Laws of Motion – Book 3

Written by: Ms. Maggs/Edited by: KJT

Chapter 46

Thursday – November 24, 2005

Drew's House

5:17 am

Certain her parents wouldn't step foot in the main house, Marta slipped into Drew's room and bed. Reluctantly, they had started sleeping separately recently, because they had run out of excuses for the kids. Most nights, they cheated and fell asleep in each other's arms with the alarm clock set for six, but with her parents in the vicinity, she didn't want to take any chances.

"Hey…" Drew gravitated to the warm body crawling under the covers. "What time is it?" he asked, never opening his eyes.

"About quarter after five." She snuggled close, soothed by his familiar scent and embrace. "I'm so nervous, I barely slept. Claire woke up, but she's out now and will probably sleep in."

"I haven't been this scared since my first game under the Friday night lights."

"Mmm, a quick snuggle is just what I needed."

"Yeah," he answered, already drifting.

"Set the clock."

"Okay." He didn't move.

"When it rings, I'll go see my parents."

The Vartanns – Sun Lakes, AZ

5:36 am

"Morning, Ma." Tony groggily trudged into the kitchen, heading straight for the coffee maker. "How's that crossword coming along?" She was seated in the nook, drinking coffee and feverishly working in pen.

"Being the master chef that I am, twenty down is pissing me off, 'A Hindu Cook'. Eight letters, starts with K H, ends in A."

Grabbing a mug, he answered, "Becca went to India with her asshole ex-husband. I'm sure they ate in all the fancy places, maybe she knows the names of famous chefs."

"Have you forgotten the family rules, Anthony? No booze or profanity before ten a.m." Removing her bifocals, Marge warily commented, "I saw you and Becca sleeping on the couch when I woke up. You two didn't have a fight last night, did you?"

"Shit no." Laughing, he ducked in time to miss his mother's slipper. "Not a bad throw for an broad."

"Pour me another cup while you're over there, wise ass."

"Becca was having trouble sleeping, so she went in the living room to read. I found her out there around three. She fell asleep on my chest while we were watching TV and I didn't chance moving her. I held out as long as I could, but I had to pee like a race horse." Setting a steaming cup of coffee in front of his mother, he took a seat. "Luckily she didn't wake up when I left the couch."

"I know without a doubt that you love Becca to pieces."

"How's that, Ma?"

"You're wearing moose pajamas with your brother in the house. The only explanation is that your wife bought them for you and thinks they're cute."

"I'm wearing them to prove I'm not a hypocrite." He sipped, wincing from the liquid's hot temperature. "Now to prove that I still am…I've got something for you."

"I told you, we're fine, we don't need any money."

"It's not a check." He handed over the envelope he had been clutching. "It's worthless to me as a matter of fact, but I know it means the world to you."

Intrigued by the wrinkles on the envelope and her son's face, she hurried to open it. "The Church granted you an annulment."

"Yeah." He lowered the cup, dropped in some cream, and began mindlessly stirring his coffee. "For five hundred bucks, some paperwork and an interview, my marriage to Amy is null and void in the eyes of The Church. I declared her a deviant sex addict who misrepresented herself to me and God, citing that she never intended to respect the sacrament when we took our vows. It worked like a charm. The priest told me that now it's as though the marriage never existed, but so far I'm still remembering it all pretty well, especially the bad parts." After a breath he unloaded, "I'd love to forget that she hated me enough to kill herself just to frame me for murder."

Feeling sorry for her son, Marge patted his hand and assured, "Honey, you weren't a perfect husband, but there's no such thing. I'm sure you remember that I agreed that you were a bad husband at times, too stubborn, not supportive of Amy's ideas, but for the most part you were wonderful, and certainly more than that she ever deserved. It's obvious to me that you're overcompensating with Becca, because you're scared to death that history will repeat itself and she'll end up hating you too, but you have to relax and trust that it won't. You've learned too much from your mistakes to make them over again, and while Becca is a troubled young woman, she's not Amy. Just take one day at a time, keep the communication flowing, and when you argue, as long as you disagree without disrespecting, you'll be fine."

"Thanks, Ma." He hugged her tight, happy for the vote of confidence.

"So, when do you and Becca start Pre-Cana classes?"

Moving back from the embrace, he saw she was grinning. "I thought you were serious for a sec. I can't imagine Becca sitting quietly in Catholic pre-marriage counseling taught by priests who aren't allowed to marry."

"Hey, after reading that book, she has a new appreciation for monks, so maybe she won't mind converting."

After sharing a laugh he sobered, "Look, I know you worry about all this, especially about the baby not being baptized when it's born."

"I can't help it."

"I know that, so here's what we're going to do for you. First off, we found out that Becca was baptized, so that's one less thing to worry about."

"Excellent, that frees up time to worry about the other nine hundred and ninety-nine things on my list."

"Here's a few more to cross off. We're going to have a ceremony in a non-denominational Christian church. My buddy Nick's setting us up where he goes." Smiling at her, he shared, "It won't be Catholic, but at least it will be blessed by God, not Elvis, right? We'll baptize the baby there too. Happy?"

"You're a son who loves his mother." Cupping his cheeks, she kissed his forehead. "Thank you."

