Part 2

They rush to the van. "Airport and no stops." Tom tells David.

David smiles. "You got it Dad." He starts the van once they're inside.

"You'd better sit up front with David," Abby whispers to Tom. "Or I'll be tempted to start this vacation early and shock your son."

Tom is half-way shocked and tempted. "Abby..." he whispers.

"Soon," she promises. She kisses him and gets in the back seat of the van.

Tom sits in the front.

During the drive Abby leans forward now and then, supposedly to talk to David, but incidentally to play with the back of Tom's neck.

~What is she trying to do to me.~ Tom thinks. "Uh...a little faster David?"

David grins. "Sure Dad." He speeds up. David drives them to the airport and hugs them. "You kids be good."

"Now, where's the fun in that?" Abby asks.

"Ok be bad but if your folks ask I said to be good."

Tom gives David $20.00. "Thanks son."

David returns the money. "You're welcome Dad."

"Rent paid this week?"

"It sure is."

"Ok." he says.

The boarding call for their flight is called. "Well that's your flight, you two have a good time." David says.

"We will," Abby assures him. "And thank you."

"You're very welcome." He says and gives her a hug.

"Try to keep an eye on the house and your siblings." Tom doles out last minute requests.

"Will do Dad."

"Tom, my mother raised me," Abby points out. "She can handle the kids."

"OK..OK. Let's go."

David says goodbye to them and then leaves.

They board the airplane and find their seats.

"This is really going to happen, isn't it? Tom?"

"Are you sure we are not dreaming this?"

"If there weren't so many people around, I'd show you this is no dream."

Tom kisses her.

"Don't tempt me."

"Soon." he says.

"Not soon enough."

Joannie goes up to Katherine. "Can I talk to you Grandma Katherine?"

"Sure." Katherine says making a mental note to talk to Elizabeth after and then Nancy, and to take Nicholas for candy. And to see Tommy and his band perform. She will talk to Susan and Mary the next day.

"What is the best way to get on Abby's good side? You probably have heard that I have been really bratty to her for most of her marriage to Dad. I want to make up for all actions toward her, but I don't think she will ever trust me. I guess I don't deserve to be trusted." Joannie says.

"Hmm, the best way to do that is just be yourself and relax."

"I will try. I just wish had smartened up earlier."

"Don't worry about it honey you just get better."

"Thank you for being around when we needed grandparents." Joannie hugs Katherine.

Katherine returns the hug. "You don't have to thank me for that."

"Can you tell me a secret? Does Grandpa Harry really not care much for Dad or is it just a act?"

There's a noise in the kitchen before Katherine can answer so she goes downstairs to see what happened.

Joannie follows Katherine downstairs.

Mary is cleaning up a glass she dropped. "Everything is fine." She assures them.

"What happened?" Joannie asks.

"It fell," Mary answers.

Joannie grabs a dust pan. "Do you want me to hold the dust pan so you can sweep?"

"Joannie why don't you go lie down?" Mary asks as she finishes cleaning up the mess wondering why Joannie is being so nice when they almost got in a fight earlier.

"Sorry about giving you the glare earlier, but I like to know why you told me to cut it out earlier I probably should go lay down, I think I am pushing my recovery." Joannie says, looking real worn out.

"Because you were bordering on obnoxious."

"But Kenny P is a monster. I still remember seeing what he did to Dad's and Abby's bedroom." Joannie cringes.

"I think they already know what Kenny is like."

"Grandma Katherine does not really know how much trouble the kid is. Maybe we should tell her the horror stories about him."

"I'm sure Dad and Abby have done that, go to bed before I call the bed police."

"Ok I better do what you tell me or Susan, Nancy , and Elizabeth won't ever listen to me." Joannie smiles.

"That's right." Mary returns the smile and gives her a hug.

"Wake me up when dinner is ready." Joannie says while she going to her bedroom.

"Ok."

Joannie falls asleep.

Tom and Abby arrive at LAX. They get their luggage and hail a cab for the seaport. They see the ship. "I still think I am dreaming." Tom remarks.

"Uh-uh. I never dream the same things you do."

"I thought we had the same dreams." He kids.

"No, I don't think we do," Abby says seriously.

"Hmmm...Ok." he says. They get on board and are escorted to their cabin.

