AN: Yes, here's yet another long chapter, I don't know how you keep making me do them this long, but they just won't end so quickly longer... lol. You wanted to know how the meeting with Kaylee's family went, well here it is. Enjoy. And as always... COMMENT! ;)

*** Home sweet home ***

It had been a pretty good week for Jack Frye. His shop had two ships in for repairing, pretty thorough work needed to be done, which would bring some extra coins on the table. Someway, no matter how scarsely work had come, he had always made ends meet. But it felt good to have some extra, now that his youngest was coming home for a few days. The wave had arrived a week earlier where the captain had notified him they were swinging by. They had not arrived yet, but Jack never worried, probably been caught up with yet another mission. Instead of checking the cortex every minute to see if another wave had come, like his wife did, he placed himself under the engine, hoping to have the job done by the time they arrived.

- Daddy, a familliar voice said from the doorway and Jack hurriedly hoisted himself up from underneath it.

There she stood, his baby girl, all grown up. It was a rarity of her to be on this part of the 'verse, last time had been the first christmas after she had shipped off. The captain had planned it to just be Kaylee dropping off for a couple of days, then he had found Serenity to be landbased. Kaylee had never openly admitted doing it, but they all knew she had been responsible. The crew had ended up spending christmas with her folks and had a wonderfull time. That was close to a year and a half ago. And now she was finally back, lighting up the shop with that radiant smile of hers. She threw her arms around him, he lifted her up and spun her around.

- Baby girl, he whispered into her ear. - Good to have you back.

- Good to be back, she replied, hugging him tighter.

He finally let her back down and stepped back to take her into perspective.

- I ain't convinced Mal's feeding you properly on that boat of his, he chuckled. - Seems each time I see you, there's less of you to see.

- Captain keeps us nice and shiny, but I ain't minding one or two of ma's home cooked meals while I's here.

- That's my girl, Jack beamed. - Now ya gotta tell ya daddy what you been up to.

- Weeeell, Kaylee started, holding up her hand for her dad to see.

- Well I be damned, Jack chuckled. - My little wild child, tying the knot? Somehow I just ain't seeing it. Next thing ya's telling me there's a bun in the oven'.

Upon hearing this, Simon croaked outside the door. He was intimidated enough as it was, having not even met the guy, but to allready let him in on the fact that he was going to be a grandfather? Maybe he could divert the old man before Kaylee shared the news. He wanted him to at least like him before they killed him.

- Mei ho, sir, he said, stepping into the shop.

Jack looked the well dressed young man that entered his shop up and down. His face was expressionless, until Kaylee playfully hit him in the shoulder.

- Daddy, she said, grinning. - Don't scare him, he's shakin' enough as it is.

This made Jack chuckle and Simon breathed out in relief. He was at loss on what to say, but then again he was just relieved that the guy hadn't gotten the answer to his question and that he wasn't killing him for marrying his daughter without prior permission.

- So this is the fella that has tamed my wild child, Jack stated. - You got a name, son? Or should I jus' call you that?

- Daddy, this is Simon Tam, my husband. Simon, this is Jack Frye, my daddy.

She slipped her hand into Simon's as she said it, earning a smile from her dad. Simon smiled and nodded, not sure what to say.

- I like 'im, Jack finally said, breaking the silence. - He doesn't say much, but I like 'im. Very big step up from that last fella I saw you with.

- Daddy, I ain't brought a fella home 'fore, Kaylee exclaimed. - Who'd ya see me with?

- Blonde fella, didn't look too bright. Never wore 'is shirt. Least not near you.

Simon, who never ever thought he would see Kaylee blush in his lifetime, was speechless. Her cheeks were redder than those strawberries she loved. Jack chuckled, when seeing the reaction from his daughter.

- What? Ya didn't think I knew? What was his name... Bester right?

Simon felt very curious, but on the other hand he wasn't sure he even wanted to know whatever Kaylee's dad was teasing her about. Jack noticed the uncomfortable look on Simon's face and smiled.

