Word of Warning: Don't leave fanfiction logged in on your mobile device and then log in from a desktop to write 2 chapters. It tells you it's saving, but when you return to the first electronic you were logged in to, it will have erased everything. I wrote 6K words from a different location directly into Doc Manager on fanfic, and 8 hours later when I transferred to my iPad at home, they were all gone. I'm so mad I can't stand it. I almost published it before returning home but didn't. The chapters were so perfect. I'll clean typos after work.

"We will be reaching our destination in three minutes," the attendant's voice cut over the music through the speaker.

She sighed as he slowly let her go. He took her by the hand and led her back to the seats. She handed over his coat, and he helped her put hers on before slipping on his. Then she turned to him, his eye so tender she ached to tell him she loved him.

"We need to buckle for landing," he said and cupped her jaw.

Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment at his touch before she reluctantly sat.

The plane landed smooth and easy. She glanced out the window to see her parents standing out there by the car, with big smiles on their faces. As soon as the plane stopped, she unbuckled and stepped over to him, nibbling her lip.

"Is everything alright?" he frowned and stood.

"Jason, you don't have to do this. I sprung it on you, and it's way too soon when this is technically our first date." Her stomach churned.

He searched her face without emotion. "I'll stay here if you want me to."

She shook her head. "I'm just...I'm scared that if things don't go well..."

Taking her hands, he held her eyes. "Emma, I promise they will be so worried knowing we're courting, living under the same roof, and that I'm technically your boss for eight hours of the day. They need to meet me. I don't want them to worry, and I don't want you stressed. Plus, I want to meet them. They're a big part of your life, sweetheart. You've met who I have for family."

"Trudy and Pete are employees," she countered.

"They're the closest I have, Emma," he replied quietly. "If I don't get along with your parents, it's best for you to know that sooner rather than later." He slipped her arm through his and led her down the plane steps.

Her mom danced on her toes near the car but finally ran over with her arms outstretched. "Happy birthday, baby!" She crushed her in a hug.

Her arm pulled out of Jason's. "Mom, can't breathe," she half laughed and half gasped. When her mom finally released her, she linked her arm through Jason's. "You two sort of met."

Jason held out a hand. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Hoplin. Thank you for inviting me."

Her mom didn't bat an eye at his mask and shook his hand. "It's lovely to have you. Emma's never brought a man home for dinner before." Her mom smiled at her, not seeming to notice her turn five shades of embarrassed.

Her dad walked over and hugged her. "Happy birthday, pumpkin." Then he stepped back and looked tight about the mouth at Jason.

Jason jumped to it before she could. "Jason. It's nice to meet you in person, sir." He held out his hand.

Her dad just glared at him. "You think you're going to shack up with my daughter now that you're dating?"

Oh god. This was the beginning of the disaster. She and her mom looked at each other.

Jason lowered his hand. "No, sir. Emma and I have started talking about alternate arrangements."

His eyes pierced Jason. "You and I are going to have a talk," he ordered. Then he spun on his heel and stormed to the car. He got in the driver's side and slammed the door.

Her hand tightened on Jason's arm.

"He's been very tense since hearing about you dating this afternoon," her mom filled in.

"Mrs. Hoplin, if it would be less tense if he and I just talk in the plane and I can stay here...I shouldn't be the source of tension and ruin Emma's birthday."

Her mom shook her head. "Come along. I think he just needs to get this 'talk' out of his system. He seemed to like you before today."

They walked to the car in silence, but Jason patted her hand in reassurance. He opened the doors for her and her mom and then walked around to get in the back seat beside her.

The deepest parts of her stomach churned, threatening to bring up meals from the last thirty years. She and her mom tried to keep up conversation. Her dad just glared at Jason in the rearview mirror. Jason held her hand in the backseat and kept his answers short, seeming aware of the death looks from the front seat. The conversation fell flat after a couple minutes. Thankfully the ride home was short.

