Yay, two chapters in less than a month. Progress. I'd like to say I can continue to keep things coming on a slightly more regular basis, but we know how that usually goes so I will make no promises.

Thanks for your patience and the feedback for the previous chapter. :-)

"Good morning, sunshine!"

Jack stumbled down the stairs, eyes barely open with a hand pressed against his temple. He followed Eric's voice to the kitchen and rested against the island. "Shut up."

"But it's just such a beautiful morning," Eric continued, getting louder and more enthusiastic with every word. "I can't help myself. It makes me want to sing!"

"Go to hell."

"Aren't champagne hangovers the best?"

"As soon as I can see straight I'm throwing you off the fire escape."

"Looks like you need to be more worried about not throwing up yesterday's dinner first." He turned off the stove and transferred food to a plate. "It's the bubbles that do it, you know?"

"Huh?"

"The carbonation is why champagne hangovers suck. Something about the bubbles makes you absorb the alcohol faster."

"Thank you, Bill Nye."

"I know you mean that as an insult, but he's a pretty smart guy who had his own TV show, so the joke's on you." Eric slid a plate across the counter. "Here."

Jack almost immediately gagged and pushed the plate away. "What the hell is that?"

"Breakfast."

"No. No food."

"It's either this or I fix you Grandma Bernice's hangover cure. I'll warn you though. Two of the ingredients are pickle juice and a shot of Malört. It's disgusting but it works." His friend only groaned in response. "I know. Bernice is a tough lady. She doesn't screw around."

He shook his head in an attempt to clear the mental cobwebs, but it only made things worse. "I need to sober up to take Rachel to the airport."

"I already dropped her off."

"You did?"

"She woke me up because you were a drooling, snoring mess."

"Perfect." He slumped over the counter, still holding his head. "How much does she hate me?"

"She was pretty pissed."

"I just…things are so weird and messed up with Rachel. And it's not that I was even…I wasn't in love with her, but I guess I could've been someday because she's great. I don't know, man. She was my friend and I think I blew it and she doesn't want to be my friend anymore. And I don't have a lot of friends."

"You'll always have me."

"I'll dance a jig of glee later."

"So this is why you got wasted at Feeny's wedding?"

"Everyone else was so happy. Well, not Topanga. She might have been more miserable than me. But all the rest of you…you…you big dumb happy idiots!"

"Nice."

"Whatever. I was outside feeling sorry for myself and then there was this girl. A pretty girl. She had a bottle of champagne."

"What was her name?"

"Who knows? Jessica maybe? Or Emily? It could've been Sara."

"Great. So it was either be one of the Dean's granddaughters or Feeny's niece? Way to go, dumbass!" He punched Jack's shoulder then immediately grabbed onto his arm to stop his friend from falling over. "It's like when Rachel made us watch Friends with her and Chandler made out with one of Joey's sisters and couldn't remember which one."

"All I remember is curly blonde hair."

"That would be Jessica."

"Yeah, that sounds familiar. I was only going to have one glass. But then one became three and three became…some number higher than three." He made an effort to sit up, but laid his head back down when the room spinning got worse. "How the hell did I get home last night? Did you drive me?"

"Nope. By the time I got back after dropping Angela off you were already snoring."

"God, I didn't drive, did I?"

"Your car's out front and it looks like a blind dog did the parking."

Jack let out a bitter chuckle. "Wow, yesterday was full of good decisions for me."

"You had a bad day. But if you ever do anything that stupid again I'll kick your ass." He checked the time. "I have to get to the Student Union."

"Okay. Wait a minute, you're not working today. I am."

"Do you think you can be ready to face the world in thirty minutes?"

"If I can lie on the couch the whole time and make people get their own drinks…sure." He sighed. "I owe you one."

"Take my Saturday shift and we'll be even."

/

/

"Aunt Lois, hi. What are you doing here?" Angela held the door open and stepped aside so her great aunt could enter.

"I'm sorry to show up so early without calling, but I wanted to bring you some groceries." She set the bags on the kitchen table. "I felt bad about not thinking ahead of time and making sure you had food. We cleaned out the fridge and tossed everything that went bad and it occurred to me last night that that didn't leave you with much to eat."

"You really didn't have to, but thanks. We got takeout on Saturday from the deli around the corner and there was the wedding yesterday and Amy made me take leftovers so I haven't starved. And I do know the way to the grocery store."

