Tommy knocks on David's apartment door.

David opens the door. "Hey what's up?"

"I was wondering if you would help me plan Dad's bachelor party?"

"Tommy, come in and sit down," David says.

"So what do you think about a bachelor party?" Tommy asks excitedly.

"Tommy, don't you think Dad is a little old for that?" David says.

"Come on David; if the girls are giving Abby a bachelorette party? What's wrong with Dad having a bachelor party?" Tommy pleads.

"Tommy think about it. Dad has been married before. He has eight kids. He's been around."

"Fine if you aren't going to help me, I'll do it myself," Tommy states.

"Whoa hold on little brother don't get bent out of shape. I didn't say I wouldn't help you. I'm just saying that Dad might not appreciate the gesture."

"Aw you know Dad, he may hate it at first but if we get Dr. Max involved he'll go for it."

"Good idea," David says. "So are you ok with it?"

"OK with what?" Tommy asks.

"With Dad getting married again."

"Oh that." Tommy replies "It seems weird; I mean probably all of us deep down knew it was going to happen sooner or later. I guess I didn't think it would happen so soon."

"Yeah neither did I, but as long as Dad and Abby are happy..."

"Well...one thing good you can say about Dad. He has good taste in women."

"That he does." David agrees.

"How do you feel about Dad remarrying?" Tommy asks.

"If it makes him happy I'm all for it."

"Why do I sense there is more to it than what you are saying?" Tommy asks.

"I don't know, because there isn't," David assures him.

"OK, so do you want to call Dr. Max or do you want me?" Tommy asks

"Why don't you do that and I'll call some of Dad's other friends."

"OK," Tommy says. "I'll see ya later then."

David walks him out. "Ok, and hey don't get carried away all right."

"You know me, I won't get carried away," Tommy grins

"Yeah right," David chuckles.

Abby drives Nancy back home and they go inside, Nancy to talk to her sisters and Abby to look for Tom.

"Hi, how was shopping?" Tom asks Abby as she walks into his study.

"Successful," Abby tells him. "I got myself something and Nancy picked out a few dresses for the girls to decide between. She said she'd make sure they got over to the store to try them on, so at least that's almost done."

"Good, and I need to get the boys and I straight. By the way, did it cost much?" Tom asks.

"Well, I won't be sure until the girls make a decision," Abby says, and then quotes him a ball park figure.

"How much?" Tom says as he hears the figure. "Abby I thought we were going to keep it small and dignified."

"Of course we are. What's that got to do with the girls' dresses? Nancy picked out very nice ones, nothing too frilly and nothing in bad taste," Abby says, not understanding Tom's shock at all.

"You let Nancy pick them out?! Abby, Nancy isn't practical at all."

"I think you're underestimating her, but even if you're not, she does have fashion sense, and she picked out dresses that would go with mine," Abby tells him. "And don't even start on trying to question my taste in clothes, OK?"

"Abby I wouldn't do that but still this is a little expensive."

"It's not that bad, and besides--it's part of my gift to my bridesmaids."

"I think I'm going to have a talk with that daughter of mine about taking advantage of someone's generosity," Tom grumbles.

"Tom, she didn't take advantage. There aren't even prices on the dress there, she has no idea what it cost. It's my money, and that's how I chose to spend it. I don't see what the problem is."

"What do you mean you don't see what the problem is?!" Tom rants on about keeping it simple.

"I don't see what the problem is is what I mean," Abby argues back. "What does it matter what I spent on the girls' dresses? I can afford it, and they'll look beautiful. I don't understand what you're making such a fuss over."

"Abby, you're going to have to get used to me paying for everything."

"That is the most ridiculous...Why? I earn a living. True, it'll be less when we get married because I'll lose the widow's benefits, but still...You're just going to ignore the fact that I bring home a paycheck, too?" Abby stares at him. "I really hope you aren't even thinking of asking me to give up working."

