A/N: You know what I would really like in my review box? James Denton...LOL
"Really? That's great, Grandma," Julie said into the phone as Susan stood by, mortified. "Ok, we'll see you soon. Bye," she finished, hanging up the phone. Susan turned to her daughter with a pained expression on her face.
"Why didn't I like the sound of that conversation?" she asked, glancing at Mike, who was leaning against the counter, smirking.
"Grandma's coming to visit," Julie explained. "She says she has some big news for you."
"What a coincidence, Susan. You have some news for her as well," Mike chuckled.
"You be quiet," Susan said, glaring at him. "She hasn't spoken to me since I refused to let her move in. Is it so horrible that I don't want to tell her I'm pregnant?" she asked, then turned to Mike again. "Don't say a word," she warned. He raised his hands in the air and shrugged, saying nothing.
"Well, you'd better figure out what you're going to tell her," Julie said. "Because she's only about 10 minutes away." Mike made a face and immediately walked to the front door.
"Where do you think you're going? I'm not telling her this alone," Susan said, following him.
"I'm going to move my car," he said, walking outside.
"Very funny."
"I'll be right back," he said over his shoulder.
"You'd better be!" Susan groaned, then turned back to Julie. "She's only 10 minutes away?"
"That's what she said, but with the way she drives, it's probably more like 3 minutes," she laughed. Susan began muttering to herself and pacing nervously. A few minutes later she heard a car pull up in front of her house, and Sophie Bremmer climbed out, waving to Susan.
"Hi, Suzie!" she called. Susan groaned again.
"Where is Mike?" she hissed, looking out at his house. "I'll kill him if he leaves me to do this alone."
"He'll come, Mom, relax," Julie suggested as she opened the door for her grandmother. "Grandma, hi!"
"Hi, Julie, sweetie. Hey, Suzie, give your mom a hug, because she's done something really fantastic for you," Sophie said, pulling Susan into her arms. Susan kept her eyes on Mike's house across the street, waiting for him to come out.
"Well, it's going to have to wait, Mom, because I have to tell you something," she sighed, pulling away.
"What is it, Susan?"
"Well, Mom, you see…" she began nervously, then lost her nerve. She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Mike coming in through the front door.
"Sorry," he called. "Bongo needed to be let outside," he explained. Susan smiled gratefully and pulled him to stand next to her. Her mother's eyes widened.
"Mike? You're back with Mike? Why didn't you tell me?" she squealed, immediately pulling Mike into a hug.
"Because I had other things going on, Mom, I'm trying to tell you something here," Susan sighed, trying to recapture Sophie's attention.
"Ok, Susan, I'm listening, go ahead." Susan turned to Mike, who smiled softly and squeezed her hand. She smiled back nervously and took a deep breath.
"I'm pregnant," she blurted out.
"You're pregnant?" Sophie squealed, grinning. "That's fantastic, sweetie! Who's the father?" Susan, Mike, and Julie all looked at Sophie as if she had two heads.
"Mike is, Mom, try to stay with me here," Susan muttered, shaking her head.
"Well that is just great, Suzie, I'm really happy for you, and you as well, Mike."
"Thanks," Mike said smiling.
"So how far along are you?"
"About 8 weeks. We actually have my 8-week check-up tomorrow," Susan explained. Sophie frowned.
"You've known you were pregnant for weeks and you didn't tell me?" she asked, hurt.
"We weren't exactly on the best of terms, Mom. I planned on telling you ," Susan sighed.
"Well, it doesn't matter, this is still great news. You and Mike back together, and you're having a baby together, and oh dear…" Sophie trailed off, frowning.
"Why doesn't that sound good?"
"Well, remember when I said I had something to tell you?"
"Oh yeah, what was that?"
"Well, Suzie, sweetie, I sort of set up a date for you," Sophie revealed, looking nervous.
"You what!" Susan asked, upset. Even Julie looked angry, and Mike was turning red. "Mom, how could you do that? I told you several times I didn't want you setting me up with anyone!"