"Good Morning," Gina cheerily walked in cradling the baby. Having spent the last two minutes eavesdropping, she was ecstatic. With Tony's first marriage annulled, there was one less obstacle in their future. "Sierra's starving. I have some bottles pumped, Marge, because I know you enjoy feeding her."

"Thank you, yes, I'd love to. Come here, Sierra." Marge opened her arms. "Grandma is going to feed you breakfast, Sweet Pea."

Tony's dismissive gaze killing her, Gina contritely said, "I'm really sorry about last night with Becca…about everything I've been saying to her about pregnancy. I really don't mean to be critical or harsh, it's just…" Placing her palm on Sierra's downy head, she cried, "It took so long to conceive her…years of trying, all the hormone treatments, IVF." Wiping her tears, she confessed, "It's jealousy. There, I said it. I took such good care of myself and followed every rule…saving myself for marriage, eating healthy, working out, no drugs, no excessive alcohol. To watch a woman who has been promiscuous, who's used drugs and had an abortion is…." Breaking down, she choked out the truth, "I know it's terrible to think that way, but I went through so much to have Sierra and she keeps flaunting that it took no effort."

Suddenly, Marge felt terribly guilty for never thinking of Gina's perspective.

"I…I'm so sorry, I know that sounded terrible, but I need to get it out. Maybe if I wasn't so tired and hormonal. Reggie keeps picking up extra shifts because he wants a new truck, and now he started playing on the station's softball team. Instead of being home more now that Sierra's here, he's gone more than ever. Raising a baby is exhausting. I never get a break." Gasping for air, she squeaked, "I just don't understand, I try to be such a good person, I live my life right, I help the needy, I never miss Mass…why is everything so easy for her, but so hard for me?" Covering her mouth, sobs overtook her words.

"Oh my God, Gina." Tony jumped up and took his hysterical sister-in-law in his arms. "I never even considered any of that, I feel terrible. I'm sorry for yelling last night. Jesus, I had no idea all that was going on in your head." It made perfect sense now, and listening to her wail he wondered if she wasn't suffering from post-partum depression to boot.

Crying into Tony's bare chest while he clutched her, Gina's heart soared. His embrace was as comforting as she had dreamt it to be, night after lonely night. "I hope you'll forgive me," she whimpered, while slipping her arms around his waist. "I hope Becca will too."

"Yeah, don't worry, I'll talk to her." Feeling horrible already for financing Reggie's infidelity and then lying to her face about his whereabouts that night, Tony softly said, "I'll talk to Reggie too, okay? He should be home with you and the baby more."

"I knew you'd understand," she whispered. He was holding her so tightly that her lips naturally pressed against his flesh and each word was like a kiss to his chest. "Amy took you for granted, and my husband does the same to me. It's a terrible feeling, isn't it? It's like my spirit dies a little more each day."

"Shh, it'll all be okay." Like an overprotective brother, Tony squeezed her tighter. "You two can work it all out. But right now I want you to take a few deep breaths and relax for me." He feared she'd hyperventilate if she didn't.

Watching her daughter-in-law slowly run her open palm over her son's bare back, Marge shivered. It didn't look right seeing her do that to the wrong son. "Uh…I know you're upset, but I really think Sierra needs to eat right away, Dear. You need to nurse her, we'll save the bottle for later."

Cursing the interruption, Gina breathed deep, filling her nostrils with Tony's scent before tearing herself away.

"See, she's fussing terribly."

"No time for modesty then." Gina popped her blouse and leaned in to take Sierra, brushing her engorged breast against Tony's arm in the process. "Mommy's got breakfast, Precious." Pretending not to notice Tony startling from her touch, she sighed, "It's a shame Becca will have to use formula because of the Zoloft. My heart breaks for her not being able to experience the joy of nursing."

"I'll get you a dish towel, Dear." Marge scurried off, feeling more uncomfortable from her daughter-in-law's tone and gaze by the second.

Thank Christ. Tony averted his eyes and backed away, feeling ridiculous that he could watch strippers shake their tits for cash, but get queasy from seeing his sister-in-law breastfeeding. "It's uh…time for my run."

The Sanders Home

6:01 am

"I never thought we'd be running together, Greg. This is great." Stepping outside their home, Scott filled his lungs with crisp morning air. "How far can you make it?"

"When I raced in that Law Enforcement marathon a few years back, I did six. Of course I almost died at the finish line, because the most I had trained was two. But I'm in better shape now, so I bet I can do three with you without a problem. How many do you run?"

"On a regular day?" Scott grinned, "Five, and I'm almost twice your age."

"Snap." Greg cracked open his PowerAde bottle. "I shoulda bought MiracleAde. Hopefully Lily wore you out last night and your legs are weak."

"Hey, I wasn't the one skinny dipping in the pool." Scott started off with an extra-light jog.

"If you guys had shown up five minutes earlier you would have seen something a lot more risqué."

"Thanks for the warning, I'll be sure to dump extra chlorine in the pool later."

"I was really down when I got home from work. Suicides and dead kids used to be my hot buttons, but apparently people who have been married for decades suddenly wanting to kill each other has been added to the list of case types that send me spiraling into the abyss. Tawny was trying to cheer me up with a Good Wives Gone Wild scenario."

"I'd say she was successful by the smile on your face when we arrived."

