A/N: Some tight-fitting pants start Jim Clancy's day off in a bad place, Katie has a summer fling to make Ned jealous (it totally does obviously), and just a little bit of super cute Jimel fluff is in this chapter :) Enjoy! Xx Mariah

Side note: I think it's pretty much the same ages for the characters as the last chapter? LOL

Jim - 46
Melinda - 42
Ned - 21
Katie - 17 (almost 18)
Aaron - 14
Mackenzie - 8

Jim looked at himself in the mirror, trying again to pull up the zipper and clasp the button on his jeans but to no avail. He couldn't get his pants on. They were too small.

He sighed and walked toward the ajar bathroom door where he could hear his wife humming while she did her hair. "Mel?" He pulled open the door more and caught sight of her, smiling even in his bad mood. "Did you shrink my pants in the dryer by accident?"

"Did I shrink your pants? No, I didn't." Melinda set down the curling wand and unplugged it as she finished. "Why?"

"My jeans won't button. No matter how hard I try," he sighed, motioning to his appearance.

She turned around and rested her hands on her pregnant belly. "I see," she slightly laughed as she spoke, but waved it off as he made a face at her. "You know, maybe we should start taking walks together after dinner again."

"Why would we do that?" He asked.

"Oh, walking could be good for us and the baby," she suggested. "It's romantic and healthy. It's the best of both worlds, honey."

"You think I'm fat don't you?" He muttered.

"I think you're a very attractive and sexy man, Jim." She said, walking toward him. "I think my pregnant belly agrees with me."

"I'm still fat and can't fit in my jeans," he shook his head and slowly kicked them off.

"You're not fat," she countered and took the jeans from him as she left the bathroom. "You may have put on a few pounds since the wedding, but that hardly constitutes fat."

"I should have stopped when I asked about shrinking the jeans," he sighed and plopped down on their bed.

"Would you stop?" She slowly got onto the bed, earning a chuckle from him as he wrapped his arms around her. "I'm the fat one around here right now. I love you just the way you are, Jim. I don't care if you've gained a little weight over the past twenty years."

He nodded, turning his head to look at her and their lips met, but only briefly as there was a knock on the door before it swung open.

"Mom?" Katie's voice caused them both to turn their heads to see her standing there, hands covering her eyes. "Is it safe to look?"

"We weren't doing anything," Melinda said as she sat up, waving their eldest daughter over to help her up.

"Dad wasn't wearing pants. I just assumed," Katie shrugged, helping her mom up from the bed and hugging her.

"I'm not wearing pants because I'm fat and can't fit in them," Jim sighed.

"Don't listen to him," she laughed, rolling her eyes. "So what did you need?"

"Well, you could always come running with me in the evenings, dad," Katie said, walking with her mom toward the door. "And I was wondering, would it be okay if I went out tonight."

"You know that when your dad and I talked to you about this summer that we pretty much gave you free rein as long as you keep in touch, right?" She asked.

"I know," Katie sighed. "I'm just not technically an adult and I wanted to see what you had planned at home."

"We don't have anything planned, Katie. You would've known already if we did." She laughed. This was definitely a first. "What's this about? Do you not want to go out? Do you need me to tell you no?"

"No. I'm just nervous," Katie explained herself. "It's a date."

"With who? I thought you didn't want to start anything back home since you're leaving,"

"I didn't, but this is just a summer fling," Katie said. "Nothing more."

"Famous last words," she said mockingly. "Who is he?"

"He's a friend of a friend of Ned's," Katie said sheepishly. "It's our third date."

"Ah. Should've known," she laughed. "Does this friend of a friend that's taking you on a third date have a name?"

"His name is Tyler, and why's that?" Katie asked.

"You're trying to make Ned jealous. Good play." She said, nodding slightly. "You should go to the bowling alley if you haven't already made plans. I know Ned's going to be there."

"Why is he going to be there?" Katie asked.

"He always goes with Delia and Tim on Monday nights," she said. "That's why I close the store on Mondays and she opens on Tuesdays. You should totally wear this jean skirt of mine."

"Why does she need a jean skirt?" Jim asked as they walked back into the bedroom from where they'd been standing in the hallway. Then he turned to his daughter. "Why do you need a jean skirt?"

"Because I have a date," Katie replied.

"Oh, well, good luck with that," Jim said in passing on his way out of the room. He had found a pair of slacks that went well with his shirt, and fit.

"What's up with him? I really thought that would get more of reaction," Katie said, coming to sit on the bed

"It's probably because of the jeans. It really messed him up," she sighed and began rummaging through her closet.

