Well, Here's chapter two! I hope you all enjoy it! PLEASE read and PLEASE review! I was really dissapointed in the small ammount of reviews I got on the last chapter. Only three people actually reviewed! To Annie, Kristen and Liz, Thanks for reviewing! They are greatly appreciated! So now, on with the story!

Suzannah,being in a foreign country, had alot of red tape to get through before coming to America to live with her aunt. She also had to finish the school term, plus she and her Aunt Vikki(her Mum's best friend.) had to pack her things and ship them to Minniappolis. Most of her stuff wasn't going to fit in Rhoda's tiny appartment. Until Rhoda could get a bigger place, most of it would have to be put in storage. In the six weeks it took to get things settled for Suzannah in England, Rhoda was preparing for her neice to arrive in Minniapolis. Bess went shopping with Rhoda to help her pick out some things a teenager would need, and also some things a teenaged girl would enjoy. Bess chose some books for Suzannah as well as a portable Record player and some records by bands and Artists such as KC and the Sunshine band, Abba, Roberta Flack, The Partridge Family,and Leif Garret. More things could be purchased later as needed, once Rhoda found a bigger place. After shopping Bess came up to Rhoda's appartment to help her find space for everything.

"Thanks for all your help, Kiddo.", said Rhoda, as she and Bess entered the appartment. Bess smiled and replied,

"Your welcome, Aunt Rhoda. I can't wait till Suzannah gets here! It'll be neat having a friend my age in the same building. Do you think she'll like me?"

"Of course she will, honey. You're a great kid! In fact, if it's alright with your mom, I was hoping you'd come to the airport with me when I pick her up. I could use some help breaking the ice. I've never met her and I don't know much about teenagers. I left the house before my sister,Brenda reached her teen years and Debbie was only fourteen."

"Aunt Rhoda, you'll be great! I love being around you! You're lots of fun!"

"I like being around you, too,Bess. But, I'm pretty sure there's more to being a mother than being fun."

"I know! But don't worry. You'll know what to do when you meet her. Everyone's different. I kinda think there's no one right way to be a mom. I mean, look at Phyllis and me. That kind of relationship isn't right for everyone.", said Bess, causing Rhoda to laugh and say,

"I've thought that many times before! Seriously, though, how did you get so smart? You said just what I needed to hear. Thanks, Bess." Bess hugged Rhoda and said with a grin,

"Anytime."

Later that night, Rhoda was talking with Mary down at her appartment.

"So, have you talked to your mother yet?", asked Mary.

"No. Mare, I just don't know how to tell her that she has a granddaughter that she's never met. I mean, she didn't even know Arnold was married. And she's going to be upset that I knew about Suzannah before she did. In fact, all of us girls know now. She's gonna be really angry."

"Rhoda, she will be more upset the longer you put this off. You should tell her now, before Suzannah arrives.", replied Mary. Rhoda sighed and said,

"Yeah, you're right, kid. It would be better to give her time to cool off before she meets Suzannah. The poor girl's gonna be scared enough without meeting Ma while she's steamed." The two friends laughed a little, Then Mary said,

"So ,when will your neice arrive?"

"A week from Friday. Bess is coming with me to get her at the airport. Just so happens There is a teacher's confrence so Bess will be out of school that day."

"Aww. That's really great. Hey, why don't you stop by the news room on your way back. I'm really anxious to meet her and I'm sure Murray and Mr Grant would like to meet her, too." Rhoda smiled and said,

"Ok! I will! I know she'll love meeting you guys too."

"So are you going to call your mom tonight?", asked Mary. Rhoda thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"No. I think this is something best revealed in person. I'm gonna fly down there this weekend. Bren will be visiting from Chicago so I will have her and Debbie for support. Pop will probably handle the news better too, so he will help with Ma."

"How can I help?", Mary asked.

"Well, Mare, Could you drive me to the airport that morning?" Mary nodded and said,

"Sure."

Before she knew it, the dreaded weekend had arrived. Mary drove Rhoda to the airport and soon, she was on a plane to New York. She took a cab from the airport to the Bronx. At her folks' appartment, she knocked on the door. After a few seconds the door opened.

