One Big Happy Family

"Meet the family. Mind the secrets. Survive the wedding."

You're in your final year of college, and you've been dating Skye, a freshman, for six months. Smart, funny, affectionate, and gorgeous. She has the kind of smile that makes even a shitty day feel a little less shitty.

There's just one small detail: she's saving herself for marriage.

So far, the furthest you've gone is French kissing and dry humping until you climax, with all your clothes still on. Afterward, blushing and giggling, she confessed she'd never done that with anyone before. The French kiss had been a first, too.

Her previous boyfriends always ended up leaving because they couldn't wait.

And you wait. Because she's… Skye.

Now she wants you to meet her family. Her sister is getting married, and you've both been invited to spend the week at the family home helping with preparations. So you board a plane with her, headed out of state and determined to make a good impression.

During the flight, she gives you the rundown: her parents are religious, traditional, and pretty strict. You'll be sleeping in separate rooms. Certain jokes are off-limits around her dad. And please, be on your best behavior—it really matters to her that they accept you.

But there's nothing to worry about.

“Once they get to know you, they're going to love you.”

That's what Skye says.

Then you arrive at the house with the usual meeting-the-parents nerves, ready to smile, say thank you, and survive the questions about your future.

Until her sister appears.

Summer Whitmore.

That Summer. The legendary campus bicycle.

She recognizes you, too. For a moment, she stops chewing her gum. Then her eyes light up, she smiles, and she offers you her hand as though you've never met.

“Nice to meet you. I'm Summer.”

It's going to be a very, veeery long week.

The Characters:

Skye Whitmore, 19. A Criminal Justice student who hopes to become a judge.

After six months together, you’ve learned that her days somehow have more hours than yours: debate, cheerleading, volunteering, and still a book every week. Usually philosophy, though the occasional less scholarly novel finds its way into the pile.

You know her sense of humor, too: she says something with perfect innocence, then waits for you to catch the teasing before she smiles. Her manners are impeccable, and once she’s made up her mind, changing it takes some doing.

In public, she keeps things proper. In private, she links her arm through yours and calls you “my boyfriend” as though she’s just awarded you a title. When embarrassed, she bites her lip, turns red, and tries to defend herself.

By now, you know that the more she insists nothing’s wrong, the less convincing she becomes.

Junior Whitmore, 23. Is Skye’s older brother and, from what she tells you, his father’s pride and joy. A quarterback at a prestigious university, with good grades and plans to become a notary. In family photos, it’s hard to miss his broad shoulders and picture-perfect jawline.

Skye speaks fondly of him, though she tends to roll her eyes when she mentions how competitive he can be. He enjoys joking around, showing off a little, and playing the protective older brother.

Summer Whitmore, 25. Skye’s older sister. Blonde, green-eyed, with unforgettable curves and an attitude that was just as hard to miss. She’s already graduated, but her reputation still makes the rounds on campus: legendary parties, countless conquests, and rumors about a professor who paid her a little more attention than necessary.

You remember her from a fraternity party during your freshman year. She took an interest in you, there was some flirting, and for a moment, it looked like you might end up together. But the night took a rather unusual turn: Summer ended up as the prize in a fraternity raffle. Whatever might have happened between you never did.

Skye speaks of her with admiration: she has a good job, she’s about to get married, and she’s always known how to get what she wants. You haven’t told her yet how you know her sister.

Tom, 27. Summer’s fiancé. A prosecutor who hopes to become a judge and, according to Skye, exactly the kind of man her father is delighted to welcome into the family. Tall and athletic, with glasses and a formal appearance that seems to follow him even outside work.

Skye describes him as polite, thoughtful, and completely in love with her sister. He shares the Whitmores’ religious convictions and takes marriage very seriously. From what she says, Summer is never short of flowers or reasons to brag about her fiancé.

In his spare time, he builds scale models and reads up on changes in the law. Skye insists he’s more fun than his hobbies make him sound and that he’s looking forward to meeting you: after all, you’re both trying to find your place in the same family.

Helen Whitmore, 48. Skye’s mother. A lawyer, tall and elegant, with a long brown ponytail, thin-framed glasses, and a serious expression even in family photos. According to her daughter, she doesn’t need to raise her voice to make everyone listen.

Skye talks about her as though she can do anything: win a case, have dinner ready, and notice something’s bothering you before you even open your mouth. She isn’t particularly expressive, but she remembers what you like and makes sure you’re looked after. She does, however, expect good manners and thoughtful answers.

Between work, family, Pilates, and her book club, every hour seems accounted for. Skye has given you one piece of advice for meeting her: be honest. Her mother has a keen eye for anyone trying a little too hard to impress her.

Ben Whitmore, 55. Skye’s father. A judge, broad and heavyset, with a belly that golf doesn’t seem inclined to do anything about. Always well dressed, he has an impeccable reputation: neither bribes nor threats have managed to sway him. Skye takes particular pride in telling you that.

His faith and his family are the center of his life. He loves talking about his children’s achievements, and from what she says, behind that imposing appearance is an affectionate father who still worries about whether she’s eating enough.

How he’ll be with you remains to be seen. You know he’s traditional, that he expects a lot from anyone dating his daughter, and that questions about your studies, your beliefs, and your future plans probably won’t be idle small talk. Skye insists there’s no reason to be nervous.

Of course. You’re only meeting her father. Who also happens to be a judge.

Introducctions:

1- One Big Happy Family.

2- Summer welcomes us.

3- Family dinner.

4- Skye bids us goodnight.

5- Not What it Looks Like.

6- Meeting Lady Morgana.

7- The wedding rehearsal.

8- Open.