~Don't talk about it now--it'll ruin this whole cruise. I'll talk to him about it on the way home...~

There's champagne waiting on a table. Tom reads the card. "It's from your parents and the kids."

"How did we not know there was so much plotting going on behind our backs?"

"Maybe because we were too busy feeling sorry for ourselves." Tom says as he opens the bottle.

"Well, if this is the result," Abby says as she holds out the glasses, "I'll feel sorry for myself more often."

"I'll drink to that." He says as he pours the Champagne.

Abby hands him one of the glasses. "To my parents and our kids."

They clink glasses and take a sip.

"Do you think we ought to check in on them before the ship leaves port?" Abby asks.

"No, we just left less than 3 hours ago. Besides which they know where to reach us if there is an emergency."

"Which there probably will be. At least my mother knows a good lawyer to bail them out."

Tom cringes.

"Oh, don't look so frightened. If we have to ask my father a favor I'll pay him back. And then you," Abby smiles, "can pay me back."

"Depends on how much interest you charge." He jokes.

"Oh, didn't I tell you? I was the loan shark of South Pasadena High."

"Hmmm....I better pay my dues then." Tom says before kissing her.

"It's never too soon to start," Abby says, putting her arms around Tom.

They start kissing. Soon there is a knock on the door.

"If that's one of the kids, I am throwing them over board." Tom states.

Abby laughs. "The kids didn't need to come along. They probably paid the crew to keep interrupting us."

"No kidding." Tom says as he opens the door.

"Excuse me sir, but everyone needs to be on deck for a safety drill. You'll need to bring your life preservers with you. They are located in your closet." The Steward replies.

"Now?" Tom asks.

"Yes sir, we find doing it at the first of the cruise, we are unlikely to disturb the passengers."

When he leaves Abby imitates him. "'Unlikely to disturb the passengers'...right."

"He's just doing his job." Tom sighs as he goes to the closet to retrieve the life jackets.

"I know, but I've been waiting to get you alone so I can do mine."

Tom smiles. "Let's get this over with and then we will glue the Do not disturb sign on the door."

"It's never worked at home..."

"I'll nail the door shut?" he kids and hands her one of the life jackets.

"I don't think even that will work. Let's get this over with."

Katherine finds Elizabeth. "How have you been honey?" She asks.

"Better." She states.

"Good, is there anything you wanted to talk about?"

"Uh...I can't think of anything, but thank you."

"Ok, but let me know if you do honey ok."

"I will Grandma, I promise."

"Good." Katherine kisses her on the forehead. "Now have you seen your roommate?"

"Nancy?"

"Uh huh."

"I haven't seen her since Dad and Abby left."

"Hmm, you don't think she stowed away in David's van?" She jokes.

Elizabeth laughs. "If she did, I am sure we would hear Dad yelling from the ship."

Katherine laughs also. At that point Nancy walks in. "What's going on?" She asks.

Liz continues to laugh. "Private joke."

"Honey I want to talk to you." Katherine says.

"What about?" Nancy asks.

"I'll leave you two alone." Elizabeth responds.

Nancy sits down wondering what Katherine wants to talk about and Katherine begins.

"How are you really?" Katherine asks.

"You mean since Noah died?"

Katherine nods.

"It's been hard to deal with but I'm making it, thanks to this family."

"So, 'it's not important.' is no longer your favorite phrase when it comes to you?"

Nancy laughs. "I guess that was pretty stupid."

"Yes it was but you're human, you're supposed to do stupid things every once in awhile, and if you need to talk even when I'm not here you can always call me ok."

"Ok, I love you." Nancy hugs her.

"I love you too honey." Katherine hugs her back and after talking to Nancy she seeks out Nicholas.

Joannie wakes up after she slept for around 40 minutes. She decides to try and sneak out to take a walk. She goes downstairs to the front. She does not see the family member who sees her trying to sneak out.

Elizabeth goes downstairs and sees Joannie. "Where do you think you are going?"

"Nowhere," Joannie says with a innocent look on her face.

"Then why do you have your hand on the door knob?"

"Rats, I got caught. I want to take a little walk." Joannie pouts.

"Aren't you supposed to be resting?"

"Yea, but resting is so boring." Joannie suddenly get dizzy and faints.

~Wonderful.~ she thinks, "Mary!!" Elizabeth yells out.