"Maybe I'll go on a run with him before my date," Katie said, glancing at her phone that she must've pulled out of her back pocket. "Is he going into the hospital today?"

"I think he has to stop by later tonight, but he isn't going in this morning unless he gets called in." She said, remembering the conversation she'd had with Jim yesterday morning. "And a run would be good for him. Maybe you can knock this nonsense out of his head about being fat."

"Dad has been putting on a little weight since he stopped going to the gym in the mornings," Katie said, glancing up from her phone. "Haven't you noticed?"

"When did he stop going to the gym?" She asked, finally putting out a jean skirt and tossing it to her daughter.

"Around the time when you told us you were pregnant. He wanted to be able to help out in the mornings to get Aaron and Mack off to school, I guess. You know, keep that burden off your shoulders."

"That man. I swear," she sighed, smiling. "And he tried to say I shrunk his jeans in the dryer."

After setting out her outfit for her date with Tyler, Katie got dressed for a run. It was nearly one now and she'd just noticed that her dad came back inside from shooting hoops in the driveway with Aaron because the cars had been parked there again.

She put her hair up in a pony and left her room, jogging down the stairs and rounding the banister just in time for her dad to come walking out of the living room.

"Hey, bug! Where are you off to?" Jim asked.

"To convince you to come on a run with me," she said, smiling at him. "So will you?"

She watched her father contemplate his answer for a whole minute, running his hands through his shaggy locks before shrugging.

"Oh, I don't know," Jim said softly. "I'm enjoying the quiet time alone that Aaron went to play with the kids down the street and Mack is with your mom." He was still wearing his basketball shorts and old shirt he'd changed into earlier.

"On your way to the fridge?" She asked, shaking her head at him. "You already can't fit into your jeans. Don't make it worse now, dad."

Jim scowled, crossing his arms. "Did your mother talk you into doing this?" He asked, but moved to grab his tennis shoes by the door anyway.

"No. She would never tell me to be this hard on you, but considering you were so out of it that you didn't question who I was going out with tonight I say it's a little bit serious." She said, shrugging. "Let's go for a jog, dad."

"Yeah, let's go. You can tell me more about this date of yours." Her dad said, standing up. "Your mom filled me in a little, but I want more info now."

She smiled, following him out the door. "Like what kind of info?"

"Your mom never gave me any name," he said, glancing over at her. "I assume this date of yours has a name, right?"

"It's Tyler," she said, walking with him to the end of the driveway before jogging ahead toward the left.

"And how old is this Tyler?" He asked, catching up with her. "I thought you were with that Evan guy?"

"That was around your birthday, dad. It's been three months since then and this guy is the same age. He was a grade under me so he's a senior this upcoming school year." She explained.

"A younger man, huh?" He joked, nudging her.

"Just playing the field before I leave for the city. Don't worry, dad," she reminded him, laughing a little as she stopped at the end of the block, which was a busy street and waiting for the road to clear.

"I don't worry," he said. "Much."

"You do," she whispered, crossing the road when it was clear. "Too much sometimes."

"So this Tyler," he started talking again, and Katie glanced back over at her dad. "What do you know about his parents? Have you been over to his house?" He asked.

"I met his dad when he let me in, but I didn't really talk to him and I haven't met his mom. So the only question I can really answer is that yes, I've been to Tyler's house." She explained quickly in the best way she could to him. "I watched a movie over there with him last week."

"And what happened with him last week?" He asked. "And you've been out with him before? How many times? Do you like him?"

"Dad," she muttered, glancing over at him annoyed. "Stop."

Katie knew better than to fall into that trap. If he knew that she'd made out with Tyler the entire time instead of watching the movie, he'd kill her.

"What? I thought you wanted me to ask questions and worry about you?" he shrugged, raising an eyebrow at her in reply.

"I do want you to, but that was a lot of questions at once." She said, sighing. "I do like him and I've gone on a few dates with him, but do I really want to get into a long-distance relationship right now?"

"If you have a connection with someone, you should hold onto it." He said, smiling at her.

"He makes for some good company, but I don't think he's marriage material." She remarked, laughing.

"Does this Tyler respect you?" He asked.

"If he didn't, I wouldn't be going on a third date with him." She said, jogging backward as she talked to him now. "Did I put you in a bad mood?"

"You could never put me in a bad mood, Katiebug." He smiled, slowing down to a walking pace and she did too. "Should we turn around and head back to the house?"

"Sure, but that's totally a lie. I put you in a bad mood whenever I take risks," she laughed.

