Hey Guys~

This is a what if kind of story to my story "You're My Father" I hope you all enjoy. Please review I'd like to know if you all want me to continue this particular series. Let me know. And defiantly check out my links, I started my own online business so if you would like to become a customer let me know. And I'll help you through the process. I also want to thank my friend and beta tkrocks219 for all her help and input on this story a few scenes wouldn't be here or written the way they are if it weren't for her, so thank you tkrocks219.

Love,


Emily

(I don't own anything mentioned... the characters mentioned belong to Jonathan Larson, and Mark Schwahn)

(July, 1985, New York City)

A young man was on stage singing with his band the Well Hungarians. A young woman with dark brown hair listened from the pit. The last song of the night ended, and she made her way to the backstage area.

"Hey." Said the man.

"Hi, I'm Victoria Montgomery."

"Roger Davis. You wanna get out of here?"

"Sure."

Roger took Victoria back to his loft in Alphabet City. He wasn't drunk and neither was she, they were just two people who needed release. They made it upstairs while having their lips attached to one another. Roger threw a quick wave to his friends.

"Looks like it's going to be a long night." Said Collins, as Roger shut the curtain. A few minutes later moans could be heard coming from the room.

"Hmm. Right there, oh my god." Victoria could be heard saying. Roger was kissing Victoria's neck while removing her shirt. He was also gently rocking his hips against hers. His ultimate goal was to pleasure her in as many places as he could. Once the shirt was undone he threw it to the floor and went to work on removing her pants. She wasn't wearing a bra. Roger moved his hands and grasped her breasts. He finally decided to finish the task of the pants, and made quick work of his. He quickly reached over and grabbed a condom off the milk crate next to his bed and slipped it on his member. In one quick thrust he was in Victoria. They continued until they both came. After their breathing came back to normal, she got up and started to get dressed without a word to Roger.

"So you're just going to fuck and run?" Asked Roger quietly.

"Yeah, I have a busy day tomorrow."

"Nice meeting you."

"You too, bye." And with that Victoria left.

Roger came out of his room in only his boxers and sat down on the couch. He sighed and took the cigarette offered by Collins.

"Saw your date leave." Said Collins.

"Yeah."

"What happened?" Asked Mark.

"She said she had a busy day tomorrow." Roger said taking a drag.

"Sorry man." Said Mark.

"Not your fault, I'm going to shower and then go to bed."

A few minutes later Roger came out in a towel and went to bed. About 6 ½ weeks later Victoria much to her dismay found out she was pregnant.

"Miss Montgomery, I suggest you tell the father." Said the doctor.

"Yeah, sure."

Over the next few months Victoria tried to contact Roger but constantly gave up before dialing the last number. On March 4th, 1986, Brooke Penelope Davis was born. Victoria had met a business man and he offered to marry Victoria and take Brooke and raise her as his own. But Victoria wanted nothing to do with being a mother. Finally she got up the nerve to try and call Roger. She picked up the phone and dialed.

"Hello?" Came a woman's voice.

"Is Roger Davis there?" The woman feeling threatened that another woman was calling her boyfriend decided to make sure she didn't call back.

"No, he doesn't live here anymore. Don't ever call here again."

"April, who's on the phone?" Asked Maureen.

"Um, just someone looking for someone."

"Give it to me I might know them. Hello?"

"Hi look I'm looking for Roger is he there or not?"

"Hang on, Roger!" Maureen yelled looking at April sitting dejectedly on the couch.

"What?!" Came Roger's response.

"Phone." Answered Maureen.

Roger came out and took the phone from Maureen and quickly glanced at April.

"What's your problem?" He asked her.

"Nothing, I'm going out." Roger knew exactly where she was going. He shook his head and turned to the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi, Roger?"

"Yeah, who's this?"

"It's Victoria Montgomery, you probably don't remember me. We met last summer..."

"No I remember. What's up?" Just then Brooke made herself known. "Who's that?"

"My daughter, your daughter. Roger you have to take her. I don't want to be a mother."

"Hold on, what the fuck are you talking about?"

"Roger, I don't want her. You're her father it's your responsibility."

"A responsibility I just found out about 5 seconds ago. Victoria maybe we should meet up somewhere, talk this out."

"Roger either you take her or she goes to foster care."

"Don't do that, fine bring her to the Life Cafe. I'll meet you there."

"Fine." He hung up and loudly sighed.

"What's going on?" Asked Maureen.

"I don't know. All I know is some woman I had a one night stand with just called and told me I have a daughter and either I take her or she's going to be put in foster care."

"Are you going to go get her?" Asked Maureen.

"I really don't have a choice do I?"

"No honey, you really don't, want me to go with you?"

"Could you?"

"Yeah let's go. What are we going to tell people when they get home and find an infant here."

"I don't know, I'm trying to think of how I'm going to explain to my parents and April."

"Well your folks are going to be easy. They've always wanted grandchildren. As for April who cares. Roger if I hadn't stopped her Victoria would have hung up. She tried to tell her you didn't live at the loft any more."

"Is that why she was sulking?"

"Yup." Said Maureen as they walked up to the cafe.

"Hey Craig, is there anyone here looking for me?"

"Not that I know of, but check with Mike."

"Thanks."

Roger walked over to the bar and sat down.

"Mike?"

"Hey Rog, what's up you know April was in here earlier flying high."

"Sorry about that, but that's not what I'm worried about right now. Anyone been in here looking for me?"

"No, why should someone be?"

"I don't know." Just then some guy came in and looked around, he was holding a car seat, with a baby in it, and a diaper bag.

"Is there someone named Roger Davis in here?" Roger quickly turned around and looked at the guy.

"I'm Roger."

"Hey Victoria asked me to bring the baby in to you. I hate to ask but can I see some ID?"

"Yeah, sure. Here Mo can you stay with her?" Roger handed the guy his ID and then the guy handed Maureen the baby. Roger ran outside to see if he could spot Victoria, but he couldn't see her. He went back into the cafe. "Did she give you anything. I mean besides the baby?"

"No, she just asked me to come here with the baby and hand her off to you."

"Damn bitch. Okay thanks man for doing this."

"Hey no problem, just wanted to make sure she's safe. She didn't tell me to check ID I threw it in."

"Again thank you." Said Roger.

"No problem."

"You ready?" Asked Maureen.

"Yeah."

Roger and Maureen took the baby and left the Life. When they got to the loft Collins was there. And April was thankfully not.

"Hey what's this? Or rather who is this?" Asked Collins.

"This is Brooke Penelope Davis. My daughter." Said Roger putting the car seat on the metal table.

"What?!"

"My thought exactly." Said Roger.

"Well who's the mother, where is the mother?"

"Remember a few months back the chick I brought home."

"Rog, you're going to have to be more specific, you've come home with a lot of girls." Said Collins with a laugh.

"No this is the one that left like right after. Her name was Victoria."

"You knocked her up! Are you crazy?"

"It's not like I planned it, but it happened."

"Okay so what happened with Victoria, where is she?"

"She left, she doesn't want to be a mom."

"So you're going to be a dad?" Asked Collins.

"Yeah."

"Well alright then, first you need to clean up a few things, one your room, because that's where she's sleeping. And second April and yourself."

"I know I'm going to figure everything out. But first I need to call my parents and see if they saved anything from when they had me."

"Good idea, because otherwise the poor kid is sleeping in a drawer or poor kid in her car seat." Said Maureen.

Roger walked over to the phone while Maureen decided to take Brooke over to the couch. He dialed his parents' number.

"Hello?

"Hi Mom."

"Hi, honey. How are you?"

"I'm good. Listen I need to tell you something and I don't know how you and Dad are going to take it."

"Roger just come out with it."

"I just found out that I have a three day old daughter."

"Excuse me?! I thought I heard you say you have a three day old daughter."

"I did. I'm not proud of it, but I had a one night stand a while back and Brooke was the result."

"Oh my god, I have a grandchild? Hang on your father just walked in the door."

Roger could hear his mother in the background telling his father. And Steven Davis was excited.

"So honey do you need anything?"

"Um, actually I was wondering if you had my old crib. That way I can set it up in my room."

"Honey, we got rid of that when we decided you were it for us. But I'll tell you what your father and I will come up there today with some stuff. Okay?"

"Thanks Mom, you know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't necessary. But as Mo pointed out she'd be sleeping in the car seat or a drawer."

"My grandchild will not be sleeping in a dirty drawer." Said Marty jokingly.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, we'll see you honey."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Roger hung up and turned to Maureen and Collins who were fussing over the baby.

"Well they don't have my old crib, but they are coming up tonight."

"Cool." Said Collins.

"Are you okay with her, I want to look through the diaper bag."

"Yeah, I'm fine." Said Maureen.

Roger walked over to the metal table and opened the bag. When he opened it he found a file. He decided to look through that first. Inside were medical reports about all the prenatal care that Victoria received through out her pregnancy. And then there was Brooke's birth certificate.

Memorandum of Birth

State of New York

City of New York City

Date of Record: March 5, 1986

Name: Brooke Penelope Davis

Date of Birth: March 4, 1986

Mother's Name: Victoria Eve Montgomery

Father's Name: Roger Jay Davis

Registrar: Samuel Stewart

Attached to the birth certificate was more information about Brooke's birth. It stated she weighed 6lbs, 5oz. She was 18 in. long. He put the file aside and looked through the bag some more. He found a few diapers and a few items of clothing but that was it. No note explaining why she didn't want to be involved.

"Guys, when my parents get here I'm going to take the baby to the clinic. She was only released this morning."

"Well the clinic closes at 5. What time are your folks getting here?" Asked Maureen holding the baby.

"I don't know." He answered.

"Take her now we'll cover with everyone." Said Collins.

"You sure?" Asked Roger.

"Yeah, go." Said Maureen starting to bundle Brooke back up. "Let's get you all bundled up. And then you can go back to sleep."

The baby was dressed and back in the car seat. Roger picked her up and headed out the door. He quickly walked the 3 blocks to the clinic. He kept taking quick glances at the sleeping newborn who was under a blanket that covered the entire car seat. He got to the clinic and walked in. He headed up to the desk.

"Hey Roger, how are you honey?" Said the older nurse Marge.

"I'm good but I have a small issue."

"What's going on?" She asked.

"I have a three day old daughter and her mother just left her with me for good. I was wondering if one of the doctors could check her out."

"Okay come right through." Said Marge.

Roger picked up the baby and carried her through the door, grateful he was going to get help.

"So the mother just left her with you no explanation?"

"Only that she didn't want to be a mother. And then she had some guy bring her to the Life to give me."

"Wow, so where was she born?"

"Um, New York Presbyterian. At least that's what the paper work I got said." Roger pulled it out of the diaper bag and handed it to Marge. "That's all I have."

"Alright, why don't you get her unbundled her and I'll go get Dr. May for you."

"Okay, thanks Marge."

"Honey, it's going to be okay."

"Yeah." Roger said quietly and started to take the many blankets Maureen but on her off.

Marge walked out of the exam room and sighed and looked around for Dr. May.

"Dr. May, I have a new patient for you."

"Great, is there any info on them?" She asked.

"Just what the father was able to give me. Her name is Brooke and she's 3 days old. Here's the file he was given."

"Wait, she was only released today, is she sick?"

"No, not that I know of, but the father is scared. He just found out about her when the mother called this morning, she told him she couldn't be a mother."

"Okay, can you do me a favor take some petty cash and go get some supplies for him I gave our last stuff to Michelle today."

"Absolutely." Said Marge as Dr. May went into the room.

"Hi, I'm Dr. May."

"Roger Davis, and this is Brooke."

"So she was released today?" The doctor asked.

"That's what the paperwork said, I wasn't there."

"Okay, well let's get you weighed and measured." Said Dr. May talking to Brooke. She took the baby over to the table and laid her down. Brooke started to fuss at the coldness of the basket.

"Is she okay?" Asked Roger.

"Oh, she's fine the basket is just a little cold. Well according to her birth records she's gained 2 oz. She's perfect Roger."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome, now I want to see her again in a few weeks. So see Marge and set up an appointment."

"Okay, again thank you for fitting her in."

"No problem, bye Brooke."

Roger bundled the baby back up and put the blanket back over the entire car seat. He left the room and went to see Marge who had just gotten back from the store.

