Months later

"So how is it going with Dr. Blake?" Aaron asked son.

"It's going really well dad," Perry said. "I'm actually thinking it might be time to tell her the truth about our family, as we've been dating for months now."

"I'm sure your aunt can come up with a fantastic desert to serve at the meal we have when we tell her," Aaron said and Perry nodded.

"That sounds good," Perry said. "Maybe Thanksgiving would be a good time or at least around then before the rest of the family arrives."

"That's still a couple of months away," Aaron said. "I'll talk to your mother and also, your aunt and uncle and see when is the best time."

"Thanksgiving is always so busy, I suppose, we could do it earlier in the month and if Thanksgiving is busy Christmas is worse as so many of the family show up at some point," Perry said.

"And they tend not to watch what they say when they're all together," Aaron said understanding what Perry wasn't saying.

"I understand that for most of them it's a time to relax with other immortals so don't have to be on their guard 24/7 and watch what they say. Alex might not notice anything, but she's also observant and intelligent, so we need to tell her, before she notices anything odd about our family. I don't want her to be hurt if she thinks I'm keeping something major from her."

"I understand that, Perry," Aaron told him patting his son on the back affectionately. "I know very well that I was lucky when I met your mother and she already knew about immortality thanks to her best friend's husband also being immortal. You know your history, so I won't bother to go into details, since you've heard the story numerous times. Also, human behavior is wide and varied and while your mate might accept our explanation if she gets suspicious it's better if we tell her before she does. I'll let you know what day works best for all of us."

"She works Monday through Friday, so a weekend would probably be best if possible," Perry said. "Perhaps late Friday. Luckily, you don't live too far away from New York and I know that was on purpose since both mom and Aunt Jazz have businesses to run and they wouldn't want a long commute every day."

"That's very true," Aaron agreed. "And Bronxville also has the advantage of having good schools for our children and not as many people as New York itself.

"Your mom haven't had any children recently though," Perry said.

"That's true, but I'm sure we plan to sometime in the next few years," Aaron said, "since it's been awhile. We've only been here about six years while I know you've lived in New York for much longer. Your mother and I are kind of on a cycle where we settle down somewhere and then a few years later have 4 or 5 children and then we move elsewhere after they grow up."

"Please don't get mom pregnant until after we tell Alex our secret. She'll be astonished if mom gets pregnant because she should be past that age," Perry requested.

"I'll talk to your mother, but I'm sure she'll agree," Aaron said. "I hope I'll be welcoming Alex into the family soon, but I suppose we'll have to see how things go when we tell her our big secret."

"Aunt Jazz's deserts have never failed us dad," Perry tried to assure his father.

