As afternoon turned into night, the family had dinner, then after some family time, Peter gave Oscar a hand with his homework, while Dana got the twins ready for bed.
Before tucking her in, Peter positioned the padding onto the bed, then hooked it up to the alarm, then Tabitha got into bed.
After hugs and kisses goodnight, Peter and Dana went to check on her brothers and to say goodnight to them.
That night, Dana who was a light sleeper, was woken by a noise.
She knew it was the alarm, which was still going on
Dana got out of bed, and crept to Tabitha's room, to see her daughter, in a deep sleep, as the alarm continued to go off.
She let out a huge sigh, as she quietly entered the room and shut the alarm off.
The next day after band practice, Dana headed to the firehouse to meet with Jeanie for coffee and a friendly parent to parent chat along with the two families having dinner together, as it was the husband's turn to pick up the kids from ballet and karate.
Jeanie gave a heartfelt ear, as she heard Dana told her what has been happening.
"Poor thing.
So are you and Peter thinking about going to that urologist?" Jeanie asked.
"If it keeps up, we may just have to, Dana answered with a sigh, Last night was her seventh time."
"How has Tabitha been holding up emotionally?"
"Cries every morning, but then goes on like nothing happened."
"Don't worry, it will all work out.
Isn't Peter taking the boys camping this weekend?"
"Yes, and I was thinking of Tabitha and I having a girls only weekend.
Maybe that will cheer her up."
"That's a great idea."
You and Lila are more than welcome to join us."
"Actually, Egon and I are going away this weekend."
"A romantic getaway," asked Dana, who also for the first time in a week chuckled.
"Kind of.
The university is hosing an event in the Pocanos.
Spouses can come, but children aren't invited.
However, Egon's mother is in Canada visiting his brother and his family my father is still recovering from his knee surgery, and Lila's babysitter is out of town for a funeral, her grandfather died," said Jeanie
"About if she stays with us?"
"Dana, I don't want to put you out, especially with what you're going through."
"It's no trouble at all.
You know Lila is always welcome, and she and Tabitha are best friends.
And I thin this is what Tabitha needs now, having a friend."
Even though Tabitha and Lila were the same age (they actually share the same birthday), they were in different grades.
Tabitha in kindergarten with Peter Jr, while Lila had skipped to third grade.
Still, despite that, both girls were best friends.
"This is so exciting, their first sleepover," said Jeanie.
"I just hope all goes well," said Dana.
"I'm sure it will.
Though, I'm a bit worry about Lila, this will be her first time away from Egon and I, as we always take her everywhere."
"We're home," called a voice, which was Egon's.
He, Peter and the kids walked through the door.
The moms went to meet their husbands and children.
"How was practice?" Dana asked.
"Ballet was great mommy.
"Look what I can do," said Tabitha, showing off a leap.
"Very good, sweetheart," said Dana.
"And I learned how to do this mommy.
High-ah!" said Peter Jr, showing off a hand trick.
"That's wonderful honey."
"Karate is awesome, not like sissy ballet.
"Ballet is better than macho karate," said Tabitha, as she and her brother went into their typical twin bickering.
"Karate."
"Ballet."
"Karate."
"Ballet."
Oscar and Lila, of course didn't want any part of it of getting put in the middle.
"I've got math homework to do," said Oscar.
"So do I.
What are you working?" asked Lila.
"Multiplication."
"Fractions."
"What are those?"
"I'll explain them to you, as long as you don't trick me into doing your homework again."
"Don't worry, Mom and pop were quite peeved at me about that."
Thankfully though, Peter ended the twins going back and forth with each other, so Dana and Jeanie were able to talk to the girls.
"Lila, since your father and I are going away for the weekend, and "uncle" Peter is taking the boys camping, you're going to be staying with "aunt" Dana and Tabitha," said Jeanie.
"You're going to have your very first slumber party," Dana added.
A smile appeared on Lila's face as she said, My babysitter Claudia has been to a few and she tells me they're quite fun."
However, Tabitha's reaction was the very opposite as she burst into tears, and ran up the stairs.
"Did I say something wrong just now?
If I did I apologize," said a now confused Lila.
"Don't worry Lila, it's not you.
We've just been going through a few rough couple of months," Dana explained.
"Mama, "aunt" Dana, can I go see if Tabitha's OK?"
"Thank you, that's very thoughtful of you honey," spoke Dana.
"Go right ahead sweetheart," Jeanie added.
Lila made her way upstairs to find Tabitha, who was in the kitchen, crying under the table.
"Tabby, are you OK?" asked Lila, as she manage to crawl under the table herself.
"No," Tabitha wept.
"Does this have to do with the slumber party?
Tabitha nodded as tears feel down her face
"You don't want to have it?"
Tabitha nodded again.
"I understand, but why not?"
"If I tell you you'll laugh at me," sobbed Tabitha.
"We're best friends, and best friends don't laugh at each others problems," said Lila.
"The reason I don't want the slumber party is because...I...I wet the bed."
Even though she was still crying, Tabitha was able to look at Lila, who had a look a sympathy on hers.
"You're not laughing," said Tabitha, who was now getting her crying under control.
"I told you I won't laugh at my best friend," said Lila.
"Really?"
"Yes, I'm sorry this is happening to you.
I wish there was something I can do."
"Maybe you can tell me what a slumber party is."
"From what Claudia tells me, you watch movies, eat junk food, paint each others nails and you try to stay up late and not fall asleep"
Tabitha stopped crying, as an idea came to her.
"That does sound like fun.
Do you want to still want to have one?"
"Only if you do?"
"I do now."
The two best friends hugged.