"Hey Marge, Dr. May said to set up another appointment for Brooke in a couple weeks."

"Okay, how about April 11th at 10am?"

"Sounds good."

"Okay, now we packed up a little something for you."

"What?" Asked Roger intrigued.

"It's a care package, there's a few bottles, formula, diapers, wipes. And I ran home and got this for you." Marge came out pushing a stroller base and actually matched the car seat. "My daughter got two of them at her baby shower and said to give it to someone who could use it."

"Thank you so much."

"You're welcome."

Roger clicked Brooke's car seat into the stroller and stored the bag of goods underneath in the basket. He started to push her toward the door.

"I think we're ready to go home." Roger said to Brooke, as they left the clinic. When he got to the building he realized he needed help getting inside. He walked over to the pay phone and dialed his number.

"Hello?" Said Collins who answered the phone.

"Hey it's me, I need some help."

"Where are you?"

"Downstairs."

"I'll be right down." Collins hung up the phone and grabbed his coat. He got downstairs and laughed when he saw tough rocker Roger standing there with the stroller and a diaper bag on his shoulder. "Now this is a sight I'm going to have to get used to."

"Shut up. Can you carry the wheels?"

"Yeah." Roger unhooked the car seat and Collins folded it up.

"Hey guys, what's going on?" Asked Mark coming down the street.

"We'll explain upstairs." Said Collins, they got upstairs and were greeted by Maureen.

"Hey how'd it go?" She asked.

"Good, she gained 2 oz from her birth weight." Said Roger.

"That's great." Said Maureen.

"What is going on?" Asked Mark confused.

"Mark, this is Brooke my daughter."

"What?"

"I got a call this morning from Victoria, this girl I had a one night stand with. And she told me she gave birth 3 days ago, and that she didn't want to be a mother."

"Wow, and all this happened when I went to go out and film?"

"Yup." Said Roger as he was taking Brooke's jacket off of her. He sat down on the couch with her.

"Have you told April?" Asked Mark.

"Nope." Said Roger. "But she went into the Life flying high, so she should be back soon."

"She's got to stop using. So don't you." Said Mark.

"Mark I haven't used since I woke up this morning. I'm fine. And besides that I've only used a few times."

"I'm just saying you've got this one now." Mark said playing with her hand.

"I know." Said Roger looking down at his daughter.

The phone rang and Brooke started to cry.

"Oh it's okay, it's just the phone." Said Roger quietly.

"Speeeeak!"

"Roger, it us we're downstairs." Came his mother's voice.

"Collins can you..."

"Yup." Collins walked over to the window and went on the balcony. "Hey Mr. Davis! Catch!" Collins threw down the key and waited until they were inside. The others were all laughing when Roger's parents walking in the door.

"You children need to do something about the buzzer." Said Marty Davis walking in.

"But we like our system." Said Collins as Steven threw him the keys back.

"Is this her?" Asked Marty.

"No this is a loner, I get the real baby back later." Said Roger.

"Stop being a smart ass. Can I hold her?" Asked Marty.

"I don't know, can you?" Said Roger smiling.

"Roger..."

"Here." Said Roger handing his mother the baby.

"Oh my goodness she's so light, how much did she weigh?"

"6lbs, 5oz and she was 18 inches long, but she's gained 2oz since then."

"Well aren't you just an itty-bitty thing. Why don't you boys go unload the car and Maureen and I will hang out here and talk."

"Are you sure?" Roger asked.

"Go, Brooke and I will be fine. I raised you didn't I?"

"Uh Mrs. Davis I wouldn't use him as an example, he's a little off if you know what I mean." Said Collins.

"Go." Said Roger pushing him out the door.

The boys and Steven went downstairs, only to find April coming up the street.

"Go deal with her we got this." Said Collins.

"You sure?"

"Go."

Roger walked up to April who smiled uncontrollably when she saw him.

"Hi baby." She said to him.

"Hey, we have to talk."

"What's up?" She couldn't really stand straight at the moment. "Oh my god Roger, I got the best stuff. You have to try it."

"No, I can't, my parents are here."

"Why?"

"To meet their granddaughter."

"We don't have and kids Roger."

"You're right we don't, I do though. You know that phone call you answered this morning? That was her mother. You almost cost me my kid April."

"You bastard, you cheated on me?!"

"No, you and I met a few months after she was conceived."

"How do I know that?"

"Because she's 3 days old April! Do the math."

"Get rid of her. I don't want her here."

"Not a chance in hell."

"Get her out of here Roger! I don't want a baby here!"

"Why, cause you know you can't shoot up in the loft anymore. Tough shit April, I've seen you shoot up in alleys."

"You never even thought to ask me if it was okay to bring some kid home, don't you think there are enough people living here."

"Not quite, but if you keep up with this shit there will be one less."

"Great go call the mother."

"I mean you April. Keep up your shit and you'll be packing."

"You don't mean that."

"Try me." Said Roger walking out of the alley. He didn't see where April went and at the moment he didn't care.

He got upstairs and noticed his mother or Maureen tidied up his room and made space for the crib Collins and Mark were putting together.

"Where'd the crib come from?" He asked.

"Mrs. Reynolds was having a yard sale when we were on our way to the store, and that was one of the things she was selling. Can you set up the play pen?" His mother asked.

"Yeah." Said Roger.

"So how'd it go with April?" Asked Mark.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"That bad." Asked Collins.

"Worse." Answered Roger.

"So when does everyone else get home?" Asked Marty.

"Uh, Benny should be home within the hour, and he might have Alison with him. And I really don't care about when April gets back." Said Roger.

"Well are you done with that because I need to show you how to make her bottle and to change her."

"Yeah, let's go." Said Roger following his mother and daughter into the kitchen.

"Okay, so here's the bottle now what I want you to do is open that can there."

"Okay." Said Roger opening the can of powder.

"Now there should be a small scoop in there, take that out and scoop out 1 full scoop. She's only going to take about 3 or 4 oz. But you need to feed her every 3-4 hours. Don't wait for her to tell you when she's hungry, it's better if you have her on schedule. Now fill up that pot with water. And stick it on the stove. This is the best way to heat up the bottle. When that's done you test it on your wrist and if it's just about warm it's fine to give her."

"Okay." Said Roger looking a little scared.

"You are going to be fine, I'm going to write everything down and tell Maureen."

"Okay."

"Now take her and go sit on the couch."

Roger did what his mother said and sat on the couch with Brooke, she handed him the bottle and sat next to him.

"Now what you want to do is rub it a little on her mouth, just to let her know it's there. And then she should do the rest." Just as Marty said that Brooke took the rubber nipple and started to suck greedily.

"She must be hungry, she probably hasn't eaten since she left the hospital. She's been sleeping most of the time since I got her." Said Roger quietly.

Mark decided to bring out the camera and film these quiet moments between Roger and Brooke. Roger just sat there shocked that he was actually feeding his daughter. If it wasn't for the quick work of her mouth you would have sworn she was sleeping.

"Hey what's going on here?" Asked Benny coming in with Alison.

"Shh." Said Maureen.

"Why?"

"Oh my god, Roger who is this?" Asked Alison walking over to the couch.

"This is Brooke. My daughter."

"You have a little girl?" She asked quietly.

"Yeah, I know it's hard to believe but she's mine."

"Where's the mother?" Asked Benny coming over and looking at the baby.

"Don't know, don't really care. She called earlier and said she didn't want to be a mother and either I take Brooke or she goes to foster care, I couldn't let that happen so I went and got her."

"Proud of you man, taking responsibility." Said Benny.

"Can I hold her when she's done?" Asked Alison, thinking of how she was going to spoil this new little addition.

"Yeah."

"She looks a little like you Rog." Said Alison.

"So what does April think of all this?" Asked Benny.

"Don't care, she's staying and if April doesn't like it tough. Brooke is my kid, April has no say."

"Why don't you just get rid of her." Said Collins.

"Can we not talk about this right now." Said Roger.

"Sure." Everyone readily agreed.

A few minutes later Brooke moved away from the bottle and Roger looked to his mother for help at what to do next.

"You can burp her a few different ways either hold her to your shoulder and just lightly tap her back or you can gently put your hand under her chin and lean her over a little while she sits in your lap."

"I think I'll try the shoulder method, I think I'd be afraid of choking her." Said Roger. Marty took a burp cloth and slipped it on Roger's shoulder, he carefully moved Brooke to his shoulder and tapped her back. A few seconds later a small but loud burp could be heard around the room.

"Oh, she's defiantly yours." Said Collins as everyone laughed. Just then April walked in the door.

"Well aren't we just one big happy family." She said sarcastically.

"April, shut up." Said Roger quietly as he handed Alison the baby.

"Come here sweetie." She said quietly.

April walked into the bedroom and saw the crib set up in the corner.

"Oh, hell no. This is not happening, that thing isn't sleeping in here. No way."

"That thing is my daughter, and she is sleeping in here. So get over it. As a matter of fact you can leave if you don't like it."

"What part of I don't want her here, don't you understand?!"

"I don't give a damn what you say, she's staying."

"It's not fair!"

"Guess what, life isn't fair." Said Roger.

"Come on baby, what we have is great. Why do we have to add a kid to it?"

"Because she's my kid. And I'm keeping her here with me, because that's where she belongs."

"Roger I think it's time to show you how to change her." Said Marty stopping the fight, sensing that Roger was losing his patience with April.

"Okay." Roger followed Marty into the living area and took Brooke from Alison. All of them kind of gathered around Marty, Roger, and Brooke so they could also learn how to change her. "Uh, guys could you maybe oh I don't know give the poor kid some privacy, how would you like it if a bunch of people stared at you naked from the waist down. What am I saying, look who I'm talking to. Back up just a bit alright." They all took one small step back, and Roger just shook his head and smiled.

"Now what you do is undress her from the waist down, and remove the diaper now I will warn you it will be unpleasant sometimes."

"I think I can handle that."

"So undo the diaper and clean off all excess if there are some and wrap up the diaper, clean her up with the wipes, front to back and make sure she's all clean. Then gently raise her legs up with one hand and use the other to slip the clean diaper under her. As she gets a little older she'll kind of help you and try to hold her own legs. I'll tell you right now be happy you have a girl. Boys tend to not realize the diaper is off. You hit the curtains one time."

"Aww Rog." Said Maureen with a laugh.

"Okay now you take the little tabs and fasten them tightly but not to tight and then just redress her." Said Marty as she finished changing Brooke.

"That's it?" Asked Roger.

"That's it."

"So when do I like put her down for the night? Or until she needs to be fed again?"

"I'll help you put her to bed before we leave. And then I'll come back tomorrow and teach you how to bathe her." Said Marty.

"Okay."

Marty and Steven stayed at the loft until just after 9 when she helped Roger put Brooke down until her next feeding. She was dressed in a little sleeper that Marty had found at the store before they had come into the city. April was still in the room sulking when Roger and Marty came in the room to put Brooke down, and she left the room.

"Are you going to be okay with her here? What about when you work, who's going to watch her?"

"I'm going to talk to everyone and see if we can work something out, I'll be here until she goes to bed and if all works out before her next feeding most nights."

"Okay. Just don't leave her with April."

"I promise."

Marty and Steven left with a hug and a kiss to the kids and went home.

"Hey guys can I talk to you?" Asked Roger.

"Sure. What's up?"

"I hate to ask this but I'm going to need help with the baby at night. I'll be with her all day it's just from like 9:30ish until just after midnight that I need help so I can work. She'll hopefully be down for that time and when I get home I'll feed her and put her back to bed."

"Rog, don't worry. We'll all help you out. We can work out a schedule so someone will always be here at night with her." Said Collins.

"Thanks, I just ask that you don't include April in it, she's made it more than known that she doesn't want Brooke here."

"She's wasn't going to be included in the first place." Said Benny.

"Thanks guys, I'm going to go in there and just relax."

"Go, we'll sit down and figure this out." Said Maureen rubbing Roger's back.

Mark pulled out a note book and wrote 'Brooke's Schedule' on it. And then he drew lines going down in columns and rows, on the columns he wrote the days of the week, and on the rows he wrote everyones names.

"Okay so what's everyone's schedules like?" Mark asked.

"I have family dinners on Friday." Said Alison.