"True, they haven't and it's good to have such an advantage," Aaron agreed before he showed Perry out

~~~Perry and Alex~~~

"This was a good suggestion," Alex told Perry as the two them wandered in and out of the exhibits. They were at a museum, but instead of paintings or artifacts this was an inventions museum. The name was the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. It was quite the fascinating place and Alex was enjoying herself immensely. It just showed how far humans had come when it came to technology and innovation.

"I'm glad you are enjoying yourself," Perry told her sincerely with a smile.

"Oh, I am," Alex assured him with a smile of her own. "I think it's fascinating how far humans have come from say the dark ages. I mean if you think about it we now have the technology and the medicine to heal many diseases that we couldn't centuries ago, ones that many people died from. We are living much longer now then we were. 250 is tremendous, though it does depend on general health and a number of other factors."

"True," Perry agreed, as he knew for humans that was indeed a tremendous accomplishment. Of course, being immortal gave Perry a different perspective then he would have otherwise.

The two of them had been dating for months now and Perry was beginning to believe it was time to tell Alex his greatest secret, just as he'd told his dad. He'd give it another few weeks, Perry decided. The end of the year though was the deadline, as it was nearly November and he wanted to invite Alex to Thanksgiving dinner that his aunt and uncle always had. He couldn't expect his family or the Rossis not to mention immortality or something else strange where Alex could possibly overhear them, something he'd already told his father. He didn't want to give Alex the wrong impression so it was better to come clean beforehand. November wasn't for another couple of months so he had a little time just not much. He knew his Aunt Jazz would be happy to do him a special dessert so that Alex wouldn't overreact when told about immortality and magic were real. The family had discovered ever since Shawnda had met her mate that one of Jazz's desserts with her magic baked into it made it easier for mortals to accept such things were real.

"So what are you thinking," Alex finally asked Perry, as he had gone silent, as if deep in thought.

"I'm thinking it's about time to introduce you to my extremely large family," Perry explained.

"You said you had four siblings and that's not that big," Alex said.

"While what I told you is true, I didn't tell you about my aunt and uncle and their family," Perry explained quietly, as the two of them toured the exhibits. "My Uncle Dave and my Aunt Jazz also have multiple children. Really, it's quite the mob. All of us are extremely close."

"Sounds like you're a close family," Alex said and Perry nodded.

"We are," Perry agreed with a smile. "I just wanted to warn you that they'll be all over you the minute I introduce you as my girlfriend."

"So I take this to mean you don't usually introduce your girlfriends to your family," Alex said.

"No I don't," Perry agreed, "as they'd probably run screaming into the night if I did. We're always up in each others business and feel free to meddle. A lot of people just don't know how to take our family, as it's so different from their own. Most families are small with only one or two children so ours is different in that respect."

"You sound like an unusual family," Alex said. "One who feels like they're free to meddle, but it also sounds like you love each other a whole lot and you can't say the same about every family."

"They'll love you, I guarantee it," Perry said. "You'll feel so smothered with love and affection that you'll probably be in shock."

"I would love to meet them," Alex said sincerely, as the two continued their tour.

"You will eventually," Perry promised. "I suppose I could introduce you to my parents at least, maybe Uncle Dave and Aunt Jazz too. As for the rest of the family you'll meet most of them at Thanksgiving."

"So do you ever go to the ball drop on Christmas Eve," Alex asked.

"Not really," Perry admitted. "It's just not my scene. All the people and all the noise, where there aren't enough toilets for everyone. A lot of people are drugged or stoned and while I've heard the music is outstanding, it's still not my type of event."

"You have to go at least once," Alex told him. "When I first came to New York after college, I went out of curiosity but that was years ago. I was all of 22 and fresh out of college. You're right there are a lot of people, but it's also fun in a way, as it's really wild scene."

"Well, I suppose, if you want to go I can go with you," Perry said grimacing. "Just be warned though, anybody who lays a hand on you without your permission is going to end up with it broken. I've heard that some people take liberties at an event like that where they can use being drunk as an excuse."

"Some of that kind of thing does go on," Alex agreed, "but there's also a heavy police presence to help prevent that kind of thing."

"But those police officers can't be everywhere," Perry said, "which is why if you insist on going I'll go with you."

"That's really sweet of you Perry," Alex said, falling just a little bit more in love with this sweet, caring, handsome, unpretentious guy. He was nearly perfect, at least for her.

"Hey! I can be sweet," Perry told her with humor sparkling his eyes.

"Yes, you can be," Alex agreed smiling

~~~Perry and Alex~~~

"So what about some dessert," Perry asked Alex.

"What did you have in mind," Alex asked curiously.

"I thought I could introduce you to my cousin Marla Rossi, who happens to own one of the best donut shops in New York," Perry explained. "It's called Bewitched Donuts. You'll love it, I'm sure."

"I've never heard of it," Alex said, "but then I'm not usually one that's a big donuts eater. Also, I usually stick to places like Starbucks."

"Trust me, you won't regret it, as she does sell other things other than donuts, it's just that donuts are her main product," Perry explained. "My Aunt Jazz is a baker and owns a sweet shop that sells all sorts of things pastries, cakes, brownies, scones and many more dessert type items. She not only owns a bakery she supplies Marla with everything except donuts which are made on site."

"I suppose I'll just have to spend an extra hour on the treadmill than," Alex said, "as it sounds really good."

