Monday Evening rolls around and finds Nancy knocking on Susan and Joannie's door. Joannie finally opens the door and lets her in.

"Hey Joannie since I'm the only one who knows about your play tonight you're my only chance at a ride there. Can you give me a lift to your play? Dad and Abby won't let me drive."

"If you don't mind getting there early. My wardrobe takes time, you know."

"I don't mind, I'm ready whenever you are. And what wardrobe?"

"I do have a wardrobe," Joannie defends herself. "For the first ten minutes of the play, at least. You're sure Dad doesn't know anything about this, right? I mean, you didn't accidentally let it slip or anything?"

"I'm positive, don't worry about a thing. I'm going to go and tell them I'm going out with you tonight. Let me know when you're ready to go."

"Give me five minutes, and if I'm not ready, kick me out the door anyway."

"Ok," Nancy smiles and leaves the room.

Meanwhile Tom and Abby are in their bedroom getting ready to go see the play her former student wrote, unaware that Joannie will be performing in it.

They're already packed for the trip to Chicago the next day. Tom searches in vain for the tie he wants to wear and starts to get frustrated.

"How come I can never find the tie I want to wear. I had no trouble finding all these ties I don't want to wear." He grouses.

"The ties you like to wear are so bad they disappear from sheer boredom," Abby tells him.

"Real cute." He replies.

"I thought so," Abby says. "Just wear any tie; I'm the only one who'll be looking, and I don't care."

Tom grabs a tie and puts it on. "You look beautiful." He tells Abby. At that moment Nancy knocks on the door.

"Hold that thought," Abby says, and opens the bedroom door.

"I'm going out with Joannie tonight, we'll be home later. Wow you two look great, where are you going?"

Tom starts to answer, but Abby cuts him off. "Just something from my work. Have a good time--don't stay out too late; we have a flight to catch in the morning."

"I know, have a good time." Nancy says and then leaves the room.

"Am I not allowed to talk to my children tonight?" Tom jokes.

"Nope, you're not," Abby jokes back. "We're grown people, we don't have to tell them where we'll be or what time we'll be back. It's called privacy, and get used to it, Tom, because I'm going to start insisting we get some in this family."

Tom smiles. "Sounds good to me." He says as he kisses her.

Currently in Nancy and Elizabeth's room, Elizabeth is getting ready for her date unaware that the play he's taking her to is the one Joannie is performing in.

Moments later Nancy and Joannie leave for the play.

On the way over to the theatre, Joannie keeps running lines. "Am I as bad as I think I am?"

"No, you're wonderful, don't worry."

"I'm so nervous," Joannie admits. "This is the first time the critics will really be seeing me."

"I know, but you'll be great. You're a very good actress Joannie."

"Thanks. but still...How are you doing?" Joannie asks to change the topic. "You all packed for tomorrow?"

"Yeah." She answers quietly.

"Hey, don't be nervous," Joannie says. "A little needle prick, they run the test, remove the cyst, and you're as good as new. Better."

"But it'll be a week before the test results are in and what if it's not a cyst?"

"It is, and that's that. And during the week, we'll just have to take you shopping a lot to distract you."

"That sounds like a very good plan to me." Nancy smiles.

They pull up at the theater. "You can hang out backstage with me if you like, but it'll be crazy," Joannie warns.

"I like crazy as long as they stay away from my shoulder."

"I can't promise, but we can try. Um, and don't be shocked, Nance, but--there's only one dressing room."

"Did you say only one dressing room?" Joannie nods. "Sorry shoulder you'll have to deal. I'd be more than happy to go backstage with you."

Joannie leads Nancy backstage and announces to everyone in the dressing room. "This is my little sister. She's young and innocent, so watch yourselves, you pervs."

"Joannie," Nancy whispers in embarrassment.

"Ahh, new prey." One of the guys kids and gives Nancy his best flirting smile.

"Don't pay any attention to him," Joannie whispers to Nancy. "He doesn't even like girls."

"I see he just likes to tease." Nancy says. "There was a guy like that in my graduating class at high school."