"So I'll take Fridays." Said Benny figuring he had nothing to do while Alison was with her family.

"Alright." So Mark checked off Benny's name for Fridays.

"I'll take Mondays." Mark said.

"Wednesdays are open for me." Said Collins.

"I'll take Tuesdays then." Said Maureen.

"Well what about Saturday or Sunday." Asked Alison.

"Well usually he has at least one week night off, but it fluctuates so how about what ever night he's not working that's who does the weekend night that he works. I'll tell him to start getting his schedule a head of time."

"I think this is going to work. And she'll probably be sleeping most of the time he's gone anyways." Said Maureen.

"It's a plan." Said Alison.

Roger walked into his room and saw that April was passed out on the bed. And then checked on Brooke who was sound asleep in the crib that was set up in there. He moved April under the covers, and then stripped down to his boxers and went to bed. He knew he would be getting up soon to feed Brooke but he wanted to get as much sleep as possible. At around midnight, he woke up hearing Brooke whimper a little. He was normally a very heavy sleeper but with April acting like she was and a new baby he wanted to make sure he was up. So he got out of bed and picked up Brooke taking her out of the room. When he got into the living space he saw Collins sitting on the couch reading. He quietly walked over to the kitchen area and made the bottle like his mother showed him while holding Brooke in one arm. After he made the bottle he put the pot on the stove and waited for it to quickly heat up, when it did he took it out, tested it and gave it to Brooke while walking over to the couch.

"Hey." Said Collins.

"Hey." Said Roger.

"I didn't even hear her cry." Said Collins putting the book down.

"She only whimpered, I was partially awake."

"You slept light, damn boy changes are happening to you all around." Said Collins jokingly.

"Haha, so I was thinking I should give her a nickname." Said Roger as Brooke sucked on her bottle.

"Yeah, what were you thinking?"

"Munchkin. I couldn't come up with anything else."

"No, everyone calls their kid 'Munchkin', we can call her Munchie though."

"I like it." Said Roger. Brooke finished the bottle and pushed it away with her tongue. At that point Roger threw a burp cloth over his shoulder and burped her really fast.

"You're getting good at that." Said Collins hearing Brooke burp right after Roger started patting her back. Roger just sat there with Brooke in his arms and gently rocked her to sleep.

"Well I'm going to bed if you're still up at around 3ish I'll see you then." Said Roger.

"Night." Collins picked up his book again and started to read.

The night feedings went along well, and before everyone knew it it was Sunday morning. April woke up not feeling well but she knew it would be fixed by getting a hit. She woke up and glared at the baby still sleeping in the crib, and then glanced at Roger and stalked out of the room. She pulled the metal door as hard as she could hoping to ruin Roger's morning she knew he liked to sleep late on Sundays. Brooke was startled by the slam and quickly started to cry, Roger had heard it looked at the spot next to him and saw April was gone, he knew the door slam was meant to let him know she was still pissed at him, but his main concern was Brooke.

"Hey, Munchie. It's okay." He said quietly picking her up. He started to gently rock her when there was a small knock on his door way. "Come in."

"Hey, I just heard April leave and I wanted to check on you guys when I heard Brooke cry." Said Maureen.

"I think all of Alphabet City heard her leave. But Munchie is okay, she just got startled by the slam." Said Roger.

"'Munchie'?"

"Collins and I came up with it when she was eating at midnight."

"You guys are nuts, did she sleep through the night, cause we didn't hear her at all."

"No, I just got to her before she showed her lung capacity." Said Roger.

"What time is your mom coming?" She asked.

"Not sure, but I'd hate to ask but if she comes back can you run interference. My mom is coming specifically to teach me how to give Brooke a bath and I need to concentrate on that and not how pissed and high April is."

"You got it. So we all sat down after you went to bed and worked out a schedule for when you work. Mark has Mondays, I'll be here on Tuesdays, Collins is taking Wednesdays, Alison is going to come on Thursdays, and then Benny will have Fridays since Alison has that family dinner. And then during the week if you aren't working who ever has that day will work the weekend. So we just need you schedule when you get it each week. So we can figure out Saturdays and Sundays."

"Thank you so much."

"No problem, we're family. This is what we do for each other." Said Maureen.

"Can you sit with her, I need a cigarette and I don't want to smoke around her."

"Sure go." Said Maureen taking the baby.

Roger went out on the fire escape and smoked a cigarette really quick by the time he got back inside Maureen was out in the living room with Brooke.

"Rog do you want me to feed her so you can shower or something?"

"Nah, I'm going to grab one later. But if you want to feed her I'll make you a bottle."

"Cool." Maureen tried to hide her excitement that she was going to feed her new little niece a bottle for the first time.

"You know you're excited by this don't hide it. Here." Said Roger handing her the bottle after he made and warmed it.

"So do I just give it to her?" Asked Maureen.

"Yup, Mom said she'd do the rest. And for the most part she has."

Maureen just sat there amazed at how she was actually feeding a little tiny person.

"If the people in high school could see you now." Said Roger sitting beside her.

"I think they'd all die from shock." Said Maureen. "How do you know when she's done?"

"She just kind of spits it out." Said Roger. "I'll burp her when you're done."

"So she's getting a bath today?"

"Yup, that's why Mom's coming that and I think she just wants to come and see her." Said Roger with a smile.

"Morning guys." Said Alison coming into the loft.

"Hey, you're here early." Said Roger.

"Well I kind of figured you might need a little help or something. Is that okay?"

"Yeah that's fine." Said Roger.

"Good, oh I um, bought her a few things." Said Alison picking up a bag of stuff that she brought in with her.

"You didn't have to do that Ali." Said Roger.

"I know, but I wanted to. Let me spoil her please, I know your parents and hell almost everyone that lives here will but let me too please?"

"Fine, what did you bring Munchie."

"Munchie?"

"Collins and Roger came up with it last night when he was feeding Brooke."

"That explains it." Said Alison with a laugh. She pulled a small bundle out of the bag and handed it to Roger.

"What is this?" Said Roger with a laugh.

"It's a towel."

"It's got a frog head on it." Said Roger.

"And that's what makes it cute." Said Alison. "I also got her some clothes. Because a girl can never have enough clothes."

"Thank you so much. Trust me if you guys have any idea what she needs just let me know. Because I'm clueless here."

"Well she just spit out the bottle so I think it's your turn." Said Maureen putting the burp cloth on his shoulder.

"Hey Munchie, let's get you burped and changed for when your grandmother gets here." Said Roger rubbing her back.

"I can't believe you are calling her Munchie." Said Alison with a laugh.

"Hey it's short for Munchkin." Said Roger.

"So why don't you just call her Munchkin?" Asked Alison.

"Because I want her to be unique and everyone calls their kid Munchkin." Said Roger with perfect logic.

The phone rang and Brooke started to cry a little.

"She hates the phone." Said Roger.

"She won't for long, it's just a little loud I'll turn it down later." Said Maureen.

"Speeeeak!"

"Roger it's your mother, please throw down the key."

"Alison can you?"

"Yup where is it?"

"In my pocket."

Alison reached into Roger's pocket of his pants.

"Ooh baby." Said Roger.

"Shut up." Said Alison hitting his arm.

"Hey watch the kid." He said with a smile.

"Hey you hitting on my girlfriend again?" Asked Benny coming into the room.

"Yeah." Said Roger.

"Sick, and how is the little one this morning." Benny asked going to get coffee.

"She's good. Hates the phone." Said Roger.

"Enjoy it now, cause when she's a teenager we won't be able to get her off of it." Said Benny.

Alison and Marty came up the stairs and walked into the loft. Alison was carrying a plastic tub with her.

"Why did you need my key if you were just going to go down and get her?"

"Because I wanted the cheap thrill of feeling you up honey."

"Hey I'm not cheap." Said Roger.

"Yeah right." Said Benny kissing Alison.

"Hi honey, how are you doing this morning?" Said Marty going over and hugging Roger.

"I'm good. She ate a full bottle during all her feedings and I was just about to change her."

"Well since we're going to give her a bath, why don't we just clean her up and then bathe her." Said Marty.

"So um how do we do this in the tub or?" Asked Roger.

"Nope I brought you a baby bath tub also it just sits on the counter." Said Alison.

"And how do we know that?" Asked Roger.

"Because that's what the lady at the store said." Answered Alison.

"So now we undress her and clean her up from the diaper. Alison honey can you fill the tub with lukewarm water?"

"Sure." Alison brought the tub over to the sink and started the water. Roger showed his mother that he had a handle on changing the baby.

Alison brought the tub over and Marty had Roger carefully place Brooke in. She seemed to like the sudden change.

"This is kind of easy." Said Roger as he wiped Brooke down with the small sponge that Alison had also brought.

"Wait until she's a little older, and she's splashing around. You're going to feel like you had a bath." Said Marty.

"Hey Alison, do you want to come over for a wet t-shirt contest?" He asked jokingly.

"Your breasts aren't big enough to make it worth my while." She said turning it around on him.

Marty just shook her head and looked at Roger.

"Where did you learn to have such a crude sense of humor?"

"I don't know." Said Roger. "So what do I do next?"

"Wet her hair a little, and then she should be good to go." Roger did what he was told and then lifted Brooke out of the tub. He wrapped her up in the frog towel, and agreed that she looked cute.

"Hey Mark?" Asked Roger.

"Yeah?"

"You got film in your still camera?"

"Yeah why?"

"Can you get a picture of this?"

"Sure." Mark grabbed his camera and came out of his room and saw Roger holding a green bundle.

"Oh my god! How cute!" Said Maureen coming out with Mark.

"Mark, honey I want a copy of this picture." Said Marty.

"No problem." Mark took the picture and then April walk in the door.

"Well isn't this precious, I didn't know it took so many people to take care of a baby." She said, Roger just rolled his eyes.

"It does when someone needs help." He said.

"Then if you don't know what you're doing why don't you give it to someone who can."

"Why don't you stop trying to get rid of my daughter. She's not going anywhere, but keep it up April and you just might be." Said Roger.

"And what are you going to do Roger huh?"

"Don't tempt me April." Said Roger starting to diaper and dress Brooke.

"Fine, but you'll be sorry." She said as she walked out the door.

Marty hung around until it was time for Roger to go to work. He had tried to get out of it, but he couldn't find anyone to cover his bar tending shift.

"I'm going to shower real fast are you sure you're going to be okay?" Roger asked.

"Yes now go shower, none of us have plans tonight. She'll be fine." Said Alison.

Roger showered, and then kissed the baby as he put her down hopefully until he got back. He had her in the playpen, that way if April came back there wouldn't be a problem with the baby in the room.

"Bye, Munchie. Daddy will be back soon."

Roger left the loft and headed to work. April saw him and decided in her own way to talk sense into him.

"Roger! Baby I knew you would start to realize that having a baby wasn't for you. So where did you leave it?"

"I left Brooke at the loft with the others. I'm going to work."

"Skip work, George got some pure in and said he'd give me a free sample. Come on." She said grabbing his hand.

"I can't I have to go to work."

"Why?" Whined April.

"Why? Do you like having shelter and food?"

"Well yeah."

"How do you think we have that, it's because I work. And don't think I don't notice you stealing my tips."

"But Roger I thought you said it was our money."

"It is when you contribute but until you do it's mine. And you're not only stealing from me now, you're stealing from my kid."

"God! Everything is about this kid. She's been here a day and you've stopped caring about me. Before she came along you would have had no problem skipping work to come with me."

"No I would have had a problem. And now I'm going to work." Roger turned around and left.

"Roger!"

Roger arrived at work and Tony was tapping his wrist.

"I know, I know. Things have happened the past couple days and I'm trying to adjust to them."

"What's going on Rog?"

"The reason I tried to call in tonight is because I have a four day old daughter and I wanted to hang out with her tonight."

"I didn't know April was pregnant, Congrats man!"

"She's not April's. I had a one nighter with this chick, and she called me yesterday saying she had my kid and she didn't want her, so it was me or foster care."

"Holy shit! So how's April handling it?" Roger looked at him, in a 'what do you think' way.

"That good huh?"

"Worse, but everyone is happy. They're all watching her right now."

"It takes all of them to watch a four day old?"

"Hey as long as it's not April I don't care." Said Roger lifting a keg.

