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Siblings - The Series

Episode Fifteen

© 2016 Carlos Penguin

The camera shook a bit as the frame moved around, centring in on the two cushioned dark red velvet love seat. "Up a little." An Asian accented female voice said from off screen. The camera shook again as it was adjusted. "That should do!"

Beside the love seat was an oak table with several red roses in a clear vase. A pair of arms came into frame and turned the vase this way and that until it looked like the perfect picture from a furniture commercial.

"Open or closed?" The female voice asked, as a gravelly male voice mumbled unintelligibly. Emerald green curtains that hung behind the love seat opened slightly. "No, that screw up the lighting." The voice said as they closed again.

A young, beautiful Korean lady in a black evening dress and long, glistening black hair sat down on one cushion, crossed her legs and held her knees with both hands. She gave a smile worthy of a news anchor. "Does this look good?" She asked, the source of the voice revealed. More mumbling was heard from off camera.

She reclined on the seat on her side, her shining black heels up on the opposite cushion, adjusting herself to look sultry and inviting. "Welcome to the show." She said.

"Sexy hot, but unprofessional." The gravelly male voice commented, finally heard above a mumble.

The lady rolled her eyes and returned to the seated position. "We do this."

"Rolling!" The male said.

She gave her smile. "Welcome to the first episode of Anthrosexual - humans who love furry relationships. My name is Hye Kim, your host!" There was a pause. "Let's try that again."

The frame went black for a moment and the male voice said, "Take two!"

"Welcome to the first episode of Anthrosexual - humans who love furry relationships. I'm your host, Hye Kim. Today I would like to introduce you to my boyfriend, Sean Riatte."

Coming in from the side, an older male rat anthro of generous physique and shaped somewhat like a pear and wearing a tweed flat cap, flannel shirt and jeans sat down. His thick, mostly hairless tail wrapping around his legs as he sat beside her at an angle to face her as the seat allowed.

Casually as if he'd been interviewed on telly many times before, he simply said in his deep, cartoonishly gravelled voice, "Thank you for having me on the program today, Hye."

Hye turned herself to face him at the same angle. "Tell us a little about yourself and how you got involved with human relationships, Sean?" She asked him in a well rehearsed manner.

"I'm a second-generation anthro who spent most of my earlier years surrounded by very accepting humans. It was during my early years I was exposed to..." Sean was explaining when another female voice was heard off camera, interrupting their recording.

"What the bloody hell? HYE!" Tonya's voice shouted in the background.

Hye looked shocked, got off the love seat and ran off camera. "I thought you were in classes until three!"

Sean, still in frame, face-palmed and looked into the camera and said with a grin, "Cut!" He then got up, walked over to it until he was out of focus and the frame went black as he stopped recording.

Tonya returned to the dorm to find everything shoved on to her side, making it inaccessible. On Hye's side was the borrowed love seat arranged for an interview, changed curtains and lighting and camera gear borrowed from the photography lab.

"We're staring a program for web stream. I got some trial funding from my professor...." Hye went on to explain as Tonya stood with her arms crossed, laptop bag over her shoulder and scowling at Hye.

"And they couldn't lend you so much as a broom closet to shoot in?" Tonya excitedly waved her arms in gesture. "How long will it be before I can set up and prepare for my next set of... NEVERMIND! I'll go to the library!" Tonya stormed out.

"She's been grouchy lately, hasn't she?" Sean observed.

Hye threw her arms up in the air. "She needs to get laid! She needs to go see her girlfriend and get licked happy again!"

Sean had a smile on his face and was rubbing his crotch, "Don't stop, keep talking like that."

"What?" Hye looked at him with frustrated exasperation. "Is anyone serious about this program?"

"Well yeah, but...." Sean began, only to be interrupted by Hye.

"I need to be alone!" Hye snapped as she sat down on the love seat, bowing her head with her hands pulling at her hair.

Sean knew when she was in that mood, it was best to silently leave.

