Three hours had gone by when Mary placed her hand on Wilson's knee and squeezed gently.
"You don't have to stay awake," he told her. "The kids already conked out, why shouldn't you?"
"But you've been driving for forever. I feel bad."
"Don't. Go to sleep."
Following Wilson's instructions, Mary rolled over in her seat and quickly fell asleep. She was only awakened two hours later when the car stopped at a rest station. She stirred and looked over to the driver's side to find Wilson smiling at her.
"Yes?" she said.
"Mommy!" Hayley cried when she heard Mary's voice.
"Mommy's going to step outside for a second," Wilson said. "Billy, watch you sister please."
Mary and Wilson stepped out of the car and walked onto the creme colored sidewalk behind the car. He grabbed both of Mary's hands in his and looked into her eyes.
"What?"
"Are you OK?"
"I'm fine," she insisted. "What about you?"
"I'm fine, too, but I have this feeling something is different about you." Mary didn't say anything. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did actually. Still not ready to do this, but I am reenergized."
"That's good," he commented.
"Do you want me to drive?"
"That's OK, I got it. We're only an hour away."
"Was I really asleep for that long?"
Wilson kissed her lips lightly but passionately. "Yes, but I love you anyways."
***
An hour later, Mary, Wilson Billy, and Hayley arrived at the Camden Boarding house, where they would be the newest additions for the night. Mary told Wilson to stay in the car with the kids until she same and said they could come inside. Reluctantly, Wilson obliged.
Mary got out of the car and rang the doorbell of the familiar white house. After a few moments, Lucy answered.
"We're here," Mary said plainly. Lucy smiled widely and attempted to embrace Mary. Mary dodged her arms. "Oh no. Don't think that you can just go and rat me out to Mom and Dad and everything is just going to be OK between us."
"Come on, Mary. It was an accident, and I already apologized to you."
"Ok, fine." Mary finally hugged Lucy.
"So, you got here OK?"
"Yeah, I guess. I kind of slept ninety percent of the way. I feel really bad."
Before Lucy had a chance to question that statement, Annie came in from the kitchen.
"Mary?"
"Hi Mom." Mary's heart jumped to her throat.
"Well, come in," Annie said, the tone of annoyance apparent in her pleasant voice.
Annie brought Mary into the kitchen where Eric was waiting for her. They hugged hello, and Mary sat at the table with her parents. Lucy watched from the hallway. Kevin came up behind her and she signaled for him to be quiet. She had already let Mary down once; she wasn't going to do it again.
"So, how long did it take you to get here?"
"Well, I left early this morning and drove straight through, so a decent amount of time."
"You're closer to Washington, aren't you? That's what Lucy told us."
Mary nodded.
"Anything new?" Annie asked. "I mean, it has been six years since we last saw you."
***
Outside in the car, Hayley was starting to get restless.
"Where is Mommy?"
"Inside."
"Why can't we go inside?" Billy asked.
"Because your mother is afraid of her parents."
"No!" Hayley insisted. "Mommy isn't afraid of anything."
Wilson smiled. "Once she gets things straightened out, we'll be able to go in."
Shortly after Wilson said that, Lucy walked out of the house and towards them. Wilson got out of the car and went up to Lucy, concerned.
"Is everything OK?"
"Um, not exactly."
"Why not?"
"You know your wife is a big baby, right?"
Wilson's eyes went wide. "She still hasn't told them?"
"Nope, and things are getting pretty nasty. I think you should go in now."
"Are you sure?"
"You don't want them yelling at her, do you?"
"Not without me there," Wilson responded. He opened the door to the car. "Come on kids, let's go."
A/N: Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews. I hope this cleared up the Lucy thing; some of you seemed to be lost about that. If you didn't figure it out, Mary has not seen her parents for 6 years- she ran away kind of. Lucy told Annie and Eric about Mary accidentally, and that is why they are making this trip and Mary is so angry with Lucy.
Thanks for all the reviews. Please continue to give me feedback.