- I better stop 'fore I have 'im running for the hills. I gotta finish up here, baby girl. Go see ya ma, she been waiting fer a while now.

- Sure ya don' wan' help, Kaylee asked.

- Nah, you always was brilliant with machines, but ain't nothing ter do that your ol' daddy can't handle. I take it you landbased the ship 'gain, or did they come willingly this time?

Kaylee didn't respond, she just grinned from ear to ear.

- Well if you see that captain of yours on the way, tell 'im to stop by, Jack said, hoisting himself back under the engine. - Go see yer ma now, baby girl.

- Bye, daddy. Don' be too long now. Think ma wants us all home fer dinner, Kaylee chipped, as she pulled Simon with her out of the shop.

- Just out of curiousity, Simon started, once they came out of the shop. - Who's Bester?

She leaned in and kissed him gently.

- Nobody important, she murmured.

- I'd drink to that, Mal agreed, approaching the pair, then shouted in the door. - Jack, you in there?

Simon stared after Mal as he went in to chat with Kaylees dad. He wanted to know why Jack knew who this Bester was, why Mal knew and what on earth it was about him that made his Kaylee blush the way she did, but he didn't say anything. Whatever it was it was in the past, but he would be lying if it didn't bug him a little bit. Kaylee grabbed his hand.

- You comin', she asked, leaning in for another kiss.

- Which way, he replied, when they broke off.

Kaylee steered him through the small town, not rushing him, though. She pointed out places and told him little stories from growing up.

- See that barn over there, she asked pointing. - Bobby Feldman, when we were thirteen. First kiss I ever got.

He took it as a cue to pull her in for one. She giggled.

- Feelin' a mite competitive there?

- Perhaps, he answered, grinning. - Trying to make me?

- Maybe, she giggled, then raised her brow suggestively. - Also first place I saw a boy naked.

Simon blushed, which made her giggle even more. Then all of a sudden she let go of him. The movement confused him until he heard a voice behind him.

- Well I'll be damned, lil' Kaylee's back in town.

- Robbie, she exclaimed before throwing herself into the guys arms.

The guy lifted her up as easy as nothing, then put her back onto the ground again.

- I swear, each time I see ya, you're getting lighter.

- Or, you're just gettin' stronger, Kaylee suggested.

- Might be that, yeah, Robbie chuckled, then turned to Simon. - Who's the fella?

- Oh sorry, I should be introdusing ya, this is Simon, Kaylee said, her hand waving back and forth between them as she spoke. - Simon, this is my big brother, Robbie.

- Rob, he corrected. - Only ma an' Kaylee ever call me Robbie.

Simon let out a sigh of relief, as he reached out his hand to greet him. Rob looked at him a bit confused before taking the hint and shook his hand.

- You gotta pardon 'im, he has a habit of bein' proper, but once ya get past it.., Kaylee explained.

As the three of them was walking towards Kaylee's parents house, Simon was mostly listening to her and Rob filling each other in on what had happened since last time she was home, which appeared to be a long time. Kaylee slipped her hand into his, while filling Rob in on some of the jobs they had. At the moment she had picked the story of Canton to tell, which made it difficult for her brother to even walk steady. Simon was laughing just as hard, just from the mere memory of it.

- An' they... they put up... a statue.., Rob asked between fits of laughter.

Rob didn't manage to get back controle of his laughter before they had reached a small, but cozy house, placed right next to a big field. It was the exact opposite of everything Simon knew, and he loved it to bits.

- Ma, Rob called out. - Ma? Guess who I bumped into.

Rose popped her head out the door and upon seeing her little girl, she hurried up to her to pull her into a nice big hug. She pulled back, her hands resting on Kaylee's shoulders. She was eyeing her daughter up and down.

- You need a couple of decent meals on that body of yours, she determined, something any mother would tell the daughter she hadn't seen in over a year. - Now who's this fella?

Kaylee grinned and held up her hand, her ring showing. Simon gasped in surprise as he felt Rose pull him into a big, warm, motherly hug. Kaylee giggled at his startled look.