"Still, I should've made sure you were more prepared. What was your breakfast?"

"There was enough in the fridge for me to make scrambled eggs and toast."

"Good. Breakfast is important." They worked together quietly for a few minutes putting the groceries away. "So, what are you doing today? Do you need help unpacking?"

"Actually today's my first day at my new job. My shift starts in a couple hours."

"Where is it again?"

"It's at a bookstore a couple blocks away from the college."

"Right. That seems like a good fit for you."

"I'm just glad I don't have to wait tables like last year. That sucked."

"That's how I worked my way through school and I agree. It's not for the weak."

"If I had to hear one more guy tell me to smile pretty if I wanted my tip..." She shook her head. The moment she decided to quit that job came back to her. If she could go back in time she would've dumped the bowl of melted cheese in jerk's lap instead of slamming the dish on the table before she surrendered her apron to the manager.

"How do you like staying here so far? I know it's only been a few days but are you okay?"

"I guess."

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. I love having some space and privacy without all the distractions of the dorms. Plus having a private bathroom is a luxury I didn't know I missed so much."

"But," Lois prodded.

"It feels strange to be here without Nan. I keep expecting her to shuffle into the room any minute, yelling at me to make sure I dry the silverware before I put it back into the drawer." Angela busied herself with rinsing off the fruit. "I wish I knew what she wanted to tell me. She kept saying there was something important for us to discuss."

"If I had answers I would give them to you."

"Do you think it was about my mom and her kids? I don't remember all the pictures being on the walls before."

"Like I've said, I'm not sure. I know she was tired of keeping the family separate. She spent so many years feeling like she was lying to you. Her dream was to one day share a holiday with all three of her grandchildren." Lois took a seat at the table and organized the mail. "She was angry at Camille for what she did after the divorce and leaving you without a mother. I don't know if she ever truly forgave her. But despite that anger Camille was still her daughter. And your grandmother never turned her back on family."

"Then I must've been a disappointment to Nan, considering the way I turned my back on her."

"She was sad for you. She worried about what not having your mother did to you emotionally. But no, you were never to blame."

"It sounds like she pitied me. I'd rather be hated than pitied."

"I don't think she would've been so proud of your accomplishments and bragged to whoever would listen if you were pitied. She hated the separation between you two. Even when you lived under the same roof she recognized the distance, or perhaps especially when you lived under the same roof. But she was still proud of the strong young woman you've become."

"I don't feel very strong most of the time. Sometimes I feel like I'm flailing around and the second I think I have it figured out, things change. I'm trying just to keep my head above water."

"That's called life, honey. No one really knows what they're doing. You just get better at thinking on your feet and adapting as you get older. At least most people learn to roll with the punches."

"Damn, I was hoping there was a magic point where stuff suddenly makes sense."

"Sorry to burst your bubble."

"That's okay. I guess it keeps life interesting."

"Tell me about the wedding. How was it?"

"There's something inspiring about seeing two people who'd assumed love had passed them by find each other. It was a beautiful ceremony."

"You said Eric was the best man?"

Angela smiled. "He shoehorned himself into the role, but yes. He didn't drop the rings, so I'd say it was a success."

"And how are things between you two? You've been together for a while now, right?"

"We have. Things are…we hit a little rocky patch recently, but we're working it out."

"It was nothing serious I hope."

"It was more of a misunderstanding. But like I said, we're working on it."

"Oh, good, I'm glad." She checked her watch. "Well, I don't want to take up too much of your time. I know you have to get ready for work."

"Thank you for the groceries. You didn't have to do that."

"It's no problem. Why don't you give me a call when you're feeling more settled and I can come over and we can go through some of the things Nan wanted you to have."

"Sure."

"And don't be a stranger. You're welcome to come over for dinner whenever. You can bring Eric, too."

"That sounds nice."

"I'll let you get ready."

"Um, Aunt Lois?"

"Yes?"

"Are there any rules?"

"Rules for what?"

"The house."

"What do you mean?"

"Parties, friends coming over, or…uh…"

"Are you trying to ask if I have a problem if Eric comes over? Even spends the night?"

"Maybe."

"You're an adult who's been on her own for a while now. You certainly don't need me telling you what to do or trying to run your life."

"Yeah, but it's not like this is my house."

"It is as long as you'd like it to be. It's a good home."

