Mary Richards awoke to the soft cries of her newborn son. She had fed him about five a.m. and put him back to sleep and two hours later she knew those cries meant he was up for the day. She got up out of bed and went over to the crib which was located behind her sofa bed. This was not an ideal set up, a one room apartment, but it would have to do for now. She had only been home from the hospital a couple of days and she was beginning to feel quite overwhelmed. This wasn't how it was supposed to be when she had a baby. She was supposed to be married, supposed to be happy. It wasn't that she was unhappy but this just wasn't how it was supposed to be. She had gone on a vacation approximately nine months ago to Mexico. Just a little R and R but something happened she didn't count on. She'd had one too many pina coladas and ended up in bed with some guy she didn't even know. She didn't tell anyone, she was too ashamed. She returned home putting the one night stand behind her. Until two months later when she started feeling sick and went to the doctor thinking she had the flu. But what she had was a baby. She didn't even know the father's last name, or maybe she was too drunk that night to remember if he told her. She had never been so scared. How could she take care of a baby alone? But she had no choice. So four days ago she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. She named him Matthew Reed Richards. Reed was her father's middle name and she always like the name Matthew. Now as she went over to the crib and picked up her precious little boy and looked into his eyes, she was still overwhelmed but with a love she never knew she could feel for anyone.

"Good morning, sweet boy." She said cradling him close, "Did you sleep well?" she asked

Matthew cooed obviously content in his mother's arm. She walked over to the rocking chair, sat down and rocked him as he lay against her shoulder, "So, what would you like to do today? We could go to the park. How would you like that? It might be fun to get out, at least for a while." She had no idea if it was okay for a newborn to be outside. There was so much she didn't know

"I imagine Grandma will be her again. She's over the moon for you, Mattie." She told him, "Are you hungry again?" Mattie was reaching for her breast and she unbuttoned her pajama top and he wasted no time latching on, "Well, well, well, you were hungry." She sat and let him eat, looking down at him and smiling. The foolishness of her one night stand seemed to fade in these moments with her son

After he was done she called Phyllis and asked her to keep an eye on him while she showered and ate some breakfast. She was grateful strangely enough for Phyllis being here. Rhoda was in New York now and she missed her terribly. She was the first person she called when she found out she was pregnant. She cried and Rhoda just let her and told her everything would be okay. Rhoda promised to come visit as soon as possible but she was newly married and moving on with her life. Mary came out of the bathroom feeling better after a shower. Phyllis was sitting on the couch, holding Matthew and it appeared she enjoyed playing the part of Aunt.

"There's Mommy." Phyllis said pointing to Mary as she walked into the kitchen, "See, she wasn't gone long."

Mary smiled as she poured some orange juice, "I can't thank you enough for helping me, Phyl. I don't want to leave him by himself even just for few minutes."

"Oh, think nothing of it. He's a good baby." She said seeming perfectly happy to keep holding him, "By the way, Mary, have you given anymore thought to finding a bigger place?"

"No, because I can't afford a bigger place without a bigger paycheck." She said pouring some cereal into a bowl, "I can't even really afford Matthew." She said only half joking

"Well, I heard the apartment on the first floor is going to be available soon. The girl who lives there now is getting married."

"How much is the rent?" Mary asked walking out of the kitchen and sitting at the table

"Two twenty five." Phyllis said

Mary shook her head, "Well, what does Matthew need food for?" She joked, "Because I could barely afford to feed myself paying that for rent."

"Why don't you ask for a raise?" Phyllis suggested, "You certainly need it now and I'm sure Lou would help you."

"I can't ask him for a raise. I don't want to take advantage of him. He's been so wonderful, I hate to do that."

"Mary, you need the money. It's not like you want to buy new dress. You have a baby to care for." She said look down at Matthew

"I know." Mary said taking another bite of cereal

"Then, do it." Phyllis encouraged her, "Is he coming by this morning before work?"

"I think so." She looked at her watch, "He'll probably be here soon."

Mary finished her cereal and Phyllis left to go to one of her many committee meetings. Mary sat again in the rocking chair with Matthew reading him a story. Not that he could understand it but he seemed captivated by his mother's voice. She was almost finished when there was a knock at the door. She got up with Matthew and went to answer it, finding Lou on the other side.

"Hi, I just wanted to check on you." He said smiling

Mary smiled back, "We're glad you did." She said, "Come on in."

He stepped inside and shut the door, "So how's the quarterback?" He asked. He was convinced Matthew was going to be a star football player.

Matthew lay against her shoulder, "Oh, he's fine. He's been fed, read to and I think we're going to make our first trip to the park today." She put him in the bassinette and covered him with a light blanket

Lou walked over to her, "And how's mom?" he asked his tone taking on concern

She smiled slightly again, "I'm okay, we're hanging in there."

"It'll get better." He didn't know what else to say. He knew how overwhelmed she was

Tears formed in her eyes, "I hope so because I have no idea what I'm doing." She began to cry

He pulled her into his arms, "It's alright, I'm here. I'll always be here." He rubbed her back gently

She let him hold her for a moment, "I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Well, you'll never have to find out." He assured her, "I'm here for you and Matthew, always."

She pulled back and smiled, "Thank you, Lou." She had stopped calling him Mr. Grant a long time ago. It just seemed absurd to be so formal with someone who was in the delivery room with you when you had a baby.

"You don't have to thank me." He said looking at his watch, "I better get to the office. You know, everyone misses you already."

Mary smiled, she missed everyone too, "Speaking of work," She began, "I … I need to ask you something."

"Anything." He replied

"Well, I can't really raise a baby in a one room apartment and I can't afford a bigger place so I as wondering…"

"How much do you need?" He asked

"Oh, well, I uh, I think at least a hundred more a month for rent but everything will cost more now, food, clothes for him." She explained

"Would two hundred more a month, after taxes help?" He asked

"Can you do that, Lou?"

"Don't worry, it's done." He said

"What do you mean?" She asked

"I already got it approved." He told her, "You think I didn't realize you would need more money now?"

She hugged him tightly, "You are wonderful, you know?"

"Yeah, I know" he joked, "I really do need to go. I'll stop by tonight, okay?"

"We'll be here." She assured him following him to the door

"Goodbye, Mary." He said

"Goodbye, Lou."