What's happened so far: Hester's met Martin's parents, Marty Senior and Lorraine, and things are going OK. However Lorraine served pasta with pepper and Hester is allergic to it. She's gone outside to take some pills, only to find the Cranes' next door neighbour is Robert - her ex who attacked her.....

"Oh my God," whispered Hester to herself. "Not him."

"Hester?" repeated Robert.

Hester said nothing. She grabbed her handbag and quickly walked back inside, looking at Robert until she was safely inside. Then she shed a few tears.

Martin entered. "Hester, Mom's serving chocolate cake, you want some? Oh, what happened?"

"It was Robert, he was next door."

"What?"

"Robert was next door."

"There, there, you'll be OK," Martin said as he comforted his girlfriend. "Maybe some of Mom's cake will cheer you up."

-----

The cake did, but Hester began to feel nervous just driving down that street where Robert and the Cranes lived.

Her mind was full of thoughts. How could he? I thought he'd moved away. I thought he wasn't even in Washington State anymore.

"Dr Winslow?"

Hester, her thoughts interrupted, turned around. There was Mrs Wilson on the couch.

"Dr Winslow?" she repeated. "What should I do about my husband?"

"Uh, tell him you care about him. Make sure you're both calm and then ask him about his affair."

"Dr Winslow, he's not having an affair!!! He's suffering from depression!!!"

"Oh, sorry. I've got things on my mind. OK, here's what you do....."

Martin noticed Hester was quiet that night. He realised it was about Robert, but when she said she'd rather not talk about it he changed the subject. They spent the night talking about the game that afternoon, and the new clock David and Rose Winslow had bought the other day, but Hester left early, saying she was tired. Martin began to get worried.

-----

Hester felt dizzy and sick just entering the Crane household. This was nothing to do with the Cranes, just their neighbour. She began to make excuses not to visit them, an action which surprised even herself. She never thought she'd lie like this before.

"Goodbye son," Martin Senior said gruffly as his eldest son left. Martin Junior had just visited his folks for dinner again on his own. He'd told them Hester's excuse - she was ill - but didn't really believe it himself. His parents were worried however.

"I think they've had an argument," Martin Senior said to his wife.

"Shame, I did like her. She was such a sweet girl," Lorraine replied. "Walter, come and clear the table and then get ready for bed. You've got school tomorrow. Vivian, have you cleaned your teeth?"

"Yes Mom," she called from upstairs.

Once Walt had gone, Lorraine continued. "Marty's excuses have been so shallow. I know he's hiding something."

"He's had an argument with her, they've split and he's too sad to say anything," Martin Senior said.

"I wish there was something we could do," Lorraine said as she sat down. "Wait, I know!!! The same thing happened to my brother when he was 19. You know the Garrisons down the road....."

-----

"Great news Marty!!!" Artie Walshe called as he met his partner at the station.

"Hey Artie, what's up?"

"Loretta said yes!!! We're going to be married!!!"

The station cheered at the good news. Artie had been meaning to propose to Loretta for some time now and had finally plucked up the guts to do it. After Frank Collins offered to buy everyone a round of drinks at Duke's to celebrate, Martin and Artie walked to the cafeteria as Martin felt a bit peckish.

"Great news Artie, when's the big day?"

"We haven't decided yet, but it'll be quite soon. How's your bird?"

"She's not my bird, she's my girlfriend," said Martin. "And she's feeling worried at the moment." Martin then explained about Robert as they entered the cafeteria.

"Bacon sandwich please. Anyway, she's made excuses not to visit my folk's place for the past 3 times. They're beginning to think we're through." Martin paid for the sandwich and they sat down at a table.

"Well tell them."

"I will, tonight. Anyway, have you planned any parts of the wedding yet?"

"Just the honeymoon. We're going to Boston. She's always wanted to go there."

"Yeah, me too," Martin said as he took another bite of the sandwich. "Mom and Dad never had enough money to take me though. What with three kids. Sometimes I think you're quite lucky being an only child."

"Yeah, well, but you never got lonely when all your friends were sick or at camps or something," Artie replied.

"Well, if we'd known each other then I'd have quite happily lent you my siblings," Martin grinned. "Anyway, I've decided to go speak to Hester, see what she says and then go speak to my parents. Before they do anything rash."

