A/N: Wow I am amazed that no one has corrected me on this! I've been spelling Marge's pet word to Homer as Homey and I have discovered my mistake after reading through the guide books and the new Marge Book, its actually spelled Homie. So yeah my mistake will be corrected in the next chapters that have Homer in them, including this one. Yes it's sad and yes you might be drying your nose with a pancake, notice that the word might is there, it depends on the readers mood. Also because some people have requested stuff, I have added three more chapters so it should come to about 18 chapters. Yayness. I shall shut up now and go on with the story before you all kick my ass.


It was Wednesday morning and Ned Flanders arrived at The Leftorium ready to start the day. He made sure everything was in order and restocked what he needed all in an hour before Marge arrived. He liked the idea of Marge helping out; he could teach her all he knew just before lunch especially since business was not too busy in the morning.

Marge soon arrived a few minutes before she was needed. Maggie was in a stroller playing with one of her shoes. Ned did not see her come in though because he was too busy making sure the coffee cups were aligned just right.

It was Maggie who got his attention when she decided it would be fun to throw her shoe at the wall. Ned quickly jumped up and looked to find Marge scolding Maggie.

"Maggie, don't do that, it makes the wall all dirty," said Marge as she put Maggie's shoe back on.

"Sorry Mommy," said Maggie.

"Howdilly Doodilly Marge, are you ready to help me out?" asked Ned sounding all cheerful. He was glad to get Marge away from her house so they could talk more.

"I guess I'm as ready as I will ever be," said Marge as she looked up at Ned. Ned quickly noticed that Marge had that same look she had the first time she came in to visit Ned a little over two weeks ago now.

"What's wrong Marge?" asked Ned.

"Oh I had a dream last night and Homer was in it, it was such a happy dream and then I woke up and found myself all alone in the bed," said Marge.

Ned gave her a small frown. He remembered having dreams with Maude in them after she died and he was always so sad to see them end. He did have dreams with her still in them sometimes but they were rare now.

"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Ned.

"Maybe after you show me what to do, you probably need to get going and show me the ropes," said Marge.

Ned nodded as she led Marge into the back room where the entire inventory was. The backroom was a lot bigger than Marge thought. It looked to be as big as the whole store and everything was in perfect order.

"Now I just got this whole shipment in last night," said Ned as he pointed to a pile of boxes that were by the door. It was all mismatched and not very neat. "What you do is you take a box and you count how many articles or packages are in here. Then you take the box and you move it to its location, if its heavy just wheel it there with this dolly. Then put next to the other boxes all nice and neat and then go back to the next box. It's really that simple."

"Well it does look simple, not too hard at all, sounds like an easy job," said Marge.

"Good, now come out here and I will show you how to work the register," said Ned.

Ned quickly gave Marge a tutorial on the register and it didn't take her long to know what she was doing before a customer came in. It was Moe, coming in for a new left handed corkscrew for his bar. When he saw Marge at the register, his face instantly lit up.

"Oh hey Midge! I didn't know you worked here," said Moe.

"It's my first day, gotta make money now somehow," said Marge as she looked at the price tag on the corkscrew and then pointed at a button on the register to Ned who quickly nodded.

"So how have you been any way, I haven't seen you since the funeral," said Moe who made sure he sounded sincere and concerned for her.

"I'm hanging in there, it's been hard but I think I can make it. Twelve fifty-five please," said Marge.

Moe quickly gave Marge his credit card and smiled at her bravery. "Yeah the guys at the bar are really bored now; it definitely isn't the same without him."

"I know what you mean Moe," said Marge who now really wanted this conversation to end, even though Ned was helping, the pain was still there.

"Well I hope to see you again sometime, if you need anything feel free to call," said Moe who quickly signed and walked out, he could somehow sense that Marge was not happy with the conversation.

Once Moe left, Ned quickly changed the subject. "Good job Marge, you are already a pro at this," said Ned.

"Thanks Ned, should I wait for another or start inventory for you?" asked Marge.

"Well the store is slow around this hour so I will man the register, you just stay in the back and the next person who comes, you can take care of them," said Ned.

Marge nodded and quickly brought Maggie to the back room with her to sort inventory. Marge set Maggie in a spot where she could see her easily while she played with blocks and set about working.

There was a lot more than Marge thought and was only halfway done when her lunchtime rolled around. Ned had actually left for lunch and left her in charge for an hour. Marge actually did a pretty good job of it too, only two people came in and both offered their condolences to Marge before leaving.

When Ned returned, he found Marge sitting on top of a box and watching Maggie. He thought she was resting for a moment until he noticed a tear fall down her face.

"Everything okay Marge?" asked Ned.

"It's just been one of those days, I am so surprised I haven't burst into tears in front of some of those customers," said Marge.

"That dream last night got to you huh?" asked Ned.

Marge only nodded before getting up to do more inventory. She really didn't want to feel so down and have Ned deal with her in the store. She needed to be tough and do her job.

