Mary Marries Lou
Chapter: 2
Pairing: Mary/Lou
Rating: PG
After much consideration Rhoda had decided that a move was the best thing for her. Her divorce from Joe had just been finalized and there didn't seem to be anything holding her in New York. Minneapolis has always felt like home to her and when she came back from Mary's wedding she was sure it was where she wanted to be. She would be starting over again, but in a familiar place with support from her friends and that made all the difference.
The first thing she did was go down to Hemple's department store and apply for the job as window dresser. To her surprise the called her back with an even better offer, she would be in charge of all the displays throughout the store. It was a much needed boost to her ego but it was a position that she felt she deserved.
Now the only thing left to do was find a place to live. Having walked though at least a dozen apartments and left each one unsatisfied. She was beginning to think she would have to move back into the attic at Phyllis's. Luckily for her though Mary had insisted on coming with her, even suggesting that she look at the apartments in her old building.
The elderly landlord let them inside, telling them to look around and where to find him when they were done. "Take your time." he said, heading out the door. "There's no rush."
"Now there's man that doesn't get in a hurry."
Mary laughed. "Don't worry there's a younger guy that handles all the problems."
Rhoda looked around the apartment, it had a similar layout a Mary's apartment, only a bit reversed. "It's not bad." she said, walking into the kitchen. "One of the nicer apartments I've looked at. I wouldn't mind living here."
"Are you sure you want to move back?" she asked, sensing that her friend was a little unsure.
"Positive." she replied. "After being in New York these past few years I've realized that while I like the city, I like it on a smaller scale. And besides I just got the job opportunity of a lifetime."
Mary leaned against the counter top. "As long as you're happy."
"I'm getting there." she said. "Things are getting better. I've accepted that my marriage is over and I'm ready to move on. I'm going to concentrate on myself. I'm going to work on my career and making myself happy."
"Good." she smiled. "You don't need a man to make you complete."
"I've finally learnt that." she replied. "But if I happen to find the right man while I'm concentrating on me then that wouldn't be such a bad thing."
"Of course it wouldn't." she agreed. "And you'll find someone when the time is right."
"I do feel as though I should start dating." she admitted. "Just have a good time instead of trying to trap a husband, you know?" she said. "Have any single friends?"
"None good enough for you."
"What am I doing?" she laughed. "I'm seriously going to concentrate on me. A man is the very last thing on my mind, I mean it."
"Good for you." Mary said. "Besides hopefully in the not too distant future you'll be too busy playing Aunt Rhoda to worry about a man."
Rhoda arched a defined eyebrow. "Something you need to tell me, Mary?" she asked. "Is this why you and Lou eloped?"
"Yeah, the day before the planned ceremony." she joked. "I thought if we waited another day then everyone would be able to tell."
She laughed. "So a baby, huh?" she said. "How does Lou feel about this?"
"It was his idea." she told her. "He promised my mom a grandchild to make up for our elopement."
"That seems fair enough."
Mary started walking toward the bedroom. "I thought so."
"You're going to go from Gloria Steinem to June Clever."
"I wouldn't go that far."
"I would." she said, crossing the bedroom and looking into the bathroom. "We'll get you some capri pants, you can flip your hair up, and you'll be the perfect housewife."
Mary smiled. "I intend to keep my job." she told her. "I've worked very hard to get where I am."
"Yeah, we'll see." she leaned up against the bathroom doorjamb. "So when are you going to toss out your pills?"
"Last week after the reception."
"You're already trying for Lou junior."
"I wouldn't call it trying." she said. "More like not preventing."
"Yeah." Rhoda sighed. "When you're not preventing pregnancy, you're trying.' she told her. "Or at least that was the way it was explained to me."
Mary looked out the bedroom window. "Nice view." she said. "I meant I'm not taking my temperature and mapping out charts."
"Things sure have changed." she said. "You've gone from Associate Producer to News Director. But either way you're still going to be having your boss's baby."
"Hmm." she sighed. "I never really thought about it like that."
"You're not really going to name the baby Lou junior are you?"
She led them back into the livingroom. "No." she replied. "I like Mary junior better."
"Looks like it's a new chapter for both of us."
"Seems that way."
"I guess we should find Rip Van Winkle and tell him that I'll take it." she said, walking toward the door. "We better catch him before his nap."
"There's a bunch of furniture in our garage if you want to look through it." Mary offered. "It's mostly Lou's though."
"Of course it is." she closed the before behind her. "Something tells me Lou's taste in furniture isn't that great."
"Not at all." she said as they walked toward the elevator. "That's why it's in the garage."
"I'm sure it can't be that bad." she hit the button for the ground floor. "I really don't want to move anything I don't have to. The thought of having to load and unload a moving van doesn't appeal to me."
"I'll go back to New York and help you pack if you want."
The elevator doors opened up and they stepped inside. "Are you sure you can spare the time?" she asked. "I would hate to interrupt your baby making schedule."
"Very funny, Rhoda." she said. "When do you want to leave?"
"How about Friday after you get off work?"
"That's fine."
tbc...
As always feedback is welcomed :)