-----

"Hester, I know Robert's there, but could you please visit my parents' house again? They keep asking about you."

"Martin, I have something to tell you. Sit down." He did.

"Marty, I'm going to come with you. I don't know what came over me the other day, but I'm sorry. I thought I'd got over it, but all those memories came flooding back."

"Hester....."

"No, let me finish. But I thought about it today. And I realised if I continue to hide away from him, I'd be letting him win. I've got to show him I've overcome him. That I'm not scared of him any more. So I'm going to come with you this evening."

"Hester, that's wonderful!!!"

"However, I'll be about half-hour late. I have some paperwork to finish. My colleague is ill and I have to fill in for her."

"OK, see you about 7.30?"

"Yes, see you then."

-----

Martin Senior sat down at the table a few days later. The doorbell rang.

"Could someone get that please?" he asked as his wife entered with dinner. Vivian did so. She opened it to see her brother at the door.

"Hi sis, where's Mom and Dad?"

"In the kitchen. Where's your girlfriend?" teased Vivian.

"She'll be here, she working late this evening. I need to speak to Mom and Dad."

"They're in there," said Vivian. Martin entered his parents' house. Walking through the living and dining rooms, he entered the kitchen.

"Hi Mom, Dad," he said, hugging his mother.

"Hello son," his dad said.

"Mom, Dad, there's something I need to tell you about Hester. You see......"

"Martin, we know."

"What?"

"We know what happened between you and Hester," Lorraine said to her son.

"Oh, thank goodness. I really didn't want to tell you."

"A break-up's always hard, dear," Lorraine continued. "And so....."

"Hold it, a break-up?" Martin interrupted. "We haven't broken up. She's coming tonight, only she's a bit late due to work."

"Oh, well what happened then?"

Martin explained as the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," Vivian called.

"Oh dear, well this is awkward," Lorraine said. "You see, we....."

"Hello Mr & Mrs Crane," said a woman as she entered the room.

"We thought you were through with Hester," Martin Senior said to his son, ".....and so we set you up with Gloria here....."

Martin looked at Gloria. She was very pretty, if he were single he would probably go out with her right now. But he wasn't single, so:

"Gloria, you have to leave," said Martin.

"What, no hi, no hug, no nothing?" asked Gloria.

"Look, you're very pretty and all and I'm sure my parents went to a lot of hard work to set us up, but you see, there's been a misunderstanding, for you see....."

"Oh, I see," said Gloria. "Good excuse. I like boys who're hard to get."

"No Gloria, it's the truth!" exclaimed Martin. But Gloria wasn't in the mood for listening. She gave Martin a big kiss - just as Hester walked in.

-----

A few days later Martin was working the late shift. He normally didn't like working late shifts in November as it was dark earlier, but now he wanted to take his mind off Hester.

November. He'd been dating Hester for 5 months. 5 months already! It seemed like 50 years. He couldn't imagine life without her, he had so much fun with her. But she'd dumped him after seeing him with Gloria. And Gloria wouldn't take no for a answer.

Martin's thoughts were interrupted by Frank Collins.

"Hey Marty, heard about your confrontation with your other woman. Way to go!"

"Other woman," Martin whispered sadly.

"Oh yeah, everyone thinks you're a bit of a Romeo having a bit on the side," chuckled Frank.

Damn Artie. Can't keep his mouth shut, thought Martin.

Martin went to the cafeteria - he was feeling a bit peckish. He was waiting in line when -

"Marty Crane?"

Martin turned around. It was Hester's uncle, Peter "Frasier" Lee.

"Oh, hey Fras, how's things?"

"Don't give me that. What have you been doing to my niece?"

"Huh?"

"Do you see her as just a piece of fun? Huh? Is that all she is? Whilst you date some slut?"

"No, no, no, I haven't been two timing her, let me explain....." Martin told the story of his parents and Gloria.

"Well, she's pretty darn upset," said Frasier of his niece. "So are her folks. You've got some explaining to do."

"Yeah, I know," Martin answered. "But how, she's not talking to me or answering my calls."

"I'll arrange that," Frasier told him. "You just turn up at her house tomorrow at 8. The whole family will be there."

"I don't know....."

"Come on Marty, you want her back?"

"See you tomorrow then."

-----

"Here we go," said Martin to himself as he knocked on Hester's door. He felt slightly nervous. Especially when Hester's sister Elizabeth answered the door.

