Emily paused halfway through what she was doing, startled by the sting of loss. This was one of those times when the pain came out of nowhere, catching her off guard. She took a deep breath and continued her preparations.

Emily: "My grandfather passed away. Mary invited me to stay out here with her."

Caroline: "Oh darling, I'm so sorry to hear that! How are you holding up?"
Emily: "I'm doing alright- it hits you at the strangest times. I've been working a lot lately, though, and that helps. Did Mary mention that we work in the same building now? She has her own studio and everything! I'm sure she's told you about having her own art show at the Gallery Indigo."
Joseph: "Nice job, Mary."

Caroline: "The Gallery Indigo? My goodness, I remember going to quite a few charity events there years ago. You know, Angeline was telling me that the last charity event there raised over $45,000 for the local children's hospital."
Mary: "Fabulous."

Emily: "Andy's here! I'm going to get the door- Mary, can you take over for a bit?"
Mary: "Fine."

Emily sprinted to the door, opening it quickly before Andy even had a chance to ring the doorbell. She threw her arms around him, giving him a quick kiss.

Emily: "I'm so glad you made it!"
Andy: "I wouldn't have missed this for the world, angel."
Emily: "Let's go to the kitchen- Mary's parents are in there. I'm so excited for you to meet them!"

Andy: "Am I the first one here?"
Emily: "Yeah, Markus is picking up James & Tristan- they should be here within the next couple minutes or so."
Andy: "That's fantastic. You're really amazing, you know that?"

Emily's whole face lit up with a smile as he leaned down and kissed her again.

Andy: "Come on- I want to meet Mary's family."

Mary looked frustrated as she cut up the vegetables Emily had left for her. Being around her parents wasn't helping the situation, her nerves causing her to cut the carrots into odd shapes instead of the thin strips Emily had requested of her.

The sight of Andy coming into the kitchen made her drive the knife with such force it got stuck in the cutting board.

Caroline: "Mary, dear, I don't think that carrot was going anywhere. There's no need to mutilate it."

Emily: "Mr. & Mrs. McMally, I'd like you to meet Andrew Stone. Andy, this is Caroline & Joseph McMally, Mary's parents."
Joseph: "Not the Andrew Stone, of Stone Enterprises?"
Andy: "The very same, sir. But please, call me Andy."

Mary made a gagging noise without even being aware of it. Emily shot her a quick glare.

Mary: "Sorry- phlegm, still sick."

Caroline: "Well my goodness, this is such an honor!"
Andy: "I'm so very pleased to meet you both- your daughter is truly talented! Her work is becoming quite popular around here. I consider myself very lucky to have the opportunity to work with her."
Caroline: "Mary! I had no idea you were working for Mr. Stone now!"
Mary: "Yeah, it didn't seem that big of a deal."