Friday afternoon, Joannie stands at the bottom of the steps. "Mary! Susan! Elizabeth! Come on! We're going to be late!"

"I am here Joannie; what's the rush?" Mary says.

"Dad is calling a family meeting for 7, and even without Nancy we'll take forever, fighting over mirrors."

"Family meeting? I don't like the sound of that," Mary replies.

"He and Abby want to talk to us about something--give you one guess what."

"Them getting married?"

"Well, Dad wasn't hitting the pie a la mode, so I guess we didn't screw that up. But I thought everything was straightened out once Elizabeth came home--I wonder what's up now?" Joannie looks up the stairway impatiently. "Susan! Elizabeth! Get a move on!"

Elizabeth comes downstairs.

"Susan!" Joannie yells.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Susan says, racing down the stairs.

"About time," Joannie mutters and grabs the keys to the station wagon. "I can't wait until we get the sedan back."

"I heard that," Susan replies.

"Come on, we are wasting time," Mary says.

"OK, let's go, or we'll never make it back on time." Joannie drives them all to the address Nancy gave her.

"So, you're Abby's new brood, are you?" Ellen asks as she shows the girls the dresses Nancy had picked out.

"Yes we are," Elizabeth says.

"She always does do things in a big way," Ellen murmurs, and then takes the girls to the back room. "This is the dress your sister especially liked," she points one out, "but try them all on before you make a decision."

Once Ellen leaves, Joannie whispers, "Pretty ritzy place No wonder Dad hit the ceiling about the price."

"Yeah really," Elizabeth agrees.

"I like this one," Joannie pulls out a dress, not the one Nancy liked. "What about you?"

"It's pretty good, but I like this one better." Elizabeth shows her a dress.

"Ugh, no. Dad would like that one," Joannie complains.

Elizabeth looks at her with mocked hurt. "Joannie how could you insult my tastes like that," she jokes.

"Truth hurts, huh?"

"Shut up." Elizabeth laughs and takes a second look at the dress Joannie picked out. "Ok I'll go and try it on." She goes to try on the dress and comes out wearing it. "What do you think?"

"You'll do," Joannie teases. "You'd look better if it weren't for all that hair."

"Oh no you don't. You're not making me get a haircut," Elizabeth protests.

"But you'd look so good in a crew-cut," Joannie says.

"Hmm," Elizabeth glances at her for awhile. "So would you."

"Really? It might give me a new image at school. Get me out of playing doomed princesses. Maybe I should just dye it lilac or something," Joannie teases back.

Elizabeth laughs.

Joannie turns to her other sisters. "Mary, Susan, aren't you going to try on any dresses?"

"Actually I am going to try on the ones Nancy and Abby picked out," Mary counters.

"Nancy will never let you live it down if you agree with her."

Mary laughs but then says, "We can't just pick any dress we want for the wedding; obviously Abby had to approve Nancy choices or we would be here choosing between them."

"But there are five dresses here and only one Nancy really liked," Joannie points out. "Besides, Abby was so anxious to have us all like her that she would have approved of anything Nancy chose."

"OK...it is your neck; but as for me I am going to choose between the ones Abby and Nancy picked out," Mary says as she grabs her size.

"How about this one instead?" Joannie hands Mary a different one of the five dresses which Abby and Nancy had approved of.

"Joannie," Mary says in exasperation.

"Fine, fine," Joannie says and tries on the same dress. "What do you think?"

"I know it isn't something you would pick out, but for the wedding it is actually nice."

"It looks great on you," Elizabeth says.

"Well, if you and Susan like it, too, I suppose we could get these," Joannie concedes.

Elizabeth goes to try one of them on and comes out in it. "What do you think?"

"Looks pretty good on you," Joannie says. "Even with all that hair."

"Gee thanks," Elizabeth smiles. "Mary, Susan, your turn."

Susan heads into the dressing room to try on one of the dresses and comes back out a few minutes later "So, what do you guys think? It doesn't clash with my hair or anything?" Susan says jokingly.

"I think it looks very nice on you," Elizabeth says.

Mary goes in and comes out with a dress on. "Well?" she asks.

"Looking good," Elizabeth says.

A few minutes before 7, Abby knocks on the Bradfords' door.

Tommy answers the door. "Hi Abby, come on in."

"Is it safe for me to come in?" Abby asks, only half-joking.

