Episode 5: You are cordially invited
Part 2

After Tom and Abby leave, David and all his siblings go to the house to watch tv and basically hang out in the den.

"I'm going to be playing at the coffee house again, just a one night gig, if you guys want to come and see me perform," he says.

"Cool. I'll come, which night?" Nancy asks.

"They don't know yet. It's either November 9th or 10th," he replies. "If it's the 9th it will give us all a chance to wind down after the wedding."

"I can make it," Elizabeth says.

David smiles. "Great." He waits for the rest to reply.

Tommy says, "I'll be there."

Mary replies, "Count me in."

"Count me in, too," Susan says.

Nicholas asks, "Can I come?"

"Yes, Nicholas, you can come also," David says.

"I'll help watch him," Joannie says. "I mean, I wouldn't go otherwise. Nothing there for me, right? Aside from the talent, the cute guys, the show, the cute guys--did I mention the cute guys yet?"

Elizabeth laughs. "Yes."

"Behave, and maybe I'll introduce you to some of them," Joannie laughs.

"Cool," Elizabeth says.

"As long as they're younger than eighteen," Nancy pipes in.

"Nancy you are not my mother; you'll want to remember that," Elizabeth says.

"I'm not trying to be. Relax. Just looking out for you."

"I'm sure that Joannie is smart enough to do that all by herself," Elizabeth retorts.

"I didn't say she wasn't," Nancy says becoming defensive.

"You implied it."

"What is this, national Attack Nancy Day? Well, the heck with you," she says and then retreats to the sun porch.

"Is it her time of the month?" David asks knowing that Nicholas won't know what he's talking about.

Tommy just shrugs.

"David!" Joannie protests. "Sounds like someone's enrolled in the Tom Bradford School of Stupid Male Remarks."

"Well, can you think of any other reason she's been so grouchy tonight?" David asks.

"Oh, seven or so reasons," Joannie answers.

"Oh I see." David goes after Nancy. He sees her swallow a pill. "Headache?"

She jumps up, not having heard him come in. "Uh yeah a headache."

"Sis are we getting on your nerves? Or is it becoming too crowded? If so you can come stay at my place for a few days."

"No, I'm OK, I just need to stop taking life so seriously. I'd better go apologize to Lizzie." She goes to do this, leaving David confused at her sudden change in mood.

After David leaves the room, everyone goes back to what they'd been doing before his announcement. Joannie goes to the kitchen for a drink and bumps into her brother. "You look like one puzzled man."

"Believe me I am. Notice how quickly Nancy's mood changed?" he says.

"Yeah," Joannie says, considering her sister. "You don't think...naah, she's grown out of that nonsense, hasn't she?"

"Well I did see her taking a pill a little while ago. I assume it was just aspirin," he says.

"It'd better have been. That's all we need now, for her to go off the deep end again," Joannie says.

"Oh I won't let that happen," David says with conviction. "Not like I let it happen three years ago. I wasn't much of a big brother then, letting her do all of that junk. Thinking she'd be OK, that everyone does it."

"So are you going to try to find out why she's been so moody lately?" Joannie asks.

"Yes I am, and Joannie don't tell Dad or Abby, OK? If I need help I'll ask you guys, and if we need help then we'll go to them but not now. If they have to be told it won't be 'til after the honeymoon."

"Good idea. But if you have to tell one of them, tell Abby--Dad went ballistic at Nancy Halloween, from what I heard."

"Good idea," David agrees. "Dad does tend to blow things out of proportion."

"Out of proportion? More like out of the water."

David laughs in agreement and then they both return to the den and watch TV with their siblings.

Tom and Abby finally arrive at her apartment and go inside. Tom fixes them each a drink and then they retreat to the sofa.

"Thank you for handling my father so well."

"No problem, thanks for warning me about his opinionated ways."

"Nothing wrong with him a dip into the twentieth century wouldn't cure," Abby jokes. "Maybe you two do have something in common after all."