"Even twenty two weeks pregnant, she's still got it, that's for sure."

"So, it's still going great now that you've been under the same roof for a few weeks?"

"Better than ever. I can totally see that how immature I was acting before made Tawny feel insecure, and it had nothing to do with how much money I made or how wimpy my chest is compared to Sir Drew. It was all about making her feel that she could depend on me to help around the house, and think of her needs, not just mine. I feel like an idiot for ever being such a loser, like running to work to tell Nick about my rad weekend, instead of making sure she had breakfast money when her debit card wasn't working. I mean…duh, I'm not a frat boy, I'm a married man with twins on the way."

"I'm impressed, Son."

"Yeah, believe it or not, I'm officially a grown up, Dad."

"How ironic." Scott whizzed by his son cackling, "Because I feel like a kid again! Bet you can't catch me!"

Sun Lakes, AZ

6:05 am

Dressed to run in a SDFD t-shirt and shorts, Reggie raced down the suburban side street to catch up with his brother. "What the hell, Tone? We said we were running together this morning. Why'd you bolt from the house? If you're getting too old to keep up with me…"

"Shut up." Tony picked up his pace. "I left without you, because I'm re-pissed off at you and I'm out here clearing my head."

"What the hell did I do?! When we said goodnight you weren't ticked, and this morning I talked to you for all of two seconds when we crossed paths on the way to the can. All I said was 'six out front, right?' How'd that piss you off?"

"You mean besides sleeping with a working girl on my dime? Gina told me about you picking up extra shifts to buy a new truck for yourself, and then joining the softball team. She says you're around less now than you were before Sierra was born."

"Why is she coming to you with that? Jesus Christ, can't she see you've had enough drama in your own life?" Shaking his head, Reggie said, "Sorry, I'll tell her to leave you alone."

Coming to an abrupt halt, Tony barked, "You bang a prostitute and now you can't stand to look your wife in the eyes, so you stay out and don't see your daughter either? All because you can't deal with the guilt and Gina's bitching?"

"Yeah, pretty much." The younger brother shrugged, "It's the best plan I got right now, yeah."

"Well, your plan sucks." Stuffing his hands on his hips, Tony stared down his brother, "Grow some balls, Reg. Make a decision. Either try to save the marriage, or call it quits."

"Was that your strategy with Amy?"

"Yeah, it was. She had things she told me she needed and I wasn't listening. She forced her hand, and I made some changes, trying to make it work. When I told her I wasn't happy with the new arrangement, she went elsewhere and when I found out, I asked for a divorce. That's what grown ups do. Even though it didn't work out, at least I earnestly tried to solve our problems. What are you doing to help matters? Playing freakin' softball?!"

"Well, like Amy, I'd suggest swinging as a resolution to all my marital woes, but since Gina won't let anyone touch her, I doubt we'd be invited to parties. Both the husband and wife have to participate, right?"

At risk of speaking ill of the dead, Tony silently cursed his ex-wife for spilling that dirty little secret to his brother. "Take my word for it, that won't solve anything." Regrouping with a helpful tone, he counseled, "Look…marriage is complicated, and I don't have all the answers, Bro, but after everything I've been through, I have some. Yeah, my first time failed, but now I'm taking what I learned from that disaster to make my marriage with Becca work for the long haul."

"Okay, okay, so…what do I do next? Go out and get a pretty pair of moose jammies and be whipped like you? What's Becca gonna get you for Christmas to follow up that Ferrari? A rhinestone collar to match the short leash she has you on?"

Tony responded with a hearty laugh. "That's funny." He dropped a hand on Reggie's shoulder, laughing harder. "Very funny." Standing on the quiet street, he stealthily grabbed his brother's balls, shielding the tortuous action with his body. "I don't care how much younger you are, or how much you can out press me at the gym now. You will never be a better man than me. Do you think we're all suffering from short-term memory loss? No, we remember what happens when the heat is on you, Baywatch Boy. One bullet over your head, your fourth week on the force, and you traded your gun for a bright red bathing suit in San Diego. While I'm sure all those bikini clad babes you used to screw before you settled down with a good Catholic girl were really impressed with your moves, no one who counts was. I've had bullets coming at me for the last sixteen years. You have some nerve questioning my manhood."

Reggie attempted to beg, but his brother only squeezed tighter.

"You know nothing about my marriage to Becca. If I want to wear a pink tutu and dance Swan Lake for my wife to put a smile on her face when she's having a bad day, that's my fucking business. That's me being a man and taking care of my wife's needs, so she doesn't end up in my mother's kitchen sobbing in my brother's arms, telling him what an immature, self-centered twit I am. Besides that, you don't know what Becca's doing for me in return, and I'm not talking about the Ferrari. Marriage is give and take. Gina's not giving you anything, because you don't do shit for her. So who's the smarter guy? The one who wears moose jammies and gets laid? Or the guy who sleeps commando and has to whack off in the shower because his wife won't touch him?" Releasing his brother, Tony took great joy in watching him fall to the ground. "In other news…now that you've insulted me, I've changed my mind about Pahrump. You owe me two grand for your dalliance. Take that extra money you've saved up working extra shifts to buy yourself a shiny new truck, and pay it to me. Got it, Smartass?"

