A/N: I am going to try to get this out a lot earlier than usual. With all the family stuff going on, I may not be able to post early or possibly at all tomorrow. I will try to post something tomorrow, though. So, let's get back to Llanview.

Chapter 21

Starr picked up the phone again, but was having a hard time concentrating on what her mother was saying. She was just excited that this nightmare was nearly over. She could not wait to see her mom and dad. "But, mom, how are you going to get home? The airport is still not open."

"Well, you know your father. A helicopter is picking us up in ten minutes. We should be home within just a couple of hours."

"Mom, you should know something."

"Starr, I can barely hear you. We will talk when I get home. Bye Sweetie."

Starr put down the phone and looked at Langston, Markko, Cole, and Dorian. "So, my mom and dad will be home with Tommy in a couple of hours."

Dorian was all of the sudden feeling overwhelmed. "What? How did your father pull off getting home in this weather? I mean, it is done snowing, but the airports are still closed."

Cole interrupted her. "Dr. Lord, you got home. Starr, does that mean that my mom and John are on their way back, too?"

"My mom said that they decided to take a rental car back in the morning."

Dorian pointed out, "By the way, Cole I got back because of my charm and wit. Your father probably got a helicopter by barking orders and throwing money at them."

Markko being the understanding voice of reason that he was interjected, "Well, either way, Mr. and Mrs. Manning will be home tonight, and this night may get even more interesting yet. So, Starr, what's your old man like, anyway?"

Langston could not believe that. "You have never met, Mr. Manning?"

"No. He was gone when we first met, and he has been so caught up in the custody hearing, so what's he like?"

Cole could not resist the urge to speak up about that. "Starr's dad can be cool, as long as he doesn't hate you. Unfortunately, he hates me."

"My dad doesn't hate you."

"Who do you think you are kidding? He tolerates me because he loves you. By the way, Starr, does your dad know that me and Markko are here?"

"I tried telling my mom, but she had to go. Let's just home your mom said something, otherwise, it could be a rude awakening."

Starr came up with an idea. "We have to make my dad concentrate on how happy he is to see us, and not the fact that Cole is staying in the same house with me. I know. Let's decorate the house and make another cake."

Dorian had to admit. "That is a splendid idea. I will go get the baby's room ready since it had has been so long since Blair did it. Starr, you and Langston get the balloons and streamers out of the store room, and Cole, you and Markko go make a cake."

Markko eyes popped out of his head. "You want us to what? We are guys. We don't make the cakes."

Langston had to laugh. "Would you rather hang streamers and balloons?"

"Come on, Cole. Let's go make a cake."

"Wait." Langston ran to Markko and gave him a kiss. "I love you."

Dorian screamed in a quiet voice. "Get to work. We are going to run out of time." She pushed the boys into the kitchen. She was grateful that Cole knew how to make a cake. She really had her doubts whether Markko did or not.

--

In the kitchen, Cole pulled out the bowl. "Markko, can you hand me the baking powder?"

"Yeah, question, what's baking powder?"

"Are you serious, dude?"

"My mom does the cooking."

"So does mine, but she taught me stuff. My dad taught me when I was little how to make a cake from scratch,"

"How did he know how to do that? That's the wife's job."

"Dude, you have a lot to learn before you marry Langston. I dare you to pull that woman's work crap on her to see what happens. My dad always told me that it was important to keep your wife happy. That means that you learn to cook."

"Alright Thornhart, you explain this cake thing. I am willing to learn to make her happy. I have learned one thing from being with Langston. If she is not happy, then there is no way I can be. I need an apron."

Cole had pulled the only manly apron when they walked in. The only one left was pink and frilly. Markko sighed, after realizing that the only other option was getting all this baking crap all over him."

Cole managed to show Markko how to put all the different ingredients in the bowl and mix them, with little problems. He did have to explain to Markko that adding two eggs meant that you had to crack the eggs before adding them. How honestly did he survive without knowing any of this? "Tell me, Markko. What do you know how to make?"

"Toast and TV dinners."

Cole laughed out loud. "Anything else? What about Macaroni and Cheese? Everyone knows how to make that."

"I tried once, but added it all at once and you can guess the rest."

"Cole, all kidding aside, I think me and Starr may have come to an understanding. Now that the girls are not in here, how bad is Starr's dad?"

"He was okay to me when I first met him. I found out not too long after that about my mom, and it has been horrible ever since. It will be different with you. Dr. Lord is Langston's guardian, not him."

"Actually Dr. Lord and Starr's parents both are. So, I just guess I am worried that he will try to keep me from seeing Langston."

--

Starr hung the banner and had Langston stand back "Yeah, it is level."

"So how excited are you that your baby brother is coming home tonight?"

"I am so glad. I just am worried. He only knows Dr. and Mrs. McBain."

"Yeah, but you babysat Tommy. He should remember you. Starr, I am not trying to make you mad, but I wonder how they got him, and what happened to Mrs. McBain."

"Langston, I don't know. All I know is she is going to prison for a long time. My dad is not going to sit by and watch her walk away from this. If she would have just given us Tommy, my dad would have eventually let her and Dr. McBain see him."

"Do you really think that?"

"I don't know. But, we will never know, now. Langston, I am glad that we worked things out. I am sorry that I have been so awful the last few days. I really am happy for you and Markko. I knew that you two should be together from day one. Maybe I am just a little jealous."

"Jealous of my fiancée?"

"Not him. I am jealous of the relationship that you two have. You two have only been together a few months, and have such a strong love. You two don't have the problems that me and Cole do, and love each other with everything you have. I really am glad that you have him."

"Starr, you and Cole have something amazing. You two have been together for so long already, way longer than me and Markko. I am glad that you and Markko are okay, and ready to be friends. Let's go see what the guys are doing. Do they even know how to make a cake?"

"Cole is better at making a cake than anyone I have ever met."

The girls walked into the kitchen to the sight of Markko in a pink apron with flour on his nose."

Langston walked over to him and put her arms around him. "Baby, you look so sexy with flour on your nose?"

Markko spun Langston around and picked her up and set her on the counter and began to kiss her with such passion that they forgo that they were not the only two people in the room. Dorian walked in. "You two! What did we talk about earlier when it came to you two in my kitchen?"

They broke apart, and Markko spoke up. "Sorry, Dr. Lord."

They all heard Blair's voice in the other room. "We're home."

Starr grabbed the cake, and brought it in. She ran to her mom and hugged her. "Mom, I am so glad you are here. Where's dad?"

"Right here, kid." Todd walked in with Tommy in his arms. Starr ran to her dad. "Dad, I missed you so much."

Todd spoke in a lowered voice, since Tommy was already asleep. Blair grabbed him and went to put him to bed. Todd looked around. "You did all this for me?"

"Yeah."

"Thank you. I want to be a better father to my three kids." He glanced at Langston. "Make that four. I heard that you have been through hell, Langston."

"I am okay. I didn't know that you actually knew my name."

"Of course I do. What is Thornhart, and I am sorry, who are you doing here so late?"

Langston made the move to introduce Markko. "This is Markko, my boyfriend. His parents are out of town, and Cole was staying with him. His parents and Dr. Saybrooke asked if they could stay until they got back in town. Mr. Manning, they are in separate rooms and separate hallways."

What will Todd's reaction be? Will he accept Markko or give him a hard time? Will Larkko be able to get a moment alone with such a full house? Stay Tuned for Chapter 22!!!!