"Well, there are a lot of guys like that in my department," Joannie admits. "Why do you think I never have any dates?"

Nancy hugs her sister. "I am so sorry."

"Forget about being sorry. You're in college now--find me a man!"

"Well you're in college still, but ok I'll fix you up as soon as I can."

"Joannie, are you going to gab all night, or are you going to get into makeup?" one of the other actors complains.

Joannie grumbles and starts working on her appearance.

Nancy glances around and wanders a bit and then she looks out into the audience and sees Elizabeth and her date. "Oh no."

Abby and Tom walk into the theater. "Afterwards I'll probably have to go backstage and talk to the author," Abby says. "No matter how much you don't like it, pretend, please, OK?"

"I'll be on my best behavior." Tom tells her.

"I've seen your best behavior. Let's try for a little more diplomatic than that."

Nancy goes over to Joannie and tells her that Elizabeth and her date are here.

"Oh, no. How'd they find out? She'll tell Dad, I'm sure of it. I'm toast."

"I don't know. Elizabeth said he was taking her to a show. I assumed that they were going to the movies."

"Maybe if I use more makeup she won't recognize me."

Nancy laughs. "Relax I'll talk to Elizabeth and make sure she keeps it a secret."

"Sure Elizabeth can keep a secret. I'm doomed," Joannie moans.

"You're not doomed. I'll make sure she doesn't tell anyone." Nancy says.

The producer comes over. "Nancy you have to take your seat now."

"Joannie I have to go, don't worry it'll be all right."

Joannie takes a deep breath. "I'm going to mess up. I'm so nervous. I should have stuck with college plays. I'm not ready for this."

"You are too ready. Joannie Bradford can do anything." Nancy tells her. ~And you're going to do this play it'll probably be the only real play I see you in.~ Nancy thinks gloomingly. Still thinking there's a possibility she might die.

"Go find your seat," Joannie swats Nancy on her good shoulder. "I'll bet there's some handsome guy sitting next to you, and you won't even watch the play."

Nancy smiles and goes to take her seat.

Tom and Abby are shown to their seats and given playbills.

After talking to Elizabeth and getting Elizabeth's word that she wouldn't say anything Nancy relaxes until she feels her younger sister tap her on her good shoulder. Nancy looks in the direction she's pointing and gasps. "Oh no Dad and Abby."

Abby looks around the theatre. "Isn't that Nancy and Elizabeth?" she points a few rows back. "I didn't know they like experimental plays. If anyone, I thought it would be Joannie here."

Nancy tries to get backstage to warn Joannie but security won't let her she then returns to Elizabeth. "We have to create a distraction to get Dad and Abby out of here."

"Nancy it's too late the play is starting." Elizabeth says.

"Yeah it is them." Tom waves, they wave back.

Abby starts to suggest they go over and say hello, but the lights dim. "I'm so glad we're going to see this play and not read it," Abby whispers. "He never could get its and it's straight."

Tom smiles and proceeds to watch the play. He recognizes Joannie right away in her first scene. "Hmm, Joannie didn't tell me she was going to be in a play. Did she tell you?"

"She didn't say a word to me," Abby whispers back, and the people around them hush them.

As the play progresses, Joannie drops clothing item after clothing item. By the middle of the act, she's just in her undergarments, and just before the intermission, she drops those, too.

The look on Tom's face is priceless. He's in complete shock unable to utter a word.

The lights come up in the theatre and Abby notices Tom's shocked expression. "Tom? Sweetheart? He?"

"Oh my." Tom keeps repeating. "Oh my."

"Tom?" Abby repeats, wondering if she should call a doctor--or a shrink.

"Abby let's get out of here."

"But I..." Abby sighs. "All right, at least for the intermission." She takes Tom's hand and leads him outside.

Nancy and Elizabeth run backstage to warn Joannie.

Joannie is surrounded by the other actors, and the director won't let Nancy and Elizabeth into the dressing room.

"Oww!!" Nancy screams and grabs her shoulder.