Tom gives her a wounded look.

Abby laughs at him and gives him an apologetic kiss.

Tom returns the kiss, having forgiven her already.

"Now you've met my family. When do I get to meet this sister of yours?" Abby asks.

"I don't know. I haven't been able to reach her yet," Tom says.

Abby looks at him, confused. He hasn't been able to find his sister to talk about the fact that he's getting married? ~No wonder he insists on the kids being so close to each other. Between his in-laws and his sister, it doesn't seem like he's got any close family of his own.~ "Are you worried about her?"

"Sometimes I worry, but she does like to travel a lot. Sometimes we go for months with not hearing from her and then she shows up for lunch or something," Tom smiles.

"She sounds...interesting. Very different from you, Mr. Soul of Responsibility."

"Yes she is." He tells her all about his sister.

"And here I thought Mary and Nancy were total opposites. They're clones compared to you and Vivian." Abby moves closer to Tom. "Tell me again why we're discussing our families when this is one of the last quiet evenings we'll have until Nicholas moves away?"

"I don't know. You started it." He begins to kiss her.

"Once in a while, remind me to just shut up and kiss you."

"My pleasure."

After the show is over David pulls Nancy aside.

"Little sis, we need to talk."

"What do we need to talk about?"

"Come on, let's go get some ice cream. It's on me," he says.

"OK."

The leave in his van and get some ice cream from the local ice cream parlor.

"So what did you want to talk about?"

"Are you using drugs again?" he asks, not bothering to be subtle.

"Of course not," she answers a little too quickly. "Why would I do that?"

"I don't know. Why don't you tell me," he counters.

"This conversation is over," she says and walks away.

He goes after her. "OK, I'm sorry. I'm just trying to figure out why you've been so angry one minute and happy the next."

"I don't know why, but I'm sure it will pass after things calm down a little. Don't worry, I won't ruin the wedding or anything," she says.

"I didn't say you would."

After a while Abby's phone rings. "Should I ignore that?" she asks. "The machine can get it."

"Let the machine get it," Tom says. "It needs the workout."

"And if it's your kids? They know you're here and they'll wonder why we're too busy to answer the phone."

Tom sighs. "OK, I suppose it should be answered."

Abby answers the phone. "Dotty?...What are you doing in London?...The tenth? Didn't you get my--no, I suppose you can't, can you?...Well, congratulations....Love you..." She hangs up and frowns.

"What's wrong?" Tom asks.

"My friend Dotty Gordon--she was supposed to be my maid of honor--she's getting married on Thursday. In London, so..." Abby thinks a minute. "Know any girls who might be interested in the job?"

"Yes, five of them," Tom says.

"But which one? I can't choose or I'll be accused of playing favorites."

"Hmm, that's a tough call. How about Elizabeth?"

"Whoever you say. I suppose Elizabeth makes sense since David's your best man--the oldest son and the youngest daughter. But you tell the girls, OK?"

"Don't worry I will," he promises.

"All right, I won't worry about that," Abby says. "I'll just worry about how I'll make it through this week. Wish it were Wednesday already..."

"So do I," Tom says with a twinkle in his eye as he starts to kiss her again.

After a while, Abby sighs in frustration. "Two grown people, and look at us. I hope the city's cold water supply lasts the next few days..."

"Yeah, so do I," Tom says.

Nancy and David talk a little while longer and David gets nowhere. On the drive home they're both silent, lost in their own thoughts.

~OK, on to plan B--as soon as I figure out what plan B is~ David ponders.

~OK, Bradford no more of that. David already suspects something. Who knows who else does? No more after tonight.~

Joannie waits in the living room for David to bring Nancy home, and when his van pulls into the driveway, she rushes out. "David, could I talk to you about Wednesday? Since Dad said we couldn't hire limos and all."

"Sure," David says.

"Thanks for the ice cream," Nancy says.

