George and Nora Venturi sat on the couch on a Friday afternoon for a much needed rest. The television was playing an old movie that had driven the kids out of the room. However, such re-runs were exactly what the couple needed after a hectic week with five kids. She would snuggle up close to her husband and he would wrap his arms around her. Everything was peaceful. Until the phone rang. Naturally this happened every time George and Nora decided to have some alone time. With two teenagers, the phone rang constantly. Plus Derek had a hockey game today, so it could be one of his teammates.

"Hello?" George had picked it up. "Oh, hello, Abby." Abby is George's ex-wife and the mother of Derek, Edwin, and Marti. Giving a kiss to his wife, George excused himself to the kitchen to take the call. As awkward as this was, Nora had learned to deal with it. Abby had insisted on staying close to the family, while as Dennis, Casey and Lizzy's father, had chosen to only see the girls once in a blue moon. It was good for the kids, but not so much for Nora. It was five minutes before George called in the kids.

"Derek, Edwin, Marti! Your mother is on the phone!" Marti came leaping down the stairs, squealing in delight. The boys followed her not so enthusiastic. Their mother insisted on treating them like kids Marti's age. Even though she was around often, she never went to any of Derek's hockey games or to any of Edwin's award ceremonies for school. In fact, Abby seemed to live in a fantasy live with them, something only Marti seems to enjoy. The kids entered the kitchen as George walked back out.

"What did she want?" asked Nora.

"To ask when Derek's next game was. Abby has never shown the slightest interest in the kid's activities. I was always happy she shared interest in the kids at all. Marti adores her. This will be good for them." He sat back down on the couch next to her.

"She wants to come to a hockey game?" Nora raised an eyebrow.

"Now that I think about it that does sound odd for her. She has a no violence policy." George shrugged his shoulders.

"As long as she doesn't stay for dinner." When Derek's team won games, the entire team went out for burgers. When they lost, the family made Derek's favorite dinner and reminded him how great he was. It was a Derek Tradition.

"We'll see. I think I should start dinner. Derek is playing the first place team tonight. Might I remind you that they are undefeated?" Nora laughed as George went back into the kitchen.

"Hey, Mom." Casey and Lizzy had just come down the stairs.

"Girls, what are you up to?"

"Not much, just looking for a way to get out of Derek's hockey game."

"Me too. Abby's coming," groaned Nora.

"As in the Abby- Derek's Mom? As in the woman who was married to George before you. As in Abby-" Casey clamped a hand over her sister's mouth. She knew how uncomfortable her mother was around Abby. The woman looked at the three of them as if they were the scum beneath her shoe.

"Yes, that Abby. And she might be staying for dinner. Isn't that lovely?" Nora got up off the couch. "So if I have to suffer, so do you."

"Casey, you are off the hook for tonight!" Derek had just walked back in.

"Was I on the hook?"

"Well, if my team lost you were in charge of making chocolate chip cookies. But my dear mother will be able to do that for me. However, you can take on the job of washing my clothes." With a smirk he walked upstairs. Casey folded her arms with a huff.

"We're leaving in five minutes," yelled George after him. "Abby is going to meet us at the rink." The ride there was unusually quiet, even Derek could not think of anything to see. Of course, this could be either the fact that his mother was finally coming to a game, or his team was going to lose. Casey and Lizzy were pouting about being dragged along. Marti was playing with her imaginary friends and Edwin seemed to have nothing to say. George and Nora just exchanged nervous glances. As they were walking in, Abby found them.

"Derek! Edwin! And my little Marti!" Marti ran to her mother.

"A little overdressed?" whispered Casey to Nora and Lizzy.

"Casey," warned Nora, while Lizzy bit back a laugh. Abby was wearing a black mid-length skirt with a low cut red top. She looked lost at the rink.

"Hi, Mom, bye, Mom. I got to go warm up." Derek gave her a small wave and practically ran to the locker room.

"Bye Derek! Good luck!" She smiled down at Marti and gave Edwin a hug. "Hello George," she greeted him warmly and also with a hug that caused Nora to frown. George smiled nervously and pulled away.

"Abby, you remember Nora, Casey, and Lizzy?"

"Of course," she said with a fake smile. "Shall we find our seats?"

The group headed off to find seats. Once they found seven together, who was going to sit by who became a problem. Marti sat in between her mother and father with Edwin on the other side of Abby. Nora sat next to George and her girls beside her. Much to Edwin's dismay, Abby fawned over him and Marti until the game began. The game was a beat-down and Derek's team lost badly. The family left to wait for him by the car.

"If you don't mind, I would like to take Edwin, Marti, and Derek back to your house with me. That way I get a little private time with them." Abby smiled her coy smile, looking at Nora.

"That would be great. I'm sure they would love that," said George stepping between the two women before Nora snapped. She had held her tongue the entire night. Even Casey and Lizzy had been usually silent. He knew how awkward this was for them; Abby was not exactly kind to them. This was something George could not figure out. Nora was so wonderful and everyone liked her, so what was Abby's problem?

"We would?" asked Edwin.

"What was that sweety?"

"Nothing, Mom," he said quickly, glaring at Lizzy who had began to laugh.

"Well then George, I believe Abby knows how to get back to our house, so there is no need to by hanging around here. Let's go get dinner started." Nora pulled gently on his arm, leading them to their car.

"See you at home," called George. Casey and Lizzy were trying to hold back their laughter at Edwin who was making faces behind his mother's back. Once in the car, Nora released a sigh.

"I can't believe you invited her over for dinner. I don't know if I'll make it through!" exclaimed Nora.

"Yeah, George. She treats us like-" Casey seemed unable to finish her sentence.

"Like we don't exist. She completely ignores us," finished Lizzy.

"Maybe you should try a little harder," shrugged George. "I try to pretend she is just a friend that gets on my nerves a bit, but I have to put up with because she is an overall nice person."

"She is your ex-wife, George. In case you haven't noticed, I'm the woman who you married after her. She isn't supposed to like me. "

"Nora, please, for the kids?"

"I'll keep my mouth shut through dinner, but if she makes one peep about the house or my girls I'm going to have to-"

"Mom," warned Casey.

"Sorry. Plus, I don't like the way she looks at you."

"Looks at me?"

"Yes. That 'I've got something up my sleeve' look."

"Nora, really? She just wants to spend some time with her children. Can you at least live with that?"

"I'll try, but only because she is the mother of your children," she gave her husband one final glare before facing the window and leaving the car in silence for the entire ride home.

Conversation at dinner was mostly Abby, George, and Marti. Casey and Lizzy both excused themselves early saying they had homework. Edwin and Derek kept shooting indistinct glances at each other and then back at their mother. Nora ate in silence. Once everyone was finished, she finally spoke.

"George, I believe it is our night to do the dishes. Kids, why don't you say good bye to your Mom and hop on up stairs to do your homework?"

"Nora, nonsense. I will help you and George with the dishes." Abby began picking up the plates around her and headed into the kitchen. Nora gave George a desperate glance and followed her in. George and Abby washed the dishes and Nora dried. George and Abby joked and laughed just like he and Nora usually did. Nora was relieved when the phone rang.

"I'll get it."

"Thanks dear, I'm covered in soap. If it's for me, tell them I'll call them back in a jiffy." He gave her a smile, which she ignored. It turned out to be a client of his, so she told him that he would call them back and hung up. When she walked back into the kitchen, she dropped the phone at the sight in front of her.

Abby had her arms around George's neck pinning him between her and the sink and they were kissing.