"Oh, you," she said uninterestingly. "Come in." Martin followed her into the room. He felt as if everyone was staring at him.

"Um, hi everyone," Martin Crane said nervously.

"Hello," Hester replied coldly.

"Look Hester, you haven't let me explain. My parents thought we were through and so set me up with Gloria. She wouldn't take no for an answer and threw herself on me as you entered. I don't want her, never did, I want you." He paused, then continued. "Do you want me?"

Hester looked at him, and walked over. "Of course I want you Marty," she said. "I've missed you." And she gave him a hug as everyone cheered.

"There's just one thing you have to do. You have to prove to me that there's nothing between you and her."

"Hmm, the only way I can do that is.....set her up. Do you have any single male friends?"

"Just one, but he swings the other way, if you know what I mean."

"Well, there is one person I can think of. But we'll have to work carefully."

-----

Martin was thinking of Duke. However Duke didn't like being set up, so Martin would have to make him think he wasn't.

He and Hester had made a plan. Martin would take Gloria to Duke's tell her they were through. In front of everyone. Gloria, who knew about the plan, would then go crying to Duke. Gloria had realised that Martin loved Hester and not her. Plus he'd told her Duke was very sexy! So she agreed to play along.

The two entered Duke's. Gloria looked at Duke.

"He's gorgeous Marty!" she whispered. Then she eyed up the guys. "God, they're so sexy," she said loudly. "I'd love to go to bed with you."

As the cops cheered and whooped loudly, Martin turned to Gloria. "No more of that honey," he said to her.

Gloria kept making similar comments all night, especially at Duke. Martin could see that he liked her, but knew that Duke would not make a move if she was with him.

Eventually, Gloria turned to Duke. "Marty here says he's a stud? Are you?"

Martin "snapped". His face went red. Gloria was impressed with his acting. "That's it, we're through! I can't take any more of your comments! Stud this, sexy that! Well, we're through! Goodbye!" And he stormed off, winking at her as he left.

Gloria ran to the bar. "Oh, I've been dumped!" she cried. Almost throwing herself at Duke, she managed to shed a few tears.

"There, there," said Duke. "He wasn't ready for you. Let me help you. What's your name, miss?"

-----

A few weeks later Martin took Hester home. They'd double dated with Duke and Gloria. Duke still had no idea he'd been set up.

By now it was almost Christmas. Seattle sure looked pretty at night at this time of year, Martin thought. He loved decorations. Every year the Cranes would decorate their house with all sorts of decorations. They always went OTT but Martin didn't want it any other way. When he was older, he'd still over decorate.

"Martin, before you go, there's something I want to ask you. This Christmas, we're off to my log cabin for a few days. How would you and your family like to come? Your dad's met my uncle of course, but we'd all like a formal meeting."

"Sure, I'll ask them."

The Cranes agreed. Dave Winslow and Hester decided to go up a day earlier to sort things out, and Martin offered to help. Just as well he did, for Dave felt ill on the day. He had a fever, and so Martin and Hester set off on their own. Dave said he and Rose would be up next day when he was better. Martin noticed he said "when" not "if", which for some reason he found amusing.

The snow was falling heavily as they drove up.

"Hope the road's clear," said Hester who was driving.

It was on the way, and the two managed to clean the cabin. Martin then started to decorate it, and Hester said how much she liked his style. Once they had finished, they sat down next to each other, arm in arm, to admire their work.

"Looks great," Martin said.

The two went back to their car, but found that during the day the snow had set and it wasn't safe for them to drive back home.

"Marty, we're stuck here," Hester said practically. "Now we'd better 'phone home and let them know."

Luckily the telephones were still working, and both families were told. Then the 'phone went dead.

"How's about that for timing?" Martin chuckled. "Fancy some Sinatra?"

Later that evening, Martin and Hester were drinking and listening to Sinatra.

"How would you like some of my special rum tot?" asked Martin. The rum tot was one of Martin's many "creations" at Duke's. It was known as "Marty's Rummy Totty."

"OK, but not too much, we've had a bit already," she replied.

"Hester, there's something I want to ask you." Martin drunk some more of his rum. "I know I'm only 18, and you're 22, and we've only been dating 6 months, but... I think we're perfect for each other. So..... will you marry me?"