"Only when they risk your life," he sighed. "I wish you'd be more careful with your ghost business. Your mom too."

"Okay enough under the table ghost talk. I don't risk my life on purpose," she explained. "And neither does mom."

"I know that. I'm just protective," he said, nodding his head as they began the jog back to the house together. "Just know I'll kill this Tyler kid if he hurts you. I will always be there for you, Katiebug."

"I know, dad. I love you," she smiled as she increased her running speed. "Should we have a race back home?"

"I love you too, and you're totally on." He said, taking off in a sprint.

Ned tapped his foot on the ground as he waited for his turn. It was the ninth frame and he had yet to hit one hundred points. It was a personal low and his mom and Tim hadn't let him hear the end of it.

"We still have two more games left. I'm just warming up," he muttered. "I haven't come for the last few weeks because I've been busy."

"Busy with Amanda, you mean?" Tim said as he came back from finishing his turn.

"Who's Amanda? I thought you were seeing some girl named Fiona?" Delia asked.

He stood up, sighing. "Mom, I went on one date with a girl named Fiona last month. Okay?"

"Okay. Are you seeing anyone then?" Delia asked.

"No. I'm not seeing anyone, especially not Amanda." He muttered.

"Oh, yeah. I know what you were doing with Amanda," Tim said, going to sit by his mom.

He grabbed his bowling ball and walked up to the lane, readying his stance and swinging back the ball. He let go of it and watched it roll down the middle of the lane at first before turning toward the left slightly and running into six pins and bringing them down.

"So close, honey!" Delia cheered.

Ned turned around to go get his bowling ball once it returned, and that's when he saw her. Katie Clancy and her mini skirt.

It took him a minute. First to realize who he was seeing and second, to not let his jaw fall to his sneakered feet. Okay, maybe not the full sixty seconds but he needed a moment to process things like slender calves and lean tan thighs.

He knew he had to stop staring before his mom or Tim noticed and he picked up his bowling ball once he saw it had returned.

When he looked up again to find Katie again after he knocked down the last four of the pins standing in his lane, he saw her with Tyler Fell as they waited in line to pay for their frames and shoes.

Katie was stunning. Her skin glowed. The neckline of the styled tank top sloped gently across her chest and the tiniest straps Ned had ever seen were just a kiss over her slender shoulders. And she was on a date with Tyler Fell.

He swallowed, trying to generate enough saliva to reply to clear his throat, but his mouth went completely dry when she bent over to point at the shoe size she needed to the old guy at the counter. The owner, even in his old age, liked to help out and was hard of hearing.

When Katie pointed to the size seven shoe again, she moved, and her skirt did too. It moved up against the back of her tan legs and hanging over the curve of her delectable ass.

Damnit. He really shouldn't be looking at her.

"You'll get it next time, sweetheart," Delia said, and he turned his head to look at his mom.

"Yeah. Maybe," he muttered and sat down.

"Is that Katie?" Tim asked. "Who is she with?"

He closed his eyes and breathed through his nose. He had an itching feeling his mother was about to do something.

"We should invite Katie and her friend to join us! We did pay for four games," Delia suggested.

"Good idea. Why don't you go invite her over, Ned?" Tim said.

"Why me?" He sighed. "She's probably on a date. Why would she want to come over here?"

"Because this is a coincidence and why not make the best of it!" Delia said as she stood up.

"She's right, Ned." Tim nudged him. "Plus your mom has to go and then me, so you should go invite Katie over."

"I guess," he muttered and stood up. "I just didn't want to ruin her date."

"You think she still has that kid crush on you?" Tim chuckled.

"Shut up," he muttered and bit his tongue before saying anything more as he watched Katie laugh at something Tyler had said to her as she pulled off her sneakers. He started to walk up the stairs to where the arcade center of the bowling alley and both the shoe and food counters were.

Tyler saw him first, waving. He was Devon's younger brother, and since Devon was practically his only close friend from childhood that meant he saw him a lot, even if he was younger.

"Hey, Ned. What are you doing here?" Tyler asked, walking over to him.

"I'm bowling with my mom and step-dad." He said, pointing at them. "They actually wanted me to ask if you and Katie wanted to come to share the lane with us. We're just about done with our first game."

He watched as Katie came up to the pair, her eyes looked him up and down before she met his gaze. "Hi, Ned. What's up?" She glanced over at Tyler.

"Ned was just inviting us to share the lane. Should I ask that old guy at the counter to switch us?"

"It's totally up to you," he said, and their eyes met again.

Katie smiled. "That's a great idea. Why don't you go switch the lanes, Ty?" She said cheerfully.