On his knees, Reggie replied in between gasps, "I'll write you…a check…as soon as I get back."

"Good. I'll use fifteen-hundred to set up a college fund for my goddaughter, and with the rest, I'm going shopping for a whole lot of moose jammies." Watching his brother wince and stagger to his feet, Tony asked, "Can you tell I've been watching that Sopranos DVD Box Set you got me last Christmas?" Rubbing his belly, he glanced around. "Do you think there's a Pork Store nearby?"

"I'm really sorry, T." Reggie held out his hand.

"Fuhgeddaboutit!"

Drew's Guest House

7:21 am

"It looks like one them mafia houses," Ed Muller commented as he sat staring at the main house from the window.

"It belonged to a casino mogul," Betsy corrected while rubbing her temples. "The change to the dry air has given me a wicked sinus headache and I forgot to pack my Advil Cold and Sinus tablets."

"Maybe Marta has some for you." He walked over to the intercom. "Which number did she say to press?"

The Grissoms

7:43 am

"Two," Sara informed her husband as they lounged under the covers, recovering from a very enthusiastic morning romp. "Must be the pregnancy hormones, because doubles were a rarity before…with anyone, not just you."

"Thanks for clearing that up." Gil rolled onto his side, filling his lungs with air and his eyes with Sara.

Staring at the diamond bangle on her wrist she teasingly asked, "Did you buy me this to increase your odds of getting lucky?"

"Of course I did." He waited for a pillow to smack him in the head, and adeptly blocked it. "Diamond's are really a guy's best friend. And one thing I've learned from observing Nick and Warrick in bars over the years is…best friends help each other get chicks."

"Mmm…give me a kiss, Sugar Daddy."

"Where do you want it, Chicky?"

"I so can't believe that just came out of your mouth." Her laughter soon had her near tears.

"I guess I'll cross that one off my hot one-liners list."

"How many are on there after forty-nine years?"

"Three."

"Uh oh, look at the time, Stud." Sara tossed the covers. "We need to get in the shower and get to Circus Circus for the homeless dinner. Our shift making stuffing is from nine to eleven."

"If the homeless people knew who was cooking their stuffing, they might think twice about the free meal."

"Wow." Strutting toward the shower, Sara snarked, "You must have really enjoyed the celibate lifestyle to keep cracking jokes like that."

"I think Flash actually laughed at me just now." Gil reluctantly left the bed's warmth. "Just remember who feeds you bacon around here."

The Sanders Home

7:55 am

"Bacon! Bacon!" Greg mocked his favorite Beggin' Strips dog treat commercial as he came racing and panting into the kitchen. "I smell bacon!"

Scott shook his head at Lily. "Believe it or not, he just got done telling me that he'd finally grown up." He pecked his girlfriend's lips.

"First public kiss!" Tawny declared while pouring glasses of orange juice. "Unless of course you've been smooching it up in San Marino."

"I never thought I'd feel like a teenager again," the forty-five year old chuckled. "There's something to be thankful for."

"We did get a little frisky on our beach getaway this week." Scott reached for his wallet to show a photo from the trip he had arranged to make their first nights together special.

"I'll say you're frisky, if you're grabbing for a condom, right here in the kitchen." Greg ducked before his father could slap him upside the head.

"No, smart ass, I was reaching to show Tawny a picture. Doesn't she photograph beautifully?"

"Ooh, you're up to wallet status, Lily. That's a big step!" Giggling, Tawny glanced at the photo, not wanting to touch it with greasy hands. "You look gorgeous."

"Thank you." Lily flustered from the attention she wasn't used to getting. "It was a wonderful trip. I'm still buzzing from it."

Happier than he ever imagined he'd be again, Scott slipped his arms around Lily from behind and boasted to the kids, "I'm already planning a cruise for us in January, the Galapagos Islands."

"Speaking of plans…how's breakfast coming?" Greg impatiently asked. "All that running has me starved."

As Tawny dangled a bacon strip in front of her husband, she said, "This wouldn't be the first time I've had you begging at my feet, huh, doggie?"

"Was that the doorbell?" Scott asked over the laughter.

"Danny Boy is a little early." Greg chomped his bacon and hurried for the door. "I was worried that the first holiday after the family upheaval would get to him." Feeling the same way since it was his first holiday after the crisis with his mother, he was looking forward to empathizing. "Happy…"

"Surprise!" Bev clapped her hands. "I graduated from intensive therapy and I'm checking into one of the clinic's group homes in Malibu. You're shocked, I know, but please don't worry. I'm fully medicated, happy and harmless. I came here on Thanksgiving to say thank you for not giving up on me that day in the hospital, Gregory, for giving me a chance to get help and get better. I was so disappointed that you had to cancel your trip to Maui to meet with the doctor and me when that thingy came up with the dead woman and you being a suspect. We planned for me to tell you this there, but when you couldn't reschedule until December, I couldn't wait. It's been heavy on my heart and mind, and I thought Thanksgiving would be a good time to say it."

When Scott showed up to see his newly adopted son, he froze in his tracks.

"It's Mom," Greg glanced over. "Any chance I'm dreaming this, Dad?"

"Uh…no, not unless I am too."

"Come on, Boys! Breakfast is on the table!" Tawny shouted.