He was walking to the exit of the dorm building when an idea hit him. He asked a passing student where the library was and received detailed directions. Thanking the student, he was off down the maze of pathways on the grounds.

Blessed with an excellent memory, he found the library without issue.

The Princeton library wasn't a small building. From historic looking rooms to regal ones to modern minimalist areas, Sean was wishing he brought his camera. It was lovely.

It took ten minutes to find Tonya. "Can I talk to you for a moment?" He said to her as quietly as his voice allowed, still receiving glares from adjacent users due to its tonal nature.

Tonya nodded and closed her laptop. Placing it in the bag, she silently motioned for him to follow her where they could talk.

"Look, I know I shouldn't have blown up at your girlfriend like that..." Tonya began to apologize.

Sean held up his hands, "That's not why I'm here."

Tonya's head pulled back and turned slightly sideways in curiosity.

"The two of you need space. This screwy arrangement they have is going to cause you both to lose grade points. Trust an old git." He said.

"What are you suggesting?" Tonya was very interested.

"I know of an apartment very close coming available. Rent is reasonable and a bus comes straight by here on its way into town." He explained.

Tonya raised an eyebrow, "And why are you telling me this? Why should I move out and not your girlfriend?"

"Please don't tell her I told you, but Hye told me on our last date your dilemma with your girlfriend. Why don't you think about the day you'll bring her here?"

Tonya blinked a few times. "Kiana.... I... yeah, we told each other that we love, but it's most likely pure stage one infatuation. Hell, we spent Christmas together... a couple of weeks. That would be lunacy!"

Sean shrugged, "It's just a suggestion. It would solve several problems." He rubbed his chin, "You're a professional type, I can see that. You don't like unknowns. Everything must be quantifiable and concrete. If it's not love, better to know now and get on with your studies, right?"

Tonya took his words to heart and pondered the benefits of the suggestion. "Thanks for the info. It might be worth a look into."

"Great!" He smiled. He pulled out a card and wrote the address on it. "Tell them, 'The Rat' sent you to see the room."

He walked away a few metres and turned back around with a smile. "And to answer your curiosity, I don't know what a little hottie like her sees in me. As for me..." He shrugged, "Kinda obvious why a guy like me wouldn't turn her away."

Tonya gave a laugh, more of embarrassment, but now one less thing was going to eat at her.

--

Rick had spent the late morning at the hardware store. Now that he finally had the money to go with all the time he had, he was getting supplies to take care of Eugenia's wish list for him to do around the house.

Getting hungry, he stopped off at the closest restaurant. It was the one at the edge of town, attached to the hotel, where Kiana was working temporarily.

Rick was seated, but having memorized the menu he just had coffee and asked for a server. He had the same thing every time - a 'Hungry Man' breakfast. It was two of everything, sausages, bacon, eggs, toast, pancakes and a pile of hash browns. And it was something he preferred to get when he was by himself, as Eugenia constantly reminded him of the cholesterol and calories that were in it.

He was tapping his finger and staring out the window, going over some plans in his head for the garden boxes Eugenia wanted for the coming season. A voice brought him out of his planning, "Are you ready to order?"

He turned to the waitress and gave a familiar smile. "Hey! Yer my nieces friend, aren't you?"

Kiana also smiled, "Oh, hello Mr. Redd! Yes, I'm kind of holding the position for a mutual friend of ours."

His eyes were drawn to her cleavage and stretched shirt that she well filled out. She had blossomed well since Elise had brought her over to his house so they could play along the river. "My, you're all grown up now. Seemed like yesterday you're running along the river and skippin' rocks."

Kiana blushed, "Time... does fly." She gave a giggle and covered her cleavage with her note pad, "You're naughty!" She waved her hand at him, flattered. "What can I get you?"

Rick realized he's been busted and immediately fingered the cutlery. "I... uh... a hungry man, dear."

"Coming right up, Mr. Redd." Kiana said and gently swatted his arm with her notepad as she left, with a blush.

