Erica hadn't quite prepared herself quite as much as she believed for a house full of children. She'd looked after Miranda and Gabby before, and Spike and Ian, but never all at once. Jackson was there to help but as soon as the five excited children got together it got very noisy indeed.

AJ rushed right up to Jackson to start talking about boats. Spike too wanted to join in, and to let AJ know he brought a film with sailors in it. Ian had decided Miranda wanted to see his new toy train, although she didn't really, and Gabby wanted to tell Erica about the pink bridesmaids dress she was going to wear for her mommy's wedding.

Erica, however, had other things on her mind than the right colour pink. She had spent longer with Bianca than she had first planned. It was almost six o'clock and she hadn't even thought of ordering in dinner. Ian and Gabby were supposed to be in bed by seven thirty.

Before Erica could panic the intercom buzzed.

Jackson extracted himself for his two chatty companions.

"That will be dinner." he announced. "I hope you're all hungry!"

Erica sighed; of course her man would come to her rescue.

"What did you order?" she asked.

"Pizza…" he said.

That earned him a cheer from the kids. Erica however looked less pleased.

"Don't worry," he added, "I ordered you a salad."

…

They settled down at the dinner table. It all felt quite uncivilised to Erica but Jackson and the kids happily grabbed pizza slices and were eating with their fingers while she ate her salad politely with a fork.

"Why won't you try the pizza?" Ian asked, his voice muffled because his mouth was full.

"Maybe she doesn't like pizza." suggested Spike.

"Mommy say you have to try everything once even if you don't think you'd like it because maybe if you tried it you would!" said Gabby. "Have you tried pizza, because it really is yummy!?"

"I'm happy with my salad." said Erica patiently.

"But pizza is way better than salad." said Spike. "I'll let you try a bit of mine if you don't want a whole bit!"

Jackson stepped in.

"Don't waste it." he said. "She'd only take the topping off which is sacrilege to such an amazing food."

The kids starred at her even more bemused, why take the topping off pizza? That was the best bit.

"I'm just watching my weight." explained Erica.

"Why?" asked Ian, his mouth full again after he took another great bite from his pizza. "You're not fat?"

From the corner of her eye Erica watched Jack almost choke with stifled laughter at Ian's statement.

"My mom likes pizza and she's watches her weight." said AJ oblivious to Jackson's amusement. "She says it's fine if it's just a treat and not for every day."

"You really should try it, Erica." said Miranda. "You're missing out."

Erica looked from the kids to the cheese covered pizza and then she noticed Jackson suppressing a highly amused grin. Well she'll show him!

"Maybe I could try just a bite." she said at last.

"Really?" said Miranda with a smile of her own. "Try the pepperoni one it really is the best."

Gabby shook her head.

"I like the ham best." she muttered.

Erica reached for a slice of the pepperoni pizza with her fork.

"Oh no." said Jackson reaching across and taking her cutlery. "If you are going to try pizza you have to do it properly."

Erica's insides recoiled at the thought to picking up the greasy pizza slice with her clean and expensively manicured fingers, but she felt the expectant eyes of five children on her.

She picked up the smallest slice of pizza and took a delicate nibble from the pointy end. It was her first bite of pizza in almost twenty years.

Her teeth crunched through a sliver of crisp green pepper and her tongue tingled with the spice of the meat and the creaminess of the cheese and the freshness of the tomato sauce. It was divine. She couldn't stop herself from taking another bite.

The whole table cheered.

"See, I told you'd like it if you tried it." said Gabby in terribly serious tones.

…

After dinner it was already time for Ian and Gabby's bedtime.

"I'll get them." said Jackson, scooping Ian up under one arm and taking Gabby by the hand with his other. "Come on you two, time for a bed time story."

"Yay!" cried Ian.

"…I brought my bunny book." Gabby exclaimed as she was happily led away.

Erica was left with the older kids.

"Shall I get my film?" asked Spike eagerly.

"Why not." said Erica.

"You'll love it AJ!" he called as he raced away. "It's got boats in!"

He dived past Jackson on the stairs, aiming to get his DVD from the room he was sharing with his brother and AJ and get back before Ian got put to bed.

When Spike did return he had his DVD but he was also holding a card with a big blue and red heart on the front.

"What's that?" Erica asked. Had her dear grandson got her a Valentine's card?

Spike looked at the card in his hands biting his lip nervously. He put the DVD down on the side until he was just holding the card… and he still looked very nervous.

"Well?" prompted Erica.

Spike took a deep breath and held out the card.

"AJ… you're my best friend… I put a boat in it and everything!"

AJ's face turned bright red at being presented with an unexpected Valentine and Miranda supressed a giggle.

"Okay" AJ said taking the card reluctantly. "Um…Thank you."

AJ opened the card, read it and quickly shut it again.

Happy his task was done Spike turned back to his DVD.

"Shall I put my movie on now.. It's called 'Follow the Fleet'?"

Erica was stunned. Admittedly when her eldest grandson developed a taste for musical theatre it did give her pause but now giving his best friend a Valentine's card?

No, she was seeing too much in this; Spike was just a kid… or maybe she should have a talk with her eldest daughter about the other possibilities…

…

They watched the film in comparable quiet. AJ put Miranda between him and Spike though. The poor kid was terribly embarrassed, his ears were still red. And yet Erica suspected he'd be just as mortified getting a Valentine from anyone.

Jackson returned about halfway through the film, just as Ginger Roger's character lost her voice.

"Did I miss much?" he asked slipping onto the couch beside Erica.

The kids busily filled him in on the plot; what there was of it. Uncle Jack's presence broke the unspoken tension and the card was forgotten, at least by the kids.

They got increasingly chatty; Miranda complaining about the ladies high pitched singing, Spike gesturing to the dance steps he wanted to learn next and AJ pointing out what was wrong with all the boats.

In the end the kids agreed it had been a good film.

"…Although I didn't like 'Bilgy'," said AJ, "If someone offered to buy me a boat I'd marry her right away and not mess her about… especially not with someone who is already married and not very nice…"

"Here, here." agreed Jackson, "Now I hate to say it kids but it's bedtime…"

That earned him a disappointed moan from the three children.

"Go brush your teeth and Erica and I will be up in five minutes to tuck you in."

The kids hurried off.

Now they were alone Jackson turned to Erica.

"Okay, what's wrong? You've said very little all evening… Was it the pizza?"

"Spike just gave his best friend a Valentine's card." said Erica quietly, her expression not changing.

"Okay." said Jackson… and then he stopped. "His best friend? Not his cousin?"

AJ had left the card on the coffee table. Erica picked it up and opened it. There was indeed a picture of a ship inside; a ship being attacked by five sharks. There was also a message. "AJ – You are the coolest! - Love Spike xx"

Jackson took the card from Erica and examined it as well.

Erica frowned and looked at her husband pleadingly.

"Jack, is my grandson gay?"

…