A few hours later at the Bradford's. Elizabeth is on the phone talking to a friend of hers.

"No, we're not having a party this time.... Because you know why?.... Well how would you feel if it was your sister or your brother?.... The hell with you too. She hangs up.

"Mary why are some people such idiots?" She asks.

"Who and What?" Mary asks not hearing her side of the phone conversation.

"Ellen Shipley, she said we should party anyway and so what if it turns out to be Cancer. That's what she said. She is no longer my friend."

"Come on Liz, you don't mean that; she just wasn't thinking and thanks for not having a party. I would hate to play *parent* and say no."

"I do to mean it." She grouses. "And who can party at a time like this?"

"Look, I know you are scared. We all are. Things are going to be OK!!" Mary says.

"Ok, but you don't have to yell about it." Elizabeth kids.

"Sorry." Mary says and gives Liz a hug.

"It's ok." She hugs her back.

"Would you go check on Nicholas for me?" she asks.

"Sure," she goes upstairs to the boys room. "Hey Nicky how are you doing?"

"Yeah, but I wish all the family was here."

"So do I honey, but don't worry they'll be home Thursday."

"I hope so."

Elizabeth hugs him.

"Do you think Abby will still be able to go to that school dinner with me Friday night?"

"Of course she will."

Nicholas nods, but isn't so sure.

"Want to go and get some ice cream with me?"

"Yeah." Nicholas jumps off the bed.

They go to the local ice cream parlor.

After lunch, Nancy's shoulder starts bothering her so they head back to the hotel. After she goes to lie down for a nap Tom and Max return. Vivian and Max decide to go and do some sight seeing, leaving Tom and Abby alone.

"How was your day?" Tom asks.

"All right. Your sister is very--vivid," Abby says.

The phone rings-- a call from work about the conference. Abby gets involvanswering questions and a half hour later is still on the line.

Tom sighs in frustration and watches TV.

After another half hour Abby hangs up. "So how was your day?" she asks, as though their conversation hadn't been interrupted for an hour.

"It was all right." He pouts.

Abby sits down next to him. "Aw, poor Tom. Max beat you at some game?" she teases.

"No."

"Tom, what's wrong? Nancy? You're more depressed about this than she is, and she'll need us to keep our hopes up."

He attempts a smile. "No, yes I'm upset about that, but I'm also upset about something I should just let go and be understanding about."

"What?" Abby asks, oblivious. "Did Max say something to you?"

Before Tom can answer the phone rings and Abby is off on another long conversation. This time she cuts it short, though, and it's only a half hour before she hangs up. "Sorry. Work," she shrugs.

Tom takes the phone off the hook and Abby into his arms. "Do you think work can wait for just a little while."

"A little while," Abby agrees, "but not too long. They said they'd call back in a half hour," she says, putting the phone back on the hook.

"Well I'll make that half hour worth your while." Tom says.

After about twenty minutes, Abby takes the phone off the hook. "They can leave a message."

Tom grins, fade out.

Meanwhile in Nancy's dream. She's walking around in the dream going to visit her moms grave and does a double take when she sees another grave there. Her own. The next place she ends up at is her house. All her pictures have been taken down and Elizabeth has her own room. She expects that her family will be upset but they're not they're laughing and carrying on like nothing has happened. Like they have forgotten her already. She wakes up in a cold sweat and sighs in relief when she realizes it was just a weird dream.

After her dream. Nancy ventures out of her room. No one is around but the door to her Dad and stepmother's room is shut. She smiles and decides not to disturb them. Then she starts feeling light headed and starts to visibly sway she grabs out for one the chairs and manages to sit down in it. ~Oh geez please don't let it be food poisoning. She looks at her shoulder which is hurting more than usual and then sees the blood.~ Great I must have bumped it in my sleep. She then looks around and notices that there's a trail of blood on the carpet leading from her room. She's about to shout *Dad* but slumps over in the chair instead as her world goes black.

At that moment the front door knob turns.

Greg and Vivian walk in talking and laughing. Vivian finds her first and lets out a scream. Greg quickly starts tending to her while Vivian calls 911.

Currently in the bedroom. Tom and Abby are finished and just talking to each other when they hear Vivian's scream. Tom gets dressed.

