” Oh no. It’s happening again.”, Grace said, crying.

Eve asked Grace, “ What is it, Grace? What’s happening again?”

“ I used to have this vision a long time ago, but they had stopped.”

“ Why do you think it’s coming back?”, Madelaine asked.

” I don’t know. “

“ Are you ok, Grace?”

” I’m fine, Eve. I can’t control my visions. They just come and go.”

” Is it a bad vision?”

” Not really. Nothing to do with doom or sadness, but it’s so strong.”

” Well, Honey, we’re here. You’re fine.”

” I know. I’ve come to accept that my powers will always be around.”

” It’s a gift. Don’t ever forget that.”, Madelaine told her.

” It’s hard, but I understand it. So, let’s get down to enjoying our dinner. Smells good.”

” Eve did do a great job with this dinner.”, Madelaine volunteered.

They began to eat. “ So, Eve, why did you want us to have dinner?”

” Well, I had something to ask you, Grace.”

” What is it?”

” Julian and I were talking about Chad. We want to help him with his future, but we also want to reconcile things about his past. I want to throw Chad a party. I want to give him things he never had, but would have had if he had grown up with me. Things, like a Godmother. He’s not a baby, but I’ve spoken to Father Lonigan, and he said we could have a christening. I know I might be getting ahead of myself, I don’t even know if Chad is Catholic, but if he is, would you mind being his Godmother?”

 Grace beamed. “ Oh, Eve, I would be honored.”

” You don’t think I’m being silly? It’s just that if anything happened to me, I would want Chad to have someone looking out for him, that would be a good friend. “

” Of course, I would.”

” Have you thought about a Godfather, Eve?”, Madelaine asked.

” Actually, Julian and I came up with a new concept – two Godmothers. He’s going to ask Sheridan tonight.”

” Chad’s at dinner with the Cranes, right?”, Grace asked.

” Yes. I’m so nervous about it.”

” It will be fine.”, Grace offered.

” How can you think that?”

” Because, Julian wants a relationship with his son. Sheridan is a good person. Ethan and Chad are already friends. Those are the only people that you need to worry about.”

“ You’re right. I shouldn’t worry. I’m his mother. I can’t help it.”

“ Eve, I think the worst is behind you. You are forming your new family. Theodore is slowly accepting it. You have three healthy children to love. You will only get stronger.”

” I’m beginning to believe you, Madelaine.”

Madelaine picks up her wine glass. “ I want to propose a toast. To Eve, and her family. May they only get stronger and more full of love.”

The women clink glasses.

<hr>

“ Well Chad, this hasn’t been a horrible experience, has it?”, Julian asked.

” No. Not so bad.”

” We don’t have horns.”, Ethan joked.

“ Well, if you two will excuse us, I’d like to dance with my sister.” Sheridan looked at Julian – they never danced, but she realized he wanted to talk to her. She gave Julian her hand, and they left the table. Once they got out on the dance floor, Sheridan asked Julian,

“ So, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about, Julian?”

” Why can’t I just enjoy a dance with my sister?”

” We never dance together, Julian. Not since I was a little girl. Small enough to put my feet on yours.”

Julian smiled and laughed. “ God, has it been that long? You were absolutely irresistible back then.”

” And now?”

” Simply breathtakingly beautiful.”

“ You’re such a smooth talker.”

“ Don’t you know that’s how I get the ladies?”

Sheridan laughed. “ But, back to the topic at hand, why did you want to talk to me?”

” Well, Eve had an idea. She wants for Chad to be baptized, and you usually have Godparents for such a thing. Would you be his Godmother?”

Sheridan stopped dancing and looked into Julian’s eyes , tears forming in them. “ Really?”

” Of course, Sheridan. I don’t have anyone else that I would even consider. I know you would always look out for my son.”

” I sure would! Oh Julian, I would love it.”

” Eve and I thought we would go the untraditional route. We’re asking two Godmothers – you and Grace Bennett. I don’t care for the Tomato Soup Cake Queen, but everyone else seems to think she’s a good person.”

” Julian, Grace is sweet. She’s harmless. I think she’s a terrific choice.”

” Do you think Chad will like it?”

” I don’t know about his stand on religion, but I think he’ll like the idea of Godparents.”

” Sheridan, I don’t want to make any mistakes with him. I want to have a good relationship with him so bad I can taste it.”

” Julian, your disagreement tonight doesn’t mean you’re making mistakes. You’re trying to be a parent. Maybe you shouldn’t come on so strong, but I loved your argument with him. It made me think you two are bonding.”

” Bonding? I don’t know about that. Half the time I think he only talks to me because Eve tells him that he should.”

” Who cares why he does it, as long as he does do it. You love him. He has to become secure in that love in order to fully accept you. Keep on working on it. It will be fine.”

“ Sheridan, if I haven’t told you, I really appreciate you being here for me. I’m sorry it took us all these years to forge a real relationship.”

” Better late than never.”

” Amen to that.”

Julian pulled Sheridan in close and they enjoyed a nice dance.

“ I wonder what they’re talking about.”, Chad said, taking a sip of his wine.

” Probably you.”

” Yeah, I thought so. Julian’s probably telling her what a pain I am, and how he wishes I wasn’t his son.”

” Chad, Father would NEVER say that.”

” Why not?”

” Because, it’s not true. He’s so happy that you’re his son. He loves you.”

” See, you come up with this. Julian Crane LOVES me. Man, how can you be sure?”

” Because, Father loves all his children. Plus, he thought you were dead for years, so he’s overjoyed that you’re ‘back from the dead’. He loves you.”

” How do you feel about it?”

” I’m getting used to it. I’m glad, Chad. Glad that we are brothers. Give Father a chance. He’s not conventional, and he’s definitely not going to win any Father of the Year Awards, but he’s not a horrible man either. He’s complex, and you have to accept that about him. “

” Yeah, he’s definitely not Father Knows Best.”

” No, he’s not. “

” Julian, you really think someone like him, and someone like me can be Father and Son?”

” Chad, you already are. “