Well, here is part one of Rhoda's part of what happens between the shows and the movie. I hope you like it! Please read AND review! Thanks!
Rhoda came in after a long day of working at the costume shop. She had just flopped down on the sofa when the phone rang. She groaned, but went to answer the phone anyway.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Rhoda. It's Mary. Am I interupting anything."
"Oh! Hiya, Mare! No not at all. I just got in. How are ya? How are Steven and my little namesake."
"Steven and Rose are both fine.", Mary said with a smile.
"Awww! I miss you kid! I really need to plan a visit soon.", Rhoda said.
"Well, actually, That's kind of why I called. I have big news."
"What is it?"
Well, Steven and I have been talking and He would really like to run for office again. He wants to run for Senator of New York. Rhoda, we are moving to Manhatten!"
"Really, Mare? That's sensational! When?", Rhoda exclaimed.
"Well, I have to wrap things up at work, and we have to pack, and find an appartment in New York and several other things. But we hope to move within the next couple of months."
"Aww, Mare, I'm so glad! Hey, I could see if anything is open in this building."
"Oh Rhoda. I don't know. I'm not sure If I want to be in New York with a doorman like that one you have."
"Oh come On Mare. Carlton's harmless. He's lousy at his job, but he's harmless. Besides. It would be fun to be in the same building again. It gets kinda lonley around here with Brenda and Benny and their little one in New Jersey."
"Oh that's right! How is your little Nephew. How old is he now?"
"He's about eighteen months, now, Mare. And Totally adorable."
"What did they name him again? David Benjamine Goodwin, But we call him Davey."
"Aww. That's wonderful."
"So, Kid, Will you at least let me look into an appartment for you?" Mary hesitated, then said,
"Ok. But I'll have to talk to Steven and we'll have to see it together before we decide."
"I totally understand that,Mare. I'll ask around and see what I can found out."
"Thanks, Rhoda. You're a great friend."
"You're welcome. Now I better go, though, because I just looked at my watch and realized I'm due at Brenda and Benny's for dinner, soon." Rhoda heard wimpering in the background then Mary replied
"Ok. Rose is getting fussy now, anyway, so I better get off too. Tell Brenda and Benny I said hi."
"Oh, I will Mare. Tell Steven hi from me and kiss little Rosie for me!",Rhoda responded.
"I will! We'll talk soon. Bye!", Mary said
"Bye,Kid.", Rhoda replied, before hanging up and going to change to head to her sister's.
Later that evening at Brenda's, Rhoda was happily cuddling her toddler nephew. He rarely could sit still for very long so this was a rare treat. He had handed her a book earlier and said,
"Tory?", to which Rhoda had quickly agreed. Now the little boy was almost asleep on her lap.
"So Rho, how's it going at the costume shop? Does Jack still have enough work for you?"
"Oh, yeah. We're actually swamped right now. We got a huge order called in for a french culture festival. The man is coming in tomorrow to pick it up. He sounded familiar on the phone but I can't imagine why."
"Do you know anyone from France?", Benny asked.
"No. Not one person. I went for the weekend once, but I didn't really meet anyone. Well, there was that one guy that came over to my table at the sidewalk cafe. But, nah. I couldn't be him. What would he be doing in New York?" By now, little Davey was fast asleep so Brenda stood up and said,
"I should probably get him into bed." Rhoda sighed and kissed the little guy on the cheek and said,
"Alright. Good Night, Darling. Love you.", before handing him over to his mom. After Brenda returned, Rhoda talked with her sister and brother in law a little while longer before heading home.
"The next day Rhoda put the finishing touches on the French Festival Order. Soon, the man arrived to pick up the costumes.
"Bonjour. My Name is Jean Pierre Rousseau. I believe you have many costumes for me?"
"Morganstern will take care of ya. She's in the back. MORGANSTERN!", Jack Doyal bellowed.
"I'll be right there, Jack!", Rhoda called back. Soon, she appeared.
"What do ya need?"
"The guy's here for those costumes."
"Oh, Hello. I'm Rhoda. I'll bring those right now."
"I beleive we've met before.", the man said. Rhoda smiled.
"I don't know where it could have been. I don't normally go to French Festivals."
"Do you not recall a little table at a little cafe in Paris? It was several years ago. But I remember as if it were yesterday." Rhoda's eyes widened. No it couldn't be. Could it?
"That was you? And how do you remember that. We only talked for about ten minutes." Jean Pierre lifted Rhoda's hand and kissed it.
"How could I ever forget such a beautiful face." Rhoda blushed. She couldn't understand why. It wasn't like her to get all giddy like a school-girl over a man. The last time that had happened was with Joe but even with him, she wasn't turned to complete mush at the very first meeting. It wasn't till at least the second date. Then again, maybe it was the French thing. Rhoda tried not to sound nervouse as she said,
"Your costumes are ready. I'll bring them out to you." She went and got the costumes with Ramon's help, and brought them up.
