After he hides Sam. Elizabeth approaches him. "Is Nancy still awake?"

"No, she wanted to sleep, but told me to wake her for dinner."

"Ok, come on let's go visit with Dad and Abby."

"Where are they?" he says.

"They're in the kitchen with everyone else. Come on." They go to the kitchen.

Tom smiles at his youngest son and youngest daughter. "Hi come on in."

"Welcome home." Nicholas says.

"Thank you, now what's this dinner you all have planned?"

"We're making Nancy's favorite foods. We thought it would put in her a good mood and help her forget about the test results." Elizabeth tells him.

"Good idea, that's a very nice of all of you."

Meanwhile Sam makes it out of hiding and back upstairs he jumps up on Nancy's bed again and takes a nap with her.

Downstairs, Abby pulls Tom aside. "I know we just got back, but if I don't go into work, they'll just come over here and drag me out by force. And tonight I have class..."

"Are you sure you're up to it after the plane ride?" He asks her.

"I don't really have a choice, do I?" Abby answers. "I'm just sorry to leave you all this here."

"I can handle it."

"If you're feeling so capable, maybe I stay home and you talk to my professor tonight," Abby jokes.

"Me talk to your professor? But Abby I thought you loved me." Tom says feigning fear of the professor.

Abby laughs and goes upstairs to get ready. On her way back down, she stops in to check on Nancy, who is sleeping, and then hurries back downstairs. "Tom? There is something small and furry in Nancy's bed, and I don't think it's her latest boyfriend," she says.

Tom rushes upstairs and smiles when he sees the puppy. He then picks him up and takes him out of there. "Sorry little guy you can't stay with her." He goes downstairs looking for Nicholas and shows Abby the puppy. "This is the small, furry thing."

"Tom, I did know it was a puppy," Abby shakes her head. "I just didn't want to give you a heart attack. What do you plan to do with it?" she asks, scratching the puppy between its ears.

"I don't plan to do anything, Nicholas is going to take him back to wherever he got him from."

"He isn't going to like that idea."

"I know, but I've made it very clear to all of my children no more animals unless it's hamsters or fish."

"You know, maybe I should just go off to work before you tell Nicholas," Abby says, trying to avoid the scene she's sure will follow.

"Coward." Tom teases.

"You've got it," Abby says, and gives Tom a kiss. "But I really should be going, or I won't get a chance to do anything before I have to go beg my professor to pretend he has a heart."

Tom returns the kiss. "Drive careful."

"Don't worry. It's not like I'm driving the sedan."

"Good point." He agrees.

Abby goes off to deal with the last minutes crises at work and then goes to beg her professor for mercy and explain the reasons why she did so poorly on the midterm.

"Mrs. Abbot..."

"Bradford," Abby corrects.

The professor waves off the correction as irrelevant. "Your somewhat...chaotic...private life is none of my concern. If you can't separate between your work and your personal life, you will do your students a disservice."

"Yeah some of that chocolate cake and Abby, I was going to fix it for you. You look tired." Nancy says.

"So do you," Abby says and brings the cake to the table. "Anything interesting happen while I was out?" she asks, wanting to know what happened with Nicholas's puppy, but afraid to ask.

"Yeah, Sam can stay for one more day while Nicholas finds a home for him. If it takes longer we're trying to work on a plan to convince Dad to let him stay longer. Nicholas does have that fort in the back. Sam can stay there."

"Is Nicholas really going to look for that new home, or just concentrate on Plan B?"

"He's going to really look but he doesn't want to and I don't blame him."

"The puppy is cute," Abby shrugs, "but don't you think we have enough chaos around here?"

"Yeah, thanks to me." Nancy says in a guilty tone.

"I don't think you can take sole credit for the insanity in this house," Abby says. "For that matter, I've caused my share."

"Yeah but you have a husband, fighting goes with marriage, if it wasn't for fights then there wouldn't be any making up."

"Nancy!" Abby protests, a little shocked, though she shouldn't be. "I was talking about my schedule, though, and the wedand all." She sits down. "Does our fighting really bother you all that much?"

