There is a lot going on in this chapter, but I think it's a nice break from the Cory/Topanga drama. I know they are both frustrating at the moment, but have patience. Aunt Trish's visit starts in the next chapter, I promise. As always, thank you for the reviews. :-)


"I understand that Milo was playing in the fort and having fun," Rachel said as she checked the baby over for marker streaks, "but what I don't get is how both of you fell asleep with three kids to watch and how the baby got his hands on markers. I didn't pack markers. These aren't even washable."

"The markers are mine, Rach," Eric explained. "Sometimes when I get bored I like to make weather maps the old fashioned way. Everything is done on computers now, it's a nice change every once in a while. Ow!" He backed away from Angela. She was using some of the baby wipes from Rachel to try to get the marker off his face. "Do you have to do that so hard?"

"This stuff is not coming off and you have to be at work in two hours. You don't have rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer so it's either the wipes or I try giving you a facial." Her eyes lit up at the possibility. "You do love the way my papaya face scrub smells."

"No facials."

"Oh, I'm sorry, is today's weather going to be done by Eric the Clown?"

"It can't be that bad." Angela took her compact out of her purse and showed him his reflection in the little mirror. "Aaah!" Eric grabbed the wipes and began scrubbing at his face.

"See what I mean? Now how did you both manage to fall asleep?"

"I don't know, we were trying to cheer up whiny over there," he pointed to Milo, "and the thing that seemed to be working was peek-a-boo and letting him play with the pillows in the fort. And well...I have comfortable pillows."

"Lame, but okay," Rachel nodded and then looked to her husband. "What's your excuse?"

"The kids didn't sleep well last night because they were in a new place and kept waking me up."

"What are you talking about? The portable crib was on my side and Milo only woke me up once."

"I'm talking about Seth and Nina. They were both on my side of the bed this morning. You may not have noticed with the wonder of the king sized bed."

"I know," she smirked, "I was all alone on my side. We have got to get one of those for home. We can all fit so much easier than on our queen. It was so nice waking up without Nina's foot in my ribs."

"Hey, you want to talk about a foot in your ribs, at least you can move hers' out of the way," Angela spoke up. "Tadpole thinks my ribs are a toy there for its' amusement."

"How did Milo get markers anyway? Seth, Nina?" The kids turned away from the TV. "Who gave Milo the markers?"

"I did," Nina answered. "You let him color with me at home."

"Honey, those markers are special and only color on that paper," Jack explained. "Where did you get them?"

"The desk."

"Did Eric say you could go in his desk?"

"No."

"Then why did you?"

"You and Eric fell asleep and we were bored. And the baby was trying to chase the cat."

"Oh."

"Where is Thor," Angela asked. She just realized she hadn't seen him since she and Rachel arrived.

"He went into one of the bedrooms."

"I put the caps in my pocket so Milo wouldn't choke." Seth dug into his pocket and took out the caps to the markers. "He likes to put everything in his mouth."

"Good thinking, Seth."

"It sounds like next time we need to find baby-sitters for you guys instead of the kids," Rachel laughed.

"Are we in trouble?" Nina pouted.

Jack sighed. "No one's really in trouble. Eric and I shouldn't have fallen asleep, but you guys know better than to go through someone else's stuff without their permission."

"Sorry," they mumbled in unison.

"How about we go and get some lunch," Rachel suggested.

"Hello, I'm the guy who has to go on TV in a few hours who looks like Bozo," Eric exclaimed. "What am I supposed to do?"

"I've got marker on me and I'm not freaking out," Jack said. "It comes with the territory."

"Yes, I get that, but again...TV, my job." He looked at Angela. "Facial?"

She nodded. "Facial."

"Why don't we go back to the hotel and get lunch and then we can meet up later with Amy and go shopping?"

"That sounds like a plan."

"Seth, Nina, get your stuff together."

"Are we still going to see Eric's work with the computers?"

"Yes, but not until after dinner tonight."

"Do you guys need help carrying things downstairs?"

"How funny that the pregnant lady is asking that," Jack laughed.

"Hey, it's either the pregnant lady or the clown who's suddenly afraid to leave the apartment."

"The clown has feelings." Eric stuck out his tongue. "I'll carry stuff. I just don't think they'll let me go on the air like this."

