Part 1

Two days after Joannie gets out of the hospital and also two days before the cruise is scheduled to leave Katherine comes to visit.

"Mom?" Abby says, surprised to see her mother at the door. "What are you doing here? Why didn't you call? Where's Dad?"

"Oh your Dad had an important meeting, and I wanted to surprise you." She hugs her.

"You sure did that. I'm going to have to do some juggling...."

"No you won't. I don't want you to change any of your plans."
 
"I meant bedrooms, but of course I'll rearrange my schedule. My mother comes for a visit and I don't make time for her? Not in this lifetime..."

Katherine smiles and soon the kids enter.

"Hi Grandma Katherine." Nancy hugs her.

"Hi dear." Katherine hugs her back and hugs all the grandchildren.

Abby tries to figure out how she's going to break the bad news to Tom.

Meanwhile Joannie is laying down on the couch watching tv.

"Anyone around?"

Katherine then goes to hug Joannie who is still on the couch.

"Hi Grandma Katherine."

"Hi honey how are you feeling?"

"Sore and thirsty. How about you and Grandpa Harry?"

"We're doing good."

"What would you like to drink Joannie?" Mary asks.

"Root beer please."

"Grandma do you want anything?"

"I'm fine honey." She hugs Abby again. "It's so good to see you."

Mary goes to get the root beer.

Meanwhile while Joannie is waiting for the root beer, she sees Susan.

"Hi Susie."

Susan doesn't hear her sister and heads to the kitchen.

"I'm glad you're here, Mom," Abby says. "At least something's going right for me this
week."

"I'm glad I am too." ~And don't you worry, other things will go right too.~

"I didn't get any of those cookies you like--I can go shopping tomorrow, or I can call Tom and ask him to pick some up."

"Thank you." She says.

"Let me get you some tea."

"I would love that."

Abby goes into the kitchen, hoping to talk to Mary while she's making the tea.

Mary is still in there getting Joannie's root beer.

"Mary, where are we going to put my mother? We can't put her out on the screen porch," Abby asks, panicked.

"She can stay in my room." Mary offers.

"Thank you. That's really nice of you."

"Not a problem Abby."
 
While the water is boiling, Abby calls the Register.

"Tom Bradford." He says.

"Hi, honey," Abby says, her voice dripping sweetness.

"Abby?" Tom asks not recognizing the sweet talk over the phone wires.

"Uh huh. Tom, you know how nothing's gone the way we wanted it to this week?"

"I'm afraid to ask. What now?"

"My mother's come to visit."

Tom stays silent. ~Great, this is what we need.~ "Why?"

"I don't know. She didn't say. She didn't bring Dad, though--claimed he had some meetings."

"That's good." he mutters. "It'll be a nice visit for you." He says.

"I'll make it up to you."

"Not with your mother there." he jokes.

"Why? What did you have in mind?" Abby flirts.

"I can't say it over the phone."

"Well, when you come home you'll just have to tell me. Unless, of course, you're embarrassed to in front of your mother-in-law."

"In private."

"Privacy? You think anyone will let us have any?"

"One can dream."

"Yeah, we both do that well." The teakettle whistles. "I'd better go--I'll see you later."

"Bye Dear."

"Bye." Abby hangs up, makes her mother's tea, and takes it out to the living room.

"Thank you honey." Katherine says.

Abby perches on the arm of her mother's chair. "You're welcome."

Meanwhile in the living room. "Where is my root beer?" Joannie whines a little.

Mary comes in with the root beer. "Are we 2 today?" She jokes.

"Ha Ha. My throat is a little dry." Joannie takes a drink. "Thank you Mary, you're the best big sister in the world."

"Not a problem kid."

Joannie whispers in Mary's ear. "I hope the plan works to get Abby and Dad to go on their cruise."

"Don't worry it will." Mary whispers back.

"I am just sorry for not listening to you." Joannie thinks back to the car accident.

"No, you did it for all the right reasons." Mary says. "For all we knew I could have been wrong and our little sister could have been in trouble."

"With everything that has gone bad for her for the past year or so, I feel like I have to watch over her. I still remember when she thought about taking those sleeping pills." Joannie starts to cry.