Her dad pulled into the drive in front of the blue ranch house. "In the den. Now." He got out and slammed the door.

Jason released a deep breath. "Tell Trudy and Stevens that you get a third of the inheritance if he kills me."

"Jason, I'm sorry-"

He shook his head. "He's just watching out for you. I don't think I'd respect him if he blindly welcomed me." He slid out of the car and walked around to help them out. He glanced over the car to where her dad waited impatiently on the front step. "I'd better go." He followed her dad into the house.

"Don't look so glum, baby." Her mom wrapped an arm around her shoulders to lead her inside. "Dad just wants to watch out for you. He needs to get this off his chest is all."

"What if they kill each other?" She nibbled her lip and went through the door.

"There's not yelling, so that's good," her mom teased. When she took off her coat, her mom gasped. "Oh, baby, you look beautiful. Look at how grown up you look." She started dabbing at her eyes.

"I've been a grownup for awhile." She cracked a smile. The men's voices mumbled low through the den door off the livingroom.

Her mom went into the kitchen and started digging out food to cook. "We're having your favorite-mashed potatoes, pasta salad, fruit salad, and cake."

She walked over. A distraction was more than welcomed. "What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing. You sit, birthday girl."

Sitting still while World War III was about to happen made her jittery, so she set the table for three. Then she nibbled her lip and glanced at the clock. They'd been in there for ten minutes. "I can't take this. I gotta go make sure they're both alive."

She knocked on the door and the voices stopped.

"Come in," her dad called.

She peeked inside. Jason sat on the leather sofa looking tense and her dad stood on the other side of the coffee table with his arms crossed over his chest. "I was just checking that there's no blood."

"No. I think we're done." Her dad's eyes returned to Jason. "Just remember I know how to do that. And a man can survive being castrated like that."

Her mouth fell open. "Oh my god! Dad!" She marched in and pushed her dad toward the door. "If you can't be nice, go help Mom."

He planted his feet in the doorway. "Remember what I said." He pointed a finger at Jason.

She shut the door on him and turned to Jason.

He took a deep breath like he started breathing again. His eye stared straight ahead. "Your dad scares the shit out of me."

The poor man must be shaken because he practically never cursed. She walked over and sat down beside him. "Do you want to go?" Her heart pounded, afraid of his answer.

With a slow shake of his head, he turned his head to look at her. "I'm not giving up now that he's got that off his chest." He stood. "Now it's time to get to know each other."

The man was either stupid or smitten. Either way, it stole her heart that he kept trying.

He pulled her to her feet and led her out to the kitchen where her dad worked at the stove and her mom at the breakfast bar.

"Are you sure there isn't anything I can fix you? Or would you like to eat by yourself in the kitchen first?" her mom asked as she mashed potatoes in a big pot.

"No, thank you. I'm fine. Is there anything we can help with?"

"No. Birthday girl doesn't make her own supper," her mom said. "We're good." She sounded a little breathless.

He pulled out a chair and helped her sit. Then he pulled off his tux jacket and slung it over the back of a chair and rolled up his sleeves. "Here, I can do that. Those get stubborn sometimes." He stepped over to her mom and held out his hand for the masher.

Her dad tried not to crack a smile behind them at the stove. Her mouth fell open. He'd been testing Jason to see if he'd help her mom.

"Thank you." Her mom brushed her bangs out of her eyes.

The shoulders of Jason's shirt strained as he mashed with little effort. "You have quite a flowerbed out front, Mrs. Hoplin. Do you enjoy gardening?"

Leave it to Jason to figure out a way to someone's heart. She smiled and sat back. This was certainly interesting seeing the billionaire doctor literally roll up his sleeves and get to work.

Her mom's face lit up. "How ever did you know? It's dark and half the flowerbed is covered in snow."

He smiled. "The rose cones and shepherds hooks were a give away."

"I spend spring and summer in the front and back yards tending to my flowers." She brought over some fruit and started cutting it beside him.