As she walked down the aisle, Rick as an admirer of larger figures like Eugenia's, couldn't help but admire her callipygian waggle.

"Ohhhh, lordy." He said to himself, wondering whom would end up with that little sweetie. Not familiar at all with her situation or that she was already taken.

An hour later, Rick returned home and unloaded his truck. Not a moment too soon, as it began raining again. He tossed a tarp over the wood and went in the house.

"I'm back!" He announced happily and hung up his coat and hat.

He removed his work boots, turned around and saw Eugenia standing with her hands on her hips and one of 'those looks'.

"Wha?" He asked, innocently with a shrug.

"A hungry man breakfast for lunch with all that fat? And bad hearts probably run in the Redd family." Eugenia scolded.

"My ticker's fine. Mark's the one with angina." He said, annoyed. "Did that little squirrel rat me out? I didn't know she reported to you."

"No, she didn't to me." She folded her arms. "She texted Elise, who called me."

"What's it to her what I eat? Not very professional if you ask me." Rick grumbled and sat down in his favourite chair.

"Neither is ogling teenage girls one-third your age. That's why she texted Elise. Poor girl's never got any real attention before and now all at once is causing her self esteem to balloon."

"Well, have you seen her since she was here playing with Elise? Her ego ain't the only thing to balloon!" He exclaimed, then realized he probably not ought to have said that.

"You're turning into a dirty old man!" Eugenia grumbled and got her coat and hat. "I don't have time to argue with you, I'm picking up Elise from her half day and we're going for lunch. Maybe we'll just go to that greasy spoon and I'll set that little hotsy-totsy straight. She's going to give you a coronary." She glared at him, "Or me!"

She left the house, got in her van and drove off.

Rick scratched her head and wondered what was bothering her so much. He didn't think he'd been acting any different than he always had been. But, maybe he needed another perspective. It had been a while since he and Mark shut down a bar. He'd have to call his brother later.

"Hello auntie!" Elise happily greeted Eugenia as she got in the van and shifted her body around, trying to get comfortable before putting on her seatbelt.

"Hello... dear." *sniffle*

Elise looked over and gave an expression of empathy. "Have you been crying? What happened?"

"Oh, nothing for you to worry about." She waved her hand dismissively. "Just... feeling old."

"Old? That's ridiculous!" Elise said.

Eugenia put the van in gear and drove off.

A few minutes had passed, silently, other than the odd sniffle from her aunt.

"Are you going to tell me, or just suffer?" Elise said, bursting with curiosity.

"Well, in your call, your friend said your uncle was flirting with her." Eugenia said in a whisper.

"I didn't say she said he was flirting with her." Elise said, taken aback. "I said she was flattered that he for the first time saw her as a grown female, not a little playmate of mine."

"Well, he noticed her." Her aunt said, indignantly.

"Uncle Rick has always noticed pretty, larger ladies. He's never touched another and has always told Ethan and I of his love and adoration for you. Is this what's upsetting you? My call?" Elise felt ashamed she caused so much trouble and regretted mentioning it.

"Yes, but things are different." Eugenia said and almost missed a turn.

Elise shook her head. "You've been going on about how good things are between you. He's been more romantic and spoiling you with gifts. What changed?"

Her aunt nodded, "That's just it. He seems to have the libido when he did when we met and now has enough money to last the rest of his retirement and then some. Why would he want to keep an old mephit like me?"

Elise face-palmed. "Sounds like you're the one writing yourself out of his life. He hasn't changed." She sighed, "I know what it means to not believe when someone says you're beautiful, but you are. Inside and out. You're not just a part of his life, you ARE his life."

Eugenia smiled and appreciatively held her nieces hand. "You're so sweet. And so wise for your age."

"I had good teachers." Elise replied, giving her aunt's hand a reassuring squeeze.

When they arrived, they were happily greeted and seated by Kiana.

"Your uncle was just here a while ago." She chuckled, "He's so funny.... and cute."

