Disclaimer: I do not own MTMS, MTM Enterprises and 20th Century Television do.
Author's Notes: Will feature a few flashbacks. This chapter is set in the beginning of season 7.
-Three and half years later, September 22, 1976-
It was a beautiful Saturday morning, in the early days of fall at Audubon Park. A perfect day for a birthday party. However, it wasn't just any birthday party. It was Tessa Marina McGreer-Richards' fifth birthday and the birthday girl chose a pajama and pancake theme for her party. While Mary did most of the planning, she let Tessa give her input. Tessa wanted to invite her classmates that she was now attending with in kindergarten. Thankfully, it was a small class from her private kindergarten class that her parents helped with the costs. According to her father, "Hey it is it the least we can do for our granddaughter."
Right now, besides her and Tessa, her parents were there. As was Lou, Phyllis, Bess, Ted, Georgette, David, Murray, Marie, their children Ellen, Bonnie, Laurie and Le Chan, Rhoda, and Brenda; even Ida and Martin made it too! The one person who didn't make was Sue Ann. Internally, Mary was glad. While she had a functional working relationship with Sue Ann, Mary didn't want Tessa around Sue Ann.
At the moment Tessa was playing with the big kids Bess, David, Ellen, Bonnie, Laurie, and Le Chan as the grown-ups helped with the setup. The plan was to have the kids have a short stack of two pancakes to decorate however they wanted to with the birthday girl getting an extra one to enjoy.
Pretty soon the guests began arriving and with that party was underway and the birthday girl in her oldest pajama set began playing with the other kids. Murray, Ellen, Bonnie, Laurie, Rhoda, Brenda, and Bess would be supervising the children while, her parents, Lou, Phyllis, Ted, Georgette, Marie, Ida, and Martin finished setting up. Despite Georgette being pregnant and Ted being overprotective, she insisted on helping. Everyone she knew had really come to love Tessa and included her whenever they could.
Once setup was done Mary looked around, making sure everything was perfect. Satisfied she walked over to see how her father was doing getting the hot-dogs and hamburgers ready. The pancakes were in alternate to the cake but they would all need something more substantial. With an assurance that the grilling was under control, Mary headed over to where the action was. At the moment, the play structure and the area surrounding the play area were filled with screaming and giggling kids plus the birthday girl having fun. But Mary didn't mind, no one did.
As she watched adults were interacting with the kids with tag and Simon Says Mary let out a sigh. She thought, where had the time go? How could have three and a half years passed by so quickly? Seemed just like yesterday Tessa was practically a shy toddler who needed her love and assurances. While she still needed it now Tessa was a social five-year-old who is learning to become independent and had just started kindergarten.
She remembered how after she brought Tessa back from Duluth, Phyllis and Bess were the next to meet Tessa and then both love and adored the toddler right away, who wouldn't? Phyllis offered her a bigger apartment because she knew a small studio apartment was not suitable for a toddler who would need space to grow. As Tessa was getting settled in Mary spent time with her, going to the parks, reading to her, feeding her and having fun with her. Then there was the time she Tessa met her co-workers.
~Late March 1973~
It had been a week since Mary brought Tessa home and they were settling into the new apartment nicely. Today she was taking her to meet her co-workers. She had reached the front desk, had the stroller checked in with the receptionist, they headed to the elevator. They happen to get into an empty elevator and she let Tessa press six for the sixth floor. When they reached the floor Tessa said, "I want down mommy."
Mary put Tessa down but held onto her hand. Soon they were at the front door of the newsroom and when Mary opened it she saw Lou and Ted with Murray going over an assignment. Murray looked up just in time to see Mary smiling and holding the hand of a little girl for whom Murray presumed to be the daughter of the late friend. Murray looked up as well and said, "Mary, you're here!"
He rushed over and gave his coworker and friend a hug. Mary smiled. She loved her work-family. When they came apart Murray saw the little girl curiously looking up at him. Murray realized who it was and crouched down to the little girl's level and asked, "Who is this little cutie?"
Mary beamed as she crouched down to Tessa's height and said, "Murr, I want to you meet Tessa Marina McGreer."
Mary says to Tessa, "Tessa, can you say to Uncle Murray?"
Murray couldn't help but let out an awe. He remembered how his daughters were once this age. Oh, how time flies.
The toddler smiles shyly and says, "Hwello Uncle Murray."
Right then Lou and Ted were with standing with them. Mary picks up Tessa and stands up. They walk over and Mary makes the introduction again. "Mr. Grant, Ted, this is Tessa Marina McGreer."
Mary smiled. Tessa was shy when she met her three surrogate uncles. But she soon warmed to them, especially to Uncle Lou. Surprisingly Ted put aside is pompous buffoonery and took a liking to the little girl. Like Denise, Tessa had become a social butterfly since moving in. Mary had the greatest experience in raising Tessa. Sure, there had been tantrums but she learned tips from Marie on how to handle them.
She recalled the first time Tessa met Rhoda's parents.
~September 29, 1973~
Mary had gone to pick up Tessa from her parents and when they reached home Mary said to Tessa, "How would you like to come to NYC with me and Aunt Rhoda to meet her family?"
Wide-eyed Tessa asked, "Really?"
Mary said, "Yeah. Aunt Rhoda's sister, Ms. Debbie is getting married and you get to meet Aunt Rhoda's mommy and daddy. I know her parents will love you like grandma and grandpa did when they first met you."
With that, they hurried and Mary got a bag ready for herself and a bag ready for Tessa. Then with a backpack carrier, diaper bag, and luggage ready to go, they met Rhoda outside.
After they arrived and Martin let them Ida came in the room. "Rhoda."
Rhoda hugged her mother. "Ma."
