Epilogue

Five years later...

"Let's throw away the birth control and condoms, he says," Mary grumbled, leaning over the toilet. "We're old and unlikely to get pregnant anyway, he claims. Besides, we already have our one together, he promises." She threw up. "Well, look at me now. Forty-five and knocked up for the third time!"

"How you doing, honey?" Marshall asked, walking into the bathroom with a glass of water that he sat beside her.

Mary glared at him. "Don't you honey me! This is all your fault."

Marshall raised his hands. "I know. I didn't think-"

"I know you didn't think! We're already outnumbered, Marshall! And now, we're adding another one on top of it? We're so screwed!"

"We have good kids, Mare," Marshall countered, gently. "And remember how nice it is to have a baby in the house?"

She scoffed, taking a sip of water. "Oh, yeah, the screaming and the feedings and the diaper changes and -"

Mary was cut off abruptly by Norah running into the bedroom, shouting unnecessarily, "The phone's ringing!"

"It's Mark," Marshall whispered, glancing at caller ID.

"Ugh," she groaned before answering it. "Hey, Mark."

"Hey, doll. How's it going?"

Mary rolled her eyes. "Fine. And you?"

"Good. Good. Hey, I'll have that check for you soon."

"Sure," she sighed, knowing it wouldn't.

"Can I talk to Norah?"

"Yep." Mary held the phone out to her oldest. "Bug, it's your dad."

Norah took the phone and rambled out the door, talking softly. Marshall watched as Mary finished off the glass of water. He followed her into the bedroom, flopping down on the bed to watch her dress.

"What do you think Mark wants?" he asked, drawing circles on the blanket.

"To throw general chaos into our lives as always," Mary replied flippantly. "Where is my black shirt?"

Ava stomped into the room. "You wore it two days ago, Mommy. You said it made you look fat and you weren't going to wear until the moocher comes." She jumped onto the bed. "Daddy, what's a moocher?"

Marshall took a sideways glance at Mary's annoyed face before responding, "Someone that takes and never gives back."

"Oh, like Katie," Ava confirmed with a nod.

"Your sister is not a moocher," Mary told her firmly. "She loves you very much and wants to be just like you."

Marshall nodded. "Mommy's not getting a moocher, either. Hey, where is your baby sister anyway?"

Ava shrugged. "I don't know."

"Daddy, help!" Katie cried out, stumbling into the room with her shoes tied together.

"What?" Ava asked when her parents looked at her. "She wanted me to teach her to tie her shoes."

They both opened their mouths to respond when Norah walked back into the room. She handed the phone to Mary. "Here. Mark wants to talk to you." She turned and helped Katie onto the bed before asking Marshall, "Daddy, can we do something fun today?"

Marshall's head danced around, pretending to think about it. "I suppose we could have a picnic in the park."

"With bubbles and frisbees?" Ava begged.

"And ice cream from the guy with the bugging?" Norah added.

Marshall grinned. "As long as you're good. And that means letting Katie play, too."

Ava fell into the bed, dramatically. "Okay."

"Now, why don't you little munchkins go and pack up the play bag?" Marshall suggested, removing Katie's shoes. I'll be there in just a minute."

"You just want to kiss Mommy," Norah teased as she lead the girls out the door. "Ewwww!"

Marshall laughed as he looked to Mary, who was now off the phone. "That is definitely your kid! What did Mark want?"

Mary shook her head, disgustingly. "Same old empty promises: he'll send a check soon, he'll come and visit soon, he'll take Norah soon. He did want to know why Norah calls you 'Dad' and calls him 'Mark'."

"Did you tell him why?" he queried.

"The sweetened version anyway." Mary chewed on her bottom lip. "I think it might be time; time to ask Mark to give up his paternal rights."

Marshall stood and kissed her temple. "If you think that's what is best, then I will stand behind you. You know I want her to be mine in every way that the others are."

Mary sighed. "She wants that, too. She's Daddy's Little Girl."

"Of course, she is. She's just like her mama." Marshall kissed her temple. "I should probably go supervise the rugrats."

"Marshall, wait," Mary called out. She grabbed his arm and pulled his hand to her stomach. She reached up with her other hand into his hair and pulled him down for a kiss. "I love you. I love this life that you've given me, moocher and all."

Marshall kissed her, again. "That's good. Because I love you and this life that you've given me."

Mary leaned her head against his chest. "Oh, my God. This kid is definitely going to be a boy, just like you. He's already turned me into a sap."

"And what a beautiful sap you are," he told her, kissing her again.

"See, I told you that Daddy wanted to kiss Mommy!" Norah exclaimed from the doorway.

Mary and Marshall turned to see all three girls giggling back at them. Marshall squeezed her hand before raising his hands widely. "Here comes the Daddy Monster!"

Mary laughed at the kids' squeals as Marshall chased them around house. She flopped down on the bed, holding her stomach. She was grateful for the many days they had like this, but even more grateful for the night that Marshall showed up in her backyard. Even if she would make him pay for the moocher currently playing havoc with her stomach.

THE END

Author's Note: Just wanted to show you a little glimpse into the every day life of Mary and Marshall.