"It doesn't bother me at all, it's none of my business actually, sorry I brought it up like that." She yawns.

"Don't worry about it," Abby says. "You should go to sleep," Abby yawns, too. "I should go to sleep."

"Yeah, but not before having some cake at least."

"Well, try not to stay up too late," Abby say. "Good night."

"Goodnight Abby."

Abby goes upstairs, thinking about the conversation with Nancy, taking an incomplete, tomorrow's speech.

Tom awakens when she enters. "Hey there." He smiles.

Abby bends down to kiss him. "Hey there yourself. You manage all right tonight?"

"Yep, how did your night go?"

"Oh, all right I guess. I may be home a little more starting next week."

Tom's about to say oh that's great but then realizes why she might be home more. "Why, what happened?"

"My professor cordially invited me to take an incomplete and lower my course load," Abby says. "At this rate I'll get my Ph.D. in time to retire."

"That's not fair. Do you want me to talk to him?"

Abby begins to get ready for bed. "Thanks, but you can't go fighting all the dragons for me. Either I'll figure out how to handle everything or maybe I will reduce my course load for one semester. But after that, I'll go back my regular load. Oh, and Nancy said something tonight a little strange."

"Yeah, what strange thing did she say this time?"

"We were downstairs just now and we were talking about that puppy Nicholas brought home, you know? And we were talking about all the chaos this family generates, see, and she mentioned all the fighting you and I do. We don't fight all that much, do we?"

"Of course not. Nancy just exaggerates." Tom says not realizing that they do.

"Good," Abby says, equally oblivious.

Tom and Abby stay up just a little while longer and then fall asleep.

Currently downstairs Nancy finishes eating cleans up her mess and then heads upstairs to her own bed.

Thursday morning Abby gets dressed and ready to go, running through her notes the whole while. "You know, none of your really have to come listen to me. I mean, it's just a speech, and the topic will be pretty boring unless you teach remedial reading."

"Nonsense we're your family now. We'll be there." Tom says.

"Well, don't say I didn't warn you," Abby says. "I'm scheduled to go on about 2, but I don't know how accurate the schedule will be. I can call you during the morning to let you know if you want."

"I want, but I should warn you some of the kids probably won't be able to make it if it's at 2, I can get Tommy, Nicholas, and Elizabeth out early. However, David probably won't be able to get out of work and Joannie might not be able to get out of class. ::Also tells her that Susan is taking care of Nancy today:: and Nancy well that's still depends on what Max says."

"Whoever can come is welcome," Abby says. "But I warn you I may not have much time to talk. But it's true--I'll be glad to have a cheering section there." She gives him a quick kiss before picking up her things, ready to start her day.

"And you'll have one." He kisses her before going into work

Later, Cassie comes to visit.

"Why didn't you tell me that you might have cancer?"

"Because I thought it would bring back some bad memories for you and if it does turn out to be that I didn't want to put you through that hell again." Nancy says.

"That is so ridiculous just because I lost a cousin to cancer doesn't mean I'll lose you too. There have been a lot of advances since then they know more and can better treat it. It's not a death sentence you know. We're supposed to be best friends and you shouldn't feel uncomfortable about telling me anything."

"That works both ways." Nancy replies.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Why did I have to find out from your parents that you moved in with Jason a few days ago?"

"Ok, I'll keep you better informed if you keep me better informed."

"Deal."

After Cassie leaves, Nancy waits for Dr. Max to come over so he can examine her and determine if she can go and see Abby's speech.

Dr. Max arrives and says "Hi Nancy."

"Hi, the dizziness is gone, it's a little sore but I can handle that." She says right away.

"I'm supposed to ask the questions before you answer." He laughs.

"Sorry." She laughs also.

"Well, I don't see why you can't go out today, but promise me you won't tire yourself out."

"I promise. Even if I wanted to rebel there are 9 other people who would stop me in two seconds flat."

"OK then, I'll go talk to your dad; is he home?"