"Anytime, kid," David says and Nancy goes back inside and he turns to Joannie. "What's up?"

Joannie looks at the house one more time to make sure Nancy isn't lingering, then asks David, "That's what I want to know. What did Nancy say?"

David sighs in frustration. "She says she's not using, but she was a little too quick to say that and then she got on the defensive."

"Do you want me to search her room? I could send her out of the house to get something and do it discreetly," Joannie claims.

"I don't know about that, but then again if it's not done and she is using and gets a hold of some bad stuff.... Do you want me to help search her room?" he asks.

Joannie's about to refuse the offer, but thinks better of it--she's a little scared of what she'll find, and she'd be glad for the company. "Yeah, thanks. Can you come by tomorrow? For breakfast, and then I'll get rid of Nancy and Elizabeth."

"No problem, and sure I'll be here, count on it," he says.

"Thanks," Joannie says, and gives her big brother a hug.

David returns the hug. "Anytime, now try not to worry. I'll worry enough for the both of us, OK?"

A little later, at Abby's apartment:

"Maybe you'd better leave while I'll still let you," Abby warns.

"OK, but first..." He kisses her one last time for the night.

"Tease. Maybe you were wrong, what you told the kids that first night I took you out--maybe I am a teenaged boy and you're a teenaged girl." Abby shakes her head at the absurdity of the situation, her wanting him to stay and he insisting on their virtuous behavior until Wednesday.

Tom laughs. "Trust me, you are not a teenaged boy."

"Well, no more than you're some teenaged girl," Abby answers, and after a few more kisses Tom leaves and Abby heads off for her cold shower.

Joannie sits at the breakfast table, trying to figure out how to get rid of Nancy and Elizabeth so she and David can search the room, but her father's constant yawns keep interrupting her thoughts. "Just what time did you get in last night, Dad?"

"Around that time," Tom says being vague.

"The last time I came in around that time I got grounded for two days," Elizabeth says.

"I think we should ground Dad for at least a week; he should be giving us a good example, not coming in at all hours of the night," Joannie jokes.

Tom laughs. "You can't ground a man who is about to be married," he says.

"Maybe not," Joannie answers, "but soon you won't be the only authority figure around here. We'll get Abby to ground you."

Tom laughs at Joannie's comment.

Elizabeth laughs and then turns to Nancy. "Why are you playing with your food?"

"Not hungry," Nancy mumbles.

"Well I need to get a few things for the wedding. Want to come with me?" Elizabeth asks.

"Sure," they leave and also David arrives.

~Whew, now I don't have to think of some excuse to get them out of the way.~ Joannie pushes her plate away. "I've got too much to do to eat. David, could I talk to you for a few minutes?"

"Joannie? Your brother hasn't eaten yet," Tom says.

"It's OK, Dad, I'm not hungry yet." He and Joannie leave the room.

"Sorry about rushing you," Joannie tells him, "I was planning on letting you eat, but Elizabeth messed the schedule up. Where do we start to look?"

"You check her dresser drawers and the closet and I'll check under her bed, under the mattress, and under that little chunk of broken wall that Mom and Dad never found out about."

"You know, if you ever stop loving us you've got real potential for blackmail," Joannie says as she starts pulling out dresser drawers.

"Never going to happen," David says as he checks under Nancy's bed and mattress.

Joannie finds something in one of Nancy's drawers. "I don't believe-- no," she turns to reassure her brother, "it's not drugs, or anything you'd be interested in. But I am going to have to have a long talk with my little sister..."

David just shakes his head in confusion and then checks behind the broken wall piece. "Oh boy," he says as he pulls out a couple of things and shows an half empty bottle of whiskey and a half empty bottle of amphetamines to Joannie.

"How could she be so stupid?" Joannie asks him. "So now what do we do?"

"I guess Halloween was more than she could handle. I say we confront her," David replies.

"You think it's only been since last week?" Joannie asks. "Then maybe there's still time to get her to stop on her own without dragging Dad into this."