Ida then turned around and hugged Mary. "And Mary!"
Mary hugged Mrs. Morgenstern. "Hi."
Ida continued, "Oh welcome to Fun City. Isn't this nice? Mary, what do you think of our lovely apartment?"
Mary replied. "Ah. It's lovely."
Ida and Mary talk when Mary hears, "Mommy?"
Mary smiled. Tessa was so quiet she almost forgot. When they boarded their flight Rhoda held as Mary got seated only for Tessa to fall sleep on Rhoda. When they arrived, Rhoda helped put Tessa into the carrier. The kid was awake briefly but fell back asleep. They had her covered with a blanket so she wouldn't get cold.
Mary got the carrier off her back and then gets Tessa out. When Tessa saw how many people there were shy and hid her face in Mary's neck. Ida sees Tessa asks, "Who is this little cutie? Mary, did you have a child we didn't know about?"
Mary smiled, "No Mrs. Morgenstern actually a friend of mine from high school and her husband were killed in a car crash earlier this year. They made me the legal guardian of their daughter."
Mary rubbing Tessa back and gently whispered, "Tessa sweetie, it is okay this Aunt Rhoda's mommy. Can you say hi to Mrs. Morgenstern?"
Tessa who is still shy only waved instead before burying her head in Mary's neck earning awes from the small crowd.
Mary said, "Mrs. Morganstern, meet Tessa Marina McGreer."
Ida walked over closer and gave the shy girl a gentle back rub and said, "Mary, she is adorable."
Ida turned around looked at Rhoda in a funny way, "Why is it that you aren't married or have children yet is beyond me."
Which Rhoda responded with an eye roll. Turning to Mary and the little girl. "Since your mommy is like a daughter to me then why don't you call me Grandma Ida?"
Ida looked at Mary. "No offense to your parents."
Mary replied with a smile. "No worries."
While she was lost in thought, someone else came into her line of view. Rhoda. She felt bad for her friend. Mary would do anything for Rhoda and she knew Rhoda would do the same. Mary remembered the night, one year earlier where she was in jail for refusing to reveal a news source. Rhoda had come all the way from New York upon getting a call from Lou. She didn't have to come since was engaged at the time and all. Yet she dropped everything and came. She was there for Tessa for the night before heading home.
Mary remembered how a few short weeks later she and Tessa, along with Lou, Murray, Phyllis, and Georgette were at her wedding to Joe. Even Tessa got to be a flower girl for Auntie Rhoda. Now Rhoda had separated from Joe. Truth be told there was something about him she didn't like. Like when she visited Rhoda and Rhoda decided to stay behind to spend time with her and how he got upset. She saw Rhoda was on the side and she went over to her. Tapping her on the shoulder, Rhoda whirled around and faced Mary. Mary hugged her best friend and said, "Hey thanks for coming!"
With a big smile, Rhoda said, "Hey Mare. Of course. It's my niece's birthday I want to be here. I wouldn't have missed for the world. Fantastic job on Tessa's party by the way."
Rhoda looked to the side and saw how many gifts were stacked on the table. Rhoda turned back to Mary said, "Gee Tessa is so lucky to have so many people who love her."
Mary smiled, "Most definitely."
Adding in a whisper Mary asked, "Say how are you doing? Considering everything."
Rhoda sighed. She knew it was coming. Her quick answer was, "Good I guess. But hey it's Tessa's party let's not spoil it for the birthday girl."
Mary nodded. She leaned in and whispered, "You know Rhoda, I know it is early but I saw you and Mr. Grant eyeing each other. If there is anything going on between you two, know I won't be like last time. I will be one hundred percent and supportive of you two. After all, I am the one responsible for getting you two together."
Rhoda nodded she was glad she had Mary's support, unlike earlier. Right then she turned her head and saw Tessa running over she added, "Speaking of the birthday girl."
Tessa came up to her mom and hugged her mother around the waist. Mary looked down and smiled. Tessa looked more and more like her late parents. Mary gently reminded Tessa that her parents loved her. Tessa would reply with an "I know mommy I feel them around me."
Mary beamed. The love that Mary felt for Tessa was completely indescribable. It was after her night in jail she decided to adopt Tessa. The crew at WJM rallied around Mary as the Richards family lawyer, a lawyer friend of Walter's, as was the lawyer from Duluth, Gabriel Musguire were brought in to help make sure that Mary would be able to adopt Tessa without problems. From a legal standpoint and as a backup, she had named Rhoda as Tessa's legal guardian should anything happen. That was the last thing she wanted to happen to Tessa but sometimes it is better safe than sorry.
With the detail added, the adoption was finalized right before Tessa's birthday. Now, she wanted to pick Tessa but she has grown a lot and has gotten too heavy for Mary to do so. So she did the next best option, she sat down and pulled her daughter into her lap and hugged her tightly. Kissing Tessa's cheek she asked, "Are you having fun so far sweetheart?"
Tessa giggled. "Yeah, I am having so much fun! Uncle Murray is so funny during Simon Says."
Tessa paused. "Thank you, mommy, I love you."
Mary hugged and kissed her daughter and said, "I am glad. I love you, sweetie."
Rhoda loved the scene unfolding but had to say something. "Hey, Tessa what I am chopped liver?"
Both Mary and Tessa made a face when Rhoda said that. When Rhoda saw their faces, she knew how much Tessa was now like Mary, she shook head. On the other hand, Mary and Tessa knew she was kidding. Tessa jumped out of Mary's embrace and stood and hugged her favorite aunt. "Of course not. You're silly Aunt Rhoda. I love you too."
Yes, life was indeed perfect. However, it was about to get better.
A/N 2: Thanks for reading the fourth chapter! Reviews are appreciated!