"Oh no." Elizabeth says frantically. "You have to let us see our sister. She's the only one with a car to take her to the hospital. Please, hurry up and get her!!" Elizabeth says playing along with Nancy's act.

The producer, fearing some lawsuit, gets Joannie.

"Nancy? What's wrong? My god, it's your shoulder?"

They pull Joannie aside.

"Sorry Joannie but it was the only way we can talk to you." They tell her about Tom and Abby.

"Oh, no. Oh, no. I told you I was toast. Are they still out there? Is there time for me to run away from home?"

Elizabeth hugs her. "Relax I'll go talk to Dad ok. Nancy stay here and keep her calm."

Nancy tries to calm Joannie down while Elizabeth goes to talk to her Dad and Abby.

Abby is trying to get Tom to say something coherent.

"Dad are you all right?" Elizabeth says.

Tom looks at Elizabeth and then Abby. "Elizabeth why didn't you tell me?"

"Dad I didn't know Joannie was going to be in this play."

"If I'd have known it was going to be like this, I would have turned down the invitation," Abby says. "Even without Joannie in it. I'm so sorry, Tom."

He hugs Abby. "It's ok, you didn't know. Abby I can't go back in there."

"No, I don't suppose you could. But I'll still have to go backstage afterwards. We could go across the street for coffee until the play lets out," Abby suggests.

"Ok," They go across the street for coffee.

"You know, when I said it never lets up with your kids, I didn't realize that was an understatement," Abby says.

Tom nods in agreement. "Oh my."

"Tom, if she's going to be an actress, you're going to have to get used to a lot of strange things."

"I know but I wish I would have had some warning about it."

"Oh, yeah, that I could see." Abby imitates Joannie, "'Dad, I'm going to be in a play and do a nude scene. Wanna come watch?' You'd have grounded her for the rest of her life."

Tom laughs. "Yeah you're right. And I'm not mad at her I just want to know why she did it."

"It seemed like a good part," Abby says. "And it is rep, not her usual college plays. Why wouldn't she do it?"

"Because her old man is old fashioned and can't handle it."

"If you expect any of the kids to make career decisions based on what you'd like..." Abby shrugs.

"I know Abby I know." He continues to ponder the situation.

"You're going to have to talk to her, you know."

"I know."

"Do you think you can actually *talk* to her at any point in the foreseeable future? Because if you're just going to yell at her..."

"I won't yell at her. I'll talk to her when she gets home tonight."

"Then I assume you're not coming backstage with me."

"Abby she'll be there with all her friends and co-stars. That won't be the right time to talk to her."

"I didn't say you should talk to her then, but if you see her, she's going to want to know your reaction," Abby says.

"That's why I'll wait till we're at home." He answers.

Currently backstage.

"Joannie I know it feels like it is but it's not the end of the world. If Dad is upset he'll get over it." Nancy says.

The director comes over to the girls. "I heard you have to leave, Joannie? Can't it wait? It's opening night!"

Joannie makes a decision. She's already toast, so what's a little more burn? "Yeah, it can wait. I'll go on."

Nancy hugs her and returns to her seat. Elizabeth and her boyfriend are still there.

"Did they go home?"

"Nope."

Later while Abby is backstage, Tom approaches Nancy.

"Did you know about this?"

"Yes."

"For how long?"

"Since I was still in the hospital after getting stabbed?"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I promised Joannie that I wouldn't."

"That's no excuse."

"Oh yes it is. You taught us never to break our promises Dad." Nancy counters. "And to always look out for each other and stand by each other no matter what."

Tom sighs. "You're right. How do I approach her?"

"Very gently, Dad please don't yell at her."

"I won't honey. Why don't you go home with Elizabeth and her date you're not looking so good."

"And ruin their good time?"

Elizabeth and her date overhear this and come over.

"Nancy you're not ruining anything we can always hang out at the house. Come on." Elizabeth's date says.

She goes home with them.

Backstage, Abby speaks with the playwright, then goes to see Joannie.

"Is he furious?"

"I don't think he's coherent enough to be furious," Abby says. "After the intermission we sat in the coffee shop. He wouldn't come back in here."