"Well I'll try and get you out of here as soon as possible."

"Sounds good. Thanks Tony."

"You're welcome now lets go get some people drunk."

Roger and Tony walked out of the back and saw they didn't really have many people.

"Stick around until 11 and then you can go."

"Cool. Hey Bob what can I get you?" Roger asked one of his regulars.

"Hey Roger. Just a beer. Running late tonight?"

"Yeah, I was playing with my daughter and then I wanted to make sure she was sleeping before I left."

"How old is she?"

"4 days."

"Congratulations. So please don't tell me the mother is that girl that comes in and tries to start trouble with you."

"No, someone else." Said Roger handing Bob his beer.

"Good, here." Said Bob handing Roger a 20 dollar bill.

"Be right back." Roger went and got Bob's change. "Here Bob." Handing him the change. Bob never had more than one beer.

"Keep it."

"Are you sure?" Asked Roger.

"Buy something for your little girl."

"Thanks man."

"No problem."

Roger worked his way through the whole bar multiple times, and soon it was 11. He didn't even notice.

"Rog! It's 11."

"Okay. Later guys." He had been sitting at the end of the bar discussing music with some other bohos that came in.

"Hey you're leaving?" Asked Mikey one of the guys he was talking to.

"Yeah. I'll be back." Roger went into the back and grabbed his coat.

"Hey Tony, can you grab Rog's tip jar?" Asked Mikey.

"Sure, why?"

"We took up a collection for the kid." Mikey pulled out a small wad of bills and change and put it in the jar.

"You guys are good." Said Tony with a laugh.

"He won't take it any other way." Said Mikey.

"Hey alright I'm out of here." Said Roger coming out front.

"Here's your tips and paycheck." Said Tony handing him a small paper bag and an envelope/

"Thanks later guys."

"Bye Rog."

Roger made it home without incident and walked up to the loft.

"Hey."

"Hey, you're back early." Said Benny.

"Yeah, it was dead Tony let me leave. So how did everything go tonight?"

"Fine, she woke up once, Ali changed her and she went right back to sleep."

"Great. Where is everyone?"

"Went to get food. We got you a burger and fries."

"Cool, can you watch her for a little longer, I want to shower, again." Said Roger with a laugh.

"Go, we'll be fine."

"Benny, thanks man."

"It's no problem. Seriously."

"'kay."

Just as Roger shut the bathroom door, the others came back in.

"Oh my god Benny. We ran into Mikey!" Said Maureen.

"Shh, she's sleeping. And he's getting in the shower." Said Benny.

"Well he said it worked and he has no clue." She finished quietly.

Roger came out a short time later and enjoyed the food the gang brought back for him.

"So did you do good tonight?" Asked Mark.

"I don't know I haven't counted yet. Although Bob gave me like 18 bucks."

"Wow." Said Alison. "Why don't you count before someone comes back." She suggested.

"Good idea." Roger went and got the bag out of his coat pocket and sat at the metal table. He counted his tips differently than anyone, the others knew. He sorted out the change and bills by amount and then added them after. "Holy shit there's almost $150 here. How did I make that much when it was dead tonight?"

"They like you Rog." Said Collins.

"It's just strange that's all." He then pulled out his check and saw that Tony had over paid him. "Damnit I need to call Tony."

"Why?" Asked Maureen.

"Cause he over paid me."

"By how much?" Asked Benny.

"3 days."

"Call him see what he says, he should still be at the bar." Suggested Alison.

"Yeah, hey can you do me a favor and take my tips with you later on. April's been taking them lately."

"Sure." She said. "What about your check?"

"I'm going to deposit it in my account."

"Okay."

Roger walked over to the phone and dialed the bar phone.

"BridgeStone."

"Tony it's Roger, man you over paid me by like 3 days."

"No I didn't."

"Yes, you did I'm looking at my check man and you over paid me. Were you hitting the keg while making it out again?"

"No smart ass I was getting a blow job, listen I didn't over pay you. You deserve that money. Have a good night."

Tony hung up on Roger, and he just shook his head.

"He claims he meant to do it." Roger said to everyone.

"What did he say when you asked if he was hitting the keg?" Asked Alison.

"He said he was getting a blow job." Answered Roger.

"Damn he wasn't supposed to tell anyone." Said Alison with a smile.

"And my mother wonders where I get my sense of humor." He said.

Brooke woke up a short time later and Roger fed her and then just sat up with her for a little while.

"You are so lucky baby, you have so many people who love you." He said looking down at his daughter right before putting her in the crib and then getting into bed himself. Brooke woke up a couple more times through the night and Roger noticed that April hadn't come home or at least never came to bed at that point he really couldn't have cared which one.

He was sitting in the living room with Brooke and Maureen when April came in not looking well and in a rage. She immediately went into the room and was looking in Roger's money jar for some cash, and all she found was pennies.

"Where is it?!"

"Where's what?" Roger asked calmly as he handed Brooke to Maureen so he could try and pacify April a bit.

"The money! Where is it, you worked last night. Where is the money?"

"You mean my money, the money I worked my ass of for, is that the money you're talking about?"

"Yes! Where is it?"

"Where I put it." He said.

"Where? What did you do with it?"

"None of your business." He said quietly.

"You blew it, you spent it on that thing! Roger I needed that!"

"To do what put it in your veins? And I didn't blow it on my daughter it went to bills, so we have some place to live."

"You bastard! You selfish BASTARD! You don't care, I needed that money and you couldn't wait to spend it."

"It was my money to spend any way I wanted to, and I chose bills. So yes April I am a selfish bastard because I want a place to sleep at night."

April stormed out of the apartment and slammed the bottom door.

"Roger you did a good thing, giving your money to Alison."

"I hope so." He said quietly to himself and taking Brooke from Maureen.

A few days later things hadn't really calmed down much around the loft, April was storming in and out calling Roger names either out loud or under her breath, Alison had offered to take Brooke to her place with her and Benny until April calmed down. He didn't want to but he knew she was safer there than at the loft with him. He went over there to spend time with Brooke and came back in the afternoon. He noticed it was quiet almost too quiet in the loft, he heard someone come in behind him and turned around.

"Hey." He said.

"Hey it's too quiet." Said Mark.

"That's what I was thinking. April should be here. April? APRIL!" Roger walked over to the bathroom when he saw that the door was closed, which unless someone was in there never happened. Roger opened the door and saw red. That was all he saw was red. Roger ran over and pulled her out of the over filled bathtub while Mark went and called 911. "Oh baby what did you do?"

Mark came back over after making the phone call, and noticed the post it on the mirror.

"Roger."

"What, Mark?"

"Look up."

"What?" Mark nodded to the mirror, and then Roger saw the note. 'We have AIDS'. That was it no explanation, nothing just a damn post it. All Roger could think about was Brooke. His little girl.

"Excuse me we got a call about a death." Said a paramedic walking in.

"Right in here, Roger come here and give them space." Said Mark pulling him into the living room.

"How could she do that? Mark? How could she do that?" He said quietly. Mark wasn't sure if it was the actual act of suicide or the AIDS that Roger was talking about.

"You need to get tested."

"I know, god I only did it a few times, only a few and she told me they were new. When I slept with her I used a condom. But I guess those aren't a hundred percent effective I used one with Victoria too."

"Guys we need to ask you a few questions." Asked the cop coming over.

"Yeah, okay." Said Roger.

"What happened?"

"I um, was visiting my daughter and I came home and the bathroom door was shut which it never is and then Mark came home and I opened the door and she was in the tub."

"Was she upset about anything?"

"My daughter, she um, didn't want my daughter here. So when she started getting really bad and just mean I sent my baby to my friend's house."

"Sir, we have some track marks on her arms." Said another paramedic.

"Is that what you meant by when she was getting bad?"

"Yeah."

"How old is your daughter?"

"2 ½ weeks, but she's not April's. Do you mind I need to wash my hands."

"No not at all, just make sure to bleach the sink after." Said the cop.

The paramedics pulled the stretcher out of the bathroom with the body bag on it. Roger saw this and walked over to it.

"Can I?"

"Yeah." The paramedic unzipped the bag and showed April's body to them. Roger leaned down and got close to April's ear.

"You stupid, selfish bitch."

Roger left the house after that, Mark called everyone and told them about April. Alison agreed to keep Brooke for another night. When Roger left he walked down to the clinic and walked in.

"Hi Roger, is everything okay with Brooke?" Asked Marge.

"Yeah, she's um with my friend Alison. Um, I need an HIV test."

"Why?"

"My girlfriend just killed herself and left me a note that she had AIDS."

"Come in honey." Roger walked in quietly.

"Please don't take Brooke away." He said so quiet Marge almost didn't hear him.

"What honey?"

"Please don't take Brooke away from me."

"Honey, we're not going to take her away. Why would we take her away?"

"Because I might have AIDS, I can't lose my baby, please Marge make sure I can keep her."

"Roger look at me. Even if you have HIV, Brooke is yours. No one will take her from you."

"I've only had her a short time, but I love her."

"I know honey. I'm going to go get Dr. May for you. Just stay here okay." Marge hugged him as he cried. And then left to get Dr. May.

"Dr. May. Roger's here." Said Marge when she tracked down the doctor.

"Why is everything okay with Brooke?"

"Yeah, um his girlfriend committed suicide and she had AIDS, he thinks he might be infected. But he's afraid if he is we're going to take Brooke away from him."

"Oh man." She said as she walked down to the exam room.

She walked in and saw him sitting on the table with his hands over his eyes, by the shaking of his shoulders she could tell he was crying.

"Roger."

"I'm so sorry, you trusted me with her and I let you down."

"Roger, where is Brooke while you're here?"

"She's with Alison and Benny at Alison's. I sent her there when April wouldn't calm down."

"See you did a good thing, to keep your little girl safe, you sent her home with people you trusted."

"Please don't take her."

"I'm not going to, we're just going to take your blood and get you on some meds today, okay?"

"Yeah."

Dr. May took Roger's blood and sent it to the lab and then got him the AZT pills.

"We should know in a week. I'll call you. Until then take these 3 times a day and be careful okay?"

"Thank you."

"I'll call you, just go home and give your baby lots of love."

"I will." Roger got up and left with the pills and went home.

"Hey where'd you go?" Asked Mark.

"The clinic. Is everything cleaned up in there?"

"Yeah, the um cops called a cleaning service they use and they came over and did it. I don't think that bathroom has ever been so clean."

"Did you bleach the kitchen sink?"

"They did."

"I'm going to call Ali and have her bring Munchie home."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I need my daughter Mark."

"Okay, why don't you go lay down and I'll call Alison."

"Thanks."

Mark turned around and called Alison.

"Hello?"

"Hey it's Mark, he just got back he went to the clinic and got tested, he wants Brooke home."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I don't know, but it's what he wants and he's not going to be alone, Maureen and I will be here tonight."

"Okay, I'll bring her home now."

"Thanks Alison."

"No problem.

Alison came over about 20 minutes later with Brooke and Benny.

"How is he?" Asked Benny carrying the playpen in.

"He's been in his room, since he got back."

"I'll check on him, maybe seeing the baby will brighten him up a little."

Alison took the baby out of the car seat and walked over to Roger's room and knocked on the door frame.

"Roger, honey. I have Brooke with me. Can I come in?"

"Sure." Came the quiet response.

"Hey babe." She sat on the bed with Brooke in her arms.

"Hi."

"Baby I'm so sorry."

"Why did she do this? I mean was she that upset about having Brooke here, or was it the AIDS. Did she think I wouldn't take care of her when she got sick?"

"I don't know honey. But she was sick, not just from the illness. But Roger you know she was a heavy drug user. It could have been so many things that made her do that."

"I should have never gotten together with her in the first place."

"Don't say that. You guys were good in the beginning, before the drugs."

"I'm scared Alison."

"Hang on let me put the baby down." Alison placed Brooke in the crib and then got back on the bed and gathered Roger in her arms. "Shh, we'll get through this. You are going to live a very long time. Hell Collins has. And you will too."

"What's going to happen to her if I don't?"

"Nothing is going to happen, she will stay here surrounded by love. Nothing is going to happen I promise."

"Alison, you have to take care of her. Watch over her please?"

"I won't have to, because you will be here the whole time."

