A/N: This is an extremely AU 'continuation' of sorts of one of my favorite episodes "Carol's Crush" that takes place many years later. I never really cared for the character of Chrissy b/c so I've written this as though the Seavers consisted of Carol, Ben, Mike, Maggie and Jason. This is just an idea that came to me as I watched this episode after not having seen it for many years.

As Carol slowed her car to a stop in front of her parent's house she couldn't help but smile. It was strange being this excited to see her family. After all, she'd spent years being embarrassed by them.

But she was older now and even though she was happy being away at Yale Law School, she found that she actually missed her parents and her annoying older and younger brothers; Mike in particular. They fought like cats and dogs when they were kids, but she still loved them, even though she would never have admitted it.

Suddenly a memory surfaced; one that she held in her heart:

It was her first birthday away from home and she had to confess that she was feeling a bit lonely. Her parents were on a much anticipated trip to Rome and her friends picked that weekend of all weekends to go to a huge party in New York City. They begged Carol to go, trying to persuade her by implying that it would be a birthday she'd never forget. But Carol simply wasn't into such nonsense. Parties were for teenagers. She was more of an intellectual, much to her friends' annoyance.

"See Carol, this is exactly why you don't have a boyfriend!" Nancy said for the hundredth time. "How could you possibly turn down a trip to New York City on your birthday?"

Carol scoffed. "Birthdays are overrated! Besides, I don't have time for men."
"Well, that's certainly not our fault!" Melissa chimed in. "Believe me, I'm getting burned out trying to find dates for you."

"And I appreciate it, Mel! I just... Oh never mind. You wouldn't understand."
The debate went back and forth until Carol just couldn't take it anymore. And finally Nancy, Melissa and the others took off in a huff, leaving Carol alone in her dorm. When the door closed behind them, Carol sighed. At last she could get some peace and quiet.

As though trying to convince herself that being alone on the weekend of her birthday didn't bother her, Carol immersed herself into her studies. After all, mid-terms were coming soon (in about three weeks), but she'd always studied hard, so why should she stop now?

However, by the time Saturday night came around, she was definitely getting a bit lonely. She'd yet to meet a guy she was remotely interested in on campus, much less date one. And suddenly she wished she had listened to her friends (and her parents) and been a lot more outgoing. But there was nothing she could do about it now.

In a moment of pure desperation she even considered going to a bar for her own personal celebration. But that was definitely out of the question. It was best to stay put. The more studying she got in the better-and she wouldn't end up regretting it later.

She was on the third paragraph of the Second Act of "Macbeth" when a knock on her door broke her concentration.

This was certainly odd. She was sure that she was the only one left in her dorm, except for maybe the cleaning guy. He was forever trying to hit on her.

"Martin I told you a hundred times, I can't-."

Her mouth fell open in shock when she saw the smiling face of her older brother, standing in the doorway, holding some flowers, balloons a brightly wrapped gift and a birthday cake. It was the most wonderful surprise...

Overcome with emotion she threw her arms around him in a tight hug, nearly knocking him to the ground, but he didn't seem to care. When she opened her gift, she was thrilled to find a beautiful pink sweater in her favorite shade. The fact that he'd cared enough to spend his weekend with her touched her deeply and it changed their relationship forever.

It was without a doubt the most memorable birthday she'd ever had.

Now as she climbed out of her car, she found that Mike was the one she was most excited to see. She took a deep breath and smiled as she rang the doorbell.

"Carol!"

Squealing with delight she hugged her parents tightly. "Oh, I missed you guys!"

"Carol, you look so beautiful! You're all grown up!"

"Mom, of course I'm grown up! I'm 23!" Carol replied, not minding her mother's over-enthusiastic embrace.

Almost instantly her mother's eyes filled with tears. "I know. My little girl is a woman now!"

"A smart woman!" Jason added.

To her own amazement, Carol's face reddened. "Dad!"

"All right, all right!" Jason said, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Can't a guy be proud of his only daughter?"

"Oh... Well, if you insist!" Carol said. "Where's Ben?"
"Someone call my name?"

At the sight of her little brother-who wasn't so little anymore, Carol threw her arms around him. And when he tried to squirm his way out of her embrace, she was reminded of her childhood once more.

"Geez, Carol not so hard!"

"You're so tall!" She exclaimed, not caring that she sounded like her parents or grandparents.

"Well, why don't we all sit down and I'll bring some snacks?" Maggie asked.

"Sounds great, Mom." Carol agreed following her mother into the kitchen. Before Maggie had a chance to protest, Carol was meticulously arranging cheese and crackers on a platter and pouring glasses of iced tea.

"So Carol, what's new?"

Carol shrugged at her mother's question. "Oh, you know... studying hard."

"Any... interesting parties?"

The idea made Carol roll her eyes. "Mo-om, you know people at Yale don't party! We're intellectuals!" It was a blatant lie but her mother didn't have to know that. Still it didn't stop her mother from launching into the dreaded topic that was brought up every single time they spoke to one another, be it by phone or in person.

"Now, Carol you know perfectly well what I mean! I'm talking about men!"

"Mom, please... Not this again! I told you, I don't have time for men!"

"I just think that if you had dated a little more often in high school-."

"Mom, I know you mean well but I'm doing just fine on my own!"

"Yeah Mom, leave her alone!" Mike laughed from the doorway. "Someday someone desperate enough will see Carol and be swept off his feet!"

At the sight of her brother, Carol shoved him playfully. "Same old Mike!"

The phone rang; bringing a shout from her father in the living room. "I'll get that!"

"Thanks honey!" Maggie replied.

As her brothers and mom stood in the kitchen, Carol found herself smiling once more.

"I never thought I'd say this, but I really missed you all."

"We missed you too, Carol."

"The Seavers are back together again!" Maggie exclaimed, starting to tear up again.

"This calls for a group hug! " Carol said.

"Well... all right, but don't tell anyone, okay? Wouldn't want them to think that we actually loved each other!" Mike quipped.