"I thought we weren't going to tell Dad," David says. "And I hope that it's only been that long."

"We weren't going to tell him or Abby unless we had to," Joannie corrects him. "And if she's mixing drugs and alcohol, if we can't get her to stop, we may have to tell them. So how do we confront her?"

"We'll do it at my apartment so we can have privacy, and I have a couple of drug/alcohol horror stories I can tell her," David replies.

"It doesn't look like Mom and Dad's horror stories did much lasting good," Joannie gestures to the stash David's found. "I just want to shake her, you know?"

"I know."

Tommy knocks on Abby's door.

"Tommy! What are you doing up so early on a Sunday?" Abby asks as she lets him in.

"Dad said something about you might need help packing."

"Oh, boy, do I need help. Here's a box--pick a bookcase, any bookcase. There's drink and food in the fridge when you need to refuel."

Tommy goes and starts packing up books from one of the bookcases and finds they are mostly educational type books and asks Abby, "Don't you read anything fiction or at least fun?"

"Not anything I'd care to keep around for a second reading," Abby admits. "Besides, I haven't had time for any leisure reading since I met your family. You guys take a lot of time."

"Can I ask a question?" Tommy asks.

"Of course."

"Don't you sometimes feel overwhelmed marrying into a family this size? We can get on people's nerves," Tommy says

"Well," Abby hesitates, "it's not that you get on my nerves, but yes, you guys can be very overwhelming. Then again, you seem to overwhelm each other on a regular basis, so I don't think it's a feeling that will change with time--I just have to take the overwhelming with the good. Why?"

"No particular reason," Tommy says.

"Really? Is everything OK, Tommy, or is there something you're not telling me?"

"You worry too much," Tommy says as he finishes packing the box and grabs a marker and asks, "What do I put on the box--Storage, Garage or House?"

"Just mark it 'books'," Abby says, not quite believing Tommy's disclaimers. "There's no way I'll get all this packed and unpacked in three days, so I figured that except for my clothes and things I'd put it all in the garage and sort through it later."

"OK," Tommy says. "I must say that was an interesting dinner last night."

~Ah...~ "Yeah, it was. You were awfully quiet," Abby says.

"I was afraid to open my mouth to say anything," Tommy replies. "I thought Nicholas was going to explode from having to sit that long."

"You shouldn't have been afraid--they wouldn't have done anything to you, you know. Sounds like the Bradfords were as overwhelmed as the Mitchells were."

"Oh well, we'll probably see them as much as we see my mom's parents."

"Yeah, your father told me about that," Abby says. "I only see my family once or twice a year--I don't have time to go down to them except on holidays and they hate to travel, but they call--a lot. Will that bother you? You wouldn't *have* to talk to them, you know."

"Why would that bother me?" Tommy asks. "Besides, it is your family."

"And they'll be your step-grandparents," Abby reminds him. "You know, if your grandparents don't call you, you could still call them."

"I tried that one time after the funeral; I never told Dad but my grandfather hung up on me," Tommy says with regret.

"You should have told him. I know he's spoken to them since; he could have straightened things out," Abby says. "Maybe it was just too soon. Sometimes, after a funeral, people aren't ready to go back to the real world again, and maybe talking to you was too big a reminder to them that your mom wasn't around any more. It's hard enough to lose a husband, or a parent, I guess, but to lose a child--it's not supposed to happen that way, is it?"

Tommy just nods in agreement and then says "If I don't help you more with the packing Dad will come by thinking I have been goofing off."

"I asked your father specifically not to come over, or I'll never get any packing done," Abby says. "You start on another bookcase; I've got to go sort things out in the kitchen. Not that I'm bringing much of that stuff--any family with four toasters doesn't need another."

Tommy laughs and goes work on another bookcase.

After a while Abby comes back into the living room. "Want to take a lunch break? Packing all these boxes must be hard work."

