A few weeks later…

Mary Anne shook her hair loose from the pony tail holding it up and exited her car. As she opened the door into her home she was nearly knocked over by a Golden Retriever being chased by 2 young children.

"Mommy!" screamed 6 year old Sutton as she wrapped her arms around Mary Anne's legs.

"How's my angel?" replied Mary Anne as she picked up Sutton and kissed her.

"Are you taking us to school today Mom?" asked 8 year old Michael as a shock of dark hair fell into his eyes.

Just then a good looking man dressed in a suit came walking out of the kitchen. He leaned down to kiss his wife then stated, "How about Daddy takes you both to school and we'll let Mommy sleep? She's been at work for a long time!"

"I don't like those pajamas you are wearing, I like the ones with the hearts on them better!" pouted Sutton.

Mary Anne looked down at her faded green scrubs and grinned.

"They aren't pajamas you dumbo!" chided Michael. "They are called scrubs because she has to scrub babies when she is at work. "

"Mike, that is not nice to call your sister names." Scolded Mary Anne gently. "And honey, mommy is a neo-natal nurse; I take care of babies who are too little to go home. I have to give them medicine, feed them, and change their little diapers and yes, sometimes I bathe them, but I don't really "scrub" them."

"Ok you two, run upstairs brush your teeth, get your book bags and let's give mommy some peace and quiet!"

"Jeremy, I can take them if you want? I'm not that tired." Said Mary Anne as she wrapped her arms around her husband.

"Mary Anne, I drive by their school on the way to work just let me take them? Besides there is a pile of mail waiting for you to go through." He kissed the tip of her nose and playfully swatted her behind.

Mary Anne kissed her husband and children goodbye and watched out the window as he loaded them into his SUV. It was hard to believe they were approaching their 10 year wedding anniversary.

She had met Jeremy completely by chance. Ten years ago during her nursing rotations she had been working on the geriatric ward. Jeremy had been there visiting his Grandma who was recovering from a broken hip. They got to talking and after a whirlwind courtship they had gotten married. He was an advertising executive now which allowed him to work from home sometimes. She had switched to nights at the hospital once Sutton started school so she could be there when they got home from school.

With a huge sigh she walked over to the counter where the mail sat. Tossing aside some catalogs she wrinkled her nose as she opened the Visa bill. The charges from their recent trip to Disney World had finally appeared. As she wrote out a check and quickly balanced the checkbook she noticed a pale yellow envelope peeking out from under a catalog. She tore open the envelope and squealed as she read:

Mary Anne-

I just wanted to drop you a quick note since you NEVER email me back. (How can you not email in this day and age? Get with the program! HA HA) Kristy is coming back to Stoneybrook with her (Ready for this?) fiancé Nigel. I'm trying to get everyone together for dinner, drinks etc. It's been forever since we've gotten together, I think the last time I saw Sutton she was just starting to walk. In any case let me know if you (and the family) are available next month for a get together. Maybe we could all make a long weekend out of it? Email me, call me, write me, send a smoke signal I don't care, just let me know!

Luv,

Claudia

P.S. I have enclosed some business cards in case any of your fellow nurses need a wedding cake.

Mary Anne read the note a second time then quickly picked up the phone to call Jeremy.

"Jeremy! Guess what? My old friend Claudia just sent me a letter. All of my old friends are getting together in Stoneybrook next month. Can you can time off work?" asked Mary Anne excitedly.

Jeremy grinned as he listened to his wife's rambling. "Sounds great baby. I can get time off no problem."

"Really?" cried Mary Anne. "I can't wait to see everyone. But just one thing. Can you walk me through how to send Claudia an email?"