"Rhoda! It's great to see ya! What a surprise!" exclaimed Marty Morganstern, giving his oldest daughter a big hug.

"Hiya, Pop!", said Rhoda, returning the hug. Hearing the commotion, Ida came out of the kitchen.

"Martin? Who is it? Rhoda!" Rhoda hugged her mother and said a little nervousely.

"Hi,Ma. How've you been?"

"Oh, as well as can be expected. What brings you here?", Ida said,casually.

"Well, you know. I just wanted to pay my folks a visit, and since Brenda's here this weekend I figured it would be the perfect time. Where are Brenda and Debbie, anyway?"

"They're out catching a movie. They'll be so excited when they see you here.", said Marty.

"How long have they been gone?", Rhoda asked.

"It's been about an hour and a half so they should be back very soon.", Ida replied, then walked back to the kitchen to finish preparing supper. As soon as she was out of earshot, Marty spoke up.

"Alright, Rhoda. What's going on?"

"I don't know what you're talking about,Pop.", Rhoda lied.

"Come on now, honey. I'm not buying that 'just happened to come for a visit' stuff. Something's up." Rhoda sighed and said,

"It's not something I can just blurt out, pop. I need to wait for Brenda and Debbie and then we need to all sit down and I'll tell you and Ma together."

"Ok, Rhoda. I know it must been something serious for you to need your sisters to help you break the news. I don't like where this is going but I'll wait till we can all sit down together." ,Marty responded. Just then, Voices were heard in the hallway and The door flew open. Brenda and Debbie were still chatting away when they happened to look up and see who was standing in front of them. Their mouths collectively dropped open.

"Rhoda!", the two younger girls squeeled at the same time.

"Debbie! Bren!", Rhoda said, opening her arms. The three sisters formed a group hug and jumped around in excitement.

"What are you doing here?", asked Brenda.

"Wait, are you here to tell Ma and Pop about you -know -who?", Debbie questioned nervously. Rhoda just nodded.

"Tell us what?", asked Ida who had just come back into the living room.

"Uh, Ma, I think you and Pop should sit down for this.", said Rhoda.

"I don't need to sit. you can tell me whatever it is while I'm standing. It can't be that bad.", Ida said.

"Uh, Ma, trust me. You're gonna wanna sit down for this.", said Brenda. Ida was about to argue again but Marty put his hands on her shoulders and steered her to the couch. Then he turned to his daughters

"Alright girls, what is it?" The girls looked at each other, unsure of how to begin.

" Well Ma, remember when our brother,Arnold, moved to London?", started Debbie.

"I told you all never to mention his name! As far as I'm concerned, you don't have a brother!"

"Ma! Stop it! This is very important and it's about Arnold so you are going to listen, and when I'm finished ,THEN you may talk."

"Rhoda! Don't talk to your mother that way!" Defended Marty.

"She's right, though, Pop. The only way you are going to hear this story, and you do need to hear it, is to listen and not interupt." Brenda piped up.

"Ida. I want to hear what Rhoda and the girls have to say. if Rhoda flew all the way here, then it has to be important." Ida scowled at her husband but didn't say another word.

"Ma, when Arnold was in London, he married a girl named Olivia. They had a little girl not long after that. After Arnold…. Well… after the incident, Olivia and their daughter, Suzannah, stayed in London in an appartment. Olivia was diagnosed with Lukemia a couple of years ago. She recently died, leaving Suzannah an orphan. It was in Arnold's Will and Olivia's that if anything were to happen to both of them, I'd get custody of Suzannah, who's now the same age as Bess Lindstrom." Ida could keep silant no longer.

"Why was I not told about any of this?! And why were you named this child's guardian? You've never met her have you? and what do you know about raising a teenager?"

"Now,Ida." began Marty.

"Don't 'now Ida' me. Did you know about this too?" Marty shook his head.

"No. I'm just hearing this."

