At about two a.m. Mary had to get up and go to the bathroom. When she opened her eyes and focused, she about jumped out of her skin. Sue Ann was sitting in the chair.

"Sue Ann, what are you doing in here?" She asked pushing herself up in a sitting position

"I wanted to make sure you were okay, dear. I heard you moaning " She explained, "I didn't mean to scare you."

Mary got out of bed, "Sue Ann, I'm fine. I just need to go to the bathroom. Please go back to bed."

"Sue Ann got up and came over to Mary, "Well, let me help you…"

Mary sighed, "Sue Ann, please!"

Sue Ann was a little startled by Mary's tone, "Alright dear, I'll leave you alone." She walked out of the bedroom

"Sue Ann…" Mary called out, "Damn." She muttered

After going to the bathroom Mary walked down the hall expecting to find Sue Ann in the living room but she was sitting in the rocking chair in the nursery

Mary leaned against the doorway, "Sue Ann, I'm sorry." She said, "I know you're just trying to help but I'm fine."

Sue Ann smiled weakly, "I know that, Mary. I just…I guess I got carried away."

Mary came over pulled the ottoman over by the rocking chair and took Sue Ann's hand in hers, "It's okay. You know, this is all new for me, too. I mean being married, having a baby. I'm just not used to being hovered over. I'm used to doing things myself."

"Mary, you don't have to lie. I know I've been driving you crazy." She replied, "I promise I'll try to back off."

Mary smiled, "And I promise to ask for help…if I need it, okay?"

Sue Ann nodded and smiled, "Well, you better get back to bed. I think I'll read for a while."

"Okay, but could you do me a favor?" She asked

"Of course, dear." Sue Ann said

"Help me get up off this thing." Mary asked smiling

Sue Ann took Mary's hands in hers and helped her up, "Good night, Mary."

"Good night, Sue Ann."

Unfortunately the trial verdict was postponed and Scott and Jack had to stay another night. Mary called Rhoda and asked her to spend the night. Mostly so Sue Ann wouldn't and she wanted to spend some time with her best friend. They had patched things up but she still needed a break from her. She and Rhoda had it all planned, pizza, ice cream, gossip and hopefully a good movie on TV. She hadn't told Sue Ann yet that Scott would be gone another night but she was ready with her response if Sue Ann offered to stay again. The day was moving along at the newsroom when Sue Ann made one of her regular stops to "check" on Mary.

"There she is and there's my precious grandchild." She came toward Mary ready to pat her stomach again but Mary quickly got up and moved to the file cabinet

"Hi, Sue Ann." Mary said

"Are you feeling alright, dear?" Sue Ann asked for the tenth time that day

"I'm fine, just very busy." Mary said

"Well, I won't keep you then." She said, "What time will Scott be getting back tonight? I thought I might bring over a welcome back dinner."

"Uh, Sue Ann, Scott's going to have to stay another night. The verdict has been delayed." Mary explained sitting back down at her desk.

"Then I'll be happy to stay with you again, dear." She offered

Mary looked up with all the sincerity, "Oh, Sue Ann, that's really sweet but Rhoda is staying with me tonight."

"Oh, I see." She said feeling a little dejected, "I suppose after last night…"

"Sue Ann, it's not that." Mary lied, "It's just that I haven't seen Rhoda much lately and I would really like to spend some time with my best friend. You understand, don't you?"

Sue Ann thought for a moment, "Of course, dear. I guess Rhoda must be feeling a little left out being that she's still single." Sue Ann concluded, "Well, if you need anything just let me know. I've got to get back to my dumplings." She said heading out the door

Lou came out of his office. The walls were paper thin and he heard everything. He sat on the edge of Mary's desk, "Mary, I'm sorry but I couldn't help hear what you said to Sue Ann and I must say you handled that like a pro."

Mary smiled, "Well, thank you, Mr. Grant. In spite of everything I didn't want to hurt her feelings."

"Yeah, I understand." Lou said, "You know, you confirmed something I've thought all along."

"What's that?" She asked

"That you're as rotten as the rest of us." He said walking back into his office

LATER THAT NIGHT

Mary and Rhoda were all settled in for a relaxing evening. They had eaten pizza and Rhoda had given Mary a pedicure since it was getting hard for her reach her toes because of her baby bump. She was stretched out on the couch wearing one of Scott's football jerseys and Rhoda sat on a pillow on the floor in front of her with a bowl of popcorn beside her. Rhoda had the remote and was flipping channels.

Rhoda stopped when she came to An Affair to Remember, "Oh, Mare, let's watch it."

"Sure, I love that movie." She said reaching down to the popcorn bowl

"Yeah me too." Rhoda said, "Cary Grant, what a man."

Mary sighed, "Yeah."

"Is that a what a hunk sigh or a I miss my hubby who's even hotter than Cary Grant sigh?" Rhoda asked

Mary laughed, "A little of both." She admitted, "I sure don't like sleeping alone."

"But not enough for the Happy Homemaker to stay with you again?" Rhoda asked already knowing the answer

"No, she drove me crazy last night, hovering over me, watching me while I slept." Mary said eating some popcorn."

"She watched you while you slept?" Rhoda asked

Mary nodded, "Oh yes, I woke up to go to the bathroom and she was sitting in the chair. I made her go back to sleep on the couch."

Rhoda laughed, "Well, don't worry Mare. I won't stare at you while you sleep. I'll stay here on the couch like a good houseguest."

"Oh no, you I want in the bed with me." Mary said, "I meant it when I said. I don't like sleeping alone."

"Alright Kid, but I warn you I hog the blankets."

When Mary awoke the next morning she showered and got ready for work while Rhoda still slept. She had the day off from Hemple's and Mary figured she would let her sleep. She walked out of the bedroom into the living room to find Scott asleep on the couch. He wasn't due home until later that night. She walked over and bent down as best she could and kissed him.

He opened his eyes and smiled, "Good morning, Beautiful."

She smiled back, "Hmm, not that I'm complaining or anything but what are you doing here?" She sat on the edge of the couch

"I called Lou and told him I just couldn't stay away another day and he sent Greg to take my place." He explained

"Just like that?" She asked

"Well, I kind of told him how much my mother was driving you crazy and for some reason he couldn't get me back here fast enough."

Mary laughed, "Remind me to thank him but Rhoda stayed last night, remember?"

"I know but I had another ulterior motive." He admitted, "I missed you like crazy…both of you." He ran his hand over her abdomen

"We missed you too, but I have got to get to work. Are you going in?" She asked

"Yeah, Lou said I could come in later." He told her

Mary heard the water running, "I guess Rhoda's up now. I'll wait a little while."

"Good, because I haven't seen you in two days and we have to make up for lost time." He sat up and leaned in and kissed her long and deep

TBC