- Now this need's celebratin', Rose determined, letting Simon go. - Where's your pa? Jack's planted himself under that engine 'gain hasn't he?

Kaylee nodded. Rose sighed and shook her head.

- When it ain't work, it's looking for work. He better be home for dinner.

- Well the captain's with 'im, an' he ain't one to back away from a home cooked meal, Kaylee pointed out.

- True, Rose chuckled, remembering Mal's appetite from their last visit.

- Now, you'll be helpin' me with dinner and tell me all about how you an'.., she said pausing to look at Simon. - What's the name of my son-in-law?

- My name is Simon, Mrs Frye, he answered before Kaylee managed to.

- What's with the formality, it's Rose or ma to you, whatever you feel comfortable with.

- Sorry, ma, Kaylee chuckled. - He's jus' very proper. You get used to it.

Rose threw her arm around her daughter's shoulders and the two wandered into the house. As Rob had some work that needed doing, Simon spent his time just taking a tour of the house and the property. He felt it to have such a homely feel to it, something that hadn't been too much of in his own childhood home. He did his best to stay out of the kitchen,so that Kaylee could get some alone time with her mom.

- So, Rose asked in the kitchen. - How far 'long are you?

- How'd you know, Kaylee asked, surprised.

- There's jus' a glow 'bout a girl when she's expectin', Rose said, shrugging. - Most folks don' notice. So how long? Taken that scrawny body of yours, I'd say two-three months, four at the most.

Kaylee let her right hand rest on her stomach. She felt the slight curve through the fabrik, and sighed. Rose smiled and pulled her into a soft embrace.

- My baby girl's in love an' havin' a family of her own, Rose sighed. - When you shipped out you were a wild child an' now...

Rose let the rest just float in the air. She ran her finger over a relatively fresh grease stain on Kaylee's overalls. The woman shook her head.

- Jus' like your pa, she sighed. - Why don' you find yourself a nice clean dress in your closet? An' I'll wash those work-clothes. You left a couple of dresses last time you was here.

Kaylee didn't bother with arguing, besides it felt nice to get out of her workclothes from time to time. When she returned from her old room, wearing one of her old floral dresses, she bumped into Simon. The dress was a bit tighter than her workclothes and the tiny bump on her tummy was a bit more noticeable, but only for those allready aware of her condition. Simon's gaze was fixated on that bump. When Kaylee was close enough he placed his hand on it. His gaze turned upwards and met hers. He let his arms slip behind and pull her into a long, tender kiss.

- Now ain't that a pretty picture, Jack chuckled from the doorway.

- Jack? Is that you, Rose yelled, her head popping out from the doorway. - Figured it was you. Though wasn't expecting ya for least one more hour.

- When his baby girl's home, a man has to finish early.

- You didn't help 'im out, did you, Rose asked her daughter.

- No, daddy wasn't lettin' me.

Jack chuckled and went to kiss Rose hello, but she waved him away.

- Like always, change that greasy shirt to a clean one 'fore you come anywhere near me, she said with a smile around her face. - An' make it a nice shirt, we got some celebratin' to do.

Jack sighed and looked at Simon.

- Jus' my luck, I get a well-dressed son-in-law an' all of a sudden the wife expect me to be jus' as swai.

- Do as she says, daddy, Kaylee said, laughing.

Half an hour later they were seated by the dinner table. Rose had whipped up her famous home made stu and everyone was helping themselves greadily to it. Kaylee's increased appetite brought a smile to Rose's face. She would have to pack down some to send with her, who knew when the next time her daughter was in range for a home cooked meal. As they ate each of them shared some funny stories from the year that had passed. Of request from Rob, Kaylee told the tale of the hero of Canton again, having the whole table laugh for ten whole minutes. Then Jack went to fetch his home-made cider, to Rose's objection.

- Who's up for some cider, finest home-brew we've ever had, he proclaimed proudly.

- I ain't, Kaylee said.

- How come baby girl? Las' I remember you were quite fond of my home brew.

