Catherine wakes early the next morning and goes downstairs to make coffee. Once it is ready she goes out on the patio to enjoy it. She is flooded with thoughts from last night and smiles. Suddenly Catherine's cell phone wakes her from her daydream.

"Willows." Catherine says as she answers the phone.

"Whoa Cath it's Ed not a crime scene," says the voice on the other end.

Catherine laughs and says, "Sorry it's an involuntary reaction at this point in my career."

Eddie says, "I just wanted to let you know that I will be able to have Linds this weekend."

Catherine nods and responds, "Good. She's been mentioning you a lot lately."

Eddie says, "Sorry Cath ..."

Catherine interrupts, "Eddie, what or who you do anymore is none of my business, but when it starts to affect Linds I do get a little concerned."

Eddie says, "I know, I know."

Catherine says, "Ed. Do you have a few minutes? I need to talk to you about something."

Eddie responds, "Is Linds ok?"

Catherine says, "Linds is fine. I wanted to tell you I'm dating someone and it's getting pretty serious. I know how you've been in the past with some of my relationships, so I wanted to let you know and ask that you please act like a mature adult about this."

Eddie snaps, "Well what if you seeing this person, isn't the best decision when it comes to Linds."

Catherine retaliates, "Ed you've fucked half the city since we got a divorce, and God only knows how much of it while we were married and you're questioning my relationship choices?!"

Eddie starts laughing.

Catherine confused says, "Eddie why on Earth are you laughing?"

Eddie says, "Nothing you yelling at me feels like old times. Are you sure we made the right choice in getting divorced?"

Catherine says, "Ed I've never been more certain of any decision in my life!"

Eddie says, "Look I'm picking up Lindsey tonight around 5, I'd appreciate if your new boy toy wasn't there."

Eddie hangs up before Catherine gets a chance to say anything back.

Catherine is steaming an immediately dials Nancy.

Nancy answers, "Hey Cath. What's up?"

Catherine starts, "Well, Eddie calls here this morning to let me know that he is getting Linds tonight."

Nancy interrupts, "Well that's good. Why do you sound like you're getting ready to murder someone?"

Catherine says, "Well I told him I wanted to talk to him. I said I was dating someone and it was pretty serious and since I knew how he had acted towards some of my boyfriends in the past that I would appreciate if he would act like a mature adult. Eddie comes back with, well what if you dating this person isn't the best decision for Linds. I say, Ed you've fucked half the city since we got a divorce, and God only knows how much of it while we were married and you're questioning my relationship choices?! Then that bastard has the gall to start laughing. To which I say why are you laughing? He then pulls something he hasn't in a while he says; this is just like old times are you sure divorcing me was the right decision. I told him I was never more sure of any decision in my life."

Nancy interjects, "Hell yeah!"

Catherine continues, "Then he says he's picking Linds up at 5 and he would appreciate if my new boy toy wasn't here. I didn't get a chance to say anything else as the bastard hung up."

Nancy asks, "Do you think he's serious?"

Catherine sighs and says, "I have no idea. Eddie is so ridiculous at times."

Nancy says, "Honestly I wouldn't worry about it. This is your life. You're doing nothing but being an outstanding mother to Lindsey. Even if Eddie does something about this any judge would see right through him."

Catherine says, "I know I would just rather it not come to that. As much as I don't like Eddie, he is Lindsey's father."

Nancy says, "Yeah, it sucks."

Catherine sighs and responds, "It amazes me, Lindsey's father is around and he is a complete asshole. However, Ted was a great father and he's not."

Nancy says, "Trust me no one misses Ted more than me."

Catherine smiles and says, "And God was he ever cute!"

Nancy laughs and responds, "Hey I know how to pick them what can I say. Even though I hate that he's gone I was so glad to find he'd left all this money to take care of everything. I honestly don't know what I would have done without it."

Catherine is silent on the other end.

Nancy says, "Cath I can hear you thinking. It will be fine. In fact, I think I will come over when Eddie picks up Lindsey. We all know how much Eddie loves me, so anything to piss him off more I'm all for."

Catherine laughs and says, "Nance I love you, I don't know what I'd do without you."

Nancy asks, "Are you working tonight?"

Catherine answers, "No I'm not scheduled."

Nancy says, "Well, Jeremy is at a friend's house, so maybe me, you and Mark can do something when Eddie picks up Linds."

Catherine says, "Yeah sounds good. I don't think we have anything planned for today so come over whenever."

Nancy says, "Great, I'm going to shower and I'll be over soon. I need some pool time."

Catherine says, "See ya." Catherine hangs up the phone and hears the kitchen door open and turns to see Lindsey.

Lindsey says, "Morning Mom, who were you talking to?"

Catherine says, "That was Aunt Nancy, she's coming over in a bit. Also your dad called and he should be here about 5. I told him I was dating someone and it was getting serious and we got in a bit of a fight, so hopefully he's in a better mood when he gets here."

Lindsey shakes her head and says, "He can be stupid sometimes, and it's not like he's never dated anyone else before."

Catherine smiles and caresses Lindsey's face and says, "How'd you get to be so smart?"

Lindsey replies, "Duh I'm your child."