"I'm dead," Joannie moans.

"He did say he wanted to talk to you."

"Scream, you mean."

"He promised he wouldn't scream," Abby assures her.

"Right."

"Joannie, I know this seems really important to you," Abby says, sick of Joannie's self-indulgence, "but tomorrow we're flying to Chicago for Nancy's biopsy. Your father has bigger things on his mind than you stripping on stage. Besides--the part was a good one, though I think the wardrobe was a little unnecessary."

"You really think so?"

"Yes, I do."

"OK, lead me to the slaughter."

Joannie and Abby go out the stage door and look around for Tom.

Tom waves them over from where he is standing.

"Look, Dad..." Joannie says, but stops, not knowing how to defend her actions.

"Joannie why didn't you tell me about this sooner?" He asks.

"Because you would have screamed and ranted and wouldn't have let me do it,"

Joannie says, "and I wanted to do it. Besides, you were busy with Nancy."

Tom sighs and sits down. "Your right I would have, and I know I've been busy with Nancy and I'm sorry if it seems like I've been neglecting you lately. That definitely wasn't my intention. But Joannie this play tonight will it really be good for your career?"

"I think so," Joannie says. "I'm the only one of my group who's done anything out of college, and that's got to be good. Agents don't come to see school plays, you know. And the play was good. You'd have seen that if you'd stayed."

"Joannie I'm still trying to get used to the idea that you are old enough to do nude scenes now if it's going to further your career and you're ok with doing them. I won't stand in your way, but don't ask me to watch, please."

"I didn't invite you tonight," Joannie points out.

Tom smiles. "I know."

"If you have a problem with watching my work," Joannie says, "stay out of the theatre, away from the movies, and shut off the TV, because I'm going to be a star."

"Joannie I did not say I had a problem with watching your work in general please don't put words in my mouth."

"I didn't say you did. Just fair warning--I don't plan to check my roles with you, so buyer beware, Dad."

"Fair enough, and what I did see of your acting was very good."

Joannie hugs her father. "Well, now that I'm a working actress, if you and Abby haven't had your fill of coffee, how about I take you out to celebrate my opening night?"

"Ok, but how bout we take you out instead." Tom says as he returns the hug. "Anywhere you want to go."

"I don't think you'd particularly like that, Dad. I'd take us to the cast party," Joannie says.

"Well if that's where you want to go."

Abby joins the conversation. "Tom, are you sure you really want to go to a cast party? Have you ever been to one?"

"No, but how bad can it be?"

She whispers some things she remembers from parties she'd attended in college into his ear.

"Oh," he stresses. "Joannie you're right we'll go some place else."

"Maybe we let Joannie enjoy her cast party and we all celebrate when we get back from Chicago," Abby suggests.

"Abby, it's all right, I don't mind skipping the party," Joannie says, though it's clear she doesn't really mean it.

"Yes you do." Tom smiles. "Joannie go to your party. We'll celebrate later."

Joannie give her father another hug and runs back into the theatre.

"You handled that very well," Abby says.

"Thank you but part of me tonight wanted to go onstage, put a coat around her, and take her home so no one could see her like that."

"It's not what you want, it's what you do that counts," Abby says. "I'm sure Joannie knows you wanted to, and appreciates that you didn't. I know I do."

Tom smiles and kisses her. "So, lady, what do you want to do with the rest of the evening?"

"What I want and what I get may not be the same," Abby teases.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He smiles.

"Well, what do you want to do tonight?" Abby says.

"Well I was thinking the Pelican Club, and then straight to bed when we get home."

"Maybe we skip the club," Abby suggests.

Tom grins and they go home and to bed. He puts a do not disturb sign up.

The next morning Elizabeth wakes Nancy up before going to get ready for school.

"Come on sis wake up you have a plane to catch." Elizabeth tells her.

"I'll catch it later." Nancy pulls the covers over her head and tries to go back to sleep.

"Nancy come on, you have to get this thing done. It's not something that can be let go for a long time." Elizabeth says to her.