"It might be nothing. Vivian screams about a lot of things, but I should check it out anyway."

"At last I've found something the two of you have in common." Abby gets up and dresses.

Tom laughs. They finished dressing and venture outside. Tom's eyes grow wide.

"Oh no, V what happened?"

"I don't know we found her like this." She says frantically.

"Max?" Abby asks, a little frantic, feeling guilty. ~We shouldn't have left her alone. Every time I try to get some private time with Tom, someone gets hurt.~

"Can someone get a wet cloth?" Greg asks.

Tom gets it for him and hands it to Greg. All the while looking worriedly at his unconscious daughter. "Greg is she going to be all right?"

"We need to get her to the hospital; her wound has re-opened." He says.

"Oh no, don't worry honey you're going to be ok." Tom tells her hoping she can somehow hear him.

The paramedics soon arrive and Nancy's rushed to the nearest hospital. Greg goes with them. Tom grabs Nancy's insurance card and then he, Vivian, and Abby head there. Moments later in the waiting room.

"Tom I'm sorry. I should've known better than to take her out on an outing like that." Vivian says.

Tom looks at her and also at Abby who has the same look on her face that V has. "It's not your fault Vivian and it's not your fault Abby."

"Vivian, it's not your fault," Abby repeats. "Nancy made it back to the hotel just fine."

Vivian still continues to feel guilty.

"What's taking so long?" Tom stresses.

Abby checks her watch. "It hasn't been that long, Tom. Relax." She rubs his shoulders.

Tom wonders what Nancy could've bumped her shoulder on while she was in bed while he continues to worry.

Greg comes out with the attending physician.

Vivian sees him first. "Greg how is she?"

"Dr. Phillips and I closed the wound again and we need to give Nancy another pint of blood. We have scheduled the biopsy a day earlier as well." he explains

"You mean it will be today then? At what time? And she can have a pint of my blood. Is she awake yet?" Tom fires off questions.

"We will be doing the biopsy as soon as there is a operating room available and yes she is awake. As for the blood, lets go." Greg says.

Before Tom leaves with Greg.

"Can we see her?" Vivian asks.

Max looks at Dr. Phillips and nods. "I think Nancy would feel better if you and Abby went and sat with her."

"Consider it done." Vivian says. She and Abby go to visit Nancy while Greg takes Tom to give blood.

Moments later in one of the examining rooms.

"Hey." Nancy says drowsily.

"Hey sweetie." Vivian kisses her on the forehead. "How are you feeling?"

"Pretty weird. If one of you can make this room stop spinning it would be greatly appreciated."

"Don't worry that will go away when they get some more blood into you."

"Dr. Max said they were going to go ahead and do the biopsy tonight since I'm already here."

"I saw a few cute doctors out there, but how'd you know it was the right time to come in for the biopsy?" Abby teases.

Nancy chuckles. "Intuition, look I'm sorry if I scared anyone today."

"It's not like you did it on purpose," Abby says.

"Yeah but still." Nancy says.

"Hey don't worry about scaring anyone. Your Dad, Abby, Greg, and I are strong people. We can handle it you just get better."

After Tom donates the blood and it's administered to Nancy an operating room becomes free so Nancy goes in for the Biopsy. Tom calls home to let the kids know what's going on.

The phone rings at the Bradford house.

"Bradford's Bawdy House, how may we help you?" Joannie answers the phone.

Tom laughs. "Hi Joannie, I just wanted to call home and let all of you know what's going on. I didn't want anyone to call the hotel and worry when no one answered. They moved the biopsy to today and are doing it now."

"That's good," Joannie says, and then realizes her father wasn't even upset about the way she answered the phone. "What aren't you telling me, Dad?"

"I'm going to tell you, just one part at a time. Your sister is all right now, but we think she might have accidentally bumped her shoulder against something when she took a nap today." He tells her the rest. "They were able to close the wound and give her enough blood. The worse that will probably happen is that the cleaning people at the hotel will curse us out for all the blood they have to clean up."

"Is she really going to be all right, Dad?" Joannie says, seeking reassurance.

"Of course she is honey." Tom says.