"Yeah? Can you find Collins?"

"Yeah, you okay?"

"Yeah, I just need Collins in here."

"I'll find him." Said Benny who was walking by the room, he grabbed his coat and went to the school where Collins was working.

"Yeah hi I need to talk to Tom Collins, it's a family emergency."

"Hold on I'll get him out of class." Said the secretary. Benny waited a couple of minutes before Collins came into the office.

"Benny! What's going on they said it was a family emergency." Benny leaned over and whispered to him.

"April died, she um slit her wrists in the bathroom this morning. Rog and Mark found her. She had AIDS."

"What? Roger?"

"Went and got tested, but now he's home and inconsolable. Ali's with him, he asked for me to find you."

"Hang on. Marcy, I need to leave and I need a sub for the next few days. My brother's girlfriend died and he's a mess."

"Go I'll arrange everything. Call me when you're ready to come back."

"Thanks. Let me get my stuff. You're lucky you caught me now I'm on prep."

"He's a mess, Tom. I've never seen him like this. He wanted Brooke home."

"I can understand that, we just have to watch him for a while make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

"You don't think he would do anything? I mean he's got Brooke."

"No, but we just have to make sure there's nothing sharp around and just watch them."

"God, why did she do this?"

"She was sick. I mean look how she acted towards the baby, and she did nothing wrong but be born." Said Collins.

"She was a druggie, jealous, bitch. Plain and simple."

Collins and Benny got back to the loft and found Roger and Alison in the same place, the only difference was that Maureen was feeding Brooke.

"How is she?" Asked Collins.

"She's fine, she started to whimper and Rog asked me to feed her."

"Alright, I'm going to go in there." He said walking into Roger's room.

"Hey."

"Hey, he just drifted off. I think he drained himself."

"I'll sit with him, can you do something?" Said Collins.

"Yeah, what?"

"Call his parents and only tell them about April dieing, don't mention anything about the AIDS. That's for him to tell them."

"Yeah, he asked me if something happens to him to take Brooke."

"Ali, nothing is going to happen. We'll get him through this."

"Okay, I'm going to go make that call." Alison walked out of the room, and then the phone rang. "Hello?"

"Hi, my name is Marge I'm a nurse at the clinic."

"Hi, how are you?"

"I'm good, I was calling to make sure Roger made it home okay. He was very distraught in the office when he came in."

"He made it home, he's actually sleeping right now. What happened?"

"He came in for the test, and kept asking me not to take Brooke from him."

"Thank you."

"We just kept reassuring him that we wouldn't and then asked where Brooke was and he said that she was with his friend Alison."

"She was, Benny and I had her at my apartment."

"Good, I'm glad he has friends that care that much. I'll call probably in about a week with his results, and also Brooke has an appointment next week on Wednesday at 10am."

"We'll be there."

"Thank you, bye."

"Bye."

Alison hung up the phone and dialed Marty and Steven's number.

"Hello?"

"Hi Mr. Davis, it's Alison."

"Hi Alison. What's going on? Is everything okay?"

"April died this morning."

"How?"

"She slit her wrists. Roger and Mark found her."

"Oh my god. How's Roger taking it?"

"Um, he cried for a little while. He's sleeping right now."

"Well Marty is at work right now, but we'll be up later."

"Okay, see you then."

"Bye honey."

"Bye." Alison hung up the phone and sat on the couch.

"He's using, I know he is." Said Mark. He and Benny were sitting in the living room while Roger was in his room with Brooke.

"I know. What are we going to do?" Asked Benny.

"I don't know, I mean the only times I see him really high is right after work. He's never high when he's just home."

"At least he has some control, but soon he's going to lose that control." Said Benny.

"I just wish he'd talk to one of us." Said Mark.

"It's not going to happen as much as we wish it's just not."

A few months later Roger was completely out of control. Alison stopped coming around, mostly because she didn't want to see a good friend of her go through all this, she made it known that if they ever needed anything to call her, but she couldn't watch. Roger took that hard and started acting negative towards her.

"Roger can we talk?" Asked Mark one afternoon.

"What, Mark?" Roger was feeding Brooke, it was almost like taking care of her was a hassle to him, but some where in him Mark knew he loved his daughter.

"You need to stop doing this to yourself."

"Stop what?"

"The drugs."

"I'm fine Mark, besides what does it matter if I use I'm going to die anyway, whether it be from an overdose or of AIDS, what does it matter?"

"It matters a lot Roger! What are we supposed to tell Brooke when she asks where her daddy is? Do you want us to tell her 'your daddy was a druggie, who overdosed one night.' Or do you want us to say 'your daddy fought so hard, so he could have everyday he could with you.' What do you want us to tell her ROGER! Because I'd rather tell her that you fought. So tonight when you're out getting a hit think about your daughter."

Nobody knew what to say to Roger in the week after April's death. The city took care of the funeral when it was realized they couldn't afford it. Based on how April acted the last few weeks of her life, Alison refused to pay. And nobody blamed her. Roger started back at work, but what nobody knew was every night on his way back he was using heroin. He never did it in the loft, or when he was with Brooke during the day.

It went on like that for a few months. Roger had been diagnosed as HIV+, the day after they buried April. And that started his downward spiral.

Brooke was about 7 months old and had no clue what was going on with her father. All she knew was he always played with her and then he would leave, and she'd have a new play partner sometimes or she went to sleep.

That night Roger went out and went to work like he did every night, Tony had noticed a change in him, but as long as he showed up and did his job, Tony felt his personal life was his. Roger was always happy to show off the latest picture Mark took of Brooke, hell he still had a copy of the picture of Brooke wrapped up in the frog towel in his wallet. So that night after he got off work he went to find The Man. And he ended up doing exactly what Mark said to do, he thought of Brooke and how he wanted to be remembered. The band had disbanded shortly after Brooke was born.

"Damn it." He said to himself, he put his hands in his pocket and started to walk away. Just then he saw cops.

"Put your hands up."

"Listen, I'm just on my way home."

"Put your hands up."

Roger did as he was told and the cop searched him, he found the small baggie in Roger's pocket. And cuffed him.

"Let's go." Roger got into the car without incident and went to the police station with the cops. "You get one call, make it worth it."

"How much is my bail?" He asked.

"$200."

Roger picked up the phone and dialed the number. This was the most embarrassing call he would make in a while.

"Hello?"

"Ali, it's Roger."

"Hi, honey. What's going on?"

"I got arrested."

"For what?"

"I bought."

"Oh, honey."

"Can you come get me please. My bail is $200 and they took all my money from work tonight."

"Honey I can't. But I will get Brooke and bring her back here with me. Roger this is a sign. Get help. I will pay for you to go to rehab, but you have to go from jail."

"Alison, please!"

"No, I'll take care of Brooke. But you have to take care of yourself."

"Fine, can you call the loft then and have someone come get me, because I only had one phone call and I called someone I thought would help me."

"I am helping you."

"No you're leaving me here to rot!"

"Bye Roger."

"Alison! Wait I'm sorry." But she had already hung up by then.

Roger sat in the cell for a few hours just thinking, he realized he needed to get better. If not for himself but for Brooke, she deserved to have her father there for as long as she could. He needed to try and call Alison again.

"Sir, excuse me?"

"What?"

"I need to call and check on my daughter, do you think I could use a phone. Please?"

"Buddy I've heard that line before, you had your one phone call."

"It's not a line though, really look in my wallet you'll find pictures please I need to get out of here, but first I need to call and check on her."

"Fine, come on. I'm only doing this cause I have kids too."

"Thank you." Roger dialed the number and actually hoped he didn't wake up Brooke she had started sleeping almost the whole night.

"Hello?" Said the groggy voice.

"I'll do it."

"Roger? What will you do honey?" Asked Alison looking at Benny who came in the room with Brooke.

"I'll go to rehab, just please get me out of here."

"I will honey, this is the best thing for you."

"I'm not doing it for me, I'm doing it for Munchie, how is she?"

"She's fine, she's lounging in the chair with Benny, sucking on her pacifier."

"Can you please come get me now?"

"I'll see you in the morning honey." Said Alison silently crying.

"Alison, please don't leave me here until then. Please let me come home."

"Roger I still have to call a place and then we'll come get you. I promise."

"Okay, tell Munchie I love here, and Daddy will be well soon."

"I will, thank you for doing this Roger."

"You're welcome."

Alison hung up the phone and looked at Benny who had a sleeping Brooke in his arms.

"So, he's going to go?"

"Yeah, I'll call a place later, and then you and Collins can take him in?"

"Yeah, so this little on is out like a light. I'm going to go put her back in bed."

"Let her sleep in here with us."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

Benny and Alison settled down with Brooke quietly sleeping between them. It soon was 7am and Alison was on the phone with a rehab center.

"Yeah, hi I'm calling to find out if you have any rooms available, no it's not for me I have a friend and he needs help. Heroin, um there is one more thing he's HIV+. You will that's great, yes he's got a prescription for AZT. Great, can you take him today? He'll be there. Um I have one more question what's your age limit on visitors? He's got a daughter who's about 7 months. Thank you so much. Bye."

"So?"

"They'll take him, and if he's doing well after detox, we can bring Brooke to see him."

"Good, I'll call Collins, have him pack Roger a bag."

"SPEEEEAK!"

"Collins, it's Benny pick up."

"Hey, what's up?"

"Roger agreed to go to rehab today."

"No shit?"

"No so I need you to go with me to get him, Ali got him into a place."

"I'll be right there."

Collins and Benny went down to the station house where Roger was.

"Hi, um I'm here to bail out a friend."

"Name?"

"Roger Davis."

"Hold on."

Roger came out to the area where Benny and Collins were waiting for him, he was shaking and sweating.

"Get me out of here."

"Let's go." Said Benny as he paid Roger's bail and got his stuff including the paperwork for his court date.

They drove in silence, Roger was staring out of the window.

"How's Munchie?"

"She's good, woke up last night when you called and then fell back to sleep."

"How long am I going to be there for?"

"As long as the doctors can keep you. I don't want you to worry, Munchie will be taken care of and then you will come home and be with her all the time."

"Okay."

They arrived at the rehab center and Collins helped Roger out of the back while Benny grabbed his bag. The three friends walked in together.

"Hi, um my name is Benny Coffin. My girlfriend called about a room for our friend."

"Hi, I'm Jinny. I have some paperwork that needs to be filled out and if you'll give me his bag we can get started."

"Here you go, also can I talk to you over here?" Asked Collins.

"Sure."

"Here is his AZT, it's a one month supply make sure he takes it exactly as prescribed, he's got a little girl at home that needs him."

"You got it."

Benny filled out the paperwork since Roger's hands were shaking so badly he couldn't hold the pen.

"Alright man, that's it. Now promise me that as soon as Collins and I leave you are not."

"I promise Benny, I'm doing this because I need to be there for Brooke."

"Also do it for yourself, and um if you need inspiration on getting well. Here." Benny handed him a packet of photos.

"Thanks."

"See you soon man and we'll bring Brooke back with us."

Roger got settled in his room and noticed that it was a private room. After his stuff was throughly searched and given back he put it away the best he could with the shaking going on. Then as he settled on the bed a woman came in.

"Hi Mr. Davis, I'm Marcy. I'm here to give you the run down of how things are going to go for you. I guess you noticed that you have no roommate. While you are in detox mode you won't have one, but once you are out of that stage, we'll move you to another room. You have 3 phone calls a day, and anyone can call you as long as you say so."

"Will I be able to see my daughter?" He asked quietly.

"Soon, once you're past the worst stages you will be. How old is she?" Roger was embarrassed he had to think for a second and count back.

"7 months."

"What's her name?"

"Munchie, I mean Brooke."

"Nice, I've heard weird nicknames before but Munchie tops it."

"It's short for Munchkin. I haven't been the best father lately."

"But you have time, she won't even remember this so all she'll ever know is that her daddy was there."

"But I'll know."

"Just keep thinking about being there for her and you'll get through this."

"Thanks."

"If you need anything just buzz the desk. You can make a call if you want."

"Okay." Roger glanced at the phone and was contemplating calling his parents, they needed to know where he was. He picked up the phone and dialed his room number and then his parents number.

"Hello?"

"Dad?"

"Roger, where are you?"

"Rehab."

