Eve was sitting in the living room, reading a book when she heard the door open. She smiled.

“ Hey Chad.”

” Doc.”

” How did dinner go?”

Chad came over to the couch and sat down next to Eve.

” Better than I expected.”

” Sounds promising.”

“ Julian and I…we got to know one another better. It was good.”

“ Glad to hear it.”

“ Julian told me about the christening that you want to do.”

” I didn’t know if you were religious. I don’t want to intrude on your personal beliefs.”

“ You’re not intruding. I think it would be a cool thing. Sheridan and Miz Bennett as my Godmothers? I like that a lot.”

” Good, because Grace is thrilled. “

“ Um, where is everyone else?”

” Whitney’s having dinner with Theresa. Simone is out with the teens, and Madelaine went to meet TC for dessert. How are things going for you around here? Do you feel welcome?”

” Things are tricky, but fine. It’s going to take sometime for Whitney to accept the situation and feel good about it. I think Simone is really close to being happy about us being siblings. As far as Coach is concerned…things get better with everyday. I know how hard it is for him to really accept me being Julian’s son. I know how much he hates the man. He’s trying, though. He loves you a lot. “

Eve smiled. “ I love him too.”

“ Things will be cool for you.”

“ Thanks for your concern.”

” You’re my mother. I want what’s best for you.”

“ You’re a good son…” Eve put her hand up to Chad’s cheek. “ Son…I’m so happy to be able to say that.”

” I’m glad too.”

They hugged.
 

Julian was pouring himself a brandy when Ivy came into the Library.

” So, how did the family dinner go?”

” Ah, my Poisonous Pet, would you like one?”

” Sure.”

Julian poured another brandy and brought it to Ivy on the couch. She took a gulp.

“So, how was it?”

“ Pleasant. Strained at first, and then it got better.”

” Sounds good.”

“ It is.” Julian took a gulp of his brandy and look at Ivy. “ Why are you concerned, Ivy. It couldn’t be that you actually care.”

” Hardly, Julian. But, Chad affects everything. He’s your oldest child, Julian, and if he were…”

” Ah, I knew there was a point to you being here. As always, it comes back to Ethan. Your precious Ethan.”

” Yes, MY darling Ethan.”

” Ethan is my oldest LEGAL child, but Chad is the OLDEST male Crane, and you’re worried that Chad’s arrival is a threat to Ethan’s claim as future head of the Crane Empire.”

” A mother does wonder.”

“ Well, I guess you have a point. Truth be told, Ivy, I’ll never deny Chad anything. He’ll get anything he wants. Period. Fortunately for you, there’s more chance of Father becoming a Democrat than Chad wanting to run ANYTHING Crane. Ethan is safe.”

” Good.”

“ Ethan is pleased with having Chad for a brother.”

” I know he is.”

” Sheridan is over the moon.”

“ She’s better than both of us put together.”

” So true.”

“ And what about you and Eve, Julian? Are you going to try and rekindle that old flame?”

” Why, my Pet, even if we weren’t married, I wouldn’t kiss and tell. But, to put your mind at ease, Eve and I are nothing but parents.”

“ Translation, TC assured you of your death if you messed with his wife.”

“ I plead The Fifth.”

Ivy laughs. “ Well, Julian, I wouldn’t mind being a rich widow, so you go right on ahead and try to get near Eve.”

” Sorry, Pet. I plan on burying YOU!”

” In your dreams, Julian.”

They both laugh and clink glasses.
 

“ So, Theodore, how are you?”, Madelaine said, as they sat down for dessert at the Lobster Shack.

“ Fine, Mama.”

” Don’t lie to me. “

” Mama, things aren’t where I want them to be, but I’m still in the house.”

” Yes, acting like a zombie. Everyone else is walking on eggshells around you.”

” I can’t help it if I’m not happy.”

” Well, nobody else can.”

” I don’t need the lecture.”

” Ok, maybe you don’t need a lecture. Theodore, settle things with your wife. Eve won’t leave you – she loves you. But, there is a difference between having a marriage and a happy one. “

Madelaine didn’t say anything else, but ate her dessert.