"Yeah. Totally," Tyler said, stopping to press a kiss on her cheek before taking off back toward the counter.

Once he was out of earshot, Ned stepped a little closer to her. "Awfully close with Ty?"

"Shut up, Ned." She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "It's our third date."

"Things getting serious now?" He asked, leaning up against the wall that overlooked the bowling alley.

"I wouldn't say that. I'm moving, remember?" She whispered.

"Yes, yes. To New York City," he said, nodding. "You excited?"

She nodded. "Of course. I've been counting down the days for weeks." She said.

"You're awfully quiet tonight," he remarked, whispering in her ear.

"Maybe I'm just not in the mood to talk to you, Ned," she quipped, stepping toward Tyler as he returned.

He chuckled, enjoying her feistiness because he definitely deserved that after all the hot and cold behavior they'd had this summer.

Plus, he knew that this old bowling alley had a few lingering spirits here and there, and with a date as non-believing as Tyler Fell, she was definitely trying to ignore anyone who caught on that she could see them.

Ned was almost happy now that he was nearby to play interference if she needed him to.

"I got the lanes switched. Good idea, Ned." Tyler said as he and Katie walked up to him, his arm around her waist.

He wasn't happy about seeing that.

"You know, I had a great time tonight," Katie said, turning to face Tyler as they walked up to the steps to her house.

"Yeah, if it weren't for Ned looming over us all night. I've never seen him like that before," Tyler shrugged and sighed. "He's usually so cool."

"He's just protective over me," she sighed.

"What is that?" Tyler chuckled.

"I've just known him forever, you know? His mom is really close to my mom." She said, shrugging. "He's like my brother."

"Didn't you used to have a crush on him?" He asked, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"When I was younger, but why are we still talking about him?" She asked, seeing the curtain move out of the corner of her eye. She didn't have much time before one of her parents opened the door to stick their nose in her business and meet her date. "I thought I went out with you tonight?"

"You're right. I probably totally blew it, right?" Tyler sighed.

Katie laughed, at his lame attempt to make her feel bad for him and want to give him another chance, but she knew she wouldn't be in Grandview long enough to really want to. She didn't need to get into a relationship when she was leaving anyway.

"A little," she shrugged.

"How can I make it up to you?" He leaned against the doorway, stepping closer to her.

"Hmm," she tapped her chin with her finger and walked past him to sit on the porch swing. "I don't know. We'll have to figure that out."

Tyler followed her and sat beside her, but she was the first to lean in to kiss him. It was meant to be brief and a way of saying goodnight, but the kiss went like fire from her lips to her veins and she placed her hands on his shoulders and he moved to his hands to her waist.

He brought her closer, melding their lips together, deepening the kiss, until he'd pulled the tiniest gasp from her mouth, something that only made her want him more.

God, maybe she should just lose her v-card before she goes to college. Get it over and done with and not have to worry about it ever again.

It had practically been on Katie's mind all summer.

"Ahem," came the sound of Jim Clancy clearing his throat.

Katie and Tyler bolted away from each other like lightning. If that wasn't a sign, she didn't know what was.

She definitely knew she wanted that to be special for her and not with some random kid from her hometown that she barely knew.

"Tyler, it's nice to meet you." Her dad said.

"Dad," she warned him and he put his hands up as she stood. "I had a nice time, but I should probably go inside." She glanced at her date, who nodded, before moving her gaze back to her dad. "Text me later?"

She hadn't even heard the front door open. Damn, he was good.

"For sure," Tyler smiled, standing and extending his hand to her dad. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Clancy."

"We'll have to meet in better circumstances next time if there is one. It is getting quite late," Jim said, shaking his hand firmly before turning to walk with Katie.

"Jim!" Katie heard her mother's voice come from where the front door opened. "Get in here and leave them alone."

Her dad disappeared a second later and the front door closed. Katie turned back to Tyler, smiling awkwardly. "Well, sorry about that. That's my dad. He's protective of me too."

"It's fine. I'll see you around, Katie." Tyler said, walking past her and down the steps.

She went inside a minute later, bumping into both of her parents who were in the foyer, shaking her head and laughing. "Don't you have anything better to do?"

"Not really," Melinda and Jim said and both shrugged, laughing too.

"Want to eat some ice cream and talk about it?" Melinda asked.

"Sure, but only if dad goes upstairs." She said, glaring at him and walking past into the kitchen.

"I warned you about this and you yet you didn't listen. You deserved all that attitude," Melinda said, sighing and tapping his shoulder as she walked past him.