"Hey," Mary hugs her. "She is way past that and is getting the proper treatment. But I know how you feel it scared me too."

"Like the doctors have said, the medicine might stop working. What if none of were around to get her treated properly."

"I don't even want to think about that."

"I love you Mary."

"I love you too honey."

"I wonder where Susan has been. I have not seen her since before the accident." Joannie says sadly.

"I thought she was just in here with you." Mary says.

"She walked by without saying hi."

"I'll go and get her."

"So how are you? How's that book promo going?" Katherine asks Abby.

"We're still arguing about how that's going to go," Abby tells her mother.

"And you will win that argument."

"I'm not sure that I want to."

"Why not?"

Abby casts a quick glance in Mary and Joannie's direction.

"Why don't we go out to the sunporch." Katherine suggests.

"How about up to my room?"

"Ok," they go to Tom and Abby's room.

"It's not Tom and I who are fighting over it, it's the publishers and I. And I'd say yes to them, but I know Tom will go nuts if I did."

"What do they want you to say yes to?"

"A real promotion tour, not just something in Sacramento or Sa Francisco at most."

"Have you discussed this with Tom?"

"I don't need to." Abby gets up and starts to pace. "Maybe if we'd been able to go away, so I could have shown him he has nothing to be jealous about..."

"Oh honey."

"It's OK. I didn't do the book to get on talk shows. I just want some kids to be helped."

"That's very noble of you."

"Oh, come on, Mom, when have I ever been noble?" Abby smiles.

She smiles back. "Never, but you are a very wonderful daughter and I love you and I know it's taking a lot to make that decision."

"The book's important to me, but this family is more important."

"I know."

Abby sits down again. "Who am I kidding. I want both."

"Then you need to let Tom know."

"With everything that's going on?"

"Joannie's on the mend and Nancy's not in danger with those despicable men in jail now."

"Wait--by the end of the day there will be something else."

"Maybe there won't be."

"Mom, there always is."

"I'm sorry."

"I knew what I was letting myself in for, more or less."

"Knowing and actually going through it are two different things."

"That's true. I don't think anything prepares you for one kid, much less eight of them."

"That is for sure."

"How did you manage to put up with me?"

"Patience, love, understanding, phone calls to my mother."

"So that's why I could never use the phone."

"Exactly, I was always on it."

"And I'm supposed to do that times eight?"

"I don't mind the phone calls."

Abby hugs her mother. "Now what's the real reason you came up to visit me? You haven't gone anywhere without Daddy, ever."

~You'll find out the real reason the day after tomorrow.~ "With everything that has been going on I wanted to come up here and make sure that my baby and grandbabies are ok."

~OK, Mom, play that game. I'll find out sooner or later.~ "Have you called Dad to let him know you're here?"

"Not yet."

"The phone's right here."

"I told him I wouldn't call till 3pm."

Abby checks her watch. "OK, but don't forget. You know how he worries."

"Don't worry I won't forget and if I do, we'll hear from him at 3:05pm."

"Good."

"Is there anything else you want to talk about?"

"Only that I've missed you."

"I've missed you too honey."

Mary finds Susan in the kitchen. "Joannie needs you."

"She does? What for?"

"She misses you."

Downstairs, Joannie is laying down on the couch, hoping Susan comes in to talk.

Susan leaves the kitchen and finds Joannie. "Hey Joannie."

"Hey Susie. How you been?"

"I'm fine. How are you feeling?"

"Still sore. I have a question. Are you angry at me?"

"No, why would I be angry at you?"

"I don't know. You never came to visit me in the hospital, then when you came home, I said hi, but you ignored me." Joannie says.

"I'm sorry. I meant to go and visit you at the hospital but things have gotten real busy lately."

"Can't be school work, it is summer time. What been going on Susie?"

"I've just been busy with sports. I think I signed up for too many of them."

"That's a surprise." Joannie teases.

"Tell me about it. Now I have to figure out which one to quit."

"Just play the ones you truly enjoy playing."

"The problem is I enjoy playing them all."

"That is a problem. What sports do you think you are best at?"

