Rachel sat out in the car nervously straightening the steering wheel cover, and glancing over towards the school office where Emma had disappeared into over a half hour ago. She was in total agreement with Stanley about this whole job situation but Emma needed a supportive friend right now and she was pretty sure, there would be tears on the ride home once she didn't get the job. It was her job to be there for her. Looking back down at the steering wheel cover she realized she had twisted into even more of a mess. As she looked up this time Emma was walking towards the car. Rachel tried to read her face. There were no tears, she looked pretty normal actually.

Emma opened up the passenger door and slid into the seat. She didn't say anything right away and Rachel was waiting for her to offer information. But the seconds seemed like forever and she finally just blurted out, "So, how did it go?"

Emma looked over at Rachel,"Well, Stanley was right." But instead of Emma breaking down she smiled, "I don't know what I was thinking."

"You're a damn good teacher,Emma."

"I know that. But I'm also a damn good mother and I don't know why I think I have to prove something by getting a job."

"Because you don't want to put yourself in the same position you were in with Gary. It's understandable."

"But it's not fair to Stanley, Rachel. I've not been fair to him at all. In the back of my mind thinking he'll leave me like Gary did. He's not Gary."

Rachel raised her eyebrows, "You're just figuring that out?"

Emma laughed, "Well, I guess I'm a little bit slow."

"I don't Stanley thinks so."

"I should call him." She took her cellphone out of her purse.

"Does this mean you're going to accept his proposal?"

"If so, he'll be the first to know. Not you." She dialed Stanley's number and it rang quite awhile before he picked it up.

"Hello." He sounded a bit anxious.

"Stanley, are you okay?" There was concern in her voice.

"Hey, babe...yeah, I'm fine. Was just on the other line."

"Something important?"

"Yeah, I think it is." He sounded very mysterious. "But nothing as important as talking to you. So how did it go?"

"Not good."

"I'm sorry, Em. I know how much you want to get back in the classroom and do what you do best. And I wasn't very supportive this morning."

"No, you were right and I was being stupid. No one is going to hire me for this year, not with the baby on the way. I'm just going to have to be satisfied with subbing until next year."

"Subbing is good. Keeps your foot in the door."

"And gives me plenty of time to do other things I do pretty well."

"Really? And what would those things be?"

"I'd rather not say here" She looked over at Rachel, knowing she was listening to every word.

"Ah, Rachel is there with you. So these things...must have to do with me and pertain to the bedroom. Just a wild guess."

"Well, I think I do pretty well in that department. Or so you said last night anyhow."

"Don't do this to me right now, Em. It's really unfair. You don't know what it does to me."

"Oh, I think I do."

Rachel grabbed the phone away from Emma, "You know, Stanley, I'll have her home in a few minutes and you can talk dirty then." Emma tried grabbing the phone from her and Rachel kept her at arms reach. "What am I saying talking...I'm sure talking is the last thing on your mind."

Stanley half heartedly laughed then spoke, "Rachel, I have a favor to ask of you."

"A threesome? You want to have a threesome?"

Emma gave her a dirty look. Stanley laughed, "Well, that's something to think about, but not in my lifetime, Rachel. No, I need you to entertain Emma for the afternoon. My treat. Lunch, shopping, a movie. Whatever."

Rachel looked over at Emma, "I think you need to run this by Emma."

She handed the phone back to Emma, " No threesome, not ever, Stanley...no wait, I take that back. I might contemplate it if the third party involved was someone like...let's say..Hugh Jackman."

"Hugh Jackman,huh? Now I know what I'm up against, better get the old tap shoes out. Never knew you were turned on by a guy who tap dances. Should have told me that ages ago."

Emma laughed at the image of Stanley tap dancing.

"Hey, you're laughing at me. Just thought I might be able to spice something up here. Tap shoes, mutton chops, Aussie accent. Whatever it takes, babe, I'm willing to go the whole hog. If it's what you want."

She found him incredibly sweet and whispered into the phone, "I just want you. Stanley Jobson...no bells and whistles...just you."

"Right, Well, now that we have that straightened out, I just want to run something by you. Since I've been such a shit the past few days, I thought it would be nice if you and Rachel make a day out of it. On me. Lunch, maybe a little shopping."

"Does this have something to do with whatever you think is important?"

"What's important is you. I'm the reason you've had a fucked up week, I want to do this for you. Probably wouldn't be a bad thing for you to have some time away from me. I've been a real selfish asshole lately."

"Well, maybe a bit."

"So go have fun with Rachel. Don't worry about me or the kids. Dad can pick the girls up, go enjoy yourself. Spend my money."

"I probably could use a few things, since my clothes are getting a bit tight."

"There you go." The silence on her end seemed to last forever, "Em, everything okay?"

"Yeah...I just wanted to say...about the question, last night..."

"Not over the phone. Go have a brilliant day, and we can catch up this evening. You know, I gotta go."

"I'll call you later."

"Anytime, Em. I love ya."

"Love you too."

She sighed as she flipped the cellphone shut and slipped it back into her purse. Rachel eying her, "You're going to say, yes. I know it."

"Shut up, Rachel. Just drive...Cheesecake Factory in Fashion Valley sounds good. I'm starved."

"Somehow I have a feeling for more than cheesecake. So how long do you think it will be before you and Stanley...you know...I don't think I could cope with weeks of abstinence. Don't know how you do it."

"You will never change, Rachel. And for your information, I don't think abstinence is in Stanley's vocabulary, doctor or no doctor."