Tom looks at her in shock. "You're going to keep working?"

"Tom, how can you even ask that? I've worked really hard to get where I am, and my career means a lot to me. Yes, I plan to keep on working. And going for my Ph.D. I didn't think that was even a question."

~Oh no, what have I done? And how can I stop myself from making it worse?~

Meanwhile Nancy and Joannie hear the argument from the stairway.

Nancy shakes her head and runs back upstairs.

Joannie looks at her sister's retreating figure but decides to eavesdrop some more.

"Tom?" Abby says, waiting for some answer to her statement.

"Abby, no I don't want you to give up everything you have worked so hard for."

"So what do you want me to do, volunteer? I told you before I accepted your proposal that I wouldn't be a typical suburban housewife, but if you insist on living off your paycheck alone, what exactly do you propose to do with mine?"

"I guess with your paycheck you just use it for the things you want to get and we'll use mine the way it's always been used, which means I have to change some of my thinking and not go ballistic about things you want to buy."

Abby begins to play with her engagement ring. "See, I could have sworn you proposed marriage to me; maybe I misheard. What am I going to be? A guest? A boarder? You'll pay for what you always have, and I'll pay for what I want to have. So I pay for my share of the food? The mortgage? Taxes, water, electricity? Is that your idea of marriage, Tom? Because it isn't mine."

"No it's not and that's not the way I meant it. How do you think we should run things?"

"Joan worked, didn't she? What did you do with her paycheck?" Abby asks.

"We used it for bills when the paper was on strike. After the strike she just used it for when she wanted to buy something and I couldn't afford to get it for her."

"I had to ask," Abby mutters. "Look, Tom. See, your kids have made it very clear what I can be and what I can't in this family. Now you're telling me I'm just some ornament. I'm just not sure that I can live with that idea."

"I didn't say you were that at all!!" Tom's voice rises.

"Well, then, what am I going to be? I'm not going to be the mother; your kids have made that very clear. I'm not going to be an equal partner--you're making that real clear. So what's left?"

"Equal partner?" Tom asks. "What ever happened to just husband and wife?" Tom's old fashionedness rears its ugly head once again.

"I don't know--whatever happened to it? Last I checked, a marriage was a husband and a wife--not a parent and a child. If you're not going to treat me like an adult..." Abby says.

Tom sighs. "Abby, I'm sorry if I'm treating you that way. I don't mean to and I'll stop."

"Easier said than done," Abby says. "Look, there's nothing wrong with a person--either of us--having an account on the side, for emergencies or things you don't want to have to clear before you buy. But if I'm going to be part of this family, I want to contribute."

Tom finally gives in. "Ok, if that's what you want, and if we argued about this maybe there's other things we need to talk about before we get married. I don't want you to ever feel like a child again."

"All right, I'm listening," Abby says, wondering what it is he wants to talk about.

"Actually, Abby, I was wondering if there was anything else you wanted to cover."

"'Anything else I wanted to cover'? What is this, a school board meeting?"

"No, and if you wanted to be treated like an equal partner in this marriage you can at least cooperate and answer my question!!"

"I don't remember you answering mine, what exactly you meant by that 'husband and wife' crack!"

"Abby, I didn't mean anything by it."

"Of course you did. If you'd just rather not say, then fine. I don't think we have much left to discuss then."

"Abby I'm not used to all of the new ways. I'm used to working while my wife stays home and runs things there. It's going to take me awhile to get used to doing things differently."

"Runs what things? I'm supposed to sit home all day waiting for Nicholas to come home? I'm willing to cut back on my hours and get home when he does, but look around you, Tom. There aren't any babies here that need constant supervision. What am I supposed to do all day, iron the sheets?"

"No."

Nancy comes back downstairs and sees that Joannie is still eavesdropping.

"I'm going out. Do you want to come with me? Or are you going to listen in on them the rest of the day?"

