Present

"Hey, what are you doing here?" John asked opening the door to his hotel room.

"Bored, wondered if you want to play playstation or something." Randy said shrugging his shoulder.

"Sure." John said holding the door open wide. Eyeing the other man he walked over to the TV to hook up his game system. "What do you want to play?" He asked holding up some games. "Basketball, baseball, wrestling?"

"I don't care." The younger man said throwing himself into a chair. "Basketball's fine."

"So what did you do?" John asked as he inserted the game. He looked up to see Randy studying his hands. "Randy I grew up with you. When ever you act like this you're feeling guilty about something."

Randy frowned at his brother. "Mom and Dad went away this weekend for their anniversary but Becca wants to have this big family dinner on Tuesday." He started.

"I know. She called and told me I have to come." John told him.

"That's the thing. I don't want to go." Randy said dropping his head on the table.

"And that makes you feel bad because their you're parents." John guessed as he studied his younger brother. "I bet I know the reason you don't want to go and it has nothing to do with the parentals. She's going to be there."

"Don't start." Randy warned, getting up to pace.

"You're going to have to talk to her sometime." John warned him.

"Thanks John. You really helped me figure this out." Randy growled before slamming out the door.

"Guess I'm playing by my self." John mused picking up the controller.

Spring 1985

Steve rolled his eyes as his phone rang for the third time in the last half hour. Dallas Page grinned from his position in the passenger seat. "Laura." He said answering the phone. "I told you I would be there. We ran into some traffic."

"I know, I'm sorry. It's just that he keeps asking where you are." Her worried voice came over the line.

"Where's he at right now?" Steve asked as he negotiated a turn.

"They're out on the field warming up. The coach is going to let him play third base today."

"That's great." Steve said excitedly. "He told me he planned to hit the ball out of the park."

"It's tee ball. They can't hit it that far." Laura said dryly.

"He was excited." He answered laughing. "Is everything ready for the party?"

"Uhh, don't remind me of the party. Fifteen six year olds running around screaming. Make sure you're home for that part of the day." She warned in a dangerous voice.

"Don't worry about that. I'm bringing reinforcements."

"Good. Oh no here come the rugrats. Get here soon, please!" She wailed before hanging up.

Steve grinned as he pulled into a parking spot at the park. Getting out the group walked toward the bleachers surrounding the ball field.

"She's over there." Dallas said pointing toward a lone figure surrounded by a dozen red uniforms.

"Should we rescue her?" Steve asked grinning.

"She'll probably kill you if you don't." He said cracking up.

Steve shrugged as they walked up behind the group. They were able to hear snatches of the ongoing conversation as they got closer.

"Laura, when's Steve getting here?" John asked jumping up and down.

Laura held up her hands. "I just talked to him. He'll be here soon."

"I don't think he's really coming." One of the bigger boys sneered. "You're probably making him up."

John's hands balled into fists. "Take that back." He yelled stepping forward.

"John." Laura warned stepping between the two children.

"He called you a liar." John challenged.

"Yes he did and that was very disrespectful." Laura agreed. "But that is no reason to resort to using your fists."

"I think taking away his invitation to the party would be a better punishment." Steve spoke up from the outskirts of the crowd. He grinned as everybody swung in his direction and jaws dropped.

"Steve." John shrieked jumping up and down.

"Hey buddy, did I miss the fun?" He asked.

"Na, just in time." John grinned his approval. His gaze switched to the group gathered behind the big man.

"Everyone, these are some of my friends. This is Dallas Page and his wife Kimberly, and this is Roddy Piper."

After everyone had cheered and greeted the wrestlers Steve looked back at John. "So what do you think? Should we leave him out?"

John watched as the bully's face fell. "Na, he can come as long as he apologizes."

The bully bit his lip as he thought about his options. "I'm sorry Miz Laura for not believing you." He said grudgingly.

"Thank you." She responded seriously.

"Okay, not that that's all settled, how about we play ball?" Steve asked, causing cheers to come up.

Laura waited until all the kids had run off before she approached her husband. "Perfect timing." She said giving him a kiss.

Later in the game.

