Finding the family in the den, the twins watching a children's program and the adults wondering what was going on in the other room, except Lucy, who was sound asleep on the sofa, oblivious to all the commotion going on around her. “Hey, where's Lu-?” he asked, unable to finish. “Shh!” everyone says, pointing to the sofa. “She said, she needed to rest her eyes, the next thing we know, she was fast asleep,” offers Barbara. Going over and kneeling down, John whispers, “Hey, sleepyhead, mom would like to talk to you,” he gives her a kiss on the forehead, and waits for her to wake up. “Hmm?” struggling to open her eyes, “You want to go for a walk?” she says, still not understanding what he is asking. Gently stroking her hair, he leans closer to her ear and whispers, “My mother would like to talk to you when you wake up,” he smiles. “Things went good then?” “Absolutely,” he whispers. “Good,” she says, smiling and nervously stroking his cheek with her hand. “She really wants to talk,” he persists, “It'll be okay, I promise.” “If you're sure?” “Like you said, now's the time,” helping her to her feet and heading her towards the door. “By the way, she's in the sun room.” “Thanks a lot,” Lucy replies nervously. Heading to the sun room, Lucy makes a silent vow, that Eleanor will not upset her, opening the door, she takes a deep breath, to face the unknown. Entering, she is met by her mother in law. “Lucy, I'm glad we have time to talk. Please have a seat.” “No thanks, I'll stand, if that's okay.” “Whatever is comfortable for you.” There is an awkward silence between the two women, who are so much a part in John's life. “I'd like to begin by apologising for the way I've been treating you, especially today. When John told us at Christmas, that you were pregnant and were going to be married, I thought you were trying to take advantage of his sense of obligation and of his family. But watching the two of you today, showed me, how wrong I was. It's obvious, how much you love each other.” “I guess it's hard to hide how we feel, I'm sorry.” “There's no need to be. It's nice to see young people, who are so much in love these days. I'm curious, and you don't have to answer, if you don't want, but I've more or less, missed John's adolescent years, I was wondering about you and John's courtship.” “Courtship?” Lucy smiles. “I guess that is an old fashion term, isn't it?” Eleanor laughs. “Yeah, but I know what you mean,” Lucy smiles. “Pausing to make sure she chooses the right words, before saying anything, continues, “When I first came to County, all I wanted to be, was a good doctor, and thanks to your son, I am.” “But he said earlier, the two of you didn't always get along. Which I don't believe for one minute,” she smiles. “Well, it's the truth, we had a rather rocky history.” “I was wondering if...” “I would tell you about, us, right?” “If you don't think I'm being too nosy.” “Of course not, I know you're curious about how a girl like me would end up marrying a guy like John,” she says with a little laugh. “Only if you want too. Are you sure you don't want to sit down?” Eleanor asks. “No, I'm fine, thanks.” Pacing the floor, Lucy takes her time to begin telling her mother in law, just how to explain her early relationship with her son. “When I first came to the hospital, John and I fought like cats and dogs. We had a communication problem. Wanting to impress him, I pretended to know more about procedures than I actually did. Because of my stubbornness, I almost lost his respect. I didn't know when to ask for help.” Finally, sitting down, Lucy begins to release some pent up emotions, and continues, “By the time I regained his trust, he was already in another relationship and I had to settle on being a friend. We did do a bit of flirting, which I had hoped would lead to something, but it didn't. We began to take each other for granted and began to drift apart. That's the place our relationship was, at the time of the attack,” Lucy says, with tears streaming down her face. “You don't need to continue, if you don't want too,” Eleanor whispers, taking her hand. “It's okay,” taking a deep breath, she goes on, “After the attack, mom took me home to recover, and I didn't have any contact with John or anyone else from the hospital. I felt it was my fault, what had happened and made no attempt to see how John was doing.” “What changed?” She wiped away tears, “I got a call from one of a doctors here, and she told me that John had gone to Atlanta for rehab. I made up my mind to take charge of my life again, finish medical school and become the doctor that I started out to be.” “So why come back?” “I don't know,” Lucy sighs, “Something was telling me in my heart, I had too. Maybe it was to prove something to myself and others, or maybe I was suppose to come to terms, once and for all, with my feelings for John.” She stopped for a moment to compose herself, “We ended up at the hospital on the same day at the same time, and literally bumped into each other. After talking, we both realized how important, and how short life can be, and if you don't tell those close to you, how you feel, you may never get the chance. John and I got a chance and we're not going to let it pass us by.” “John's so lucky to have you,” Eleanor cries softly, taking Lucy into her arms. “No, I'm the lucky one,” wiping her tear stained face. “And the babies?” “Yes, we should have been more careful, but you know, I wouldn't changed the outcome, whatsoever. I was scared at first, not knowing how John would react, and I even told myself, if he had any doubts about them, I'd raise the baby myself, even if it meant leaving Chicago and going back to Boston. Mom, did it with me, and even though she wouldn't like it, she'd respect my decision, no matter what. I love these babies, because I love their father, so much. I know I've been living in a fantasy world, these past few months, and in June, when the babies arrive, and reality hits, things might get rough,but we're going to lo make it. We both decided, that this is what we want and we'll work hard to make it work.” “I can see the two of you can overcome whatever life has in store for you. Now, I imagine, my son is probably wondering what has happened to you. Why don't you go freshen up and I'll let him know you're on your way back,” she smiles. “Mrs. Carter, thank-” “It's Eleanor, and THANK YOU, Lucy. I know now John is happy with his life.” The two women embrace, and Lucy heads to a bathroom, Eleanor to have a