Ned sat down and watched her take inventory to one of the boxes. Marge did not even notice until she turned around and saw him staring back.

"It's okay Ned, I'll be fine," said Marge.

"Oh I'm not leaving until we have another talk, its okay, I can watch for anyone from this door right here. Even at work you can feel down," said Ned who then patted the box signaling for Marge to come sit with him.

Marge slowly trudged over and sat beside Ned. Lately Lisa or Bart would be beside her giving her hugs on the living room couch and that always made her feel better inside, but this time sitting next to Ned, it felt different. He had a warm feeling about him and there seemed to be a loving vibe that she had not felt since Homer lay beside her.

"Now do you remember where we left off the last time we talked about Homer?" asked Ned.

Marge thought for a moment and then gasped in surprise; this next part was something she really was not ready for.

"Oh no Ned not today, not the way I've been feeling," said Marge.

"It's okay Marge, start talking about it, just remember how you can always stop when you want," said Ned who was now holding Marge's hand for support.

Marge sighed and looked down at Ned's hand, it was so soft and small, not huge like Homer's had been. "Okay I'll tell you," she began as she remembered an evening that happened a little over a year ago.


"How was the doctor today Homer?" Marge asked as she sat in bed waiting for Homer to get finished brushing his teeth.

"He said I am doing well which is surprising because of how everyone else has faired. Maybe I will not get it as bad and everything will be alright," said Homer as he slowly made his way to his side of the bed. His strides had been slower lately which made him look like he would drop any moment and fall asleep. He still went to work but he had also been offered to work at home. Homer opted not to unless he physically couldn't go out for very long.

"Yes but for how long, I've noticed how tired you get lately," said Marge.

"I wonder that too Marge, but lets think about the happy things, or the bad things will come quicker than you think. Dr. Hibbert told me that one," said Homer with a short grin as he got into bed and pulled up close to Marge under the covers.

"You're right Homie, but I just hate the idea of loosing you," said Marge with a sigh.

"Maybe its not as bad as they say, maybe it will go away soon, and all this will be a funny memory," said Homer.

"Yeah maybe, but what if it does attack you full force, without warning, then how long will you have?" asked Marge.

Homer stared back at Marge with fear in his eyes, he hadn't thought about the complications that could arise. What if he did die on her suddenly? How would she go on without him? How would the kids fare without a father in the house? Maggie was just starting to talk and play like a toddler and he loved watching her do so. It was now devastating to think that his little girl would grow up without him. Even worse was the idea of Bart not having a father figure and Lisa, how would Lisa fare? Those sudden thoughts made him scared and he quickly hugged Marge as he suddenly began to cry, something he hadn't done yet.

"Just promise me you will warn me before you slip away," said Marge.

"I'll try honey, but death can be so unfair……" Homer explained as he looked down at his sheets unable to look at his wife in the eyes without crying. "………I want to grow old with you."

Marge stared back at Homer, his face so solemn and tired looking. He had never said such a thing like that before and she was amazed at how he let it out with only letting a few tears flow. Just staring at him right now made Marge sob heavily. Homer looked back into her beautiful hazel eyes and saw the worry and fear that she had been dreading for a year now. A look that he hated to see, it always made him feel down. Carefully he moved his hands over Marge's cheeks and wiped the tears away. Marge let out a heavy sigh and held Homer's hands as she continued to look him in the eyes.

"Do you have any pain?" she finally asked.

"My joints will sometimes feel stiff and sore and my chest does get weak and tired when I do something big, but it doesn't stop me for days like some patients have felt," said Homer.

Marge stared back at Homer, she had seen him every day but failed to notice that his stomach was a little smaller now, and his face looked tired and heavy as if he hadn't had much sleep in a while.

"You've lost weight too," said Marge.

"Yeah I guess it's because I haven't gone to the bar very much and I haven't been as hungry," said Homer as he let go of Marge's hand and tapped his stomach lightly, it didn't jiggle like it used to. He looked back at her with a nervous grin and realized how serious this now was.

Marge sat there realizing what Homer had just said, his dinner plate was rarely clean and usually he only took half of what he used to eat. Why was her husband slowly wasting away like this? Why couldn't the doctors help him get better as fast as they could?

"All I want is for you to be well," was all Marge said after thinking about it long enough.

"And Marge," said Homer as he grabbed her hand and held it tightly. Marge looked back at him with longing and worried eyes.

"Yes Homer?" she asked as more tears began to fall down her face.

"Even if I do leave you, I will find a way to be with you in spirit," said Homer who was now crying as much as Marge was.

"Oh Homie, I love you!" said Marge as she went full force at Homer, hugging him tightly.

"And I love you with all my heart," said Homer as he tried his hardest to keep the tears from falling down his cheeks like a river.

That night they slept very closely together, never leaving each others side. Both dreaming of their golden years together, watching their children grow and the grandchildren they hoped to have. Oh what a wonderful thought it was to have grandchildren and watch them grow like the kids. It was so hard to see that Homer would soon be missing in the house; Marge did not want to even think about it, not yet. Life is a precious thing and it is best to enjoy the present and not the future of what was to come.

