Welcome to the Family (Ally)

[Alliana Porter]

They bustled and poured juice, while Ally was distracted by her coffee. She heard some shuffling behind her and before she had a moment, Luke's scent had wrapped around her and his lips were to her cheek. She smiled warmly and stroked his cheek before he pulled away. He was so adorable today, and probably doing it on purpose, knowing him. And now, she knew where he got it from.

Part of her felt as if she were interrupting the delicate family balance here, but she almost expected the awkward feelings. He was brining her into this with all seriousness. Bringing her here was proof alone. Some moments she wanted to flee in fear it would all leave, but she had to fight past old habits. Sometimes good things just happened, and they were here to stay.

[Luke Martin]

"I wouldn't know," Luke grinned, taking a gulp of his Mom's juice instead, "after all, I was the one being raised." He looked over at Ally, noticing that blush was still dissolving from her cheeks. Obviously, his mother hadn't been able to control herself, as usual. "We really need to put Georgie and her friends in a soundproof bunker," Jen said, a slight smirk at her lips as she grabbed an apple and sat herself down at the table. "She's not wrong, they were giggling so loudly this morning, it's a wonder they didn't laugh the house down."

Andee waved a hand, "you know what they're like, no sugar necessary." She took her juice back, prompting Luke to get his own. "What are your plans for the day? Doing anything nice?" she looked at Ally, "or is he leaving it as a surprise?"

[Alliana Porter]

Ally chuckled at their adorableness as a family and took a heavy drink of her coffee. It was the one thing that kept her quiet now, and somewhat substituted a hard drink. It wasn't that any of this was stressful, she just wasn't sure of what to do with it all. The giggling girls hadn't woken her up, probably because she had crashed so hard. The lack of Luke's warm body pressed up against her had torn her from her sleep instead. In fact, just being here with all the family, was sort of a weird turn on for her, and every time he had kissed her cheek, she wanted to pull his lips to her own instead.

Andee's question had brought her thoughts back to a pg-13 level. "Oh...yes. He suggested we go down to the beach for a bit I think." she smiled at her. "Take the girls too if they were interested. What...um what are your plans for the day?"

[Luke Martin]

"Well, if we're going to have some peace and quiet, I think Jon and I will probably stay here, or get some last minute food shopping done. I think the family ate us out of house and home yesterday." Luke downed the orange juice, and grabbed something to eat. "We're going to want to get down to the beach as the tide's going out, so we get to see the beach." "That'll be soon," Jen said with a nod, she still went down to the beach a lot with her friends, or by herself, when she was thinking up song lyrics.

"Well then, if you're coming, you'd better start getting ready. Tell Georgie as well." Jen finished her apple, depositing the core in his hand with a smile as she left the room. "I think I'll go see what your father is doing." She patted her son on the cheek, and left as well, leaving Luke and Ally alone. He tossed the apple in the compost bin, and smiled across at Ally, "good morning," he hadn't actually said that yet, "I don't know about you, but I slept like a log." He always did when she was sleeping by his side.

[Alliana Porter]

Jen and Andee eventually faded out of the kitchen and Ally was once again stuck with what to do with herself. She rinsed her mug and set it inside the sink. She wiped her hands upon her jeans and rested her back against the counter with folded arms. "Good morning." she smirked back, now facing him. 'I slept wonderfully until you left." she chuckled lightly pushing off the counter to gravitate closer to him.

Her mind wandered back to their possible future, picturing the two of them in their own kitchen. She really had to stop that. Wrapping her arms around his waist she looked up at him with a soft smile. "Although I'd prefer to say good morning like this." she pushed up on her toes and met his lips in a gentle, sweet kiss that lasted a bit longer than it probably should have. "I should make sure the girls are ready to leave then." she parted from him and turned to head back to collect his sisters.

[Luke Martin]

"I prefer it too," Luke smiled, pushing her hair behind her ear as she pulled away. "Good luck with that," he said with a smirk, turning back to the sink. He collected everyone's glasses, giving them a rinse, before going to dig out his jacket and shoes, he'd need them today. It looked like it was getting chilly out there, a little strange for Oregon at this time of year. Maybe there would be a mini miracle, and it would snow. A white Christmas would be wonderful, a great Christmas present from Mother Nature.

