Alex's driveway was already full when Mort arrived at her home for Julia's party, so he parked on the street.  He pulled down the visor in front of him and looked at his reflection.  He'd done his best to tame his usually unruly locks, despite the fact that Alex liked his disheveled look.  He felt that he had to impress Tristan's parents the best that he could – after all, he had been spending a significant amount of time with their granddaughter.

Mort looked to his right and smiled.  In the passenger's seat was a large, white teddy bear.  It was almost twice the size of Julia herself, but when he saw it, he couldn't resist.  I'm such a sucker for that little girl.

Not to mention her mother.  What are you waiting for?  Go in.  You're going to be fine.

Mort took a deep breath and got out of the car, then walked to the other side to get the bear.  I just have to be myself.  He made it to the front door and rang the bell.  Usually, he couldn't wait for the white door to open, but today…he wished it would have stayed shut just a moment longer.  It opened.

An older gentleman stood before Mort and he knew right away that this was Tristan's father.  Alex had, of course, shown Mort pictures of her late husband – he looked very much like his father. 

"Hello," he said with a smile.  "By the looks of that bear, I'd say you were here for a certain party."  The man had a very faint, but still noticeable southern accent.

You're fine.  Relax.

"Yes, sir," Mort replied, smiling the best he could at the moment.  "I'm a…"  Boyfriend?  No, maybe not the best thing to start out with.  "…a friend of Alex's."

"Well, come on in, son," the man said, his blue eyes sparkling.  "I'm Ed Liedy, Alex's father-in-law."

Mort set the bear down for a moment and reached to shake Ed's hand.  "Morton Rainey," he said politely.

"Morton Rainey?  The author, Morton Rainey?"

"Yes, sir, that's me."

Ed's smile grew wider.  "Well, how d'ya like that?  A celebrity at my granddaughter's birthday party."

Mort shrugged.  "Hardly a celebrity, sir."

"Callin' me sir makes me think you're a waiter or somethin' – please, call me Ed."

"Will do." 

"Mort!"  He breathed a small sigh of relief as Alex approached him.  She hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek.  He blushed a bit, seeing as Ed was still standing there.  After Alex released him, she said, "I see you've met Ed."  He nodded.

"Alex, you didn't tell us that you knew someone famous," Ed said, chuckling.

"I guess I just tend to think of him as plain old Mort," she laughed.  She looked at Mort and smiled.  "Is that O.K.?"

"I like it better that way," he said, smiling back at her.  "Where's the birthday girl?  I have a little something for her."

Alex looked down.  "A little something?  Mort, that's bigger than she is."  Mort winked and went off in search of Julia, the oversized teddy bear in his arms.  After he'd gone, Alex looked at Ed.  "What do you think?"

"Certainly is a modest fella," Ed answered.

"Yeah, he never wrote for the money or anything, just for the sake of doing it."

"He said he's a 'friend' of yours, Alex."  He winked.  "I suspect he might be more than that?"

Alex blushed and looked at her feet for a moment.  "We've been seeing each other for almost three months."

Ed put his hand under Alex's chin.  "I hope you don't feel badly about that, darlin'."

"I…I don't."

"Good."  Ed pulled her into a hug.  "You shouldn't be alone, darlin', nobody should."  After a moment, they both went back to the party. 

There were several children of different ages, sons and daughters of Alex's friends.  There were also a few children around Julia's age trying to toddle about in the busy house.  When Alex found Mort, he was on the floor with Julia.  She was laughing as she tried to get her arms around her gift.  Mort had a smile on his face that caused Alex's heart to melt.  She felt herself begin to cry.

Karen appeared by Alex's side.  "Hey, are you O.K.?"

Alex nodded, biting her lower lip.  "Look at him, Karen, he's so good with her."

"As he's been for the past couple of months – though today he looks especially fatherly."

"Fatherly?  Who said anything about fatherly?"

Karen turned her sister to face her.  "You see it too, otherwise you wouldn't be crying."

"I love him," Alex blurted.

"Yeah?" Karen said, sounding a bit unsure.

"Yeah.  That's the first time I've said that out loud."

Karen smiled widely.  "That's a good thing, right?"

"It scares the hell out of me, but…yeah, it's a good thing."

"Are you going to let him in on it?"

"You mean I have to say it to his face?" Alex asked, her voice shaking.

"That's the way these things work, hon.  I hope you're not worried about him feeling differently about you.  He'd hardly be down there on the floor if that were the case."

Alex turned back to Mort and Julia.  Julia found her way onto Mort's lap, but still had one hand attached to the bear.  "Tonight," she said softly.  "I'll tell him after everyone goes."

"I'm happy for you, Alex."  Karen winked.  "Don't worry about playing hostess, I'll cover for you."

"Thanks."  Alex joined Mort and Julia on the floor.  They looked like a family and everyone in that house shared the opinion.

Mort met Sarah, Tristan's mother, and, Mort being more relaxed, the two hit it off.  The afternoon was a blur of conversation, food, and laughter.  As much as Alex hated to see it end, she wanted to be alone with Mort more.

Steven, Karen, and Mort cleaned up while Alex walked Ed and Sarah out to their car.  Alex wished that they lived closer, but their home was two hours away from their granddaughter.  They had a bit of a ride ahead of them and Alex wanted to make sure they were on their way while there was still some daylight.

"I'm so glad the two of you came," Alex said, hugging Sarah.

"Wouldn't have missed it, sweetheart," Sarah replied.  "You've found someone pretty special, haven't you?"

Alex's voice was soft.  "I think so."

"Tristan would've liked him," Sarah said surely.  "Who knows, maybe that's why you found him."

Alex smiled.  "Maybe.  Be safe, all right?"

"We will, darlin'," Ed said, hugging Alex.  "You have yourself a good night and we'll talk to you soon."

"Julia and I love you both."

"We love you too, sweetie," Sarah answered.  "Go in inside, it's getting cold out here."

"All right," Alex said sweetly.  "Buh bye."

"Bye, darlin'." 

Alex turned and went back inside.  The house was almost back to its original state.  "Thank you so much, guys," she said to Karen and Steven.

"No problem, Alex," Steven said.  "Just remember us when we have one of these at our place."

"Well, as soon as you give me a niece or nephew, I will," Alex joked.  "Where'd my birthday girl go?"

"Wait 'till you see," Karen said, smiling.  She walked Alex into the living room and nodded her head toward the floor.  Julia was curled up on the giant bear, fast asleep.  Mort was next to her, gently rubbing her back.  "And if you don't tell him," Karen whispered, "I will."