Mary comes over, she was talking to Dr. Max in the sunroom. Max checks Joannie over. "She'll be fine just overdid." He gets Joannie to her room and waits for her to come around.

Nicholas is in his room playing with his hamster.

"Nicholas will you go to the candy store with me?" Katherine asks when she comes in.

"Really?" he says.

She nods. "I can't go by myself."

"Why not?"

"It wouldn't be right, not when I can take you."

Nicholas smiles. "Cool, let's go."

Katherine takes Nicholas for candy not knowing that Joannie has fainted earlier.

Joannie starts coming around. she sees Dr. Max. "What happened? she says weakly.

"You pulled a Nancy." Greg tells her. "No more straining yourself."

"I was lucky not to pull the stitches huh Dr. Max."

"Very lucky."

"I guess that means no marathons for a while." Joannie teases.

"You got that right. Now get some rest."

"Ok Dr. Max, Say hi to Daisy for me."

"Will do kid." He says before leaving the room.

Joannie falls back asleep.

After Greg leaves Joannie's room he can't find Katherine so he asks Mary to tell Katherine call him if she has any questions.

While Joannie is sleeping, a family member comes in to check on her.

Katherine is back by then, she gives Joannie a kiss while she sleeps and covers her up she then calls Max.

After talking to Max and she's assured that Joannie will be all right as long as she rests she goes to talk to Tommy. "When is your first gig

"Oh hi Grandma. It's Saturday."

"Ok, at what time?"

Tom and Abby walk on deck and listen impatiently to the instructions. As soon as the drill is over they make a beeline back to the cabin.

"I figure we have a good two minutes before someone else knocks on that door," Abby predicts.

"Uh...uh...While you weren't looking I paid our steward to not disturb us."

Abby shakes her head. "You didn't."

Tom nods. "I did."

Abby laughs. "Well, I can't say you're not full of surprises."

"I had to do something."

Abby steps very close to him. "I'd say you still have to."

Tom kisses her and leads her to the bed.

There's a knock on the door.

"Go away." He yells.

"But sir..." the woman on the other side says.

"Aww...This is ridiculous." Tom says.

"You can pay off the steward," Abby tells him, "but you can't pay off fate."

Tom opens the door "Yes?" he says quietly.

"Hi," The woman says, handing him a paper. "I'm Julie, your cruise director, and I wanted to give you a list of our shipboard activities."

Tom holds the paper in disbelief. "Thank you, but we brought our own activities to the ship."

"Oh?"

"Tom?" Abby calls out from the bed.

"Oh!" the cruise director says, light dawning. "Well, I'll leave you to it..." she turns and hurries off to the next room.

Tom shakes his head and throws the paper in the wastebasket. "We won't be needing that."

"We are going to have to come up for air some time," Abby says. "Aren't we?"

"I thought I was all the fun you can handle." He jokes.

"So far it's more like all the talk I can handle."

"If its action you want, its action you are going to get." Tom takes her in his arms and gives her a long kiss.

"Mmmm. You put out the 'do not disturb if you want to live' sign?"

Tom laughs but then gets down to business.

Joannie wakes up from her nap and looks at the clock to see it is almost dinner time. She gets out of bed and goes downstairs to the kitchen.

"You go lie down on the couch." Katherine says.

"That's right." Nancy adds. "We'll bring you your dinner when it is ready."

"But." Joannie adds

David enters, gently picks her up and then puts her on the couch. "Don't but us young lady." He says in a stern but joking tone.

"You guys win." Joannie pouts. Sam lays next to her. "At least Sam loves me."

David shakes his head and goes to see if dinner is ready yet.

"Can I help wash the dishes please?" Joannie asks.

Nancy enters the tv room and sits down. "Would you stop trying to be like me."

"I thought I was acting more like Dad." Joannie smiles.

Nancy sighs, shakes her head and continues. "I'm the bad patient in this family not you. Joannie you are not being yourself. You usually have more sense than this. The Joannie I know never would have ventured downstairs on the verge of fainting almost on her way outside. If you go
on doing some of the stupid things I have done in the past it's not going to get you anywhere but confined to bed for a long period of time."

"I am the one who ran off to New York , so I just proved that I have done other silly things besides today's little stunt."