"I thought I'd listen in. You planning on doing anything more interesting?" Joannie asks.

"No, just going to the drugstore to pick up a few things. We're out of pain medication and a few other things," Nancy tells her.

"Well, if Dad sticks his foot any further down his throat, he'll need pain medication--and a lot of it," Joannie answers.

Tommy walks in and asks "Hey what's going on?"

"Dad is being a jerk and I don't want to hear anymore of him right now," Nancy says.

"Why are you so sure Dad is being a jerk?" Tommy asks.

"Because he wants Abby to stop working and stay at home all day," Joannie tells him.

"So?" Tommy still doesn't understand why they think Dad is being a jerk.

Nancy looks at him and shakes her head.

"So? If Abby weren't working, who knows what kind of old bat you would have been stuck with for five weeks. It's not fair that she has to give up being herself to marry Dad. You don't see Dad quitting his job," Joannie insists.

"That's diff..." Tommy says.

"Anyway, what day can all of you come to look at the dresses?"

"Any afternoon but Tuesday is fine. You Ok, Nance? You don't look so hot."

"Gee thanks, there are men in this town who would think differently about that," Nancy teases.

Tommy then turns to Nancy. "Hey are you OK?"

"Yeah I'm ok I think. My side wants to act like I've been running too much or something. I'm sure pain medication will take care of it," Nancy says as she grabs the car keys and grits her teeth as her side yells at her again. It had been doing that ever since she got back from looking at dresses with Abby.

"Speaking of men in this town, maybe you ought to let Dr. Max take a look at you and give us his opinion," Joannie worries.

"Joannie I'm sure it will go away, I'm fi.." She never has the chance to finish the word as the pain shoots through again and she screams out.

"Nancy! Tommy, go call Dad."

Tommy goes knocks on Tom's study door. "Dad...come quick."

Tom opens the study door. "Tommy we are busy in here, what's so important that you have to interrupt?" he asks having not heard Nancy scream since he and Abby were in a heated discussion.

"There's something wrong with Nancy," Tommy explains.

Tom rushes out of the study and over to Nancy to check her over. "Honey what's wrong? What hurts?" ~Please don't let this be an internal injury that Greg told us to look out for.~

Nancy is about to tell him but winds up screaming again and holding her right side.

"I'm taking her to the emergency room. Will one of you call Max and tell him to meet us there?" Tom says urgently.

"I will," Abby volunteers, and heads back into the study to call.

Greg answers the phone from his house. "Hello?"

"Max? It's Abby. I'm at Tom's house, and Nancy's just collapsed. She says her side is hurting her. Tom's taking her to the emergency room--could you meet us there?"

"Sure, tell him to take her to General, it's the closest hospital from their house." Greg says. "I'll meet all of you there."

"Thanks," Abby says and hangs up, ready to rush outside.

"Nancy can you walk?" Tom asks her.

"I think." She gets up and almost collapses. Tom catches her and lowers her back on to the steps. "Tommy can you help me get her to the car?"

"Yeah" Tommy runs over to Nancy and picks her up and carries her to the car and tells his Dad "Open the car door."

Tom opens the door and they get Nancy situated. Abby comes outside.

"He said to meet him at General. Nancy, would you be more comfortable stretched out in the back seat? I can take one of you with me, and if more want to go, I guess you could take them in the front seat," she tells Tom.

"Well none of the other kids are home right now. Tommy, Joannie one of you go with Abby." Tom says and then turns to Nancy. "Do you want to lie down in the back seat?"

She nods so he and Tommy put her in the back.

"Abby I'd better go. I'll meet you there." He says to her and then looks to see which other kid of his is riding with him.

"I'll go with you, Dad," Joannie volunteers.

"Ok," they then get in the car and head for the hospital.

Tommy says to Abby "Can I ride with you to the hospital?"

"Of course. Just don't expect me to speed like your father does."

"OK...I better go leave a note for the others," Tommy replies.