Nancy sighs and sits up. "I wish it would just go away."

Elizabeth hugs her. "So do I." ~I don't want to lose you.~

The kids let Nancy have the shower first. After she's finished getting ready she goes downstairs and waits in the tv room for her Dad and Abby. David comes in.

"Hey don't you want some pancakes?" He asks.

"I'm not hungry." She says nervously.

He sits down beside her. "You're not hungry for Joannie's pancakes. Now that's an historical moment."

She doesn't say anything. He observes her more closely and realizes that she's terrified.

"Hey," he puts an arm around her. "No matter what the results are we'll get you through it. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." He promises in his big brother tone.

She starts crying and leans into his embrace. He just holds her and comforts her.

He gets her calm enough to go and eat some of the pancakes Joannie made.

"These are great Joannie." Nancy tells her.

"Thanks. I put something special in them, just for you," Joannie says.

"No problem, and thanks Joannie." She hugs her.

Upstairs, while Tom is rushing around getting ready, Abby is sitting, talking on the phone, trying to take care of a thousand last minute details which she will have to neglect.

Tom finishes packing his suitcase and seeing that Abby is busy he packs hers also already knowing what she wants to take and then goes to put them in the car. He puts Nancy's in the car also and then goes to the kitchen to get something to eat.

"Good morning everyone." He says. "Nancy are you almost ready?"

"Yeah, as soon as I'm finished eating. Joannie made chocolate chip pancakes."

Tom smiles and gets him some pancakes to eat.

"You guys call when you get to Chicago." David says. "So we know you got there ok."

"We will son don't worry. Airplanes are safer than cars."

Abby comes downstairs, juggling three notebooks and a stack of index cards, and heads straight for the phone to make another call.

"Dad help her." Elizabeth says.

"It's nothing I can help her with sweetheart. It's work related." Tom says.

Nancy finishes eating and pulls her Dad aside.

"Dad what's going on? Why is Abby having to rush around this morning?"

"She just has to get some things straight for the conference Thursday before we go."

Nancy observes Abby for a few minutes and then turns back to her Dad. "I wish you two would've told me this sooner. She shouldn't have to go with us if it's going to cause her this big a headache."

"Will you worry about yourself for a change instead of everyone else like you always do? How are you going to fight it off if you're concentrating on everyone but you." Tom says before he can stop himself.

"Fight what off Dad? It's just a cyst don't worry about it." Nancy says and walks away.

Tom considers going after her but eats instead.

Fifteen minutes before it's time to leave. Tom tells Abby to give her a heads up.

"Just one more call," Abby says. The call starts out reasonable, escalates into loud, and ends with Abby stating "I am going to Chicago, and I don't care if you have to cancel the whole conference!" and slamming the phone back on the hook.

Tom's hit with a wave of guilt and hopes Nancy didn't hear it. "Abby are they really canceling the whole thing?"

Abby sighs with frustration. "Threatening to? Yes. Going to? No, I don't think so. They're just trying to make me feel guilty. And I have to tell you, it's working."

"Abby if it's really that important..."

"Come on, let's go. It's important, but it's not life and death." She stops, realizing what she said. "I didn't mean..."

He hugs her. "It's ok."

They leave for the airport and catch the plane in time. Nancy observes some of the young families on the plane. One lady is struggling to keep her two young boys seated and finally with threats gets them in their seats and their seatbelts on. Nancy struggles to keep from laughing at the situation but she soon saddens. ~What if I never get the chance to have kids.~

Abby sees the look on Nancy's face, but isn't sure she's the person to talk to Nancy. She nudges Tom. "I think she needs a pep talk."

Tom observes his daughter. "I think you're right. Are you ok honey?"

Nancy glances over at him. "Yeah I'm ok. Just thinking."

"About what?"

"Life, death."

"Nancy you are not going to die it's just a cyst."

"You don't know that for sure."

"You're right I don't, but if it's not a cyst and it is the worst we'll get it treated. You're going to be ok." Tom assures her.