"Well let's see. I think we lock up all the guns," Tommy jokes.

Abby flinches slightly, but then says, "I suppose it's as safe as it'll get then."

"Abby, its going to be OK," Tommy tries to reassure her.

"I'll take your word for it. Lead on."

They go into the living room where the rest of the family is waiting.

Tom gets up and joins Abby, he kisses her and then they both sit down with the kids.

"You kids are probably wondering why Abby and I called this meeting," Tom begins.

"Well the thought has crossed our minds," Nancy says. "What's up?"

"Yeah, will this take long I have plans with the guys in an hour," Tommy states.

"It depends on all of you," Tom begins. "Abby and I would like to know how you feel about us getting married. Who wants to start?"

"You know how we feel. We haven't exactly been subtle," Joannie says, and shoots an evil look at Elizabeth. "Why don't we discuss plans for the wedding instead?"

"Do you have something you want to say to me Joannie?" Elizabeth asks.

"Just that maybe you should do the talking, since you're the one who objected the most," Joannie answers.

"And that's why you glared at me?" Elizabeth mumbles. "Ok I admit that this wedding thing does seem weird and it seems like it's happening pretty fast."

Abby looks at Tom. ~She's your daughter, you answer her.~

"I know it seems that way honey, but things will calm down soon," Tom tells her.

"How?" Joannie asks. "We aren't talking about planning the wedding, we're taking about the marriage."

~How? I don't know how. Abby help.~ "Well when we get used to each other and the every day routines it will calm down."

"I guess we will all have to make adjustments, but we will be OK," Mary replies.

"Are you sure?" Tom asks.

"I'll admit this whole marriage thing has thrown me for a loop; I can't speak for the rest of the group. But if you are happy; then I am happy for you," Mary says.

Tommy nods in agreement as does Nicholas.

"I'm ok with it," David says.

"Yeah so am I. I had doubts Sunday after that lady at the dress shop made comments but I got over them real quick." Nancy smiles at Abby.

"Bottom line is," Abby says, "I love your father, and I want to be part of this family. I'm not going to try to take your mother's place, but I need the room to make my own place. Can you guys be OK with that, and can you give me that leeway?" She looks at the kids who haven't yet voiced an opinion.

Tom also looks at them hoping the opinion is a good one.

Nancy goes to the kitchen to get something to drink and comes back. She glances at Susan and Joannie. ~Come on you two say something.~

"I can do that," Joannie says.

"Sure," replies Susan.

Tom sighs in relief and whispers to Abby. "See, I told you it wouldn't be that bad."

"If you say so," Abby whispers back, still not quite convinced that it is as easy as it seems.

"So can I go now?" Tommy asks

Tom nods.

"Thanks," Tommy says and leaves.

A couple days before Halloween. Nicholas sees Joannie in the kitchen "Can you help me find some clothes for my Halloween costume?"

Joannie barely looks up from her clipboard. "Does it have to be now, Nicholas? I'm kind of busy right now."

"Halloween is two days away." Nicholas reminds her.

"And the wedding's only ten days away." Joannie sighs. "OK, Nicholas, what do you need?"

"I am going as a hobo...I need some old clothes," Nicholas replies.

"I've got an old jacket I used when I was a tramp in a play, but pants are going to be difficult--all of ours will be way to big on you," Joannie says. "Let's go up to the attic and see what we can find."

"Cool." Nicholas says as they go to the attic.

Joannie looks around at the mess. "Look at all this junk. I can't believe Mom let any part of the house look like this."

After Joannie mentions Mom's name he quietly goes over and sits down on an old chair.

"I wouldn't sit down on any of this stuff if I were you," Joannie says, and then she looks more closely at her brother. "Nicholas? Are you OK? What's wrong?"

"Remember last year when Mom made me that pirate outfit?" Nicholas asks.

"Yep. Mom made the best costumes, didn't she? I remember once she made me into a robot--all my friends were so jealous. Good thing you're going to be a hobo, 'cause I couldn't make you anything half as good as Mom could," Joannie admits. "Hey, why don't you ask Abby to help you? She'll have to get used to do that kind of thing soon, anyway."

"I did." Nicholas says "She's going to help me with the makeup."

"Better let me handle that," Joannie says. "What does she know about it, anyway? I'm the one who's studying acting."

"You sure?" Nicholas asks. "I don't want to hurt Abby's feelings."

