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"Too casual?" Lance turned to face Angus. He was getting ready to head over to dinner at Megan's mother's house and wasn't quite sure how to dress. He had on a nice pair of slacks and a button-up shirt. He figured a suit might be too much for a family dinner, but then he remembered whose home he was going to and started questioning himself.

"You look perfect. I love that color blue on you." Angus walked over and straightened the collar. "Stop worrying. If it was a formal event, Megan would have told you."

Lance nodded. "You're right. It's just dinner. Not a state meeting." He gave Angus a kiss before going into the bathroom to make sure his hair was combed. "If her father is around, I'm going to be a bit later than if he's not. I'll either have Megan come here with me or go to her apartment to have a conversation with her father. I am not about to attempt anything major at her mother's house. "

"Do you know who all will be there?" Angus asked.

"I'm guessing her mom, and possibly her younger brother. I can't remember his name. I would see him outside with his friends sometimes when we'd go pick Megan up. I don't recall any other siblings. I have no clue if her brother is still living in the area. It could be just Megan, her mom, and me. Which will be uncomfortable."

"I'm going to go meet Mike for a burger and beer, but I don't plan on being out too long. If you come back with Megan and her father, I'll just hide in the bedroom. You can join me when they go." Angus winked.

"You don't need to hide out. I have no issues talking to them with you around. I'm not even sure her father is around. More than likely, her imagination is getting to her and wishful thinking has her hoping he's around. Had Jackson not told her about my ability, she wouldn't even be considering her father remained in ghostly form." He slid on his shoes, stuffed his wallet into his pocket, then reached for his cell phone. "I'll have this silenced during dinner, but text if you need me."

"If I texted every time I needed you, I'd be texting all day." Angus pulled him into a gentle hug. "Go and have a good time. These could be your future in-laws if things go the way I think they might."

"Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing. I'll talk Jackson up the best I can, but I'm sure they remember him well enough." Lance stepped back and took a deep breath. "Have fun tonight. Tell Mike hi. "

"I will." Angus gave him another quick kiss, then slapped him on the ass. "Go before you're late."

Lance did as he was told. He grabbed his keys and headed out the front door to where he'd left his car parked in the driveway. It was a short drive to the home, and he smiled as he pulled up in front of the place. It was large and beautiful. Lance had always loved the large bushes that lined the yard like a fence and the iron gate that led to the walkway up to the front door.

He'd just pushed through the gate when the front door opened, and Megan stepped out. She wore a simple blue sundress, easing Lance's worry that he'd over or under dressed for the dinner.

"I'm so glad you came." Megan smiled.

"Thanks for inviting me." Lance smiled back, but his attention was more on the large ghostly man who stood beside her. Lance had seen the man's face in the news enough to know that it was her father, Senator Isaac Gifford. Lance gave a nod to the man as he hugged Megan gently and whispered in her ear, "You were right. Your father is here."

She stiffened in his arms, then slowly pulled back. "Really?"

"Unless he's got a twin, he's standing to your right and smiling down at you as if you mean the world to him." Lance laughed and softly said, "It's nice to meet you, Senator."

"You as well. I was stunned when I heard Megan say she had contacted someone who could speak to me. I wasn't sure I believed her. But here you are." The ghost frowned at his daughter. "Tell her not to cry. I've seen enough tears the last week. No more."

"Your father says not to cry. He's tired of everyone crying." Lance kept his voice to a whisper. He then focused on the senator. "Sir, tonight after dinner, if you'd like I'd be happy to go back to my place and give you a chance to speak to Megan. I'd rather not involve the rest of the family."

"That is just fine. Having a chance to talk to my daughter is gift enough. I don't know how she found you or knew about you, but I'm blessed that she did." The senator appeared to place his hand on Megan's shoulder.

"That. I felt it again." Megan looked shocked.

"Your father just touched your shoulder. Later tonight, you can practice communicating without me. If your father is going to stick around, you'll be able to feel when he's with you." Lance smiled, then again addressed the senator. "I'm Jackson's younger brother. Megan and I met when they dated years ago. She learned of my ability when Jackson was here over Christmas."

"I always liked that boy." The senator smiled.

Lance laughed.

"Megan, don't keep him standing on the porch all night. Bring your guest in," a woman called from inside the home.

"Yes, please come in." Megan wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, then gestured Lance to come inside. "Thank you," she whispered as he passed by her .

Lance walked into the house and smiled at the older woman who stood waiting to greet him. He stepped forward and offered his hand. "Mrs. Gifford, thank you for having me over. I am so sorry about your husband."

She smiled, her eyes sad. "Thank you. We miss him so much. Megan tells me you're Jackson's brother. I think we met years ago when they were dating, but my memories aren't what they used to be."

"We did once or twice in passing," Lance affirmed. "I was pleased to hear they reconnected after all these years."

"So was I." She nodded. "Now we just need to get that brother of yours home so we can see where things go."

Megan sighed. "You both talk like it's a sure thing that we'll get back together."

