All week long, Katie had been giddy with anticipation. Her fiancé Jerry had promised her a surprise come Friday and it was now Friday morning. She had stayed in her apartment last night because Jerry had called to say that he and Clarence had to work late and he didn't see himself getting home before three AM. That case is really onerous; both of them are being consumed by it. She stepped out of the shower, wrapped herself in a towel and stood in front of her closet deciding what to wear. I think I'm going to pack a bag to take to the office, just in case.

Jerry was also getting ready for work and he was beginning to feel excited about Katie's mom coming to America. He had texted her the day before to let her know that there would be a limo waiting for her and the chauffeur would be holding up a sign with her name on it. She had texted back that she had never ridden in a limo before and was looking forward to meeting her daughter's generous fiancé. She agreed not to let Katie know she's coming. This is all so exciting! He hopped twice before he could calm himself down. He only hoped that the case he and Clarence were working on wouldn't prevent him from leaving in a timely manner, especially since Mrs. Lloyd was being driven to his condo. Things are so different since the Chinese took over, he thought.

Alan was feeling like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Denny had bounced back like a champ; Doctor Forrester had prescribed iron pills to raise Denny's level and they had worked like a charm. The older man's energy had rebounded wonderfully, he wasn't sleeping nearly as much as he had been the week before. That Friday morning, the two men were sitting in the dining room having more coffee after eating the scrumptious breakfast Olympia had prepared. "I have to say, Denny, I am so relieved that you're doing so much better."

"I do feel great and I can admit it now, I didn't realize how badly I was feeling until I started taking the iron pills. It's a little scary how you start to just accept how you're feeling as normal. Thank you, Alan."

The younger man's brows furrowed together. "What are you thanking me for?"

Denny smiled and replied, "For caring. No one else gives a crap whether I live or die. Not the way you do. You make me want to keep going. You're a good husband. I don't…I don't deserve you." He looked away and sniffed before regaining his composure.

"Whether you deserve me or not, you've got me and I'm not going anywhere. I love you, Denny." Alan cleared his throat and went to the sideboard to take some more scrambled eggs and sausage. "Apparently," he laughed, "being married to you makes one hungry." He sat back down and took a bite. "Do you have any plans today?"

"No, not really. What about you?"

"I was thinking I would call Jerry and meet him for lunch if he can get away. If he can, would you like to go?"

Denny sipped his coffee and looked at the younger man looking back at him with that look that was a combination of love, wonder and adoration that he still couldn't believe was directed toward him. "Sure, why not," he replied affably, "I haven't seen Hands in quite some time."

"Denny, please refrain from calling him 'Hands.' He's not that person anymore, just like you're not the same 'Mad Cow' Denny you were before you started taking the experimental medication."

Denny held up his right hand in the Boy Scout salute. "Scout's honor, I will not call Jerry Espenson 'Hands' today or ever again in his presence. Happy now?"

"I'm always happy around you. Let's head to the living room and I'll text Jerry."

Judge Brown had called a ten minute recess at ten o'clock. When he exited the courtroom, Jerry stuck his cigarette in his mouth as he sat down and said to Clarence, "That coffee and bran muffin just kicked in! This will be more like fifteen or twenty minutes."

Clarence laughed as he looked around quickly to see if anyone else had heard what Jerry said. "I think we're doing well. Our witness this morning killed it and when the jury puts it together with our other witnesses, the plaintiff doesn't stand a chance."

Jerry removed his prop from his mouth. "I agree. So why are we not happy about it?" Just then, his phone vibrated to indicate he had received a text. "Alan wants to know if I'm free for lunch. Want to join us? Denny is coming, too."

Clarence replied, "That would be nice. I haven't seen either of them in quite a while."

Lunchtime found the four men at Marceau's enjoying steak sandwiches and fries. Alan and Denny were drinking Samuel Adams beers while Jerry and Clarence had iced tea. They had been discussing Jerry and Clarence's case and Alan shared their opinion that they would have been happier representing the plaintiff.

"You know what? Enough about the case," Clarence said, "Let's talk about something cheerful. Alan, you and I should coordinate our wardrobe for Jerry's wedding since we're the Best Men."

Alan's face stilled into an unreadable mask. "You're Jerry's Best Man, too? I didn't know."

Jerry turned beet red. "Is that a problem, Alan? I was going to call you to let you know, but, but pop is it a problem?"

"Of course not! Why would it be? I think your problem is your future mother – in – law's visit. I take it she's on her way?"

Denny, who had been listening quietly for awhile, perked up. "What's wrong with having her visit? He's trying to get on the good side of his fiancée's mother."

Jerry began twirling the straw in his iced tea. "Alan thinks it's a bad idea to surprise Katie with a visit from her mother. I'm betting he's wrong. I'm having a car meet her and bring her to my place this evening. It will work out, you'll see." I hope.