"Hi, Scott." Bev serenely smiled at her ex-husband. "Wow, you look wonderful, much better than when we parted ways. I guess that proves I really was toxic, huh?" Breathing deep, she confessed, "I do realize that now. You should have given me a kick in the ass years ago. I should have been taking meds years ago." She gave a carefree chuckle, "I don't know why Becca always had such a hissy fit about going on medication, I feel fantastic! I never want to go back to my old brain."

"Breakfast! Get your butts in here!"

"I don't expect you to invite me in." Bev nodded, understanding the shock. "I'm staying at the Bellegio if you feel up to chatting after your holiday dinner, Gregory. We could meet for coffee there, or anywhere you'd like."

"What are you guys…oh!" Tawny's hands raced to her mouth when she saw her mother-in-law.

"I'm not here to cause trouble, Sweetie, please don't worry." Seeing the girl's womb, Bev gasped, "Look at you, the babies…you look radiant, Dear."

"Uh, how are we feeling about this?" Tawny warily asked the two stunned men.

"It's okay, I'm on lots of drugs," Bev cheerily assured her jittery daughter-in-law. "You don't have to hide the knives or have the phone set to call 911. Mmm, is that bacon I smell?" Smiling at Greg she said, "When you were younger, you used to run around the house like a dog whenever I cooked it, like the Beggin' Strips commercial, remember? Bacon! Bacon! I smell bacon!"

In that moment, Greg felt his first connection with his mother since the blow out. "Yeah, I was just doing that actually. Uh, you look really good, Mom. Uh, there's plenty of breakfast, so if you want to have a quick bite before heading back to your hotel." He turned to Tawny and remembered his spousal obligation. "If it's okay with you that is?"

"Yeah, uh, but can you just give us a sec, Bev?" Tawny released an anxious smile. "Just wait there."

When Tawny shut the door, Greg whispered, "The last doctor's report she had the clinic release to me said she had made a ton of progress."

"It's still manipulative, Greg. Why couldn't she call first?"

"It's Thanksgiving and she's alone at the Bellegio."

"That's exactly what I'm talking about! She knew that would make you feel bad and…" Then she remembered how low he was the night before about the lonely old people not having anywhere to go for the holidays and didn't want him plummeting back in the hole. "You're right, we need to give it a shot, but I really don't think it's a good idea for her to find out about Lily like this. You know? Maybe she thinks there's a chance of getting her whole life back and knowing you've moved on, Scott, could throw her over the edge."

"I'll go warn Lily and make something up." Scott hurried off, pissed that Bev was pulling this, but hoping it really would signal that the worst was over and they could all come to terms with everything and move on amicably.

Tawny opened the door. "Sorry, I just wanted to make sure the place was tidy for your first visit. Welcome, and Happy Thanksgiving."

"Happy Thanksgiving, Mom." With glassy eyes, Greg stepped forward and initiated a hug. "I'm really glad you're feeling better."

Drew's House

8:40 am

Her head still pounding and her daughter not answering her page, Betsy Muller reluctantly went to the main house and knocked on the locked glass back door.

Alone in the kitchen, little Matt Stokes stopped filling his water cup at the dispenser and ran to see who was knocking. Recognizing the lady as Nanny Marta's mommy, he twisted open the locks and let her inside. "Howdy, Ma'am."

"Howdy, young man," Betsy bent down to talk eye to eye with the little boy who had the best manners of any four year old she had ever met. "I'm looking for Marta, have you seen her?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Happy to help the nice lady who had brought him a super cool tractor toy all the way from Iowa, Matt nodded, "She's sleeping in my daddy's bed."

"Excuse me?" Betsy chuckled at the answer, "Honey, why would you think she's sleeping in your daddy's bed?"

"When I have a bad dream I run to Nanny Marta's room. She scoops me up, holds me tight and lets me sleep in her bed. When she has one, she runs to my daddy's room, because he's the only one who lives here who's big enough to scoop her up and hold her tight. I can't do it." He showed his arms. "I'm way too small. Poor Nanny Marta," he sighed, feeling sorry for his caretaker, "she has lots of bad dreams, 'cause I see her sleepin' in my daddy's room a lot."

Not wanting to believe what her mind was telling her, Betsy asked the boy, "Could you take me to Marta?"

"Yes, Ma'am." He skipped off, waving the lady to follow. "Right this way."

The Sanders Home

8:43 am

"Right over here is the nursery." Greg opened the door. "We haven't done anything but prime the walls, because we don't want to jinx the pregnancy."

"Oh…this will be lovely for the girls." Bev stepped over to the window. "It's very sunny with a nice view of the pretty backyard. You will have the pool fenced before they can crawl, right?"

"Definitely. The back door shuts automatically and has a special high lock. There are safety locks on the windows too, but we'll take the extra step with the fence as well." So far, the visit was going much better than he ever imagined. The story his father made up, that Lily was in Vegas visiting her sister when her brother-in-law's mother had a heart attack in Miami, causing them to leave her alone for the holiday, was working great. His mother couldn't be mellower. Although less than an hour had passed, he was starting to feel hopeful that the visit would be smooth. "We really love the house."

"And having your father around to help will be good for Tawny on the days you work long hours."