"Are you still going to be able to come home tomorrow night?" Joannie asks.

"I don't know yet, if the doctors say no I'm not risking it."

"Better not. You keep my sister good and safe, ok?"

"I will, believe me."

After hanging up with Joannie. Tom sits down next to Abby.

"Abby we need to talk."

"Is something wrong at home?" Abby asks, seeing Tom's worried look.

"No everything is fine there. I was just thinking that the doctors might want to keep Nancy longer than expected."

"What? I can't stay here longer," Abby says. "I have my conference, and that banquet at Nicholas's school on Friday."

"Then would you mind going back without me if they want to keep her longer?" He asks.

"Of course not," Abby says, disappointed that Tom won't be there to hear her speech.

"They might not keep her longer anyway, but if thedo I don't want to risk moving her if there's a chance that it can harm her."

"No, of course not," Abby says. "Really, it's all right. Nancy needs you now." ~When is it my turn to need you, though?~

Tom observes her mood and knows she's holding back something. "Why do I get the feeling that it's not all right?"

"It is all right," Abby lies. "It's not like I have a choice, right? Nancy can't be moved, and she needs you, and I have to be back in Sacramento, and that's all there is to it."

Tom is about to say something but changes his mind and takes a different tactic. "Do you want some coffee?"

"Shouldn't we stay here? In case they need us--more blood or something, I don't know," Abby pouts.

"They have enough blood if she needs it, so don't worry you won't have to donate any." Tom says angered by her pouting.

Vivian overhears them and shakes her head. She goes to get some coffee.

Abby stares at Tom. "One of these days, Tom Bradford...oh, forget it. It's not worth it." She gets up and goes to sit at the other end of the waiting area, pulls her work out of her bag and buries herself in it.

Tom glares at her, and then walks away to get some coffee. He runs into Vivian who glares at him.

"Don't you start in on me, Vivian," Tom warns.

"Don't start in on you?! Tom do you have any idea what that woman is going through?! How dare you say that to her!! She wouldn't think twice about donating blood to one of the kids. She's just feeling neglected and hurt right now." Vivian tells him.

"You know, if she weren't so over-sensitive she wouldn't act this way," Tom answers.

"Tom, you two haven't even been on a honeymoon yet."

"V, there are seven other people in the house besides us. I have to think of the kids, too. Abby's a grown up. Besides, she's the one who keeps suggesting we wait. Maybe she doesn't want to go on a honeymoon at all. It'd cut into her precious work time or her studies."

"And how many times has she put her life on hold to deal with the kids?"

"That's what a mother does," Tom insists, "and she's the only mother they've got."

"Tom, she's not used to this."

"This family isn't like a pair of shoes, V, that you break in gradually. What am I supposed to tell the kids, 'hold off with all your crises because Abby can't handle them'?"

"No, but can't you let someone else handle it while you two go away for awhile? I'd be more than willing to."

"Oh, right, V. I'm going to leave you in charge of my family. Does the phrase 'the inmates have taken over the asylum' mean anything to you?"

"If you don't do something your marriage might not last." She goes to check on Abby.

Abby looks up at the sound of footsteps and sighs in relief when she sees it's not Tom. "Hi, Vivian," she says. "There's been no word yet, if that's what you've come to check."

"Actually I came to check on you. Do you want to talk about it?"

Abby shrugs. "What's there to talk about?"

Vivian sits down beside her. "Whatever is bothering you for one."

"Last week Mary asked if I regretted marrying Tom, and right away I said no. Maybe I shouldn't have been so quick to answer."

"This family is overwhelming at times, is that why you're having doubts?"

"I can handle the kids," Abby says, "just treat them like an unruly class that never lets out for a break. No, it's Tom."

"What about Tom?"

"You saw what happened. Any time I mention anything that doesn't revolve around him or the kids...sometimes I think he just wants Joan back, and I can't be her."

"Abby I do know that he loves you. Maybe he doesn't mean to act that way."

"Oh, I know he loves me, but still--it's so hard trying to be what he wants sometimes," Abby admits.

"Then don't, be yourself."

"And fight with him every night? That's not why I got married."

"It takes two to fight. Tom needs to make some compromises."

"You know what they say---you can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Tom returns about an hour later.