"Ma, they chose me because I kept in touch with Arnie, and at the time the will was written, I was the only adult family member available. Debbie and Bren were just kids at that time and you weren't speaking to your son. I haven't met her yet. I just found out about her when I got the telegrahm a few weeks ago. I don't know much about teenagers. I know that! But,I will have plenty of support in Minniappolis. And, I promise I will bring Suzannah to visit you as much as possible."

"You do what you want. I don't want anything to do with this whole thing."

"Ma, you're always saying how you want grandchildren.",Brenda said, The cringed as Ida snapped back,

"I don't want to hear anymore about this. Apparently, Arnold didn't care enough to let his mother know she had a grandchild."

"Ma," said Debbie gently, " Arnold was planning on coming home to make amends with you and Pop at the end of the war. Then he… died… right before he was due to be discharged."

"I don't want to hear anymore and that's final! I'm going to my room. Dinner's ready. Start without me." With that, Ida stalked out of the room. The others were silent for a few minutes, then Rhoda spoke up.

"Well, She handled it better than I figured she would." Her Pop and sisters nodded in agreement.

Ida somewhat came around by the time the weekend was over. Sunday evening, Rhoda hugged her family goodby. Ida said softly

"Rhoda, I... I want to meet Suzannah. I really do. Please. Just give me time to adjust before you bring her down here. Maybe we could start by talking on the phone."

"I understand,Ma. She'll need time to adjust too. We'll take it slow." Rhoda hugged Ida and then hugged her sisters one more time. Marty decided to go in the cab with her to the airport. Before Rhoda got on the plane, Marty hugged her tight and said,

"Your mother will be alright. She just needs time. We both do."

"I know Pop. I know." Rhoda let go of her father and got on the plane. She thought about the big change she faced. She hoped she was up to the challenge.

A little under a week later, Rhoda and Bess stood watching the sea of passangers, trying to see any sign of Suzannah. Bess held a sign that said "Suzannah Morganstern." Soon, a pretty auburn haired girl was making her way towards them. she was dressed in a pair of aqua colored, bell bottomed pants and a blue paisley blouse. When she got to them she asked nervously,

"Are you my aunt Rhoda?" Rhoda nodded and said a little shakily,

"Yeah. I am." To Rhoda's surprise, the young girl threw herself into her arms. With only a second of hesitation, Rhoda wrapped her arms around Suzannah and they wordlessly held on to each other for several minutes. When they finally pulled apart, both Suzannah and her aunt had tears in their eyes. Rhoda gave a watery chuckle and said,

"Um, well, how was your flight?"

"It was quite rough actually. There was quite a bit of turbulance.", Suzannah answered while wiping her eyes.

" Well, at least you landed safely. And now you won't have to be on a plane again for awhile.", spoke up Bess. Rhoda turned, suddenly remembering that someone else was with them.

"Oh! Um, Suzannah, this is Bess Lindstrom. She's about your age and lives in our building. I thought it might help you settle in better if you had a friend. You'll be going to the same school this fall." Suzannah stuck out her hand and said,

"Suzannah Faye Morganstern. It's a pleasure to meet you." Bess shook the offered hand and replied,

"You too. I, um, picked out some books and records for you. We got you a portable record player, too. I hope you like what we found.

"I'm sure it will be wonderful. I like music. Especially ABBA."

"I got you an ABBA record, along with some others. I love ABBA too!", Bess said enthusiastically.

"Well, let's go get your bags. We have one stop to make on the way back and then we'll head home."

"Alright, Aunt Rhoda. That will be fine." Rhoda and the two teens headed to the baggage claim, with the two girls chatting away the whole time. Rhoda couldn't help but smile as she watched them together. Her neice had a friend and they were getting along famously. There would, of course be alot of adjustmants to make, but Rhoda knew now that they were both up to the challenge!

That is the end of chapter 2. I know it was extra long, but I had to fit the whole telling the folks scene in there. Because it got so long the Meeting Mary and the others scene will be in chapter 3. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Again PLEASE review as well as read. Reviews inspire me to write and post more quickly. Thanks again! Bye for now!