Marsha sat in her grief center meeting feeling like she didn't belong there. Trudy was alive. All the grief that she ever felt was swallowed up whole.

"So," Mary (the group leader) asked, "Does anyone have good news to share?"

"I have amazing news," Marsha said.

"The floor is yours," Mary smiled.

"I just found out," Marsha began, "that Trudy…"

She took in a sharp breath.

"They found her killer?" Sarah asked.

"No. I just found out that Trudy is still alive."

The room got so quiet that Marsha could hear the battery-operated clock on the other side of the room ticking. Everyone was staring at her.

"How did you find out," Anna asked.

"It's a long story," Marsha said, "and I'm sure nobody is interested in hearing it."

"We all want to hear the story," Mary said.

"Okay," Marsha replied.

She recounted the entire story for the group.

"Can I ask you a question," Maggie asked.

"Of course!"

"How has this affected you? How long did it take you to adjust to this news?"

"I am profoundly affected," Marsha replied laughing, "and I'll let you know when I'm done adjusting. We knew 'Trudy' for five years as "Natalie". We had no idea that she was actually Trudy."

"Do you miss Natalie," Brynn wondered.

"How can you miss someone that doesn't exist," Marsha responded, "I have my daughter back. That's the only thing I care about."

"Does anyone else know," Ellanore asked.

"Adrian knows of course and so do some of their friends," Marsha replied, "and Dwight knows."

"Do you think it will be hard for you to share her?" Amanda asked.

"Share her? What is she, a toy? I'm thrilled to share her with the people that love her."

Everyone laughed.

"Of course, she's not a toy," Sarah said after she stopped laughing, "If you lose a toy, you can just get a new one. I can't get a new Ana."

Everyone nodded in agreement and the conversation moved on.

When it was time to leave everyone in the room burst out into thunderous applause as Marsha got up to leave. Dwight was waiting in the car to pick her up.

"How did the meeting go, honey?" he asked.

"It went perfectly," Marsha exclaimed, "Everyone is thrilled that Trudy is still alive. The room broke into applause as I was leaving."

"So," Dwight smiled, "I have the day off today. What do you feel like doing?"

"I have an idea," Marsha said, "Let's drive up and visit Trudy and Adrian."

Dwight grinned.

"That's a wonderful idea," he said, "Let me call them to make sure they aren't busy and then we'll go."

"Put the phone on speaker," Marsha insisted.

Dwight put the phone on speaker and called Adrian.

"Hi Dwight," Adrian said with a smile in his voice.

"Adrian hi," Dwight said energetically, "Marsha and I were wondering if we could come up and visit you and Trudy."

"You're always welcome," Adrian said, "We're going to Ambrose today, but we should be back by six."

"Sounds perfect," Marsha intoned happily.

"Everything sounds perfect to me lately," Adrian replied, "In the past 36 hours my life has changed in unbelievable ways."

"Where is Trudy," Marsha asked.

"She's putting on her makeup," Adrian explained, "Why she feels the need to do that I don't know, because she's perfect as she is."

"Daym," Marsha sighed, "I was hoping I could talk to her."

Dwight laughed.

"It's a good thing Marsha isn't a doctor," he said, "She has no patience."

"I have patience," Marsha said laughing, "I just want what I want when I want it and I want it right away."

"That's called impatience dear," Dwight said.

Adrian laughed. Marsha chuckled. She knew Dwight was correct. Patience, when she wanted something, was not her strong point. On the other hand, as Trudy was growing up, she had infinite patience with her. Of course, Trudy was the easiest child ever. She would wake up laughing and blowing kisses as a baby.

"Hang on a second," Adrian said, "She just came out."

Marsha smiled widely.

"Hi mom," Trudy said brightly, "Hi dad"

"Hi honey," Marsha replied, "Would it be okay if we came up to see you today."

"Any time," Trudy said, "I'm sure Adrian told you that we're going to Ambrose's but that we'll be back by six."

"He did tell us that," Marsha replied, "I just wanted to make sure with you that it would be okay if we came to visit."

Trudy laughed.

"Mom, you and dad are always welcome to visit," she said.

"Alright. We'll see you at six," Dwight interrupted, "I love you honey."

"Love you too dad," Trudy said, "Love you mom."

Dwight hung up the phone.

"We have quite a bit of time until it's six o'clock," he said, "and it's a beautiful day. Why don't we go for a walk on the beach?"

"Sure," Marsha smiled.

They went out to the beach. Dwight put an arm around his wife.

Adrian handed Trudy the car keys.

"I think you should drive," he told her.

"Okay," Trudy said.

