Authors: Alan Mindell
"He lives close. Came right over and got me to emergency."
"The kids okay?" he altered direction a little.
"Baseball today?" she interrupted his thoughts with her own question.
"No. Not until tomorrow night."
"Want to pick up the kids from school?"
"And stay in the house tonight?"
"I can sleep in the living room on the couch."
"Doesn't look like your mama will be home tonight," Terry told the three kids.
"We know," Karen said glumly. "Uncle Steven told us."
"What about some video games while we wait for our pizza?" he suggested.
"Oh, no," Karen stated. "Mama always makes us do our homework before we play."
"Okay...you know she wants me to stay with you tonight."
"So I can take you to school tomorrow morning..."
"Can you help me with my homework like Mommy does?" she pretty well ignored his explanation.
"What about mine?" Karen of course required equal treatment.
"I don't know,” Terry chuckled. "Tammy's kindergarten might be the limit of my ability."
"What about the kids?" Terry asked.
"Lauren said you might stay overnight whenever you can."
"Otherwise they can stay with me. But I usually work late."
And then Steven excused himself to go back to work.
Almost instantly, he fell asleep.
"Come over and see for yourself."
"Definitely,” Murdoch answered buoyantly.
"The kids wear you out?" Lauren asked.
"Not exactly rocket science," she smiled.
"What about later?" she asked.
"I'm not scared," he insisted.
"I can't blame you if you turn it down," she spoke seriously.
"The one you keep accusing me of making," she grinned.
"When?" was all he could muster.
"Might be a good idea to move quickly. These attacks...they keep coming."
"When?" he repeated, more eagerly.
"We have an off day Monday," he said even more eagerly.
"Hospital!" he exclaimed. "You mean the wedding'll be here."
"Already got permission from management. They're okay with it as long as I stay in bed."
"I've already started preparations."
"You're amazing," he uttered. "Flat on your back..."
"What you're doing. Looking after the kids. Just make sure all of you are here."
"Promise me something," she went on.
"Well, kids, time for us to leave,” Terry said while getting up off the living room couch.
"Lauren called earlier, Uncle Terry. Dad's taking Joshua and me to visit her tomorrow."
"She told me about your plans. Congratulations."
"Goes for me too,” Murdoch echoed her sentiment.
"The kids..." Terry said softly to Carly. "You seem to like them."
"Of course I do. They're Lauren's."
"I'll be here to pick them up right after the game."
"Uncle Terry, if you or Lauren ever need help with them..."
"Goes for me too,” Murdoch seconded.
"Kiss Mommy again,” Tammy grinned at Terry once everyone except his new family had gone.
"Oh, you like that," he replied, also grinning.
"Now," Lauren said, still looking embarrassed, "time for all of you to leave."
"School tomorrow," she chided.
"Have you done your homework?"
He touched her hand briefly, and then headed for the door again.