"May I ask you for some advice? Your rose cones are quite large. I have the hardest time growing roses outside and getting them through winter. Do you prune yours in the fall?"

"Only enough so the cones fit. Otherwise, I let them grow wild. They seem stronger that way."

He stopped mashing and looked at her in surprise. "Really? I've been reading and going on forums tryingfigure out what I'm doing wrong. This lady on a forum said the same thing, and I thought she was crazy. I guess I stand corrected," he smiled.

Her mom blinked. "JPRoses?"

He stared. "WutheringHeightsFlowers?"

Her mom laughed and nodded.

He belly laughed and looked at her, nodding toward her mom. "I guess I've been chatting with your mom."

She laughed, glad they already got along.

"Do you really have an arboretum?" Her mom continued cutting fruit but seemed even more intrigued with him than a moment ago.

He nodded and resumed mashing. Her dad walked over and dropped more potatoes in his pot. Jason only hesitated for a split second, as if unsure if her dad was being a jerk or not. "I do. I built it only because I couldn't get anything to live through winter otherwise. Last summer I think I kept it too warm because twenty of my rosebushes got Black Spot. Almost lost the lot of them."

Her mom looked horrified. "Did you use fungicide? I heard it's hard to save the roses."

He shook his head and looked at her. "Sulphur. It's actually a historical remedy, but it works quite well. Just spray it on the leaves, and it prevents the spores from attaching. The greenhouse smelled awful for a couple weeks, but it worked. I just hope the bushes come back strong this spring." They continued talking about gardening for a few minutes.

"What kind of patents do you do?" her dad cut in after a bit. It sounded like an exam.

Jason scraped the potatoes into a bowl her mom gave him. "Cardio mainly. The most recent is a new device for removing plaque from the aorta. I've been working with a physician in London, and the clinical trials have been very promising. We hope to get a Europe and US patent this summer."

"You're a cardiologist, aren't you?"

Jason nodded. "I keep up my license, but I don't practice for obvious reasons." He set down the pan.

"I'm sure some patients wouldn't think much of it." It was the first time her dad sounded compassionate toward Jason.

He walked the bowl over to where she sat at the table. "I don't think many patients would be clamoring for a surgeon with one eye to hack open their chest and perform risky cardiac surgery." He shrugged. "I'm happy with my work."

But he seemed slightly sad. It had never occurred to her that he might like to talk about work. Everything about him seemed so...private. She looked up at him. "But you miss it?" she asked softly for his ears alone.

He held her eyes. "I would be gone a lot more, though."

She gave him a soft smile. "I like having you around," she whispered.

"What about these charities?" her dad asked.

Jason whipped around. "There are some things I haven't discussed with Emma yet."

Her dad nodded. "Not a man to boast. I like that."

"Would you get out the milk?" her mom asked. He walked over to the fridge and dug it out.

"What charities?" she frowned.

Jason shook his head and started filling the glasses.

Her dad walked over with the pasta. "Emma said you haven't told her about the accident yet." Poor Jason seemed to tense. "Don't let what people say determine what you do." This sounded like her dad. He looked Jason in the eye. "I admire what you did that night. It was very tragic, and few would have tried to do what you did."

Jason set down the milk and kept his eye downcast, very solemn all of the sudden.

Her dad set a hand on his shoulder. "You've paid a dear price. There's a part that you'll always have to pay, but it's time to stop paying the other part," he said gently.

Jason's lips pressed together and tears glistened in his downcast eye. He slowly shook his head in disagreement. "If I'd seen it-"

"'Ifs' don't exist in real life. You can drive yourself crazy with them. What happened is done, and you need to forgive yourself. Even if others won't, you do."

She stared at them. Whatever her dad was talking about must have to do with the accident. Something about it tortured Jason. He blamed himself for something. She started to get up to go to him.

"May I use your restroom?" he croaked.

"Down the hall on the left," her mom said, sounding so sad for him.

