"Chicago! This is Chicago!" The porter called as he walked through the packed passenger car. "End of the line folks!"

His eyes were open and Jeff tried to wake up and remember where in the heck he was. It didn't take him long to figure it out because Ginger's head was on his shoulder and she was sound asleep.

"Ginger, you need to wake up. We're in Chicago." Jeff took her hand and squeezed it.

"I'm so tired." She said as she opened her eyes and sat up.

"I know, but if Hank comes through for us we'll have a place to sleep on the way to Wichita."

She smiled at him. "This is some honeymoon buster."

"If you'd waited for me to come home we could have gotten married at Saint Matthew's like we'd planned and had a real honeymoon." He told her as he stood up and held his hand out to her, which she took and stood up. "I promise that as soon as I get back to the majors, I'll take you on a real honeymoon anywhere you want to go."

They walked up the aisle toward the exit door and she smiled at him. "I want the honeymoon we were supposed to have."

That stopped him in his tracks and he smiled. "You mean Lake Ichiwana, champagne and candlelight?"

"And Bing Crosby, no phones, no mail or neighbors, remember?" She said and her cheeks reddened.

Jeff grasped her hand firmly. "I remember. Lake Ichiwana it is."

"Thank you." And she leaned up and kissed his cheek.

When they stepped off the train, Hank was there waiting and the look of surprise on his face was something that Jeff would never forget. "Now I understand." Hank said with a smile as he grabbed Jeff and hugged him. "Congratulations slugger."

When his brother let him go Jeff took Ginger's hand and smiled. "We got married before we left."

Hank laughed and put his arms around his new sister-in-law and hugged her. "The last I heard you were engaged to someone else." He let her go and smiled.

"I was, but your brother was very persuasive." Ginger said and put her arms around Jeff.

"Sarah and I always hoped you'd get married." Hank told them as a shadow of sadness crossed his face. "She'd be as happy about this as I am."

"I can't take the credit for it." Jeff told his older brother. "Ginger showed up at the station with Father Dreher and that was it."

Hank laughed. "He actually agreed to do it?"

"Ginger can be very persuasive." Jeff smiled at his new bride.

"Does anyone know?"

Jeff looked at Ginger. "Did you tell your parents what you were doing?"

"They weren't home and I didn't have a lot of time to get dressed and persuade Father Dreher to marry us, so I left them a note."

Hank looked concerned. "You should call so they won't worry."

"He's right Ginger. They should know where you are." Jeff agreed. "Why don't you call your mother while Hank and I get the suitcases." And he pulled a nickel out of his trouser pocket and handed it to her before she headed to a line of telephone booths nearby.

"So how is everything at home?" Hank asked as they walked to the baggage claim. "How are Mom and Linda?"

"Mom is fine and getting stronger every day and Linda seems to like her job at the newspaper."

"Al called to tell me about it and I really wanted to come, but you were all quarantined." He seemed to feel the need to explain his absence.

Jeff nodded. "It's all right, Mom understood. She worried most about Michael because he's so little."

Hank frowned slightly at the mention of his baby stepbrother. "How is he?"

"He's a baby Hank, how do I know?"

He didn't seem to know how to ask because he sighed. "Jeff, is Mom happy?"

"I've never seen her happier. Now, I know you don't like Al and maybe you have reason not to, but he really loves Mom and he loves Michael."

Hank nodded. "Is he a good father?"

"He really is." Jeff tried to reassure him. "Why don't you come home and see for yourself?"

When his brother seemed to object Jeff stopped him. "I don't mean for good, but just to see Linda and Mom and to meet our new brother."

"Mom's sent me a couple of pictures of him and he does look happy. But as far as coming home, I don't think I want to do that."

Jeff frowned. "Not even for a visit?"

He shook his head. "I'm sorry Jeff, I can't do it just yet."

"It's all right Hank, I understand."

Hank seemed to shake himself out of his sorrowful mood and smiled. "Wichita Kansas is an odd place for a honeymoon."

"I got another shot." He said with a smile. "But before I can get back into the lineup, I'm being sent to the minors for a little while. Ginger and I were supposed to get married later today, but Coach called with the news and I had to get on a train so I can play tonight. She didn't want to wait and here we are."

"That's great news." Hank smiled at him.

Ginger returned and walked with them as she explained that Father Dreher had stopped by to talk to her parents on his way back to the priest house. He had told them what Ginger had done and where she was. "I told them I'd be home on Thursday because I had to be back for the Fine Foods Family Hour."

"No more Lemo Tomato Juice?" Hank asked her.

"Mr. Melon told me that Mr. Lemo decided to go with a new Lemo girl for his orange juice and I was too identifiable." She said in a matter of fact way. "I needed to keep my job at the station so I came up with the idea of being a housewife's helper, so to speak and Mr. Melon went for it."

"And she's doing a swell job too." Jeff smiled at her with pride. "Mr. Melon doesn't realize what a peach she really is."

"All Mr. Melon sees is the bottom dollar." She chimed in. "I may have to threaten to quit again to get another raise."

Jeff looked at his watch before he looked at Ginger. "We've got about an hour before our train leaves. Are you hungry?"

She shook her head. "I just want to sleep."

"I was able to get the last available roomette." Hank told her. "So at least you won't have to spend the rest of your wedding night sitting up. And don't worry about your suitcases, the porter said he'd put them in your room."

Jeff stuck his hand out. "I knew you'd come through. Thanks."

Hank grasped his hand and smiled. "It was luck."

"It's not luck Hank…"

"It's providence." They both finished together.

"That's what Mom always said." Hank shook his head and stopped. "Since your suitcases are taken care of, why don't you let me buy you a cup of coffee and something to eat? It won't be Mrs. Davis's apple cobbler, but it's the least I can do for you."

"That would be swell." Jeff said as he took Ginger's hand and they followed Hank out of the station.