"Abby can we talk?"

Abby is about to make a sarcastic response, but decides against it. She closes her notebook and sits up straight. "About?"

"Us."

Abby looks around. "Tom, we're in public. Vivian can walk in any second, Max... I don't want to fight with you, not here."

"I don't want to fight either, I just want to apologize for being an idiot. What I said to you was uncalled for."

"But you did say it. You say things like that a lot. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother," Abby says.

Tom sits down beside her. "I know I do. I tend to get on the defensive too much but I'm not the only who does that."

"What do you have to get defensive about? I have to learn how to be a mother--how to be a wife; I barely got the chance before. And still work, and go to school, and try to be myself once in a while, too. I'm not defensive, I'm just exhausted!"

"How can I make it easier for you?"

"I don't know! Who appointed me the keeper of all answers?"

"Abby, I was just asking," Tom says.

"I don't know, I told you. I've been telling you that, you just won't listen," Abby says and stands. "I'm going to get some coffee. If there's any word, you'll come find me?"

"Of course," Tom says. ~Ok Tom, it's time to start listening and stop being an idiot to your wife's needs.~

Abby sees the expression on Tom's face. She's not ready to forgive him yet, but maybe, possibly, one day in the future. "Do you want me to bring you something back?"

"No I'm fine," he says.

Before Abby gets too far Greg sees her in the hallway. "It's done." he says

"How is she? When will we know the results? Can we see her? Abby's questions tumble over each other.

"Calm down, let me explain it to you and Tom together."

"He's in the waiting room," Abby says, and hurries back there, not waiting for Max, sure he'll follow.

As they go back to the waiting room "Hi Tom, Nancy is in recovery."

Tom looks up and sees Abby and then Greg. He approaches them. "It's over? How is she?" He asks.

"She's fine. The biopsy went well. We will get the results in two weeks."

"Two weeks? I thought it would be one week." Tom says.

"Is there something else wrong?" Abby worries.

"I can have it sent to the lab in Sacramento; then it will be one week."

"So there's nothing else wrong?"

"No. So far so good." he says. "We won't know for sure until we get the lab results back. As long as she takes it easy, I don't see why we all can't fly home tomorrow." Greg replies

Tom sighs in relief. "Thanks Greg, so when can we see her? And can she go back to the hotel tonight?"

"She would probably be more comfortable at the hotel not to mention room service food; but she wont have the handsome interns fawning over her." he laughs.

"She'll go to the hotel. The interns are going to have to eat their hearts out." Tom says. "But when can we bring her back there?"

"In a couple of hours." he replies.

"Thanks Greg."

"Now when can we see her?" Vivian asks having heard everything on her return.

"Is now to soon?" He kids.

"No it's not too soon." Vivian says. "But Tom and Abby should go first. Is there a visitor limit at all?"

"None. Since shes leaving in two hours or so." he says "I need to call Daisy. Shall we go see Nancy?"

"Definetly." They all go and see her.

Moments later in her hospital room. She's still a little groggy from the anesthetic, tries to talk and it comes out all garbled.

Vivian hugs her gently. "It's ok honey you don't have to talk you're obviously not ready to yet."

Tom kisses her on the forehead.

Moments later she finally speaks. "Can we go now?"

"Now I know why all the doctors love you," Abby says. "We can go in a little while, after you've woken up."

"Ok," Nancy says.

Two hours later they go back to the hotel room. Tom is very relieved that the blood has been cleaned up until he sees the bill from the hotel manager. ~Oh come on she couldn't help that she bled sheesh.~

Meanwhile, Abby goes to settle Nancy in. "You rest, and I'll leave the phone in easy reach. You get hungry, you either call one of us or you call room service. Your father isn't always this generous, so take advantage of it while you can," Abby jokes.

"I will." Nancy chuckles. "Hey do you think it would be all right if Icalled home?"

"Sure. I think your brothers and sisters would like that very much."

Nancy smiles and dials the number, it rings a couple of times and then someone picks it up.

"Hello" Mary says.

"Hi Mary." Nancy says.

"Nancy! Are you alright?" Mary says nearly in hysterics.

"I feel a little strange but I'll be all right. We'll get the results in a week. How are you guys doing?"

