"You know, if he hadn't died, he'd still be alive today." Wally said philosophically.

Troy glanced at Jasmine and quickly looked away. She was also trying desperately not to burst out laughing. He cleared his throat, straightened his face, nodded gravely and said "I know what you mean, Grandpa Wally. Anyway, thanks for coming to my party. Jasmine wanted to meet all my relatives." He smiled bracingly. Why she wanted to meet all these nut jobs was beyond him. If she still liked him after tonight he'd know for certain she was meant for him. Please, God, let her still like him after tonight!

"You're a sweet young thing, Janet. Troy's very lucky to have you." Wally commented looking her over top to bottom and pausing significantly at the bust line.

"Jasmine, Grandpa Wally. My girlfriend is Jasmine. Her twin is Janet." Troy told him with a protective and possessive arm around her.

"Twins, aye? I never had twins myself. Would be nice. Knew a man once who did. He told me..."

"Grandpa Wally....I just saw Uncle Darryl," Troy said quickly. "I should say hello to him before he finds the vodka. Talk to you later." Troy grabbed a now shaking-with-suppressed-laughter Jasmine and whisked her away as fast as he could without actually dragging her.

"He's so cute." she said giggling uncontrollably.

He stared at her aghast. "Only you could call that dirty old man cute. Have I told you lately I love you?" he said dreamily.

"It has been a few minutes." she said delighted before grabbing his face and kissing him.

He melted. "Let's hide under an oak tree and do that some more."

"But I've hardly met anyone yet. How about this Uncle Darryl? Who is he?" she asked looking around the backyard. Tons of people lounged by the pool, ate and drank to excess and some even danced, and very exuberantly too. One couple just knocked over the ice bucket doing what looked like a cross between the hustle and the rumba. "I want to know how to dance like that." she said giggling some more.

"Just as long as you still like me in the morning." Troy said with a pained grimace. "Here comes Uncle Darryl now. Let's not mention Janet, okay?" he said quickly before turning and swiftly getting a massive hug from his uncle. "Hey, Uncle Darryl. Thanks for coming." he said rubbing his now bruised ribs.

"Not everyday we turn a whopping nineteen years old." Darryl said brightly.

"No, I think that's exclusively a once in a lifetime shot, if I'm not mistaken." Jasmine interjected

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