"I only did it because I love you, sweetheart, and this guy seemed so nice. I had no way of knowing you were back with Mike, or I wouldn't have done it."
"Thanks, Mom, this is just great. When am I supposed to go on this 'date?'"
"Tonight, at 7:00," Sophie admitted, cowering slightly. "He's coming here to pick you up."
"Unbelievable," Susan shouted, headingup the stairs. "When this guy comes tonight, you are going to tell him why I'm not going out with him." A moment later her door slammed, and Mike immediately jogged up the stairs after her. Sophie sat down at the kitchen table and put her head in her hands, while Julie too went up to check on her mother.
When 7:00 finally rolled around, Susan was still not speaking to her mother. The house was very tense as she, Sophie and Mike all sat in the living room, waiting for Susan's blind date to arrive. Sophie had suggested foolishly that Susan just have dinner with the man to humor him, but Mike had immediately and adamantly shot that idea down. Finally at 7:03 they heard a knock at the door. Sophie sighed and rose to answer the door, but Mike stopped her.
"Oh no, please allow me," he said, heading to the door. "I so rarely get to have fun." Susan smirked and turned to her mother.
"Yes, Mom, why don't you let Mike handle this, after all, it is his girlfriend this guy is here to take out," she agreed, and nodded at Mike. "Just don't hurt him, baby." Mike winked at her, then went to open the door. He immediately frowned at the man before him. He was dressed in a suit and tie, holding flowers, and smiling, but his smile faded slightly when he saw the look on Mike's face.
"Uh, hi. I'm here to pick up Susan Mayer? I'm Ben Genson." he said, smiling again.
"Mike Delfino," Mike said shortly, his glare darkening.
"Oh, are you Susan's brother?" Ben asked hopefully.
"Susan's boyfriend," Mike corrected, and Ben cowered before him. "I think there's been a misunderstanding here, Ben. Why don't you come inside and we'll sort it out," he continued, enjoying the fear on Ben's face too much.
"Um, no, that won't be necessary, Mr. Delfino, sir," Ben said, visibly shaking.
"No, I insist. I know that Sophie Bremmer would like to clear up this misunderstanding personally. I believe it was she who arranged this date for you?"
"Yes, it was, but-"
"Ok, then, come on in," Mike interrupted, and steered him into the living room. Susan smirked at Mike when she saw Ben cowering next to him, then stood up and smiled thinly.
"Hi, I'm Susan Mayer," she said. "I believe my mother said I'd go out with you tonight?"
"Um, yes. I'm Ben Genson," he replied.
"I'm so sorry about this, Ben," Sophie said, standing up as well. "I had no idea Susan had gotten back together with her ex-boyfriend. I'm afraid this whole situation is my fault," she explained, and Mike and Susan nodded their agreement.
"Right, I understand. I should probably go then," Ben suggested, inching towards the door.
"Yeah, you probably should," Mike said, glaring again. Susan nudged him, then pressed her face into his shoulder briefly to hide her smile. After a moment, the straightened and looked at Ben.
"I'm sorry about all this," she said.
"It's really no problem. It was nice meeting you anyway," Ben replied, then let himself out. Susan and Mike collectively sighed, then Susan turned to her mother.
"I didn't mean any harm," Sophie said. "I was just trying to help."
"I know you were, Mom. And there was no harm done, so it's alright," Susan replied.
"I would've liked to have harmed that guy," Mike said, frowning. Susan nudged him again.
"Behave," she said.
"Well, I should probably be going," Sophie sighed. "I think I've worn out my welcome."
"Yeah, that might be for the best, Mom. We do have to go to the doctor tomorrow. But I'll call you," Susan promised, walking her mother out to her car. A few minutes later Susan came back inside and collapsed next to Mike on the couch. He sighed wrapped his arm around her. "Would you really have beaten that poor guy up?" she asked, curling into his side.
"Hell yes," he muttered, and Susan laughed and kissed his cheek.
"That's my guy."
TBC...
Boone