Angela didn't want to think about home. She never had one in the traditional sense. When she was a kid home was wherever her dad was and most of the time that was more than enough. She loved travelling and seeing so many places as a kid. But sometimes she was jealous of Eric and Cory, of the stability of their parents and home afforded them. Hell, even Shawn had the trailer. "Is that a yes or a no for Eric?"

"I'm choosing to trust your judgement. If you want Eric here I'm not going to complain."

Angela laughed nervously. "Nan would hate it."

"Maybe we'll get lucky and she'll come back to haunt us."

/

/

"I'm telling you, Eric, I saw them. Jack and Jessica did something in mom and dad's bathroom."

He wiped down a table and collected the dishes. While the hours would be much shorter than during the school year, the Student Union was open during the summer. Eric was going to take advantage of every hour he could get. He'd had to use his new car fund to pay for the summer classes and was starting again with almost nothing. That was why he took the shift without hesitation when he realized Jack would be in no condition to work. "Okay."

"Okay? Seriously? That's what you're going to say?"

"Jack and Rachel aren't together anymore. I don't know about Jessica, but I'm assuming she doesn't have a boyfriend. Two single people hooking up at a wedding is not groundbreaking information." He was surprised Jack didn't mention fooling around with Jessica, but given the condition he was in this morning, it was possible he didn't remember. "Grow up, Cor. Life is not an episode of Sesame Street."

"Whatever, but in mom and dad's bathroom?"

"Fine, that's weird, but what do you want me to do? I'm his friend. Not his baby-sitter."

"But Jack-"

"I think I liked it better when you weren't talking to me. Let's go back to that."

"Funny."

"Why are you obsessing over Jack all of a sudden? It's not like you two really hang out or are even good friends."

"We're friends!"

"Would you even talk to him if he wasn't Shawn's brother and my roommate?"

"I can't help how we met."

"Shouldn't you be with Topanga? How is she doing anyway?"

"She's not crying as much, but besides that I don't know. She's been spending a lot of time on the phone with Nebula."

"Who?"

"Nebula." He realized Eric still looked confused. "Her sister?"

"Right, I forgot she had a sister."

"How can you forget? You went out with her once or twice."

"I've gone out with a lot of girls once or twice. Do you expect me to remember them all?"

"This is such a nice thing for the girlfriend to walk in on."

Eric smiled as Angela strolled into the Student Union. "Hey."

"So you've dated Mr. Feeny's niece and Topanga's sister?"

"To be fair I forgot all about Ursula-"

"Nebula."

"Whatever. I forgot all about girl with name weirder than Topanga until Cory brought her up."

"I'm surprised Topanga never mentioned it," she mused. "How is she doing by the way? I called her a couple times but she hasn't gotten back to me."

Cory shrugged in an exaggerated manner. "She won't talk to me. If she's not on the phone with Nebula she's looking through old photo albums, trying to figure out where it all went wrong."

"That sucks. I know how she feels. Maybe I'll stop by her aunt's house once I'm done at the bookstore."

"Oh, yeah, someone's got their first day of work today." Eric went behind the counter and got started on some coffee. "Nervous?"

"Not really. Craig and Renata are nice. They seem pretty laidback, too."

"Were they at the wedding?"

She nodded. "They were the ones who kept trying to start the bunny hop."

"Right. They were fun."

"I should get going. It would suck to be late my first day."

"Here you go: iced coffee and two scones."

"I didn't order any-"

"Hey, I can't send you off to work un-caffeinated and on an empty stomach."

Angela decided not to mention that she already ate breakfast. She'd save the scones for her break. "Thank you."

He came out from behind the counter and pulled her into a hug. "Knock 'em dead."

"I'll do my best."

"And remember, that whole the customer is always right thing? A load of crap."

She laughed before leaning in for a kiss. "I've always thought so."

/

/

"Topanga, Angela's here to see you." Aunt Prudence waited for her niece to acknowledge her, but she didn't respond. "I'm going to let her in."

"Hey, girl. How are you holding up?" Angela closed the door before she came further into the room and took a seat at the foot of the bed. "Come on. Talk to me."

"Unless you're here to tell me this was all a bad dream and my parents are still the happiest couple that ever was I have nothing to say."

"I brought Rocky Road." She held up a bag that contained a pint and two spoons. "What are you doing? Is that a friendship bracelet?"

Topanga dropped her craft and took the ice cream. "I found a kit buried in the closet. This is the third one I've made today."