"No but Susan is."

Susan comes out of the kitchen she had volunteered to stay home with Nancy that day.

"Hey Dr. Max, how's our patient's recuperating coming along?" asks Susan.

"Doing well." he says.

"I can go and see Abby's speech with the rest of you today." She tells Susan.

"Great. Abby could use our support." Replies Susan.

"Yeah and it's about time that we gave her our support. Heaven knows she's supported us enough."

"That's for sure."

Tom walks in. "Hi girls." He kisses his daughters. "Sorry Max but I'm not going to kiss you." He teases.

"Thanks." Greg says.

"So how is she can she go today?"

"Yup, as long as she doesn't overdo it."

"Good, and there's no way I'll let her over do it." He then turns to Susan. "Thank you for watching your sister for me today."

"She didn't watch Dad she hung out with me." Nancy says in protest.

"Oh I'm sorry. Thank for hanging out with your sister today." He tells Susan.

"Anytime Dad. It's been a while since Nancy and I had a chance to hang out together."

"Yeah too long." Nancy agrees and hugs her sister.

Tom smiles at them and sees Max out.

"So do you want to get together Friday for poker?"

"It's about time you got back to the game." Max says.

Tom just smiles. "Well I have been busy lately."

"I can't imagine with what." Greg says.

Tom laughs. "Yeah right."

At the conference Abby is so busy with last minute details that she almost forgets to be nervous. About 11:30 she finally gets a long enough break to let Tom know they're only running a half hour behind schedule, and by 1:00 she beginning to get nervous...

Tom and the kids arrive at around 2 or 2:15 and are shown to their seats. Tom has Nancy sit next to him so he can keep an eye on her. David was able to get off of work and Joannie didn't have a class at that time anyway so she's there.

Abby sees them and come over to say hello. She sits with them for a while and then is called to the podium, where for nearly three quarters of an hour she holds forth, complete with diagrams on transparencies, on modifications to reading score quotient variables. The speech gets polite applause and she is kept there another quarter hour with questions, but then she makes her way off stage and back to her family.

Tom hugs and kisses her. "That was a very good speech," he tells her. He had nudged Nancy and a few of his other children awake so Abby won't know that they nodded off during the speech.

"Yeah it was very good." Nancy says.

"Really interesting," Joannie says. "I learned a lot."

"So did I." Elizabeth says.

Tommy shakes his head and Nicholas just shrugs.

"There's coffee outside in the hallway if you need help waking up," Abby tells them.

"We can never fool you and that's not fair." Nancy tells Abby before going to get coffee.

"Of course she can fool me," Abby tells Tom around a yawn. "It's just that I nearly put myself to sleep up there." She's interrupted by people coming up to compliment her on her talk and to ask her several highly technical questions.

Nancy returns with her coffee and observes her father who is looking very awkward. ~Get used to it Dad. You're no longer the only important public figure in the house.~

While Abby is busy, Joannie tugs on her father's arm. "Now that Abby's finished, do we have to hang around much longer?"

"Well I thought we'd all go out for an early dinner to celebrate." Tom says.

"Can we at least wait out in the hallway?" Joannie asks a little desperately, noticing that another session is about to begin.

"Sure, but you'll miss out on a good nap." Tom teases.

"Thank Dad, but I'll make up for it next time you call a family meeting."

"Joannie!!" Tom starts. But Nancy comes over and leads her away from his lecture and to where the siblings are sitting.

"No wonder teachers are so boring," Joannie mutters. "Look what they do for fun."

"Not all of them are boring." Nancy says.

"Name three who aren't," Joannie challenges.

"Abby, Mr. Hill, remember him? My eighth grade history teacher, he was so hot, and then there's...there's... Ok so there's two."

Joannie smiles. "See? Never argue with your older sister."

Nancy can't come up with a comeback line so she says. "Yeah Elizabeth."

"Nancy don't even start. I would flatten you in two seconds seeing you can only use one arm right now."

"Not." Nancy says.