The look Eugenia gave her could have sawed through steel. Elise gave her a nudge with her boot under the table.

She handed them their menus. "Coffees?"

Eugenia nodded as Elise shook her head, "Just water for me. Coffee makes me pee too much."

Kiana gave a happy chitter, "Be right back!"

"I think she likes working here." Elise said.

"Humph." Eugenia uttered. "She's too cute." She gave a sigh, "I guess I can't blame your uncle."

"Oh, don't start that again!" Elise moaned. "I wanted to tell you some good news."

Eugenia forced a smile.

"Remember that magazine I applied to be in? I was accepted!" Elise gave a happy bounce in her chair.

"Magnificent... MILF's?" Eugenia seemed genuinely happy for her niece. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you, auntie!" She said, thankful to have distracted her. "I have a meeting tomorrow in the afternoon with the photographer. He wants to go over things and set up a shoot."

Eugenia sighed, feeling downcast again, "I'm happy for you. Enjoy your youth and beauty while you have it."

"Ohhh, auntie!" Elise face-palmed.

A stranger came over to their table, a short human with curly hair and a moustache in his late 30's. "Excuse me, but I overheard the conversation. You're Elise Redd?"

"Um, yes?" Elise said hesitantly.

The human offered his card. "I'm Dale Rozen, the man you have the meeting with tomorrow. I just checked into the hotel and grabbing a bite before setting up the office for the week."

"Oh, nice to meet you!" Elise relaxed and shook his hand. "This is my auntie, Eugenia." She introduced.

"Well, hello there!" Dale said and shook her hand and gave a little bow. "Tell me, how do you feel about your niece being offered a feature in our publication?"

"Well, I think it's very flattering." Eugenia replied. "I can't say I'm not a little jealous."

"I'm glad you do!" He said with a nod and smile. "Not sure what your niece has said about us, but we bring to the world the beauty of motherly figures."

"Oh, yes, I know. My husband subscribes to your magazine." Eugenia added.

"Well, I think this may be a lucky meeting for both of us, then. We of course love to feature females of all races, including anthropomorphs. And both of you are the epitome of what we're looking for in a few months." He gave a pause and an encouraging smile at Eugenia, "How would you like to double-feature with your niece?"

Eugenia was shocked, flattered, felt put on the spot and a little feint all at once. She stuttered, "I... well... ah... um... ME?!?!?" She put her hand on her chest, mouth open in a big smile with star-struck eyes.

Dale nodded, then turned to Elise, "Please bring your aunt with you tomorrow. See you at three." With a nod to both, he returned to his seat.

"See auntie! You're not some old hag." Elise squeezed her aunt's hand, encouragingly.

"Me?" Eugenia repeated, still amazed at the offer.

Kiana arrived with the beverages and placed them. "Who was that?" She asked, curious.

"Remember that magazine I applied to I told you about? I was accepted and that was the photographer." Elsie said, happily. "He wants to shoot both of us."

Kiana's mouth dropped open. "Elise! You do know that...." She looked at Eugenia, then bent over to whisper in Elise's ear, "That guys will, you know, masturbate to you!" She stood up, blushing profusely and scurried into the back.

Eugenia was still looking star-struck and got this wry smile across her face. "Yeah, guys will, won't they?"

"OH AUNTIE!" Elise said, shocked. Both giggled mischievously.

--

Marie barely left her room. Despite reassurances from staff that nothing would happen to her, the man that attacked her was in the same wing she was, with the same access to the common room she had. Yes, it felt so much safer here, in a chair with her back to the wall, door closed, pillow in her arms.

She jumped and gave a squeal when a knock came. She hugged her pillow and said in a quiet voice, "Who is it?"

The door opened and she cringed, gripping her pillow so tightly, she felt the material rip under her fingernails.

It was a nurse escorting a guest. Not a guest she wanted to see, but better than "Bobby."

It was the human constable that came to arrest her a few days ago. But he was not in uniform.

"Can I talk to you?" He asked quietly.