"We'll be okay. It's the car seat, diaper bag, and Nina and Seth can carry whatever they brought with. You guys try to save Eric's face."

"Very funny."

/

"I can't believe I haven't tried this yet," Angela smiled as she smeared the papaya scented scrub into Eric's skin.

"I can't believe I'm letting you do this."

"Oh, stop. It's fun."

"You can't tell because my eyes are closed, but they're rolling right now."

"Be nice to me," she warned. "I could very easily slip and get this in your hair. You don't want that to happen. It's a bitch to get out."

"See, I don't hear that as a warning, I look at that as a cheap ploy for you to get me in the shower."

"You wish."

"Duh."

"Obviously we'll have to have an actual conversation so you don't try to distract me."

"Like that's going to stop me."

"What was it like being around the kids before naptime?"

"It was okay. Nina talked a lot, about everything. Seth was quiet until Thor came into the room. They seemed more interested in Thor than anything else."

"How was he with the kids? Has he ever been around kids before today?"

"Besides Josh, not really, but he did okay. I think we'll have to find a video of a baby crying and play it for him, though, because he did not like Milo crying."

"That won't work." She frowned. "Babies cry a lot."

"I know. I'll research how to get a cat used to a baby. We still have a few months to work with him. Don't worry." He heard Angela set things down on the counter. "Are you taking this off yet?"

"No, we have to let it sit for a few minutes. You can open your eyes. They are in no danger."

"And run the risk of getting the scrubby stuff in them? I don't think so."

Angela shook her head. "Okay then. Why don't you tell me why you really have the markers?"

"I told you, I like to draw out weather maps."

"Yeah, I'm not buying that."

"It's true."

"Really," she questioned in disbelief, "it has nothing to do with the big stack of coloring books I found when you were in Florida?"

"Well...I bring them to the kids at the shelters."

"I'm sure some of them make it to the shelters, but these were already colored in...with marker. Why don't you just use crayon?"

"All right," Eric exclaimed, "I still like to color in coloring books sometimes. And crayons and colored pencils are for chickens. I like the challenge of using markers. Are you happy?"

"Very," she giggled.

"You do yoga when you're stressed out, I color. It's very relaxing."

"Really?"

"Yes," he insisted. "When's the last time you colored?"

"I have absolutely no idea." She tugged on his arm. "Stand up. It's time to wash this off."

Eric stood and took a few clumsy steps to the sink. "Seriously, what were you into- My Little Pony, Barbie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Loony Toones, what? I want to buy you your own coloring book."

"You don't have to do that. I always colored whatever book was there." She rang the excess water out of the washcloth. "I'm cleaning your face off now. No whining that I'm being too rough."

"Why would...ow!"

"Oh, it's not that bad. Toughen up." After she was sure she got all of the scrub off of his face, Angela set the washcloth in the sink. "There you go."

He examined his face in the mirror. "My skin is red."

"That's just from the washcloth." She took Eric's face in her hands. "It didn't work."

"What do you mean?"

"The green didn't come off. Everything else did, but not that. It's pretty faded though. I think you're stuck with that."

"Pure awesomeness," he grinned.

"Sure," she laughed. "Awesomeness streaked with faded green."

"Great. So now we're done, right?"

"Nope." Angela pushed him down onto the edge of the tub. She grabbed a bottle off of the counter. "Now we moisturize."

"Oh, goody."

/

/

Shawn closed the door to his apartment and set his backpack on the floor. After finishing up at work he'd had what was his first therapy session in a few weeks. He vented about Cory and Topanga and his frustrations at once again being stuck in the middle. He talked about the time he spent in Texas with Jack, Rachel and the kids and how much fun he had and how it made him think about the future with Naomi. Then they talked about Naomi and the fact that Shawn has been carrying around an engagement ring for the better part of a year. They also agreed that maybe Shawn needed to go back to seeing his therapist once a week for a while. He felt drained.

"Shawn, is that you?" Moments later Naomi exited the bedroom in pajamas with her hair wrapped in a towel.

"Yeah, unless you gave another guy keys to our apartment..."

"Well, yeah, but tonight's not his night," she teased, walking over to give him a hug. "His night is Wednesday."

"Funny." He realized she was home much earlier than usual. "You're home early, aren't you?"

