A/N: I'd like to thank you for supporting my new 'baby', hope you'll enjoy this chapter too. :)

Chapter Two

"I wasn't drinking," Gina protests, but I silence her with a look and turn to the police officer.

"It's true, she wasn't drinking, only her friend here," he states and we both stare at the tall, dark haired teenager, who doesn't say a word, in fact he's facing the ground avoiding our gaze.

"Thank you for bringing my daughter home, Ed," I turn my attention back to the officer, then look at Regina. "Up to your room, now," I order and she obeys me silently, probably saving her reactions for when we are alone.

"I wanted to bring her home, before I deliver this gentleman to the station," he replies and I appreciate him looking out for us and giving Gina the benefit of the doubt. He has known her all her life after all and she has managed to stay out of trouble so far.

"May I talk to him for a moment?" I feel like grabbing this chance to face the boy, to make sure he knows where we stand.

"Of course, I'll be over there," he nods and steps aside, giving us our privacy.

"It was the first time my daughter was brought home in a police car and also the last. I hope I am clear," I say slowly and powerfully and even though he doesn't peer up, I know he hears my every word loud and clear.

"Yes, ma'am," his answer is silent, but audible.

"I don't care how you ruin your life. As long as you do it outside school territory it's your father's responsibility, not mine. But I won't let you bring my daughter into any trouble, do you understand me?" I raise my voice, trying to suppress my anger as best as I can.

"I do," he replies and I wouldn't mind if he glanced at me just for a second, so I could read his face, but he doesn't. I'd like to believe it's because he is ashamed of what he did, but I've been around teenagers long enough to know it's rarely the case.

"She will be grounded for the rest of the month and I'd appreciate if you kept your distance from her in the school as well," I finish, hoping I was clear enough.

"I will," comes the silent reply and I wave to the officer who steps closer.

"We are done," I address both of them and watch as they walk to the car before I close the door.

o-o-o

I find Gina in her room, sitting on her bed, obviously waiting for me.

"What were you thinking? Drinking alcohol in public?" I shout at her, because I need to let my anger out and she must know she has crossed a line tonight that I was hoping she'd never cross, because this isn't how I raised her.

"I wasn't drinking," she repeats her previous statement, but I'm not fully convinced of the truth of it.

"Just like you weren't smoking the other night?" I bring up what I chose to stay silent about the last time.

"I wasn't," she shakes her head and even if she is telling the truth it won't help to still my anger.

"Why are you spending your free time with this boy? You have so many other friends," I ask silently this time, because I know that besides being rightfully angry with her, as her mother, I also need to try to understand the why.

"He is different," she states and I can of course agree on that.

"That he is. Smoking, drinking, what's next, drugs, sex?" The list of my fears creep back into my mind, knowing this boy has the power to ruin my daughter.

"We are just friends, he is new in town, he doesn't have any friends."

I'd like to believe her, but she has been going behind my back, hiding this 'friendship' from me, so I cannot be sure it really is only that.

"And the way he's started out, he probably won't have any," I conclude and I can see that my words hurt her.

"You don't know him, he is a nice guy," she insists and I'm not sure anymore if a friendship sounds any better than something more.

"You were collected by the police. Do you really want a record before your college application?" I confront her with reality. Just because we are living in a small town where everyone knows and respects us, it doesn't mean she can get away with breaking the law.

"No," she shakes her head and I finally see some regret in those blue eyes.

"I thought you are smarter than this," I let out my disappointment, but I want to make her see that some lines cannot be crossed, no matter how forgiving I've been with her.

"I am sorry, it won't happen again, I promise," she seems to understand that this time I am serious.

"You are grounded till the end of the month, you come straight home after school and only allowed visitors I approve of, understood?" I declare and almost feel bad for being so strict with her, even though she really deserves it this time.

I don't remember ever grounding her for more than a few days, she has really been a good girl and I may have spoiled her a little, but she's been my pride and joy for sixteen years.

"Yes," her eyes fall on the ground and I appreciate that she accepts it and doesn't protest.

"And grandma will make sure you do as I said when I'm not here."

She hasn't had a chaperone in 2 years, but she clearly needs one now, we need to make sure she stays out of trouble. Obviously I won't tell me parents what she's done exactly, because they would find a way to blame me for this, as they blame me for so many other things. While their only granddaughter has been perfect in their eyes, and even though I'm angry with her right now, I have no intension to disabuse them in this belief.

"I am not a kid anymore," she states, protesting me slightly and it raises my anger again.

"You want to be treated as an adult? Fine, but then you have to learn to take responsibility for your actions. And if I see you anywhere near that boy again, I'll take away your phone and the laptop as well," I threaten her, knowing that's something she won't risk and I'd like to avoid taking such actions too. I don't want us to be on bad terms. She is my only daughter and I'm the only parent she's got. And sometimes I wish she had stayed a kid and still needed me, like I will always need her.

"That won't be necessary," she gives up and I try to calm down and breathe again, hoping this incident will take care of the problem for once and for all.

The McVeigh boy should know better than to cross the principal of the school and I expect him to keep his promise, even if Gina tried to disobey me.

o-o-o

"I hope I'm not calling at a wrong time," Alicia's friendly voice is exactly the distraction I need in the middle of such a hectic day.

"Not at all," I smile as I lean back in my chair.

"There's a dress in the new collection that simply screams your name. Do you have time to step by the store after work to look at it?" she inquires, knowing she can get me excited with a new outfit any day.

"It's tempting," I reply and I want to say yes, but I should probably say no considering I need to be home with my daughter as soon as I can. Then again it would only take a little longer if I make a stop at the boutique and at least Alicia and I can have some much needed girl talk. "All right, thank you for thinking of me."

"Always," she says kindly and I'm about to ask for a description of the dress when there's a knock on my door and my assistant steps in.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but Keith McVeigh's father is here and he'd like to talk to you."

I have no doubt why Mr. McVeigh has come to see me, although I'm slightly surprised he appeared without making an appointment. Of course I know we need to talk and I can only hope he will be on the same page with me in the matter of our children.

"I'm sorry, Alicia, but I have to go. See you in the afternoon," I say into the phone.

"I'll be here. Bye," she hangs up and I turn to Evelyn.

"Please tell Mr. McVeigh to come in."