"Good idea. Where'd you get to be so smart?" Abby teases.

"Well don't think it was your five weeks of tutoring," Tommy teases back.

"Shh. You insult my work and your father will think he has a chance of convincing me to quit."

Tommy just grins. "I'll be right back."

Tommy goes and writes the note and hurries back outside "Ok...I am ready."

Despite her earlier warning, Abby throws the car into gear and peels off almost as fast as Tom had.

"Whoa," Tommy says. "I thought you weren't going to drive like Dad?"

"I'm not," Abby insists. "I may be going as fast, but I'm driving this car a lot better than he ever will."

Tommy just sits there and holds on.

Tom arrives at the hospital in record time and an orderly meets them with a wheelchair and he and Joannie help her into it. Greg has her taken to an examining room and then turns to Tom.

"There's some papers ready for you to sign at the nurses' desk. I'll come and tell you something as soon as I know," he tells Tom before he goes to check Nancy.

Tom signs all of the papers and gets the insurance straight and then goes to wait with Joannie in the waiting room.

Abby and Tommy walk into the waiting room. "How is she?" Abby asks.

"We don't know yet. Greg just went in there to examine her about five or ten minutes ago." Tom says frantically. "Abby I should have kept a better eye on her."

"How would you do that?" Abby says. "You can't watch her 24 hours a day, and even if you could, you can't control what her body will do. And you certainly can't control a force of nature, so if it was the earthquake..."

"Oh yeah, well I wish I could." Tom says as he starts pacing.

"We noticed," Joannie grumbles.

Tom glances at Joannie and decides he'll deal with whatever is bothering her later, right now isn't the time.

Abby walks over to Tom. "Wearing a trench in the floor isn't going to help anyone, you know."

"I know, but I don't know what else to do. I'll never get used to hospital waiting rooms."

"I don't think you're meant to," Abby whispers solemnly, hoping to make Tom smile from her exaggeration.

Tom manages a smile but it quickly fades as he gazes at the doors leading to the examining rooms wishing he could be in there to hold her hand and to calm any fear she might be feeling.

Tommy goes and sits by Joannie "How are you doing?"

"Worried. You?"

"The same."

"It's not fair. She's had a rough enough year so far."

"We all have." Tommy reminds her.

Joannie looks over at her father, sitting next to Abby. "Well, some of us seem to have bounced back pretty well."

"Yeah, but we can't stop life from going on," Tommy says.

"I know, I know. Don't pay any attention to me. Poor Nance. Besides everything else, the car accident and that idiot Rick, and now this. You don't suppose Rick--you know, hurt her--and that's what this is about?"

"No, besides her symptoms would have happened earlier," Tommy says

"Then the earthquake? But how could Dr. Max have missed it when he examined her?"

"Joannie, you are jumping to conclusions. We don't know what happened or how it was caused," Tommy says "Just calm down or Dad will have to worry about you too."

"Like Dad needs an excuse?" Joannie laughs.

One hour later Greg approaches them. Tom rises from his chair. "Greg how is she?"

"Well let me put it this way Tom. You only have to worry about it happening again with five more kids since it's already happened to David and Tommy. Her appendix is about to burst. Her white cell count is very high we have to operate as soon as possible."

Tom's face clouds over in worry and fear. "But how can it be that? There's usually some warning before it gets this bad."

"We think it might be from the fall during the earthquake." Greg tells him. "We just need you to sign the consent form for surgery and then we'll start prepping her."

Tom nods. "Can we see her?"

"After the surgery and after she's out of recovery." Greg assures him and then returns to Nancy. Tom goes and signs the surgery consent form and then returns to Abby and the kids.

"She was acting strange today, when we went shopping. I even asked her if I should call Max, but she kept insisting that she wasn't in pain, at least not physically," Abby admits to Tom. "How do you know when to force the issue and when to listen to them?"