He sidestepped her and shut the door. She turned to her dad, so furious she could spit nails. "What are you talking about? Why is he so upset?" she demanded. "He is my guest! You can't-"

Her dad looked her straight in the eye. "People blame and shun him for what happened. He deserves to know that he is supported in this house."

Her words died on her lips.

Her dad pointed at the bathroom and his voice sounded a tad choked up. "You marry a man like that." Then he returned to the stove and started making gravy for the potatoes.

She went to the bathroom and lifted her hand to knock just as he stepped out. His eye was a bit red, and he didn't quite look at her. "Are you alright?" She pulled him down the hall a bit for privacy.

He nodded.

"Jason, I'm sorry-" Her heart twisted. This night got worse and worse for him.

He shook his head. "I'm just so used to hate and repulsion that I wasn't ready for someone to jump on my side. To forgive me."

"Will you tell me what happened? I would be on your side." She frowned and searched his pained face, aching to help him.

"I know you would. Not tonight. It's your birthday." Before she could argue, he took her hand and led her back to the kitchen.

He proved to be quite the conversationalist for such a quiet man. He kept it going while they ate. He took a cup of water just to appease her mom's guilt, but he wasn't able to drink a sip of it.

"Do your parents have any of your sketches around? I've noticed you sketch landscapes in the corners of work papers when you get frustrated."

She stopped midchew and looked at him with huge eyes, shaking her head frantically.

"Oh! I have lots of her work!" Her mom bounced up and ran down the hall.

Her dad groaned in his cup. "Here comes the thirty-year history."

Jason looked at her with a tentative smile. "Did I open a can of worms?"

"Here they are!" Her mom came running out.

She groaned.

"This is her first picture when she was eight months old." She set down a one-inch purple line picture on the table in front of him.

He smiled. "That's very straight for an infant. A child prodigy in the making."

Her mom went through year by year. Jason had a praising comment for each one.

"These are only her best ones. There are more in the basement."

"Hey! What about that one I made of a macaroni heart in first grade? That took two days to make," she protested.

"And one hour for a mouse to eat," her mom commented, half paying attention.

Jason and her dad burst out laughing.

"This is her high school project." Her mom set down a self-portrait done in charcoal.

"Wow. Emma, this is really good. It looks like a real picture..." He frowned when he read the teacher's comment in the corner. "Not detailed enough?" He snorted and held up a hand. "What, should you draw at the cellular level?"

"See? It is good," her mom looked at her pointedly. "She has some from a college class, but I don't show those to anybody."

"Mom! It wasn't porn!"

Jason looked shocked.

"It was a naked model class," her dad filled in. "I told Becky that artists are their own breed, and Emma was mature enough to take the class."

He nodded. "I've seen plenty of art in museums showing nude paintings of people. It's about the art of the human spirit. There's something about just the body that brings out the emotion."

She held a hand out at Jason and looked at her mom. "See?"

"Anyways." Her mom set down an oil painting in front of him. "She made this for me last Mother's Day after lots of begging. She won't make art anymore."

He leaned closer. "Emma, this is exquisite. It's the Rockies, isn't it?" Then he leaned closer. He saw it. "Is this...?" He pointed to a well-defined shadow on the side of the mountain.

"It's your house," she said softly. "I had no idea what it was at the time." She held his tender gaze.

"Why don't you paint or sketch anymore?"

She shrugged. "I have to see something to create it. My professor said its just copying, not art." She picked at the food on her plate.

"Then your professor never really looked at your work."

He said it so matter of fact that she looked at him. His eye cut straight to her heart.

"That's what Dad and I said. See? We weren't biased," her mom cut in, breaking the spell.

But somehow Jason's words wiped away most of the self-consciousness and doubts.

"Time for cake!" Her mom bustled away with the pictures.

Jason's hand slipped into hers under the table, and he gave a soft smile. Her dad smiled to himself from the head of the table next to Jason.