~You don't know that either. Who can I talk to who will be objective about this and won't try to hush my fears anytime I talk about dying?~ "Thanks Dad." Nancy fakes a smile.

Abby tries to work, but the doom and gloom is a little much for her. To distract Nancy, she asks about Vivian, trying to figure out what this sister of Tom's could be like.

Nancy smiles for real this time and tells her all about her Aunt. "An average day for her is breakfast in Paris, lunch in the Bahamas, and sometimes dinner in Sacramento. She never stays in one place very long, and the countries for meals always change. One time she took Susan skydiving, and she was there for my eighth birthday. She arranged pony rides, a clown, the whole works."

"Was she adopted or was your father?" Abby jokes.

Nancy laughs. "I'm not sure." She jokes back.

"So lunch today can be a little--unusual?"

"Yes, and if you're allergic too any foods let her know right away."

"Are you so sure I'll recognize what they serve wherever she takes us?"

"Don't worry if you don't. She'll tell you what it is."

Abby laughs. Then there's an announcement to buckle seat belts, that they'll be landing.

Nancy laughs also and then buckles up so does Tom.

Vivian is waiting for them at the terminal entrance she sees Abby and Tom first. She hugs Tom and then glances at Abby. "This must be Abby. Tom you didn't tell me how lovely she was; you, dear brother, understate." She hugs Abby. "Welcome to the family."

"Thank you." ~Eeep. Isn't the word 'restraint' in the Bradford family dictionary?~ "I heard you recently got married, too."

"Yes she did, his name is Horst." Nancy goes on to tell Abby everything he owns.

"There she is." Vivian hugs her. "Hi honey it's good to see you."

Nancy returns the hug. "It's good to see you too Auntie V." She smiles again.

Dr. Maxwell observes the happy reunion.

"Hi Viv." Greg replies.

"Well hello there handsome." She hugs him. "How are you?"

"Doing good, thanks for bringing me along." He says.

"It's no problem at all. Someone I love very much needs you right now."

"Don't worry, I'll make sure everything goes smoothly." Greg assures her.

"Thank you and I'm going to hold you to that." She says seriously.

After they get settled into the hotel suite. The men go off to see the city while the women go shopping. While Nancy is looking at some clothes.

"You look like a lady with a lot on your mind." Vivian says to Abby.

Abby laughs. "If I told you, you wouldn't believe it. This has got to have been the longest three months of my life. And now this with Nancy..."

"Yeah she should be trying decide what to wear on her next date not waiting to have a biopsy." Vivian sighs and then tries to change the subject. "So tell me I'm all ears."

Abby tells her about the past three months--meeting the Bradfords, marrying Tom, Nancy getting into a car accident, kidnapped, shot at, operated on, stabbed (she does leave out the drink and drug problems to protect Nancy's privacy), Nicholas needing tubes in his ears, Mary's trouble getting into medical school... "And when I think it's all getting to be a bit too much, I remember that there are five more who haven't been much of a problem yet, and then I really worry."

"Oh my, it sounds to me like you and Tom need a vacation."

"Well, one day we might actually go on a honeymoon," Abby says, "though we might have to take grandchildren along at this rate."

Vivian starts plotting so that Tom and Abby can have a honeymoon. "Don't worry Abby you'll get your honeymoon."

"That's what Tom says, too," Abby tells her. "Right before one of the kids has an emergency. I've given up."

"Well if someone else were there to handle the emergency..."

"Like there's anyone Tom would trust," Abby says. "It's all right, Vivian, I knew being married to Tom would be--different--and it certainly is that."

Vivian continues plotting anyway and makes a mental note to talk to her brother later.

While Vivian and Abby talk, Nancy is lost in her own thoughts while looking at clothes.

"Come here often?" A male voice breaks her thoughts.

She glances up at him. ~Hmm, not bad.~ she smiles. "No, do you always hang out in the ladies section?" She teases him.

"Only when I see a beautiful lady that I'd like to meet. So are you busy? There's a lot of places to get something to drink in this mall."

She laughs, "yeah right like I'm really going to go off with someone I don't even know."