"Yes, she could," Joannie says, "because I wouldn't let you take a chance on hurting yourself."

"But you'd let Elizabeth hurt her." David jokes.

"But Elizabeth wouldn't hurt her too badly, would you, Liz?"

"Wouldn't hurt her at all except for maybe her pride." Elizabeth jokes.

"I really feel the love in this room." Nancy says with a tinge of sarcasm.

Joannie's about to say something when the doors open and teachers start streaming out, many trying to stretch or otherwise showing their fatigue.

Elizabeth sees their Dad and Abby together. "Do you think it's over with?"

Joannie says, "If this is just a very late lunch break, I'll scream."

"And I'll join you." Nancy says.

"I have to help close down the conference," Abby tells Tom, "but after that I'm all yours. What are our plans?"

"I was planning an early dinner with the kids. Do you want to go out to eat with us to celebrate?"

"Celebrate what?" Abby asks. "It's too early to have gotten Nancy's result."

"Your speech," Tom says, surprised that she wouldn't want to celebrate.

"Oh, well, that was just work," Abby says. "Did I do OK? I'm not used to speaking to crowds, at least not of people over 16."

"You did wonderful." Tom says.

"Yeah much better than Dad." David says having been one of the children who stayed awake.

"You mean it's not only my speeches he subjects you all to?"

"We're not allowed to miss any of his speeches."

"Now just remember young man that I've never missed one little league game, play, or any other event of yours, your brothers, and your sisters." Tom reminds him.

"You're such a good father," Abby says. "I'll be back in about half an hour, OK?"

He kisses her. "Ok."

The sisters witness Abby return.

"Joannie I think it's time for us to scream now." Nancy half jokes.

Joannie goes to her father. "Dad, how much longer is this going to be? If I have to stick around all these teachers more, I'm going to start feeling like I should turn in a term paper."

"Just a half hour more I promise."

"We'll see," Joannie says, not believing a word. She goes back to report to her brothers and sisters.

"Ok who has a stop watch, we'll time them." Nancy says.

"I think a regular watch will be enough, Nancy," Joannie says.

The half hour comes and goes and Abby has yet to return.

"Ok let's storm the conference room." Nancy suggests.

"Maybe we just send Dad after her. All these teachers are really making me nervous," Joannie says.

"Don't worry sis I'll protect you." David says and walks over to his Dad. "Hey Dad will you go and get Abby so we can go. This place is upsetting my sisters."

Tom chuckles. "So take them outside. Abby will be out when she's ready."

David goes to relay what their father said.

Twenty minutes later Abby finally emerges. "Get me out of here before they drag me back in," she whispers to Tom.

"Come on." They pass by the kids. "Let's go and make it quick. Nancy not you take your time but if anyone asks before you reach us. You haven't seen us."

When they get safely outside Abby is laughing. "Now I know how it feels to be the president with my own cadre of Secret Service guards."

Currently inside Nancy's almost out the door when one of Abby's colleagues approaches her.

"Excuse me where's Abby? Your stepmother."

"Stepmother?"

"Yes Abby Bradford."

"Who are the Bradfords?" Nancy feigns confusion. "Hey stop harassing me mister or I'll scream for security."

He walks away, she smiles and goes to her family.

"What're you smiling at, Nancy Bradford?" Joannie asks. "Someone in there offer you an A?"

"Better." She tells Joannie and the family what she did to escape Abby's admirers.

Joannie laughs, then looks at her father and stepmother. "The only one who doesn't seem too happy with Abby's success is Dad," she whispers.

"I guess we're going to have to ground him." Nancy whispers back.

"That's a good idea. Dad could use a laugh."

Nancy laughs and then they head for the restaurant.

"So, Nicholas, you ready for our date tomorrow night?" Abby asks as they're seated.

"You still want to go?" Nicholas asks

"Of course I do," Abby says, bewildered. "Why wouldn't I? I think it'll be fun."

"Great." he says

While Tom is talking to one of the other kids, Abby asks Nancy, "So did Nicholas find anywhere to give his puppy yet?"