"You learn to look for little signs and sometimes they don't even help," Tom confesses. "Abby if she were in pain then I'm sure she would have told you."

"She would have told you, too, but you were blaming yourself for not keeping a close enough eye on her," Abby points out.

"Well that's what parents do when something like this happens. They always wonder if there were something they could've done different or a way they could've caught it sooner."

"Is it too late to change my mind about this whole parenting thing?" Abby jokes.

"No, you're not getting jitters are you?" Tom asks.

"Of course I am, but don't go getting worried or anything. I'm not backing out," Abby assures him.

"Neither am I." Tom tells her and then looks at Tommy and Joannie. "So is everyone hungry? It's going to be awhile before she's out of surgery."

"How could you think of food at a time like this?" Joannie asks. "And exactly what kind of food were you talking about?"

"Joannie, your sister is going to be ok. She's not the first one to ever have their appendix removed," Tom tries to assure her and himself.

"Will she be all right in time for the wedding?" Joannie asks.

"If all goes well yes."

"I guess I could go down to the cafeteria for sandwiches if you want," Tommy replies.

"Ok, I'll go with you," Tom says.

"What kind of sandwich would you like?" Tommy asks Joannie and Abby.

"We're risking all of us getting put in the hospital," Joannie says.

"Cute," Tom says. "We can order out. Does pizza sound good to everyone?"

"That would be better than sandwiches." Tommy replies.

"Anything would be better than sandwiches," Joannie mutters.

"Pizza's fine with me," Abby says.

"Good, we'll be back in a little while," Tom says and then he and Tommy go to get the pizza.

Joannie sits in the room awkwardly, not knowing what to say to Abby. She's glad her father is happy and is settling down again, but it's a bit too strange, Abby sitting here with them as though they were all one happy family. ~It should be Mom. She should still be here. I like Abby,but she isn't Mom.~

Mary walks in the waiting room and sees Abby and Joannie sitting there. "I got Tommy's note. How is she?"

"It's her appendix; they've got her in surgery now," Abby says.

"OK..." Mary turns to Joannie and says "I called the Landers's. They are keeping Nicholas there with Kenny P."

After getting pizza for everyone Tom phones home and one of the kids answers.

Elizabeth had walked into the house and heard the phone ringing so she picks up the phone. "Hello?"

Tom tells her what's going on and she heads for the hospital. She sees Tommy first.

"Tommy how is she?" Elizabeth asks.

"She is still in surgery," Tommy replies.

"Oh," Elizabeth says as her face clouds in guilt and she sits down.

Tom approaches her. "Do you want any pizza?"

Elizabeth shakes her head. "Dad can I ask you something?"

"Sure," he sits down beside her. "What is it?"

"Did Joannie and I attacking Nancy and tickling her aggravate it, I mean did it cause this?" She asks.

"Oh honey no, don't even think that," he assures her.

"But she wasn't supposed to be doing any physical activity yet, doesn't that qualify as physical activity?" Elizabeth asks.

"Elizabeth, she could've been lying in bed all this time and it still would've happened. It was the fall from the quake that made this worse than it would have been."

Several hours later Greg approaches them again.

"Greg how is she?" Tom asks.

"There were some complications in surgery but she made it through. She's in recovery right now. And we saved her appendix if she wants to look at it later," he jokes.

Tom smiles. "Thanks Greg, when can we see her?"

"As soon as she's out of recovery and in her own room," Greg promises.

Tommy corners Dr. Max. "Dr. Max could I speak with you alone?"

"Sure Tommy, but it'll have to wait till your sister is out of recovery," Greg says. "I have to get back to her."

"OK. I'll wait for you here," Tommy says.

"Ok," later Greg returns and tells them she's out of recovery. Tom goes to see her while Tommy and Max go to his office to talk. "What is it Tommy?"

"Well, I want to throw Dad a bachelor party," Tommy replies. "What do ya think?"

