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With so much going on, I couldn’t think about it yet. I stared down at my plate to avoid making eye contact with anyone. I didn’t want to seem ungrateful or rude by saying no after they’d done so much for me.So much? They literally saved my life. I scratched my hand at the edge of my cast. Jack's love and support were evident in his eyes as he reached over to place his hand on mine.

I didn’t know what to say. So much had happened so fast. I wasn't sure I could handle a family holiday so soon. Not to mention, I was still worried John was only being nice out of sympathy and wouldn’t want me there.Not that I blame him, I put his family in danger. The uncomfortable silence stretched out. Unable to take it anymore, I excused myself and ran to Jack’s room.

Jack followed me. “Meg, what’s wrong?”

“I don’t know if I can do this.” I was sitting on his bed, crying.

“Do what?” He asked, his voice filled with worry.

“Have Christmas dinner with your family. It’ll be weird with presents and traditions, not to mention I don’t think your dad likes me. After all this, who could blame him?” I swept my good arm wide.

Jack exhaled.He’s probably mad at me. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to. Or we could go for dinner only. Or we could stop by, say hi and,” he waved his hand, “Merry Christmas, then leave. We’ll do whatever you want. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

I couldn’t think straight. Too many things were circling around in my head.

Jack rubbed my back in small circles. “Why do you think my dad doesn’t like you?”

“He always seems upset when he looks at me, and he’s the only person who calls me Megan, and he doesn’t want you to go out with me.” I started crying again. “Oh Jack, I can’t make you choose between me and your family. I’ll stay-”

Jack put a finger over my lips. “There’s no choice. It’s you. Always.” He kissed me on the forehead. “And my dad does like you, it was the circumstances he didn’t like. Haven’t you noticed he’s been calling you Megan honey? And maybe he hasn’t said it yet, but he respects you.”

He respects me? Why?“He does?” I thought back, his dad had called me that a few times at the hospital. “I don’t know. Maybe we can go for a little while.” I hugged him. I could always change my mind later.

We walked back to the kitchen table and sat down. I was going to apologize, but Mary beat me to it.

“I’m sorry I put you on-the-spot Meg. I already consider you family, and, well, I didn’t think about it being awkward for you.”

I felt the sting of tears in my eyes yet again. At least they weren’t tears of sadness or pain. I blinked them away and thanked Mary. I added my apology for over-reacting and accepted her invitation.

Jack held my hand the entire time.

The conversation returned to normal, but then Mary interrupted. “Meg.”

I didn't understand why she whispered my name as if she was hearing it for the first time. “What?” I asked with some hesitation.

Mary had a wicked gleam in her eyes. “It just now occurred to me you fit in with our naming system.” She laughed as if she’d told a joke. “The boys have J names and the girls have M names. Like it was meant to be.”

Jack laughed and raised his glass. Everyone raised theirs and clinked before taking a sip.

Dare I dream?If things with Jack worked out, I could have the family I’d always wanted.

We were sitting in the living room after dinner, when I remembered something I wanted to ask John.

“Mr. Sheppard?”

“Please Megan, call me John.”

“Um, okay.” I wasn’t sure I could call him by his first name. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“How come when you told us about head-butting people, you didn’t mention we might pass out? I mean, you said it would hurt, and it did. But I didn’t expect to pass out.”

Everyone except Mary looked at me with raised eyebrows while they held back their laughs. “What?” I had no idea what I said to amuse them.

John finally answered me. “You didn’t pass out from head-butting that asshole. He hit you in the head with the grip of his gun.”

“Really?” I couldn’t help it, I chuckled. This was all too crazy. I started rambling. “And here I thought I did that wrong, too. I couldn’t get the tape on my wrists to break doing it the way you taught us. Of course, Jack didn’t wrap it as tight, or wrap my ankles, and he didn’t punch me, but still. I tried it and it didn’t work. I panicked. Then I figured out if I took the stupid tape off my mouth, I could bite the tape off. I felt so stupid for not thinking of it sooner.” I was staring down at my lap, rubbing my arm, not wanting to see their expressions as I confessed my failures.

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