Her face burned with embarrassment when her mom had all thirty candles on the cake and it looked like a bonfire. They sang Happy Birthday.

"Are you sure you don't want any? You could have it in the den or something," she whispered in his ear as he bent his head down to hear her.

He straightened. "It looks delicious, but I'm alright, thank you," he replied in hushed tones as her mom brought over plates.

"Is it the scarring by your mouth that gives you trouble?" her dad asked as she started cutting the cake.

Her head whipped up in shock. "Dad!"

Jason set a hand on the back of her chair and touched her back as he looked at her dad. Oh god, he looked humiliated but forced himself to answer. "The smoke inhalation damaged my esophagus enough that I can't swallow large pieces of food." That explained why he had been so slow eating the chicken in the hospital. "The burn on my face pulls my bottom lip down enough it isn't a pleasant affair to be dining company."

"Jason." She set a hand on his thigh to stop him. There was no need for her parents to know he had to constantly wipe his mouth while eating or that he needed to drink over a sink.

"It seems ashame to not be part of food social functions. I know a man who was badly injured by an IED, and plastic surgery in Boston restored his mouth fairly well."

"Dad-"

"Emma, the man should know there are options," he said gently.

"I have had several plastic surgeries, sir. Part of the problem is I lost muscle control on that side of my face. Even with surgery, several doctors have said I'd still be in the same boat because of that." He sat straight and looked her dad in the eye, but it was obviously painful for him to admit.

The desire to throw her arms around him and shield him from the world was so strong she almost got up.

Her dad nodded. "Sorry to hear that. None of us would think a thing of it if you would like to sit at the table next time; otherwise, I insist we set you up in the den by yourself or with Emma. You shouldn't go hungry. And life is too short to not eat Becky's cooking."

Her mom giggled, and her dad leaned over and pecked a kiss on her lips.

While they cleared the table, Jason took his water glass and disappeared into the bathroom. Pain stabbed at her chest that even the simple things like drinking water had to remind him he wasn't like everyone else.

When Jason came out, her parents gave their gifts in the living room. She got a couple shirts, a summer dress, and a GPS.

"This one isn't really a gift," her dad explained and handed her a jewlery-sized box gift wrapped in silver paper. "Jason helped with this."

"Your parents knew what you wanted and picked it out, I just handed over the funds. It's your salary for the next two weeks because I know you wanted to get this on your own." Jason watched her reaction.

She frowned. Maybe it was a bracelet, but that wouldn't take two-weeks worth of salary. She opened the box to see a set of car keys. "Oh my god! Really?!" she beamed, her eyes whipping to them. Her face hurt from smiling so big. "Like, there's a car to go with it?" Everyone laughed.

"It's in the garage," her dad laughed.

Shooting up before Jason could help her up, she ran to the back door in the kitchen. She opened the door and screamed.

A silver Thunderbird filled the garage. She darted out and climbed in the driver's seat. Jason came out and held the door for her parents as they put on their coats. He carried hers.

Her dad got in the passenger seat. "This has some modifications to make it safer for winter driving, but I don't want you speeding around in it in those mountains. Jason has a car made specially for those winter roads. Alright?"

She nodded and popped the hood. "Does it have a V6? Three hundred ninety eight horse power?"

Jason stood by her mom, his eyebrow sky high as she lifted the hood.

"My girl knows her cars," her dad said proudly as he got out.

Jason walked around to her and draped her coat around her shoulders. "You seem to know your way around an engine."

"Don't you?" Even the wires were still clean from the factory.

"How do you think I hotwired a car as a teenager?" he whispered with a wink.

"You two had better get going if you're going to be on time. I'll go put your gifts in a bag, pumpkin." Her dad disappeared inside.

"I'll be right back." Jason went inside too.

She closed the hood and looked at her mom. "We'd better make sure Dad doesn't try to castrate him."

She laughed and held the door. "Your father likes him." They hung back in the kitchen while the men were in the livingroom.