Greg laughs. "Tommy, that's exactly what I've been thinking. Let me know what you need me to do and I'll do it."

"Since I am too young to arrange the liquor; Could you handle that and also invite Dad's friends; you know them better than I do. I will handle the place and entertainment." Tommy winks.

Greg looks at him for a moment. "Sure I'll do that and are you sure you can handle that Tommy?"

"I may be only 15 but I have my ways," Tommy replies.

Greg smiles. "Ok then I call you when the arrangements are made."

"Thanks Dr. Max." Tommy replies.

Later, after Nancy is out of recovery and in her own room:

"Do you want to see your appendix?" the nurse asks.

Nancy makes a face. "Er no, I trust that he took it out."

The nurse leaves for a minute and then Tom comes in.

Nancy glares at him and shakes her head.

Tom kisses her on the cheek. "Do you want to tell me what's wrong?"

"How's Abby, is she ok?" Nancy retorts.

Tom sighs. "Nancy, not now. You're in no condition to be picking fights. Besides you shouldn't be eavesdropping."

"Who was eavesdropping? You two were very loud, Dad." She groans from the pain of surgery.

"Honey, we're not going to discuss this now, if ever. You get some rest," he insists.

"Rest is for sick people," she counters.

"Well, right now you are sick," he says.

"Am not; they took out what was making me sick."

"They might have taken it out but you're still not fully recovered from it." ~Stop arguing with her, Tom. You're the parent here; use some reasoning.~

"Ok, whatever you say. Look, I'm sorry if I scared you earlier," she says.

He smiles and gently hugs her. "Don't worry about that it's all part of being a parent," he assures her.

She eventually falls asleep.

When Tom comes out of Nancy's room Abby asks him how Nancy is doing.

"She's irritable and impatient. She already wants to argue, and probably wants to get out of bed and work on wedding plans," Tom shakes his head.

"Sounds about right for a Bradford."

He smiles and kisses her, hoping that the argument from earlier is over with.

A nurse comes over to them. "Visiting hours are just about over. Mr. Bradford, you're her father, so if you'd like to stay a little longer, you may, but everyone else should leave."

"Ok, is it ok if my fiancee stays?" Tom asks.

"Fiancee? I'm not sure; I've never been asked before," the nurse says.

"Then it must be ok," Tom says.

"I'm not sure about that," the nurse looks skeptical, "but as long as you don't tell anyone I said it was all right, she can stay."

"Thank you."

"Can't the kids stay, too?" Abby asks, pushing her luck.

"No, I'm sorry; we can't let too many people stay after visiting hours," the nurse insists.

"You want to tell them or should I?" Abby asks Tom.

"I'll tell them," Tom says. He approaches his children. "You guys are going to have to go home now. You can see her in the morning I promise."

"But Dad," Joannie tries whining, but gets nowhere.

"What do you want me to tell Nicholas?" Mary asks.

"The truth and that she's ok."

"All right," Mary replies and gives her Dad a kiss on the cheek and turns to her sisters and brother. "Come on guys, lets go home."

"You coming, too?" Joannie asks.

"No, I'm going to stay for a bit in case she needs anything," he tells her.

"We won't all fit in Abby's car," Joannie says. "Call us when you're ready to leave and one of us will come pick you up."

"Actually you can take the station wagon. I'll get a ride home from Abby," Tom tells her.

"Hold on a minute. We have to go but Abby gets to stay? She's not even family!"

"Joannie...." Mary starts to say.

"Joannie, she will be family soon, and it's not our choice that you kids have to go home," Tom says.

Abby tries to play peacemaker. "Maybe I should just go home, too. I mean, who knows if Nancy will wake up soon, or if she's even up to seeing me tonight."

"Abby, you don't have to go home," Tom says. "But you're right. She might sleep the rest of the night anyway."