"She's going to have to learn that being over-sensitive is a luxury around here one way or another, and you do want to look good Halloween, don't you?"

"Yeah," Nicholas concedes.

"Besides," Joannie adds, "she'll be all busy with the wedding, and her parents coming in and all that. Just easier all around to let me handle it, OK?"

"OK."

"Now we'd better look for some pants for you or you're going to be one strange looking hobo."

Nicholas laughs.

Joannie starts going through some boxes. "Why on earth are we keeping all this junk?" she asks herself. After a while she say, "Tah-dah! I think I've struck paydirt."

Nicholas looks at the pants and laughs. "Hey those are cool."

"A little dirt, some makeup, and you'll be the toast of the boxcars," Joannie promises.

"Cool," Nicholas replies.

Nicholas puts on his hobo outfit that Joannie found and he hears a knock on his bedroom door.

"Come in."

Joannie comes in with her makeup kit. "Time to filthy you up. You remembered to tell Abby she's off the hook?"

"No, I thought you were going to tell her," Nicholas replies.

"Well, we'd better let her know or she'll get the wrong idea," Joannie says. The door opens and her sister walks in. "Hey, Nancy."

Nancy walks in, she's in the middle of getting ready for a Halloween party which will be at one of the frat houses at college. "Hey Joannie, hey Nicky, is Tommy or Dad taking you out tonight?"

"Dad always does."

"Ok well have a good time, and don't eat all of your candy tonight." She leaves the room and returns to getting ready.

"You sure Dad's taking you out?" Joannie asks. "He's so crazy about this wedding that I'm not even sure he remembers it is Halloween."

"I don't know," Nicholas says. "Do you want me to call Abby or are you going to?"

"You. No one gets angry with you," Joannie says.

Nicholas laughs and goes to his dad's room to calls Abby.

The phone rings at Abby's place.

Abby closes the box she's packing and picks up the phone. "Hello."

"Hi Abby, it's Nicholas."

"Nicholas? Oh, no--it's Halloween, isn't it? I'm so sorry--I can get over to you in--oh, a half hour. If I can find where I put my makeup," Abby apologizes.

"That's ok; Joannie said she will do it. We forgot to call you, I am sorry," Nicholas says.

"No, it's OK--I forgot about it completely--I warned you I would," Abby says. "I'm glad Joannie helped you out. She's probably better at that than I am, anyway. You going out soon? I'd love to come over and see how you turned out."

"Yeah, as soon as I can find Dad."

"You can't find him?" Abby asks. "What'd he do, run away from home? If you can wait 15 or 20 minutes, I can get over there--when you come back you'll be too focused on your haul to want to show off, I guess."

"OK See ya in awhile," Nicholas says and hangs up the phone.

Meanwhile in Nancy and Elizabeth's room.

"Can I go with you to the Halloween party?" Elizabeth asks.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because you're too young," Nancy replies. "Frat parties are too wild."

"Then why are you going?" Elizabeth asks.

"I like wild parties," Nancy answers.

"Well I do too, and I have to go to one sometime."

"Forget it Elizabeth, besides if I took you and Dad found out he would kill me."

"Are Susan and Joannie going to be there?"

"I don't know," Nancy says.

Elizabeth goes to seek Joannie out and finds her helping Nicholas.

"Hey Joannie are you going to that party Nancy is going to?"

"That frat thing? No way. I'm getting together with a bunch from the drama department. I heard that some actors from a rep company in San Francisco are going to come, too."

"Ok," Elizabeth leaves the room and finds Susan. "Hey Suzy are you going to that frat party tonight?"

"Yeah, I was planning on going," replies Susan.

"Can I go with you?" Elizabeth asks.

"Actually I was planning on going with Luke," Susan says.

"But Nancy won't take me; she says I'm too young," Elizabeth pouts.

"I have to agree with Nancy. I think you're too young, too," replies Susan.

"Thanks anyway," Elizabeth says and leaves the room.

Nancy finishes getting ready and seeks Tom out. "Dad can I stay out till 2am tonight? It's ok I'll be with Jason and Cassie."

"No you can't stay out till 2am, and don't you have a date also?" he asks.

"No, not that Cassie hasn't tried to fix me up because she has, how bout 1:30am."

"One, and not a minute later."

"Thanks Dad." She kisses him on the cheek and then finds Tommy. "Hey Tommy what do you have planned tonight? And whatever it is can you bring Elizabeth so she doesn't try to go to the frat party?"