She had mixed feelings on the bracelets. In her life they were given when someone was leaving. She only got them when she moved because her dad was transferred to another base. And when it was a friend who was moving she was the one making and giving what was supposed to be a symbol of everlasting friendship. Damned if she could remember the names of most of the girls she exchanged them with as a kid. "So you're reverting back to sixth grade?"

"It's something to do besides cry. And sixth grade was a good time in my life. My parents were together, Nebula hadn't run away yet, and we were a real family. Things made sense. I'd kill to go back to that time." She resumed working on the bracelet. "Can we talk about something else, anything else?"

"Today was my first day at the bookstore. It's mostly stocking shelves and tracking inventory, but they said they'll show me more as time goes on. I really like it so far."

"They've been together for twenty-three years. How do you throw away twenty-three years of marriage?"

Angela wondered if she even heard her at all. "I'm sure they're not doing it on a whim. I know how upsetting this is and I'm sorry you have to go through all of this, but-"

"How could you possibly know?"

"My mom and dad divorced when I was nine, remember? I get it."

"No, you don't. My parents were perfect together. They had the perfect love story. They got married at nineteen. Cory and I are nineteen. What does that say about our future?"

"You're not them, Topanga. You're you."

"I'm me because of them! They made me who I am. Everything I've ever believed about life and love is based on their examples. If that's over what does it mean? Was it a lie? They were supposed to be a real life fairytale, just like me and Cory." She leaned over and retrieved a photo album. "See, look at their wedding picture."

Angela laughed. "I think this is the picture under the definition of hippie wedding. Look at all those sideburns and bell bottoms."

"Those are not the faces of people in an unhappy marriage."

"Definitely not," she agreed. "But the people who were at Mr. Feeny's wedding did have the faces of people in an unhappy marriage."

Topanga threw a pillow at her. "Wow, way to be supportive."

"Being supportive doesn't mean I can't also be honest. I can do both."

"Supportive is telling me that this is just a phase my parents are in and that they'll remember how much they love each other and call the divorce off. That's optimistic."

Angela considered that more delusional than anything else, but Topanga was not in the right frame of mind to hear that. "I suppose crazier things have happened."

"I've been talking to Nebbie a lot lately."

"Oh?"

"She didn't sound surprised when I told her about mom and daddy. What do you think that's about?"

"I wouldn't even know where to guess."

"She invited me out to visit her."

"Where is she now?"

"She's on a hippie community in Virginia."

"There are hippies in Virginia?"

"Hippies are everywhere. The place she's living in now is called Yogaville."

"Yeah…it's hard to get more hippy than a place called Yogaville. Are you going to go?"

"I'm not sure. Do you think I should?"

"You're always saying how long it's been since you've seen her."

She missed her sister a lot. The letters and phone calls they shared without their parents' knowledge haven't been enough. "It would be good to sit and talk to her in person again." Topanga nodded. "Maybe a change of scenery would do me some good."

"It beats sitting in your room crying and making friendship bracelets."

"Does this mean you don't want this one," she asked, holding one up.

She extended her arm and smiled as the fabric was secured around her wrist. "I love it. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Topanga sighed and leaned back against her pillows. "This sucks."

"You're going to get through this. I promise." Angela moved to sit beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "It's going to be okay."

/

/

"It's come down to you two. I'm impressed with how you've handled the competition so far. This is for all the marbles. Whoever wins this will have the satisfaction of knowing they won and bragging rights for the rest of my shift. Are the competitors ready? Okay. Ready…set…go!"

Eric placed the sugar shakers over empty ones and watched as they became full. The past few days in the Student Union had passed so slowly he had to come up with other ways to occupy his time. "Oh! And the winner is-"

"I know graduation parties are lame as hell but I'd like to think my best friend would RSVP."

"Jason?" He came out from behind the counter and gave him a hug. "It's been a long time. How have you been, man?"

"I'm good. How about you?"

"Oh, you know…keeping busy. What the hell are you doing here?"

Jason gestured to the sugar on the counter. "I read about the finals in the sugar Olympics and I couldn't miss it."

"You want coffee or something?"

"Sure."

Eric got to work preparing the beverage. "Are you back for good?"

"I'm not sure yet. I promised my mom I'd come back for a little while after graduation and spend time with family. I've got some interviews lined up here and out of state so we'll see."

"What did you major in again?"

"Advertising and marketing."

"Ah, you studied to be a professional bullshitter?"