He continued that with a story of Kaylee sneaking herself to some as a teenager. Simon's eyes widened when Jack reached the part of Kaylee climbing on top of the barn, completely wasted and stark naked. Kaylee was laughing at the memory. She had remembered sneaking in and out of the cellar, taking a bottle each time, and then things had blackened and next thing she knew she had been, like her dad said, naked at the roof, having a deep conversation with the stars whilst hearing her daddy yelling at her from the ground. That had given her one hell of a whuppin' and it had taken a couple of weeks before she again sneaked herself to some brew.

- An' that wasn't the last time I caught her sneakin' herself some. So I's find it a lil' strange to see my girl pass on it.

- Well, Rose said on Kaylee's behalf. - Seems like she's not jus' drinkin' for one anymore.

Jack turned silent for a couple of minutes, before a smile wider than any other Simon had seen appeared on his face. He got up and pulled his daughter into a hug. Then pulled Simon into one just like it.

- My baby havin' a baby, he exclaimed. - This really causes for a celebration.

He held his glass up high.

- Cider all aroun', he roared, then turned to Kaylee. - None for you 'course, but las' I remember ya ma' made some great applejuice from the apples at Rob's place. Rose, go get some of that juice.

Once Kaylee's glass was filled with the juice everyone toasted for the couple. Then talk went for a while towards what to name the kid, then it was time for dessert and talk started going back to catching everyone up on all that had been happening since last time she had been there. Jack told the story of the worst mechanic he had had under his employ.

- I'm seriously sayin' Bester couldn't see the difference 'tween a grav thrust and a compression coil.

Simon raised his brow at the mentioning of the name, but it wasn't noticed by anyone, besides Mal as they were all focusing on Jack.

- So all I can say is tha' kid was out of the shop 'fore the day was over.

- Yeh, Mal agreed. - He was a lousy mechanic. I'm surprised Serenity didn' break down 'fore, the way he was treatin' her.

As dessert was finished the family moved outside to see the sun set, at Kaylee's request, as sunsets were a rare thing for her to see. Simon went up to Mal and asked.

- I'm just wondering, what does this Bester guy have to do with Kaylee.

Mal gave him a light chuckle.

- I think you need to ask her that, son.

Mal pointed to the fence, where Kaylee was sitting. Simon sighed and went over to her. When she saw him coming, she reached her arms out. He stepped into her embrace and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her temple.

- Beautiful, ain't it, she asked, looking towards the red and yellow sky in the horizon.

- Yeh, he agreed. - Just like you. You shine in all these pretty colors, especially when you smile.

This of course earned him one of the biggest grins she had in her. She leaned her head on his chest and observed the colors in the horizon change to be more and more red, then the sky started turning purple.

- I need to know, what is it with this Bester that makes you blush?

- What, she asked, half-laughing at the question.

- When Jack mentioned Bester at the shop, you were as red as a strawberry and as I've never seen you blush before it got me wondering.

She shook her head and sighed.

- I don't love Bester, she said. - Hell, I ain't never been close to be in love with him either. When I saw him in port it was just an attraction. He was good lookin' and he was new, which made 'im excitin', an' when he came round the shop I flirted with 'im. He asked me if I wanted to see the ship. Havin' never been in one 'fore I wasn't one for saying no. An' things got a bit hot in the engine room.

Simon's eyes widened at the thought.

- The captain walked in on us right in the middle of it, she said, jerking her head towards Mal. - Really spoiled the moment too, but I ain't never tellin' him that. An' while I was puttin' my clothes back on I overheard 'im makin' up a lie to why Serenity was parked. I pointed out what really was wrong, next thing I knew, the captain offered me a job. I shipped off with Serenity the next day an' Bester was left behind.

- Wow, Simon said, not really expecting those amounts of detailes coming from her. - So when you were blushing.

- 'twas more 'bout my daddy knowin' the story. My bet's he overheard 'im chattin' 'bout it, she explained. - Feel better?

- A little. So there's nothing you miss about those days, right?

- Nothing, she assured him, then raised her eye brow suggestively. - Though I wouldn't mind if you ever was wantin' to try out the engine room.