"I can't. I am going over to Mick's; a bunch of guys are going to watch horror flicks on Ch 3."

"Elizabeth likes horror flicks."

"Forget it, I am not going to babysit Elizabeth," Tommy says.

"Ok, if she shows up at the party and some drunk frat guy tries to get her in his room I guess I'll have to come to the rescue."

Tommy rushes in Tom's study and says, "I'll be home by 1 am."

"Make that midnight young man," Tom says.

"But Dad, that is when all the real fun begins."

"Tommy, I said midnight, I can't give you the same curfew as your sister, she's older."

"I won't tell if you don't," Tommy says. "Besides it is Halloween."

"No, Tommy."

Before Tommy can argue anymore, Nicholas comes down. "Hey Dad, are you ready to go?"

Tom's about to answer when the doorbell rings. It's Abby coming over to see Nicholas in his costume.

Nancy opens the door and lets her in. "Hi Abby come on in." ~Jason, Cassie hurry up. You two are worse than you were in high school about being late.~

"Hi Abby, bye Abby," Tommy says as he runs out the door.

"Hi," Abby tries to get in as Tommy whirlwinds past her. She looks at Tom and shrugs. "I hear you've taken in a hobo. I thought maybe I could get a look at him before he went to prowl the neighborhood."

Tom smiles. "Sure, he's around here somewhere, Nicholas!!"

"Hi Abby," Nicholas says.

"Hey, Nicholas. You look great. Joannie did a good job."

"Thanks, did you want to come with me and Dad?"

"I'd love to. Who knows--maybe I'll go home with some treats, too," Abby says, looking at Tom and smirking.

"You like candy too?" Nicholas asks.

"Yeah. I have a real weakness for sweet things," Abby answers, still looking at her fiance.

Tom blushes. "Are you two ready to go?"

"I'm ready," Abby says. "Nicholas?"

"Yeah lets go," Nicholas says as he leads them out the door.

"You took all the kids out trick or treating?" Abby asks Tom as Nicholas goes to ring his first doorbell.

"Yep," Tom smiles. "I love this holiday." He tells her about Halloweens past. "Nancy--she was always scared of the haunted houses, but not Susan she wanted to go in every single one."

"And what about you?" Abby asks. "Did you do a lot of trick or treating when you were a kid?"

Tom's face clouds over. "No I didn't, that's why I've always enjoyed it so much with the kids."

"Why not?" So far Tom's told her little bad about his childhood, besides the fact that his mother raised them alone.

"My mom was working all of the time and so was my sister, and the lady who watched me didn't believe in that, but she would throw a party for all of the kids in the neighborhood."

"Is that why you wanted me to quit working and stay home?" Abby asks, finally putting it together.

"That's part of the reason," Tom says.

"And the other part?"

"My old fashioned male chauvinism," he says in an embarrassed tone.

"Well, you're getting better if you can admit it," Abby laughs. Nicholas comes back to them with his haul. "So how'd you make out, Nicholas?" Abby asks. "Was it trick or was it treat?"

"A treat this time," Nicholas says. "You want some?"

"I think I'll wait until I see what else you get tonight," Abby says.

"OK," Nicholas says as they continue on their way.

"So what are your plans for after Nicholas is finished?" Abby whispers to Tom as they walk towards the next house.

"Actually I didn't have any. Why, do you want to take me out?" Tom smiles.

"Maybe we could go trick or treating," she teases.

Tom smiles. "Ok," he replies, wondering what she really has in mind.

Abby can tell from the look on his face what he must be wondering. "Get your mind back where it belongs, Tom. I'm nearly a married lady again."

Tom kisses her and puts his arm around her while they walk with Nicholas.

~This is nice~ Abby thinks. ~A family. I could get used to this. I *am* getting used to this.~

As they go on, Nicholas's stash gets larger and larger. "You let him eat all that candy?" Abby asks Tom. "Your dentist bills must be sky-high."

"Not all in one sitting, that candy might still be around when Thanksgiving arrives."

"Remind me not to serve it to anyone--and to check Nicholas's room for bugs," Abby jokes.

Tom laughs.

"What would you like to do after he empties the neighborhood of candy?" Abby asks.

"I don't know, maybe go out for coffee or ice cream."

