"Honey, if we keep seeing each other you're going to have to talk to Ryan and let him know."
"Why? He already likes you."
"Yes, but he likes me as the person who helped him. He may not like the fact that we're seeing each other."
"Raija, I have no intention of letting Ryan decide who I can and can't date."
"That's not the issue. I have a relationship with Ryan based on trust. I don't want that broken and I don't want us to get too much further into this relationship before we find out that if it's a problem for him."
Galen sighed and looked at Raija. They were spending another weekend together, this time at his home and were sitting in the backyard on lounge chairs. They had been reading in silence until now. She was curled up with a book about vampire, werewolf and monster hunters having sex while he was reading the latest book by a conservative columnist.
"We're also going to have to talk about your reading material Galen."
"What?"
"How can you read that garbage? It's all about maintaining the status quo. I didn't realize that you were a conservative Republican."
"I'm not. I'm a fiscally conservative socially moderate Republican who happens to like this
particular columnist."
"How can you be fiscally conservative and socially moderate, with the current administration in power?"
"I don't agree with everything that comes out of the administration, but I do think they have some good ideas that fall in line with my beliefs."
"Even so, their agenda isn't focused on your beliefs."
"I take it that you're a liberal Democrat?"
"I'm liberal, but I'm not tied to any particular party. I vote for whoever best represents my
beliefs."
"We're going to have to agree to disagree. If James and Mary could do it, so can we. And
speaking of garbage reading material, you're reading about werewolves and vampires having sex."
"It's called chick literature and it's good. So there." She stuck her tongue out at him and buried her nose in her book.
As they spent more time together, they learned more about one another's beliefs and values and their relationship grew beyond the bounds of sex.
"So, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?"
"I'm flying home to New Hampshire to visit my family. What about you and Ryan?"
"He's spending Thanksgiving with his mother and Christmas with me. I'll probably go over to my parent's house."
Raija looked at Galen for a moment. "You're welcome to come home with me. I'm sure they'd love to have you there and I know I would."
"Are you sure?
"I asked you, which means that I'm sure."
Galen grinned to himself; he'd wanted to spend Thanksgiving with her and whether here in Texas or in New Hampshire, it didn't matter. He was looking forward to meeting her family and seeing her in her native environment.
"Galen, have you ever skied?"
"No, is it a requirement to be in your family?" He paused for a second. "Not that I'm asking about being in your family, I just wanted to know." Hell!
Raija ignored Galen's discomfort. "Well, we do all ski in one form or another. My parents are
cross-country skiers and my sister, brother and I are downhill skiers. New Hampshire is supposed to get a ton of snow the day before turkey day and we normally go skiing or ice-skating after dinner."
* * * * *
On the flight to New Hampshire, Galen grabbed Raija's hand and held tight.
"Problems with flying Galen?"
"No. Problem with small planes." They were seated on a small regional jet and Galen could swear that he felt each and every bump as the plane raced through clouds
Raija laced her fingers with his and turned to stare out the window. She loved flying and everything associated with it; airports, checking luggage and watching the planes taxi.
* * * * *
Raija and Galen picked up their rental car and argued over who would drive. "Galen, have you ever driven in snow?" Snow was falling slowly, but from experience Raija knew that even a small amount of snow could be disastrous on the roads.
"Nope." Galen continued holding the keys over her head.
"Then why can't I drive?"
"Because I'm the boy and it's my job." Galen laughed at the disbelief on her face
"Fine, but if you get us stuck in the snow, I'm not helping you dig us out."
On the ride to her parent's home, Raija pointed out landmarks of interest. "That's where we would go every summer for ice cream." "Oh, that's where we get our clam rolls." "That's where we get our apples in the fall."
"Okay, does every memory for your family center around food?"
"Of course. It does for every New Englander. Apples, maple syrup, cranberries, blueberries, ice cream, clam rolls, chowder, lobster bisque."
At the last mention, she had a dreamy look on her face.
"I thought you only made those sounds and had that look when we make love?" He frowned in mock disappointment.
She smiled. "Is that what we're doing Galen? Making love?"