(MORGAN)

Lily's still on Cloud Nine after last night's performance. I'm beginning to think she loves the limelight and applause as much as her step father. She was up before anyone else this morning, eager to get back to school and her classmates. No doubt so they can talk about the play some more. She chatted non stop all the way from home and I have the feeling Connor, and Katy too, is going to deserve some extra attention tonight.

On the way back home Bella and I make a few stops and by the time we're making our way back into the house I've got an armload of bags. Joe's up and sitting at the table when we walk in, he's practically nose to nose with a steaming cup of coffee. Guess he figures all that steam will make it easier for him to breath.

"You know a hot shower would probably work better and be easier on your back." I tell him as I set the bags down on the counter. "Or you could take some of the cold and flu stuff I just bought." I add as I start searching through the bags.

"I'm fine." he says in scratchy voice.

Here we go again. I manage to refrain from rolling my eyes and remind myself he's sick. And when he's sick he's miserable. And when he's miserable....well that generally means everyone else in the vicinity gets miserable too. Such are the idiosyncrasies of Joe Ross.

"Suit yourself," I reply and set Bella on a kitchen chair so I can free her from her coat.

"Watch," comes Joe's warning. "You don't want her toppling off that chair."

"She won't," I assure him.

"Here, let me do that. You go put the stuff in the bags away." He stands up, reaching out for Bella.

"No thanks. I don't need her catching what ever it is you've got and passing it on to Lily and Connor. I've got it covered. Go lie back down and rest."

"I don't need anymore rest," he growls, then mutters almost under his breath. "Wasted half the day as it is."

Bella's coat goes on the back of the chair and I lift her back up, carrying her over to a rug in a sunny spot in the corner. If I'm in the kitchen for any length of time, she loves to hang out there playing where she can keep an eye on me. Right away she starts babbling, "Mamammamamamama," as she reaches for her stuffed tiger.

"You got it, sweetheart. Mama's right here."

"But your Daddy is off playing somewhere with another woman. " I spin around and glare at Joe. He gives me that innocent "What did I say?" look.

“Yeah, and the other woman's husband didn't put up any fuss when they announced they were going to Paris together. Missed your chance on that, Joe."

"Not much of a choice," he shoots back.

"Bull...." I catch myself just in the nick of time and take a deep breath when Bella's 'mamamama' starts to sound just a little worried. "It's okay, sweetheart." I give her a big smile and waggle my fingers at her. "It's okay." To Joe, I ask, "What are you so worried about? Don't trust her?"

"Pam isn't the one I don't trust," he replies with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh please, even if Chris was tempted, I doubt he'd resort to forcing himself on Pam. We have nothing to worry about."

But I can't quite look him in the eye, instead I glance over at Bella again. It wasn't all that long ago that I told Pam that her and Chris might have been a better match than Chris and I.
There's a niggling little question running through my mind and that's really the reason I can't quite meet Joe's steady gaze. Does that mean him and me are also the better match.

God forbid.
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