(We open at the Montgomery House. Peter bustles around the dining room, setting the large table with good china and a vase filled with colorful flowers. There's a knock at the door, and, whistling "For Pete's Sake," he goes over to open it.)

Micky: *comes in; grins* I'm here! Point me to that kitchen!

Peter: (Laughs, despite the dark circles under his eyes) Mick, this was a great idea! Val's been so busy at the office, and I've been so busy with the album after our tour, that we've barely had any time together! (Yawns) And we've both been busy with Jordan! He's such a sweet baby, but we've barely been alone together.

Micky: *claps Peter's shoulder* What're friends for, Big Peter? *slight smirk* Besides, it gives me a night off from the kids.

Peter: Are you sure you're up to this? You have to be as tired as I am...and you have more kids!

Micky: Pete, this is how I'm relaxing. I won't be chasing after the kids all evening.

Peter: (Smiles as they head for the kitchen) And thanks to Lauren and Janelle for taking all our kids for the evening.

Micky: Mom loves watching the kids. Lauren and I sometimes wonder if she'll let us take them back when we go to get them.

Peter: Janelle's a wonderful grandmother...to all of us.

Micky: If you tell her that, be careful of your wording. She's been thirty for many years now.

(Peter laughs as they hit the cheerful, spotless yellow kitchen.)

Peter: Oh good, Mrs. Weefers came through today. I know she had a party earlier and she wasn't sure she was going to make it here.

Micky: I'm just glad we don't have to clean up after her.

Peter: (Sighs) Val more-or-less told her to shape up or ship out. If Mrs. Weefers shows up here with even the slightest sign of liquor on her breath or person, she's out of a job.

Micky: *nods* It is nice to know she's cleaned up her act. She's a nice lady, and does a darn fine job of cleaning.

Peter: Val can be a little harsh sometimes, but she does have a point. Mrs. Weefers has had that drinking problem for years, and she IS good at her job...with or without the added liquor. (Smiles) She tells wonderful stories about growing up in the south of London in the 20s and 30s!

Micky: *pulls out pots, pans, and bowls* That she does.

Peter: (As Micky pulls out pots and pans) Hey, you never told me what you were going to make for dinner. (Makes a face) I hope it isn't that green stuff you made for us when you were on Shah-Ku's diet!

Micky: *makes a face* Don't worry, Pete. Even I admit now that that green stuff was nasty! *pauses; grins* How about a nice vegetable lasagna?

Peter: Ooh, I LOVE vegetable lasanga, and it'll be nice and filling for my poor, tired Val when she gets home!

Micky: I knew it was the perfect choice. Besides, *gives an innocent look* it's hard to mess up!

Peter: (Laughs) That's true. You've never been a BAD cook, Mick. You're certainly better than Mike or Davy!

Micky: *grins* Thanks, Pete, but I wasn't that great, either. I have been working on it, though.

Peter: I hope so. Val's a little picky about her food. Sophie's such a good cook, and she's eaten at some of the greatest restaraunts in the world!

Micky: When I'm done, she won't be able to tell the difference.

Peter: (Sighs again) She DOES get on my nerves a little about the cooking sometimes. She wants this done, she wants that done, she wants all these fancy ingredients!

Micky: *pulls some ingredients out of one cabinet* Well, you know, Pete, that's what she's used to.

Peter: I know. We're probably lucky my mother and Val’s father both insisted their children learn how to cook at all! (Grins) After all, look at Davy and Mike.

Micky: *laughs* Oh man, were they AWFUL! Still are, actually.

Peter: Mike's idea of gourmet cooking is Swanson's larger TV dinners.

Micky: *fills a large pot with water and turns up the heat on the burner* No kidding.

Peter: Mike's lucky Em's a good cook.

Micky: Yes, he is. *puts the pasta in once the water starts boiling*

(Peter's eyes widen as a door bell is heard.)

Peter: I hope that isn't...

Micky: *eyes widen as well* If it is, go stall her! I'll come out into the dining room when it's ready!

Valerie: (Voice over) Hello? Peter?

Peter: That IS her! I'll get her. Take her into the garden or something. You work on dinner!

(Peter dashes out to the front hall, where Valerie is just coming through the door.)

Valerie: (Smiles wearily) Hello, dear. How are you tonight?

Peter: I'm wonderful, Val. (He takes her hand) Why don't we go for a walk in the garden? It's so nice out there...

Valerie: Peter, it's pouring!

Peter: It is? Well, why don't we take umbrellas? I'll bet a splash in the rain would be fun! (He reaches for the umbrella stand, but Valerie's shaking her head)

Valerie: Peter, what's going on? You aren't usually this jumpy! Did you have another fight with Mike over the next album? (Sniffs) And what's that smell?

Peter: Dinner! (He grabs two umbrellas) Why don't we talk about it outside?

Valerie: Peter, I just got home! I'd like to sit down, have some dinner, rest my poor feet and head...

