.

"I dunno what they told ya. Just remember they're my sisters. I bet I could get some good stories about ya from Adam."

"You'd get better ones from Stephanie."

"When did ya say I'd get ta meet her? First Night in Boston?"

"I said maybe. Then again, maybe I'll keep you far away from my family."

"Scared, are ya? What deep dark secrets do ya have, Sweetheart?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" teased Tess. Don stopped and turned Tess towards him. He tilted her head up ad looked into her eyes. He reached out and stroked her cheek. Tess felt her heart speed up at what she saw in his deep blue eyes. "Don?" she asked quietly. He grinned at her and gave Tess a soft kiss. He barely lifted his head at the end of the kiss.

"I think Deirdre's right," he whispered before he kissed Tess again.

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