After ordering the pancakes to be boxed up to go, Brody and Maggie sat at the diner counter, sipping on tea while they waited.
"I didn't know you were a tea guy."
"I'm surprised Carrie didn't mention it."
"That would be a strange thing for her to mention," Maggie said as Brody lightly laughed, shook his head.
"Let's just say the brand I drink pushed our relationship to a pretty dark place a few years back," he alluded, taking a sip of Yorkshire Gold.
"It's probably better I don't know the whole story," Maggie sighed. "About that or...whatever happened that made me get my doctor's bag this morning."
When she pointed to his bandage Brody sighed, lowered his eyes to stare at his mug.
"I take it, regarding last night, the better option's not the one you're looking for," he said solemnly as she turned to face him.
"Ordinarily a bump or bruise on Carrie doesn't make me bat an eye. It's a relief sometimes, treating a condition of her's I can actually see. But now, when she's nearly six months along-"
"I understand. After she dozed off and I called you, I sat up more than half the night just making sure they were all alright. That he or she was still kicking in there," Brody admitted as Maggie gave him a soft smile.
"For what it's worth, they were," he added. "Still not sure how Carrie managed to sleep through it."
"Probably helped that she was with a man who loves her and not alone in a hospital bed."
"If what happened last night warranted us making the trip back, we'd be at St. Mary's right now, Maggie. We just thought after everything we needed a night to regroup."
"Can you just give me the Reader's Digest version of what happened? If it's not, classified or-"
"No, it's not. It wasn't. My dad invited Carrie and I to this pool hall he frequents, and this woman, a neighbor of his, took an interest in me and wasn't exactly subtle about it."
"Oh, Jesus," Maggie groaned, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"Carrie called her on it but this woman started running her mouth, trying to start shit and instigate. Things got physical, but we got the hell out of there before it escalated to a level we couldn't handle."
"I'm pretty sure a Marine and an intelligence officer can handle more escalation than most."
"Even if we can it doesn't mean we want to. Especially now. I mean, Jesus. Carrie's supposed to be on her way out of the hospital," Brody fretted as the waitress arrived with their brown paper bag of takeout containers.
Once back inside and buckled up in the car, Maggie adjusted the bag on her lap as Brody drove.
"I don't think what happened will cause her any setbacks, keep her there longer than the stay issued by the court."
"What about her pass though for this weekend?"
"There shouldn't be any issues there either," Maggie reasoned. "She completed her group therapy at the meeting you two attended at the church. Today's Wednesday, and the pass clears her to leave Friday morning. She'll basically be going back to pack her bags."
"Yeah, I guess that's true. Just wish she was getting ready to head home for good instead of for just a couple of days," Brody sighed.
"I understand," Maggie said as they slowed to a stop at a red light. "But I think with your history you'll find a way to make the most of a weekend together," she said as he rolled his eyes, softly smiled.
"So long as you keep tea out of the conversation anyway."
"Hey!" Brody exclaimed as she smirked. "I thought you said-"
"I said I didn't know the whole story. Doesn't mean I didn't hear some of the details."
"I wish some of those details had stayed classified," he said bitterly.
"If it makes you feel better I'll keep them sealed from here out," Maggie assured as he managed a soft smile.
"So have you given any thought to this weekend? Two big birthdays and I haven't been enlisted to pick out any gifts on your behalf. You must have something in the works."
His smile broadening, Brody shrugged.
"I may have a bag full of presents for Farrah stashed at the mosque that are gonna need some hiding places."
"Anything else you have stashed away? Maybe in a small velvet box?" Maggie hinted as he rolled his eyes.
"You're gonna have to wait and see along with everyone else."
"Everyone else. So you did take my idea into account," she grinned.
"You know I still don't know why you, the bride, are pushing so hard for the spotlight to come off you the night before your big day," Brody scoffed.
"How's Danny feeling about this rehearsal dinner master plan?"
"He went full on groom-zilla and punched a wall in," Maggie deadpanned, getting him laughing.
"I told him your proposing was a possibility. He said so long as the Ashford bar has a decent mezcal he's game for just about anything."
"Hey you wouldn't happen to know a brand he likes, would you?" Brody asked. "I was thinking I'd try and throw together an impromptu bachelor party for him, unless there's something already in the works in which case-"
"Actually, there's not so far as I know. The venue and date change caused some issues and he didn't have that many guests from his side to begin with. I don't even know who's standing up for him now. I think it would mean a lot if you set something like that up."
"Alright then. Consider it done," he said brightly, only to glance over and see Maggie's face had gone solemn.
"In a way that won't involve certain brands of entertainment, either," Brody clarified. "I'm thinking booze and burgers and video games here. Nothing wild."
"No, I...Brody, relax. I appreciate you letting me know that, but that wasn't what I was…" Trailing off Maggie sighed. "Honestly, it's nothing."
"I think it's a little more than nothing. Possibly bordering on something."
"When you said that this woman, your dad's neighbor, took an interest-"
"Maggie, look. I know with my track record-"
"You interrupted me. You said she was trying to instigate, cause trouble. Clearly she did given how you and Carrie both felt obligated to confront her. When you did, did that put an end to it all? Or are we dealing with someone here who can't take a damn hint?"
"We?" Brody repeated, getting a nod.
"I know it's not like the two of you don't have it covered, but I can't help it. Mom and big sister instincts and all that."
"Hey, all that is nothing to sneeze at," he said as Maggie shrugged, gave him a soft smile.
"But, you don't have to worry about dealing with this, Maggie. If Carrie's right hook didn't put an end to what that woman was trying to pull, a restraining order will."
Smile fading at the look on his face, Maggie shifted the paper bag on her lap.
"You think that's necessary? That the situation is that serious?"
"I'm not about to let it become serious," Brody sighed, shaking his head. "I mean, I don't know about you, but I've dealt with enough serious the past few days."
"I think Carrie and Farrah have, too."
"Well, think we're just gonna have to change that," he grinned, cutting around a too slow car ahead of him before turning off at the motel exit.