"We are doing better now." Mary says.

Nancy smiles. "Glad to hear it. Is Joannie there?"

"She's standing right here nearly breaking my arm for the phone, here she is." Mary hands the phone to Joannie.

"Hey, Nance, so tell me all about him," Joannie says.

"Tell you all about who?"

"The cute intern you met. Or the waiter. I know you. I'll bet this was all just an excuse to check out the guys of a whole new city," Joannie tries to tease her sister.

"How I wish that were true." There's a short silence. "There was this one guy at the mall." Tells her sister about Wesley.

See? I knew it. So no cute doctors? Just boring ol' Dr. Max?"

"Yeah, so how's the party that I'm missing?"

"Some party. Just Elizabeth yelling at her friend; Mary won't let us party. But they don't know it yet--I'm saving the party for when we get the results of your test. We'll pretend to be real nice to Dad and Abby and send them away for a weekend, and then--watch out Sacramento!"

Nancy laughs. "I'm all for that. Now why was Elizabeth yelling at her friend?"

"Oh, I don't know. You know how she and her friends fight. They'll be over it next week."

"Yeah," She becomes drowsy and has a hard time keeping her eyes open. "Joannie I have to go to sleep now. I love you and I'll see you all tomorrow."

"I love you, kid. Glad you're doing well enough to talk about guys."

"Thanks Joannie." After they hang up she goes to sleep.

Abby leaves the room to give Nancy some privacy. "She's on the phone," she tells Tom. "Are you sure they didn't switch her for Elizabeth?"

Tom laughs and tries to get his mind off the bill.

Abby sees his expression. "What's wrong now?"

He shows her the bill. "What was she supposed to do? Adjust her bleeding so it didn't touch anything in the hotel?"

"It's not the hotel's fault, either. They do have to pay their workers. Maybe you could send it to Blue Cross. Or deduct it on your taxes."

"Yeah you're right, so are you hungry?" He asks.

"Starved, but we should probably wait for Nancy before we order anything, unless you want to go out and get something take out and I'll stay here with her," Abby says.

"I guess I can get takeout, what do you want?" He asks.

"Anything but pizza."

"You got it." Tom and Max go and get Chinese food. Vivian stays behind.

"Just a typical day in the Bradford household," Abby says, "Tom goes off with his buddy and leaves the little woman behind to deal with the kids."

"Well next time change it around. Tell him you'll go off with the buddy while he stays to deal with the kids." Vivian suggests.

"Buddy? Friend? What's that?" Abby asks. "Oh, yeah, I used to have some of those, before my every waking second was committed to the Bradfords." She stands and starts to pace. "Don't mind me. I'm not usually like this. It's just been a really stressful few months. I'm sure it'll get better." She stops in front of her sister-in-law. "You've known them forever. It does get better, doesn't it?" Abby pleads.

"Yes it does get better, it won't always be like this. At least I don't think so. I'm not with them all the time." Vivian says.

"Lucky you," Abby says flippantly. "No, I really don't mean that. I love Tom, and I love this family. I'm just going to have to knuckle down and get used to things the way they are, and if they're not what I'd hoped, well, what ever is, exactly?"

Vivian nods. "I agree, but I also think that Tom should have to make some compromises."

Meanwhile in Nancy's room after she's talked to her siblings, she heard some of what Abby said to Vivian and starts to worry. ~Is it going to be like that when I get married? Me giving a lot of myself and getting next to nothing in return?~

"Oh, I'd love that--but how?" Abby asks. "He isn't exactly jumping at the opportunity to join the 20th century."

"You two need to talk, I mean really talk this over, and if he makes promises make him stick to them."

Abby laughs. "Vivian, we live in a house with seven other people, a frog, two bathrooms, one phone line, two jobs and night classes. If we get a chance to see each other alone for five minutes before we go to bed..." Abby stops and blushes.

"Oh dear, this is more serious than I thought. You two have to make more time for each other. Five of the children are adults now they can take care of more things around the house. True Nancy needs time to recover but the others can tend to her while she does that and then when she recovers she can take on some of the everyday chores."