"Do I have a choice?" Marie replied, frightened still.

"I have good news." He smiled.

Marie nodded and relaxed her grip.

He took only one step in. With a nod to the nurse, she left them alone.

"Doctor Grove explained everything to us." He said in a empathetic voice. "I talked to the security guards and they dropped the charges." He gave a chuckle, "The prosecutor wasn't happy, but the lawyer you saw was pretty convinced there would be so much red tape, you'd never get to trial, anyway. So the Crown dropped the case, as well."

It took a few moments for it to sink in what he just told her. "Can I go home now?"

He gave an open-armed shrug, "As far as the law is concerned, yes. Dr. Grove said he'll work out a medication regimen with the psychologist and will do the paperwork to release you."

He took a step to leave the room and added, "I'm glad this worked out. We're not all...." he let the last thought trail off. "Have a good day." He said an exited.

Marie cautiously got up a few moments after he left and carefully closed the door again. But her feeling of security was short lived, realizing the door was set to no longer lock.

Another hour had passed, but to Marie it felt like forever. Evening was rolling around and she knew dinner would be soon. She wasn't hungry. She had felt nauseous the past couple of days and had trouble keeping the food down. She didn't know if it was nerves, her predicament or those pills the doctor had given her.

Another knock came at the door. But this time a familiar voice followed, that of Dr. Grove.

"Dinner call!" He said and entered the room with the familiar flimsy plate with bland protein of unknown variety and some watery, white liquid she imagined were mashed potatoes.... at some point earlier in the century.

"I thought I'd deliver this meal myself!" He said and was followed in by the tall, stone-faced nurse. "This will probably be the last meal you'll have to suffer through here."

Marie's heart filled with hope once again. "You mean, I can go soon?"

He nodded, "Tomorrow morning, we're booting you out of here."

The nurse pulled out the table from the wall and Dr. Grove set the plate down. "The psychologist agrees that we'll send you off with a month supply of the paroxetine you've been taking here and some dimenhydrinate to ease the nausea. If you respond to that, we'll keep you on it. If not, your own doctor can adjust it as needed."

Marie's face filled with excitement. "OH MY GODS! Really?"

"Really!" The doctor concurred happily.

"But, I never even saw the psychologist?" Marie said with curiosity.

The stone-faced nurse actually broke into a smile. "You have. I'm actually not a nurse, but Dr. Yulia Ganov, the hospital psychologist." She said with a heavy accent. "It's better for me to observe and asses the patients if they think I am a nurse. Too often patients can put on a good show for a doctor, resulting in misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment."

Marie was brought to tears of happiness. "I hope I haven't been too much trouble."

Dr. Grove sighed, "You were textbook easy to help." He put his finger to his lips, indicating a secret, "I'm actually going for my certification as an anthropomorph mental health specialist. Your people are so straightforward to deal with. I don't have to break down twenty layers of bull crap to find the person underneath, like a human."

Marie gasped in reminder. "Bobby! Please keep him away from me!" She began to shake.

Dr. Ganov spoke. "We're doing our best to treat him. After Dr. Grove spoke to me about your experience, I overheard him speaking to other patients and discovered that he is terrified of anthropomorphs. You may have helped us, how you say, 'crack the case' in treating him."

"He was scared of me?" Marie was dumbfounded.

"Irrational fear is what a third of my patients problems are." Dr. Grove said. "We all have one. I'm terrified of spiders." He gave a shrug of embarrassment.

"We must see other patients, doctor." Dr. Ganov reminded Dr. Grove, who was one to spend time getting to know people.

"Yes!" He said and stood up. "I hope you can enjoy the last plate of tasteless mush." He chuckled. "Tomorrow morning, we'll have a meeting to explain your medications and get you on your way."

Tasteless or not, upset stomach or not, it was not just a meal, but a celebration of freedom for Marie.

That night, Marie had the best sleep since her ordeal started. She awoke early, 6AM and had excitement and anticipation in her heart. While breakfast would be served when she had her final meeting with the doctor, the overnight nurse allowed her to have a long shower in the stall.

