Your E is crooked, Shane said, leaning to look over Danas shoulder at the large banner she was painting to read, We love you, Marina!

Dana frowned. No, its not. Its perfectly straight, she replied, gesturing with the paintbrush, causing a small drop of pink paint to splatter onto her arm. She tried rubbing it off, only to succeed in smearing it up to her elbow.

Its about as straight as I am, Shane joked, handing Dana a wet towel.

Dana murmured her thanks and began rubbing her arm vigorously with the towel.

It looks fine to me, Tina put in as she painted a yellow sun in the corner of the banner.

Maybe you need your eyes checked, Shane suggested with a grin, enjoying Danas squirming.

Is it really that bad? Dana asked worriedly. Wheres Bette? I want her opinion.

Shes on the phone with Kit, replied Tina, adding a smiley face to her sun.

The three worked quietly for several moments, the distant murmur of Bettes voice from the other room the only noise to be heard.

The silence was shattered as Alice made her usual loud entrance into Bette and Tinas home. You guys! I found the best decorations! Check it out! She triumphantly held up several plastic bags, grinning from ear-to-ear. She dumped one of the bags upside down onto the couch, emptying its contents, throwing the bag carelessly to the floor. Tina glared at her but didnt say anything.

Alice held up a package of rainbow-colored crepe paper. Look, rainbows! ***** awesome, huh? I even found some small flags and hats and all kinds of stuff that matches!

Shane frowned. Rainbow?

Yeah, rainbows, Alice confirmed with a smile. Its bright, pretty, and oh-so *****. Come on, Marinas *****, and so is most everyone we know. Makes perfect sense to me.

Dana stared at her doubtfully. Tina cleared her throat tactfully. Well, it will certainly be…colorful.

Alice excitedly rummaged through another bag, pulling out a big, pointy party hat and place it on her head. It, too, was rainbow-themed.

Ive never seen such a huge party hat before, Dana marveled.

It looks like a big ***** rainbow dunce cap, Shane added, earning a look from Alice.

Bette entered the room, phone in hand, and did a double-take at the sight of Alice, who by now had also wrapped a rainbow flag around her shoulders like a cape and draped crepe paper on herself. Interesting, Bette remarked, snapping the elastic under Alices chin.

Ouch! Alice shouted indignantly, the hat going sideways on her head.

Wheres my camera? I need a picture of this, Tina said with a chuckle, rising.

Its Super Alice, the ***** Superhero! Dana added gleefully as Tina returned with her digital camera. Alice struck a variety of campy poses while Tina clicked away.

I thought we were supposed to be working here, Shane reminded them, reaching for the blue paint.

We are. Now, Kit says everything is ready on her end with The Planet, and she and Ivan are going to get Marina there. Kit will be here soon to help, and she somehow wrangled poor Ivan and Tim into moving all the tables around The Planet for her earlier. Tim should also be by soon with the cake, Bette informed them, just as the door opened and Kit walked in, followed by Tim, who was weighed down with several bags and was precariously balancing a huge cake box with his fingertips.

Timmy! Alice shouted, waving her cape about. Come get a hat! You need one, too, Kit. We need to decorate you!

Kit stepped back quickly. Im not looking like a fool with that stuff on. Besides, it will mess up my hair.

Alice looked over at Tina and whispered comically, Did she just call me a fool? Tina nodded with a giggle.

Tim finished unloading his supplies and rubbed his sore arms as he allowed Alice to place one of the hats atop his head. No qualms about ruining my hair, he said good-naturedly as Alice wound crepe paper around one of his muscular arms.

Youd better watch out, Tim, or youll end up looking like her, Tina warned, motioning to Alice, who stuck out her tongue in reply.

Wheres Ivan, Kit? Shane asked.

He offered to help Lara pick up all the supplies for the food shes cooking. Isnt that sweet of him? Kit replied, ignoring the eye roll Bette gave her.

Dana put the finishing touches on the banner and then leaned back. There, all done!

Alice peered over her shoulder. That E is crooked.

Is not! Dana protested, nearly shivering as she could feel Alices ***** pressing against her back as the blond leaned forward to look at the banner.

Told you! Shane said smugly, gathering up brushes to be cleaned.

Children, Bette said warningly.

Oh no! Lucy got out! Tina shouted, suddenly noticed the fallen child safety gate that was supposed to keep Lucy in the kitchen.

