A/N: I'm so grateful for all the reviews and story favorites.

Sunday

Sarah Black was cutting the twins' cake into equal pieces while also supervising a game of pin the tail. Billy had gone to put Jacob down for the night. It might be his sisters' birthday, but he was only 2 and neither of his parents wanted the twins wailing because their sleep deprived brother had ruined their party with his wailing.

'Give that here Sarah.' Charlie took the knife from her hand.

'Oh, that's all right Charlie. I can –'

'I insist. Did you make it yourself?'

'Yes, the girls insisted on a pink car just yesterday. None of the bakeries could do it on such a short notice.'

'You're amazing. I would have told Bella to settle for another cake.'

Sarah giggled. 'No, you wouldn't have.'

'Ah, who am I kidding.'

'Mrs. Black, Mrs. Black, Leah won't let me have a turn.' A boy Billy didn't know called out from the crowd of kids. Sarah hurried over to them. Charlie watched as she knelt among the kids and resolved whatever was going on with them.

'She's amazing with kids, isn't she?' Sue, who had slipped into Sarah's chair noted.

'Jeez, Sue, way to startle a man.' Charlie said, clutching his chest.

'You must be going deaf if you can't hear the stomping of a huge, pregnant woman.'

'Huge? You're barely even showing, Sue'

'And you're nothing but a liar, Charlie Swan.'

Charlie faked indignation. 'My Mama didn't raise a liar.'

'Have you spoken with her lately? She sent me a congratulatory card last week.'

'Yes, there is something wrong with the engine of her caravan, so she's staying in New York till it gets fixed.'

Sue sighed. 'I can't wait till I'm old enough to have absolutely no responsibilities. Caravans sound so romantic.'

Charlie snorted. 'Most likely you'll still be here, bossing us all around.'

'I suppose that's true.'

'Are you done with the cake, Charlie?' Sarah was back. 'Let me just grab the plates and-'

Sue grabbed Sarah's hand and made her sit. 'Sit for a minute Sarah. The kids can handle waiting for a few more minutes.'

'Oh, but-'

Charlie cut her off. 'No buts, Sarah. You haven't sat down all evening. Even if you love kids, this much noise has to be annoying.'

'I can't be annoyed Charlie. It's the only thing I'm good at.'

Sue gasped. 'Don't you dare say that girl! You're amazing.'

'Amazing at being a mom. Stupid at everything else.' Sarah said, picking at her sleeve. 'I can't even handle a job.'

Charlie and Sue grimaced. Sarah's last job had been right after graduation. She had quit within a week.

Charlie put a hand on her shoulder. 'Hey now, you're being too hard on yourself. Its okay, Sarah. I guess you haven't found your calling yet.'

Sue made a yikes face at him.

'Oh really, Charlie? It's been 10 years since I graduated. And what have I been doing? Abso-freaking-loutely nothing.' She flounced up and strode away.

'Charlie..' Sue sighed.

'Sorry..i just..' Charlie stuttered.

Billy came up behind them. 'Finally got him to sleep, I swear he- what's wrong?'

Leaving the men to handle the kids, Sue walked up the stairs, carefully balancing a plate of cake and two forks. Charlie had definitely been lying when he said she wasn't that huge. Without knocking, she slowly pushed the bedroom door open and poked her head in. 'Sarah?', she called gently.

'Go away, Sue.' A muffled voice called out.

Sue entered and shut the door behind her. Deciding that it was taking too long for her eyes to adjust to the dark, she switched on the night lamp.

'I said go away, Sue.'

'Get out from under that blanket.'

'No.'

'Yes.'

'No.'

'Oh for fucks sake-' Sue set down the plate on the dressing table and yanked the blanket off Sarah.

'Hey!' Sarah was indignant. 'I could have been naked in here.'

Sue rolled her eyes. 'Sit up.'

'Why?'

'Because you can't eat while lying down.'

'I don't want to eat.'

'Sarah-'

'Don't take that tone with me, Sue.' Sarah said. But she sat up.

With some difficulty, Sue sat down besides her and placed the plate between them. Handing Sarah a fork, she said 'Eat.'

'I just feel so useless.' Sarah said after a while. 'I graduated at the top of my class. Got placed with an amazing company. Look at me now.'

'There is nothing wrong with being a house wife.'

'I want to do something that makes me feel like I'm not just a mom, you know? Like I'm Sarah. But nothing feels right to me, except for taking care of the kids. I feel pathetic.'

Sue laid down her fork. 'That's it Sarah!' she said excitedly.

'What's what?' Sarah was confused.

'A daycare?' Billy was confused. Sue had gone upstairs to console Sarah, and both of them had bounded down the stairs with huge grins. Well, Sarah had bounded. Sue had….speed walked.

'Yes! I can't believe I never thought of it before. Sue's a genius.'

Sarah's enthusiasm was contagious. Billy put his arms around her. 'I'm so happy for you, baby.'

'Er..Sarah?'

Billy turned around to see Charlie holding what looked like a small piece of fancy paper. Sarah wiped her eyes before looking at him. 'Yes, Charlie?'

'I'm so, so, sorry for what I said-'

'It's alright, Charlie.'

He extended the piece of paper. Sarah unfolded it and read it. Her eyes filled with tears again. 'Oh, you're so sweet!' She said, stepping forward to give him a hug.

'What's that?' Billy asked.

'Sarah taught Bella to pronounce R properly. It's a thank you note for that.' Charlie shrugged. 'Written appreciation is better than verbal, because it's something you can always hold onto.'