Hey! I'm Hippiechic81! I have written alot of other stories for Criminal Minds and Signed Sealed and Delivered but this is my first MTM story! I hope you guys like it! I know this first chapter is pretty long, but It had to be in order to set the stage for the rest of the story! I hope you will give the story a good chance. Please read and review! Reviews are MUCH appreciated! That's it for the AN! So, Just sit back and enjoy the story! Thanks for reading!

Mary Richards had been extremely concerned about her best friend, Rhoda Morganstern, lately. Rhoda had been acting pretty strange the past week. She wasn't herself at all. All attempts to get her to open up were brushed off. Rhoda usually didn't have trouble opening up to Mary about anything, so this had her really worried. Tonight, Mary was trying to enjoy a new movie on tv but she couldn't pay attention to it. Finally she'd had enough.

"I'm just going to go up there right now and find out what's going on! She's my best friend! I can't let her go through… whatever this is alone!", Mary said to herself. She got up out of her chair and was headed towards her door when she heard a soft knock. She answered the door to find Rhoda on the other side. Both friends stood there in awkward silence for a few seconds before Rhoda said,

"Hi, Kid. Can we talk?"

"Of course. Come in.", Mary replied, stepping aside to let her friend enter. Without making eye contact with Mary, Rhoda walked over at sat on the couch. Mary joined her and waited patiently for her to begin. At first, Rhoda was silent, looking at her shoes. When she finally did speak, the shakiness of her voice broke Mary's heart.

"This is really hard for me to talk about,Mare." Mary took her hand and said softly,

"It's ok. Just take your time. I'll wait as long as you need." Rhoda gave her a small smile of thanks. After a couple more minutes, she began.

" Well, remember when we were talking about my brother, and I said that I didn't have one anymore because I left him at school by mistake?" Mary nodded and Rhoda continued.

"Well, that wasn't exactly what happened. I made that joke because I was covering up the very painful truth." Her eyes were full of tears ,but none had fallen yet. Mary took her hand.

"Rhoda, what are you trying to say?" Rhoda sighed and said,

" I'll tell you, Mare, but it's sort of an emotional subject. So, if I'm going to be able to tell this story, I'm gonna need you to listen and not say anything till I'm through, ok?" Mary gave a quick nod and replied,

"Fair enough." Rhoda took a deep shaky breath and began.

"Arnold had always been a person who went his own way. He and our folks were constantly butting heads. When he was fifteen, he joined the ROTC program at school against my parents wishes. A couple of years later, as soon as he graduated highschool, he ran away and joined the marines. Ma was furious and Pop wasn't too happy either. Because of that,Arnold never called our parents after he left. He called me pretty often, and he called to talk to Debbie and Bren when he knew the folks would be out and I would be baby-sitting." Mary rubbed her friend's back with the hand that wasn't holding hers. Rhoda took another deep breath and went on with her story.

"The Marines sent my brother to London where he met and married a woman by the name of Olivia. We never met her. Arnold moved several different places after that, but he and I always managed to stay in touch. When the war in Vietnam came, they sent him there. Right before the war ended, he was making a plan to return home with his family. He wrote me and said he wanted to come home and make amends as soon as he was discharged. And then, the telegram came. Mary, my brother was KIA in Dung LI!" Rhoda said that last part in little more than a whisper before completely breaking down. Mary could only shake her head as she let go of her best friend's hand and pulled her into a hug. The two rocked back and forth for a moment, and then Rhoda got herself under control. She pulled back and said,

"Um, Mare, there's actually more." Mary's eyes got really wide and she breathed out,

"Oh, Rhoda. What is it?"

"Well, ya see, Arnold and Olivia had a little girl who's about the same age as Bess. Apparently ,Arnold had it in his will that if anything were to happen to both of them, I would be named the legal gaurdian of their daughter."

"What does this mean? Rhoda, are you saying what I think you're saying?" Before Rhoda could respond, though, The door flew open and and Phyllis barged in.

"Hi- hi, all!" Rhoda closed her eyes and said as calmly as possible,

"Phyllis, don't you EVER knock?!"

"Ah. Well I knew Mary was home and you were probably down here chatting so I didn't see the point of making you interupt your single girl talk to answer the door.", said Phylis casually. Mary Spoke up.

"Phyllis, this actually is kind of a bad time." Rhoda jumped in.

"No, Mare, It's ok." Both Mary and Phyllis looked at her in surprise. Rhoda, continued.

"No, Really. This is one time Phyllis might be able to help. Or, her daughter could, actually."

"What could Bess and I do?", replied Phyllis.

"Well, sit down and I'll tell you. I'm not really thrilled with the idea of repeating this whole story from the start, so Phyl, you'll have to catch up from here." Phylis sat down and Rhoda began the story from where she left off.

"Girls, my brother's widow, Olivia, moved back to London after Arnold died."

"Died?", Interrupted Phyllis. Rhoda shot Mary an exasparated look and Mary answered for her.

"Phyl, Rhoda's brother was killed in Vietnam. Please just save the questions and let her finish." Phylis's eyes widened with shock and sympathy but she remained silent.

"Anyway,", said Rhoda,"Olivia recently died of Lukemia. Her daughter has no other reletives in London except a grandmother who's too old to care for her. Since Arnold named me her legal gaurdian, I will be getting a little person in my life very soon."

"Oh Rhoda. That's fantastic! Not that she's orphaned but that she's coming to stay with you! You'll be just terrific!", said Mary giving her best friend a hug.

" Rhoda, dear, what an honor that your brother trusted you that much. I mean… to will to you his only child! If you need any advice on how to raise a little girl, my door is always open.", Phylis added. Rhoda gave a small smirk.

"Thanks, Phyl. I'll keep that in mind. But what I was really thinking is that my neice, Suzannah, is gonna need a friend here and she's actually only a couple of years younger than Bess. So, could we maybe get them together once she moves here?"

"Oh of course! That's a wonderful Idea! Maybe with some friends her own age, she can avoid turning out like you!", replied Phyllis, causing Rhoda to roll her eyes.

"Phyllis!", exclaimed Mary.

"I was just trying to be helpful. I do have to head back to my place now though. Bess is finishing up dinner she and Lars will want to eat soon. Bye!"

"Bye, Phyl!", Mary and Rhoda said to her back as she dashed out the door. As soon as Phyllis was out of sight and earshot, Rhoda turned to Mary and said,

"Kid, I'm scared. What if I totally louse this kid up?!" Mary gave a little smile and said,

Rhoda, come on! You'll do just fine! And remember, you're not alone in this. I'm always here for you along with Georgette, and Murray, and even Mr Grant. We'll all be here to support you in whatever you need. Also, Bess will be a good friend to Suzannah. Phyllis will try to help, too… in her own way." Rhoda rolled her eyes, but squeezed Mary's hand.

"Yeah. I know you're right, Mare. Thanks. Well, I guess that just leaves one question."

" Yeah? What's that?", asked Mary. Rhoda gave a small nervous smile and replied,

"HOW am I gonna break this to my mother?!"

Well, This is the end of chapter one. Suzannah Faye Morganstern will make her first appearence in the next chapter! Again PLEASE Read and review! Thanks! Chapter 2 will hopefully be up by Saturday night!