"Yep he found a place." Nancy says.

"Where?" Abby asks.

"A very nice place for a puppy." Nancy says scoping out Abby's reaction. ~Can we trust her not to tell Dad?~

"Uh, huh. And what is it you're not telling me?" Abby asks. "He didn't find anywhere else for the puppy, did he?" she says, not sounding too upset.

"Yes he did, in fact the puppy has its own place."

Abby narrows her eyes, sure now that something is up. "Where?" she repeats.

"You won't tell Dad?" Nancy whispers.

Abby considers--she really shouldn't keep secrets from Tom, should she? But Tom didn't consult with her about this no-pets rule, so why should she have to obey it? "Look, Nancy, I've already figured out that Nicholas didn't give it away to anyone, so you might as well tell me where it is."

Nancy whispers the location in Abby's ear.

"He's got enough food and water?" Abby whispers back. "I can take my turn taking stuff out to him."

"Yes, I made sure before we left to see your speech, and ok thanks." Nancy smiles.

"Just make sure your father doesn't find out," Abby warns.

"He won't." She hugs Abby. "Thanks for not telling him."

"Shh..." Abby cautions. "He'll hear you."

"Good point." Nancy remains quiet.

While they're eating, someone who'd been at the conference comes up to the table and begins to ask Abby questions about her speak. She pulls her chair a little away from the table and answers the man at length.

Tom is fuming inside. ~Can't we have a family dinner without being interrupted?~

After she finishes answering her colleague's questions, Abby returns her chair to the table. "I didn't realize people would be so interested in my modifications. It's nice, isn't it?"

"Yeah real nice." Tom says not trying to hide his sarcasm.

Abby starts to say something, then remembers what Nancy said about the fighting. Instead, she waits until they get home and are getting ready for bed. "Want to talk about it?" she asks Tom.

"Abby I'm happy for you. You did great today and I'm glad others feel the same way as I do, but there's a time and place for everything."

"I can't help it if people come up to me, can I?" Abby says. "If someone from the paper came up to talk to you, I wouldn't object."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know," Abby insists. "Because if I thought that 9 to 5 was for work and afterwards was only for family, I'd go crazy trying to balance everything with this family, wouldn't I?"

"So it wouldn't upset you? Well I'm sorry but it upsets me."

"What do I have to do to satisfy you?" Abby says, frustrated. "I cook, I clean, I'm little Mrs. Betty Crocker. I cut down my work hours, I'm cutting down my classes. I take days off to take kids to the doctor, the hospital, tests. So once in a while someone comes over to talk to me during dinner and poor Tom Bradford gets offended."

"And anytime I get upset about anything you're ready to throw that in my face."

"Throw what in your face? All the changes I've had to make? Well, they bother me. You're used to having a wife and eight kids. This is the life you've had for years, and you just expect me to fit into this neat little slot you've got prepared, but you're not leaving meany space for myself."

"Well what do you want from me Abby? To change overnight? I've been trying you know that. I don't freak out anymore when you come home late. I don't get upset if I'm the one who has to do things around the house."

"I know," Abby says, some of her anger deflated. "I know. And I do appreciate that. But you can't just expect me and the rest of the world to change overnight, either. For years everyone knew that I was available anytime, day or night. You've got to give me--give us some time to find a middle ground. You have to give both of us time to figure out where work ends and where the kids end and where we begin."

"You're right I do, and Abby I do appreciate everything you've done so far. And I'm sorry if I overreacted."

"So'm I," Abby says. "But we have to do something about this. I'm getting tired of the same fight, over and over. There has to be something new for us to fight about," she teases.

He chuckles. "We can always fight about the stock market."

"Personally, I don't think it'll go up so soon--too far from elections," Abby says, pretending to fight.

"I don't know Abby, at this time of year it usually does go up." Tom says playing along.

"But that's just short term--after the first of the year..." Abby breaks off, giggling.

Tom laughs also.