"I didn't know it was a contest, who are you and what have you done with my sister?"

"I am just saying that today was not the first time ever that I did something that was not bright."

"Will it continue or are you going to get well and not try to hinder your recovery and give us all ulcers in the process."

"You might have to duct tape me to my bed. Its so boring just resting."

Nancy sighs in frustration and leaves the room. "Grandma I'll be back in a little while." She says.

"You'll be back in time for dinner?"

Nancy shrugs.

"If not I'll keep a plate warm for you."

Nancy thanks her, gives her a kiss, and then heads out.

Joannie sees Nancy leaving. "I was just kidding. I'll behave."

Nancy doesn't hear her and leaves the house, gets in her car and drives away.

Joannie tries to get up and go after her.

"Joannie would you stop trying to help?" Liz says.

"I'll go after her." Mary says. "You rest."

"Ok." Joannie lays back down. "What's for dinner?"

A little while later at the ice cream shop.

"It's like talking to a wall sometimes." Nancy says.

"I know, I don't know what's come over her lately. It's usually her trying to talk sense to you not the other way around. I feel like were in the twilight zone."

"Yeah no kidding." Nancy says.

After awhile they go home and eat dinner with the rest of the family.

In their bed, later on, Abby whispers, "It's so quiet here."

"Yes, isn't it nice." Tom says quietly.

"I don't know. I've gotten used to the noise."

"If you were home, you wouldn't be saying that."

"Because I'd be too busy worrying."

"Worrying?"

"About Nicholas and Kenny P. Landers. About Nancy. About what I ever did to Joannie, aside from marrying you."

"I can understand that feeling."

"Can you?" Abby wonders.

"Of course, I have been worrying since the first day David was born."

"David never hated you."

"You didn't know him as a teenager." Tom says. "I am surprised we are still on speaking terms."

"Joannie's a little old for teenaged rebellions, isn't she?"

"I don't know, David wasn't much older when he decided to move out on account of Nicholas yelling at us to quit arguing."

~It'd be easier if she'd have decided to move out.~ "I suppose you're right."

"It'll work out, you'll see." Tom says trying to reassure her and himself at the same time.

"I'll trust you," Abby says, clearly still worried about Joannie and other things. "Tom?"

"Hmmm?"

"Nothing. Forget it."

"No, what?"

"I'll bet it's a beautiful night," she changes the topic. "Why don't we take a walk on deck?"

"You have more on your mind than a walk...tell me."

"While we're walking. It'll be easier."

"Uh Oh, I don't like the sound of this."

"Tom, I just want to talk."

"OK, Let's take a stroll."

Abby smiles at him. "We might want to get dressed first. Not that I'd mind if we don't, but I don't want to have to fight all the other women off you."

"You mean laugh at me."

Abby shakes her head. "You've got cute knees."

"Oh that's what I want to be remembered by; by my knees." Tom pretends to be upset.

Abby gets out of bed and starts dressing. "So how would you want to be remembered?"

"Gosh, I don't know. I always thought I would want be known as a great author, like Hemingway or Steinbeck." Tom replies while he gets dressed.

"I didn't even know you wanted to write fiction."

Tom shrugs. "It was just a pipe dream."

"No, it isn't. You're a wonderful writer. If that's what you want, we'll make sure there's time for it to happen."

"Abby, I have eight kids, a mortgage, dentist and doctor bills. Need I go on?"

"*You* have? I thought *we* have."

"You know what I mean."

"I'm not suggesting you give up your day job. But at night, instead of working on your column, couldn't you write what you want?"

"I never thought about it."

"Well, think about it. I can try to keep the kids out of your hair after dinner, and then you'll have a few hours a day to work on what's really important to you."

"You'd do that for me?"

"Of course I would. Isn't that part of loving someone, wanting to make their dreams come true?"

Tom nods and kisses her. "Remind me to get you a big supply of aspirin when we get home."

"For the headaches the kids will give me, or the ones you will?"

"Both." He jokes. "Are you ready?"

Abby nods and takes his arm.

They go up on deck. "It's a nice night."

"Especially since I get to spend it with you."

"I feel the same way."

Abby kisses him, still stalling for time.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

"You're not going to like it."

"Try me." He says.

Abby leans on the railing, not facing Tom. "My publisher called. About the book? They want me to do publicity. Out of town. I told them I didn't think so."