"That sounds good to me." They walk the rest of the neighborhood with Nicholas, then take him home and go out again without him.

A little while later Jason and Cassie show up and Nancy leaves with them. The party becomes too wild for even them so they go hang out at the old burger joint they used to hang out at in high school.

"Brad Rivers is having a party tonight," Jason says.

"No way; the last time I saw him he tried to slip Spanish Flies into my drink," Nancy says.

"I hear he's a pimp or hustler now," Cassie adds.

"We can go and toilet paper and egg the high school."

"That's for high school kids to do," Nancy says.

"Oh so that's what Tommy and Elizabeth are *really* doing tonight," Jason teases.

Nancy laughs. "Yep they're carrying on the old tradition."

A few moments pass.

"So I hear your dad's getting married again," Cassie states.

"You heard right."

"How do you feel about it?" Cassie asks hoping she's not skating on thin ice.

"She's a very nice lady. And they're very good for each other," Nancy answers.

"You didn't answer her question," Jason says.

"Ok it was a little much to take at first, but I'm happy about it now," she says. "Hey lets go get a few six packs and go to Jason's apartment," Nancy says.

"I'm all for that," Jason says. "My roommate is out of town anyway."

"Hey aren't you supposed to be recovering from surgery or something?" Cassie lectures.

"I'm all recovered it's cool, and besides weren't you the one who snuck out to drink with all of us during Junior year two days after you got out of the hospital from having your appendectomy?"

"That's different I was a stupid kid. What's your excuse?" Cassie asks.

"I don't have one," Nancy says. They go to the liquor store, pick up a few six packs and then head over to Jason's apartment.

Nancy calls home and Elizabeth answers the phone.

"Hey is Dad home?"

"No, he's out with Abby. Nicholas made out trick or treating."

"Cool, just make sure he checks the candy before he eats it ok, and can you tell Dad that I'm spending the night at Cassie's?"

"Sure." They both hang up and then Cassie calls her parents and tell them that she's spending the night at Nancy's house. Nancy looks at her strangely.

"Hey they haven't gotten used to the idea that Jason and I have moved on to the next level in our relationship ok."

"Oh is that what you call it, the next level?" Nancy teases.

"Shut up blondie."

"Hey I'm the only one who's allowed to make blond jokes," Nancy protests.

"Well I'm your best friend so I am too." The three of them proceed to get smashed.

While Tom and Abby are out for ice cream:

"Tom, have you told your in laws you're getting remarried?" Abby asks.

"No not yet," Tom says.

"I'm surprised the kids haven't told their grandparents," Abby says.

"Well I don't know if they have or haven't. I was planning on calling them tomorrow."

"How do you think they'll react?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen them since the funeral."

"You haven't?" Abby asks, surprised. "They don't come by to see the kids?"

"No they haven't; it's been quite awhile, but I'm sure they will."

"I couldn't imagine that, having grandchildren and not seeing them for months, especially under the circumstances. I told my father-in-law," Abby confides. "I almost didn't at first, but..."

"I couldn't imagine it either," Tom says. "I've called them since the funeral, they know they can come at any time to see the kids."

Abby shakes her head. "I speak to my parents every week." She hesitates a minute. "Do you think that will be a problem? That the kids might resent that my parents call more often that their own grandparents do? I could arrange for them to call when none of the kids are around, or I could call them, so the kids don't know," Abby offers, though the idea of hiding her parents away in deference to a couple who can't bother calling their own family hurts.

"Abby don't be silly. I'm sure the kids won't feel that way at all," Tom says. "They're your parents. Just because my in-laws haven't seen their grandchildren in awhile doesn't mean that you should hide the fact that you talk to your parents every week."

"If you say so," Abby answers, not at all certain Tom really knows the way his kids' minds work.

Tom finishes his ice cream. "Abby, I'll talk to them and see why they've been staying away."

"Good. There's enough potential for problems in the whole situation without adding in problems between the kids and their grandparents. Come on, we ought to get you home so you can make sure the kids all meet their curfews, Mr. Warden," she teases.

"Can I drive?"

"Sure," Abby says. "When are you getting the sedan back, anyway?" she asks, hoping that she won't be besieged by requests for her car from the kids once she moves in.

"I should be getting it back in a few days," Tom says as they leave.

"Good. I'd hate to see what Joannie would come up with for alternative transportation if you didn't get it back in time for the wedding." She hands him the car keys.