Georgie heard movement on the stairs and poked her head out of her door to see Ally coming up. "Good morning," she grinned, "we're all right to drop my friends off on the way to the beach, right? They fit neatly in the boot, I've tried it before." Jen emerged from her room, dressed and ready to go. "Or on the top of the car, it'll be like riding in a parade," she smirked as she made her way downstairs to see her brother. "Yeah, right, they'd just fall off," she shook her head, sounds of agreement coming from behind her, "how are you this morning?" she asked Ally, her eyes shining.

[Alliana Porter]

Ally smiled and held his hand as long as she could, as she slowly left his presence. With a bounce to her step, she jogged upstairs to check on the girls. Right now, she was just trying her hardest to win points with them, especially Jen. Georgie seemed to be taking to her easily enough, if not accepting her as a sister already. Jen still seemed a bit standoffish, but hadn't tried anything...yet.

Georgie peeked her head around and Ally caught her gaze with a soft smile. She shoved her hands inside her back pockets and tried not to be awkward. "Morning. I guess so, but you'd have to ask Luke." she shrugged her shoulders. "I don't think he would mind." Jen's comment made Ally scoff a small smile. Typical sisters. She watched Luke's sister trudge down the stairs, but stayed with Georgie. "I'm good. Slept really well. Thank you for the spare room." Ally smiled back at Georgie and almost felt the impulse to hug her tightly, but she wasn't sure if they were there yet. Oh, what the hell. Ally walked over smoothly and wrapped her arms around Georgie's short frame, embracing her as if she was her blood sister.

[Luke Martin]

Someone tugged her leg from behind and Georgie was distracted for a moment. "What? Oh, that's cool. We had tonnes of fun in the annex anyway. No sleep has made us quite hyper though." She grinned, then watched as Ally came over and hugged her. Yay! She just about managed to put her arms around Ally's waist for a moment. "I didn't know having the spare room meant that much to you," she joked, laughing a little.

Luke was busy filling an old thermos with hot chocolate when a tiny head of blonde hair rested itself on his arm. "A hello to you too." He manuevered his arm so that it was wrapped around her shoulders, and she held onto the back of his jacket. "You really love Ally, don't you?" She looked up at him with her blue eyes, looking for a serious answer. "Am I that transparent?" He smiled as she gave him a dig in the stomach. "Yes, I do." Jen nodded and went quiet, considering something in silence. Luke squeezed her shoulders, knowing she was still the only one conflicted by this, she'd come round in her own time.

[Alliana Porter]

Ally chuckled as Georgie pulled away. "It was more than the room." she whispered back. It was more than the room, it was more than the introductions. It was the love that Ally had so desperately craved. Georgie had mere,y been the first to give it so freely which is probably why she latched so tightly to her already. This family was changing her.

Georgie's friends finished their makeup and heaping their items back into their overnight bags. She hung around quietly, fidgeting with her fingernails as she waited. Eventually, they were completed of thier tedious tasks and the stairway became a herd of girls. "Luke..." she asked, quietly peeking around the corner of the kitchen. "Georgie was wondering if you wouldn't mind dropping her friends off on the way." By the looks of it, he was having a deep conversation with Jen, and she was regretting breaking up their moment.

[Luke Martin]

Luke turned his head at the sound of Ally's voice and smiled. "Of course. They're all going to have to sit one on top of each other across the back seat though, I hope they know that." Jen held on for a moment or two longer before letting go so she could herd the young ones out to the car. Luke grabbed the thermos then walked over and took Ally's hand, "come on beautiful," he said, "you get to see where I spent a lot of my pre-college years."

Ally rode in the passenger seat, the four girls squashed together on the back seat as they cruised around town to the various drop-off destinations. Once Georgie's friends were safely deposited back off at their own houses, presumably to catch up on sleep, Luke made for the beach. The drive wasn't long, and soon enough, he was parking up, and they were clambering out into the car park. The beach was obscured by a long line of trees, so they couldn't see it just yet. Jen and Georgie went off ahead - Georgie running first, Jen wandering after her to make sure she didn't get into trouble. Luke merely kept a hold of Ally's hand and led her through the trees to one of his favourite spots on Earth.

They broke through the final line of trees and the beach came into view. It was completely different to beaches back in Australia - there was a stark contrast between the green mountains, the rocks jutting out of the surf, and the grey-blue waters, as opposed to long stretches of golden sand running into tropical blue waters. He loved them both, both meant different things to him. This reminded him of his time of transition, from geek to man.

He looked across at Ally and smiled. "What do you think?"