"Swimming, Tennis and Softball"

"Just do those three for now, and if you ever get tired of any of them, try and do another sport to replace it."

"I suppose I could cut back to those three. Thanks Joannie."

"No problem, that is what a big sister is for."

"Is there anything you need while I'm here?"

"Just to tell you how much I love you and I could use some ice tea." Joannie smiles.

"Coming right up" Susan goes and gets the ice tea for Joannie. "Here you go"

"Thanks. Seen any cute guys lately?"

"A few. I've got a really cute tennis partner. Tall. Blonde. Blue eyes."

"Does he have a name?"

"Robert."

"Does he have a brother?" Joannie smiles.

"Sorry, I don't think he does."

"Rats." Joannie smiles. "Little sis you look tired."

"I am. I think I'll go upstairs and rest for a while."

Joannie hugs Susan. "Have a good nap."

"Thanks" Susan says and then heads upstairs.

Around 3 o'clock, Abby starts watching her mother closely to make sure her father will actually be called.

Joannie passes by Abby while headed to the bath room. "Hi Abby."

"Hi, Joannie. Is something wrong? What are you doing walking around?"

"Just need to go to the rest room. Oh by the way, thanks for the food that you brought me when I was at the rest room."

"You mean the hospital?" Abby asks, confused.

"Yeah. Oops, I guess I am still a little groggy from the medicine they gave me." Joannie laughs at her own mistake. "I am glad that Grandma Katherine has come for a visit."

"So am I. If you're groggy, maybe you ought to lie down in your bed instead of going back downstairs."

"Ok." Joannie says. "Could I borrow yours and Dad's tv?"

"Of course. I'll get it set up while you're in the bathroom."

"Thanks." Joannie says .

Abby nods and heads to her room to get the tv and then sets it up for Joannie.

While Joannie is talking with Abby, Katherine calls home and waits for Harry to answer.

"Harry Mitchell," he answers the phone.

"Hi honey it's me." Katherine says.

"Katherine," Harry smiles. "So you got there all right? Those people aren't driving you crazy yet?"

"Of course not, did you take care of that thing for me?" She had asked Harry to call Tom's boss and Abby's to let them know that Tom and Abby are going on the cruise after all and still need the time off.

"Of course I did. That Elliot Randolph character was not very cooperative. Until, of course, I told him who I am."

"Thank you, and do you want to join me after your meetings?"

"I have a few other things I need to clear up. I think I might wait until they've gone. Sandra Sue's probably already suspicious, and even Thomas isn't dense enough not to wonder if I drop everything to come visit."

"Good idea." She laughs. "And go easy on that man please."

"Why?"

"Because your daughter loves him."

"Sometimes I don't understand that girl."

"That's ok you love her just the same."

"Only because she reminds me so much of her mother."

Katherine smiles. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Maybe we let Thomas and Sandra Sue stay home and I take you on that cruise."

"Hmm, maybe when they return from the cruise?"

"If we survive that household and if Sandra Sue doesn't kill us for doing this."

"She won't kill us, she'll be happy." Katherine hopes.

"Optimist."

"That's right and don't you forget it."

"I won't."

"Good, well I'd better get going. I love you." She sends kisses over the phone line.

"Katherine," Harry objects-but-not-really. "I'll see you when you manage to get rid of our daughter and son-in-law."

She smiles again. "I'll see you then." And then hangs up.

Joannie goes to the bath room and then goes to her bedroom. "Anyone up here?" Joannie calls.

"No!!" Nancy answers.

"I heard you." Joannie laughs.

Nancy laughs and comes into her room. "What do you need?"

"A new body." Joannie jokes. " Or a couple cans of soda ."

"Ok," Nancy brings them and then says. "I overheard you and Mary talking earlier."

Joannie is thinking to herself ~oh no.~ " How much did you hear?"

"Enough to know that you're worried about me."

"I'm sorry you overheard, but I'm not sorry for worrying about you. It is my right as a big sister."

She smiles. "I know, I'm a big sister too. But you don't have to worry about no one being around if my medicine stops working. Because if it happens I'll drive myself to the hospital."

"How about taking a cab."

Nancy nods. "Ok."