"Yeah, I am starved," Tommy says.

"Maybe that means you'll eat my cooking without even complaining," Abby jokes, "or burning it to a crisp."

"Uh, maybe we should order out," Tommy replies.

"I'm only giving in because I want to enjoy my last few days before cooking for an army," Abby tells him. "Pizza or Chinese?"

"Pizza," Tommy says.

"OK," Abby starts to dial the local pizza place. "Just tell me you don't take anything weird on your pizza."

"No anchovies," Tommy insists.

"Good. No tuna or pineapple or heart of palm either?"

"Ugh," Tommy states.

Abby smiles in relief. "Then you can order whatever you want," she says, and hands him the phone.

Tommy orders the pizza and resumes packing. "I hope they get here soon."

"They usually do. They know I never order until I'm past starved and I give good tips."

Tommy laughs and says, "Remind me who to come to when I need some money."

"Your father would love that, me giving you money behind his back. Don't go getting me into trouble, OK?"

"Well, it was worth a try," Tommy says in jest.

Abby shakes her head and goes back to her packing. Ten minutes later the doorbell rings. Abby takes the pizza, pays the delivery boy, and calls Tommy into the kitchen.

"Ah, that smells good."

"From what I hear, you think all food smells good. Even what your father cooks," Abby says.

"True, but I have a secret," Tommy says.

"And that is?"

Tommy laughs and says, "Sorry, I don't divulge any information in case I need to use it later."

"I'm guessing cast iron stomach," Abby says. "Or a credit account at the burger place."

"You'll never know."

"Sure I will. I'll just have your father cook and then I'll watch you very carefully," Abby says and takes her plate to the sink. "I hope you're going to finish all the rest of that pizza."

"Sure, the best thing about pizza is leftovers. Cold pizza for breakfast."

"Just stay away from the warm beer--it's a killer."

"Hmmm....I think underneath that prim and proper teacher is a wild lady with a wild past."

"You're not the only one who's allowed to keep secrets," Abby says.

"So are you going to tell me about it?" Tommy asks curiously.

"You going to tell me your secrets?" Abby asks.

"I see your point," Tommy concedes.

"I always did say you were smart."

Tommy grins.

Abby hands him another packing carton. "Now how about being productive, too."

"You have enough books here to open a bookstore."

"I wouldn't go that far, but enough that I don't know where I'm going to put them all. You don't suppose your father would share his study, do you?"

Tommy laughs and replies, "Good luck."

"I have my ways," Abby says.

"Oh, I am sure you do," Tommy laughs.

Abby pretends to glare at him. "Pack."

"OK...OK.."

Nancy and Elizabeth return after David and Joannie had straightened up the mess they made and soon after David asks Nancy to come over to his place where Joannie joins them.

"So what's up?" Nancy asks.

"You tell us," David brings out the stash and places it on the table.

"Er where did that come from?" Nancy feigns confusion.

"You know, if you don't want your things found, you shouldn't hide them in plain sight, or as near as," Joannie says. "We all know each other too well for that. I thought you were over all this."

"Look I made a decision last night not to do it anymore. I was going to get rid of that stuff this morning but Elizabeth wanted to go somewhere." She takes out another bottle of pills and lays them down on the table. "No more of anything I promise."

"You made that promise before, Nancy," Joannie reminds her. "You even promised Mom."

Nancy sighs in frustration. "Well, I'll be able to this time."

"Why did you even start up again? And how long have you been using again?" David asks, wanting to get at the root of the problem.

"Since Halloween, and I don't know why I just did," Nancy says.

"There had to be a reason," Joannie insists. "If you won't admit what it is, you won't get better. And why'd you even start on Halloween? You must have had a lot to drink, to look at the way Abby was being so protective when she brought you home in the morning."

"I had six beers that night. I thought I'd be OK and I wouldn't start wanting to do everything else again but I was wrong," she says.

