Morning in Erica's penthouse started earlier than she expected.

AJ had woken early and decided that he wanted to learn the navy song that Fred Astaire had sang on Spike's DVD. He thought it would be a good song to sing when he finally got to sail his new boat.

So AJ and Spike snuck downstairs together and turned on the television not realising that the volume was set so loud. It woke up everyone in the house.

Jack, noting that it was half-past six, decided it was no point trying to get the kids back to sleep and suggested Erica order breakfast.

…

By seven o'clock the whole apartment was as crazy and chaotic as it had been when the kids had arrived. AJ and Spike had found the song on 'Follow the Fleet' and were playing it on repeat and singing along in snatches while AJ tried to scribble down the words.

Gabby was washed and dressed and was busy at the table drawing with paper and her crayons. Miranda was laying the table around her, being helpful and getting everything ready for breakfast.

Jack was chasing Ian around the room trying to get him to put on his sweater.

Erica was watching the craziness with interest. The kids were all showing off their personalities, but Erica couldn't help but wonder what, like Spike's love of dance and the other questions that followed his presenting AJ with a Valentine's card, could they be concealing.

At least AJ seemed to have recovered from his embarrassment and was chatting with Spike as if nothing had happened.

Erica checked the clock, breakfast was going to be here any minute and not long after that Ryan and Marissa would be here to collect the kids… and most of the kids weren't even dressed yet.

This would never do.

Erica walked up to Jack and took Ian's sweater from him.

"Ian, you come here right now and put your sweater on!"

There was no room in Erica's statement for argument. Ian skidded to a halt and sheepishly walked back to where Erica had taken a seat.

"Now you know," said Erica in more conversational tones, "That games happen after you're dressed not during. What would Ryan say if you were still only half dressed when he came to collect you?"

Ian looked down at his shoes.

"He'd be cross."

"Yes, he would." said Erica, tucking in her grandson's shirt.

Ian then held up his hands ready for Erica to pull the sweater on over his head. Instead she handed it to him.

"You're a big boy now." she said. "See if you can do it on your own."

Ian looked at the sweater as if he never seen such a thing before.

"Come on." said Erica, turning it the right way for him, "Head in the head hole and then arms in the arm holes."

Ian pulled the sweater over his head and after a brief struggle a mess of spikey hair popped out the top.

"Now the sleeves…" said Erica, but he was already wriggling his first arm in place.

When he was done Ian looked very pleased with himself.

Erica straightened his collar a little.

"I am a big boy!" Ian said proudly.

"Yes you are."

Ian then bit his lip.

"I'm a good boy too!" he said, only his voice was a little quieter.

Erica gave him a hug and a kiss.

"Most of the time." she said.

…

Erica's next challenge was the other two boys still glued to the television. Both were still in their pyjama's. She'd quite liked the idea of the boys getting the lyrics for themselves but time was ticking by.

"Come on, Spike; AJ! You can't go to school in your pyjamas. That song is going to have to wait."

"But I've almost got it!" AJ cried, and then stopped remembering who he was talking to.

"Come on, dressed and breakfast and then I'll help you look the lyrics up online… come on!"

The boys shared a look of dismay. How had they forgotten that you could look up everything on the computer!

They hurried off to get ready.

…

Erica's last obstacle before breakfast was Gabby and her art.

Erica walked up and peered over her shoulder.

Gabby had drawn a pretty girl with dark hair, big red lips and a pretty blue dress.

"Gabby it's time to clear the table." Erica said, although seeing how good the drawing was she hated to disturb her.

"I'm almost finished." Gabby exclaimed, colouring the shoes in pink.

"It's a very pretty lady." said Erica as a compliment.

"Yes," said Gabby, finishing her drawing with three kisses at the bottom, "Because it's you!"

She handed the drawing to Erica.

"It's to say thank you for our sleep-over."

Erica was touched.

"For me!" she exclaimed. "I shall treasure it."

Gabby grinned and then started tidying up.

Miranda reappeared to help Gabby clear away her crayons. Erica looked at the breakfast table and for the first time realised just how much the older girl had done. All the place settings, apart from Gabby's, were out along with glasses for orange juice and two coffee cups for Erica and Jackson. There were even napkins. Some of the cutlery was round the wrong way but still…

"Miranda you didn't have to do all this." Erica exclaimed. "Thank you!"

Miranda grinned shyly.

"I wanted to help."

Erica gave her eldest granddaughter a hug… She was so thoughtful, so like her mother.

"Don't ever change." she whispered, kissing the top of her head."

…

And so breakfast came and went without a hitch and after printing both AJ and Spike… and then Gabby, off a copy of their song lyrics, the kids gathered all their belongings together ready to leave.

Marissa and Ryan arrived at the same time.

Marissa made sure her kids had the right coats on and everything in their bags, before they said their thank-yous and goodbyes.

As they were heading out the door Spike called out after AJ.

"Wait!" he cried running up. "You forgot you card!"

He thrust the Valentine's card to AJ and then kissed him on the cheek.

The moment was met by the adults with a surprised silence.

Spike looked happy and AJ… AJ looked upset!

…