What's happened so far: Hester hasn't been going to Martin's house recently because her ex lives next door. Martin's parents, Martin Senior and Lorraine, have thought that Martin and Hester have broken up, so they've set him up with a girl named Gloria. Trouble is, Hester's on her way over.....

"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?"