"See, that's just the problem. It's not all just Tom, you were right about that. I want to do everything. I want to be me, and I want to do what would please Tom, and I want to be as much of a mother to the kids as they'll let me. I'll learn to juggle it all one of these days. If I could only figure out how to keep my sanity in the meantime..." she laughs. "Really, it's not as serious as it sounds. Don't worry about your brother--we'll work it out, even if we might break the sound barrier doing it."

Vivian smiles. "I'm glad to hear that but my brother isn't the only person I'm worried about, and the kids aren't either." She goes to check on Nancy. "I hope you're hungry your Dad and Max are getting Chi...." She realizes Nancy is asleep before she can finish. Vivian covers her up being careful about the bad shoulder. Kisses her and then returns to Abby. "She's out like a light."

"I wish she could sleep the next week away. It'd probably be easier on her than the wait," Abby says.

"Yeah," Vivian's face clouds over. "I wish I could sleep the week away myself."

"When we find out it's just a cyst..." Abby stops. "We've been tiptoeing around this since Max told us. I don't know what we'll do if it isn't just a cyst."

"If it isn't a cyst. We get her the best medical care available and then some. I refuse to lose her." Vivian says.

"How'd you get to be so positive, anyway?" Abby says, wishing she had a little of that optimism.

"Therapy, travel, and lovers." Vivian tells her.

"Way things are going, I may have to try that--the therapy, I mean," Abby jokes.

The door opens and the men come in with the food.

"I was about to send out search parties for you," Abby tells Tom as she begins to unpack the bags.

"Sorry it took awhile for them to prepare the food. How's Nancy doing?"

"Vivian checked her a few minutes ago; she was asleep," Abby reports.

"Good she needs it."

"Vivian," Abby asks. "After we eat, could you stay and keep an eye on Nancy? I've never been to Chicago--I thought maybe Tom and I could go out for a walk or something." She looks at her husband, checking if he'd even be interested, or if she's stuck her foot in her mouth.

Tom smiles at Abby and tells her without words that he'd love to.

"I'd love to." Vivian says. "Max you'll stay and keep us company right?"

"Sure; you play poker?" he asks.

"Sure do."

"You two take your time, its not often you have a doctor in the house." Greg says.

"Thanks Greg, Vivian."

"It's no problem little brother."

After dinner, Tom and Abby go out for their walk. "No children around. No phones. I'm almost afraid what the universe has conspired to interrupt us this time," Abby says.

"Let's find some wood and knock on it."

"Doesn't seem to be any around," Abby says. "But there is always the slight, remote possibility that we might actually be able to talk without being interrupted."

"I'd like that very much. There's a lot of things I want to talk about."

Abby puts her hand in the crook of Tom's arm. "I'm listening."

"What I said back at the hospital was cruel."

"You were under a lot of stress," Abby makes excuses for him, magnanimous now that Tom is apologizing. "You didn't mean to be cruel."

"That doesn't give me an excuse to be blind to your needs. I'm jso scared Abby. What if it is the worst and I lose her?"

"You won't," Abby starts with the usual platitudes, then shrugs. "I don't know, Tom. I hope you never have to know. But there's time enough to worry about that if the test results are bad--why borrow trouble all this week?"

"You're right I know you are but it's easier said than done, but I know one thing I'm going to do my best to make things right between us. I know I've said that before but I really mean it this time."

"See, what scares me is that sometimes it feels like there's so much to be made right, and I just don't see how everyone will get what makes them happy."

"I know what you mean and we might not get everything that makes us happy, but I'm going to do my best to make you happy."

"But accommodating my schedule means you not getting what you expect in a wife. I can't do everything, but why should what I want come first?" Abby plays devil's advocate.

"I'm not saying your needs should always come first, that's unrealistic, but your needs haven't been coming first at all lately."

"Well," Abby says, snuggling close to her husband, "I wouldn't say all my needs are being neglected." She back away a step. "No, that's too easy. That's how we've been solving every fight this month. Not that that's a bad thing...So how do we work this out? I've already reduced my work hours to be home when the kids come home from school, and the kids have offered to take back part of the housework. But none of that changes your attitude about what I do in and out of the house."

"And attitudes are not easy to change. I've been trying, believe me I have but I don't think I know how. I need help."