"Yeah." Leaving the room, he led her down the rear staircase of the custom house. "It's pretty cool having two sets of stairs. This one leads into Dad's part of the house. Becca and Tony have been staying here waiting for their new house, so that's why it's cramped."

"Is that a rat?" Bev stared at the beady-eyed creature. "Your father has a pet rat? Is he that lonely?"

"No, that's Becca's pet, Lady Godiva. I'm babysitting while they're away."

"Good Lord, I can't believe that fly-by-night marriage lasted more than a month."

"Well, she's back on her meds and really working hard in therapy, and it's a match made in heaven, actually." Greg led the way back to the kitchen. "Tony likes needy women, and they don't come needier than Becks."

The Vartanns

9:03 am

"Tony?!"

"I'm in the living room, Becks!"

Becca came trotting out of the guestroom holding a glass of water and shaking her Zoloft bottle. "Miss me?"

"Absolutely."

"I need your help." She plopped onto his lap as he sat watching one of his favorite shows, Sports Disasters, with his brother while his parents and Gina showed off Sierra to the neighbors. "I can't get the damn safety proof cap off this new bottle and I'm afraid I'll chip a nail if I keep trying." She pecked his cheeked. "If you help me, I promise to make it worth your while later, Big Daddy."

Knowing his brother was biting his tongue, Tony decided to make him draw blood. "Of course I'll help you, Baby." He popped the cap. "It's a husband's job to help his wife." While she swallowed her morning dose, Tony tenderly stroked her back. "Want to watch this show? Or would you like to do something else?" In a whisper loud enough for Reggie to hear, Tony said, "After what you did for me last night, I'll do anything you want, Sweetheart."

Reggie hoped Becca asked Tony to take her for a long drive in the desert, during which they'd get lost. Then his Catholic guilt kicked in and he amended his thought to include them having enough food and water to be safe and returning unharmed.

"Since you watch my chick shows with me, I'll watch this testosterone fest with you. After all, this trip is all about Las Vegas's latest hero having a few days of R&R before returning to bust some more bad guys."

Even though Tony's lips weren't moving Reggie could hear him yell 'See! Marriage is all about compromise, loser!'

After placing her pill bottle and water on the coffee table, Becca nuzzled into the warmth of the Loro Piana cashmere sweater her husband was wearing. "Mmm, this sweater is as comfy to snuggle up to as I thought it would be when I bought it for you."

Cursing his mother's 'no booze before ten' rule, Reggie asked, "How much would a sweater like that set a guy back, Becca?"

"Uh, I don't know, I didn't check the price. I bought it because I thought the blue sweater would look great with Tony's blue eyes. Knowing their stuff though, probably four or five hundred." Smiling at her brother-in-law she not-so-cryptically asked, "Does a certain guy maybe want one for Christmas? If he sat on Santa's lap, what color and size would he ask for?"

"Yeah, right." Laughing at the idea, Reggie replied, "The last thing I need the guys to see me wearing is a frou-frou sweater like..."

"Hey! If you have a problem with me, don't take it out on my wife." Tony scowled at his brother. "She was trying to buy you a thoughtful Christmas gift. Some manners would be nice."

"I'm sorry, Becca. Thank you, I really appreciate the thought, but it's not my style. I'm more like a Best Buy or Home Depot gift card kind of guy." Reggie stood, clutching his empty coffee cup. "I need a refill and some air."

"Uh, did you two get into a fight during your run?"

"It's the whole thing with him and Gina. I'm sick of him sitting on his ass. And after she broke down in my arms like I told you, I feel guilty about paying for Pahrump. We're working it out in a very brotherly manner, don't worry." Bumping his nose to hers, Tony playfully said, "He's bitter because he's miserable and I'm happy, which is funny, because he didn't seem to care all that much about me when I was miserable and his life was grand. We both know what it's like to be heartbroken and surrounded by happy couples."

"It sucks."

"Yeah, but it's wrong to think the happy couple should tone down their happiness for the miserable people, because the first thing miserable people do when they meet someone is be happy and not care who knows it, because it feels to god damn good after being miserable for so long."

"What a vicious cycle," Becca replied with her lips bumping against her husband's mouth. "Wanna be happy with me right now?"

Answering with a series of increasingly passionate kisses, Tony felt like the teenager he used to be, sneaking a girl over while his parents were gone. "This is just as hot as it was back in high school."

"Totally."

"Not that we're really going to do anything, but…" Laughing, he tackled her onto her back and teased her with his body. "Oh yeah, this feels very familiar. Except this couch has a lot more support than my parents' old one. Between Matt and me bringing girls home, the cushions were flat and you could hear the springs."

"I wonder how much DNA a CSI would have found back then," she giggled, while her forty year old husband pawed her like a randy teen.

"Hell, the whole couch would have been glowing under the ALS."

"I can't believe you're feeling me up on your mommy's couch."

In her ear, Tony snickered, "If you were wearing a skirt I'd steal third. How about we head back to the bedroom for a vigorous, yet quiet romp."

"Stop right there! I gotta know right now!" Becca started singing to the tune of Meatloaf's 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light'. "Before we go any further…"

"You know that song?" He rolled on his side. "That's my generation, not yours."

"Are you kidding? That song transcends every generation, Baby."