"Oh thank god. Where's Brooke?"

"Um, she's with Ali and Benny at Ali's."

"Okay, so when did you go in and what finally prompted you?"

"I just got here, and I um, got arrested last night after I bought some, I called Ali to come bail me out and she told me she wasn't going to until I decided to go to rehab. Benny and Collins just dropped me off."

"You got arrested, what are they going to do?"

"I think I have a court date, I'm not really sure, one of the guys has the paperwork and right now I can't really tell which way is up, I'm lucky I remembered the number. Some nurse asked me how old Munchie was and Dad I had to count back, I couldn't tell her off the top of my head."

"It's going to get easier Roger, it's going to be hard for a while, but it will get easier. When can you have visitors?"

"I don't know, they did say Munchie could come see me."

"That's good, I'm proud of you son, making this decision."

"Thanks, well I'm going to lay down now. I'll talk to you another time."

"Okay, I'm going to call and check up on you, and if you can't speak to me that's fine. I'll just call and check on your progress."

"Okay, Dad. Bye."

"Bye.

The next few days after the phone call were the toughest on Roger, he would itch and shake almost everyday until the cart with the methadone came his way. It was to the point where he looked so bad that one volunteer staff member in particular would send him on the biggest slip up of his journey.

Hey Mr. Davis my name is Daniel McGrath and I'm a youth volunteer here, I've seen so far what detoxing has been doing to you so here is a little plastic bag of something familiar. He threw the bag into his room and shut the door.

Roger knew instantly what it was and dove into it like a little child devouring his sweets, he took the syringe and filled it up good giving himself the hit of his life. For that moment he lost all focus as to why he needed to get better. He soon passed out into a rather fitful restless sleep, one that had him thinking about the last words Mark and Collins had said "Do you want us to tell Brooke her daddy died of an overdose because he was a druggie, or do you want us to say that he fought to make a better life for the both of you." Collins faded voice echoed in his head

Soon he woke up to find Collins all dressed in white with a halo on his head. As he looked wide eyed he thought to himself that the batch given to him must have been really bad.

"Collins is that you man, I mean really I must have gotten buzzed off of something really bad if I'm seeing you in angelic garb." Roger said

"I'm sorry but I have no idea who this Collins fellow is, my name is Bud and I'm an angel sent to show you how things would really be if you weren't around to raise your daughter."

In a flash of white light Roger and the angel were transported to a grave site, there they saw Maureen, Collins, Mark, Alison, Benny, Marty, and Steven who was holding Brooke in his arms.

"I take it that these people are familiar to you Roger considering that you show vast emotions, and I can sense that you know whose tomb stone we are near." Bud said

"Man this is a crazy trip dude, this can't be my own grave can it I mean really I get out of rehab and I raise my daughter right, this is all a part of the buzz which I wish never happened." Roger said

"You must realize Roger that if you did choose not to live the future of those that love you would change dramatically, not only that but your little girl will probably be sent to her mother who we all know could care less about her." Bud continued.

"No you she can't be sent back to Victoria she never wanted Munchie in the first place, all she wanted to do was to throw her to foster care noooooooooooooo I need to get snapped out of this and get better." "Not just for me but for the rest of my family and for Brooke, I love you baby girl daddy is going to get better so that we can be a family." Roger said as he blacked out.

He woke up again and saw Bud.

"This is getting creepy, man really, really creepy." Said Roger.

"Come on, I want to show you something." Roger got up and followed Bud. "Do you know where you are?"

"If I don't I killed more brain cells than I thought." Bud reached over and smacked him in the head. "Ow, you are a violent angel. I'm in the loft."

"That's better."

Roger stood there and saw himself sitting on the couch with Brooke curled up to his chest. She was eating a bottle with eyes closed.

"Well aren't you a sleepy one right now." He smiled down at his young daughter, he was proud of himself he had gotten clean right after April died. There was a knock on the loft door. "Hate to do this honey, but I have to put you down." Brooke whimpered a little the change. "Oh it's okay Munchie, Daddy will be right back." Roger walked over to the loft door and slid it open.

"Can I help you?"

"Roger Davis?"

"Yeah?"

"Have a nice day."

"What's this?"

"You've been served."

The man left and Roger stared at the paper in his hands, it read:

State of New York

City of New York City

Victoria E. Montgomery v. Roger J. Davis

RE: Custody of Minor Child

Brooke P. Davis

Roger couldn't read anymore. All he knew was Victoria was suing him for custody of the child she never wanted. He slid down the door with tears in his eyes.

"Roger, what's going on? Honey?" Asked Maureen coming out of her's and Mark's room. She sat down on the floor next to him and took the paper from his hand and read it. "Are you kidding me?! The bitch is doing this now! She couldn't wait to hand Brooke off to someone. I'm going to call Alison maybe she knows a good lawyer." Maureen immediately got up and called Alison.

"Hello?"

"Alison, it's Maureen. Do you know of a good lawyer?"

"Why?" Maureen took a quick look at Roger who was now holding Brooke and gently rocking her while trying to stop the tears that were coming.

"Victoria had him served with custody papers."

"WHAT?! Why?"

"I don't know, but I do know that he's going to need a really good lawyer."

"I'll call around and then be over, what's he doing?"

"Holding Brooke on the couch and crying."

"I'll be there soon." Said Alison as she hung up the phone with Maureen and dialed her father's office number.

"James Grey's office."

"Genevieve, it's Alison is my dad around?"

"Hang on Alison."

"Alison darling, is everything okay?"

"Daddy, who's the best family law attorney?"

"Why do you need a family law attorney?"

"You remember my friend Roger?"

"Yes, the musician, how's he adjusting to fatherhood?"

"He's doing great, it's the egg donor I'm worried about."

"What?"

"Brooke's biological mother served Roger with custody papers."

"Joanne Jefferson, she handled Craig's divorce. Completely cleaned him out, she was his ex-wife's attorney."

"Thanks Daddy."

"It's no problem, I respect any man who has taken on as much as Roger has. Have Joanne send the final bill to me."

"Thank you."

"Bye Honey."

Alison hung up and then dialed 411.

"What city please?"

"Manhattan."

"Name?"

"Attorney Joanne Jefferson."

"The number is (212)569-0413."

Alison dialed the number as quick as she could.

"Ms. Jefferson's office."

"Yes, hello, I was given Ms. Jefferson's name by my father. I have a friend in need of representation."

"Please hold."

"This is Joanne Jefferson."

"Hello, Ms. Jefferson, my name is Alison Grey. My father gave me your name. I have a friend who has had sole custody of his daughter since she was 3 days old, and now the mother is suing him."

"How old is the child?"

"About 8 months."

"Has the mother had any contact with them?"

"Not since she called to arrange the pick up, and then sent a stranger into the Life Cafe with Brooke."

"Wow, um okay. Well I'd like to meet with your friend."

"Great when?"

"I have an appointment free at 2 today."

"Perfect, we'll be there."

Alison wrote down the address Joanne gave her. She quickly hung up the phone and headed out the door. She arrived at the loft in record time, only catching one odd look from the cabby when she told him address. He actually asked her if she was a hooker.

"You wish." He dropped her off and she ran to the pay phone.

"SPEEEEEAK!"

"Guys it's Ali, throw down the key." Maureen came out and threw it down.

Alison walked inside and made her way upstairs.

"Hey Babe." She said to Roger.

"Hey."

"Mo called me, I called a lawyer we have an appointment at 2."

"Okay."

"I'll take her. You go change and grab all the paperwork you have."

"What about Munchie?"

"I'll watch her, honey go change." Said Maureen.

"I haven't seen him this bad since April died."

"It's scary." Said Maureen picking up the toys on the floor.

"Is this okay?" Roger came out in a pair of jeans and probably the only button down he owned.

"Perfect Babe. Do you have the paperwork?"

"Yeah, oh wait we need this too." He said picking up the papers he was served.

"Let's go." Said Alison.

"Bye Munchie."

"Say bye-bye Daddy." Said Maureen.

"Mo, can you call Tony?"

"Yeah."

Roger and Alison left and made their way to Joanne's office.

"Ali I can't afford this." Said Roger when he saw the building.

"Don't worry about that, just worry about Munchie." They walked into the offices and saw Joanne's secretary sitting at her desk.

"Can I help you?"

"Alison Grey, and Roger Davis to see Ms. Jefferson." Said Alison in her most business like voice.

"She's expecting you go right in."

Alison and Roger walked in and saw an African-American woman sitting at a rather large desk.

"Excuse me, Ms. Jefferson?"

"You must be Alison, I'm Joanne Jefferson. Please sit."

"This is Roger."

"Hi Roger. How are you?"

"I'm okay, I mean aside from the fact that the reason I'm alive is being taken away from me."

"No one is going to be taken away, just from what Alison told me on the phone, you have a very good case."

"We, um brought you the paperwork he was given and all of the stuff the mother gave with the exception of her hospital paperwork, that's with Dr. May at East Village Clinic." Said Alison

"Good, now is there anything else I should be aware of?" Asked Joanne writing stuff down.

"Um, I'm HIV+ and a former drug addict, but I've been clean since April."

"Okay, now where and who do you live with or is it just you and Brooke?"

"Ave A and 11th, in Alphabet City, and it's me, Munchie, Mark, Maureen, Collins, Benny, and Ali's around a lot. So are my parents."

"Who's Munchie?"

"Oh Brooke, that's her nickname. I have pictures too, but you can't keep them I can get copies."

"That's fine. How do you support Brooke and yourself?"

"I'm a bartender 6 nights a week, but someone is always with her. I put her to bed before I leave and am back before she wakes up for her next bottle."

"We have a schedule all the roommates have a certain day and most of the time we're all there anyways." Said Alison.

"I think we have a great shot. Now can you tell me how Brooke came to be?"

"I was performing with my band and she came up to me, I took her back to my place and Brooke was conceived. She left and then about 9 months later a call came in, it was Victoria saying I had a daughter and she didn't want to be a mother, we arranged to meet at the Life Cafe. So Maureen and I go down there, this guy walks in with her in a car seat, asks for me, hands the baby to Mo. Since he had asked for ID. She didn't even come herself, she sent some stranger in with my kid. She didn't even tell him to check ID that was his idea.

"Did she leave a note?"Joanne asked

"No just that file, a few diapers, some clothes that didn't even fit her and a can of formula."Maureen replied

"This is an abandonment case, she abandoned Brooke with a stranger in faith that she would be given to you." Joanne said

"She threatened foster care when she called to set up the drop off." Roger replied.

As the appointment went on Joanne's phone beeped, she picked it up to find Victoria's attorney on the other end of the line.

"Good afternoon Jefferson I just want to let you know that my client will win full custody of Brooke Penelope Davis, she is going to give her all the luxuries that she could ever want." Andrew Johnson said

"I highly doubt that Victoria Montgomery would be a suitable parent for Brooke considering that she abandoned and neglected her, not even willing to take the time to deliver the child to her father herself." "I would have to say that you must have a strong case for you to win, for under my watch justice shall be served." Joanne said

"I shall see you in court Miss Jefferson." Johnson said

The day for the trial came up and Roger was up and ready long before the alarm or Brooke woke up. Since he couldn't find a sitter given that everyone wanted to be there with him it was decided that Brooke would be looked after by Mrs. Collins near the back of the courtroom. Hopefully out of sight from Victoria.

"Hey what you doing up and ready?" Asked Alison coming out of Benny's room.

"Couldn't sleep."

"Thing are going to be fine we'll just get through the next two day." Said Alison as Brooke started to cry.

"I got her." Said Roger heading back into his room. "Hey Munchie what's with the tears huh? I was only drinking my coffee." He said gently wiping her tears away as she laid her head on his shoulder. Alison quietly watched from the doorway as Roger changed her diaper, she could hear Brooke laughing because Roger was tickling her while he changed her. She thought of all the moments Mark had captured on film from the moment Roger introduced her to the roommates, Roger sleeping on the couch with Brooke on his chest also sleeping, to things like this with Roger just being silly with her. Joanne agreed to show it as evidence showing that Roger was loving and attentive father, that added to the fact that he had so many people to testify for him.

