Jeff wasn't too keen on having a big wedding and he knew that Ginny wasn't either, but considering that they had eloped it was only fair that her parents have the chance to see their only child get married. It was why he insisted that they have the Nuptial Mass.

But he had to admit that he was doing it for his mother too because Hank wasn't able to have one. Sarah hadn't been Catholic and it wasn't possible so because of that his older brother had to be content with a simple wedding ceremony at Saint Matthew's.

Hank was back home the night before Jeff's wedding as well as Mom, Al and Michael. The house was full with them and Linda. Charlie had bugged out for an evening with Gina because he wanted the Metcalf's to have the time to themselves but promised that he would be home later.

Ginger had gone to her parent's house because her mother insisted that it was bad luck for Jeff to see her before their wedding day. She told Jeff, as she packed her overnight bag that she tried to explain to her mother that it wasn't the same because they were already married. But her mother wouldn't budge and Jeff had to be content with giving her a passionate goodnight kiss before he drove her to her parents.

When he came back, it was almost like stepping back into time. Hank was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper while Linda helped their mother with dinner.

In spite of the long drive that brought Ann Metcalf Kahn back from New Jersey, she insisted on giving her family a home cooked meal. She stood in the doorway of the kitchen as she wiped her hands on a dishtowel and announced that dinner was ready.

"I've missed being able to cook in my own kitchen." She said and that got a glance from Al as he fed the baby and Jeff saw her shoot back a stern look. "I grew up in this house and raised my oldest children here so don't give me that disapproving look Al Kahn."

He saw Hank try to hide a grin from behind the front page and Jeff himself tried not to laugh. He knew how much his mother loved Al, but it didn't mean that she would ever change who she was for him..

The family sat down and after saying Grace dug into dinner. As good a cook as Ginger was Jeff had to admit that even her meals couldn't top Mom's.

Because their time together would be so short there seemed to be a silent agreement that nothing would be said about Unions, Sloan Industries or what happened to Sarah. So instead, the meal itself and the rest of the evening was filled with talk of Hank's time overseas, his job in Chicago and how the winter's there were going to take some time getting used to. Mom talked about how different it was in New Jersey and how she was glad that they were given the chance to come back to Ohio so that Michael could have the chance to be with his family.

Jeff couldn't help but notice that while Hank couldn't seem to take his eyes off of his young stepbrother he kept his distance. Al asked the oldest Metcalf earlier in the evening if he wanted to hold the baby but he'd refused. But their mother must have noticed it too because without warning she handed Michael to him.

"It was a long drive and Al and I are going to take a walk to stretch our legs. So if you would change Michael if he needs it and put him to bed I would appreciate it. His crib is in our room and the changing table is up there too if you need it. We'll be back later."

"If he starts to get fussy sing the Lemo Tomato Juice song, it puts him out like a light." Al added as he followed Ann to the side door.

"Lemo?" Hank looked confused as he cradled the baby in the crook of his arm.

"Linda and Jeff can explain it." He said as he opened the door and waited for his wife to precede him and then closed it behind him.

"Lemo?" He asked again.

"It's a long story." Linda smiled. "You sure look like you know what you're doing big brother."

"And I think he likes you." Jeff grinned as Michael reached up a small hand toward Hank's face and a look came over his brother's face that wiped the smile off of his face.

"We decided to wait until after she was teaching for awhile before we had kids." He explained. "She was so close to getting her degree and we thought that after a year or so we could start trying."

"Hank, you shouldn't be by yourself. Sarah wouldn't want that for you." Linda's voice was gentle.

"I'd still have her if it weren't for that damn union!" He rasped angrily. "We'd still be living up in our room and she would still be going to school!"

"Take it easy Hank, you're going to scare Michael." Jeff cautioned.

It didn't matter because he seemed perfectly content in Hank's arms. His gaze was steady on his older brother as he glanced down at the young life he held. "I would never scare him Jeff. He's an innocent little guy and I am still angry but none of it's his fault."

"It's my fault." Linda apologized. "I should have known better than to mention her."

Hank looked at his younger sister and sighed. To Jeff it looked as though he wanted to tell her that it was all right but couldn't quite bring himself to do it. "He looks like he's ready to hit the sack, so I'm going to take him upstairs and then go to bed."