"He's so serious." Laura murmured as they watched John crouch over third base. He bit his lip as his eyes tracked every movement of the ball.

"He's competitive." Steve murmured, jumping up to yell as John caught the ball in time to tag out the runner for the third out. He smiled wide when John held up the ball and grinned in their direction.

"He's really good." Steve said once he had sat back down.

"He should be, he's constantly throwing the ball through the house. You've had to replace three windows in the last month." She said dryly.

"Yea, but none in the last week. He believed me when I said I would bust his butt if he broke another one." He responded rolling his eyes.

"Um, not exactly." She murmured not meeting his eyes. "I haven't told you about the incident this morning." She winced as he growled. "He was excited and it's his birthday. I told him to consider it a birthday present."

"Well he's still going to get a talking to when he helps me replace the window." He responded sternly. "Tomorrow." He added when she shot him a look.

"Hey, your kid's up to bat." Page said poking his friend in the shoulder.

The pair gave their attention to the game in time to see John take his stance in front of the tee ball stand. Biting his lip he swung his body around, causing the bat to connect with the ball. Dropping the plastic bat he took off running, to the cheers of the crowd. Hitting third base he hesitated for a second unsure whether to continue. At the urging of his couch he took off, leaping into a slide and causing Laura to wince as his body slid over home base. She let out her breath when he jumped up shouting.

"Did you see that Dad?" He yelled jumping on the fence before rushing into the dugout to celebrate with his friends.

Steve waved at him in happy surprise even as he felt Laura stiffen beside him.

"I'm going to need a whole bottle of shout out to clean that uniform." She said giving him a fake smile.

"Laura." Steve began unsure what to say.

Jumping up she waved him off. "I'm going to get something to drink. Does anyone want one?" She asked before jumping off the bleachers.

Sighing Steve looked at his friends for help.

"I'll go talk to her." Kimberly reassured him groaning as she struggled to raise her very pregnant belly off the seat. Carefully she maneuvered her way down the slick metal seats.

Later at the party.

"Hey" Steve said coming up behind his wife. "Did we have enough pizza?" He asked.

"How could we not. I think you bought out the pizzeria." She responded dryly.

Steve shrugged. "Hey, we've learned exactly how much little boys can eat." He sighed when she smiled sadly at him. "Are you going to be okay?" He asked putting his arms around her.

"It was just hard hearing him say that today. He's so much more attached to you." She shrugged the pain away.

"I don't think he meant to say it that way. He just got caught up the spirit of the game." Steve said trying to explain it away.

"I know. But it's not just that. When you're home he wants you to tuck him in. to play ball with him or to take him places."

"There's a reason why he acts like that." He turned her around to face him. "Who was his primary parent before the accident? The one that tucked him in and played with him?"

"His mother."

"Who does he miss the most?"

"His mother."

"And who is going to be the hardest to replace?" He asked raising his eyebrows.

"His mother." She admitted.

'Its instinctive. He doesn't want to be hurt like that again. Just give him a little more time." Steve suggested as they watched him race around the yard.

"Kimberly looks like she's going to pop." Laura said changing the subject.

"Page gets more nervous by the day." Steve said laughing. Turning serious he asked her. "Is it hard being around her, knowing you're never going to experience that?"

"Are you kidding. In my opinion that's the worst part of having a kid. But it does make me think about having another one. There are lets of kids out there that need families."

"Hmmm, another Dennis the menace. I think I need to invest in a window making company." He said causing her to laugh.

"You're impossible." She said breaking his hold. "I'm going to go make sure the cake's ready."

Piper waited until she had walked away before he approached his friend. "Have you told her yet?" He asked.

Steve shrugged. "I don't think today's a good day for it. Too much going on."

"The offer won't stay open for long."

"I know but it's not just about me anymore. I have a family now." He turned to grin at his friend. "Did you see how he hit that ball? He's been talking about playing soccer this summer and then it'll be time for football again and school starts in the fall." Steve shrugged his shoulder. "I'm just not sure he can take another change right now."

"What are you going to do if you pass upon this job? Go back to managing a business? How happy is that going to make either one of you?"