Well, it's like this

 Carrie kept talking about (her stepmother) Gabby's photo shoot, which her Grandy (Betty) couldn't help but chuckle.

"But..but honey, she's going to have a baby," Betty squinted.

"Well, she's been planning it for a long time," Carrie hugged herself as if she knew everything going on with her stepmother.

"Is it a new job?" They were busy at the dining table. Carrie was drawing while Betty was cutting out some simple patterns for Barbie clothes she'd found on YouTube. Hopefully, they would fit Carrie's favorite purple-haired Barbie.

"No. She only has the one job she goes to every day of the week except Saturday and Sunday."

Naturally, Carrie was very informative while she colored all over the page with her purple crayon.

Betty nodded. She knew this. Carrie's father, Oliver, taught at the elementary school, and these days Carrie spent her days with Betty. 

"Are you in this photo shoot?" Betty wondered how expensive this would be, but these days, maybe a friend was taking photos of  Carrie's pregnant step-mom.

"No, it's just for her and my baby brother."

Carrie liked the idea of a baby brother more than Gabby. This much Betty knew. Gabby was crushed when she found out they were having a boy instead of a girl, but evidently, she was making the most of her pregnancy, especially documenting her pregnancy with a photo shoot. Something Betty had never thought of doing during her days of early motherhood.

Of course, back then she might as well have been on a soap opera in so much turmoil. It was amazing she'd gotten this far. Something she hoped no one in her family had to go through. Of course, her girls went through their own drama, too. But none of them had time for a photo shoot while they were pregnant. It seemed these days everything had to be documented on social media.

"Your Dad's OK with it?" Betty couldn't help but ask as she started handsewing a sweater and shorts from some of Carrie's little leggings for Barbie's outfit.

"He didn't say," Carrie shrugged. 

"It seems to me he should be in those photos."

"He's at work."

"Yeah, he's working, all right." Betty found herself sighing. Gabby had a good office manager job at City, but she liked to spend money too. The things on her list at the baby shower were quite expensive and they still lived in her two bedroom apartment. 

"Nobody's got time to clean anything, lately." Carrie looked up at her.

"Oh, really." Betty practically rolled her eyes. She guessed she'd have to make a surprise visit.

"All the clothes are on the couch. You can't even find it." Carrie told her.

"I see." She guessed she could start prepping meals, and Oliver's dad could help with tidying up the place.

In every life we have some trouble. But when you worry you make it double

 Truth be told, Gavin didn't want his parents over for the Easter celebration at Kat's grandparents, but then his mom was curious about Kat and her family. He couldn't help but be furious.

"What? We embarrass you that much?" Her question was true, and yet it felt like she was trying to put him on a guilt trip.

"No, it's not that." He informed her it would be crowded, and he knew how she disliked crowds. Besides, she liked to have formal dinners, yet these days, he felt his parents were getting ready to be empty nesters. His sister was away at college, and he knew they couldn't wait for him to leave, too. They tended to be into going out without the kids. "You just won't like it." He swelled a frown as if this was his gig, not theirs.

He'd seen all the wine and beer they'd brought back from the Wall of Wine. Didn't she want to stay home and sip her Dirty Shirlies?

"Well, we could go for just a little bit." She sounded as if she wasn't interested in Easter Egg Hunts or cookouts.

"Mom," Gavin wailed. "Do you have to?" He winced as if she was going to wreck everything.

"I'll go just for a bit," She smirked as if she had something up her sleeve. As much as he reminded her that she knew Kat already. His mother came back with, "But I want to meet the rest of the family."

So his day with Kat was his mom's great monologues with Kat's mother about how Gavin was when he was little.

"I thought he would have lots of girlfriends by now. Especially, the way he liked to kiss everyone in preschool." She told anyone who would listen. Of course, he thought she was the only one getting a good laugh. "Oh, and he kissed the boys, too." His mom batted her eyelashes as if she couldn't wait to think of another tale to tell about Gavin.

"You think she's already drunk?" Kat cornered Gavin.

