(The next day as the girl's friends' parents came to pick them up, Mariska was in the kitchen talking to her mother.)
Shelley: So what has your panties in a twist?
Mariska: (snaps out of it) Huh?
Shelley: You have been silent since last night shat happened? Did something happen between you and Jesse?
Mariska: What no, Jesse and I are fine.
Shelley: OK so what is it? Did you do something you didn't mean to, because if you did your secret is safe with me.
Mariska: (gives her mom a look) What is your problem with Jesse?
Shelley: I already told you my problem before you married him.
Mariska: No I did not cheat on my husband ma. It's just something the girls asked me last night before bed.
Shelley: (arches an eyebrow) Oh, you know they are at the age where they learn about the female body and what it does.
Mariska: It's not that and I really don't want to think about that right now. They asked me if their father ever thinks about them.
(Shelley thinks for a minute before her eyes get big.)
Shelley: Ohhh, ohhhh I see. So what are you going to do?
Mariska: I'm having a talk with them later on tonight. So can you and Dad keep an eye on J for me, please?
Shelley: I'm sure your father can handle Jason.
Mariska: Mom no.
Shelley: What? I would like to know to about this mystery guy my daughter is still hung up on to this day. He must be a great guy to still have your heart after 9 years. I mean come on Marsha you have a relationship with the guy and ended up with two beautiful girls.
Mariska: (smiles sadly) He is a great guy, but you are not joining us. This is something I have to do on my own and they are at the age now to ask these questions.
Shelley: OK, but word of advice, tell them the truth. You don't want them holding grudges against a man who doesn't even know they exist.
Mariska: (groans) God this is so hard. I don't want to hurt them and I don't want them to hate me for it.
Shelley: Please you are those girls' entire world, and they are very understanding for their age.
Mariska: I hope you are right.
Shelley: Mamas is always right baby. Do you want me to go out and buy a bottle of wine for when it's over?
Mariska: Please.
(An hour and thirty minutes away Chris was at home making the final changes to the beach house. He renovated everything that needed to be redone and fixed the driveway. He was cleaning the basement when his cell phone rang.)
Chris: Hello.
Tim: Hello is this Chris Meloni?
Chris: Yes this is he.
Tim: I Tim from Bayside Pediatrics PC calling about your interview.
Chris: Umm yes, I did the application months ago, I just figured you found someone else to fill the spot.
Tim: No actually we just reopened a month ago and looking for new faces.
Chris: OK.
Tim: Will you be available tomorrow morning around ten?
Chris: (gets excited) Yes, yes I can be there.
Tim: OK looking forward to seeing you, Mr. Meloni.
Chris: Thank you, Tim.
(He hangs up and jumps pumping his fist in the air. The last clinic he worked at in Long Island wasn't a good fit for him. They did things there he just couldn't get with and decided to put in his two weeks' notice. After he got the good news he went back upstairs to find him something decent to wear for his interview.)
(Back across town Mariska was preparing herself for the talk with her girls. She had one glass of wine while her parents were in the living room with Jason. She slowly makes her way to her room where they both are on her bed waiting.)
Mariska: Hi girls.
Them: Hi.
Mariska: You girls ready?
Them: Yes ma'am.
Imogen: You can sit between us, mama.
Mariska: Thank you, baby.
(She closes the door and makes her way to her bed and climbs on sitting between her girls.)
Maeve: So tell us about our dad.
Mariska: Well his name is Chris Meloni and he's also a doctor like Mommy. We first met in Kenya, Africa and he was also training me because I was still in college. Over time we became friends and then became kind of a couple.
Maeve: Does he know about us?
Mariska: No he doesn't know about you girls and that's not his fault. See mommy didn't know she was pregnant with you two when I came back home. I tried to get in touch with him but I couldn't reach him.
Imogen: Did you love him like with Jesse?
Mariska: (smiles) It was complicated.
Imogen: I wish we could meet him. I've always asked god of he could one day meet him.
(Mae looked down as she thought of what she wanted to ask next.)
Maeve: Hey what if we try to find him?
Mariska: I don't think it's that simple girl.
Maeve: Why not?
Imogen: We can hire someone to find him.
Mariska: That cost money Mo, but how about you let me worry about finding him hmm? I have a friend who can maybe pull some strings and help us.
Maeve: (looks sad) OK, but I wanted to help.
Imogen: Me too.
Mariska: Inknow but I need both of you to be patient with me ok? I promise as soon as I find something I will tell you girls.
Them: Promise?
Mariska: Yes I promise. One more thing I want you to know is that no one is to blame here and we both love you very much.
Maeve: Can we have ice cream with sprinkles now?
Imogen: Yeah and chocolate syrup.
Mariska: (smiles) But only tonight ok.
Them: Yes mom.
(They hug and kiss her cheek before they jump off the bed and head to the living room. Mariska comes out and just stand there for a moment looking at her family. Her mom joins her in the kitchen and helped make sundaes as the kids jumped all over her dad. By the time she hit the bed she was exhausted and felt relieved for having that conversation with them. She lay in bed letting her mind wander back to ten years ago and hoping the universe hears her.)