AN: Hello again. Sorry for the long wait. I want to thank everyone who is reading this and leaving such lovely comments. I hope you enjoy this next chapter for it will bring you back to the past and what happened years ago. Things with Sandra and C will be discuss in details in later chapters. This chapter is more for Alex and her daughter. : Enjoy and thanks again.

Chap. 10- Cry With Me

"Because I do! Because I care for you. Why is it so hard for you to understand that there are people out there that wants to care for you?" Sandra tossed back, a little frustrated but what C did caused all her frustrations to jump out the window. C kissed her.

At that moment, Sandra had let the side that adores C to take over as she let herself get lost in the kiss. Lips brushing softly as they slowly massage their companion is a passionate dance of lust and desire. C let her tongue slide across Sandra's lips, asking for permission but that wasn't what she got. Sandra suddenly jerk away from their kiss and stood up keeping a short distance from the other girl.

"Don't say anything." C spoke before Sandra was able to say anything. "Let's just forget that happened." C said once more but didn't sound too convincing. On the other hand Sandra knew this was coming so it didn't surprise her but she was hurt nonetheless.

"What happened C?" Sandra spoke softly, trying to sound as if she wasn't affected by the sudden kiss earlier.

"It doesn't matter anymore." Cara replied just as soft as she curled herself more into the bench. Sandra just wanted to run to her and hug her tight. She wanted to comfort the girl but didn't know how without C pushing her away. However, Sandra took her chances and did what she wanted to. She walked over to the shivering girl and sat next to her. S could feel the girl tense at her action but did nothing to stop her. S then wrapped an arm around like she did earlier and to her surprise C didn't pull away. It took C a few moments to relax against Sandra but when she finally did, she broke down.

"It's okay…" S cooed, placing her other hand to stoke the crying girl's hair. Sandra and Cara sat like that for awhile or so with the sound of C's sobbing filling the cold night's air.

Back home, Marissa had came over the minute Alex had called and told her what happened. It's been a long time since Marissa have seen Alex in such distress. She remembers well the last time she saw Alex like that…it was the same reason why Carolyn is upset now. Oh how life keep going in circles.

"She said she hated me…" Alex said after sipping her tea, trying to keep a brave face.

"She doesn't mean it. She was just upset at the time." Marissa reassure her.

"I wouldn't blame her if she does." Alex replied sadly as if someone has stolen all the joy in her life.

"Just talk to her, she'll understand." Marissa uttered, trying her best not to let any tears escape at the sight of her the one person she loves in such pain. And that was the last of words spoken between the two. They just sat in silence across from each other in a dim lidded room.

Sandra had been sitting there for who knows how long holding on to Cara, comforting the smaller girl as she slowly stop her crying. C pulled away slightly when she realized what she was doing for the past hour. The sudden lost of heat from the closeness caused both girls to shiver as slight breeze blew through the cap now visible between the girls.

"Are you feeling better?" Sandra spoke up after a bit.

"Yeah." C's replied was short, "Thank you." This caused S to smile a bit.

"C, what happened tonight?" S asked, curious to what caused the normally brave girl to breakdown like that.

"I found out that Alex and your mom was the reason my mother died." C let out honestly and S was taken aback. She wasn't ready for C to actually tell her what happened but she did and the story behind it that included her mother shocked her.

"What do you mean? I though Alex was…" S was confused.

"Alex is my legal guardian after my mother died when I was born." C explained while looking at the floor, her legs still pulled up to her chest. "I got a call today from my grandma and she told me everything when I mentioned your mother's name." C let out, turning to look at Sandra now. Sandra couldn't help it but her eyes were wide unsure what to really say. Sandra never asked her mother about her past for the past was the past and she didn't need to know. It seems like the moment her mother met Alex again, everything seems to catch up to her mother. "Grand told me that at Alex and mom's engagement party your mother came back," C looked away now as tears starts to fall out once more but before C was able to finish her story the faint sound of foot steps approach them.

"Mum!" Sandra said in surprise as Marissa appeared. After the brief time with Alex, Marissa decided that the girl needed some alone time and when she arrived home, she found out that her daughter had went out. Marissa knew where her daughter could be and decided to took a chance and to her surprise, her driver took her to the place she needed to be.

"Sandra, can you get in the car and wait for me sweetie? There's something I want to tell Carolyn." Marissa told her daughter who looked back at C to make sure it was okay before she walked away hesitantly. "May I sit down?" Marissa asked an upset looking girl. C didn't reply but Marissa took a seat anyways.

"What are you doing here?" C finally spoke, the harshness clearly there.

"I want to talk to you." Marissa said simply. "I saw Alex before I came here and she believes you now hate her." Marissa let out and she could see a little reaction from C. "I know you're upset right now Carolyn about what you were told today but try and let Alex tell her side of the story before you decide anything." Marissa told her softly.