Abby shrugs. "I've never had to help change anyone's mind about women working. I mean, it's archaic. My father thinks wives in general should stay home, but even he doesn't think I should."

"Maybe I should see a professional." Tom cringes.

"Oh, I don't think you need to go that far. Maybe you should talk to Max--Daisy works. I know they don't have little kids anymore, but still--maybe talking to him would be easier for you."

"Yeah that sounds a lot better. I think I will talk to him."

"Good. " Abby leans over and kisses him. "Now how about we actually look at this town, so people will believe I was here, and not just slacking off from work."

He returns the kiss. "You got it lady." They go and enjoy the city.

A little while later in the hotel room. Nancy awakens and Vivian brings her some Chinese food.

"Where's Dad and Abby?"

"Out enjoying Chicago." Vivian tells her.

"Good." Nancy smiles. "It's about time."

"I'll say." Vivian agrees. "So how are you feeling?"

"A little better but I don't think I'll be running any races anytime soon."

"Well you never did before."

Nancy laughs. "True."

A few hours later, when they stop to get a drink, Abby tells Tom, "You know, I almost feel like you ought to be dropping me off at my apartment after this. I can't remember the last time we had an evening to ourselves, but I like it."

"So do I." He says as he kisses her.

Abby returns the kiss and then sighs. "But I suppose we should be going back at some point, or we'll sleep right through our flight. And besides, there are some good things to not having you drop me off at my doorstep."

"Yes very good things." They spend a little while longer out on the town and then they eventually return to the hotel room and go to check on Nancy.

She's still asleep when Tom gives her a kiss goodnight and says a silent prayer for her to be all right.

In the main room, Abby asks Vivian and Max how Nancy had been, whether she ate, if she was upset that they'd left.

"Well she's feeling a little better, yes she ate, and no she wasn't upset. In fact she was glad that you and Tom were getting some time alone."

"She's a good kid. They all are," Abby says. "No wonder they all miss their mother so much--she did a great job on them."

"Yes she did, and it couldn't have been easy." Vivian says. At that point Tom comes out of Nancy's room.

Abby stops the conversation, a little guilty about talking about Joan. "She sleeping?"

"Yes." Tom says. "I put pillows around her shoulder so it doesn't hit anything while she's sleeping."

"Good idea. How'd you get to be so smart, anyway?" Abby teases.

"I married a smart lady and she's had a good effect on me." He says as he gazes at his wife.

Vivian exchanges a look with Greg.

"I am awfully tired, I think I'll go call Daisy and go to bed." Greg yawns

Abby smiles at Tom. "Maybe we should all go to bed now--we have flights to catch tomorrow, after all."

Vivian and Greg retreat to their rooms and Tom and Abby retreat to their room.

"I wasn't too obvious, I hope," Abby laughs as she puts her arms around Tom.

"So what if you were. Vivian is probably ecstatic and Greg is a grown man; he understands." He laughs also as he puts his arms around her.

Wednesday morning, before the Bradfords and Greg check in, Abby pulls Nancy aside. "Maybe on the way home you sit with me and let your father and Dr. Max have a talk?"

"No I don't want to." Nancy teases and smiles. "Just kidding of course I will."

"Behave, or I'll practice my speech on you again," Abby pretends to threaten.

Nancy laughs, a few minutes later. "Think I'll be well enough to go with the family to see you give your speech?"

"Question is, do I want you all there to watch me bomb?" Abby says. "I'm not sure if you'll be well enough--we could ask Dr. Max."

"You won't bomb." Nancy tells her and then goes to ask Dr. Max.

"You feeling OK Nancy?" Dr. Max asks.

"Well it still hurts and I still feel a little dizzy, but I should be well enough by tomorrow right? Maybe not completely better but well enough."

"Let's just see how you are tomorrow OK?" He says.

"Ok."

Abby goes over to talk to Tom. "I don't know if you wanted to talk to Max today or not, but Nancy will be sitting with me, and you men can have your privacy."

Tom smiles, "thank you, and the sooner the better right."

Abby smiles and kisses him. "It won't be that bad. After all, this is the man who hired a girl in a cake for you--you have to have had more...interesting...discussions with him than this."