"Then I guess I'll go," Abby says, trying to hide that she's hurt. "Can you drop me off at my apartment?" she asks the kids. "Tom, you can take my car--I'll get it back from you--whenever."

"Sure, I'll drop you off," Mary says.

Tom looks at Joannie and then at Abby and makes a decision. "Abby can I talk to you alone please? Kids you should be getting home. You can see your sister tomorrow I promise."

Joannie grumbles but picks up her purse.

Mary takes Joannie aside. "Do you want to tell me what that little scene in the waiting room was about?"

"Oh, come on, don't tell me you think it was fair," Joannie says. "She's known Nancy less than two months and she gets to stay, but her own sisters and brother don't?"

"Did you ever think that maybe she wants to stay because Dad needs her?" Mary asks.

Joannie frowns. "I guess not. But Dad was doing fine before she came along, and he could have turned to us, you know. That's what family is for."

"Joannie, I don't have to tell you that Dad was not doing fine. Deep down you know that. Cut Abby some slack. She has made him happy again. Not to mention how much she has helped Tommy and Nicholas and Nancy," Mary replies trying to get Joannie to back off.

"Hey, who was the one busy planning their wedding while the two of them locked themselves in Dad's study to fight?" Joannie says, a little annoyed at her sister.

"Since when is fighting not a normal occurrence at home?" Mary replies "As for you planning the wedding are you doing it to help Dad and Abby or are you doing it to find a way to sabotage the event?" Mary asks.

"That was really low, Mary. I just want to make it beautiful. I may not be thrilled with the whole idea, but it'll make Dad happy. He even likes fighting with her," Joannie says, shaking her head.

"Ok, I admit maybe that was low and I am sorry. But Abby is not the enemy here," Mary explains. "I know it is hard to see anyone else with Dad except Mom. I am feeling it too. But I also can see how happy she has made Dad and for that I will welcome her into the family."

"I know that, but when she get treated as though she's Mom...Sometimes I wish we could just move out of the house and start over, so I'd never have to see her sitting at Mom's place or coming out of Mom's room some morning."

Mary hugs Joannie "I know. Look why don't you talk to Dad or I am going to mention something you are not going to like; talk to Abby. Now before you jump down my neck. Hear me out. Tell her or both of them how you feel. Its better than keeping all these feelings bottled up inside. Even Nicholas said that he felt better after talking to her and I bet you will too if you give it a shot."

"What am I supposed to say to them?" Joannie asks. "'Hey, I'm glad the two of you are happy, but would you mind sleeping in separate rooms so I don't have to think about the fact that you are married?'"

"It's a start," Mary tells her.

"And while I'm at it I'll ask Dad to wave his magic wand and move time back a year," Joannie jokes.

"I am sure he would if he could; but he can't. I am going to share something with you that a friend told me at school not long after Mom died. He told me that when we lose somebody sometimes what we get in return is twice-fold. Now what he was saying was that nothing and nobody can replace her but we do get things along the way to help us through our journey in life and maybe Abby is one thing that was meant to do that."

Joannie thinks for a minute. "Look, I know this wedding is a good thing. And I do like Abby, I'm glad Dad found her. I shouldn't have blown up at her tonight and I'll apologize, and I'll be nice from now on. But allow me a while to get used to the idea--I mean, two months ago none of us even knew Abby and now she's going to be part of the family."

"Let you on a little secret. It hasn't exactly had me jumping for joy either. But we just need to give it some time. Besides at least it will bring one more car in the family," Mary jokes.

"Oh, now, that's a great bribe. Dad can have Abby if I can have that darling little car. Friends?" she asks Mary, hoping her sister isn't angry with her anymore.

"Friends," Mary smiles. "Come on lets get the others and go home."

"Yeah, let's go."

After all the kids leave Abby turns to Tom, waiting to hear what he wants to talk to her about.

"First of all, you and I aren't the only ones that will have to make some adjustments; the kids will have to also. I'll talk to Joannie later about her behavior."