"Six beers?" Joannie asks. "Why'd you even start? Was it Cassie? Did she say something to upset you?"

"No, Cassie didn't do anything. In fact this past week she's been yelling at me. I promised her I quit too when she found out. I guess it's been everything that has happened recently and the way things are at school."

"What everything? If you didn't start drinking after what Rick did to you, or the accident--wait," Joannie says angrily. "After the way you laid into the drunk driver, you went out and started getting smashed yourself?"

"I never get behind the wheel when I'm in that condition," Nancy says, starting to get angry herself.

"OK, let's hold on a minute," David says. "Both of you need to calm down. Now Nancy, what exactly made you decide to try and screw up your life again?"

"Honestly?"

"Yes."

"OK, but it won't sound good," Nancy finally comes clean. "It was being with Jason and Cassie on Halloween. It felt like old times and I wanted to hang on to that. I guess I went about that the wrong way."

"What was so good about the 'old times'?" Joannie asks, trying to be reasonable. "You nearly drove Mom and Dad crazy back then."

"At least she was alive," Nancy says quietly.

"You did this because you miss Mom? Well I can tell you that making Mom mad at you wherever she is right now won't bring her back," David says.

"And trying to kill yourself with this garbage," Joannie motions to what David found, "won't help anyone."

"This stuff isn't going to kill me. For one thing I knew what I was doing, and for another I'm not going to do it anymore," Nancy protests.

"That's what you said last time," Joannie repeats. "That's what they all say."

"Joannie, I said I wouldn't do it anymore. What more do you want from me?"

"I don't know," Joannie says honestly. "I just want to be sure that you're safe."

Nancy smiles. "Joannie, that's a tall order; no one is ever completely safe."

"Doesn't mean I can't wish it."

"Joannie, I mean it, no more. I won't even drink champagne during the shower or at the reception. And if I can't quit on my own I'll get help."

"OK, then. But you'd better mean that, or I'm going to be one angry big sister."

"Don't worry, I mean it," Nancy says.

"Good," David sighs in relief.

Joannie throws her big brother a look. ~Do you think she means it?~

He answers the look with a we'll keep an eye on her look.

Monday at breakfast Joannie says to Elizabeth, "Do you have everything we need for the shower? If not, I can take you to pick stuff up after school."

"Well I do need to pick up a few more things. What time do you want to go?" Elizabeth asks.

"My last class finishes at 3, so I'm free after that," Joannie answers.

"School ends at 3:15, if you can pick me up at school."

"I might take a little longer, so just wait for me outside," Joannie says and then gathers up her books. "Anyone need a ride?" she asks her sisters.

"Yeah I do, I figured I'd actually go to classes today," Nancy says.

Joannie looks at her father, hoping he didn't hear what Nancy said. "Great. I want to leave in about 15 minutes--you'll be ready?"

"Yeah I'll be ready."

Tom hadn't heard Nancy, he was lost in his own thoughts about Abby.

Joannie goes upstairs to finish getting ready and then comes back to the kitchen.

"Bye, everyone. Bye, Dad," Joannie says, but gets no response. "Dad? Earth to Tom Bradford..."

Tom blinks. "Yes, honey?"

"Just checking that you're still with us," Joannie laughs.

"Now honey, it's not polite to laugh at a man in love," Tom teases.

"We're your kids. We don't have to be polite," Joannie says.

There's a knock on the front door and Joannie goes to answer it--it's Abby. "Dad's going to think he's a magician--he was thinking about you, and he conjured you up."

Abby laughs and goes to say hello to Tom.

Tom kisses her hello and then asks, "So what brings you by this morning?"

"Besides seeing you?" Abby says. "Bringing by more of my things. I didn't realize I had so much until I tried packing it all." She turns to the girls. "Anyone have any closet space I could borrow for a few days? I can leave the folding thing in boxes, but I have some clothes that need to be hung."

"Sorry, Abby, but my closet is full. Mary has her own room, so she might have space," Nancy says.

