Oddly, it wasn't the first time Andy found himself on a walk with Bob and Hannah. He was trying to relax and tell himself that it was just Bob, Sharon's dad, and he could be himself around the guy. He wanted to be himself, but he couldn't help but feel a little anxious. The situation wasn't exactly normal, and he knew Bob was not pleased with well, really everything about Andy. It had seemed like a good idea to volunteer to take Hannah on a morning walk while Sharon got showered and dressed. It was still early, and she had a lot of cooking to do for the day. He was delighted at the thought of spending time with his daughter, and he quickly volunteered to take her out and about in the neighborhood. It just surprised him when Bob volunteered to tag along for the stroll.

"I'll walk with you Andy," he'd said and stood to put on a light jacket. Andy, who was picking up Hannah from the floor where she was playing, stood and turned toward Sharon, his eyes widening at the idea.

"That would be very nice, Dad," Sharon smiled at her dad, surprising Andy that she was excited about the idea. She never made eye contact with him to see the terror he had in his eyes. He let out a silent groan, but he threw a smile on his face and looked at Bob.

"I don't mind the company, but if you are worried I'll get lost in your neighborhood, I should be fine, "he nodded, hoping that would be enough.

"Oh," Bob waved at him, "I'm not worried about that. It's a beautiful morning, and I like walking. I wouldn't miss an opportunity to show off Hannie either. I take great pride in having a gorgeous girl at my side. I'm sure you would agree on that."

Andy chuckled and nodded, "I can't argue with you there," he said, Hannah in his arms, looking around. "Sure," he gave a flat smile, "let's go."

"Wonderful," Sharon said squeezing Andy's shoulder and looking at her dad. "I'm going to get a shower and dressed before I start working on the side dishes. The turkey is in now, and that should keep us on track to eat mid-afternoon. Emily should be almost done herself, and when you get back, I'm sure we can all do some talking as we work in the kitchen. I have no idea when Ricky will surface. He's on that college schedule still."

Andy and Bob nodded as they walked to the door. Andy had only briefly spoken with Emily after she'd met him. She had grabbed her cup of coffee and explained she was on her way to the shower. She still hadn't resurfaced, so Andy expected to really get to know her after he returned from his walk.

"Ricky was out cold last I checked," Bob told her. With the three-bedroom house, Bob had put Emily in the smallest room, Sharon had her room with Hannah and now Andy, and he'd put a blow up air mattress in his room for Ricky. It was tight, but it was working just fine for everyone.

"Ricky will surface for food," Sharon grinned. "Anything else from him today is just a bonus. You two," she smiled at Andy, "have a nice walk."

Now that they were in mid-walk, Andy glanced slightly at Bob and cleared his throat, "I appreciate you opening your home to me for Thanksgiving. It means a lot. I'm really glad to be here."

"Like it or not, the circumstances what they are, Sharon wants you here. You're family now, Hannah's family, and well, I'm honestly surprised and maybe even pleased you showed up today, Andy. I thought you'd have some reason to not show. I know work does sometimes get in the way, but Jack always had an excuse, always had a reason to let down his family."

"I know that, and I'll say it again that I'm not Jack," Andy nodded. He stopped the stroller to bend down and get Hannah's doll, which she'd thrown out of the stroller. He put it up out of her reach because he'd already stopped three times to pick up the toy. Hannah turned slightly to look up at him, and she started to complain.

"Lolly!" Hannah yelled, her hand extended, expecting him to give her the doll.

Andy shook his head at her. She was being a toddler, acting more and more like one each day. Throwing things was nothing new, but she was doing it more and more. He'd noticed it more just in the couple hours he'd now been here. The little doll was just the latest victim. He had to almost turn away from her sweet face and little hand waving at him; she was almost irresistible, and he still saw Sharon every time he looked at her. She'd started calling the doll "Lolly," they all decided because it wasn't far from "Dollie."

"No throwing Lolly," Andy told her, almost expecting her to nod and agree to the terms. Instead, she flashed a huge grin at him, her eyes sparkling, and she said, "Mama?"

"We'll see Mom soon," he told her. "We're not throwing Lolly."

"Lolly!" Hannah kicked and put her arm out again. Andy, trying to come up with a workable compromise, glanced at the diaper bag, hanging there on the stroller handle and got an idea. He made a note to remind himself to thank Sharon for sticking the bag on the stroller. Quickly, with Bob watching, he unclasped one of the bag hooks, rigged the bag, hooked the doll's little fabric belt through it, and then, he handed it back to Hannah. Now, when, not if, Hannah threw the doll, it wouldn't hit the ground because it was connected to the diaper bag strap hook. He flashed a proud grin at Bob as he handed the doll over to Hannah.