"No, she'd be wanting to dance with everyone if she was," He sighed. 

Of course, she gave him a hug and held his hand strongly as if she'd be by his side no matter how bad the embarrassing stories got. Gavin smiled back as if he was glad he had Kat.

Right here right now

 

"You look like you are  up to no good." Oliver couldn't help but smirk when he met up with Brick. Of course, he had much more on his mind than spending time with his adopted nephew, but they were both put to work getting items for the weekend Easter egg hunt.

"Oh, you know, it's been a good season," he nodded about being on the basketball team at the university. He'd played more on the court than he ever imagined. "I'm thankful for that."

They pushed a grocery cart along, looking for chocolate bunnies and flavored Peeps, and jelly beans. Oliver remembered the cake mix and icing. It was a tradition to make a white cake and decorate it with Peeps. It was something the kids got to do. This year, cupcakes were included, too. It seemed the house was filled with happiness during the holidays. Of course, Oliver and Gabby still lived in an apartment, and it was very obvious these days that a baby was on the way. Hopefully, by May, but Oliver thought it would come sooner.

"And-" Brick started.

"And?" Oliver looked at him out of the corner of his eye. 

"Well, Lily and I wanted to make it right, you know." He shrugged. "We're married."

"Married?" Oliver's brows furrowed. "You?" He had to laugh, yet he felt kind of bad that he wasn't the one married. It was something he always wanted, but he hadn't had the best situation with Carrie's mother, and he wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. Still, he and Gabby were together. It wasn't perfect, but they always seemed to work it out. She was supportive and still working, and of course, there was Betty who would be there to help when the baby was born. Even Gabby's parents were excited.

"Yeah, we decided we wanted to, even if we are still in the dorm. It's a vow between us, you know. I feel better about us and the future." Brick told Oliver.

"You are so brave," Oliver sighed. Maybe he would take the plunge, but knowing Gabby, there wouldn't be a wedding until after the baby was born.

A friend indeed

 "I'm glad you didn't forget about me," Rafe said when Mercer dropped by. Of course, the place was a mess. A work in progress, no less. He invited Mercer in, who didn't want coffee, so he offered him a bottle of water. Surely, that wouldn't be contaminated.

"Such a long time," Rafe said.

"Has it?" Mercer said he didn't think so. "I saw you at Christmas."

"Oh." Rafe nodded. He guessed he was right. Finally, he was having some alone time. Ruby went to thrift with Gabby, and she took the baby with her. She was braver these days on her outings, so Rafe gave her the thumbs-up. Honestly, he wanted to nap, but he knew she expected him to do laundry and the dishes.

He stretched a bit as if he needed to get in the mood to do something. Of course, Mercer helped too.

"You don't have to," Rafe shrugged.

"I don't mind, really."

Rafe thanked him as Mercer picked up in the living room. He even vacuumed while Rafe loaded the dishwasher. 

Finally, Rafe got around to putting a frozen pizza in the oven. The kitchen was so pristine that he hated to mess it up.

"So what have you been up to?"

"Just work, and you know, we go and see Sterling's daughter  on the weekends." Mercer shrugged.

"That must be hectic."

"We've got it down to a schedule. It's good." Mercer told him with a smile.

"Good, wish I knew your secret." Rafe winced in thought.

"Are you and Ruby really happy?" Mercer looked at him out of concern as they ate pizza together with Root Beer.

"Um," Rafe nodded.

"You don't think-" It was as if Mercer didn't want to say anymore. As if he shouldn't have questioned Rafe to begin with.

"It's not perfect, but is anything?" Rafe laughed. "We get along, but we know we both have our faults. It's just we both need more sleep, but every day is an adventure, and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be with." Rafe smiled. 

He didn't want to mention his brother, Mercer's ex. That was the past, and Rafe definitely lived in the present; that was all that mattered.  They talked then about Easter and what the summer might hold for them.

"Maybe we can all meet up one weekend in Shandoah. It would be good for the youngsters to be friends."

Rafe liked Mercer's idea.