*A few noises eminate from the kitchen.*

Peter: You poor dear! (Tries to settle her down on the couch) Why don't you sit down, take a load off? I'll get you a nice, hot drink and something for your feet...

Valerie: (She lets Peter sit her down, but shakes her head) Peter, what's going on? Did you do something wrong?

*A couple faint crashes come from the kitchen.*

Peter: (Shakes his head) No, nothing's wrong! (Sits next to her) Why wouldn't a man want some quality time with his wife?

Valerie: What was that?

Peter: (Wide, innocent eyes) What was what?

Valerie: I thought I heard something in the kitchen...

Peter: It's probably just Dolly jumping on the counter again. I'll go shoo her out. (Peter fails to notice Dolly jump into Valerie's lap as he heads for the kitchen.)

Micky: *as Peter comes back into the kitchen* Sorry about the noise, Pete. I couldn't help it!

Peter: How much longer? I can't keep her away for too much longer. She's suspicious enough as it is!

Micky: Just get her into the dining room. It still need a few minutes to bake, so get her settled in there. Just leave it to me.

Peter: All right! (He heads back to the main hall, where Valerie strokes Dolly's back; Dolly purrs contentedly)

Valerie: Dear, what's going on?

Peter: (Sighs) I haven't been square with you, Val. Dolly wasn't in the kitchen.

Valerie: I figured that out the moment she jumped in my lap.

Peter: (Smiles) I have a surprise for you!

Valerie: (Raises an eyebrow) A surprise? Now?

Peter: Yeah! It's in the kitchen! Micky helped me set it up!

Valerie: Now I'm scared.

Peter: Val, come on! You'll love it! (She gently places Dolly on the couch and lets her husband pull her to the elegantly set dining room table)

Valerie: (Frowns) What's going on? What's with the candles and the good china? It's not either of our birthdays, and it's not our anniversary.

Peter: I just want to spend some time with you, Val. (They sit at opposite ends of the beautifully decorated table) We've both been so busy, what with Jordan and Headquarters and the new album...

Valerie: Jordan! I forgot to check on him... (She starts to stand, but Peter shakes his head and motions for her to sit again)

Peter: Val, he's fine. Lauren and Jannelle are babysitting him.

Valerie: (Sighs) I'm sorry, honey. I just...I worry about him. I wish I could spend more time with him and with you, but I have a business to run.

Peter: But not tonight. (Takes her hand across the table) Tonight, you're just going to join me for a great dinner and forget all about Headquarters.

Valerie: Peter, if we're out here...who's making dinner?

*Micky emerges from the kitchen. He carries a tray with two drinks on it and stops at the table.*

Micky: Anyone care for a drink?

Valerie: Mick? What are you doing here?

Peter: Val, he's our waiter tonight! (To Micky) I'll have a drink, please!

Valerie: It won't explode or turn me into a rabbit, will it?

Micky: *turns to Valerie first* It's Lauren's iced tea. I think it's pretty safe. ;)

Valerie: I trust Lauren. (She takes the glass; Peter takes his when Micky offers it to him) So, what's for dinner?

*Micky's formal air dissolves into his best goofy grin.*

Micky: Be right back with the grub! *goes into the kitchen*

Valerie: (Leans back and sips her tea) This is really sweet of you both.

Peter: Valerie, you deserve it. You've worked so hard lately, and while I'm proud of how well our album and tour and Headquarters are doing, the only time I ever see you is in the morning and at night when you're dead tired!

Valerie: Peter, it takes a lot to run a business! I have meetings to be at and people to talk to and phone calls to make...

Peter: (Takes Valerie's hand across the table) Val, I understand that, but all I'm asking is to see you somewhere other than behind your desk. (Squeezes her hand) You're my best girl, Val, and you always will be. I love you so much, and Jordan does, too.

Valerie: (Squeezes back, blushing) Oh Peter, I love you, too.

Micky: *emerges from the kitchen again* Here we go... *sets the tray on the table; sees them holding hands* Am I interrupting anything?

Peter: (Grins at Valerie) Oh, nothing at all, Micky.

Valerie: We're just in love, that's all. We don't get to show it much.

Micky: Don't bother me any. (Nods at the plates) Alright, food's up. *hands one dish to Valerie and the other to Peter* Enjoy, my friends. And remember, I do accept tips.

Valerie: (She and Peter laugh as they dig into the food) Nice try, Mick, but your money from the tour is in the mail. (Takes a bite of lasagna and beams; swallows, then says) Hey, this is really good!

Peter: (Between bites) Yeah!

Micky: *shrugs* Ehhh, compliments work just as well as monetary tips.

Valerie: Then here's your tip - this is some really, really good lasagna. You MUST give me the recipe.

Micky: Sure!

Peter: Thanks again, Mick.

Micky: You're welcome. *smiles*

(Peter and Valerie laugh and take each other's hands again as we fade out on them and the beaming Micky looking on.)