"How you been doing Nancy?"

"I've been doing ok, how bout yourself?"

"I have felt better." Joannie looks around to make sure Abby is not around. Joannie speaks quietly. "I heard that you are handing out the tickets to Abby and Dad."

"Actually Nicholas is."

"That's cool. I just cant believe that plotting is a good thing for a change." Joannie says thing about the parties from hell.

"I don't know, those parties you plotted were fun."

"But they did a lot of damage. Remember Kenny P. destroying Dad's and Abby's room, and what we found when we cleaned it." Joannie cringes.

"That they did."

"Have you talked to Cassie lately? When is her due date?"

"She's due sometime in October I think. I've been meaning to call her."

"I am glad that you two have made up, even though there was a time that I wanted to beat her up for you."

Nancy laughs. "Thanks."

"I am your big sister, that is in my job description." Joannie smiles. "Do Grandpa and Grandma Wells know about my accident?"

"I don't know if they do or not."

"At the end of summer, would you like to go with me to visit them?"

"Sure."

"Thanks for the soda."

"Hey anytime, so are you hungry?"

Joannie's stomach rumbles. "I believe my stomach is saying yes." Joannie smiles.

"What are you in the mood for?"

"Pizza."

"Ok, but no spicy toppings."

"Ok." Joannie pouts.

Nancy goes to order the pizza.

Later, Joannie is watching tv. She sees Tom enters the house. "Hi Dad."

"Hi." he says.

"How was work?"

"Fine, how was your day?"

"Boring, but I know it is my fault for being laid up."

"You'll get better soon." Tom says. "Have you seen Abby?"

"I think she and Grandma Katherine are taking in you guys' bedroom."

"Thank you." He says and goes knocking on his own bedroom door in case they are having a private conversation.

"Come in," Abby says, expecting one of the kids.

Tom walks in. "I'm home."

"Hi." Abby gets up and gives him a kiss.

"Hi." he replies.

Abby tries to subtly nod on her mother's direction, to remind Tom of his manners.

"Katherine, it's good to see you."

Katherine hugs Tom. "It's good to see you Tom. How are you?"

"I'm ok." He says. "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"So to what do we owe this pleasant surprise."

"I wanted to see all of you." Katherine says.

"That's nice."

Two days later Tom and Abby awaken, eat breakfast and wonder why the rest of the family is being so quiet. Right before they're about to leave for work both are stopped at the front door by their family. They observe the scene and see that their suitcases are there also.

"Are you two ready to go?" David asks since he's the one driving them.  Nicholas is standing in front of him with the tickets.

"What's going on?" Tom asks.

"Nicholas will you do the honors?" Katherine asks.

Nicholas hands them plane tickets and cruise tickets.

Tom is speechless.

"Have fun kids, just don't do anything I would not do." Joannie smiles.

"You two deserve this." Nancy adds.

"But we can't..." Abby protests.

"Yes you can." Joannie says.

"This is absurd." Tom says holding the tickets. "We can't just pick up and  drop everything."

"Sure you can, don't you two worry I'll take care of everyone here." Katherine insists. "You two go on your cruise."

"Mom, can I talk to you? In private? Tom, if you'd like to join us..."

"Sure."

"Gladly."

They go into Tom's study.

After they leave the room, Tommy says sarcastically. "That went well."

"Ye of little faith." Nancy says.

"I have faith all right, I have faith this is a disaster."

"Tommy do you have to be so negative?"

"Yep, helps me from being disappointed."

"Ignore him." Elizabeth says.

"I'll try." Nancy smiles.

"Everything will work out." David insists.

"Yes it will." Joannie says.

"Mom, what is this all about?" Abby demands.

"This is about you two going on a cruise like you deserve to."

"This is just ridiculous right now."

"It's not ridiculous."

"We have obligations," Abby insists. "Joannie, Nancy, Tommy's band, work..."

"I'll take care of the children and work has already been taken care of."

"But....." Tom says.

"But what?" Katherine smiles.

"Abby explain it to her."

"I thought I just did."

"We can't...." Tom says.

"What do you mean, 'been taken care of'?" Abby asks.

"Harry called your bosses and let him know your vacation is still on."