"Exactly." They laughed. "I figured go with my strengths, you know?"

"You always could bullshit better than anyone I've ever known." He placed the drink on the counter. "How was Wisconsin?"

"I saw a lot of cows and ate a lot of cheese. Now why didn't you RSVP? Like I said, I know it's lame but my mom insisted I have a party."

"It's embarrassing."

"Hello, remember who you're talking to? I was the only one who would sit next to you after you crapped your pants on the school bus in kindergarten. What on earth could be more embarrassing than that?"

Eric shook his head. If he could have that memory wiped from his brain he would. "I got your invitation right after I found out I was short credits and had to take extra classes if I want to graduate on time."

"That's all," Jason asked after hearing the story. "Seriously?"

"I didn't want to face my friend the college graduate and have to admit I failed."

"Do you know how many times I came close to failing? The only thing that got my ass in gear was my dad telling me I'd be paying for school myself if I had to do the five year plan."

"Yeah, but after starting college a year later than all my friends I didn't want to be even more behind."

"Lots of people take a sabbatical year."

"Most of them do it by choice. I had to wait because no college wanted me. I felt so stupid."

"But eventually you got into school, a pretty good school, too. Stupid people can't say that."

"Thanks."

"Do you have plans tonight? I thought it would be fun to hit the town like we used to. You can score us a couple dates and-"

"Dates? What about your girlfriend? Donna, right?"

"It was Dana and she's not my girlfriend anymore."

"What happened? You guys were together for a couple of years."

"She got accepted into Harvard Law and said she needed to have all of her focus on that. She said it wouldn't be fair for her to ask me to wait three years for the program to finish."

"That sucks. Sorry."

"Yeah, so come on…dates. I don't know anyone so you can…" He trailed off when he spotted a girl outside in the courtyard. "Never mind. You find your own date because mine is about to walk in. Wow, she's beautiful."

Eric followed his gaze and almost doubled over laughing when he realized it was Angela outside. "Forget it. You don't stand a chance with her."

"You know her?"

"Yeah, but-"

"No buts. Go be my wingman."

"She's not going to go for you."

"She definitely won't if you don't talk me up. Come on! Sh. Sh. Here she comes. Be subtle about it." Jason watched, stunned when the young woman walked in and made a beeline for Eric. He was even more confused when she kissed him. "Umm…"

"Ugh, today was such a long day," Angela said. "It took twenty minute to explain to someone that if a book wasn't on the shelf it was sold out. Why do people think the back room of a store is this endless supply of whatever they need?" She realized that someone was staring at them. "What's your problem?"

"I'm just trying to figure out what's going on."

Eric threw his arm around her shoulders. "Jason, this is my girlfriend, Angela. Angela, this knucklehead has been my friend since kindergarten."

"Oh, hi." She extended her hand. "Nice to meet you."

He accepted the handshake and continued to watch in amazement. "You're his girlfriend?"

"Yes."

"Way to go, man!" Jason held up his hand for a high-five, but none was coming.

"You see," Eric began, wanting to clear things up, "Jason just graduated and is home for a little while. He wanted me to get us some dates so we could double. Then he saw you and wanted me to fix you up with him. You just shattered his heart."

"Sorry."

"That's okay, I'm used to it. Just lie to me and tell me the only reason you're not throwing yourself at me is because you met this jerk first?"

"Okay, but where's the lie," she asked with a smile.

He pointed at her. "I like you."

"Thanks." She turned to Eric. "Are we still on for tonight or did you guys have plans?"

He didn't want to cancel, but he hadn't hung out with Jason in so long. "Well-"

"Oh, no, don't cancel your date for me. Please."

"It's fine. Really."

"How about we compromise? The three of us get pizza and I can tell you all kinds of embarrassing stories about your boyfriend."

"I'm sure Angela doesn't want-"

"Deal."

"Angela!"

"Just to give you a teaser for tonight: Eric dressed as a lobster getting dunked into a tub of butter."

"Ooh, I'm intrigued."

"And I have pictures."

I will be melding Jason's character history with the character Jason Marsden played on another TGIF show, Rich, on Step by Step. It won't be anything approaching a crossover, however. The BMW writers never gave him a name outside of the actor's and using it in a story almost feels like writing the real person and that weirds me out. The shows ran at virtually the same time (and I'm old enough to have been glued to the TV when they were new) so I think I can make it work.