"Nonsense, you can put your things in our closet," Tom says.

Abby smiles at him. "You sure about that? I mean, technically it isn't *ours* until Wednesday. You might want to enjoy your last few days of closet space."

"No I don't think I need to do that," Tom says.

"OK. If you'll come upstairs and show me where all your stuff is I'll try not to take over the whole closet."

Tom and Abby go upstairs and Tom makes space for her things in the closet.

"Thanks," Abby tells him. "Now go back downstairs to your kids and let me unpack, because if you start kissing me in here I won't be held responsible."

"All right, but after Wednesday..." he says as he leaves the room and returns to his children.

Tom walks in just as Joannie's hurrying Nancy into leaving. "Hi Dad, bye Dad. Didn't expect to see you downstairs so quickly."

After Nancy and Joannie leave, Tom goes to see if Nicholas is ready for school.

Nicholas is still in bed when his dad comes in.

"Nicholas, why aren't you ready to go to school?"

"I have a sore throat."

Tom feels his forehead and calls Dr. Max.

"Hello?" Dr. Max says.

"Greg, can you come over? Nicholas has a sore throat and is running a fever," Tom worriedly says.

"Oh boy," Greg says. "He hasn't had his tonsils out yet, has he?"

"Yeah, he had them removed last year remember?"

"That's right, sorry."

Abby steps out of the closet. "Tom?" She sees he's on the phone and sits down on the bed next to him to hear what's wrong--obviously something is or he would have said hello when he walked into the room.

"Nicholas is sick," he tells her the rest.

"I can't stay here with him," Abby apologizes, "I've got meetings and students all day--I've had to overload to get time off later on this week." She thinks for a moment. "I could ask my mother to come stay with him if he's going to be home today. She'd be glad of the chance to get to know this family better, and it'll spare her another day of my father complaining about Sacramento."

"Let me see what Greg says. I might be staying home with him."

"All right. Just let me know if you want me to call my mother so I can reach her before she goes out," Abby says and goes back to her unpacking. "Is he coming over here to check Nicholas or are you taking Nicholas in to see him?"

"Greg, are you coming over?" he asks.

"Yes, no sense getting the poor guy dressed if he is sick."

"Thanks, Greg." After awhile they hang up and Tom relays the information to Abby.

Greg comes over and looks at Nicholas's throat and ears. "Hmmm," he says.

"Hmm what?" Tom asks.

"Well, his throat is red as wells as his ears. I am going to give you a prescription for some antibiotics as well as some ear drops for his ears." Greg sees the worried look on Tom's face and replies, "I am 100% sure he will be better by Wednesday; just keep him warm and comfortable and well you know the rest about making sure he takes in liquids."

"Yes, I do. Thanks Greg," Tom says as they walk to Tom's room.

"No problem; that is what best friends are for. Speaking of rest, are you rested up for bachelor party?" Greg asks.

"Oh, Greg, no bachelor party please." He then turns to Abby, who is still putting her clothing away. "I have to go into work today. Think your mom would mind watching him?"

"Sorry dear old friend," Greg says, "Tommy and I have set it up for the same night as the girls are giving the shower."

"I'll call to make sure," Abby says and begins dialing. "And why shouldn't you have a bachelor party? The girls are making me a shower."

"You mean you don't mind?"

"I trust you." Abby speaks into the phone, asks for her parents' suite. "Somehow I don't think you're the kind of person I have to worry about getting into trouble the night before your wedding," she tells Tom, and then turns back to the phone to speak to her mother. "What pharmacy do you use?" she asks Tom. "If Max calls in the prescription, my mother can pick it up on the way over."

Tom smiles, "Johnson's Pharmacy."

As Abby speaks to her mother Greg pulls Tom aside. "So what was Abby doing in your room so early?"

"Looking for closet space."

"Are you sure that is all she was looking for?"

Tom gives him the cut it out look.