Tom laughs and drives the car back to the Bradford house. He kisses Abby goodnight before she leaves.

When he gets inside, Elizabeth is waiting for him. "Nancy's spending the night at Cassie's," she tells him. "How was your and Abby's date?"

Tom just smiles. At this point Tommy and Joannie come home.

"Joannie, you're home early is everything ok?" Tom asks as he looks at his watch. "And Tommy you're twenty minutes late."

"Sorry the movie ran later than we thought," Tommy says.

"It's ok this time, but only because it's Halloween, but don't let it happen again," Tom says. The phone rings so he answers it.

"Hello."

"Hi Tom this is Cassie's mom can I talk to her please?"

"Um why don't you just go knock on her bedroom door."

There's a short silence. "Isn't she at your house?"

"Er no isn't Nancy at your house?" Tom asks.

"No but I have a pretty good idea where they are. Do you sense deja vu here?" she asks.

"I sure do, I guess things haven't changed much over the past few years. And Jason does have his own apartment now."

"So shall we storm the building?" her mother asks. "I know they're eighteen now but still."

Tom smiles. "No I have a better idea, I'm going to give them a call. And I'll call you as soon as I hang up with them."

They talk for a few more minutes and then they both hang up.

Tom then call's Jason's apartment and his very drunk daughter answers.

"Sam's massage house, will you like to make an appointment?" she asks.

"No I wouldn't, this is your father, Nancy have you been drinking? And just where are Jason and Cassie? They're not in the same bedroom are they?" he sternly asks.

Nancy quickly puts the receiver down and swears then she does her best to act straight. ~Ok come up with a story you can do it.~ "Hi Dad, no were just here to have a drink and then Cassie and I are heading back to her house."

"That's funny, Cassie's mom said she was supposed to sleep over at our house tonight," Tom says.

~Wait a minute, why am I lying? I'm an adult now.~ "Yes Dad I've been drinking. I am old enough now. Cassie and Jason can do whatever they want, they're adults too, and I'll be home in the morning." She hangs up the phone and takes it off the hook. ~I don't want to deal with the yelling right now.~

Tom tries in vain to call her back and becomes infuriated. He then calls Cassie's mom and tells her what's going on. She decides to wait til morning to deal with the situation. Tom considers going over to Jason's and dragging Nancy out of there.

"Are you going to kill her?" Elizabeth asks.

"Elizabeth go up to bed. It's a school night!!"

She laughs and goes back up to bed.

"You too Tommy."

"Are you going over there?" Tommy asks.

"I don't know yet," Tom says, clearly angry at his second to youngest daughter.

"Well, goodnight," Tommy says as he climbs the stairs.

"Goodnight." Tom turns to Joannie. "It never gets easier with you girls and it won't be any easier when I go through with it with Elizabeth."

"Dad, that is incredibly sexist," Joannie complains. "It was easier with David? And I noticed how easy you were on Tommy, even though he broke curfew."

"Tommy didn't get drunk with his friends."

Joannie shakes her head and walks away, knowing that her father will never admit to being a chauvinist. ~It'll be good to have Abby here--maybe she'll tone Dad down a little.~

Tom continues to ponder whether he should go and get Nancy. ~If I do it now I might say some things that I don't mean. But if I wait til morning I'll be calm. Wait what if they decide to go for a drive.~ Tom grabs his car keys and heads outside. ~No wait a minute, Nancy's not stupid enough to do that none of them are.~

Around 1:30 Abby is woken up by loud music from the apartment upstairs. She tries covering her head with her pillow, but the thumping of dancing bodies starts.

She waits a while longer to see if it will stop, but by 2 she's at the end of her patience. Abbby quickly dresses and goes upstairs. She knocks on the door but gets no answer, so she knocks louder and louder until she's pounding on the door. ~If the music didn't wake up any of the neighbors but me, this won't either.~

The door opens...

"Abby?" Nancy says stunned.

"Nancy, what are you doing here," Abby looks at the name plate on the doorbell, "in some guy's apartment at this time of night? I know your father didn't approve this."

Nancy laughs. "No he wouldn't approve, but it's cool. Jason is Cassie's boyfriend not mine. I'm sleeping alone tonight. I'd offer you a beer but it's all gone. What brings you by here? Would you like to come in?"

"I think I'd like it if you came downstairs with me," Abby says. "I mean, if your friends are busy and you're sleeping alone, it doesn't matter if you spend the night at my apartment, and I know it'll make your father happier."