"I think you look perfect so you don't need to lose any weight if you're worried," Perry told her.

"Thank you for the compliment," Alex blushed. "You don't know what it takes to keep looking this good."

Perry was certainly good for her ego, as he was such a sincere guy that it made her weak in the knees.

"I meant it, you look spectacular. Believe me, I do know what it takes to maintain your weight, which is why I run in the park in good weather. Thanks to the way I like my Aunt Jazz's sweets I'd be extremely overweight if I didn't exercise," Perry told her with a smile. "I just happened to be born into a family that has a lot of excellent bakers and instead of denying myself, I exercise so I can indulge if I want too."

Perry pulled into a shopping center and parked down from his cousin's donut shop. "There is a reason I suggested we come here," Perry told Alex. "I knew we were close for one thing, so we wouldn't have to go out of our way."

Perry answered the question that Alex didn't have a chance to ask, but had been about to.

"I see you anticipated my question," Alex said smiling.

"It really wasn't that hard," Perry said shrugging casually. "My lady are you ready to go meet my cousin Marla?"

"Why do you call her your cousin, as I thought you're two families weren't related," Alex asked curiously.

"Technically, we're not," Perry agreed, as he and Alex walked towards Bewitched Donuts. "But as our families are so close we just automatically call them our cousins. We grew up together so we just automatically think of each other that way."

"I'm surprised nothing romantic ever happened between you," Alex suggested. It was a serious observation.

"She's like my sister," Perry said winkling his nose in disgust at the thought that he would ever think of Marla in a romantic way. "I could never have any romantic interest in her. She and my sisters were great friends when they were younger and they still are even today. I just never thought of her that way. Please, don't give Marla any teasing material, as I get teased enough as it is and that goes for the rest of my family."

"I'll be good," Alex promised, "Probably," she added with mischief in her expression and tone.

Perry groaned dramatically, but he was sincerely looking forward to it all the same.

They entered Bewitched Donuts

"Perry!" the lady behind the counter exclaimed. "It's so good to see you. It's been awhile."

"Marla," Perry greeted her. "This is Alex Blake. I wanted to introduce you two because we just happened to be in this area already."

"It's nice to meet you Dr. Blake, I've heard all about you from my Aunt Shonda," Marla told Alex.

"Not from Perry?" Alex asked her with a smile.

"No, Perry's been very closemouthed to everyone except his parents. When he wants to be, he's like a vault."

"I'm only like that when I don't want your interference Marla," Perry told his cousin with a wink. "You and the others would have interfered and might've messed things up and you know it."

"Well, I have to admit we do have a habit of messing with each other and stepping in at the wrong moment," Marla admitted with a fond smile at Perry.

Marla looked at Perry who looked back and subtly shook his head.

"So what would you like? It's on the house," Marla said.

"We can't do that," Alex protested. "It wouldn't be right."

"I agree with Alex, Marla. We'll pay just like everybody else," Perry told her. "So what would you like Alex?"

"It all looks so good," Alex said, as she looked at all the donuts and other items in the cases. "I'm not usually a big donut eater but I just might have to come back if it's as good as Perry says it is."

"Well, we do have some pastries and danishes that my mother supplies," Marla said.

"What's this one," Alex asked pointing to an orange and black one.

"That one is seasonal and is only done for the lead up to Halloween," Marla explained. "It's a donut filled with pumpkin mousse. It has multicolored sprinkles and an orange background and a black bat, and a miniature grave done with icing.

"Well, it is near the end of September so Halloween isn't that far away," Alex said. "I think I'll take that one and maybe one of your pastries to take home for breakfast tomorrow."

"Here you go," Marla said taking Alex's selection out of the case and handed it to her.

"I'll have the same along with a black coffee," Perry told her.

"I'll take a coffee to, except I need creamer in mine. I don't know how Perry drinks his black," Alex said making a face.

"To each their own," Marla suggested and Alex nodded.

"True," Alex agreed. "Both my brothers and my father drink it black and I've never understood how they could. They like it nice and strong."
"It's not coffee unless you drink it black," Perry told Alex and Marla.