Greg laughs and says. "I guess we will see you at the party; if Nicholas turns for the worse, just give me a call."

Abby hangs up after talking to her mother. "She said she'll be over in about three quarters of an hour. I'll wait for her; it'll take me that long to get all my clothes put right."

Tom kisses her and thanks her and leaves the room to tend to Nicholas.

"I have to go to work but Abby's mom will probably be here with you."

"I don't think she likes me," Nicholas replies.

"What makes you think that?"

"They all acted strange at dinner."

"That doesn't mean they don't like you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," Tom smiles. "I'm sure."

"OK," Nicholas says.

In Tom's room, Greg looks at Abby. "You seem awfully amused," she says. "What's up?"

"Well, you are here early and you are in Tom's bedroom."

Abby rolls her eyes. "And you ought to know him well enough to know that there's a perfectly good reason for that."

"Just because I know him doesn't mean he isn't human."

"Oh, he's definitely human," Abby agrees with a smile.

"In all seriousness, you have made him a happy man. I have never seen him that happy since...well you know."

"Thanks. But wait until after the wedding and then tell me if he's happy."

"I am sure everything will be fine," he says

"I hope so," she tells Max. "You've known this family a long time--have any survival hints for me? Besides keeping Tom happy, obviously."

"Just take things one moment at a time and take problems one at a time," Greg advises.

"Sounds like a full time job."

"It will be; but I know you can handle it."

"I hope so," Abby says. "Between work and school and this family, I hope I'm not taking on too much."

"You will have days like that. But the thing to remember is that you don't have to do everything."

About three quarters of an hour after Tom leaves Katherine Mitchell rings the doorbell. Abby lets her in. "Thanks for coming by, Mom."

"Anytime. I always did want to be a babysitting grandmother."

"Well, enjoy it while it lasts; I won't call you up here from Pasadena."

"I brought his medicine," Katherine says, "and some toys."

"You're going to spoil him, Mom."

"That's a grandmother's privilege."

The Mitchell women go upstairs and knock on Nicholas's door.

"Come in," Nicholas says.

"Hey, Nicholas," Abby says, "feeling any better?"

"No," he says.

"Well, my mom brought your medicine, and that should help you feel better. She'll stay with you today." Abby turns to her mother. "I left everything for hot chocolate on the counter and there's plenty of milk in the fridge. Anything else Nicholas wants he knows where to find." Abby gives Nicholas a kiss on the forehead. "I have to get to work, but my mom knows where to reach me and your dad if you don't start feeling better, OK?"

"OK. Thanks."

Abby leaves the room and Katherine comes to sit next to Nicholas's bed. "Good morning. I hear you're not doing so well. I have your medicine here, and since I doubt it tastes good, I have a little something for after--but don't tell Sandra Sue; she's already sure I'm going to spoil you."

"What is it?"

"Some candy, a few toys," Katherine says, "and when Sandra Sue was ill, I always made her hot chocolate. If you'd like some, I'll make that in a little while."

"Thanks, Mrs. Mitchell."

"Please, I'd like it very much if you'd call me Grandma Katherine. I know you have grandparents of your own, but I always did want to be someone's grandmother."

"Thanks Grandma Katherine," Nicholas smiles.

Katherine smiles back at him. "I think this may be the start of a beautiful friendship. Now take your medicine so we can get to the good stuff."

Nicholas takes the medicine and exclaims "Yuck."

"Sorry, but it will make you feel better. And this should get the taste out of your mouth," Katherine passes him some of the candy.

"How did you know I like licorice?"

"Lucky guess," Katherine says. "Want to tell me if I'm as good a guesser when it comes to toys?" she asks and passes a parcel over.

"Wow," Nicholas says as he opens the bag. "Thanks."

"I think I'm going to like this spoiling of grandchildren," Katherine says. "Although I think I'll have to try to spoil your brothers and sisters, too, just so they don't get jealous."

Nicholas laughs.