"I'm pretty sure it will happen. The only reason you two broke up was because he joined the Navy. While I understand you not wanting to deal with all that, now that he's coming home, things could go back to how they were." Lance looked at Megan. "From the way my brother talks about you in his letters, he's looking forward to finding out."

"What does he say?" She blushed.

"Don't ask me to tell my brother's secrets," Lance teased. "Let's just say I hope to be double dating in the near future."

Megan laughed.

"Dinner is about ready. Please come in and have a seat." Mrs. Gifford waved her hand to the dining room, then turned and called up the stairs. "Ethan, dinner."

"Have you met my brother?" Megan asked as they took seats at the large table.

"I don't think so. I remember seeing him, but I'm not sure we met."

"Lazy bastard," Senator Gifford mumbled as he took a seat at the head of the table.

Lance smiled as he noticed that there wasn't a place setting there. It must have been where the senator sat when he'd been alive. Lance watched the ghost as the Senator watched his family.

"I wasn't ready to end my time on earth, but I guess it was my time to go. Maybe I could have eaten better, and took better care of myself, but something tells me that when it's our time, it's our time. I was glad to be able to spend a little more time here with my family even if they don't know I'm here." He grinned. "It's amazing the secrets you find out about those you love once they think you're gone. My wife has had a lover on the side I knew nothing about. My son is stealing money from us to support his cocaine habit, and my brother was planning to help support my political opponent in the run for governor next election yet told me I had his full support. The only one who doesn't seem to be doing stuff behind my back is Megan."

Lance had to force himself to keep his expression normal as he stared at the senator. It wasn't easy. Those had to be shocking things to find out once he'd passed on. Lance wondered if others had learned things when they died. He'd have to ask some of his other ghostly friends. None of them had mentioned things. Other than Ray, they all went to spend time with their families off and on.

"Megan's always been my strong one. I hated that man she married. I tried to tell her she was just rebounding after Jackson left, but she wouldn't listen. I was not upset when she divorced him, though I hated the pain she was in. I worried I wouldn't see that light in her eyes again, but when she saw Jackson over Christmas, that light returned." The senator smiled at his daughter.

"So were you military as well?" Mrs. Gifford asked.

"No, Ma'am. I am the assistant medical examiner for Fairway City." Lance didn't expand on his job, aware that talking about it made many people uncomfortable.

"Oh, so you are a doctor." Mrs. Gifford smiled.

"Yes." He didn't add that his training was much different than a typical doctor's.

"Sounds like you've both done amazing things with your life. Your parents…" She paused and put her hand to her mouth. "I'm sorry. I just remembered that your parents died right after Jackson graduated. I remember how worried Megan was about him back then."

"It's okay. It was a long time ago. I'll always be grateful that Jackson took custody of me, and I didn't end up in foster care. He stayed here long enough for me to graduate before he signed on with the Navy. It wasn't easy back then, but we made it through." Lance had long ago gotten over the pain of losing his parents and didn't mind talking about their deaths, but he always got emotional when he thought about what Jackson gave up to keep them together. It might have only been three years, but they were long, hard years where they'd had to learn how to be adults and independent.

"No chance of my son being like you two." Senator Gifford glared at his son as he entered the dining room.

Lance watched as a slim man with shaggy brown hair took a seat at the table. He wore jeans and a t-shirt and seemed a bit nervous as he looked at everyone around the table.

"Ethan, you remember Megan's friend Jackson. This is his brother, Lance. She invited him to join us for dinner tonight."

Ethan snorted. "Jumping from one brother to another? That's not like you, Megan."

"We're friends. Lance has a lovely boyfriend he lives with. Stop being an ass." Megan rolled her eyes at her brother.

"So Lance," Mrs. Gifford smiled, "I saw on the news tonight about the Mayburn murder seventy years ago. As assistant medical examiner, are you involved with that case?"

Lance blinked. "I didn't know it had reached the media. It's a horrible tragedy that happened seventy years ago. The M.E.'s office is involved. We received the body. I'm not able to say more about the case."

"Such a sad story if what the media says is true. The Mayburn is such a lovely hotel. We hold events there all the time," Mrs. Gifford told him. "It's not as wonderful under the new management, but it is the best we have in Fairway. I can't imagine that poor man living with that secret for so many years."

Lance nodded but didn't dare say more. He wondered if Angus knew the media had gotten hold of the information. It wasn't shocking they had. He was just glad it was after the dig was complete and both bodies had been delivered to his office. He hoped no one knew about Jared and the inheritance. That would be a nightmare for the young man to maneuver through.

"I must have missed something. Maybe later you'll explain?" Senator Gifford asked from across the table.

Lance gave a very subtle nod as a woman dressed in an apron wheeled a cart in and started to set food on the table. The roast beef smelled amazing, and Lance wondered if they ate this well every night or if this was just a Friday night family thing.

The next hour was filled with simple conversation as they ate, and as soon as they finished, Ethan left the table, hurrying back up the stairs. Lance tried to guess the man's age. He had to be in his mid-twenties. Did he still live here with his mother? It was something that really didn't matter, but he'd ask Megan later anyway to ease his curiosity.

