DJ, Jerry, Dan, Becky and Mark all got to 714 Delaware Street late at night. Jerry was sound asleep in Dan's arms as Dan carefully went up the stairs and into Jerry's room. Jerry woke up as Dan gently opened the drawers to Jerry's dresser and pulled out a pajama pants and a pajama shirt.
Jerry stood on his changing table and Dan pulled the pajama shirt under his head.
A minute later Jerry had a clean diaper and pajama's on as Dan laid him down in his down in his crib and pulled the covers up to Jerry's chest. Jerry fell right asleep and Dan stood there watching him very quietly and then sat down in the rocking chair.
Mark was drunk as hell as he laid down on the couch. No one bothered to get him a cover but that was okay because Mark was sweating. Becky stood in the couch watching him. DJ stood there watching Becky then looked at Mark and back at Becky. DJ said nothing but could tell by Becky's face that she still had feelings for Mark.
Without saying anything DJ walked out of the kitchen, as Mark rushed passed him headed straight for the bathroom. DJ made it to the top of the stairs and walked down the hallway. Jerry's room was dark and he peeked in and noticed his dad sitting in the rocking chair with that faraway look on his face.
DJ left him alone.
After twenty minutes Dan snapped out of it and came down stairs. Mark was passed out on the couch so Dan went and got a blanket from the linen cabinet at the end of the hallway between the master bedroom and the bathroom. He laid the blanket on Mark and then went in the laundry room and brought out a bucket which he put on the floor next to the couch.
Dan went into the master bedroom and went into bed. It was the first time he'd slept in his own bed since David came to stay. As much as he hated that David and Darlene slept in this bed he knew that he had to accept it or lose his relationship with them.
Dan woke up to the smell of eggs cooking, when he went into the kitchen he found Becky at the stove. "Morning, Beck." Dan looked into the living room and saw Mark still asleep on the couch.
Dan went and got the newspaper and then sat down at his spot on the table. After two minutes there was a knock on the door. Dan answered it and was shocked.
"Nana Mary?"
Nana Mary barged in the house pushing Dan out of the way. She was wearing a Cubs jersey and blue jeans, and a Cubs hat. That was a new look for Nana Mary.
"Ooh you've spiffed up the joint since last Thanksgiving." Nana Mary said looking around. Dan stood there with his jaw dropped in wonder. Becky came in to the living room.
"Nana Mary what are you doing here?" Becky asked, excitedly.
Nana Mary shoved Mark's feet off the couch practically flinging him off. She sat down, making herself at home. "Well I'm visiting all the family."
Dan closed the door and then sat in the chair in front of the door. "Darlene asked you to come stay with me right?" Nana Mary's expression hardened, hiding all of her body language. "You know you and I should play poker together sometime."
Nana Mary smiled. "Who's making eggs?"
"I am. Do you want some?" Becky asked pleasantly.
Nana Mary shook her head. "No I had my breakfast already."
Dan couldn't resist asking. "What did you have?"
Nana Mary smiled again. "Three shots of tequila. It's the best remedy for a hangover that was ever invented."
"Ah. Well my hangover days are over." Dan said and then stood up. "I'm going to check on the little one."
Dan disappeared up stairs as Becky went into the kitchen to keep her eggs from burning; Nana Mary followed her with an extra bounce in her step. "So, is that Mark passed out on your fathers couch?"
Becky looked at her great grandma and started blushing. "Dad wouldn't let him drive last night and we thought it'd be easier for him to crash here so we could take him to get his truck."
Nana Mary stole a piece of bacon. "You still have feelings for him…" Said the all-knowing great-grandma.
"Nana Mary…" Becky said begging Nana Mary to drop the subject.
Dan came down holding a wide awake and happy Jerry. Dan put him in his high chair and Jerry sat excitedly knowing that it was breakfast time. Dan went to the stove and looked at Becky.
"Are any of these dead baby chickens done?" Dan said trying to hide a small smile.
"I dare you to do that joke with Darlene, dad." Becky said, as Dan scooped some of the scrambled eggs onto a plate.
Dan sat on a chair in front of Jerry and Nana Mary sat across from him. Dan talked as he fed Jerry. "So how long are you staying, Mary?"
Nana Mary sat back. "I don't know. I'll probably stay until I get sick of you."
Dan smiled and Becky made herself a plate and sat down at the table. Dan continued. "Does Jackie know you're here?"
"No because then Beverly would know where I was…" Dan and Becky looked at each other.
In the living room Mark woke up. He laid still with a massive hangover. Suddenly he felt nauseous and was about to run into the bathroom until he saw the bucket that Dan had put on the floor and he threw up in there.
From the kitchen Dan fed Jerry another piece or egg. He heard Mark filling up the bucket. "Mark's awake." He said and then stood up and went into the living room. Now Mark was sitting up with his feet on the floor.
"Want a glass of water Mark?"
Mark shook his head weakly and Dan brought him a glass of water which Mark drank graciously. Suddenly Mark felt sick again and threw up in the bucket. "Keep doing that Mark. You're making those beer cravings I keep having go away…"
When Mark was done he took another drink and then Dan patted him on the back. "Let me finish feeding Jerry and then I'll take you to get your truck."