"I know."

She turns to face him. "You know?"

Tom nods. "You forget that your publisher and Elliot are old friends."

"Oh. Did Elliot pressure you?"

"No, he just mentioned the tour."

"And?"

"I'll miss you."

"You mean--you think I should go?" Abby asks, shocked.

"No, but I won't try to stop you if this is what you want."

"See, I'm all torn up about it. I don't want you feeling like you're not important, or the kids to feel that, but I do want the book to do well--after all, I don't have cute knees to fall back on."

"Ha Ha." he says. "We'll manage."

"Oh, I know around the house you'll manage--it won't be that long and you got along fine before I came. What I want to know is if we'll," she points to Tom and to herself, "will manage."

Tom smiles. "We will be fine."

"Really?" Abby smiles back. "I know you weren't thrilled when I got the contract."

"Professional Jealousy."

"And what's to stop that happening again if I do this promotional tour?"

"My love for you."

"And where was that when the 'professional jealousy' hit?"

Tom sighs, "I was an idiot."

"*I* didn't say that," Abby smiles.

"You didn't have to."

"I'd never call you an *idiot*."

"Then what would you call me?"

Abby thinks for a minute. "Old fashioned and proud."

"Well...that too."

"And handsome, and sweet, and kind."

"Aww shucks ma'am." Tom jokes.

Abby smiles at him. "You just underestimate yourself."

Tom kisses her. "That's why I have you to remind me."

"Oh, so that's why you married me."

Tom laughs. "Among other things."

"Such as?"

"You are pretty, smart and loving."

"You're going to make me blush."

"I love you Mrs. Bradford."

"Professional jealousy and all?"

Tom nods. "Even then."

Abby kisses him. "Good. Because I love you, Mr. Bradford, and unrequited love is such a bore."

"Are you Hungry?"

"For?" Abby flirts.

Tom chuckles. "Food my dear."

"If that's all that's on offer, I'll take it."

"We could order room service." He hints.

"Yes, we could, couldn't we," Abby hints right back.

"Shall we or do you want to stay out here longer."

"Think it'll be as nice tomorrow night?"

"I am sure it will be."

"Then whatever you want will be fine."

Tom escorts her back to the cabin.

"I should have guessed," Abby smiles.

"I just don't feel like sharing you with anyone tonight."

"Why not? You have other plans for me?"

Tom winks at her and gives her a passionate kiss. "Does that answer your question?"

"Well, it's a good first clue, but I think I may need another."

Tom kisses her again.

"Let me get this right. What you're suggesting is..." Abby kisses him.

"I always said you were smart."

"Smarter than you know."

"Oh? How so?"

"Because I even know what you want next."

"What?"

Abby pulls him into their cabin and kicks the door shut behind them

"Whoa." Tom laughs.

"Going too fast for you, dear?"

"Not at all. I just have never seen you like this before."

"I usually have to worry about kids listening at the door."

"Now we only have to worry about the stewards."

"You paid the steward off, remember?"

"That's right I did." Tom smiles. "Let the games begin."

"Thought I'd have to spend all night arguing you into it."

"Nope, your wish is my command or is that the other way around."

"Which would you prefer?"

"Both?"

"It's going to be a long night," Abby smiles.

"Well, we have the time." Tom says.

"No work in the morning. No having to wake up Nicholas for school."

"You got that right." Tom agrees. ~I wonder what a ship to shore phone call costs?~

"Uh-oh, I know that look."

"Huh? What look?"

"That 'I wonder what's going on with the kids' look."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Uh-huh."

"So what would you like for dinner?" Tom asks as he picks up the menu.

Abby starts kissing the back of his neck. "Tom Bradford."

Tom tosses the menu across the room like a Frisbee. "Who needs food?"

"You do."

"I do need to keep my strength up." He jokes.

"You've got that right," Abby agrees.

Tom laughs. "So besides me, what would you like?"

"I don't know. Something light."

"Fish? Salad?"

"Salad, I guess."

"I swear you eat like a bird." Tom goes for the phone.

"Of prey, my dear," Abby grins at him.

Tom shakes his head and orders dinner.

During dinner, Abby eats her own salad and picks at Tom's meal.

"Would you like part of my dinner?"