Catherine says, "I'm going to get more coffee want me to make you breakfast?"

Lindsey says, "No, I think I might just have some cereal."

Catherine walks into the kitchen to get another cup of coffee and Lindsey pours herself a bowl of Fruity Peebles.

Lindsey asks, "Is Mark still here?"

Catherine answers, "Yeah, he was still asleep when I came downstairs, so I assume he still is."

Lindsey asks, "Can I get in the pool after breakfast and shower closer to when Dad is going to be here?"

Catherine says, "Sure, but you might want to pack while you are changing into your swimsuit so taking a shower is all you have to do later."

A few hours later …

Mark wakes up and sees that he is alone in bed. He reaches over and grabs his watch and can't believe that he's slept until almost 11am. He gets up and walks into the bathroom and gets himself together. He decides to put his swimming trunks back on with a t-shirt in case he decides to take a morning dip. He walks downstairs into the kitchen and hears voices outside. He follows them to the patio where he sees Catherine and Nancy chatting away while Lindsey is in the pool.

Nancy sees Mark and says, "Good morning sleepy head."

Mark takes a seat between them and says, "Yeah I can't remember the last time I slept like that." He leans over and kisses Catherine. "Also you two huddled around a table this early looks dangerous. What's up?"

Nancy says, "We are just talking about how big of an asshole Catherine's ex-husband is."

Catherine says, "I informed him that I was in a serious relationship and that I would appreciate if he would act like a mature adult for once. To which he questions without knowing anything about you if this relationship is the best for Linds. Saying all this when he's fucked pretty much the entire state."

Nancy interjects, "Oh it's the entire state now I thought it was half of Vegas this morning."

Catherine sarcastically says, "Well I realize that was a very small estimate." The girls start laughing.

Mark says, "Is this anything to be worried about?"

Catherine says, "I doubt it, Eddie is just … well, Eddie. I'm sure it will just blow over. But he did say when he picks up Linds he does not and I quote want my boy toy to be here."

Mark asks, "Should I leave then?"

Nancy says as a matter-of-factly, "Oh hell no! I'm over here because he hates me too and we can piss him off together."

Mark shakes his head and says, "Remind me never to piss you two off."

Catherine says, "So Nancy came over and wants to know if we want to do something once Eddie picks up Linds."

Mark says, "That's fine with me." Mark looks at Nancy. "Where's Jeremy?"

Nancy says, "Oh he's over at a friend's so I decided no need to be alone." True Love by Pink comes on the radio. She says, "I love this song!"

Catherine says, "I don't think I've heard it."

Mark says, "It's pretty amazing. I feel it really encompasses what a marriage is all about."

Nancy interjects, "I couldn't agree more. Have you been married before?"

Mark shakes his head and responds, "No I haven't."

Nancy laughs and says, "The fact that you know that puts you a step ahead of a lot of people. I'm not even sure Ted knew that. Oh Cath you have to listen to this part."

Mark and Nancy start singing it to each other.

There's no one quite like you

You push all my buttons down

I know life would suck without you

At the same time, I wanna hug you

I wanna wrap my hands around your neck

You're an asshole but I love you

And you make me so mad I ask myself

Why I'm still here, or where could I go

You're the only love I've ever known

But I hate you, I really hate you,

So much, I think it must be

True love, true love

It must be true love

Nothing else can break my heart like

True love, true love,

It must be true love

No one else can break my heart like you

Catherine starts laughing and says, "I love you two!"

Nancy gets up and says, "I'm going to take a dip."

Once Nancy is in the pool with Lindsey Mark asks, "Who's Ted?"

Catherine sighs and replies, "That was Nancy's husband. About 5 years ago he was playing basketball with some of his friends and he had a heart attack. He wasn't out of shape or anything but they found he had an undiagnosed condition which caused the attack."

Mark says, "Wow. I never would have guessed she doesn't seem like your typical widow."

Catherine says, "Well for the first 2 years she really was. Severely depressed, barely left the house, my mom and I did the best we could with Jeremy. Good thing was Ted left enough money in a trust fund for Nancy and Jeremy to survive on."

Mark doesn't say anything but grabs Catherine's hand. Catherine scoots her chair beside his and lays her head on his shoulder. Mark lays his head on top of hers.

Catherine says, "I'm off tonight so no chance of getting called in. Do you want to take Nancy out or do you want to stay in?"

Mark shrugs and responds, "Doesn't matter to me. Maybe you should ask Nance."

Catherine laughs and says, "Maybe we could play cards and gang up on my sister."

Mark says, "That does sound like a lot of fun."

Catherine pokes, "Or we could gang up on you."

Mark says, "Oh yeah!"

Catherine laughs and says, "You better believe it."

At that moment Mark picks Catherine up and starts carrying her towards the pool.

Catherine laughing says, "Put me down."

Nancy and Lindsey are chanting, "Throw her in the pool!"

Mark jumps into the pool still holding Catherine. Once they surface Catherine immediately throws water in Mark's face and cannot stop laughing. Mark grabs a hold of Catherine and gives her a kiss. Mark thinks swimming with his newfound family is something he could definitely get used to.