Debra sat back in her seat as Ray drove to the hospital. She couldn't stop thinking about what had happened with Marie. All these years she could never quite figure out why Marie was always putting her down. Maybe her cooking wasn't as great as Marie's but it's not like her family gagged every time she fed them. There were plenty of times where she had cooked something and Ray and the kids really liked it. She kept the house as clean as she possibly could. It wasn't easy with two young boys constantly tracking dirt in the house. Ally was a little better but she still tracked it in from time to time. It's not like they lived in a pig sty although to hear Marie tell it...Debra shook her head. She knew Marie had trouble letting go when it came to her sons...well mostly Ray..but did she really need to act so damn superior? More than anything Debra really wanted to have a good relationship with her mother in law. When Marie came over that time to show her how she made her meatballs, she actually enjoyed herself. But Marie had to sabatage her? Why? What did she gain from that?

What did she gain from rewashing their clothes? Making remarks about how the twins look like ragamuffins and need a haircut. Was she trying to imply she was a horrible mother?

Debra had more questions than answers. What she did know was that she was truly tired of it. Tired of Marie making her feel like second best. Not even that. More like 22nd best.

"You okay?" asked Ray breaking Debra's thoughts.

"I'm fine...I'm just...thinking about your mother and the way she's acted since we got married...I don't understand why she acts like that way"

"Listen." said Ray. "Don't worry about it okay? It's her problem not yours. You've done nothing wrong. You always tried to welcome her and she has to be petty. It doesn't matter what she thinks. She'll just have to get over it"

"I know but don't you ever wonder why"

"No." said Ray. "I'm not about to try either. I've grown up with this woman and I can tell you that she just has to have her way and things have to be done her way. She's always sticking her nose into where it doesn't belong. "

"Like when she found your journal and made YOU apologize for what you wrote"

"Exactly. I was just feeling frustrated with her and I just wrote that. It wasn't for her eyes. It wasn't for anyone's eyes but mine. But she makes it about her and acts like I did something so horrible. A lot of kids feel like that sometimes. You don't really mean it but that's just how you feel."

"That's true." said Debra.

The hospital came into view and they pulled into the parking lot. Getting out of the car they noticed Marie and Frank's car sitting in the parking lot. Ray looked at Debra. "You ready"

She nodded. "Yes."

Ray took her and they headed into the hospital. They walked over to the elevator and hit the button for the third floor.

Ray squeezed Debra's hand as they wrote in silence. Debra smiled and said nothing.

The elevator door opened and they walked out to the waiting area. Ray spotted Frank sitting in one of the chairs. "Hey dad." He greeted. "Any news yet"

"No not yet." replied Frank.

"Hi Frank. "greeted Debra. "Where's Marie"

"She went to get Amy some ice chips. Listen I know what happened"

"I see." sighed Debra. "She told you about it"

"She didn't have to." said Frank. "I knew there was going to be trouble when she went bustling over to your house."
He turned to Ray. "I think you were right in what you told your mother. It's time she learned to back off. She can't be coming over 5 or 6 times a day bugging Debra about one thing or another. It may have been hard for her to hear but she needed to hear it"

"Thanks Dad." replied Ray.

"You're welcome." He then turned to Debra. "Don't worry about Marie. She'll get over it. Now if you'll excuse me...I'm going to get some juice. Let me know if you hear anything"

"Wait Dad..." said Ray. "I'll go with you." The two left to head to the cafeteria and Debra was left alone. She sat down on one of the chairs covered with blue fabric. While she waited Marie arrived.

Hesitating a bit Debra looked up. "H..Hi Ma Marie"

"Debra." replied Marie.

"So...how's how's Amy"

"She's doing good"

"And Robert"

"He's doing good too."

"Where's Frank"

"He went to the cafeteria with Ray to get some juice." replied Debra.

"Okay." said Marie who then walked to the other side of the waiting room and sat down.

God. thought Debra. She can't even sit here with me? Well to hell with it. She wasn't about to play this game. The game of where a person has to apologize to Marie even though they weren't the one who was wrong. Debra picked up a magazine and began flipping through it.

Marie sat in her chair and watched Debra. She wasn't even going to come over to talk to her? She was just going to let her sit there all by herself?

Ray and Frank arrived back from the cafeteria. Frank noticed Marie sitting on the other side with a frown on her face. Rolling his eyes he walked over to her. "What's with you?" He asked.

"Debra." She snapped. "She doesn't even have the decency to see how I am"

"How YOU are?" Frank said rolling his eyes. "Stop making everything about you. It's not about you.
YOU were the one who barges over there every day for how many years putting down Debra and making it out like everything she does is wrong. YOU should be apologizing to HER. And to Ray"

"Ray?"

"Yes Ray. Debra is his wife. How do you think it makes him feel to have you treat her like that? You ever take that into consideration"

"Well...I"

"That's what I thought." said Frank.

"I don't mean to be that way...I just"

"Don't tell me that." said Frank. "Tell Debra and Ray that"

Before Marie could respond Robert came running out. "It's time!" He exclaimed in his booming voice. "It's time!" He then scurried back to the delivery room.