Everybody woke up and drank their coffee and at 8 am left the loft and headed to the courthouse. When they got there they were immediately ushered into the courtroom. Roger held on to Brooke as long as he could sitting at the table with Brooke letting her bounce up and down on his lap. This was her favorite activity as of late and did it with a toothless grin and a giggle that would make anyone laugh with her.

Victoria walked in with her lawyers and glanced over at Roger and Brooke. There he was sitting at the table letting Brooke jump up and down while he talked to what Victoria assumed were his parents.

"All rise!"

"Oh Mrs. Collins." Said Roger quickly handing Brooke off to Collins' mother.

"The honorable Judge Jeremiah Westwood presiding." Said the bailiff.

"Be seated. This case is an interesting one. I honestly don't understand why we're here. From what I've seen this is the first time you Ms. Montgomery have shown interest in the child."

"Your honor my client was unable to care for the child but is now able to provide for her."

"We'll see about that. Now to start I would like to hear from the father. Mr. Davis."

"Go." Said Joanne, Roger got up and headed up to the witness stand. He could hear Brooke babbling in the back.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do."

"Please state and spell your name for the record."

"Roger R-O-G-E-R Jay J-A-Y Davis D-A-V-I-S."

"Thank you."

"Mr. Davis how did your daughter come to be?" Asked Joanne.

"I was playing a show with my band, the Well Hungarians, when Ms. Montgomery approached me as I was packing up my equipment. We said hi and I asked her if she wanted to leave, she said yes and then we went to my loft."

"And what happened when you got there?" She asked.

"We slept together, after that was over. she was getting dressed saying something about having a busy day the next day."

"When was the next time you heard from her?" Asked Joanne.

"When Brooke was 3 days old, she called."

"And what was said during that conversation?"

"She informed me that I had a daughter and she didn't want to be a mother, so either I take care of the baby or she goes to foster care, I couldn't let that happen to any kid. Especially mine."

"Did you arrange to meet her anywhere?"

"Yes she told me to meet her at the Life Cafe."

"And what happened when you got there?"

"Uh, Maureen and I went in and I asked the host and the bartender if anyone had come in and asked for me, no one had yet so we waited a couple minutes and this guy with a baby carrier walked in, asked if anyone in the place was Roger Davis, I said I was and he asked to see ID, so I pulled out the card handed it to him and he handed over Brooke to me. He then said that Victoria had paid him to bring Brooke in and he decided to check my ID. She just paid some stranger to bring her child into a crowded restaurant, and didn't even tell him to check ID."

"What happened after that?"

"Maureen and I headed home and brought Brooke up to the loft. Mo was holding Brooke on the couch while I went through the diaper bag she sent with her, all that was in there was Brooke's medical folder from the hospital, she had only been discharged that morning, there were a few diapers, some clothes that didn't even fit her and still really don't, and one bottle with a can of formula, that was it."

"Was there a note explaining anything?"

"Nothing." Roger glared hard at Victoria.

"Now Roger who takes care of Brooke while you work?"

"Um I have 4 sometimes 5 roommates, they all take turns watching her, there is a schedule posted on the fridge and it gets revised every couple weeks for everyone's different things. Um, my parents come in from Scarsdale often and help out. My mom will come in and cook meals for all of us and my dad helps fix things around the loft if needed."

"So you have a good support system."

"Very good."

"Thanks Roger."

It was now time for Victoria's lawyer to question Roger, Joanne went easy on him. He knew everything was about to come out now, but he wasn't scared. The stuff that happened made him who he is.

"Mr. Davis, do you smoke?"

"Yes."

"Where is Brooke usually while you are doing this?"

"Inside usually sleeping or playing."

"So you leave her alone inside a big loft at 7 months old."

"She's 8 months old and no my roommates are always with her, and I'm out on the fire escape. I don't smoke in the loft anymore, I haven't since I brought Brooke back with me." Roger's answer wasn't what the other lawyer expected.

"Is it true, you are HIV+?"

"Yes."

"If you are HIV+ how does that effect Brooke?"

"I take my meds every single day, I'm healthy other than my nicotine habit and the HIV. I'm under a doctor's care. I don't plan on leaving my daughter any time soon, and if I have to, I've made sure through my will that Brooke with be taken care of and provided for."

"And who will be taking care of her?"

"My friend Alison Grey."

"What happened with Brooke on the afternoon on March 5th, you brought her to a clinic?"

"Well I had just gotten from her from the man that dropped her off at the Life, so I was scared and brought her to the clinic to get checked out when I realized that she had just been released that morning from the hospital, it was a routine check up."

"Isn't it true you received items from this clinic?"

"I did, but they were just enough to get me by until I could get my check at work. They give them to any new parent at that particular clinic."

"What made you choose that clinic?"

"It's 3 blocks from my loft, and in 30 degree weather which it was that day. It's a matter of keeping Brooke warm."

"Is it true you are now a patient of that clinic?"

"I am, it's a general family practice."

"Mr. Davis, how did you contract HIV?"

"I was a recreational drug user, and contracted it using a dirty needle."

"Isn't it true that your girlfriend committed suicide in your bathroom, with Brooke in the house?"

"Brooke was with Alison at her apartment, I wasn't even home when April did that."

"What happened after you discovered that your girlfriend had died?"

"I went to the clinic and got tested for HIV."

"Isn't it true that you had an emotional breakdown in front of the nurse there?"

"If you had just discovered your girlfriend dead in the bathroom, and found out you might have AIDS, and could possibly leave your child alone in the world, wouldn't you have a breakdown."

Victoria's lawyer realized he wasn't going to be able to pigeon hole Roger. And decided to conclude his questions after one more.

"Mr. Davis where is Brooke right now?"

"She's in the back of the courtroom with my friend's mother, in case you can't hear her babbling. We were playing before this whole thing started today, you saw her when you walked in."

"We are done with this witness your honor."

"Ms. Jefferson call your witness."

"I would actually like to call Victoria Montgomery to the stand your honor." Victoria got up and walked to the witness stand.

"State and spell your name for the record." Said the Bailiff.

"Victoria V-I-C-T-O-R-I-A Eve E-V-E Montgomery M-O-N-T-G-O-M-E-R-Y."

"Be seated."

"Good morning Ms. Montgomery, I'm going to start off with a few questions. How did you meet Brooke's father?"

"I met him in a bar that he was performing at."

"Were the events Mr. Davis described accurate?"

"Yes."

"How long has it been since you've seen your daughter before today?"

"Um, since she was 3 days old."

"And how long ago was that?"

"I think 8 months."

"You think?"

"No, it was 8 months, she's 8 months old."

"Why haven't you seen her or even been in contact with her since then?"

"I didn't want to be, but I do now."

"Ms. Montgomery, I found out something very interesting, while doing research for this case. While I was searching public records for information on both you and Mr. Davis, i found a marriage license in the state of North Carolina and it had your name on it. And it's dated July '86, now tell me if I'm wrong but that would make Brooke 5 months at the time. And suddenly at 8 months of age you want her back. Is that just a coincidence or something that was planned?"

"I met someone we clicked, and he convinced me that I could be a mother, and here we are." Victoria said coldly.

"But again correct me if I'm wrong but you told Mr. Davis you didn't want to be a mother and if he didn't take Brooke, she would be in foster care. Is that right?"

"I don't remember all of the conversation, maybe I said that. I was under a lot of stress. I had just given birth."

"You were still in the hospital, the staff had been taking care of Brooke because you refused her time and time again. So tell me what stress were you under?"

"I had just given birth." She said as an explanation.

"Why do you want to take Brooke out of the only home she's ever known and go with a virtual stranger? Especially now?"

"I am her mother, she should be with me. He can't provide for her like I can. I can give her things."

"Things? Do you have a support system?"

"A what?"

"A support system. Grandparents, friends, people there to help guide her if you can't be there."

"My husband has offered to provide a nanny."

"Do you work, Ms. Montgomery?"

"I do charities, and dinners."

"So you don't have a job that pays you a salary, you live off your husband's money, why would Brooke have a nanny if you are home?"

"Because I travel for these events."

"So you wouldn't be there at all times?"

"No, but he's not there all the time either I'm sure. You heard him he leaves her with babysitters all the time."

"To go to work, and your honor Brooke is usually asleep when my client leaves for work. He's with her all day. And I have video proof of that your honor."

"I'd like to see this video you've spoken of." Said Judge Westwood.

The bailiff wheeled over the television and Joanne handed him the tape. The tape started with a logo that said 'Munchie'.

"Good morning everyone my name is Mark Cohen and I've decided to make a documentary of Brooke's or as we all call her Munchie's life. Now it's really early or really late depending on how you look at it and Brooke isn't awake yet, which means neither is Roger. We're going to sneak in and take a peak at a sleeping Munchie, who defiantly takes after Roger and loves to sleep." Mark moved the camera into Roger's room. "Now there's Daddy drooling on his pillow, and over here Munchie is sound asleep. Wait a couple hours she'll be wide awake." Mark did a couple of establishment shots, showing how Brooke's toys were around the loft, and then of the kitchen where Brooke's little counter top tub and stuff was setup on the counter ready and waiting for Baby and Daddy. "It's bath day for Brooke today. When she was first born one of us could get away with using 3 towels, one for the baby, one for under the tub, and one for the floor. Now well lets just say you probably won't need to shower after you bathe her." Said Mark on the video, everyone on the boho's side of the gallery laughed. The next shot was Brooke laying on the couch with Roger after her 6 am bottle. "And now after the extremely stressful action of sitting there and drinking her bottle, Brooke is tired again." Establishment shot of Mark's watch which read 9 am. Brooke could be heard giggling and water being splashed in the background.

"It's now bath time." Said Mark.

"Hey, Munchie how about we try to keep some water in the tub. That way Daddy can wash you?" Asked Roger jokingly. He finished washing her and pulled her out and wrapped her in a little lion towel. "Are you going to film her all day?" Roger asked popping a lollipop in his mouth while holding Brooke up for the camera.

"Yup. So get used to it." Said Mark.

"Oh my goodness, you look so adorable." Said Alison coming in the front door.

"Thank-you I thought so too this morning when I was getting dressed." Said Roger.

"I was talking about Munchie. So who had the bath you or her?"

"Her I think, but it's hard to tell." Said Roger starting to get ready to change Brooke. "Hey can we not film my kid naked."

"Sure I'll film Mr. Teddy for a couple minutes."

"Let me know if he does anything interesting. Brooke babbled to it for twenty minutes yesterday, didn't you?" All that could be heard was Brooke's loud giggling cause Roger was tickling her. "So any new developments?" Roger asked coming over to the chair in frame with Brooke.

"Nope he's pleading the 5th and asking for a lawyer." Everyone laughed in the courtroom, the boho side used to Mark and Roger's weird conversations and the other's cause it was just funny. The next shot was Brooke on the blanket playing with Mr. Teddy. She was babbling animately. Roger could be seen in the frame laying on his stomach moving Mr. Teddy around and play kissing Brooke's cheeks, while she tried to grab at him. "Now we see that Brooke has gotten bored with Mr. Teddy she's forced to listen to Daddy play the guitar."

"Hey I don't see you complaining when it's all she'll fall asleep to at night." Roger picks up his guitar and Brooke and sits them on the couch.

"Rog, what are you doing?" Asked Collins coming in.

"I'm teaching Munchie to play guitar" Said Roger with a smile.

"Roger she's 7 months old, you can't even see her over the guitar." Said Mark with a laugh.

"So a smaller guitar maybe?"

"I think so. And I think a couple years, you know when she can actually understand you." Said Collins.

The next part of the video was of Roger feeding Brooke lunch of baby food and rice cereal.

"Baby come on I know it's nasty but you need to eat it." Said Roger looking at Brooke who wouldn't open her mouth. "Why are you making this difficult for your old man, please honey?"

"She doesn't understand you." Said Maureen.

"I know but I can try."

"Make it a game or something." She said.

"What like airplane?"

"Try it."

Roger tried it and Brooke went to bang on her table and smacked the spoon and it landed on Roger.

"I give up can you try?" Roger looked at Mark who was holding the camera.

"No." Said Mark shaking the camera to emphasize the point. At that point Roger put his head down and then Brooke put her hand in the bowl went to smack her hand again and hit Roger in the head.

"She didn't just get food on my head did she?"

"Yup." Said Maureen with a giggle.

"But at least she's eating what's left off her hand." Said Mark.