"I had a secret copy of it and would blast it when my mommy couldn't catch me. I know every word."

"Let's see if you still do." Outrageously happy, she sang in her breathiest voice, "I gotta know right now! Before we go any further, do you love me?! And will you love me forever?" She shoved him. "You're turn!"

"Becks, come on, I already wore moose jammies and read poetry to you."

"You said you'd do anything for me after last night."

"It's rough being married to a contract lawyer." When she glared and poked him again, he sang without feeling, "Baby, let me sleep on it."

"With feeling, please."

Wondering when she would be sizing him up for the diamond collar his brother snarked about, Tony gave up. "Let me sleep on it. Let me sleep on it! I'll give you an answer in the morning!"

Even though she saw Marge and Gina walk through the front door, Becca kept going and didn't tell her husband, whose back was to the door. "Will you love me forever?!"

"Let me sleep on it!"

"Will you love me forever?!"

Suddenly he was back in time, singing in the shower, "I couldn't take it any longer, Lord I was crazed! And when the feeling came upon me like a tidal wave I started swearing to my god and on my mother's grave…"

"Anthony!"

He whipped around, hearing his mother's shrill, and was mortified to see they were no longer alone. "Uh…I'm singing because I lost another bet."

Certain that her boy wouldn't end up on the neighbor's lawn drunk and depressed this year, Marge teased, "Keep your day job, Dear, and put a pillow in front of your crotch like you used to when we'd come home and interrupt you with a girl."

Wow…he sings to her too. "Uh, has anyone seen Reggie?" Gina robotically asked. "He was supposed to come out and take the baby for a stroll, but Dennis is doing it instead."

Feeling empathy for the miserable woman, Becca nodded, "Yeah, he went down the hall."

Drew's House

9:15 am

Pacing the hall outside the door Matt had opened, where her daughter was slumbering in the arms of her employer, Betsy fretted over what to say and do.

"What are you doing?" Cassie Stokes asked when she found Marta's mommy walking and mumbling.

"Oh, uh…"

Cassie peered into her father's room. "Oh no!" The child rushed to the bed like a track star. "Nanny Marta! You silly! You went sleepwalking again and ended up in Daddy's bed!"

Snapped out of their peaceful slumber, Marta and Drew bolted up.

"Your mommy is right outside," Cassie frantically whispered while pointing to her nanny's promise ring. "You're not allowed to touch boys, but she saw you huggin' my daddy."

Seeing her mother appear in the doorway, Marta instinctually dove under the covers like a busted child.

"This is a little more than getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar, Marta Jean, and I'm not going to pretend I don't see a lump under the blanket like I used to when you were five."

Desperately wishing he had a shirt and not a morning woody, Drew stammered, "I know this…this is a shock, I know, but…it's cliché to say it's not what you think…I mean it is what you think in that we are together, but we're not just together for this…" With his daughter standing by he didn't want to get specific. "Cassie, Sugar, would you go downstairs and make sure Matt gets cereal if he's up, thank you, Honey."

"Yes, Sir, I know you want me to leave so you can talk grown up stuff." Stopping in front of Mrs. Muller, the little girl made a plea on Marta's behalf. "Please don't be too mad at her. I love her very much and really, really want her to be my new mommy some day. She's the nicest, sweetest, kindest, person ever and she makes my daddy smile lots and never yells at him like my mommy used to. If Nanny Marta gets grounded and has to go back to Iowa, my heart will break in a million teeny pieces and there won't be enough glue in the whole world to put it back together. I think my daddy would feel the same way."

As the little girl walked away sniffling, Betsy entered the room. "Did you hear that sweet little girl? She actually thinks the two of you have a future together. How can you lead her on like that after what the poor soul has already been through?"

"Marta had planned on telling you this morning, and I know this is a real awkward way to find out, but…I love your daughter, Ma'am." Drew slipped his arm around Marta, pulling her close. "This isn't a booty call, it's the real deal, and Cassie was right, if Marta were to leave tomorrow, my heart would break."

"Is this why you got a divorce?!" The thought of her daughter as a home wrecker twisted Betsy's gut. "But in the eyes of the Lord you're a…"

"No, Mom!" Finding her courage, Marta left the bed. "We never touched until after Lissa was gone, but once we did…once we got to talking, it was love at first date, and Drew has been a perfect gentleman."

Breathing again, Betsy said, "So, you're still saving yourself for marriage then."

"If you mean do I intend to only give myself to one man in this lifetime…yes."

"So, you two are…" The devout Christian, couldn't help but worry for her sinning daughter. "This is not how we raised you, Marta. I'd be lyin' if I said I wasn't disappointed."

"I know." Marta hugged her mother. "I'm sorry, but I'm twenty-four and in love with a man who loves and respects me. It felt right."

"Strangling your father feels like the right thing to do sometimes too, but I don't do it because the Bible tells me murder, like fornication, is a sin."

Finally able to leave the bed, Drew hurried for a shirt and then crossed the room to support Marta. "If it will make things right, I'll drive her to the chapel right now."

"What?!" Marta and Betsy both shrieked, while Cassie came running in from where she was hiding in the hall.

Dropping to one knee, Drew took his lover's hand. "Marta Jean Muller, you're already the best mother my children have ever had, now will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"

"Say yes!" Cassie screamed as she jumped up and down. "Say yes!"