"If you say so," Alex and Marla said the same time in a moment of solidarity.

Perry just shook his head smiling and took out his credit card without a word.

~~~Perry and Alex~~~

"So what do you think?" Perry asked Alex once they were sitting at one of the tables in the eating area.

"About your cousin?" Alex asked and Perry nodded.

"I actually like her a great deal. She seems nice, even though we only met for few minutes," Alex said.

"Good, because you'll probably be seeing a fair bit of her in the foreseeable future," Perry said.

"We might become close over time," Alex said Perry nodded.

"I won't mind if that happens, though I warn you she's a shopping fiend."

"I can be to," Alex said amused despite herself. "I can shop with the best of them, especially in a bookstore.

"You better be prepared to be dragged shopping on a regular basis," Perry warned her. "Most of the females in my family love to shop."

"I probably won't have to be forced to go along depending on how busy I am," Alex said amused all over again. "You need to meet my parents and also my brothers."

"I do, but you also need to meet my family as well," Perry said. "Not to mention my aunt and uncle."

"I do," Alex agreed, "so where do you parents live?"

"In Bronxville, which means that my mother can come into the city every day to open her antique store," Perry explained.

"And you said that your aunt runs a bakery," Alex said.

"She does and it's really popular place," Perry said. "She's centrally located, so she's near several schools and there's always a line outside the door every day she's open."

"I might have to visit sometime, as it sounds like my type of place, even if I do try to watch how much junk I eat," Alex said. "This is a really spectacular donut. It's probably the best I've ever had. Just the right amount of pumpkin taste along with that of freshly baked donut. The icing is really good to just the right amount of sweetness, so it's not cloying. It mixes with the rest of it really well."

"Marla will appreciate the compliment trust me. She's the one that came up with the recipe," Perry said, as he finished off his donut in two bites and also the last of his coffee.

"So I'm assuming she also has other original recipes for donuts," Alex said.

"Of course she does," Perry winked at Alex his expression mischievous. "She sells your classics like Boston cream or the one filled with custard or the chocolate with sprinkles or ones filled with jelly, but she also makes plenty of her own, which people just crave and come back for more because they get hooked. Of course, as you know some are seasonal just like the ones we just finished."

"Ones for Thanksgiving, ones for Christmas and every other holiday you can think of," Alex said.

"Exactly and those specialty donuts can be very lucrative," Perry said. "Donuts are welcome anywhere at the doctor's office, at a dentist, at a real estate office, at a PTA meeting or birthday party and at book clubs. Basically anywhere."

"Not at a weight loss place," Alex said, "or the gym, when people are trying to lose weight."

"But everywhere else they are. Some people even give donuts to their employees like a gardener or a housekeeper," Perry said, "which is why it's such a lucrative business. Marla does very well for herself."

What Perry didn't say was that Marla had inherited her mother's bakery magic, which was what made her donuts so irresistible. While Marla could easily have opened another bakery like her mother she had decided on a donut place instead.

Though Marla had never said so Perry had figured that she didn't want to compete with her mother, even if her mother's bakery was in a totally different part of the city.

"I'm going to go say goodbye to Marla and then we can go," Perry said.

Perry got up and went to the counter and waited patiently for the customers that Marla was attending to, to leave. Once they were gone Perry said quietly not wanting anybody to overhear him including Alex.

"I'll see you for Thanksgiving if not before," Perry told Marla quietly. "Please warn the others not to mention anything weird when we come, as I haven't told her about you know what yet."

"Can do," Marla agreed quietly keeping an eye out for any customers close enough to overhear. "When do you plan to tell her?"

"Sometime before Thanksgiving," Perry said. "Hopefully, she'll take it well."

"I'll warn the others, but the younger children won't know any better then to discuss such a delicate subject," Marla warned him.

"Which is why I need to tell her before Thanksgiving. I want her there," Perry said. "See you later."

"Later," Marla echoed.

~~~Perry and Alex~~~