"Tom, please don't. You'll only make things worse," Abby says. "Besides, she's planning most of the wedding, so how strongly could she oppose it? She's just upset about Nancy, that's all."

"I know but she didn't have to take it out on you." Tom says. "And why can't I have you here with me? Without having to explain the why to my daughter?"

"Because she is your daughter. I can only imagine you're not acting the way she's used to you acting, and that would concern me, if it were my father. So what's the second of all?"

Tom ponders this. "You're right, I'm being insensitive towards her. I'll talk to her when I get home. And the second of all is please stay here with me."

"For as long as you want."

Tom smiles and is about to kiss her when he hears screaming from Nancy's room. They both rush in there and can tell she's having a nightmare. Tom also notices that with the way she is thrashing in her sleep that she'll end up yanking the IV out. He's at her side in an instant trying to wake her and calm her down.

Abby grabs Nancy's hand and upper arm, so if she continues to move around, at least her IV will be safe. "Come on, Nancy, it's just a dream. Keep screaming like that and you'll scare all the cute doctors away."

Nancy awakens upon hearing this and smiles at her Dad and Abby. "Hey," she says. "What happened?" she asks, having not remembered the bad dream.

"A bad dream," Abby says, smoothing the hair off Nancy's forehead. "You OK now?"

"I'm ok, I don't remember the dream." Nancy groans in pain. "I thought surgery was supposed to take care of the pain."

"Actually you're going to be sore for a few more days." Tom pushes the nurse call button.

The nurse comes in and begins fussing over Nancy and her chart.

"Can you give her something for the pain?" Tom asks her.

She checks the chart. "Yes, I can. But it will put her out for the night, so once it takes effect you might as well go home and come back tomorrow." She goes outside and comes back with a needle. "Would you mind stepping out for a minute?" the nurse asks Tom and Abby.

Tom hesitates.

"Dad I'll be ok. Go ahead, you can come back when she's done," Nancy says to him.

He and Abby step out while nurse injects the pain medication. After she's done they return and Nancy says a few things that don't make sense before she drifts off to sleep. Tom smiles and kisses her on the forehead.

Abby sits by Nancy's bedside, watching Tom. After it's clear Nancy's out, she asks, "Do you want to stay here a while longer, or go home and get some sleep?"

Tom yawns. "I think I'd better get home and get some sleep, and I'm sure you're tired too."

"Come on, sleepyhead, let's get you home," Abby says and leads him out of the hospital room.

After he arrives home and kisses Abby goodnight, Tom seeks Joannie out before going to bed.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asks her.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I already told Mary that I'll apologize to Abby tomorrow. It just got to me, that's all. I am happy that you're happy, really."

"I know it did and I can understand why. If it were my sister that had been operated on I'd be angry too if they told me I couldn't see her. Yet someone who wasn't a member of the family yet could. I'm sorry too," Tom says. "And are you really ok with this marriage?"

"No, but I will be," Joannie answers. "And I love getting to plan a wedding."

"Is it your mom? Is that why you're upset?"

"Mainly. I mean, this time last year Mom was alive, and now you're getting married to someone else. It's just a lot of change very quickly," Joannie admits.

"I know it is, and I never expected to find someone else so soon but I have. And I know it can't be easy planning the wedding when you feel this way. If you need to talk about your mom or a shoulder to cry on, I'm here," Tom tells her.

"Nah, I'm fine. Mary and I had a long talk and I realized that it's OK if it takes some time. Besides, I'm sure once I get over the first shock of not having to ground you when you lock yourself in a room with Abby I'll be fine."

Tom smiles. "Ok but if that changes, come and tell me ok? That's what dads are for."

"Why don't you concentrate on being a groom for a while. We'll do fine until things settle down." Joannie yawns. "It's been a long day. I'm going to go to bed. Night, Dad."

"Goodnight honey." Tom kisses her and then goes to bed himself.