By the time she had her fur dried and brushed out, it was seven. She returned to her room to find her street clothes washed. Clean, but that scratchy, bleached hospital smell. She didn't care. as she'd toss them in a drier with ten sheets when she was back at Ethan and Elise's apartment.

She had just buttoned and zipped her pants when a knock came at her door. "A moment!" She said happily as she quickly put her shirt on. "Enter!"

The nurse, or Dr. Ganov rather, came in. "Dr. Grove thought you would be up early. Do you want to wait until eight, or have your meeting now?"

Marie smiled, "Now!"

Dr. Ganov nodded and handed her belongings in a plastic draw-bag. "Follow me."

Going through a couple of security door, they entered Dr. Grove's office. He was behind his desk and greeted her with a smile and motioned for her to sit. Dr. Ganov moved the second chair to the side and sat.

"Today is freedom day!" He said, encouragingly.

"First, we have to sign some papers." He said as he opened a folder. He pulled out one sheet and signed it and Dr. Ganov did the same. He passed Marie the paper and the pen.

"This says that I am relinquishing custody of you to your own recognisance. Please read it, initial here, here and here..." He pointed out. "This verifies what treatments and assessments you've had with us and you understand that you're responsible for your own behaviour when you step out the doors."

Marie briefly looked at the paper, understanding where she had to initial, but the rest was 'legalese'. She signed and Dr. Ganov witnessed.

He made a copy with his multi-function printer and handed it to her. "I would keep a copy on you for a month or so. Make another and keep it in the same place. Sometimes not all the police are informed of your release and don't bother to check your file. The paper should save you harassment."

"But, the constable was so nice and said the charges were dropped?" Marie asked, confused.

Dr. Ganov gave a sigh, "Truth is, you're an anthropomorph in a human world. Some will look for any reason to try and take you off the street." She gave a saddened expression, "Keep a low profile for a long time. Your name is in the system. While it's rare in this area, if you go to another, less amicable town or try and go out of the country, there is guaranteed to be difficulty for you."

It was sinking into Marie the possible life-long consequences. She was becoming an actress in one of those horrible stories Gary used to tell her about when he read morning news on his computer. This made her very uncomfortable.

"Now, for your medications." Dr. Grove handed her a prescription with two items on it. "The paroxetine is the one you've been taking here. It's called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and will help you manage. But, there are side effects, as you know. Nausea, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction are the most common. The second pill, dimenhydrinate, will help with the upset stomach. Take them together, one of each in the morning."

Marie's eyes went wide at the idea of sexual problems. This was anticipated by Dr. Grove.

Dr. Grove nodded, "It has come to my attention from consultation with your fiancée that sex is quite important to you. I would recommend daily use of a personal lubricant and adding a generous amount of pro-biotic yogurt to your diet, as dryness can create other nasties for females."

Marie felt like an old bitch past her prime. Damaged psychologically and now physically. Her elation at leaving the facility had severely been dampened. "Will this be for life?" She said in a lugubrious tone of voice and looked away from both doctors.

"No." Dr. Ganov replied. "Treatments to bring psychological balance back may only last for a short term. Medications may also be adjusted or changed."

Dr. Grove added, "With paroxetine, once it's built-up in your system, it will also be safe for you to take a two day 'vacation' from them for special occasions with your partner. On the positive side, someone with your appetite for intimacy, it may not even greatly affect your libido."

She looked somewhat less discouraged by those words. "Better than jail, I guess."

"One more thing, unfortunately, Marie...." Dr. Grove said and Marie's ears sank almost flat against her head with the anticipation of disappointment. "As part of the psychological recovery progress of your condition, legislation required us to take your driver's license and have it cancelled."

"What....?" Marie said in a susurration of helplessness.

A notification beeped on Dr. Grove's phone. He looked at it and smiled. "Marie, the best thing you can have is support. Support of your loved ones and friends."