[Alliana Porter]

Ally grinned and gave his hand a light squeeze when he grabbed it. She hardly remembered a time when there was so much hand holding between them. In a matter of minutes, the girls and their bags were all heaped into the car. Jen looked uncomfortable, which might have been an understatement with Georgies's friends squished in. Once the car started, the giggling began until one of them almost crashed on Jen's shoulder. Thankfully, they were dropped off in no time and they headed towards the beach.

After the short drive, as soon as the car door opened, Georgie and Jen bolted out like there was no tomorrow. Ally took her time, shoving her hands into her coat pocket and breathing it all in. Her eyes were full of wonder at it all. The trees, the mountains and the unfamiliar air thrilled and excited her. Ally pulled a hand out from her pocket and grabbed Luke's as he offered it. She laid her head gently on his shoulder as they walked together towards a group of trees.

Ally's breath hitched in her throat as the beach came into view. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. She sucked in her bottom lip to keep from squealing, but the excitement was already written on her face. She looked up at Luke eagerly, as if asking permission to run around like a crazed fool. "Oh...my god Luke...it's so...beautiful."

[Luke Martin]

Luke didn't think he'd ever seen Ally looked so excited in all the time that he'd known her. His face spread into a wide grin, "glad you like it." She was practically bouncing with joy and energy, so it was a good thing Georgie called back to them. "Hey, Ally, bet you can't beat me in a race down the beach!" she jeered teasingly, hopping from foot to foot as the cold water splashed around her feet. "She's the undefeated champ of the beach," Jen joined in with a warm smile, "once those little legs get going, they can run and run for miles."

Chuckling, Luke nudged Ally. "Go on, I bet you dinner that you can't beat her." It wasn't so bad if he lost that way, but he was fairly sure Georgie would live up to her nickname - Speedy Gonzalez. "Think you can out run me, huh? Huh?" Georgie continued to bounce around, giggling.

[Alliana Porter]

"Like? I LOVE it!" she squeaked, taking both of her hands as she wore her stupid grin. Ally had a bit of a bounce to her step as she looked up at him. She gave an unexpected peck to his lips, then turned when Georgie offered a challenge. "Oh...I take that challeneg." she chuckled, reaching out to poke Georgie in the ribs.

'Well....I used to run track in high school, some in college too. I think I still might have my runner legs." she smirked, winking back at Luke. "I bet you dinner....and a kiss under the mistletoe."She turned to Georgie with the same grin. "I think I can." Ally stuck her tongue out at her playfully and took off in a flurry of legs and dark hair down the beach.

[Luke Martin]

"Someone had a bit too much coffee this morning," Luke laughed, more than happy that she was enjoying herself. It had taken a little while, but with Jen being more friendly, and Georgie being her usual cheery, loveable self, Ally was finally coming out of her shell. He welcomed the kiss on the lips, and chuckled as Ally poked Georgie in the ribs, the young girl leaping away with a giggle. "I'll take that bet," he smirked, "good luck, sweetheart."

"No fair!" Georgie shrieked as she powered on down the beach after Ally. Jen chuckled as the two of them ran, Ally giving Georgie a good run for her money - no pun intended. "Looks like you might have a date under the mistletoe later after all." Luke raised an eyebrow, and shouted down the beach, "come on Speedy Gonzalez Martin, don't fail me now!" Georgie skidded to a halt mere moments after Ally reached the end of the beach, collapsing into the sand, her chest heaving in and out as she breathed. "You beat - me, I can't - believe you - beat me!"

[Alliana Porter]

Ally's legs felt like fire as she ran. She hadn't run this hard in years but the adrenaline felt amazing through her veins. She was definitely beating Georgie. Her legs were longer after all. She heard Luke yell something over her shoulder, then by the scoff from Luke's lips, Jen must've said something cheeky. Everyone in this family was full of it, except Georgie, then again she wasn't sure if she'd seen Ally kiss her brother just yet.

The nd closed in on Ally and she skieed to a halt, breathing as if she had just run 20 miles. Georgie was right at her heels, collapsing on the sand next to her. With a thump, Ally joined her on her back. "Good run kid." she half wheezed, staring up at the clouded sky above her. She closed her eyes for a moment, and breathed it all in- The scent of the ocean, the cool breeze tickling the skin on her face. This place was amazing, and she almost never wanted to leave. Almost. The presents were still waiting at the house after all.