Nancy thinks it over. "Well all right." She shouts to Jason and Cassie that she's leaving. They shout ok wanting to get back to what they were doing and Nancy goes downstairs with Abby after turning off the stereo. Well more like stumbles.

Back at her apartment (now blissfully quiet) Abby gives Nancy some night clothes and sends Nancy to sleep it off in her bed.

Abby then calls Tom, hoping that since he's the only one with a phone in his room, she won't wake the rest of the house.

"Hello," Tom answers.

"Sorry to wake you, Tom," Abby apologizes, "but I thought you'd want to know--Nancy's at my place."

"How in the world did she get over there?" Tom asks confused for a minute. "Never mind, I remember that Jason guy lives in your building. Abby thank you. I feel a lot better knowing she's with you. How bad off is she?"

"Nothing a night's sleep won't cure," Abby says. "You knew she was spending the night in some boy's apartment?"

"Yeah I knew." He tells her about the scam Cassie and Nancy did that failed when Cassie's mom called to check on her and about his turmoil on whether to go and get her or not.

"You didn't come charging over here? I'm shocked," Abby says.

"Oh I wanted to believe me but in the end I decided not to. I was too angry and I didn't want to embarrass her. I'll deal with her in the morning."

"Should I drive her over to make sure she faces the music?" Abby offers.

"If it's not too much trouble. I was going to go ahead and come over in the morning."

"I'll bring her over," Abby says. ~This way you won't be able to go and yell at my upstairs neighbor. Blood does seep down...~ "Go back to sleep. I just wanted to let you know Nancy's OK and safe."

"Thanks Abby, I love you," Tom tells her.

"I love you, too," Abby says. She hangs up and makes herself a bed on the couch.

The next morning Nancy stumbles out of bed and into the bathroom, looks at herself in the mirror, and groans. ~Bradford you look terrible this morning. Wait a minute where am I?~ After she's finished in the bathroom she ventures into the living room. ~How did I get to Abby's place?~

Abby wakes from the noise of Nancy's stumbling around. "Morning, Nancy. How are you feeling?" Abby whispers, knowing that right now Nancy's head must be about ready to explode. "There's some Tylenol and some aspirin in the medicine cabinet."

"Thanks," she goes to take some Tylenol and returns. "How did I get here? Were you at the party last night also?" she asks in confusion.

"Not willingly," Abby says, thinking that the party was at Jason's. "At 2 o'clock I couldn't stand the noise anymore and came up to complain. I didn't expect to see you there."

"Oh," it all comes back to her. "I'm sorry Abby we didn't mean to keep you up."

"I think you did a lot of things last night you didn't mean to--like lying to your father," Abby says.

Nancy groans. "I also said things to him that I shouldn't have. I was so mean to him."

"Maybe, if you're up to it, I should take you home so you can straighten things out," Abby suggests.

"I don't know what if he yells?"

"If he didn't yell, you'd worry," Abby points out. "But he won't yell too much, I can almost guarantee it. After all, he didn't come get you last night, did he?"

"Good point." Nancy says. "Ok I might as well face him and get it over with."

"You might want to change, first. Make it a little less obvious that you were out most of the night partying. Take whatever fits you," Abby offers.

"Thanks Abby, are you sure it's ok?" Nancy says. "I'll wash it and bring it back to you as soon as I can."

"Might as well just leave it at your house," Abby points out. "It'll be one less thing for me to move."

"Good idea. Hey can I borrow your phone before I leave. I should call Jason and Cassie and let them know I wasn't kidnapped or anything. I doubt they realize that I left last night even though I did shout it."

"Why don't you just go upstairs and tell them?" Abby asks. "Just don't get lost up there."

"Ok," Nancy goes upstairs and tells them and then returns.

"Ready to brave it?" Abby asks.

"Yep might as well get it over with." They leave for the Bradford house.

Abby drives Nancy home. "You want me to come in with you," Abby offers, "or do you want to brave it alone?"

"Can you come with me, please?" Nancy pleads.

"Of course." Abby gets out of the car and goes into the house with Nancy, looking for Tom.

They find him in the study.

"Dad, I am so sorry, what I said to you last night was mean," Nancy begins.

Tom just looks at her and shakes his head. "Nancy I don't hold you accountable for what you said when you were drunk but I do hold you accountable for lying to me. Why did you feel that you had to lie? You're of age."

