Everyone ready for our Valentine's Day story?

Mike: As long as no one's gettin' hurt.

Micky: Yes!

Davy: On Valentine's Day? The girls aren't THAT cruel.

Micky: That's what they WANT you to think.

(We open on the veranda at the Pad. The older kids, Lauren, and Daphne play on the back porch, while Mike, Micky, and Davy work on the steps leading to the beach.)

Mike: Ok, Mick, hand me that screwdriver

Micky: Phillips or flathead?

Mike: Phillips.

Micky: Quarter inch, half inch, or three quarters inch?

Mike: Whatever's gonna fit in there. (Points to the bolt)

Micky: *holds up two screwdrivers* Short or long handle? *can no longer hide his grin*

Mike: Just gimmie! (He grabs the long handle and shoves it into the bolt)

Micky: *still chuckling* Just wanted to make sure I gave ya the right one!

Emma: (Sighs and joins Lauren, Daphne, and the kids on the veranda, her son in her arms) They're not done YET?

Katie: (Shakes her head) Nope. They're still workin' on it!

Davy: We're still working because we're gonna do it right.

Mike: Hell yeah, we're gonna do it right! (He starts screwing the bolt in)

Emma: But you've been at it since early this morning! It's past noon now!

Micky: And I'm getting hungry.

Davy: I know, mate, I've 'eard your stomach growl every 15 minutes for the last two 'ours.

*Micky shrugs.*

Emma: (Turns to the kids) Are you guys ready to eat? We'll be having grilled cheese and ham this afternoon.

Katie: Oooh, yummy!

(Robbie gurgles, watching the other kids with interest.)

Emma: (Cuddles Robbie) I know my little man's hungry, isn't he? My little man's hungry for his mashed carrots an' peas!

Little Mick: I want lunch!

Micky: I could sure go for some lunch.

Mike: We've gotta get this done!

Emma: Honey, it's not going to walk away.

Micky: And I work better when my stomach growling isn't drowning out every other sound around me.

Mike: We'll finish off this step, THEN we'll eat.

Emma: Honey, if you want to work through lunch, that's fine, but let your men make up their own minds.

Mike: (Mutters) Oh, damn it. (He grabs a hammer and bangs away)

Micky: I say that means we get to eat.

Davy: I'm rathah inclined to agree.

Mike: At least I'LL get somethin' done.

Emma: Mike, it won't kill you to leave it for ten minutes and eat with us.

Mike: These steps ain't gonna fix themselves.

Micky: We'll be back when we're done eating...geez.

Katie: Come on, Papa! Come eat with us!

Mike: Papa will be there in a few minutes, Cowgirl.

Emma: Ok, everyone come in. (As she ushers the kids in) You know, Mike, it's our anniversary soon.

Mike: (From under the steps) Uh-huh.

Emma: Our fifth anniversary. We ought to do something special.

Mike: We will, darlin'. I got it all figured out.

Emma: YOU have it all figured out? (Raises her eyebrows)

Mike: Got a nice little place in mind to take 'ya, an Mick an' Lauren can watch the kids.

Lauren: *mutters* He's already doing better than someone else...

Emma: Oh really, Mike? This place better not make barbecue.

Mike: (Chuckles) No darlin', trust me. It'll be nice.

Lauren: *mutters* Even barbecue would've been good.

Micky: *tilts his head; makes a face* I hear muttering, and I have no idea why.

Davy: You mean you've done something wrong, but you don't know wot it is? Mick, even your subconscious is getting you in trouble. *chuckles*

Emma: (Turns to her friend; she and her son stare) Lauren, are you ok?

Lauren: *sighs* I promised myself I wouldn't get mad over it, but when you mentioned that your anniversary was coming up, I was reminded of a special date that'd been forgotten.

Micky: Did I miss Boxing Day again?

Lauren: Miiiiiick...

Mike: I'll bet it was his mother's birthday.

Emma: Mick, you KNOW Lauren's birthday is in October!

Davy: I bet it was 'is own birthday.

Mike: He would.

Lauren: *aggravated* Guys! No, he forgot our anniversary!

