'Life is so full of surprises, but how much can one take?'

Bernadette Smith Jones sat at her dressing table in her body hugging red dress and heels to match. Looking back at her was her reflection in the mirror. Bernadette grinned at herself after applying her red lipstick.

Red was her favorite color. It always looked good on her—especially on special nights such as this.

"Mommy, how come I can't have dinner with you and everyone else?" a precious little voice sounded.

By the door was a little ginger haired girl. Her skin was as pale as pearl. She clutched her teddy bear close to her heart, frowning ever so sadly at her mother.

Bernadette flashed a bright smile that exposed a gap in between her teeth. The mole up above her plump lips always heightened the beauty of her gap. Some said it was their favorite thing about Bernadette; well that and her silky smooth red hair that seemed to go on forever as it flowed down her back.

Bernadette shifted her slender but curvy figure around her stool and crossed her long legs with a tender twinkle in her brown eyes. She spread her arms apart and her daughter went running into them.

"Now you know better than to argue with your mommy, Stella." Bernadette kissed her cheek.

Stella pulled away with whine. Her bubbly eyes filled with innocence threatened to start up a storm. Bernadette shook her head disapprovingly with a finger to Stella's lips.

"But mommy –" Stella protested.

"No buts, young lady," Bernadette admonished and got up to straighten her dress.

Stella sat on the stool with a pout and crossed arms, "I haven't seen you this happy in a long time. Just this morning you and daddy were fighting. Now everything seems to have gotten back to normal but you want to send me to bed early." she complained with a sniff.

Her complaint, however, was met with a laugh. Bernadette swayed her hips from side to side while shaking her head at her daughter. She got down on one knee and took hold of her shoulders.

"I promise that you and I will have a fun dinner together next time. Tonight is the night your daddy will grace the table to the pleasure of his family and I." Bernadette explained with a warm smile.

Stella's eyes beamed with excitement, "Really mommy? So, you and daddy really aren't fighting anymore?"

Bernadette playfully pinched her cheek, "Of course we are not. It's not okay for mommy and daddy to fight all the time. Where's the fun in that?"

The abrupt sound of the doorbell interrupted their conversation. Bernadette got up and viewed herself in the mirror. While she inspected her makeup, she waved dismissively at Stella.

Stella happily ran out of the room and made her way to her bedroom across the hall. She closed her door and got into her covers. Hugging her doll mirthfully, she squeezed her eyes closed.

Bernadette got down the stairs, and opened the door wide to her guests. A pudgy old man and skinny old woman backed away in surprise. The middle-aged man and woman behind them shared their skepticism.

"Come on in, I have been waiting for you eagerly." Bernadette merrily ushered them in.

The old man lifted his shoulders up and widened his eyes to the old woman. She just put a finger to her lip and shook her head disapprovingly at him. The couple behind took the hint and adopted feigned smiles.

"Why don't we head straight to the table?" Bernadette cheerfully suggested to the surprise of the guests.

Each guest reluctantly took their seats while Bernadette went into the kitchen—humming happily to herself.

"Dad, what is going on? I thought Smith called us here to help sort out their differences," the man whispered to the old man.

"I know, Eric, but from the look of things, they may...