"Dad did what?" Abby sputters, looks towards Tom, and braces for the explosion.

"He did what?" Tom asks starting to turn red.

Katherine repeats what she said.

"Mom," Abby interprets. "It's a lovely idea, and it was sweet of you to think of it, but it's just not possible."

"Sure you can. Everything is all taken care of."

Abby sighs. ~Your turn, Tom.~

Joannie knocks on the door.

"We are busy." Tom yells out.

"Dad, I have something to say. Please hear me out."

"Later." he says.

"Joannie let them work it out themselves." Liz says.

"Ok." Joannie runs up to her room in tears.

"Terrific." Liz says.

Katherine tries not to become discouraged.

Tom runs out of reasons to protest.

Abby sees the look of defeat in Tom's eyes. "Maybe you'd better let the two of us talk about it," she tells her mother.

"Ok," Katherine says and leaves the room.

"Well?" Liz asks.

"They need to discuss it." Katherine says to Elizabeth.

"Like I said earlier, he won't agree to it." Tommy says.

Nancy resists the urge to slap him and goes after Joannie.

Joannie is in her room, when a family member walks in. "Why does Dad have to be so stubborn?" Joannie says while wiping her eyes.

Nancy hugs her. "Joannie he was in the middle of a private conversation."

"One of these days I would like to see him to do something without being stubborn." Joannie says with a small smile.

"I hear ya."

"I think we better go back downstairs before they start missing us."

"I agree." They go back downstairs.

"Sorry for running off like that." Joannie tells her siblings.

Abby looks at Tom. "Now what do we do?"

"I don't know, I can't go back into the office. Randolph will never give me any vacation time again."

"The kids do seem eager to get rid of us."

Tom sighs looking at the tickets. "It would be irresponsible." He tries to convince himself.

"My mother will take good care of them. And you have to take the vacation days anyway," Abby points out.

"I wonder if they packed the sunscreen." He says hinting that they should go.

"We could always double check what they packed. I'll bet there's time enough for that," Abby says, hinting that she wouldn't mind going.

"What the heck, let's go."

Abby hugs him.

"Let's get out of here before something stops us."

"Just let me make sure they packed everything I need. The thought of Joannie packing for me..."

Tom nods. "I'll call a cab."

"I'll go tell them," she nods towards the study doors, "that they've won."

"I think we are the winners."

"You know that and I know that. But we don't have to let them know that."

"Right." he says putting his defeated look back on his face.

Abby smiles at him, then opens the study doors.

The kids and her mother look at her expectantly.

Elizabeth, Tommy and Nicholas are sitting on the stairs. "So?" Liz asks.

"You're not going to give us any peace if we stay here, are you?" Abby sighs.

"No we will not." Joannie smiles.

"Nope." Elizabeth smiles.

"And if we do go, you won't drive my mother crazy or do anything which will make my father come up here to bail you out?"

"We promise." Nicholas says.

"If you did not drive your mom nuts with some of the things you pulled in your youth, I don't think we be able to drive Grandma Katherine crazy." Joannie smiles.

~OK, Joannie, when we come back, I will find out what you're up to....~ Abby thinks.

"And you'll give us enough time to look at what you packed for us before you throw us out the door?"

"Don't worry, I didn't pack your luggage." Joannie says.

"Even so," Abby says. ~Maybe you didn't, but I'll bet you got a full report on what was packed.~

Tommy looks at his watch. "Your flight leaves in 2 hours."

"I'll work fast."

Tom comes out of the study, "OK, the cab will be here in a half hour." Tom reports. "Katherine are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes." She says.

"Dad I was going to drive you." David says.

"Oh..." he says. "OK. Tommy call and cancel the cab."

Tommy nods.

"Thanks David."

"No problem." He says.

"You've gotten enough concessions out of us, haven't you?" Abby says.

"Huh?" David asks confused.

"Never mind," Abby says. "You want us to go, we're going. But please, please do not make us regret this, any of you."

"We'll be good." Nancy promises.

"No parties, that I can promise you and Dad." Joannie says.

"Mom, could you come upstairs with me while I repack?" Abby asks.

