A Visit From Mom (May, 2000)

Jennifer raised one finely plucked eyebrow at her three year old son, who was busy in his high chair eating spaghetti. She laughed and shook her head as noodles dripped down his front. Michael was in Warren County for his yearly physical, and wouldn't be back for another three hours, so it was just her and the baby.

She finished the dishes, her last chore for the day and turned back to see Jacob had dumped the rest of the bowl of stain inducers all over his head and the white linoleum floor. She covered a giggle and went to his with a rag, wiping off his head, then getting the mess off the floor so it wouldn't stain. She chuckled. "That really isn't your color, darling."

He giggled and clapped his little chubby hands. "Oopsy."

She laughed and lifted him from his chair. "Come on, let's go change your clothes."

"Ok Mommy." She took him up the stairs and changed him, then brought him back down with a blanket and some toys. She took him out front to the lawn and laid the blanket out, set him on it and surrounded him with the stuffed animals and toy cars. She sat by him, admiring how the neighbors stared at her, and curiously watched one SUV come down the street, and felt her heart jump as it stopped in front of the house.

But a knowing smile curved her lips, she knew this car, almost better than her own even though she'd only seen it once. The twenty one year old (chapter six had a boo-boo, she was only 18 then) stood and crossed her arms over herself as the passenger side opened. Will Brennan stepped out with a smile, the back opened to reveal John and Molly, and lastly Laurie came around from the driver's seat. Jennifer's smile widened and she ran to her mother, nearly knocking her over. Laurie laughed at her. "Now, now. We're all Myers here, but let's not get too brutally strong."

She laughed. "Hi Will."

"Jenni," they embraced somewhat awkwardly. She moved to her brother.

"Hey Johnny-boy!" She hugged him and he chuckled. "You're not that old Jen." She and Molly hugged and Laurie noticed Jacob.

"Hey!" She called to him, and tried not to smile as he finally noticed past his barrier of fun. "Where's Grandma's hug?"

He grinned and stood, Laurie stooped with her arms spread wide and he ran into them. She stood with the little boy, laughing and rubbing noses. "You're huge Jakey! Let Grandma catch up with you!"

Jennifer laughed as she watched them, still standing by Molly when she remembered something. "Hold on out here guys, watch Jake for me, I'll be right back." She ran inside and up the stairs, grabbed a box from her room and then ran back down the stairs and outside. "I come bearing gifts."

She dug in and withdrew a smaller, neatly tied box, which she handed to Molly. "Here ya go, this is for both of you."

She dug some more. "This is for just John." She moved to Will. "For you." To her mother. "And this one's for you, this one for the two of you."

Molly opened the box and sighed. "Oh Jen, that was so sweet! Look John!"

Jennifer smiled. "Michael and I have one too, it's a memory book. For pictures from your wedding and when babies are born, first steps, graduations, etc." She nudged John. "Go ahead, open it."

He did, and began to laugh and showed everyone. "It's a VHS labeled bachelor party."

She smiled. "Believe me, once you're married, you'll want to watch that over and over. Feel lucky, Michael didn't have a bachelor party."

Will opened his. "A computer program? What is it?"

"WordPerfect 10. It's an awesome program, I use it at work. You can write papers or make calenders, spreadsheets, professional letters. It rocks."

"Thanks Jen!"

She smiled at her mother. "Yours first, come on."

Laurie slowly opened it and breathed very slowly as she saw what was in it. It was an old, old picture of her parents, Judy on their left, Michael on their right, and in Michael's arms a newborn Laurie, he smiled giddily in it. Her mother's teary eyes met hers. "Where did you get this?"

"Please Mom, I live in the house it was taken in! When the curse is over I want to have another done like it, with all of us and Michael. They can go next to each other."

Laurie hugged her and Jennifer smiled warmly as she returned it. "Ok, open the other one."

Laurie did so, almost nervously and began to laugh. It was a gift certificate to an office supplies store.

"What is it for?"

Jennifer grinned. "Well, what with the two of you being married and all, and him being a guidance counselor, I figured when you had to talk it might be kinda fun in a kinky sort of way if you had a little shrinks couch."

Both laughed and John grimaced. "Oh gross big sis, I don't need that image in my head."

"Oh grow up and join us John." She joked lightly, nearly freezing as she spotted the familiar van up the street. "Um," she tapped her Mother and lightly whispered. "They're up the street, maybe you'd better scram." My God my grammar sycks

Laurie nodded and sighed. "Well guys, we'd better go, leave Mommy dearest and all."

John chuckled and hugged her. "Thanks kid, we'll get together soon."

She smiled lightly. "Yeah.. Yeah sure..." She hugged Molly, then Will and Laurie.

"Take care." Her mother whispered, then got into the car and drove off. Jennifer shook her head and lifted Jake into her arms, watching as the van moved down the street and pulled into the backyard where Michael couldn't be spotted. She felt her stomach twist and went inside, waiting very uneagerly for Michael to come in through the back, and was surprised when Wynn accompanied him.

"What the hell were you thinking!? Having people over, you could have just put all of us at risk!"

She shook her head. "My mother wouldn't do that! You damn well know that!"

Wynn glared ferociously as Michael stood silently behind him. "Are you forgetting the only reason you're here is to hurt her? I could have killed you Jen, don't forget that."

She felt hot tears pour from her eyes. "Did it ever occur to you that maybe seeing me happy kills her? That seeing me happy with MICHAEL kills her?"

Wynn's eyes fell. "So, you think this hurts her more?"

Jennifer shifted her grip on Jacob. "I'm going to go put him down." Her voice was smooth and authoritative. She silently ventured up the stairs and laid him down with a gentle kiss to his cheek.

She made her way back down and found them exactly where she had left them, only each were leaning against the doorway. She bit her lip and crossed her arms nervously. "Listen Dad, I'm sorry, but you know I never really had a family, now that I have that I don't want to give it up."

Wynn sighed. "I know, but you cant put us in danger like this, if you must meet your Mother, do it away from here. And I'd rather you not take Jacob."

Her light smile faded. "But... he's her grandson!"

Wynn smiled cynically. "And her nephew."

She shrugged and nodded. "I see, all right. You'd better go, bye Dad."

She nodded and to her complete surprise he came forward and kissed her cheek. "This is all for you."

As he went out she shook her head, not even bothering to turn to Michael, she just watched him fighting tears. No, it's all for Michael.

Mwa ha ha. Landmark- Tenth chapter, must cross fingers and hope it continues this smoothly.

God I love this story.

Review please! Ideas are welcome! Sometimes yours are better than mine.

SA