"Scheduling mix-up. They finally got around to hiring a couple more nurses and I've worked so many hours and double shifts lately, I didn't complain when they asked if I would mind coming home. Why, do you mind? Is tonight your night with your secret girlfriend?"

"Yeah, but I don't think she'll mind changing nights this week." Shawn led her over to the couch and sat down. "Does this mean we'll actually be able to eat dinner together tonight at a normal time like regular people?"

"I know and it gets even better." Naomi rested her head against his shoulder.

"You already ordered the food?"

"No," she smiled, "well, I guess there are two things that make it better. I had lunch with my mom and grandma today. Grandma made sure she left me with a ton of stew for her 'dear, sweet Shawn.' Seriously, we'll be eating nothing else for the next three days just to make room in the freezer."

He laughed. "Have I mentioned how much I love your grandmother? And I love her nikujaga."

"Shawn, it is stew- meat and potatoes. Your pronunciation is getting better, though."

"Did she bring dessert?"

"Shortbread biscuits."

"Chinsuko, yummy."

Naomi shook her head. "Is your plan to lean Japanese one food at a time?"

"It's better than a textbook."

"Okay, I'll give you that."

"I don't even need the menus with the pictures anymore when we go to restaurants," he stated proudly.

"I know and I'm very impressed, babe, but I don't even speak it fluently. I'm from upstate New York. Would you like to know the other good news I have for you?"

"Dinner and dessert weren't the two?"

"No," she chuckled, "I counted the food as one."

"Okay, what is it?"

"We are Cory-free for the night."

"What?"

"I knew something has been bothering you since you got back from Texas. At first I thought maybe you had a fight with Jack or that being around the kids brought back memories from your childhood with your dad, but then I ran into Cory when I got home. I asked him if he knew what was going on with you, but all he talked about was himself and Topanga." She wrapped her arms around Shawn and rested her head against his arm. "I figured you heard it all and that's what has you down. So, I told Cory to give you a break, give us a break."

"You didn't need to do that," he sighed.

"Yes, I did. You certainly weren't going to tell him to back off for just a minute."

"Cory's going through a rough time. He needs me."

"I need you, too. When is the last time we had uninterrupted time together? If I'm not getting called into work, you're at work, or we've had Cory and Topanga at our door. I love them both, but it's beyond old."

"Topanga went to Pittsburgh."

"I know, Cory told me. Then I called Topanga."

"You did?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"I told her the same thing I told Cory, tonight you get a break. If they have anything to say they can try something new and actually say it to each other. You never know, they may find talking directly improves their relationship." She glanced up and found Shawn looking at her. "What?"

"You really told them both to leave me alone for the night," he asked in awe. It was one thing for Naomi to suggest to him that he needed to take time for himself, but she had gone and taken care of it.

"Those weren't my exact words, but yeah. I love you and I know no matter how much this is getting to you you're not going to tell them to leave you out of it because they're your best friends. Someone has to look out for your best interests sometimes."

"And that's your job?"

She was puzzled at the turn this conversation was taking. "I wouldn't say job. That makes it seem like a meaningless obligation. Do you think I've stuck around for four years because I have to, Shawn? I'm here because I want to be, because I love you. Sure it's not perfect and we've had to work through stuff, but we got through it. I can't imagine being happier with anyone else, even if I have to schedule time and remind you to be happy with me." She pulled him close for a gentle kiss. "I'm going to heat up dinner. Knowing you, I'm sure you haven't eaten since breakfast except for maybe a protein bar and a bag of chips."

How did she know that? "Okay." Shawn reached out and grabbed her wrist before she got far. "Nomi, wait."

"What's up?" He didn't respond. He only stared at her. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Naomi loved him. She really, truly loved him. She loved him when he was moody, difficult, and hard to be around. She even loved him when he put their friends ahead of their relationship. She fed him, looked out for him, and tried to make sure he was happy. She's been doing that since they met.

"Shawn, you're making me nervous with the staring."

He pulled her back down beside him on the couch. "You know I love you, right?"

"Now you're really making me nervous. Of course I know you love me. Why are you even asking?"

"I feel like with all the craziness going on with Cory and Topanga I lost sight of what we have."

"I don't understand."