"Merci, Madame! I shall look forward to seeing your beatiful face again very soon!" After he left, Jack said,
"Morganstern, don't get carried away. I know He seems romantic. But guys like that are only trouble."
"Jack. I'm not going to fall head over heals for the man. I just met him today. I'll probably never see him again. He didn't even ask for my number.", Rhoda said exasparatedly.
"He'll be back. I could see it in his eyes. He won't be able to stay away. Just make sure he doesn't sweep you away." Rhoda just rolled her eyes and went back to work. a few weeks later, Rhoda was just about to head out to lunch when Jean Pierre returned.
"Madame, I just wanted to return to tell you that I have never seen such esquisite workmanship. Your costumes are a true work of art. After I left I could not stop thinking about you and seeing your beautiful face. I would love to take you to lunch today if you are free?" Rhoda hesitated at first but she was attracted to Jean Pierre and after all it was just lunch."
"Sure. I'd like that. I'm free right now."
"Splendid. I know a wonderful little place. It serves the most delicious crouissents. The soup is quite good too." Rhoda told Jack that she was headed out to lunch and left with Jean Pierre. After they left, Jack just shook his head and said to Ramon and Tina,
"She is out to lunch. In more ways than one." That lunch date led to another one and then another one after that. In fact, Jean Pierre and Rhoda were getting pretty exclusive. Even so, she wasn't ready to introduce him to any of her family or even her best friends yet. About a month later, Mary and Steven came to the city. They didn't have Rose with them this time. She was staying with her grandparents. Rhoda had found an appartment for them in her building and they were coming to look at it. Rhoda met them at the airport.
"Mare!", she called as soon as her friend was in sight.
"Rhoda!", Mary came over and the two friends embraced. When they pulled apart, Rhoda said,
"It's so good to see you!"
"I know. I've missed you!"
"Aww, me too, Kid." Rhoda replied. She then turned to greet Steven and they went to get a cab to take them to the hotel. Rhoda didn't have enough room for both of them at her place. Once they had checked in and put there bags in the room, Rhoda took them back to her place. On the way, Rhoda said,
"Oh, by the way. My Mother has insisted that I bring you both over to the bronx for dinner tonight. Brenda and Benny and little Davey will come too, so you'll get to meet him."
"Oh, wonderful. It will be great to see everyone again.", Mary said.
"Well, I Hope you can handle them, Steven. My Mother can be a little… overbearing."
"I've met your parents. Your mother didn't seem that bad to me."
"Ah, but you haven't seen her on her own turf yet.", Rhoda quipped. Steven looked slightly nervous now.
"Oh, it will be fun, Honey, Rhoda's just exagerating.", Mary said, shooting Rhoda a look. Soon they were at the appartment building. Carlton was passed out again so Rhoda just had everyone step over him, not bothering to explain till they reached the elevator.
"Carlton is perpetually drunk. He's harmless though. He just takes some getting used to." Steven just nodded. Rhoda got the manager to let them into the appartment. When they walked inside, Mary was amazed. There was a Terrace with a pretty nice view. The appartment also had a fireplace. It had one master bedroom but also had a smaller room that could work as a nursary and later a bedroom as Rose grew. there was a spacious alcove where a desk could go to make an office space for Steven or even Mary if she needed to work from home, once she got another job. Even Steven agreed that with the exception of the doorman, this place was ideal. Mary and Steven didn't want to rush into anything so they asked the manager and he gave them a couple of days to think it over. They thanked him and then Rhoda took them up to her place till it was time to head to the Bronx.
"Mary! Steven! Come in! Did you bring that beautiful baby of yours?"
"No, Mrs Morganstern. She's staying with my parents for the weekend."
"Oh, too bad! I was looking forward to another little one to cuddle." Mary appoligized and then Rhoda greeted her mother. Marty came out and hugged Rhoda and Mary and shook Steven's hand. Soon, Brenda and Benny arrived with Davey. Mary was enthralled with the little guy. She and Rhoda didn't get much time with him, however, because Ida hogged him quite a bit. Dinner was served soon after Benny and Brenda arrived. The evening went pretty well. Mary and Steven left Sunday evening but called the manager on Tuesday to say they would take the appartment. Rhoda was extremely excited when she found out. She and Jean Pierre were getting closer and closer. She finally got up the nerve to introduce him to her parents, and to Brenda and Benny. He was charming and won them all over quickly, except for Ida. She had to grill him first, much to Rhoda's dismay. She asked him every question imagineable untill it appeared she was satisfied. Well she wasn't quite. a few minutes later she pulled Rhoda aside and said,
"I don't think he's Jewish,Rhoda. I'm not sure he's right for you."
"Ma! I'm a grown woman. I can date whoever I want! Besides, Joe wasn't jewish either!"
"And we both know how that worked out!", Ida retorted.