Marie looked at him with a hint of hopelessness, "I think I've used up all my friends. I have a couple left, I think. But I certainly don't deserve them."

"That's the pills talking." Dr. Ganov said. "A bump your friends will help you overcome is the realization of any misdeeds, turning them into acceptance and moving on with a better life."

"Well, let's get you on your way." Dr. Grove said and stood up.

He opened the door for Marie, then opened one last security door. "No more locks." He opened his hand to the hallway before her. "Do exit through the main entrance. A ride has been arranged for you, it seems."

"Thank you." Marie said and as the door closed, she hugged the bag of her belongings, holding the papers tightly. Her world was now going to be a very different place.

How she wished she could just run into Gary's arms now. But after how she treated him? She felt ashamed. What about Elise? She had her breakdown in front of her. She regretted the last words she spoke to her. How will she face her friend? Al seemed to have had a part, but that she was convinced for Ethan's benefit, and she was sure he did it for Elise.

She had traversed several corridors and was just about to round the last corner to the main entrance area. Who was there for her ride? It had to be Gary. Yes, it must be Gary. Maybe Delia was with him? That thought brought a smile to her face and warmth to her heart. Chin up, she turned that last corner.

And there was the last thing she had ever expected.

There was not one or two people, but an entire group. And in front of them all was Delia, who squealed with excitement and ran over to her big sister. Marie dropped to her knees and held her little sister and cried.

"Fuzzy man said you'd come out today." Delia said, crying as well. "I missed you. We love you."

"We're here for you." Elise said, standing with her brother, Al, Gary, Kiana and even Cerise.

"Let's get you out of here." Ethan said and Elise held out her hand to take her bag and papers, as Marie stood with Delia clinging to her.

To be surprised even further, Elise and Ethan's parents were waiting outside. Mark and Alice gave warm smiles and Mark slid the van side door open for her and Delia to enter.

Gary, Kiana and Elise also got in the van as Ethan and Al and got in Cerise's car.

"You must be hungry for real food." Mark said more as a statement than a question. "Let's get you fed." The group buckled their seatbelts.

Marie was overwhelmed with everyone being there for her. "Thank you so much." She said tearfully. "But aren't you going to be late?"

"Bah!" Mark said. "The other car will take care of things at the store. This is our morning. We'll feed you, get whatever you need the doctor wants you to have, then help you settle in back at the apartment, or Gary's or wherever you want."

Gary leaned over and whispered to Marie, "I never told anyone."

Marie nuzzled him, "Thank you."

Gary's heart warmed and the idea of another chance between them gave him hope.

"Where are we going for breakfast, Mr. Redd?" Marie asked as he drove past two restaurants and merged onto the highway.

"Oh, a certain restaurant beside a hotel." He replied.

Embarrassment flushed over Marie's face. "Um, not to sound ungrateful, but I kind of let them down over there. Can we go somewhere else?"

"No, you didn't." Kiana said. She opened her jacket and showed Marie her waitress name tag. "I'm 'keeping your seat warm' over there."

"What?" Marie looked at it, surprised.

"You have our son to thank for that." Alice said with a smile.

"Ethan?!?" Marie squeaked. "I thought.... no disrespect Mrs. Redd, but I thought he hated me?"

Mark laughed. "Ethan? He championed you at the restaurant. He arranged it so Kiana would work in your place until you were available."

Marie's mouth hung open in amazement.

"Ethan's always known that you were a better person than you had made yourself out to be." Elise added. "I didn't know myself until he did this."

Marie looked at Gary, "Just like you did. Gary, I'm so sorry I treated you like I did."

Gary, who was sitting on the bench seat behind her, nuzzled her ear. "And I'm sorry I said the things I did. You're the best thing for me... and Delia. I want to help, if you'll let me."

"Oh... honey...." Marie said tearfully and craning her neck, she turned her head around and kissed him.

Delia smiled and clapped her hands.

Everyone else smiled as well. Today was going to be a good day, after all.