He took a deep breath before continuing. "I've always looked at Cory and Topanga as a sure thing. I mean, they've been together forever and as long as they're together...life made sense, at least I thought so. I thought they were the benchmark, the guide to what I was supposed to be like, what we were supposed to be like as a couple."

"And when you saw the cracks in their foundation it made you afraid that it's inevitable that we're going to follow that same path, because if Cory and Topanga can't make it who can?"

"Hey, eyes on your own paper," he smiled. "Do you pretty much know everything about me?"

"I don't know about everything, but I'm sure I know you as well as you know me. I'd like to know everything, even the parts you still think are still too scarred and damaged for me to see."

Shawn got up and walked across their small living room. He knelt down by his backpack and dug around inside, searching for the little box that has been with him constantly. When he had it in his hands he went back to Naomi. "I don't want to follow anyone else. I want us to be our own benchmark."

It didn't hit Naomi until Shawn was on one knee in front of her. It wasn't that she had completely given up on the idea of marrying Shawn, but like she kept telling her family, it wasn't going to happen until he was ready. "Shawn, are you sure?" She blinked back tears, trying not to get her hopes up in case he changed his mind.

"I've never been more sure about anything. I've been carrying this ring around for a long time, being stupid, and letting other people's problems effect how I live my life. I'm done being stupid. I want to start our lives for real, to hell with everyone else."

Naomi laughed. "I don't think we have to banish everyone to hell." Shawn opened the ring box, revealing a white gold and diamond infinity knot ring. "Then again..."

"So?"

"So... what?"

His stomach dropped. "You're really going to leave me hanging on a limb here? What's your answer?"

"You're going to have to do better with the asking portion than, 'So?'"

"Oh, right." He kissed her hand. "Naomi, will you marry me?"

"Yes, I will," she grinned.

"If you want to think about it that's okay. I can..." He was cut off by Naomi's kiss.

"I said yes," she whispered when they pulled apart a few minutes later.

"You don't need to think?"

"I already did. I'm saying yes. Will you do me one favor, though?"

"Anything."

"When we tell the story of the proposal, can we gloss over the fact that my hair is still wrapped in a towel and I'm wearing my sweats that have a hole in the knee?"

Shawn laughed as he slid the ring on her finger. "Sure."

/

/

"This is so cool," Seth said as Eric showed him the various weather maps and radars on the computer. "Can we check the weather at home?"

"Sure. Let me just pull it up on the radar."

"Whoa," he exclaimed as Eric zeroed in on Austin, "all those colors mean rain, right?"

"Yes, the yellows and reds mean pretty heavy rain and thunderstorms right now."

"Rachel, do you think the dogs are okay? They always get scared of the thunder."

"I'm sure they're fine, Seth. My mom and dad are taking very good care of them." She saw that he was still concerned. "If you want we can call them when we get back to the hotel and check on the dogs, okay?"

"Okay."

"Mommy, daddy, I'm back," Nina announced as she and Angela entered Eric's office. "Did you miss me?"

"Of course we did. Did you behave yourself?"

"Yes, she was fine," Angela said, "though I had no idea bathrooms could be so fascinating."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Yeah, it's a new thing with her. Every place we go she has to check out the bathrooms at least twice. She's amazed every time. I thought it was strange, but then I read it's perfectly normal. So she's not strange, just kids in general- bunch of weirdos."

"Jack!" Rachel hit his arm. "She took off her tutu when she went to the bathroom, right?" She gestured to the tutu Nina had picked out while they were shopping with Amy earlier in the day.

"Yes, I held the tutu and the cape. She said something about being a magic nation ballerina. What does that mean," Angela asked.

Jack and Rachel both smiled. "She can't pronounce magician, so she says magic nation," he explained.

"That's cute now that I know what she's talking about." She winced and rubbed her stomach. "What's up, you feeling a bit jealous, huh? Are other kids stealing your spotlight?"

Eric looked up from the computer. "Something wrong?"

"No, Tadpole is just kicking. I think he or she is taking after daddy, doesn't like not being the center of attention," she grinned.

"Aw, we can't have the baby feeling left out." He walked over to Angela and put his hand next to hers'. "Wow," his eyes widened, "that feels stronger than it did the other day."

"I know."

