Hello All. Here is another chapter for you all. I should really be getting some work done but I thought this seemed a better us of my time. Hope you enjoy it :)

Check out after the story for a bit more of a ramble from me...now on with the story!


Godmother Standards

Tibby laughed out loud as she pulled into Christina and David's driveway. Ryan was sitting at the front window, face pressed up against the glass. As soon as he spotted Tibby's car a huge grin appeared on his face.

"Tibby!" he exclaimed racing out the front door toward her.

"Careful, you've got to be gentle Ryan," Christina stood waiting at the front door.

Ryan seemed to realize that running full speed into Tibby's slightly protruding belly would not be a good idea and came to a skidding halt inches from her. "I still want a hug mister," Tibby shut the car door and opened up her arms.

The beaming boy slowly walked over to his godmother and then threw his arms around her. "I missed you."

The two pulled apart and Tibby smiled. "I've missed you too little man. We've got a lot of catching up to do."

Ryan nodded fervently. "I'm going to be an uncle soon," he stood up on his tip-toes trying to make himself taller.

"Yes you are," they had reached the door and Christina put a hand on her son's head. "You can tell Tibby all about it after you go wash up. As soon as your sister and father get here we're starting dinner."

Ryan shot Tibby a pleading look. "But I haven't been outside in 15 hours."

"15 hours?" Tibby raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"More like 15 minutes," Christina chuckled. "You were out there all afternoon."

"Mind your mother," Tibby let go of the boy's hand and the three entered the house.

"Fine," the seven year old stomped toward the bathroom in a huff.

"Better hurry and then maybe I'll have time to give you your present before dinner," Tibby called after him. He looked at her with excitement and bolted upstairs.

"Hey sweetie," Christina smiled as she hugged Tibby. "I'm so glad you are here."

Tibby nodded. "As soon as I told Carmen I was coming home for Nicky's birthday I made sure she called you to arrange something. I haven't seen you all in awhile."

"Too long," agreed Christina. "Now come, sit, you must be tired. How have you been feeling these days?"

"Well the nausea is gone now, thank goodness," Tibby laughed.

"Oh, it's been seven years since Ryan but I can still remember it, even with Carmen too."

"Speaking of Carmen, are you excited, going to be a grandma soon," Tibby smirked.

"I know," Christina shook her head in disbelief. "It is quite amazing though. All four of you girls, just like when we all had you," Tibby knew she was referring to when all of their mothers were pregnant together.

"Present?" Ryan came bounding into the living room.

"Let me see those hands first," Tibby replied sternly and Ryan held out his hands to her. Tibby winked at Christina. "Hmm, seems pretty clean to me," Tibby inspected his hands closely. Tibby turned and dug into her bag pulling out an oddly wrapped shape.

"Thank you Tibby," Ryan held out his hand waiting for her to place the present in his hands. Tibby was impressed. There was no grabbing involved, but then with Ryan there never was. That was more something she knew involved Nicky.

"Brian would like me to inform you that this was all his idea, I helped though."

Ryan ripped away the paper to reveal a large stuffed Rhino wearing a red cape. "Awesome."

"I was told Captain Horns was the best super hero ever," Tibby decided the boy's reaction confirmed it.

Christine nodded. "Ryan loves Captain Horns."

"Phew, it was either him or Bellederado the cow."

"Bellederado is for girls!" Ryan stuck out his tongue. The adults giggled.

"Hello," a voice rang in through the hallway. Tibby knew that voice well. Carmen poked her head into the room.

"Look, look what Tibby bought me," Ryan leapt up and tore towards his sister.

"Very impressive," Carmen took the rhino in her hands.

"I'm his godmother, I've got to keep to some standards," Tibby said rising to give Carmen a hug.

"Hi mama," Carmen waved as she wrapped her friend up in her arms.

"Hi baby," Christina stood up and headed for the door. "I'll give you girls a minute. Come Ryan, let's get that table set and food dished. Your papa should be home any second."

"Do I have to?" Ryan groaned. "I wanna stay here."

"Let's go," she held her hand out to which he accepted reluctantly.

The two girls plopped down on the couch as the other two exited the room. "Look at you," Carmen gushed placing a hand on Tibby's bump. "Hello in there."

"Feel that, he's saying hello back," Tibby grinned as the baby inside her kicked.

"He?" Carmen questioned. "You found out it's a boy?" her voice brimming with excitement.

"Oh, no," Tibby shook her head. "I didn't even think when I said that. I guess I just feel it's a he."

"Oh yeah, Win is certain we're having a girl but I don't really feel anything."

"Have you spoken to Bridget lately? She and Eric picked out names, it's so exciting," Tibby rested her head against the side of the couch.

"No, I haven't, don't tell me though."

"Not a chance," Tibby stuck out her tongue at Carmen. "What about Lena, how is she doing?"

"Well –," Carmen started when suddenly her cell phone started to ring. "Speak of the devil," Carmen looked surprised before flipping open the phone. "Hey Lenny, one second, Tibby is here, I'm putting you on speaker."

"Hello," Tibby sat up quickly.

"Tibby? Hey my dear. How are you?" Lena's voice filled the living room.

"I'm excellent. I just came up to Bethesda for a couple days for Nicky's birthday. Of course I had to stop in and visit my godson. How are you?"

"A nervous wreck."

"When are you going to meet him?" Carmen piped in.

"Huh?" Tibby glanced at Carmen in confusion.

"In an hour, at the town park," Lena's voice was shaky.

"Is Paul home?"

"No, he's in Indiana for the week. I don't want to call him though."

"What the heck is going on?" Tibby demanded.

"It's Kostos," Carmen sighed. "He's gone to South Carolina to meet Lena."

"What?!" Tibby's eyes bulged.

"I'm afraid it is true," Lena replied. "He called me a couple weeks ago, out of the blue, wanted to meet."

"How did he even find you?"

"Apparently he tried home first and made contact with Effie. She didn't want to tell him anything but he was persistent and she gave him my phone number and address."

"What in the world does he want?"

"I have no idea; I'm freaking out a bit. Paul was not impressed either. I don't even really want to meet with him but at the same time I'm curious now."

"So am I," Tibby said and Carmen nodded.

"Sorry I didn't tell you earlier, not that I didn't want to or anything."

"Don't even worry about that," Tibby said with ease. "Our communication has been slightly lacking but we've both been busy, it's ok. But you better let me know how it goes."

"Me too," the silent Carmen finally spoke.

"Of course I will."

"Hi Tibby, hey Carmen," at that moment David entered the living room, setting his briefcase down by the door.

"Hi David," the girls both replied. "Hi David," Lena called through the phone.

"Oh, hi Lena," he grinned.

"Well, I will let you guys go. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"No interruption at all," Carmen assured. "Call us back as soon as you've left him."

"Wish me luck."

"Good luck, we'll be waiting," Tibby called.


Hello again...

This chapter wasn't all it could be. Originally I had planned on something happening with Tibby's job but I didn't feel any inspiration for it. I'm looking forward to the next couple of chapters though. The long awaited Lena and Kostos meeting is coming up and babies are going to be born. There's also something really big coming up which stunned even me when I thought of it. Be prepared. I'm going to try my hardest to get the next chapters up soon. I have a feeling that once I start the next chapter all of them will sart flowing out.

For all of you with something to say about the name Maximillion in the last chapter, just thought I'd throw out there that one of my good friends happens to be named Maximillion. LoL. S'ok though, we tease him about it too.

On a final note: W.O. Grimmet - there are never any stupid questions, Paul is indeed Carmen's stepbrother Paul.

Happy reading and I'll be back soon :)