It was clear that Megan was anxious to leave, so after saying thank you to Mrs. Gifford for such an amazing dinner, he left. Megan walked out with him, going to her car and agreeing to meet him back at his place.

Lance smiled and hugged her as if saying goodbye for the night. "Your father is in the passenger seat of your car. Talk to him while you drive if you want. I think he's as excited as you are to have a conversation."

"I wish I could see him. Thank you for this. You have no idea how much it means to me." She hugged him again and rushed to her car.

Lance smiled as he got into his own car and headed home. He pulled into the garage, seeing Angus wasn't home yet. By the time he'd gotten out of his car, Megan was pulling up to the curb. She got out and walked into the garage with Lance. "I never told you how much I like your home. It's so much nicer than that little place you lived in with Jackson."

"Thanks. I needed new memories." He pushed the door open that led from the garage into the house. "Can I get you something to drink?" He turned on the living room lights before going into the kitchen.

Senator Gifford took a seat in one of the large recliners and smiled. "Got any bourbon?"

Lance laughed. "Sorry, Sir. Even if I did, I'm afraid your bourbon days are over."

Megan froze. "He's really here, isn't he? Dad always had a glass of bourbon after dinner."

"He's sitting in that chair." Lance pointed.

"Dad?" Megan's eyes filled with tears.

"Tell her to quit crying. I've seen enough of that this last week. It's time to quit mourning me and realize life will have to go on without me." Senator Gifford smiled at his daughter. "I know she misses me, and I almost worry that what we're doing here tonight might make things worse on her, but we'll see how it goes."

Lance repeated everything.

"Why would it make things worse?" Megan asked as she sat down on the couch.

"Because you won't let go of him like you would if you didn't know he was a ghost." Lance took a seat beside her on the couch. "And when he does decide to go into the light, you're going to mourn him all over again."

"Exactly," the senator said.

"You need to realize that while your dad is here now and I'm able to communicate with him for you, I won't do this often. I'm only doing it now because you're like a sister to me. If it was anyone else, I would have refused." Lance stared at Megan. "Your father might decide to leave tomorrow, be it into the light or even traveling the world, and you need to prepare for that. He may choose to be here for years and wait for your mother to die before leaving. If that's the case, I will teach you how to communicate with him in your own way. I'll do things like this from time to time if there is a reason you two really need to talk, but I'd rather not end up having you show up every few days just so you can talk to him."

Megan nodded. "I understand."

"As do I," the senator said. "Don't repeat this to Megan, but I do plan on waiting around for her mother, but time will tell if I let Megan know I'm still around. I want to see how she handles this for a while."

"Understood." Lance smiled.

"What did he say?" Megan asked.

"That he agreed with what I said, and he'd come to me on his own if there was something he needed you to hear from him." Lance hated bending the truth, but in this matter it was easier.

"Megan, I'm so sorry I died unexpectedly. I hoped to have at least twenty or thirty more years with you. But we can't change what happened," Senator Gifford said.

Lance repeated his words for her, careful to say it exactly as he did.

"I'm going to be around a while, but I won't always be at the house or with you. I'm visiting other places, catching up with a few old friends who passed long ago that are still around. I don't want you holding on to me or spend every waking moment looking for me. For now, we'll have Lance teach us how to communicate and every Friday after family dinner at your mother's home, I'll go back to your apartment with you for a bit and we can talk." The senator looked at Lance. "How do we do that?"

"You won't be able to have full conversations, but through touch, you can answer yes or no to her questions. There are several ways I've seen it done." Lance sat back. "If you would, Senator, go over and run your hand down Megan's left forearm."

He stood and floated over to his daughter, gently moving his ghostly hand down her arm. To Lance, it appeared his hand disappeared into her arm, but he was sure Megan could feel it when she gasped.

"Was that him?" Her eyes were wide.

"It was." Lance smiled. "Do it again, Senator, so we're sure she understands what your touch feels like compared to a simple chill or case of goosebumps."

He did and Megan laughed as it happened a few more times.

"Good, now to communicate, decide if you want to use left arm for yes, right arm for no, or two caresses for yes, one for no. Whatever you two decide will work. It's up to you. Now, if either of you need to get a message to the other that is important, Megan can text or call me, and Senator, you're always welcome to come here and find me or come visit at the M.E.'s office. There's a young ghost who stays around there I think you'd like, and right now, Mr. Mayburn is hanging around the place, though his funeral is next week, and I don't think he'll be staying after that."

"Thank you." Senator Gifford smiled at his daughter. "This is a real gift you've given us. I really appreciate it."

Lance nodded. "I'm glad I could help. Now go ahead and practice. Work out how you'll communicate now while I'm here to answer questions. Then you two can enjoy your Friday nights together."

As the two practiced what they wanted to do, Lance smiled and was glad he had this gift. While it could be hard at times, moments like this made it all worth it.