Family Ties

I need to clear my head.”

Marianne glanced at my empty glass and then my eyes. She understood immediately. “It takes a bit of getting used to, doesn’t it?”

“What?” Danny asked.

“All the booze,” she told him. “Your family drinks like fish. I think I was tipsy the entire first Christmas I spent with the Carmichael clan.” She laughed softly. “I’m pretty sure that’s when Virginia was conceived.”

He actually turned pink, and I had to force myself not to smile. Christy looked exactly the same when she blushed.

Christy herself returned wearing her sweater and carrying my jacket.

Outside, the cold air did wonders for my fuzzy head. We set off hand-in-hand and walked in silence for ten minutes or so.

“Better?” she said eventually.

“I guess I forget how much we drink sometimes. It’s just so natural for me. Part of who we are.”

“Well,” I admitted, “I was also feeling a little overwhelmed.”

“Why? What’s the matter?”

“Your family. How do I put this? They’re all so… perfect.”

That wasn’t what she thought I was going to say.

“Let’s start with Danny. He looks like the actor who plays him in the movie of his life. And he’s engaged to a supermodel.”

“Sabrina isn’t a supermodel.”

“But she’s still a model.”

“Well, yes, but not like Cheryl Tiegs or Christie Brinkley or anything.”

I ignored the question and continued, “Jim is a seriously good pianist, like professional. Not to mention that he and Lynne are both really good-looking.

Harry is on the fast track to be an admiral, and Marianne is one of the most cultured, elegant women I’ve ever met.

“She is,” Christy admitted. “I’m totally jealous of her sometimes.”

“Even Rich is at the top of his game. I mean, he’s probably the only one of you who isn’t model handsome, but he isn’t ugly. And Danny makes it sound like SEALs are even more selective than aviation. Believe me, I grew up in a Navy family, so I know that pilots think they’re the best of the best.”

“Exactly.

Fighter pilot. Ship captain. Admiral. And your mother’s probably the only woman who makes Marianne seem plain by comparison. Then there’s you,” I said at last.

“Well, for starters, you’re insanely talented. You’re also pint-sized gorgeous, really smart, and funny too. And to hear Wren tell it, you’re a total nympho who’s gonna rock my world in bed.”

“I’m gonna wring her neck,” she said under her breath.