"I'm Wesley, and you are?"

"Nancy."

"There we know each other now, so what do you say?"

"I say that you need to come up with better pickup lines."

"Is that a yes?"

She shakes her head and walks away. He follows her.

"A maybe?"

Nancy turns around to face him. "Look I'm sure you're a fun loving guy and that most girls fall for all of your charms, but not this one. So I'll see you around ok."

"Well not all girls, come on we'll be in a public place. I promise that I'm not a rapist or a killer or anything. You have no idea what you're missing." He says.

"Oh really and just what am I missing?"

"My life story, all the joy, the pain."

She laughs and shakes her head again. "No." She walks over to Vivian and Abby. "Can we go now?"

Wesley follows her. "Are these lovely ladies your sisters?"

Vivian glances at the young man and likes what she sees. ~Hmm, if I were Nancy's age. If I weren't married.~

"No they're my nieces." Nancy says with a tinge of sarcasm.

"Actually, she's my stepmother," Abby says. "Mom, can you come look at something I want to buy?"

"Sure honey." Nancy says and walks away with Abby.

Wesley soon leaves but makes a mental note to find out where the beautiful blonde lives.

Abby starts laughing. "Don't they ever leave you alone?"

"No, although at times like this I wish they would." Nancy laughs. Vivian returns to them.

"Nancy ditch us and go after that young man." Vivian encourages.

"Maybe some other time Auntie V."

Abby shakes her head. "If it was a local boy I'd agree, Vivian, but can you imagine Tom's reaction, 'hey, Dad, I'm flying out to Chicago for a date tonight, so I need to have my curfew extended'."

Vivian laughs at the thought.

"If I said that to Dad I wouldn't have to worry about any tumors doing me in. He'd kill me himself." Nancy jokes and then cringes. "Sorry bad joke."

"Bad jokes are better than none," Abby says.

"Yeah." Her stomach grumbles. "So where do you two want to eat?"

"Oh there's this great place... Wait a minute, Abby are you allergic to any foods?" Vivian asks.

"Someone want to explain this allergic thing?" Abby asks. "I assume it's another bit of Bradford folklore, but no, as far as I know I'm not."

"I just don't want to cause anyone to go to the emergency room. Anyway this place has the best oysters." Vivian tells them.

"I plan to set a Bradford record for not causing problems," Abby says, glossing over the loud fights she and Tom indulge in.

Nancy's about to say but what about you and Dad's fights but doesn't so Abby can have her privacy.

They go to the restaurant Vivian recommended.

"This place is pretty nice." Nancy says while she checks out all the good looking guys there.

~Good, the smile on her face isn't forced. Maybe her mind is finally off of tomorrow.~ "It sure is." Vivian says.

"Like what they're serving?" Abby teases Nancy, having noticed where her attention is focused.

"Sure do." Nancy jokes back.

Abby looks at her stepdaughter and at her sister-in-law. "Tom's definitely the adopted one."

"Of course he is dear." Vivian laughs and orders some oysters.

"I'll have the shrimp and lobster." Nancy says.

"I should have known," Abby says, "you've been threatening lobster for dinner for weeks."

Nancy grins, "yeah I've been craving it lately."

"Well, everyone's entitled to a little indulgence."

"Absolutely." Vivian says.

Meanwhile somewhere in the city.

"Max what are the chances that Nancy has cancer?" He asks him.

"Tom, I wish I could tell you but I can't. But Nancy is young and if it is cancer we will be aggressive about it. But I have seen things before that turned out to be nothing. We are just going to have to be patient." He says.

"Yeah," Tom sighs. "You know I wish it were me going through it instead of her. Don't tell Abby I said that."

Greg laughs and says "So do you want to go see what kind of golf courses are around here?"

"Golf courses, Greg we're in Chicago, we can play golf at home."

"Tom, you need to take a break or you won't be able to help Nancy when she needs you most." He advises.

"Yeah you're right." Tom sighs.

"If you don't want to go golfing; how about we go to a pub?"

"Ok," Tom grins. They go to a pub and sit at the bar.