"Aren't you a silly little one, do you like making Daddy work for this? Because it's working." He finally got Brooke fed and changed and then handed Brooke to Maureen so he could shower.

"Hey Rog, where are you going?" Asked Mark chuckling.

"To get the peas and carrots shampoo out of my head."

"Well that was the dinner portion of our little show, soon will be bed time where we will be treated to a free and private concert by the one and only Roger, in order for Brooke to go to sleep until about 3 am." Bed time played out on the video and then it ended.

The TV stand was moved back and the judge looked at the whole courtroom, what he saw was a loving father, who would do anything for his child. The only thing that concerned him was Roger's health status. And then he looked over at Victoria who looked unaffected by what was just played, in fact she was examining her nails through most of it. But one thing he couldn't deny was that she was the mother. And just like Roger had she deserved a chance.

"Miss Montgomery judging by what was shown on the tape Mr. Davis is a capable and responsible parent, which is more than I can say about a woman who from the time she was born didn't even want to nurse, change or hold her baby. Not only that but you decided that you didn't have the backbone to give your daughter to her father face to face, therefore I give all custody rights to Mr. Roger Jay Davis. This case is now dismissed." The judge said

As soon as the verdict was read Roger felt that someone was waking him up. He woke up to find Maureen staring at him with a smile on her face as she held out Brooke to him.

"Look who I brought to visit, Daddy?"

"Hey, Munchie. Daddy missed you so much." He said taking her from Maureen.

"And she missed you, Ali said she hasn't been sleeping well. Benny tries to play her one of the tapes Mark made a while ago of you singing but she knows you're not there I think."

"I'll be home soon sweetie, I promise. I've had a lot of time to think in here and I'm going to try and officially have custody like papers stating Victoria has no rights."

"What brought this on?"

"Just a dream I had. I don't want her to go to Victoria if something happens to me."

"I know honey that's why we made out your will, remember?"

"But it's not enough, if Victoria's rights are terminated she can't have her ever."

Brooke completely unaware of what was going on was just having fun bouncing on Roger's lap.

"So are they treating you good here?"

"Yeah, they are, you know they are having me start therapy tomorrow. I'm kind of nervous about that."

"It will be okay honey, they just want to get to the root of things." Said Maureen.

"I know but it's one thing to talk to you guys, it's another to talk to a complete stranger."

"But that's the problem honey you haven't been talking to us. That's why you're here."

"I just want to come home, take me home please?"

"I can't baby, you need to be here."

"I tried right?"

"Yeah, you did. But let's try for this one okay?" Said Maureen running her hand up and down Brooke's back.

"Oh I can't wait to be back home with you Munchie." He said hugging her.

"Listen Alison and I were talking and we thought it would be a good idea if you revised your will."

"To what?"

"Just to update it, I mean have you updated it since April died?"

"No I haven't I don't even think Brooke's in it."

"I'll call a lawyer when I get home and then we'll come here and do all the paperwork." Said Maureen.

"Excuse me, visiting hours are over." Said Jinny poking her head in.

"Okay, I'll call you tomorrow to check up and I want to hear about your session okay?"

"Yeah, thank you."

"It's no problem we're family. Okay Munchie say 'bye Daddy'."

"Bye Munchie, I love you so much."

He watched Maureen and Brooke leave and felt better. He knew It would be a while before he was with Brooke full time again, that's what was keeping him in the center and not running out.

Maureen arrived home with Brooke and saw that Alison was there.

"Hey how is he?"

"He's okay, happy I brought Brooke down there. He said he agrees that he needs to revise his will."

"Good I'll call my father and get the name of a lawyer."

"Okay I'm going to put this little one down for a nap, she had a long day of bouncing on Daddy, while we visited, didn't you?"

After Brooke was put down for a nap she came back out to find Alison on the phone with her father.

"Thanks Daddy, bye."

"What's up?" Asked Maureen when Alison hung up.

"My dad gave me a name for a lawyer."

Alison called the number and spoke to Joanne Jefferson.

"Well that's the thing he can't come into your office. He's in a residential rehab center. But trust me once you see him with his daughter you'll forget he's there. Great, um let me call the center and see when he's available tomorrow and I'll call you back? Good, bye." Alison hung up and dialed the rehab center's number that was by the phone.

"Hope House. This is Jinny speaking."

"Hi Jinny, this is Alison Grey, can I speak to Roger Davis please?"

"Hold on one second." Alison waited a couple minutes before a very tired sounding Roger came on the phone.

"Hi babe, what's up is Munchie okay?"

"She's fine honey. Did I wake you?"

"Not really, I was just laying down. What's up?"

"How open is your schedule?"

"For you babe it's always open." He said flirtingly.

"Glad to see rehab hasn't changed you too much perv."

"You know you love it."

"I do, so your schedule?"

"You have to ask Jinny, I swear Collins or Benny told them not to tell me things." He said with a laugh.

"Alright well I'll call back and ask Jinny. But be prepared cause I think I found you a lawyer and she's willing to come and see you there."

"Okay." Said Roger.

"And if you've been a good boy, I might bring you a surprise."

"Um, you in sexy lingerie?"

"You wouldn't be able to keep it up." Said Alison as Maureen rolled her eyes laughing. Then Benny and Collins walked in.

"Hey, who's she talking to?" Asked Collins hearing Alison's response.

"Roger." Collins laughed.

"Alright, I'll talk to you later hon, bye." Alison hung up the phone.

"How is he?" Asked Benny.

"Hang on. Hi Jinny, it's Alison Grey again. Yeah I just spoke with him. Listen I need to do some paperwork about his daughter tomorrow and I'm bringing his lawyer, but he couldn't tell me his schedule for tomorrow, could you? Great. Yeah I'll hold."

"What's up?" Asked Benny.

"Roger decided to redo his will, and wants Victoria's rights terminated, so I called a lawyer and she said she's available tomorrow, but I'm trying to find out when Roger is. Yeah I'm here. Okay so he has group at 11 then lunch at 12:30, and then it's arts and crafts at 3 so between 1 and 3 he'll have time. Great. I'll be there. Thanks Jinny. Bye" Alison hung up the phone and turned around and saw Benny, Collins, Maureen, and now Mark holding back their smiles but were unable.

"He's doing arts and crafts?" Asked Mark.

"Yeah." Said Alison dialing Joanne's number. "Hi Joanne? Hey it's Alison Grey, he's available between 1 and 3 tomorrow, great it's called Hope House. Great I'll meet you there. Bye."

The next afternoon Alison got Brooke ready to go visit. She wanted to go early so Roger could see Brooke before Joanne got there. She had taken to sleeping at the loft instead of bringing Brooke to her place that way when Roger got home there was no adjustment, everything could just go easy. She arrived at Hope House and rang the buzzer.

"Can I help you?" Came a voice.

"Hi Alison Grey to see Roger Davis."

"Come in."

Alison walked in and went to the desk.

"Hi I'm Alison Grey is Roger available?"

"He just finished lunch, you can go over there I'll call him down for you. Also just fill out the visitor's pass."

"Okay, um someone else by the name of Joanne Jefferson will be coming soon to meet with us."

"Okay, I'll send her to you guys. Marcy can you send Roger down, his friend is here. Thanks, Alison he'll be right down."

"Thank you. How about you Munchie you ready to see Daddy." Said Alison taking Brooke out of the stroller.

"Hey sexy."

"Hey perv." Said Alison giving Roger a hug.

"How are you?" He asked.

"I'm good, you okay? You don't look so good."

"Rough night, but I'm better now that you guys are here. Hey Munchie." Brooke pushed away from Alison and into Roger's arms. "Oh, how is Daddy's Munchie?" He asked peppering her face with kisses while she giggled.

"She's good, I know she misses you."

"I miss her too. But soon I'll be better and then I'll be home."

"So Joanne should be here soon, what do you want to do?"

"Well we'll wait here and then we can go back to my room, and get some paperwork done."

"Okay." Said Alison.

"I spoke to my parents and told them that if anything happens to me while Brooke is under 18, she's to go to you, if that's okay. I mean my parents would love to take her, but they aren't getting any younger and I know they want to retire and travel, but they can't do that if they have Brooke. I've put them through enough these past few months."

"I'd be glad to take her, Roger and your folks will have all the access they want."

"Thanks."

"No problem, babe. Now what's this I hear about suing Victoria?"

"I had a bad trip a little bit back and had a dream, that she tried to take Brooke away from me. I just want to do it before she even thinks it."

"A preemptive strike."

"Yup." Brooke was content at the moment just laying back on Roger, she looked like she was just ready to fall asleep.

"She's almost out." Said Alison.

"Has she been sleeping okay?"

"She has her days, where she'll just cry but Mark will turn on a reel of you and she just calms right down." Roger just nodded and rubbed Brooke's stomach.

While Roger and Alison were talking a woman walked over to the buzzer.

"Can I help you?"

"Joanne Jefferson to see a Roger Davis."

"Come on in."

Joanne walked in the door and headed to the front desk.

"Hi I'm Joanne Jefferson, I'm here to see Roger Davis."

"Sign in here, and take a visitor's pass. He's the man in there with the little girl in his lap."

"Thank you." Joanne put the tag on and walked over to where Roger and Alison were sitting. "Excuse me, Roger?"

"Yeah?"

"Hi I'm Joanne Jefferson."

"Hi, sorry I would stand up but..." He said with a laugh and pointed to Brooke.

"No it's fine, she's beautiful."

"Thank you, this is my friend Alison Grey."

"Hi it's nice to meet you."

"You too. Roger do you want me to take her, so we can go to your room?" Alison noticed his hands shaking a little but didn't want to draw attention to it.

"Yeah, thanks." Roger knew Alison saw his hands and silently sent a thanks to her when she picked up Brooke.

"So are we ready?" Asked Alison.

"Yeah, let's go." Said Roger getting up.

Joanne and Alison followed Roger to his room. When Alison walked in she saw all the pictures they had given him on the cork board.

"I see you put up the pictures." She said.

"It took me an hour." He said sitting in a chair. "Can you hand me Brooke?"

"Sure." Alison handed Roger the baby and he placed her in his lap in the same position she was in, in the waiting room.

"And the blanket?" Joanne handed Roger the blanket and he put it over him and Brooke and put his hands underneath.

"So Roger, Alison told me that you want to do your will."

"Yeah. Um I need to provide for Brooke in it. If something should happen where I can't take care of her, Alison is to get her. I already talked it over with my folks and they agreed."

"Okay is that the only provision?" Asked Joanne taking notes.

"Um, actually Ali, see that journal on the night stand? Can you grab it?"

Alison went over and grabbed it.

"This one?"

"Yeah, there's a page that's marked can you rip it out and give it to her?"

"Here you go."

"That's everything, um most of it goes to Brooke but everyone else gets something as well."

"Okay." Joanne looked at it and noticed the shaky writing but it was legible. She put it in her folder. "Now the custody issue..."

Joanne got all the information just as in Roger's dream. But one thing that was different was someone knocking on Roger's door.

"Roger, hon it's meds time." Said Marcy.

"Can I take them in here?" He asked.

"Yeah hang on." Marcy left the room.

"Usually we have to take them at the nurses' station."

Marcy came back in the room and handed Roger a glass of water and a small cup with a pill in it. And she also had another small cup with a liquid in it.

"Show."

"Ahh." Roger showed her that he had swallowed his AZT and then she handed him the other liquid.

"All of it."

"I know."

"What were the meds Roger?" Asked Alison.

"AZT and the other was methadone, it helps with the withdrawal, after a while they'll ween me off of that and I'll be clean."

"Good."

"I'm working really hard here sweetie, I just want my time here to be short so that I can be at the loft with you and Munchie." Roger said

"I must tell you Ali that your father has found out through some lawyer friends that Victoria is thinking of serving you some papers Roger." Joanne said

"Woah just like in your dream babe, no wonder you were thinking preemptive strive." Ali said

"Yeah well at least now we know that we beat her and her lawyer to it." Joanne said

It was soon time to go to court, Joanne Jefferson not only brought the boho's with her, but just as in the dream they had a video of evidence that Roger was indeed a responsible parent. In the end the judge awarded Roger full custody of Brooke and granted that Victoria not have any custody of her whatsoever.