Friday evening, Abby gets ready for the Mother-Son banquet at Nicholas's school and sees that Tom is also getting ready to go out. "Anywhere special," she asks, "or just taking advantage of your freedom?"

"I'm going to play poker tonight with the guys."

Abby gives him a kiss, happy that he's getting involved with his old activities again. Then she goes to check on Nicholas. "You just about ready to go?"

"Yep." he says "You look pretty."

"Hey, going out to dinner with a good looking guy like you, a girl's got to dress up." They go out to Abby's car. "What? No football helmet?" she jokes.

"I trust your driving now." he says.

Abby laughs and drives to the school. When she parks she asks Nicholas, "So how do we work this? We're supposed to stick together most of the evening, or do I hang out with the mom-types while you run off with your friends and pretend that being anywhere near an adult is deeply uncool?"

"You are getting this thing down pat." Nicholas says.

"I'm a quick study. Don't worry, I'll stay far away from you tonight--when you want me, come and get me."

Nicholas laughs.

They go into the school and Nicholas runs off to his friends. Mrs. Duffeck comes up to Abby. "Sandra Sue Abbot! What are you doing here? I thought you gave up tutoring elementary school students. I'd heard you were working with the high schoolers now. And besides: at this time of day?"

"I'm not here because of one of my students, I'm here because of one of yours. Nicholas Bradford."

Mrs. Duffeck looks at Abby in confusion. "How did you two meet?"

"Nicholas didn't say anything? About his father getting remarried?"

"Yes he did but I didn't put two and two together, silly me."

"I was getting worried there for a minute," Abby admits. "How's he been this past month? A lots happened in his family, you know."

"I know, we talk about his sister a lot and about his ears."

"Sometimes I feel like he's getting the short end of the stick. I can be a friend to the older kids, and Tommy I know really well; I was his teacher. But Nicholas--I'm never quite sure how I'm supposed to deal with him."

"Well whatever you're doing it's working because he speaks very highly of you."

"I'm glad. Well, I guess I should do what Nicholas asked of me and go hang out with the other mothers." She looks at the mothers on one side of the room and the kids on the other. "It looks as bad as a high school dance."

Ellen Duffeck laughs.

Meanwhile one of the class bullies comes up to Nicholas. "What did you do, bring one of your sisters in with you? I told you your new mom wouldn't show."

"That is my new mom." Nicholas says.

"No way," the bully says. "You're such a liar, Nicholas."

"I am not." he says

"That's not your new mom," the bully insists. "Your dad is *old.*"

Nicholas just walks away.

Abby goes to sit with the other mothers. One of them speaks to her: "I didn't realize there was a new kid in the class. Which is your son?"

"Oh, he's not new--Nicholas Bradford."

"Bradfordoh, yes, I remember hearing that his father got remarried--rather suddenly. We were all so sorry to hear about Joan, you know."

Abby is silent. How do you respond to condolences for a woman you've never met but whose family is now yours?

Another woman joins the conversation. "Joan was always so much help with PTA functions."

"Decorating the school for Christmas," one of the mothers says.

"Organizing the bake sale."

"Making the costumes for the year end school play."

"You are planning to help out, aren't you--you didn't say what your name is, Mrs. Bradford�"

"Abby. Uh, well, I work, see. I teach."

"That's great! Then you have all summer off to help us get ready for next year. I think you'd be perfect for the planning committee."

"Well, I'll probably be in summer school," Abby tries to get out of this entanglement. "And I'm not sure what all our kids generally do over the summer�" She looks over towards the boys. ~Nicholas, if you don't get me out of this you will owe me so bad�~

Nicholas sees Abby and sees she is having about as much fun as he is having. He goes over there and says "Can we go now?"

"I thought you'd never ask," Abby answers.

They go to the car.

When they get home, Abby and Nicholas go to the kitchen to drown their sorrows in ice cream.

Tom soon enters. "Hey what's wrong?"

Abby just stabs her ice cream and grumbles.

Tom sits down at the table. "What happened?"

"Third graders are tough--and their mothers are worse," Abby answers.

"That bad eh?"