About an hour later, they were all gathered into Amy's room admiring the newborn baby.

"She's beautiful." smiled Debra as she looked at her new niece.

"Yeah she looks nothing like you Robert." joked Ray.

"Ha Ha." said Robert. "Very funny"

"She's the most beautiful baby in the world." said Amy proudly holding her new daughter.

"So what's her name?" asked Frank.

"Well..we decided on Grace Kelly Barone"

"Nice." said Frank approvingly. "I like it"

"You want to hold her Frank?" asked Amy.

"Sure." said Frank taking the baby. "Hey there Grace." He said to his new granddaughter. "I'm your grandpa." Grace made a tiny gurgling sound.

Amy looked over and saw Marie standing near the wall silently. "Marie...you want to hold her"

"That's okay...I"

"Oh come on." said Frank. "Here...see your new granddaughter." He said placing the baby in Marie's arms.

Marie smiled. "What a beautiful baby." She said in awe. "So precious. Just like Ally was when she was born"

"I remember that." said Debra fondly. "The nurse said she couldn't hold you back any longer"

"Well it was my first grandchild." said Marie. "It was a very special day. Just like today is"

"At least this time you didn't knock over a gurney." joked Ray.

Marie gave him a look. "Very funny. It was an accident."

"Sure it was." laughed Frank.

"Oh stop it." said Marie. She handed the baby back to Amy. "She's very precious. You take good care of her"

"I will Marie." smiled Amy.

Frank nudged Marie's arm and motioned her to Ray and Debra. Marie sighed. "Ray...Debra...Can I talk to you for a minute"

"Sure Marie." said Debra. She and Ray followed Marie outside the hospital room.

Marie shut the door and turned to them. "I just want to apologize to you both. I shouldn't have come over like I did...I'm sorry"

"Marie it's..." Debra started to say.

"No." interrupted Ray. "Not so fast. What else are you sorry for Ma? All those times you put down Debra? Your subtle insults? Are you sorry for that"

"Of course I am." said Marie.

"Really Ma? Are you really sorry? Or are you just saying that"

"Ray I don't think your mother..."

"No Debra." said Ray firmly. "I'm not letting her get off that easily this time. I want to know...Ma are you truly sorry for the way you've treated Debra over the years? Because I know I am."

"What?" said a stunned Debra.

"I'm sorry that I never stood up for you more. I'm sorry I didn't see your side more. I was always so worried about making sure she wasn't upset that I neglected YOUR feelings. Like with the meatballs...I should have seen you were right. I'm sorry I didn't. I love you Debra"

"I love you too Debra." said Marie with tears in her eyes. "Raymond's right. I should have treated you better. I should have seen how wrong I was in what I did and said. I do love you Debra. I AM happy that you married Raymond. You make him so happy. That's all I wanted. All I ever wanted for my son was to be happy. And he is. I want to put this all behind us. Start fresh. Please Debra"

Debra thought about it. Could she really just forget all the horrible things that Marie has said and done? Was it worth holding a grudge about it forever? More than anything she wanted the family to get along and well BE a family.

"Marie...it's going to take some time and if you are willing to try..."

"I am. I am I swear I am. I just want us to be a family"

"I want that too Marie." said Debra. "I just want to know that you can hold up your end and not be so critical of me and how I keep my home. I mean I don't want to hear how you thought of me when you see a new vaccum advertised or some commerical for cleanser"

"I promise. I won't do that anymore"

"No more bringing turkeys over when I make fish? No more going through my refridgerator and throwing out my food."

"It will never happen again. I promise"

"And if I want to hire a sitter for the kids"

"I'll mind my own business." replied Marie.

"I hope so." said Debra. "I mean it Marie I don't want this to continue. I want us to be close and I want us to be honest but I don't want to be put down"

"Debra I promise...I will try harder to not say things that are critical and hurtful. If I have something to say...I'll be more tactful about it"

"That's all I ask." said Debra.

"And Ma..." added Ray. "No more trying to sabatage Debra when you are showing her how you make something"

"I promise. I don't want there to be any tension between us"

"We don't want that either Marie." said Debra. "So if Ray is sick...you'll let me take care of him and not act like I'm not nurturing"

"I won't bother you at all. I won't even bring over chicken soup."

"Well..." said Ray. "You can still bring over the soup"

Debra laughed. "Yeah Marie that is okay"

"Deal." said Marie hugging them both. "Oh I'm so glad we got this all straighted out."

"Me too." said Debra.

Marie headed back into Amy's room while Ray and Debra remained outside.

"You think she'll stick to her word?" asked Debra.

"I don't know." replied Ray. "But if she doesn't...that's it. I'm not bending over backwards for her anymore"

"I love you Ray." said Debra putting her arms around her husband.

"I love you too Debra." He said placing a kiss on her lips.

Frank then came out. "Everything okay now?" He asked.

"Everything's great." said Ray hugging Debra.