"Ma, I don't need to be reminded that my first marriage was a failure! I regret that everyday of my life!"
"Ok. Ok. Suit yourself. You always do what you want anyway." Rhoda just sighed and went back over to the others. Later on the way back to the city, Rhoda said,
"Jean Pierre, I'm so sorry about my mother. I wish I could say she's not always like that, but honestly, she makes it her lifes work to run my life. Including my love life." Jean Pierre took her hand and kissed it before saying,
"Cheri, It is fine. It's a mother's job to worry about her children. Your family is wonderful. You should be glad to have such a loving family."
"Oh, I love my family,too. It's just that they can be exausting sometimes." Jean pierre just chuckled and pulled Rhoda closer. They rode the rest of the way in blissful silence.
A couple of months later, Rhoda and Jean Pierre were having dinner together. While they were waiting on their desserts, Rhoda said,
"Hon? Would you be ok with going to the airport with me to pick up Mary and Steven next week?" Jean Pierre had met several of Rhoda's friends over the last two months. Susie, Sally, Myrna, as well as her work friends. Now though, Mary was moving to town in a week. She was the one Rhoda was most nervous about introducing Jean Pierre to. She was Rhoda's best friend, if she didn't like him, it would be the most disapointing. Or worse, what if ,for some bizarre reason, he didn't like her? It could really hurt the friendship. Rhoda was jerked out of her thoughts when Jean Pierre replied,
"Mary. She is your best friend? From ah, Minneappolis, isn't it?"
"Yes. And Steven is her husband and they have one daughter, Rose. They are moving here next week because Steven is running for Congress."
"Ah, Oui. It would be my plessure to meet them. I will go with you."
"Ah, Thanks. I just know you'll love them."
"I look forward to meeting them. I've heard so much about her." Rhoda had told Mary about Jean Pierre by now, but she hadn't told her how serious they were yet. She would tell her that when she moved here next week. The time went by pretty quickly and before Rhoda knew it, she and Jean Pierre were standing by the terminal waiting for Mary and her family to get off the plane and make their way toward them. Soon Rhoda heard a voice say,
"Rhoda!" Rhoda grinned and went over to hug her friend. Then she hugged Steven who had Rose in his arms. She took Rose from her daddy and kissed her little cheeks.
"Oh, you have gotten so big! I can't beleive how fast she's grown." Pausing she added,
"Oh Lord. Please tell me I did not just sound like my mother!" Mary and Steven laughed. Then Rhoda turned to her boyfriend and said, Honey, come on over here. He came over and put his arm around her.
"Mare, Steven, this is Jean Pierre Rousseau. Jean Pierre, This is Mary Richards- Cronin and her husband Steven Cronin. And this adorable little one is their daughter, Rose." Jean Pierre came forward and shook Steven's hand but lifted Mary's to his lips and kissed it. It made her a bit uncomfortable but she reminded herself that it was the french custom, and it was probably nothing to worry about.
"A plessure to meet you both. And this Petite Angel as well. Rhoda has told me so much about you.", Jean Pierre said. On the way out of the airport, Rhoda walked a little ahead with Mary while Jean Pierre talked to Steven.
"Well, what do ya think, kid?"
"About what?" , Mary asked. Rhoda rolled her eyes and grinned.
"About Jean Pierre? Isn't he just Wonderful?" Mary thought about how to reply.
"He's… friendly. Rhoda are you sure you aren't rushing into things? It hasn't been that long since you met him. Before you saw him in the costume shop, you talked to him for ten minutes at a sidewalk cafe."
"Mare, what are you getting at? It's not like we're planning on getting married tomorrow. We just started becoming really serious. He's not like any other man I've met. Can't you just be happy for me?", Rhoda asked, getting a little miffed. Mary sighed.
"Of course I'm happy for you. But I've seen you jump into a relationship before with a seemingly amazing man. A week later you had your heart broken. And then Joe came along. And we know what happened with that. Rhoda, I just don't want to see you hurt again." Rhoda looked at her friend. She knew she was right. She knew Mary wasn't saying things just to upset her.
"I know,Mare. I'm sorry I snapped. Thanks for looking out for me. But I'll be fine. I promise."
"Ok. If you're sure. But I'm here if you ever need me."
"Thanks,Kid.", Rhoda replied in a tone that implied that this conversation was over. Mary sighed again, knowing that whatever happened, there were some things that she couldn't prevent. There were some things that Rhoda would just have to figure out on her own. Mary could only be prepared to be there for her friend if something did go wrong. The five of them headed out to go back to the appartment building.
Well, This was part one of Rhoda's part of the missing story between the Show and the reunion movie. I'm sorry if its off to a slow start but I promise it will pick up in the next couple of chapters. there will be four in this story. Chapter two will be posted on Friday hopefully. Again, ALL reviews are MUCH appreciated! Please don't forget! Catch ya later!