"Well done," Bob chuckled. "I like your quick thinking."

"Thanks," Andy nodded, and the two continued their walk.

"For what it's worth, Andy, I'm not trying to compare you to Jack. I know it seems like it. I guess I know what Jack has done, and it's hard not to expect you to be like him. I really am impressed you came. I can see it in Sharon; she's just beaming with you and the kids all here. I didn't think we could be happy over the holidays, but seeing her so happy has me happy too. I still miss my wife, more than anything, honestly, but it's good to see her happy, the kids happy too," Bob told him.

"This is the only place I want to be, and if my being here is any part of that smile on her face, I am thrilled to be here then for that. As far as being here for Sharon and Hannah, I know I wasn't here for her birthday party-" he paused.

"You impressed me there showing up later, though," Bob added. "Time and time again, you've made a tremendous effort to show up. Thank you for that."

"Bob, oh Bob," voices called out. The two looked across the street and saw two women waving. They weren't the same women Andy had seen earlier, but they were out walking together.

"Eleanor, Jane," Bob waved at them as they crossed the street toward Andy. Andy heard Bob let out a low sigh, and he glanced at him, almost wanting to chuckle.

"Oh, we were just talking about you and hoping you weren't alone this holiday season," one said as Andy eyed the women. "Looks like your daughter came to town."

Bob, nodding, gestured to Andy, "Eleanor and Jane, this is Sharon's-" he fumbled toward Andy and frowned at him, not sure what to call him exactly. He shook his head at himself, like he'd decided to not to say something, and he gestured again, "Andy is with Sharon, and this is their daughter, Hannah. I've had her here before."

"Oh, we remember the cutie," the woman, Andy now believed to be Jane said as she winked at Bob. "I mean, we remember both of the cuties," as she bated an eye at Bob. "Nice to meet you, Andy. Your daughter is adorable, and you really lucked out in the father-in-law department."

"Oh, well," Andy started to say, and Bob just gave Andy a slight shake indicating the explantion was not worth the effort.

"Yes, I have a full house today. Sharon's family is all here for Thanksgiving," he told them. "You two have plans?"

"We are going to the clubhouse for Thanksgiving dinner later. We were just saying we should invite you if you weren't busy, but it appears you are."

"All weekend," he gave a small nod. "Glad to have a full house."

"Ladies, it is lovely to meet you. Bob," he tried to eye him and finally, met his glance with a small nod, "we were just saying we need to get Hannah home for that nap."

"Right, yes," Bob said. "Happy Thanksgiving ladies. I'll see you around later."

"Bye," they both said as each either touched his hand or squeezed his arm as they continued on their walk. Andy chuckled when they were out of earshot as they continued their walk.

"I see someone is popular with the ladies," he teased.

"Thank you for picking up on my desperation back there. I was trying to figure out a way to get out of that conversation. If only I had Hannah with me every time I saw them," Bob said.

Andy nodded as he smiled, "I felt like I was a wingman or something there, but yeah, I got that lonely widow vibe they were giving off, and I wasn't getting the vibe you, the widower, had any interest."

"No, none," he sighed. "They mean well, but I'm not looking for romance. Sharon's mom was and will always be my one true love. I'm perfectly happy being on my own now, spending time with Sharon and the kids. Anyway, thanks."

"No problem," Andy continued to chuckle, the situation funny to him. "Hannah, Grandpa is the talk of the neighborhood."

"Sadly, I am," he said, sighing. Hannah, after hearing her name, glanced up at them. Andy took the opportunity and pointed to himself.

"Daddy," he said. Hannah looked between the men, and while she'd said it on command earlier, she just frowned, "Lolly."

Andy, who had been focused on Bob's conversation with the ladies, hadn't noticed that Lolly was dangling on the side of the stroller now, his harness now working. He yanked on the doll to only see Hannah throw her as soon as she got hold of her again. Andy just groaned.

"Let's head back to the house," Bob patted his shoulder. "We're not exactly having the calm, quiet walk I envisioned."

Andy glanced at him, surprised, "You expected that on a walk with me?"

Bob shrugged, "You've told me, and I hope," he added, "that you aren't going anywhere, so I think it's time we find some common ground and start learning more about one another."

"Fair enough," Andy nodded. "Ask away; I'm an open book."

Bob nodded in agreement, "Since you said that, okay," he paused. "Let me be frank-what are your intentions with my daughter? If there's anything I want to know, it's that."

Andy frowned slightly at Bob, knowing it was a fair question. He'd answer it too, to the best of his ability, but he wanted to lighten the mood. It had suddenly gotten heavy with that question. Andy let out a nervous chuckle, "Wow, I come through as the wingman only to get hit with that."