"Eric, Tim wanted me to give you the preliminary plans for..." Hollie froze in the doorway when she saw him standing there with his hands on Angela's stomach. She heard they were expecting a baby, it was hard to miss working here, but since her department transfer she no longer had to work directly with Eric so the topic was able to be avoided.

"Hollie, you wanted something?" He lightly rubbed Angela's bump, hoping to calm her more than the baby. After all, the last time she and Hollie saw each other it almost came to blows. "Hollie," Eric repeated after she didn't say anything, "what did you want?"

"Oh, um...Tim wanted me to give you the preliminary ideas for the Christmas in July project." She held out the papers in her hand.

"Christmas in July," Angela asked.

"We're doing another gift drive and holiday parties for the shelters in July. If anyone deserves more than one Christmas, it's the kids."

"That's so sweet," she smiled.

"I want it to be Christmas for me, too!" Nina jumped up and down, watching her tutu move.

"Thanks guys," Jack added.

"Jack, Rachel," Hollie exclaimed, not having noticed them before, "you're here."

"Yes, Hol, we're here," Rachel replied, trying to keep a neutral tone in front of Seth and Nina.

She looked back and forth between the two of them and the kids. "Oh, my god, did you guys get approved to adopt? That's wonderful," she said sincerely. "I know how much you wanted that. Congratulations."

"Thank you. Nothing is final yet, we're hopeful though."

"I'll keep my fingers crossed."

"Thanks."

"I like your dress," Nina said to Hollie, filling what had become an awkward silence.

"Well, I like your tutu."

She twirled around the office. "It was a present from Mrs. Amy."

"Eric's mom," Jack supplied.

"That was very nice of her."

"Nina, be careful. This isn't a playground."

"I'm going to. Eric, let me or Tim know if you have any ideas or changes you want to make to the Christmas project."

"I will."

"Jack, Rachel, it was nice to see you again."

"Sure." Rachel put a polite smile on her face, partly for the kids and partly because Hollie did seem to be genuinely happy for them. They had been friends once upon a time.

"Well, good night." Hollie hurried out of the office, averting her eyes to avoid the pictures of himself and Angela Eric hung on the walls. He had even framed the article she had written about him, in one breath declaring him the fourth most eligible bachelor in the city and in the next proclaiming him hers' and off limits, and the photos that accompanied the article. While in the hallway she ran into Vince.

"Hey, baby, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Eric's girlfriend and some other friends are visiting."

"That sounds like a fun party." He rolled his eyes.

"Be nice. Tim will fire or relocate the next person who causes trouble."

"I'm not causing trouble, just glad I'm not stuck in that lame group. Trust me, the last thing I want is to be transferred to a smaller station near my mother. Matthews isn't worth it. I submitted my reports for the news tonight. You want to grab dinner?"

"Sure," she nodded.

"All right. Meet you in your office in ten minutes?"

"Sounds great." On her way to the elevator Hollie stole one more glance down the hallway in the direction of Eric's office. She remembered when she was part of that group. She'd had a good thing going and she blew it.

/

/

"Are you all packed?"

Trish jumped and turned to find her brother standing in the doorway to her bedroom. "You scared me."

"Sorry."

"What do you want?"

"I didn't know if you needed help with anything."

"Help packing? No I'm good."

"It's nice to see some of my training rubbed off on you."

"What do you mean?"

"You're not leaving until the day after tomorrow and look at you, already packed. You're prepared."

"I suppose."

Alvin couldn't help but notice how short she was being with her answers. "Are you still mad at me?"

"What gave it away?" Trish zipped her suitcase, happy she managed to fit everything into one bag. "I don't understand you and the choices you're making now."

"I know, but I'm doing what I think is best for everyone." He sat at the edge of her bed. "Why can't you respect that?"

"You've put me in an impossible situation with Angela, that's why. I'm stuck in the middle and I hate that. I also see you wasting time you could be spending with your daughter when you have no idea how much time you have left. I hate that, too. So, no, you're not my favorite person right now."

"Fair enough." He stood. "Do you need a ride to the airport on Wednesday?"

"No, I'll be fine taking a cab." The last thing Trish wanted was for him to find out she was going to visit Angela now. She was going to tell him when she got home, but Trish didn't need Alvin to try to talk her out of it now. First she had to straighten things out with Angela. Then she would deal with her brother.