When Maryanne was five months pregnant, her family flew out to visit.
"Look at you," Marie said, "you look beautiful."
"Thanks, ma," Maryanne smiled.
"We're actually heading to the doctor," Richard said.
"Yeah, we're going to find out the gender," Maryanne added.
"I can't wait for you to tell us when you get back," Marie said excitedly.
"You're not going to insist on coming?" Maryanne asked confused.
"No, this is a special moment between you and your husband." Everyone stood there confused and shocked. Maryanne and Richard left for their appointment.
After, Richard arrived home alone. "Where's Maryanne?" Marie asked.
"I dropped her off at Cybill's. She needed to talk to her. I'd give them an hour and then you can probably head over."
"Is something wrong with the baby?" Debra asked.
"No, she's just overwhelmed."
Two hours later, the Barone family arrived at Cybill's.
"Now, she's with the chocolate cake. Don't ask for any, don't make jokes about it, and don't try to take some. I have a scar on my hand where she stabbed me with a fork when I tried to get some."
"I feel like I'm in more danger now than I am on duty," Robert said.
"You are," Cybill replied before leading everyone to the kitchen.
"What are you all doing here?" Maryanne asked.
"Well, we came to check on you," Amy said.
"Yeah, Richard said you were overwhelmed," Marie added, "everything alright, Maryanne?"
"I guess I should tell you," Maryanne said before finishing the cake. She walked over to her family, "we're having a girl."
Everyone was excited. They hugged and congratulated the woman, but noticed she wasn't as excited as them, "what's wrong?" Marie asked.
"I'm just overwhelmed as Richard said."
"About having a girl?" Debra asked.
"She should be," Frank said, "it's terrifying."
"No," Maryanne said as she rolled her eyes, "I'm not overwhelmed about having a girl. I'm overwhelmed about having identical twin girls."
"What?!" everyone had the same looks on their faces as Maryanne when she found out.
"Yeah, that was my reaction. Cybill helped me feel better and Richard sent a cake."
"That's wonderful," Marie hugged her daughter. "Yay, more two more grandchildren. Now if only Robby and Amy could give me some more."
"You know, I'm a bit tired," Maryanne said, "I think I'm going to go to the other room and sit." Everyone joined her and then Richard walked in, "did you tell me you were picking me up?"
"No," Richard bent down to kiss his wife, "I had to run to pick up some books to help you decorate the nursery after I dropped your family off."
"You did?"
"Yeah, I know you've been stressed out about it and I figured that the books would help. I know you probably don't need them, but it might take that stress away. Now, I'm gonna take you home so you can take a nap in our comfortable bed." Richard helped his wife up and put his arm around her as they walked out. He had sent a rental van to Cybill's for Maryanne's family so that they weren't reliant on anyone to go out. The family went back to the Thorpe residence. Maryanne was asleep, but Richard was downstairs.
"Richard," Frank walked towards the man, "thank you for treating my daughter so well."
"You don't have to thank me, Frank."
"No, I really do. You see, I've known longer than Marie about what Dick did. I could have killed him, but Maryanne seemed to have everything covered," that comment made Richard chuckle, "she didn't have it easy growing up and then Dick happened. I appreciate you treating her right."
"Thank you," Richard said, "I promise to treat her the way she deserves."
"I'm sure you will because you know as well as I do what she is capable of."
Marie walked in and hugged Richard, "you are a wonderful man. Thank you for being so caring and loving towards my daughter."
"Like I told Frank, you don't have to thank me. I guess the way I treat her is common sense to me. I was just raised to be respectful of women, but you're welcome. I know why you are thanking me and that it's important to you."
"Hey Richard," Ray said, "stop making the rest of us look bad."
"He doesn't have to make you look bad," Robert said, "you do that all on your own."
"At least I've given ma grandchildren. Now it's your turn."
"I'm just a big stud to you all aren't I?"
"Who said stud?" Ray asked.
"It's what the male is called when breeding," Robert said.
"Yeah, they're studs," Ray said, "you're a big smelly giant."
Maryanne came downstairs, "you two have been having the same fight for forty years."
"Honey, why are you up?" Richard walked over to his wife.
"I needed some water, but I knocked my phone off the nightstand. It's impossible to bend over with this thing," Maryanne answered as she placed her hands on her bump. "Ray, stop picking on Robert. He and Amy will have kids when they have kids."
"You always side with him," Ray said.
"That's because you're an idiot," Maryanne said.
"By the way," Robert began, "Amy and I will have a baby in seven months."
"That's oddly specific," Ray said.
"You really are an idiot," Frank told his son.
Everyone congratulated Robert and Amy. Marie was over the moon. "Well Raymond," Robert began, "looks like you're at the bottom of the totem pole for the first time."
"Yeah, I guess ma won't be coming over as much now," Ray sighed, "she'll be too busy telling you and Amy how to be parents and 'helping' you. Ah well, I had a good run," Ray patted his brother on the shoulder, "congratulations man, and good luck! You're gonna need it." Ray and Debra went upstairs with smiles on while Robert and Amy stayed behind in shock, with frowns. They really hadn't thought of the downside of being the favorite.