"Because we were at Jason's."

"And Jason is Cassie's boyfriend not yours. It's ok if you want to go out drinking and I'd rather you do it at someone's apartment that I know than out drinking and driving and out on the streets. Just next time don't lie about it, and don't make a habit of it."

"Then you're not angry?"

"Oh don't get me wrong I am still very angry," Tom says.

"I'm sorry I lied to you."

"No you're not, you're sorry that you got caught lying to me," Tom counters.

"Tom..." Abby interrupts, trying to tone him down.

"What I can't even apologize without you getting mad?" Nancy asks.

"Abby you don't understand. These kids have done countless things over the years and they only seem to be sorry when they get caught."

"That's not true," Nancy protests.

"Isn't that the only time most people are sorry?" Abby asks.

"If it is, then well it shouldn't be," Tom says. "Nancy we're through you should get to school."

"Yeah whatever." Nancy leaves the room and goes upstairs.

"You were really hard on her," Abby says, trying to keep her voice neutral.

"Good, maybe that will keep her from a life of alcoholism," Tom defends his actions.

"Oh, come on. One night of getting drunk with friends isn't exactly the start of life on skid row," Abby counters.

"Abby, you don't understand, this isn't the first time this has happened. When she was going through her rebellious stage, she had Joan and me so worried that we almost put her in rehab," he confesses.

"That bad?" Abby worries. "But you told her you didn't mind that she went off and partied, or even that she had too much to drink, you minded the lying. And you're telling me you minded the drinking. Which one is it?"

"I told her I didn't mind the drinking and partying because I don't want to do anything that will set her off and have her trying other things again. She's toned down a lot since then. Last night was the first time in quite awhile that she's done that."

"And you think not being honest with her will help matters?" Abby asks. "Speaking of non-communication, did you call your in-laws yet?"

"No I haven't, but I will call them today. I've had other things to think about this morning."

"Besides Nancy? You knew last night--well, early this morning, that she was safe. Are you just putting off calling them?"

"No I'm not putting it off. Abby I'm going to call them," Tom says.

"So you've said. If you're going to be as reluctant to talk to your new in-laws as you are to talk to your old ones, we may have a problem here."

"Abby I will call them today," Tom states again.

Abby decides she's gotten as much out of him as she will on the topic. "OK. By the way, my parents and my great aunt are coming in on Friday. I thought that maybe I could make dinner for them over here Saturday or Sunday so they could meet everyone?"

"That's fine, do you want me to help you with dinner?" he asks.

"No thanks," Abby says. "I've already heard about your cooking."

"Lies, all lies," Tom protests.

"Probably," Abby laughs. "After all, no one's survived to testify against you."

"Hey my children are still alive," Tom smiles.

"And they're the ones who've told me never to let anything Tom Bradford cooks pass my lips," Abby answers. "Besides--why take a chance? If you poison your in-laws first time you meet them, what's to look forward to?"

"Tommy doesn't mind my cooking," he protests. "And ok, I won't help cook, but if you need help with other things I'm your man."

"Since we're getting married in just about a week, I certainly hope you are."

Tom smiles, "Count on it," he then kisses her.

"Oh, believe me, I am," Abby murmurs between kisses. "Don't you have some debate to cover today?"

"Debate, what debate?" Tom says lost in the kisses.

Abby pulls away slightly. "You'd better have a debate to cover today, mister, because that was your excuse for not getting married today."

"Oh that debate, well can you blame me for forgetting? Your kisses make me forget everything but you," he says.

"Sounds like there's a romantic soul under all that bluster," Abby comments. "I think we should both go off to work before we forget that that's what we're supposed to be doing today."

"I'll go soon, I have a phone call to make and a daughter to make up with."

"Good luck--you'll need it," Abby tells him, then gives him a final kiss before heading off to work.

Tom then calls his in-laws, but he doesn't have the results he hoped for. Joan's father is very upset about him remarrying and refuses to come. They do promise to keep in better touch with the children.

He also decides to have a talk with Nancy and tells her his fears about her drinking.

"Dad that's not going to happen. I was an idiot back then, I have it all under control now," She assures him.

"Yeah but one can lose control over alcohol so quick that they don't even know what hit them," Tom worries.

They continue to discuss this and she finally convinces him that she'll be all right.