They walked to the car and Trudy got in the driver's seat. She paused and took a deep breath as she turned the key in the ignition and breathed a side of relief when the car didn't explode. She knew in her head it wouldn't but she couldn't help but worry.

"Are you okay honey," Adrian asked.

"Ever since yesterday I have been a little nervous about starting a car," Trudy admitted.

"That's understandable," Adrian told her tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "You survived a car bomb. It's scary."

"I know," Trudy said, "but I was never afraid before."

"That's because before you didn't know you'd survived a car bomb," Adrian pointed out.

"Maybe you should drive," Trudy suggested.

"You can't let this fear control you," Adrian replied gently as he shook his head.

The drive to Ambrose was only ten minutes away. They got out and Adrian called Ambrose to buzz them in. Ambrose hugged Adrian and then Trudy.

"Natalie," he said, "It's good to see you."

Trudy looked at Adrian and they both laughed.

"Did I tell a joke and miss the punchline or something," Ambrose asked, "I really don't see what's so funny."

"Ambrose," Adrian said, "Please take a seat."

Ambrose sat down.

"Is something wrong," he asked nervously.

"No. In fact, something is very right. Natalie is actually Trudy."

"I'm sorry? Adrian, what year is this," Ambrose asked.

Trudy nodded.

"I know it sounds crazy," she began.

"Little bit," Ambrose acknowledged.

"I survived the bombing," Trudy explained, "I had no ID, and my face was completely destroyed so they had to reconstruct it the best they could."

Ambrose was quiet for a moment then looked up.

"They did a damn good job," he whispered.

He paused.

"Adrian," he said, "I'm sorry that I liked Natalie. I had no idea that she was Trudy."

"Neither did I," Adrian said, "but isn't this amazing!"

"Would it be okay if I hugged her," Ambrose asked.

"Of course, you can," Trudy replied, gathering her brother-in-law in a tight hug. After exactly ten seconds the hug ended.

"Ten seconds," Adrian smiled, "Perfect!"

Trudy laughed.

"Your brother loves the number 10," she told Ambrose.

"I know," Ambrose replied, "I've known him since I was two years old. Adrian, do you remember the practice date?"

Adrian laughed.

"Remember it? Of course, I remember that."

"Practice date?" Trudy asked.

"Ambrose had a date on Sunday," Adrian explained, "and so he went on a "practice date" with you the day before."

It was 13 years ago. Adrian and Trudy were snuggling together when the phone rang. It was Ambrose.

"Hi Ambrose," Adrian said, picking up.

"Adrian," Ambrose said, "I know we have plans for a chess game on Saturday, but we have to put that off because I have a date Sunday."

"Wait a second," Adrian said, "If your date is on Sunday-"

"I have a practice date on Saturday," Ambrose explained.

"A practice date? Why would you need to have a date to practice a date," Adrian asked.

"Do you remember my first date? Do you remember all my dates? They were disasters!"

"Good point. So, your practice date is… with a girl?"

"From the outward appearance I would have to assume she is a girl until I discover evidence to the contrary," Ambrose replied teasingly.

"And what if you find out your original assumptions were incorrect," Adrian teased back.

There was a pause.

"It's highly unlikely that would happen, or you would have…"

"I would have what," Adrian asked shocked as he came to a realization, "Is your practice date with… Trudy?"

After a slight pause Ambrose responded.

"I have two questions," he said, "First how did you know, and second do you still love me?"

"First," Adrian replied, "Who else would go on a "practice" date with you and second yes of course I do. I just have a few rules to go over. First of all, be polite. Also, wash your hands frequently while eating and cooking… and in general. If you have to kiss, make sure it's for no more or less than ten seconds. Also, you can't use your tongue."

"Why would anyone use their tongue," Ambrose asked, genuinely confused.

"It's… well you see it's called… um… ask Trudy but don't do it. Ever!"

"It sounds gross," Ambrose said.

"Well, actually it's kind of…" Adrian smiled dreamily then shook his head to clear his thoughts.

"Uh… never mind. Just don't do it with Trudy."

"Do it? As in do it? I would never do IT!"

"I know you wouldn't do 'it' with Trudy," Adrian said, "I'm talking about French Kissing. Don't do that with Trudy."

"I never would," Ambrose said, "It sounds like it can be dangerous."

"It is, sort of. It can lead to doing 'it'."

"Not to mention choking," Ambrose replied.

"Choking? You're not supposed to… what I mean is, when you do it, not IT it but French kissing it, well it, you don't… uh, that is"

Adrian sighed heavily not knowing how to explain it without actually explaining it.

"You… touch your tongue to the woman's but you don't actually get it in far enough to choke her.

"That was so funny," Ambrose said as the memory faded.