"Of course dear." Katherine says.

Tom sees Joannie. "You wanted to talk earlier?"

"Never mind Dad. I was going to just tell you that Abby and you deserve this cruise for what you guys had to put up with me."

"Oh." Tom says still stunned about the turn of events the past 15 minutes.

"Please don't burn down the house." He says to everyone who will listen. Tom then remembers about Kenny P. "Kenny P....." he says out loud.

"Don't worry Dad." Joannie says , then she turns around to Nicholas. "Sweetie, For Dads peace of mind, if you want to hang out with Kenny P, go over to his uncle's house ok."

"No, I'd rather have them here." Tom states.

"I'll keep an eye on them." Tommy says.

"Thanks." Tom says.

Abby and Katherine head upstairs with the suitcases.

"Do you want me to padlock yours and Abby's bedroom door?" Joannie smiles.

Nancy nearly chokes on the drink she's drinking.

"Funny." he says.

"I am serious. I don't want that monster destroying yours and Abby's room again." Joannie whispers to Tom.

"Joannie, I'm sure Katherine can keep an eye on it." Tom says. "Katherine, feel free to stay in our room."

"Dad she's upstairs with Abby." Mary says.

Tom looks around "Oh...pass on the message."

"You can't be blamed about not trusting the problem child." Joannie smiles.

"Yeah."

"Joannie cut it out." Mary says.

Joannie glares at Mary.

As soon as the bedroom door is closed behind them, Abby starts. "I don't know whose idea this was, or what the real reason behind it is, but you're going to have to be careful. Nancy gets into a lot of trouble--she doesn't mean to, but it just happens to her. Joannie--she's up to something. I don't know what, but watch her. Tommy and Elizabeth--make sure there's nothing in the liquor cabinet they can get to if you go out some evening. And Nicholas--if he wants to bring a kid named Kenny P. Landers by--lock all the doors and just say no."

Katherine gives her a hug. "Thank you for the warning and don't worry everything will be fine."

"And Mary's been awfully quiet lately. I don't know if anything's wrong, but if you can find out, that would be great," Abby continues. "And Susan's barely home, and when she is, she just sits around and yawns. I was going to try to find out what's wrong, but now there's no time. And try to make sure the kids don't adopt too many stray animals--a dog and a few assorted frogs and hamsters are enough."

"Sandra Sue, don't worry we'll be fine."

"Mom, when we come back you tell me if I shouldn't have worried."

She smiles. "Of course I will."

Sam walks into the room wanting his goodbye pet.

Abby finishes putting a few things in the suitcases, closes them and bends to pet Sam. "You keep an eye on everyone, too," she tells him.

He makes that noise that dogs make when people assume they are talking.

Abby scratches him between the ears and then checks her watch. "I guess I should get back downstairs or we'll miss our flight. I know I'm worried about things, but I really do appreciate this, Mom."

"Hey it's no trouble at all." She gives her another hug before they head downstairs.

"Abby." Tom yells from the bottom of the stairs.

"You didn't have to yell," Abby tells Tom. "I was on my way down."

"Sorry, habit." He says.

"David? Tommy? The luggage please." He says.

David nods and then he and Tommy get the luggage and put it in his van.

"OK everyone, remember Katherine is in charge. Please don't make her regret having grandchildren."

"She won't." Joannie gives Abby and Tom hugs. "Have fun you two."

Nancy and Mary hug their parents.

Elizabeth and Nicholas follow suit.

Abby hugs them all. "We'd better get going. Unless you want us to stay."

"Go have fun." Nancy says. "We'll see ya when you get back."

"Maybe," Abby jokes.

Nancy laughs.

"Huh?" Nicholas asks.

"I'm just teasing, Nicholas. We'll be back, right when we're supposed to be."

"Abby, the ship is going to sail without us." Tom says.

"Well, first the plane..." Abby says. "OK, OK, I'm ready."

"Bye everybody." Tom says.

"Bye," Abby echoes, trying not to sound too giddy.

"Bye Dad."

Katherine hugs them both. "Have fun."

"Bye Dad, bye Abby." Joannie says.

"Have fun." Nancy says.

Part 2