conversation with her son. She finds John alone in the den, “Where is everyone?” she inquires. “Richard and his family are finalising their travel arrangements and I think everyone else decided to get something to eat. Where's Lucy?” he says, looking towards the door. “Things got pretty emotional, for the both of us. She needed to freshen up a bit.” “Is she okay? What she doesn't need is stress at this point of her pregnancy.” “Why's that?” “Her doctor has gone so far as to suggest she have a C-Section, because the stress of the delivery of twins might put on her heart. You didn't say anything to upset her, did you?” “No. Why?” “They almost lost her after her surgery, last year,” he says quietly. “I didn't know the extent of her injuries. John, you've made a wonderful choice. The only thing is....” “What?” he asks, defensively. “She sure does like to talk, doesn't she?” Eleanor laughs. “Wait until you really get to know her,” he grins. “I'll be looking forward to it,” she pauses, “Please tell her goodbye for me, I think I'll call your father, I think it's time, WE get our feelings out in the open.” “That's all I ever wanted the two of you to do. All I want is for us to be a family. I know it won't change overnight, but I think we've made a lot of progress today.” “Take care of yourself, Lucy and my grandchildren. I love you, John.” “I love you too, mom.” Eleanor gives her son a motherly hug and leaves, leaving John alone for only a few minutes before Lucy comes bouncing in. “Where's your mom?” she asks, looking around the room, “She said, she'd let you know what went on.” Taking her in his arms, “She's upstairs on the phone with dad, trying to open the lines of communication, I guess.” Bending down to her level, “Are you okay? She said things got pretty intense.” “Yeah, it did, but in a good way, she's been carrying a lot of guilt for a very long time, she just needed to get it out.” “I am so proud of you,” he says, tweaking her nose. “Oh please,” she smiles, giving him a kiss, “You know what?” “What?” “I don't know about you, but I'm hungry, tired, and I want to go home.” “Your wish is my command. I'll get our jackets and let the others know we're leaving.” Walking to the foyer, Lucy arrives, as the others arrive to say their good byes. Going over to Elizabeth, “Thanks for everything, I'm sorry we weren't able to use the cabin.” “Tell you what, we'll leave the key with Millicent and when the two of you need some time to yourselves, say like, late summer, it will be waiting for you,” Elizabeth smiles. “That would be great,” Lucy gives her a hug. Going to Allison and Olivia, “You guys take care of your mommy and daddy, okay? We'll see you this summer.” “We've been thinking' about something.” “What kiddo?” “Livie and me are really happy you're having two babies.” “Why's that?” “'Cause that means, we don't have to take turns. Allie can hold one baby and I can hold one baby.” “You guys be good,” Lucy says, giving them each a kiss on the top of their heads. Turning to Chase and Barbara, “Chase, thanks so much for the picture, it's beautiful, one of the nicest gifts we've gotten. “If we're lucky, I'll be taking some baby pictures for you in June.” “That would be wonderful! Thanks.” Turning to her sister in law, “I hope to see you soon.” “In June, for sure, I wouldn't miss being here for anything,” gives Lucy a hug. Finally, turning to Millicent, “I don't know how I'm ever going to thank you for everything you've done for us. Your support through all of this has been important to both of us. What you and mom are doing together is ..well, there are no words to express my gratitude.” Looking around for Eleanor, Millicent asks her grandson, “So, where's your mother? The least she could do is tell you goodbye.” “She already said her goodbye's.” Sensing her husband's changing mood, Lucy takes his hand and heads to the door, pulling him away before the wrong words were spoken from either one. “We'll talk to you later,” Lucy says, pulling him out the door. “What was that for?” “I just thought, we'd better leave before you both said something, you might regret later.” “That was probably a good idea. I'm afraid it's going to take Gamma and mother a little longer to iron out the differences between them. Gamma has always blamed her for the way she dumped me and Barbara on her after Bobby died. Don't get me wrong, she loved having us, but she felt we should have been with our parents.” “It wasn't just your mom, your dad would have had to agree about it too.” “I guess they both had problems with being parents. Which, we definitely won't. Right? Come here,” he says softly, taking her gently into his arms. Standing on tip toes, she returns his kiss. John helps her into the Jeep, and she notices Eleanor standing at an upstairs window, watching them leave. Eleanor gives a little wave, that Lucy returns. On the way home, Lucy is lost in thought about the afternoon's events, only to be interrupted, when John takes her hand. “Penny for your thoughts?” he grins. “Oh...it definitely WAS an interesting day, wasn't it?” “We did have some fun though,” he says slyly. “The kitchen, right?” she smiles mischievously. “Yep, I thought, maybe we could finish where we left off tonight,” grinning as he lifts his jacket to reveal a can of whipping cream. “John, you're terrible,” she exclaims, laughing. “Well?” Taking a deep breath, “I don't know, I'm pretty wiped out. We'll see,” she sighs, staring out the window. The rest of the ride home was filled with small talk about the girls but never went into great detail about each others conversation with Eleanor. But each knowing they had each reached a new plateau in their relationship with her. Entering the house, they both throw their jackets on the floor, Lucy heads towards the kitchen and John upstairs. “I'm going to get something to eat. Do you want anything?” “Yeah, you. Come here,” he says, pulling her to him. “JOHN!! I'm serious,” she says, trying not to smile. “I am too. You go upstairs and get ready for bed, I'll bring something up. I know it's been a long day, you need some rest,” he says, giving her a hug and a push up the stairs. Heading upstairs with leftover pizza, John enters the bedroom to find Lucy already asleep. Stripping down to his boxers, he gets in bed and carefully moves her, so her head is laying on his chest. As he does, Lucy opens her eyes and whispers, “I love you John Carter.” “I love you too, Luce,” he whispers back, holding her as close as he can. They both fell asleep.