They all watched in horror as the puppy joyfully ran full-speed toward them, stepping in wet green paint and tracking paw prints across both the floor and the banner. She leaped up happily at Bette, smearing paint on her pants.

Lucy! Tina shouted.

My clothes! Bette wailed.

The banner! Dana yelled.

Lucy joined in the shouting with a loud mournful howl. Kit put her hands over her ears as Tim quickly grabbed Lucy before she could do any more damage.

Alice burst out laughing. Bette, you look so funny! Quick, Tina, take a picture!

Dont you dare, Bette threatened, glancing down at the green streaks on her clothes, as Tina took her picture.

Sorry, honey, I couldnt resist, Tina told her.

What about the banner? Dana asked.

It doesnt look too bad, actually. You can still read it, and the paw prints are kind of a cute touch, Kit replied thoughtfully.

Lucy just wanted to help. She loves Marina, too, added Tina as she helped Tim lower a squirming Lucy into the sink.

Tim adjusted the water temperature and began cleaning the paint off the puppy. Energetic, isnt she?

You dont know the half of it, Better muttered, leaving the room to change clothes.

Danas cell phone rang, and she scrambled to answer it. Hi, Lara! Youre working on the food now? Perfect! Just bring it by early in the morning.

Alice positively radiated with jealousy at the mere mention of Laras name while Shane looked as cool and unaffected as usual.

Dana continued chatting with Lara. Kit, sensing the tension from Alice, playfully pulled the elastic under Alices chin.

Ouch! What the ***** is up with you Porter women? Do you like inflicting pain? Alice demanded, rubbing her chin.

Only when necessary, Kit replied airily, picking up a stray piece of crepe paper and rolling it up carefully.

Tim shouted, and then laughed, as a wet and clean Lucy shook herself off and soaked Tims t-shirt and face with water.

Dana hung up her cell phone and asked Tim, Hey, did you invite Brandy to come?

Tim blushed slightly as he toweled Lucy off, cradling her in his arms. Yes, he replied as Lucy gave him a big kiss on the face.

Brandy? As in your agent? Shane questioned, looking first at Dana and then at Tim.

Yep, one and the same, replied Dana.

Kit looked up with interest. Whoo, Tim, got yourself a new girl?

Tim turned even redder as Shane added, Go, Tim, you stud, you.

Good for you, Tim, Tina said with a smile, patting him on the shoulder.

Timmy, no! I thought we were getting married! Alice mockingly protested, throwing herself dramatically into his arms, knocking her hat off as his wet shirt soaked her own.

Tim laughed as Lucy barked and tried to jump up between them. Sorry, Al, but it was never meant to be. Youre just too much women for me.

Alice gave him a loud kiss on the cheek, leaving a red imprint from her lipstick. She glanced over at Dana, hoping to make her jealous. She felt delighted as she realized Danas eyes were distractedly gazing at Alices wet shirt sticking to her chest.

Kit, on the other hand, couldnt help but silently admire the way Tims wet shirt stuck to his chiseled chest. Hey, a girl can look, cant she?

Bette walked back in, wearing fresh clothes and an apron.

Bette, I know youre not about to cook something, so whats with the apron? Kit asked.

Im being prepared. If that little monst- I mean, Lucy, tries to ruin any more of my clothes, Im ready, Bette replied, smoothing down her apron.

Kit shook her head and continued gathering up the party supplies with Danas help. Once everything was put away for the morning, everyone soon began to trickle out to go their respective ways. Tim hung back hesitantly, and when only Bette and Tina remained, he asked to speak with them. They agreed, and invited him to stay for dinner. After eating, the three sat together out by the pool, enjoying the clear, warm evening.

So, Tim, whats going on? Tina asked, rolling up her pants legs to dip her feet in the pool.

Tim pulled his chair closer so that he could look at them. Are you two still thinking of having a baby?

Yes, weve decided to, if we can just find a donor, Bette replied, watching Lucy bound across the yard with a tennis ball in her mouth.

Tim picked up the soggy ball that Lucy dropped at his side and tossed it across the yard, watching as Lucy dashed after it. I think I have an answer to your problem. I know a guy who would be willing to be your donor. Hes ready to do it, and you guys have met him before, and I think you liked him.

Tina turned to look at him quickly, pulling her feet from the water with a small splash. Who?