"You mean more than I'm taking?"

Tom nods.

"Well, maybe if it weren't such a long reach," Abby says, and sits in Tom's lap.

"Would you like me to feed you?"

"I might bite your fingers."

"I'll chance it." Tom says. He puts a strawberry to her lips.

Abby bites the strawberry and then kisses Tom's fingers.

"More?"

"Oh, yes, please. Lots more."

Tom happily obliges.

Abby continues to kiss his fingers, then him.

Tom lifts her up and carries her to the bed when his back snaps. He groans but doesn't drop her.

"Oh, no, not again...."

Tom is in too much pain to answer. He is almost frozen.

Abby lets herself down, then leads Tom to the bed. "Lie down on your stomach. I'll rub your back."

Tom does so gingerly. "Be gentle."

"Aren't I always?' she asks as she begins to rub.

"I'm sorry."

"That Joannie isn't here to misconstrue this?" Abby teases.

Tom laughs. "Ow, don't make me laugh."

"Sorry. Well, not really."
 

"Revenge is sweet, eh?"

"Revenge? For what?"

"For ruining our evening."

"The evening's young, and there's still plenty of days left to this cruise. We're not on a timetable, you know."

"I know. I just didn't want to waste a moment of it."

"Well, we can do other things. Like talk."

"What about?"

"Nothing at all. Just talk. Not about the kids, not about the sedan, not about what need repairing, or work, or anything everyday. Just about us."

"Sounds fun." Tom says, "But where do we begin?"

"I don't know," Abby admits, and continues to rub his back. "It'll come to us. This helping any?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Why does your back go out so often, anyway?"

"Korea."

"Really? I thought you spent the war writing. How'd your back go out doing that?"

"I'm embarrassed to say." Tom tells her. "The press corps was hit and I ducked down and a file cabinet landed on my back."

Abby laughs and kisses his shoulder. "All in all, a bad back's not the worst souvenir to bring home from a war."

"No, that's true."

"And it gives me a good excuse for rubbing your back."

"That does feel good."

"I'd hope so. I like making you feel good."

"How did I get so lucky?"

"Guess you were just in the right place at the right time."

"Or Tommy was in the right place at the right time." He jokes.

"If being underneath Max is the right place, I don't think I want to be there," Abby jokes.

Tom laughs. "Poor Tommy."

"You mean lucky Tommy. He got a great teacher out of the deal."

"He didn't think so at the time."

"He didn't?" Abby pretends to pout. "I think I'm hurt."

"Don't be." Tom says. "My son may lack good judgment, but I knew a good thing when I saw it."

"Maybe he would have too, if he were looking for a wife and not a tutor."

"Touche."

"I guess I'm lucky that you noticed me, since you weren't really looking."

"I felt my heart beating again."

"Tom," Abby says, surprised and pleased. "That is the most romantic thing..."

"I thought you knew."

"No. At first I thought it was a try-out, like those women you and Max went out with, and that it grew into something more."

"I must have hid it well."

"Or maybe I was the one who wasn't really looking."

"I couldn't imagine you not being snatched up like that."

"Most of the men I went out with--well, snatching something was definitely on their minds."

"Oh." Tom says.

"Oh?" Abby repeats.

"Yeah, its their loss."

"And our gain."

"Exactly."

"How's your back now?"

Tom realizes the pain is gone. "It's gone."

"I hope you mean the pain and not your back."

"The Pain." he smiles.

Abby stops the massage. "Good."

"How about we just go to bed and cuddle?"

"Best offer I've had all day. Well, almost the best."

"Almost?"

"Well, the offer you made before your back went out definitely had its merits."

"I know, I am disappointed too."

"Why? The whole point of getting away from the kids for more than one night is that there's no rush. We can cuddle now and tomorrow--well, tomorrow we can decide what we do tomorrow."

"No deadlines, how nice." Tom says as he crawls into bed.

"It is, isn't it?" Abby says, and snuggles up to him.

Tom turns out the light. The moon is shining thru the porthole.

"Mmm," Abby sighs contentedly. "This is something we never have time for at home, either. And the moon never shines so bright in Sacramento."

"That's true." Tom says before falling asleep to the gentle rocking of the ship.

Abby kisses him, watches him sleep for a while, and then goes to sleep, too.

Part 3