Emma: (Eyes widen) Oh.

Mike: Mick!

Micky: Umm... *scratches his head; small voice* No one reminded me.

Lauren: Why do I have to REMIND you?

Micky: I'm forgetful!

Lauren: *waves a hand* I don't wanna talk about this anymore. Can we please go have lunch now?

Katie: Uh-oh. (Tugs on her mother's shirt) Mama, is Aunt Lauren mad?

Emma: Um, well, she's not happy.

*Lauren takes Shelly and Little Mick's hands and leads them inside.*

Katie: Why's Aunt Lauren mad?

Micky: I don't get it. There was no way I could win at this. How is it that we both potentially forgot the anniversary, but I'M the one who gets in trouble?

Mike: 'Cause we're the men, and they're perfect.

*Davy opens his mouth, but...*

Daphne: You'd better not agree with that, Davy.

Emma: (Narrows her eyes at Mike) I ought to make you eat that screwdriver for that remark. (To Micky) You BOTH should have remembered!

Micky: *hangs his head* I know, I know.

Katie: Is Papa gonna hafta eat his tools?

Mike: No, Papa ain't gonna eat his tools. Mama and Papa are gonna try to watch what they say around the kiddies.

Emma: (Mutters) And that had BETTER go for both of us.

Mike: Maybe someone oughta talk to her.

Emma: I'll do it. I have to take the kids inside for lunch, anyway. (Turns to Daphne) You and Lizzie can be my seconds.

Daphne: *grins* Okay!

Emma: (Turns to Micky) Would you and Davy want to eat out here? You'll be on call and out of harm's way. I can have Daph play waitress for you.

Micky: *nods* Good idea. I really don't feel like having my head bit off today.

Davy: *grins at Daphne* You 'ave to ask?

Emma: (To Mike under the steps) We'll bring out your lunch too, Baby.

(A long hand holding a screwdriver waves from behind the steps.)

(Emma and Daphne usher their daughters into the kitchen. Katie runs over to the twins at the table.)

Katie: "Hi, guys! Ready for lunch?"

Little Mick: "You betcha!" :D

Katie: "Where's your mommy? She seemed awful mad!"

Emma: Lauren must be moping in the house somewhere. (Looks at the twins) Do you know where she went?

Shelly: She said she was going out to the car.

Emma: Ok, then. I'll see if I can find her at the car. Daph, you know where everything is. You start lunch. I'll be back with Lauren in a minute.

Daphne: You got it, Em.

*We follow Emma outside and find Lauren digging through the trunk of her car.*

Emma: Hey honey, are you ok?

Lauren: *as she shuffles stuff around* I'm fine.

Emma: No, you aren't. You walked off with the twins mad as hell. Even the kids could see it! (Frowns) Sweetie, what ARE you looking for?

Lauren: *stops shuffling stuff and leans on her hands* I'm not looking for anything. I'm just trying to keep from saying or doing something I might regret.

Emma: (Sighs) Honey, I know he forgot. He'd forget his own head if it wasn't attached to his body. Not to mention a marriage takes two people...and your memory isn't much better than his.

Lauren: I know. That's half of why I'm mad. I'm mad at myself for not remembering, either. I just didn't wanna bite his head off for something I could be chewing myself out about.

Emma: You don't need to chew yourself OR him out. It happens, and what we need to do now is figure out how to make amends and tell him you aren't that mad at him. He thinks you're ready to kill him.

Lauren: Well...hm...

Emma: It's not his fault either, Lauren.

Lauren: I know. I just can't think of what's best to make amends.

Emma: Talk to him. Go out to dinner somewhere. We'll watch the kids for you.

Lauren: *smiles and nods* WE'LL talk.

(Suddenly, there's a crash out back.)

Emma: (Eyes widen) Uh oh. We left the guys out there unsupervised for too long.

Lauren: And we know what that leads to!

(Everyone runs to the veranda. The steps that were partially attached to the veranda are now on the beach...and the three guys are on top of what's left of them, arguing loudly and angrily.)

Katie: Wow! Papa!

Emma: (Groans) Oh, for goodness sake!