Tom returns the kiss. "Very true."

They finish checking out and head to the airport. Before saying goodbye to Vivian for now Tom promises he'll call her when the results are in. Her plane comes first, so she boards it after bidding her family and Max farewell and then it takes off.

Soon Tom, Abby, Max, and Nancy board their plane and then it takes off.

"Greg can we talk?" Tom asks.

"Sure, is something wrong?" Greg asks.

Tom tells him about the problem he's been having trying to change his attitude.

"Tom, I had the same problem when Daisy started to work and I realized hey if this is what will make her happy it will also make me happy in the long run. When she isn't available for me, I just do something on my own that I know I will enjoy." he explains

"That sounds like a good idea."

"If I remember correctly, you were going to write a novel at one time." He says.

"Yeah I remember that. Maybe I can get started on that again."

"Go for it." He says.

"Oh I plan it." Tom says.

Greg says. "Good."

Meanwhile where Nancy and Abby are sitting. "Look at this one Abby, that would be great to wear to a party or something." She shows her the dress from the magazine.

"You're right. It would look great on you," Abby says. ~She's thinking of parties in the future. That's a good thing.~ "Maybe when you're up to it we can we see if we can find it, or a dress like it; if nothing else, I'll bet the boutique I go to could get a copy made."

"Really? That would be great. Thanks Abby." Nancy says excited about the idea.

"If we hurry, maybe you'll have it in time for New Year's," Abby says.

"That would be wonderful. But now we have to find something for you." Nancy does some looking. "How bout this one?"

"That's nice, but somehow I think this New Year's I'll be sitting in front of the television at best." She looks over towards where Tom and Greg are sitting. "It doesn't exactly seem to be your father's type of holiday. Not thatI ever did much partying that night myself."

"Come party with my friends and me. Just because Dad wants to stay home doesn't mean you have to."

"Thanks, but it'll be OK. Maybe we should get me a dress, too. Something to tempt an old stick in the mud to go party," Abby jokes.

Nancy laughs. "Oh definitely."

When they arrive home. Nancy's too tired too even walk. "Carry me?" She asks her big brother who had been there waiting for them to come home.

He smiles. "Sure sweetheart." He gently carries her into the house being careful about her shoulder. "Where too miss?"

"The bedroom." She requests. He carries her upstairs to her bedroom. And gently places her on her bed. "Thanks I think I would have collapsed."

"Not a problem." He leaves the room so she can get undressed in private and slip into something more comfortable. He goes back downstairs. "Ok now do you two need help with the luggage?"

"Well, maybe Nancy's" Abby says. "I think she packed her entire closet. What's gone on here while we were gone? I don't see any evidence of wild parties."

David gets Nancy's luggage and takes it upstairs and then returns. "Bradford children don't leave evidence." He teases.

"That's not what I've heard..."

"And just who has been spreading those lies?" David pretends to be upset.

Mary comes in and sees Abby "What lies?"

"Your father," Abby laughs.

"Dad!!"

"Well if you and your brothers and sisters wouldn't give me things like that to talk about. There wouldn't be things like that to talk about would there? By the way where are the rest of my children?"

"Tommy and Nicholas went to shoot baskets. And the girls went shopping for dinner."

A little while later after Tommy and Nicholas have returned from shooting baskets Nancy tries to nod off but feels something jump on her bed she opens her eyes and sees a puppy there. "Nice doggy now get off my bed." She starts to go back to sleep but awakens wondering where the puppy has come from and then it dawns on her. "Nicholas!!"

Nicholas comes in "Hey welcome back."

She smiles and pats the puppy. "Thank you, now where did this little guy come from?"

"I found it behind the garage yesterday, do you think Dad and Abby will let me keep it?"

"I don't know if Abby would or not, and as for Dad I suggest you approach him very carefully."

"His name is Sam by the way." He says.

"Well hi there Sam." Nancy dotes over the puppy who licks her face and wags his tail.

"I better get him out of here before Dad sees him." He says

"Yeah and I better get some shut eye, hey Nick, will you wake me up a half hour before dinner. I want to eat with you guys for a change. I miss family dinners."

"OK." He says and takes Sam downstairs.