Abby looks at Nicholas, then back at Tom--he may want to tell his father his side of the story, but she doesn't want to speak in front of Nicholas.

"Would you two like some chocolate sauce and pie ala mode with that?"

Abby gets up to get three plates. "And make mine a double."

Tom gets out the pie and the chocolate sauce.

"They didn't believe Abby was my stepmother," Nicholas says.

"Did you set them straight?" Tom asks him.

"I tried, but they didn't believe me."

"Hmm, Abby and I can always pick you up from school one day," Tom says.

Nicholas eyes light up. "That would be cool."

Tom smiles.

"Your poker game go as badly as this banquet?" Abby asks.

"Yep I lost again."

"Seems to be a trend around here," Abby says. She stands and takes her plate to the sink. "I think I'm going to go upstairs. Nicholas, I know it's not a school night, but don't stay up too late, ok?"

"OK, sorry I ruined your night," he says

Abby kneels down next to him. "Oh, Nicholas, you didn't ruin the night. I liked the part when I was with you. Maybe we could do it again sometime, but without the other kids and moms."

"I'd like that," he says.

"Good. You think about what you'd like to do, then, and we'll decide when we'll do it." She gets up and gives him a kiss on the forehead. "Good night, Nicholas."

"Night," he says.

After Nicholas is done eating Tom sends him off to bed. "Get some sleep and don't worry about your doubting peers. We'll set them straight."

"Goodnight Dad," he says.

"Goodnight Nicholas." He tucks him in.

Tom finds Abby in the bedroom. "Now that we're alone do you want to talk about it?"

"Yeah," Abby says, but doesn't follow up, not sure how to talk about what happened at the school, afraid her own fears will make her words sound too sharp.

"Abby what is it?"

"Well, the PTA women asked me to send you their condolences," Abby starts.

Tom looks at her in confusion but then it dawns on him. "What did they say to you?"

"Nothing much. Just let me know that as the new Mrs. Bradford, I'm expected to take up where the real Mrs. Bradford left off--decorate the school, run the bake sale, sew up costumes for the class play, plan the PTA activities..."

Tom grows angry. "They had no right, no right whatsoever to demand that of you."

"It's not that--I know how to say no. You can't plan an academic career without knowing how to get off of committees. 's...well..."

"What?" He asks gently.

"Was she really everything everyone says she was?" Abby asks.

"Yes she was." Tom says.

"I just--sometimes I wonder how I can compete. Oh, I know that it's not a competition, that wasn't the right word, but still... It seems like every time I start to think I'm doing all right, someone comes up and say, 'Oh, Joan wouldn't have done that,' 'oh, well, you're very different from Joan' and I..." Abby starts to cry.

Tom puts his arm around her and hugs her. "Abby, you're not Joan. You're Abby, my wife, and I love you very much. And if people are going to act that way towards you they have no business calling or setting foot in this house."

"I'm not worried about them," Abby admits. "I'm worried about you. About us."

"Abby, we're going to make it. I know we are."

"Sometimes I wonder when you're going to come out of that haze of falling in love and start making the same comparisons everyone else seems to."

"Why would I do that? Abby, I loved Joan very much and I love you very much, but that doesn't mean I expect you to be her. That would be asking for the impossible. I can't ask you not to be yourself. Then you wouldn't be the woman I fell in love with."

"I know," Abby says, "I know that. But still, sometimes I can't help wondering--it seems like she was so perfect, and I certainly am not."

"I know you're not perfect, and neither was she."

"She wasn't?" Abby asks, looking for reassurance.

"No she wasn't, she was far from it. I wouldn't marry anyone who was perfect. Perfect people scare the hell out of me."

Abby laughs. "I love you, you know that?"

Tom smiles. "Yes, and I love you."

"But if I ever start getting too imperfect for you, you'll tell me, right? Not that I promise to change," she teases, "but it'll be nice to know."

"Yes I'll let you know." Tom promises.

"But nicely..." Abby warns.

"Ok, nicely." Tom smiles and kisses her.

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