"Really? Pray tell. I want details, woman." She started the car, and had a far off stare. " Wow, so even laid up with a bad leg and back the guy has it in him. I guess I'm not surprised. That guy is amazing."

Emma smiled, "Yeah, I have to agree. I wouldn't trade him for anything."

" Not even Hugh Jackman?"

"Not even Hugh Jackman."

Stanley had been making arrangements all afternoon and he worried that Emma would be back before his surprise was in place But thanks to little extra cash up front the delivery truck arrived about the same time Hank showed up with the girls, and Kyle pulled up out front.

Holly was the first to notice the logo on the side of the truck and shouted out, "We're getting a piano. This is so cool" Holly jumped out of the car and ran up the pathway where her dad was standing propped up with his cane, as he supervised a few men in the removal of the door.

"Why would your dad be getting a piano?" Melody questioned as she stepped out of the car, but Holly was already out of ear shot. At the curb, Kyle stood with his mouth wideopened as he watched the men place the beautiful walnut baby grand piano onto a dolly and push it towards the front door. Kyle knew exactly why Stanley was getting a piano.

He turned to his sister, "you don't remember mom playing do you?'

"The piano? We never had a piano, Kyle. Ever. I remember bugging mom for one when I was small. And she would look at Dad, and then just say no."

"I guess she got rid of it about the time you were born. Well, actually Dad got rid of it." He moved over to Stanley, "You did this for mom, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I thought it might be a good thing."

"Wow, Stan, this is big. I mean, Mom doesn't even talk about the days she used to play. Uncle Austin used to bug her about it, hoping she'd take it up again, but I think it caused some major problems in my parents relationship. Or at least that's the vibe I get."

"It was your mom's dream to play professionally, but she gave it up for your dad and the two of you."

"She told you that?"

"Yeah, she did, ages ago actually. She kind of glossed over it like it was no big deal, but I saw that look in her eyes, a yearning I guess you would call it. I guess I pretty much forgot about it til today. And then it just struck me. Your mom wants to teach, so why not teach piano lessons."

"I think it's a brilliant idea."

Melody was shocked to hear this bit of information. "Why didn't she ever say anything about it?"

"I think giving it up was one of the hardest things she's ever done."

"So it's our fault, she gave up her dreams."

"No,not at all. You and Kyle became her dreams. Still are."

"It was Dad, Melody. Uncle Austin said he couldn't stand the fact she had this major talent, and he just wanted a wife to stay at home and take care of the kids."

Stanley noticed the melancholy look in Melody's eyes. Bringing up their dad after what happened on Sunday definitely hit her hard. Melody had accepted long ago their her father was pretty much of an asshole but there had still been no word from him, and she still was his daughter. God, she wished it was different. Stanley went all out to make her mom happy.

Stanley gave her a squeeze, "Now that I have my girls home, I'm going to put you to work. I want tonight to be extra special of your mom."

"You're going to ask her to marry you?"

"Well, I kind of already did but don't you think that we need to make this an event, even if it's small?"

Kyle budded in, "I don't call a baby grand piano small, Stanley."

Melody looked confused, "I don't understand. If you've already asked her..."

"She hasn't given me an answer. That means it's not no...but she's thinking about it. I know your mom isn't into the whole traditional crap, and I think it's not just about me and her, but about all of us being together as a family. So I want all of you to be a part of this."

Holly seemed excited, "We can make a cake and put up decorations. Make it an engagement party."

"And scare my mom off. No..." Melody piped in.

"Melody is right. That's why I've passed on a ring."

"No ring?" Holly seemed disappointed. "You have to have a ring."

Kyle jumped in, "Hell, we've got a piano, who needs a stupid ring. I can probably figure out some chords and the melody to a song to play. I played guitar for awhile, and kind of have an ear for it."

"And Dad can sing." Holly was once again excited.

"Oh, no...I'm not singing."

Melody laughed, "Like you did in the shower, on New Years Eve. I think mom liked it. Do you have a song? You know something mushy that is yours and moms, something special. She would love that, don't you think, Kyle?"

"It sounds so schmaltzy but she would love it." Kyle had to agree.

Stanley thought about the fabrication they had made up that night at Dukes. The song playing on the radio in the 57 Chevy. 'That Old Black Magic' had become their song, even though the story behind it was made up. It did sound like something Emma would love. Kyle playing the piano, him singing. No matter how bad it was, Emma would find it endearing and special. "Well, there is a song."

Holly found this romantic, "Really? You have a song? That is just really romantic."

"As long as it's not J.Lo, or Celine Dion." Kyle added.

The movers had gotten the piano in the door, and Stanley noticed them staring at him waiting for the next instructions. He made his way in the house followed by the troops. The kids rushed passed him into the kitchen raiding the fridge for a soda. Hank patted his back, "You singing? I wouldn't miss this for the world."

"Dad, this is serious."

"I know. And she'll love it. You just never cease to amaze me,son."

"I'm not the same man I was a year ago."

"Don't I know it. You're a better man, Stanley. And she'll say yes. Mark my words."

Stanley wanted to believe that was the truth, but he just didn't know. Emma had a a lot of pertinent things to say last night. But today on the phone she had seemed to be having a change of heart. That maybe she did want to marry him. But that could be just the hormones. She was back and forth and up and down, and he really didn't know what to expect from her. But he wasn't going to let that stop him. Tonight was going to be special, whether Emma said yes or not.