Standing there, watching Drew beam, Cassie jump, and her mother fret, Marta tearfully replied, "No."

The Sanders Home

9:29 am

"Yes, I'd love for you to stay for dinner, Bev." Tawny thought her lie sounded particularly convincing.

"Thank you, I know I've caused you a lot of grief, so it's very generous of you to include me."

"Well, you haven't caused a fraction of the grief you've caused Scott and Greg, so if they can stomach having you around, I should be able to manage."

"That's good, very honest. My therapist would love it." Bev wrinkled her nose and smiled, "I really enjoy therapy. It's all about me."

Same old Bev. Tawny checked her watch, "Gotta put the turkey in. Greg!"

"Yo!" He rushed from the couch where he was teaching Lily to play Grand Theft Auto on Xbox while his father laughed at them. "What's up?"

"Turkey time."

"Hey, Danny's here!" Through the window, Greg saw him strolling up to the house with flowers and went to meet him.

"Danny?" Bev watched her son run for the door. "Who's Danny?"

"Bro!" Greg greeted him with open arms. "Happy Thanksgiving!"

"It's a little complicated," Tawny answered in reply to Bev's question, realizing they hadn't called to warn Daniel about Bev. "Uh…"

Scott rushed to the front door to avert disaster, "Dan…"

Proudly waving the bouquet he had purchased with money earned at his new part-time job, Daniel yelled, "I have flowers for my two favorite ladies! Hey, Pop," he affectionately called the man who had saved his life in more ways than one. "You look tan. How was your big trip to the beach with Lily?" He grabbed a hug. "Is she officially your girlfriend now?"

"Girlfriend…" Bev looked at Lily and saw she was panicked. "You…you and Scott…you're a…couple?" The revelation knocked her off balance. "How long have you…"

"We didn't start seeing each other until after the divorce was final." Lily hoped that would help matters. "We didn't want to say anything today and cause tension when it was important for you and Greg to spend some time together."

"Oh my gosh, is that Greg's mother?" Daniel whispered in Scott's ear, having seen photos of the psycho. "Did I say something…"

"It's okay." Scott kept his arm around the boy who didn't need any family conflict in his already crazy life.

"You know, I just remembered that I made a spa reservation at the Bellegio for today." Bev hurried to the counter to grab her purse. "Forgive me for eating and running. It was nice seeing all of you and meeting you, Danny…whoever you are, I'm still quite confused about that. Lily and Scott, I wish you well. Take care of yourself, Tawny." She hurried for the front door, too flustered not to bump into people along the way. "I'll call you, Gregory. Happy Thanksgiving everyone."

When the door shut, they all jumped and much to their surprise, felt sorry for Bev.

"I…" Greg lunged for the doorknob. "I want to make sure she's okay."

Drew's House

9:35 am

"Cassie…" Marta rapped on the little girl's door. "Are you okay? May I come in?" When she didn't get an answer, Marta went in anyway. "Oh, Sweetie." Seeing her bawling and clutching a teddy bear, she hurried over. "You have it all wrong, Honey."

"You…" The girl gulped air. "You don't wanna…" Another gulp. "Be my new Mommy."

"Come here." Marta scooped her up, cradling her. "I can't think of anything in the world I'd rather be than your Daddy's wife and your new mommy."

"I…don't…understand."

"Honey, I don't want your daddy to ask me the most important question of my life because he's worried he's insulted my mother…while he's wearing pajamas." Wiping Cassie's tears, Marta spoke in a fairy tale tone, "I want it to be the spectacular moment I've dreamed about since I was your age…somewhere special…when I'm not wearing sweatpants, and your daddy doesn't have icky morning breath, because I'd like to kiss him real good after. Do you understand?"

"Uh huh."

"I'm very excited that he wants to ask me, but we need to wait until the time is right, not just because my parents are here and he feels bad that they're upset."

"Okay." Cassie's smile returned. "I'll make sure my daddy knows to brush his teeth before he asks you next time."

Nick and Carrie's

9:41 am

"I took care of Binda and brushed my teeth, Darlin'!" Nick pounced on the bed like a puppy begging for affection, "Can I have a kiss now?"

"Mmm… you can have more than a kiss." Carrie ruffled his hair. "It's time to play, because we've been working hard all week."

He dropped a kiss on her bare shoulder. "I've missed you."

"And I've missed you." Tossing her lingerie, Carrie purred, "What do you say to staying in bed until we have to be at your brother's?"

Nick dove under the covers. "Between this glorious morning with you and the Cowboys pounding the Broncos this afternoon, I'll have plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving."

"Mmm…" Snuggling close for the beginning of a lazy, romantic morning, Carrie blissfully sighed, grateful for a relaxing, stress-free holiday.

Author's Notes:

Football buffs know that Nick won't be able to be thankful for both of those things LOL luckily Carrie will be there to ease the pain later. Speaking of pain…while hardworking ADA Blake and CSI Stokes enjoy a lazy, stress-free morning for a change, the chaos will continue elsewhere

I hope you're enjoying being a fly on the wall for the holiday fun!

Next Chapter Posting: Thursday, 1/18

Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts on the chapter,

Maggs