A/N: This is an epilogue to my story I published a little over a year ago, Clean Slate. In that story, which takes place around Christmas of the seventh season, Mary and Wilson were back at the Camden house after just getting together. Wilson is fretting over Billy being taken by his grandparents when Kevin tells Mary some disturbing news. Against her intuition, she tells Wilson what Kevin says and he goes to find Kevin. Kevin shot Wilson and was arrested. Lucy and everyone got mad at Mary so she stormed off. The only people who like her at Matt, Wilson, and Ruthie. And oh yeah, Eric is just getting back to the church. In this chapter he is giving his "welcome back" sermon.
Sunday morning at 11 o' clock, the Camden family, dressed in their Sunday's best, begins to file into the GlenOak Community Church. They all drove here together, except for Mary and Wilson. Four days later, and they still didn't want to be in the same car as the rest of them- at least Mary didn't anyways. The only one of them she was talking to was her father, and Ruthie of course. Ruthie was too innocent to be mad at.
In Mary's car, she and Wilson are sitting together. Mary has her hands on the steering wheel, even though they are parked. She appears to be frozen.
"What's wrong?" Wilson finally asks Mary after staring at her questioningly for nearly ten minutes.
"You know they're all talking about us, and what happened last Wednesday."
"No they're not."
"Oh yes they are. And, frankly, after the past couple of days, I don't want to have to listen to it."
"Then don't. You didn't come here to listen to the gossip. You came to support your father. Just go in there and listen to his sermon- pay no attention to the 40-year-old single parishioners."
"Couldn't we just skip it? I mean, my families so big my dad wouldn't notice anyways. No one else wants us there."
"Yes they do. They need you."
"Says who?"
"No one, but just because they don't speak it doesn't mean they don't feel it."
"Come on. I can drive us someplace- somewhere where we can be all alone." Mary says emphasizing the words "all alone", raising and eyebrow, and placing her hand on Wilson's chest.
"As nice as that sounds, I will have to decline."
Mary crosses her arms violently. "I just can't win, can I?"
"Not this time. If you want, though, we could go someplace afterwards."
"Maybe." Mary answers, teasing him.
Wilson rolls his eyes and smiles at Mary. "Let's go."
The two of them open their doors to the car, and walk over to the church. Mary clutches Wilson's hand, as they walk inside the door. Wilson smiles at Mary, but the smile does nothing to take the fear away from her. They walk up to the front of the church, and take the empty spot next to Ruthie.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Wilson says to Mary. She rolls her eyes. "Oh, calm down."
"Calm down! Wait until you hear the sermon."
"What are you talking about?"
"We are always the subjects of Dad's sermons. Everything he writes about he gets from one of the nine of us."
Mary leans her head on Wilson's shoulder as he thinks over her statement. He had to admit, that made him nervous. When Wilson starts to get worried, Ruthie taps him on the shoulder.
"Can you get Mary?"
Mary hears her name, and lifts her head. Ruthie motions for her to come closer to her, and Mary leans in.
"Dad told me to tell you he took care of everything, and by this afternoon everything will be fixed." Ruthie whispers to her.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Mary asks.
"How am I supposed to know? I'm just the messenger. He said to wait for him after the service is done, too."
Mary nods, and returns her head to the spot it had occupied before on Wilson's shoulder.
"What was that about with Ruthie?" Wilson asks her.
"Nothing. She told me that my dad wants to talk to us after church is over." She said grabbing his hand.
"Oh," Wilson says, frowning.
"My thoughts exactly." Mary says. As the Camden family eagerly sits and awaits Eric's sermon, they cannot help but notice all of the whispers and funny looks they were getting, not to mention the pointing. Practically the whole church had a few comments about the Camden family. But who could blame them. If you knew someone like them, wouldn't you comment?
Mary sees Mrs. Beeker sit down in the pew behind them. She can here her tell the woman next to her that this is way better than when Mary was sent to Buffalo. Mary is tempted to turn around and tell her off, when she remembered where running her mouth had gotten her earlier in the week. She didn't want to cause a ruckus just before church started, either.
Mary squeezes Wilson's hand upon hearing them, and he squeezes back. He puts his arm around Mary and brings her closer. She leans her head on Wilson's shoulder.
The entire row behind them gasps. "Well, I never…" whispers Mrs. Beeker.
Mary grits her teeth and reluctantly lifts her head. Wilson looks at her and smiles, and she smiles back. "I told you," she whispers. Wilson nods. "So, how's your arm?"
"Its OK. It only hurts a little."
"What time is your doctor's appointment tomorrow?"
"12:30."
"Could I go with you?"
"I'd like you to."
Mary smiles, as her father steps up, starting his sermon.
Like it? Well there's more where that came from. I have this entire thing written, so there is no chance on me wimping out on me people. Really want another chapter? I'll just post it. I actually wrote it about 9 months ago. Anyway, reviews are always VERY appreciated.