"Hank, take my bed. I can sleep on the rollaway tonight." Jeff told him.

Hank stopped at the foot of the stairs,turned around and he had a grin on his face. "You're getting married tomorrow little brother, so you take the bed."

"Please take it. The rollaway isn't so bad and the fact of the matter is I don't want to sleep in that bed by myself."

Hank nodded just before he headed up the stairs. "I understand that feeling. All right, you take the rollaway."

Jeff watched him go upstairs and let out a sigh of his own. "I'm sure glad he's here, but I don't know how glad he is."

"He's been away for almost a year Jeff. It's got to be a little strange for him to walk back into this house and have it be so much the same as it was when he left." Linda told him as he felt a gentle hand on his arm. "But now that he's been back, maybe he'll start coming home more often."

"I sure would like that."

"So would I, I've missed him around here." She answered in agreement before she tugged on his arm. "It's going to be awhile before Mother and Al come home so why don't you help me clean up the kitchen?"

"I'll help you but I just want to check on Hank, just to make sure he's okay."

"All right, just don't take too long." Linda looked dubious but nodded and Jeff headed up the stairs.

He found his older brother standing at the changing table with his youngest brother as his diaper was changed. He dropped the soiled cloth into the diaper pail and closed the lid. "I don't know what they gave you for dinner kid, but it sure didn't agree with you."

Jeff heard the amusement in Hank's voice as his brother picked up a clean diaper and folded it into a triangle. He gently picked the baby up enough to get it under his small bottom and proceeded to pin the folds together. He found a clean sleeper and after tucking Michael's small arms and legs into it, snapped it closed.

Hank took the baby into his arms and headed to the rocker. It was then that he saw Jeff and he smiled. "What are you doing here Jeff?"

"You're my brother and I worry about you, so sue me." He said and knew he sounded defensive.

"I would never hurt him, you should know that." Hank sounded just as defensive.

"That's not what I meant and you should know that. You were avoiding him all night until Mom gave him to you." Jeff sighed. "It's okay to love him Hank he is our brother."

"Mom really loves Al doesn't she?" He asked as he sat down gingerly in the rocker with Michael and began to rock back and forth. "And he really loves her too."

"I would never have thought before he came to live here how right they are for each other. But after she got polio he tried to take care of Michael and visit her at Saint Ann's. I saw how scared he was when he worried she might die and that Michael might get sick too. He's been swell to her Hank and he loves Michael."

"It's just that if he hadn't come here Sarah would still be alive."

"Probably, but if he hadn't come Mom wouldn't have him or Michael and she'd still be alone." He reasoned.

"Everything happens for a reason." Hank nodded.

"That's it."

He smiled again. "We're okay here Jeff so stop worrying. You've got a wedding to get through tomorrow."

"I'm glad you're here Hank. It wouldn't have been the same without you." Jeff smiled back.

"I wouldn't have missed it Slugger. It's not every day a guy's younger brother gets married."

His smile got wider. "Never mind that we already are."

"But Mom didn't get to see it, so it doesn't count." Hank's laughter was gentle.

"Ginny's mother feels the same way. Well, I'll leave you two alone because Linda asked me to help her clean up the kitchen before Mom and Al got back."

"As soon as he falls asleep I'll meet you down there."

"You don't need to do that."

He shook his head. "It's been a long time since we've had to clean up the kitchen together and I never thought I'd miss it. So give me a few minutes and I'll be down to help."

Jeff shrugged. "Okay. Who ever heard of a guy trying to do housework?"

"Get out of here will you or this one here will never get to sleep."

"Sure thing. I'll see you downstairs." He walked to the doorway and turned for a moment to see that Michael had grabbed Hank's index finger and was laughing. What ever the problems were that he might still have with Al, it wasn't going to affect his growing relationship with the smallest member of their family.

Jeff turned back and walked down the stairs and met Linda at the dining table. She was clearing the last of the dishes off the table and he took them off her hands. He carried them into the kitchen and told her that Hank would be down to help as soon as Michael was asleep.

Linda was incredulous. "He's going to help, without being asked?"

"That's what he said."

"Will wonders never cease." She commented as Jeff turned on the water and began to pile the dishes in the sink.