In conjunction with this...

[freshoffthefarm]

The following morning, Annie woke up when her phone went off and wasn't surprised to see Webb already gone from their bed. She gave a smile to the sun streaming through the open window and stretched

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[fakes_death]

By the time Annie came downstairs, Webb had already showered, dressed, and put together a quick fruit salad for breakfast.

"Good Morning, Miss Walker." He stressed the 'Miss' since in a few days it wouldn't be applicable anymore.

Webb then stood up and headed back into the kitchen to get Annie a cup of coffee and some fruit, then returned to the deck to hand it over.

"It's still quiet out here."

[freshoffthefarm]

It always surprised her how efficient he was, and she knew it shouldn't. She gave him an affectionate smile and a small kiss on his cheek as he passed, then eased into the deck chair he'd vacated.

"Morning, Mr. Webb."

Miss Walker, she mused to herself. No, not applicable after Saturday, and no, she didn't mind. Mrs Webb would be her name, though she hadn't really decided what she was going to be using at work.

When he came back, she took it with a grateful smile and nodded. "It is. Love it here."

[fakes_death]

Clay sat in the chair next to Annie and went back to his breakfast, "So we have a few more hours of peace before everything starts, huh?"

He figured he'd give Annie her wedding gift that evening.

[freshoffthefarm]

"Just a few. I thought we could take some of your stuff out to the guest house, make sure it's ready for you. Make sure all the bedrooms are ready for your people. When are they coming?"

She was sipping at her coffee and nibbling at her fruit.

[fakes_death]

"Everyone should be here Friday. No one wanted to get here too early."

[freshoffthefarm]

"They're bringing their things with them, I'm guessing." She took another long drink and then contemplated the layout. "We can put them on the other side of the house so that they're not bothered by the girls. Also, they can go straight to the guest house to help you in the morning."

[fakes_death]

"I doubt AJ would mind, he has a daughter. Bud and Harriet would be fine too, their son's about the girls' age."

That's when it dawned on him, Annie hadn't met any of the people he knew back then.

[freshoffthefarm]

"It was just a thought. I don't really know anything about them, remember?" She gave him a smile and turned back to her fruit, only really coming to the realization herself. Especially since she didn't really think that he'd wanted her to meet his friends.

[fakes_death]

"I guess you haven't. I suppose it's because I don't see them too often, just Bud around Christmas."

[freshoffthefarm]

"Oh. Well, you know you can still invite Bud and his family... you know, for Christmas." She fiddled with the fork she was holding.

[fakes_death]

"If it's not on a weekend we can. When it is, they usually go visit Harriet's parents. Usually, I leave some presents under their tree...after breaking and entering."

He idly wondered if meeting his friends now was bothering her.

[freshoffthefarm]

It wouldn't matter if it bothered her or not; she wouldn't let on either way. She was more bothered by the fact that the first time she was meeting his most important friends was at their wedding.

"I'm not surprised that you break into their house to give them gifts. I'd also bet that they're not surprised, either. Kind of like Santa Claus."

[fakes_death]

"I think they just expect it now. It all started with that Burpy Bear."

[freshoffthefarm]

"I'm sure if Uncle Clay didn't show up, they'd be so disappointed." Then she looked at him curiously. "So, wait. You went this year, too?"

[fakes_death]

"This year I gave them to Bud a few days before. He went downstairs at night and put them under the tree. He said the effect was the same."

[freshoffthefarm]

Annie shook her head.

"You're going to make the best Santa for our kids," she told him with a fond look. "I'm glad that you have such good friends, Clay. I really am."