"Sir? I know Emma's been attacked on a couple occasions. I know this older couple in town who are very trustworthy and renting out a room. If she feels safer to remain at my house, I'd like to know it's alright with you and her mother. We would maintain separate rooms, and the housekeeper and my driver are always around."

Her father heaved a deep sigh. "Only if Emma feels safer there. If you treat her well, I'd honestly prefer a SEAL watching out for her than an old man. But I am by no means giving my blessing on you taking advantage of her."

"Of course not, sir. I also have more air miles than I could ever use, so I took the liberty of getting four round trip tickets so you and Mrs. Hoplin can come see Emma whenever you wish. There's plenty of room, so there's no need to call before dropping in. I've also told Emma she can use some tickets to come out whenever she wishes."

"Thank you. We worry about her being out there. She moved to get away from the memories of her apartment here, and she's been kind of hopping around, too nervous to settle in one spot for long. I have one year left until retirement, and then we're going to move closer once Emma settles somewhere." Her dad sounded worried.

"You look so beautiful." Her mom rearranged some curls and sniffled. "I can't believe how grown up you are." She crushed her in a hug and the men stepped out.

"Becky, Jason gave us tickets to see her," her dad said. "It's not like we can't drive out there either."

"I know. But thirty years ago tonight I held her for the first time." She started crying.

Her eyes teared. "Mom, I'll see you in a few weeks."

"I know."

Jason stepped forward and set a hand on her mom's shoulder. "You can come out this weekend. Or Emma can stay tonight for a long weekend if she wants." He looked at her.

She shook her head. "Mom, Dad and Jason look panicked by the tears." She gave a watery laugh.

Jason shook his head. "I'll never understand women. Tears seem to fit every emotion."

"Get used to it," her dad laughed and clapped him on the back. "I'll go move the car. I'm sure you'll want to drive it, pumpkin. Jason said he has a trustworthy guy who will bring it back here. We'll drive it out to you, or you can pick it up." He turned to Jason. "If you hurt her or get her pregnant, I don't care that you're a SEAL. A father's rage is more than a sufficient match." He pulled out his large Swiss Army pocketknife and started fiddling with it in his hand.

"Yes, sir." Jason sounded completely calm and like he completely believed him.

"Daddy! Stop it! Go move your car!"

He gave Jason a final glare and stepped out.

Her mom chuckled and brushed at her eyes. "You take care of my baby." She held out her arms.

He bent down and gave her a hug. "I will. Thank you for having me. It was so nice meeting you."

"You too." Then her mom hugged her again. "I love you."

"Love you, Mom."

Her dad came in the back door stomping the snow off his boots."Be careful in case it's slippery out there. Your gifts are in the trunk." He stepped over and gave her a hug. "Happy Birthday, pumpkin. I love you."

"Love you too, Dad."

Then he turned to Jason and shook his hand. "Remember I know how to use that knife. And I know guys who know how to keep a man alive," he growled and held Jason's hand tight.

Her mouth fell open. Jason paled just a little.

Her dad laughed and patted Jason's shoulder. "I'm kidding!"

Jason gave a nervous laugh.

Her dad instantly sobered and looked Jason in the eye, gripping his hand tight. "No, I'm not."

"Dad! We're leaving now." She pushed between them and pulled Jason along.

Jason opened her door and then got in the passenger side. He drew a deep breath. "Holy fuck, you're dad scares me shitless."

She started backing up while her parents waved from the garage. "He wouldn't let me leave with you if he hated you." She spotted her dad point to his eyes and then at Jason like he was watching him. He started playing with his knife again. She hit the brakes.

"No, I really prefer that you don't stop." Jason gave a forced laugh.

She pointed at her dad and gave him a look. He rolled his eyes and pocketed the knife. She backed up into the street and waved. "Ready for our date?"

"So ready." He sounded a little relieved. "You look very sexy in heels and driving a sports car, by the way," he smiled.

She laughed and hit the gas.