When they woke up the next morning, they found that they had slept in longer than they should have but that was alright, the kids took care of themselves and went to school without a problem. That was what Marge liked and she prayed that the kids were handling it better than she was.


Marge was now crying heavily in front of Ned; Maggie was standing nearby watching, unsure of what was going on. She had seen her mother cry numerous times and knew better than to cry back because Marge would end up crying even harder. Ned patted her on the back and quickly walked out to help a customer. When he returned he found her blowing her nose and wiping the tears off her face.

"You were right Marge, that was too hard for you today," said Ned who was now close to crying himself.

Marge did not say anything but quickly got up and went to the next box, she dug around for a moment before writing down the number on the sheet of paper she had. She was about to get the dolly when she turned and saw Ned standing there looking concerned.

Marge was about to say something when Ned grabbed her hand and held it tight.

"Go home, I can do the rest later," said Ned.

"Are you sure?" asked Marge.

"I am as positive as a plus sign," said Ned.

Marge knew that arguing would not help so she quickly scooped up Maggie and put her in her stroller while Ned walked her to the door.

Outside in the mall, Bart and Lisa had been let out early for the day and decided to help their mother by picking up Maggie and taking her home. Bart was the first to arrive but quickly stopped short when he saw Ned and Marge walk out of the room. Both of them were holding each others hands and Marge was looking up at Ned with longing eyes. Bart gasped in surprise as Lisa came forward.

"What's wrong Bart?" asked Lisa.

Bart only pointed as Lisa looked up just in time to see Marge give Ned a huge hug. Lisa let out a smile, for a few days she was a little worried about what Rod and Todd said but after much thinking she decided that they were seeing things at different angles and what looked like love was really just a sincere and heartwarming smile. But persuading Bart to see this was going to be tough.

"Oh I'll bet he was just helping her out with something," said Lisa.

"Yeah but I don't like it, Rod and Todd are probably right, Flanders is trying to get our mom," said Bart.

"You go ahead and think that, I'm just glad Mom has someone to talk to," said Lisa.

"But what about us?" asked Bart.

Lisa gave Bart an annoyed look, one that told Bart that talking to kids was not the best solution for someone who had lost a loved one. It was especially true if the kids dealt with it too, they would be as upset as their mother.

"Well you believe what you want to believe, I'll keep a close eye on this," said Bart.

"Just be careful Bart and don't overreact over little things," said Lisa with a nervous voice because by now Marge had seen them and was coming toward them with Maggie in the baby stroller.

"Yeah yeah I'll try not to," said Bart who sounded like he had some plans up his sleeves.

Lisa was not convinced with Bart's attitude and was about to respond when Marge came up to say hello.

"I'm going home early today kids, I'm not feeling well, why are you both here?" asked Marge as she let out a sniff.

"Because we wanted to take Maggie home for you and can you give me a moment, I need to talk to Bart privately," said Lisa.

"Sure," said Marge who watched as Lisa walked away from her and grabbed Bart by the shirt collar. She brought him over to a nearby fountain and pushed him up against a wall.

"Ow, what?" asked Bart.

"Promise me you won't interfere with Mr. Flanders helping Mom out," said Lisa with a growl in her throat.

"Hey as long as he only helps her out I'm fine with that, but holding hands that's not right," said Bart.

"I know it's not right but Mr. Flanders has different ways of helping someone, now promise me or you'll get dunked in the spit filled water," said Lisa angrily.

"Can I stop them if I see any kissing?" asked Bart.

"There won't be any kissing, now promise me," said Lisa who was now starting to pull Bart over to the water and dragging his back against the fountain.

"What if they are watching a romantic movie?" asked Bart with a pain filled voice, for being much smaller than him; Lisa sure had a strong arm.

"Bart! Just promise me," said Lisa who was now getting very annoyed.

"Alright fine, I promise," said Bart.

"Pinkie swear," said Lisa as she held up her Pinkie.

"Sure Pinkie swear, now let go of me, my back is being jabbed by something unpleasant," said Bart.

Lisa let go of him with a shove making sure he felt the pain of whatever it was that had made him uncomfortable. Bart then stood there watching her walk back to Marge; he rubbed his sore back before following them back to the car. He hoped that Lisa was right but deep inside; he felt that there was something more.


A/N: Well there's your chapter and as you can see Bart is more concerned about this than Lisa and I have a great chapter later on that deals with Bart and his emotions. Also some of you probably noticed that I mentioned Marge's hazel eyes which were from the episode Little Orphan Millie where Homer tried to remember Marge's eye color, thought it would be fun to mention them again. I believe that's all I have to say for now, please review and let me know what you thought of the chapter and have a nice week. If you are all having spring break, enjoy it, I'm off to make more money at work, I'd rather go on a road trip but I guess it's better to have money for that. Well see you all later.