A/N: Not much to say about this chapter. It's a mix of different things, with fluff in the second part. Definitely a filler. With a cliffhanger at the end.
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"So what you're saying is that, basically, with me being the paternal guardian and temporarily unemployed, I've got no chance against Alison?" Benny asked for what seemed like the hundredth time.
Joanne sighed. She and Benny had been sitting in the coffee shop for over an hour, reviewing the many angles of the custody battle. Benny was determined to be pessimistic.
"I didn't say that," she said in exasperation.
"But that's what you think," he said dully.
He was really starting to get on her nerves.
"Benny, Ben is not a child anymore. He'll be seventeen soon, right? Well, one more year and he's legally an adult. That could count to our advantage. This is still about what's best for Ben, but he doesn't need constant supervision anymore, which will be taken into consideration." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "You're planning on getting a job soon, right?"
"I'm looking," Benny nodded.
"Well, look harder." Joanne began to pack up her things. "That's all you can do for now. Leave the rest to me. I'll call you in a few days."
They both stood.
"Thanks for doing this, Joanne." Benny said quietly, extending his hand. Joanne shook it.
"Ben's a nice kid. In order to convince Maureen to let me take your case, I had to tell her I was only doing this for him, and for Angie." She hesitated. "But…but I'm doing it for you, too, Benny. The others might not have noticed, but I did. You really wanted to jump up on the table at the Life and sing with us that Christmas Eve, didn't you?"
Benny smiled faintly.
"See you around." Joanne left briskly.
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A week passed. Finally, Gregory and Julie Cohen were leaving the City for their home in Scarsdale. They had been driving the entire household up the wall. Mark and Anna were sick of being treated as invalids, Rachael and Angie of being endlessly hounded about schoolwork, Roger of being babied, and Mimi of being ignored. No one was really sad to see them go.
"Call us if there's the slightest problem," Julie instructed as she hugged everyone goodbye. "We can come back at any moment."
"Thanks, Mom," Mark smiled, fond of his parents now that they were going to be out of his hair, at least in person.
"Mark," Gregory shook his son's hand. "Take good care of her," he nodded at Rachael. "It's the teenage years you have to watch out for."
Rachael blushed and Mark choked back a laugh.
"We'll keep that in mind," Anna broke in, smiling.
"Bye," Roger accepted a hug from Julie. "We'll see you."
"You most certainly will, within the year. These long waits are much too long for me. Either you all come to see us, or we'll come back, with Cindy and her boys in tow. Those boys may be young men now, but I'm sure they'd still love to visit their uncle and his family."
Mark hid a horrified expression in his hands. His mother didn't notice.
"Goodbye, then," Gregory said, hoisting his suitcase onto his shoulder and pulling his wife's toward the door.
"Bye!" Everyone called, waving as the senior Cohens left the Loft. As soon as they were gone, a sigh of relief echoed through the room. It was shortlived - not twenty seconds later, the door swung open again to reveal a beaming Maureen.
"Hey, saw your parents on their way out. They leaving today? I forgot. Isn't it such a pretty day? I love this weather, don't you?" She said this all in one breath, leaving the others rather taken aback.
"Maureen," Mimi said slowly, "Is there something we forgot about today?"
Maureen's face fell slightly. "You mean you don't remember?"
Rachael gasped. "Kate! She came home today!"
Maureen's face lit up. She bounded over to Rachael, putting an arm around her goddaughter. "Right you are! And I would like to introduce her to you." She took on a deep announcer's voice. "All the way from Tenth Street, presenting the one, the only…Katharine Jefferson-Johnson!"
Joanne appeared in the doorway, Kate in her arms.
A collective 'Awww…' from the women trickled through the air, and everyone moved forward. Kate, looking rather alarmed, hid her face in Joanne's shoulder.
"Kate…" Joanne cooed, "These are our friends. We want to introduce them to you."
Shyly, Kate peered out at all the excited faces.
"She's adorable!" Anna breathed.
"Absolutely," Mimi agreed.
"Awesome," Roger said calmly, but his eyes were sparkling with excitement.
"See, Kate?" Maureen said gently, stroking her daughter's hair. "No need to be afraid. This is your new family."
"Can we hold her?" Angie asked in an awed whisper.
Joanne shrugged. "That's up to her. Kate, can Angie hold you?" Kate hid her face again.
"Let's give her a little time to adjust," Anna suggested. "Why don't you sit down?"
The small crowd parted, and Joanne crossed the room and sat on the couch. Maureen sat on the other side and took Kate into her own lap.
"Let me see her," Mark said quietly. He had not been able to see over the heads of his friends from his wheelchair. He wheeled up next to the couch.
"Kate, this is your Uncle Marky." Maureen introduced the two. To their surprise, Kate's face cracked into a smile, and she reached toward Mark eagerly.
"Can I?" Mark asked.
Maureen responded by plunking Kate into his lap, careful not to jostle his legs. Mark wrapped his good arm around the little girl. Kate settled contentedly back against his chest.
"Looks like we chose the right man to be her godfather," Joanne joked. "She really likes you."
Mark smiled with pure joy. He glanced up at Rachael, remembering a time when she had been no larger than this little girl. Rachael caught his eye and grinned.
Before anyone could soak in the moment any more, there was a stampeding from the stairs. Everyone turned in surprise. Mark's arm tightened impulsively around Kate.
The door flew open with a bang, and Adrienne rushed in, her braids streaming behind her and a panicked look on her face. Her eyes found Mimi.
"Mimi! You have to help me! I'm in trouble!"
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A/N: -Dramatic music- What now? Review to find out!