"What difference would it make?" C shot back harshly.

"More then you think." Marissa replied just as calmly. "Alex loves you, don't ever doubt that." Marissa added.

"Aren't you going to tell me your story?" Cara asked not really sure if she wanted to listen to it.

"Would you listen if I did?" Marissa answered.

"Try me." C decided she wanted to know.

"What do you want to know?" Marissa was ready to talk to the younger girl.

"Were you there the day my mother died?" Cara cut to the chase.

"Yes." Marissa replied sadly.

"Why did you come back? Why did you leave Alex but come back to ruin what she had with mom?" Cara asked and every word was like a knife cutting into Marissa.

"I didn't want to." Marissa let out sadly.

"Then why did you!" Cara stood up from where she was, tears streaming down her beautiful face. "If you didn't come back my mother wouldn't have died!" Cara shouted and every word had an affect on Marissa. Marissa knew this was true. She knew that without the presence that day, Haylee would have still been alive.

"I'm sorry." Marissa let out. "Blame me all you want because I deserve it but let Alex explain before you walk out on her. She needs you." Marissa stood up and walked away, "I called a car for you. Go home and talk to her. You owe her that much." Marissa finished before leaving the upset girl.

Cara stood there for the longest time, tears still flowing down her now rose cheeks, debating on whether or not she wanted to go home. Marissa was right, she needed to hear what Alex had to say but she wasn't sure we could handle it. After everything tonight, she doesn't know if she could still keep up her daily façade. But instead of letting her head keep debating on the pros and cons, she let her heart decide and it wanted its mother. The one that was with her all those years.

"Cara!" Alex said, surprised when she saw her little girl walked into the room. Alex was hesitant on whether she should hug the girl or not and decided that it was best not to. Not yet.

"What happened 17 years ago Alex?" C spoke up once she was brave enough. "I want you to tell me it wasn't your fault." C commanded.

"Then I would be lying to you." Alex said honestly

"Then tell me the truth." C was ready to listen. She was ready to face what was hidden from her all these years.

"What do you want to know?" Alex asked and C noticed how much she sounded like Marissa when she asked her that question earlier.

"Everything. Everything between you, mom and Marissa." C demanded and Alex obliged.

"Marissa and I met way before I met your mother." Alex started, "When our relationship ended I was so devastated I moved away from her and it was then that I met Haylee, your mom. Your mom helped me through the depression I was going through and she made me happy…" Alex was having a hard time reliving things.

"But you still loved Marissa." C interjected.

"I did but I was trying to forget and I knew I would eventually be able to love your mother the way I loved Marissa." Alex told her, "That was until Haylee wanted to go on a trip to Newport." Alex let out.

"Where grandma lives." C pointed out, "So did Marissa." C concluded.

"When I saw Marissa again all those feelings I tried leaving behind came rushing back." Alex was getting emotional.

"So you cheated on mom." C said with such disgusted.

"I didn't no matter how much I wanted to be with Marissa. Marissa wouldn't let me." Alex told her and she could see the change in Cara. "I caused Haylee so much pain that to this very day I am not able to forgive myself." Alex was crying now, she was reliving that horrible day when Haylee told her what happened.

"What happened?" Cara wanted to know.

"Because I was stupid and only cared about my own needs I neglected hers and she was hurt and taken advantage of." Alex spoke quietly hoping Cara would get the meaning without her having to say it out right. By the looks of it, it seems like Cara got the message loud and clear. Cara's tears started spilling out of her eyes rapidly as she realized the situation.

"No…" Alex wanted to hug the girl but Cara didn't let her, "Then what happen?"

"She left me. She didn't want to ever see me again and that's when she turned to Marissa." Alex told her, sadness and guilt shown in her eyes. "Marissa and I did get back together briefly before everything became crazy. I found out that Marissa and Haylee became good friends and that Haylee was keeping a huge secret from me." Alex continued.

"Me." Cara confirmed as Alex nodded.

"Yes. The night Marissa told me about you I knew I had to be there. I knew Haylee needed me." Alex told her. "Marissa understood and left Newport and moved to New York. I stayed with Haylee and I even purposed." Alex continued telling the story but got up to go get something in her study. She came back with a piece of paper in hand. "The day of our engagement party, Haylee left me this letter and left. That's when she was in a car accident where she had you and left us forever." Alex was openly crying at the memory as she gave C the letter from Haylee years ago. Cara was hesitant in reading it and decided she needed to.

Alex,

I'm siting here thinking of reasons why I should just stop this letter, go outside right now and enjoy this party with you. I can name for you several but I won't. I can't. This was a mistake from the beginning Alex and we both knew it. Despite all the effort on my part to push you away, I couldn't. I used your guilt to keep you close to me. It was wrong but I needed you. Or so I thought. I'm not the one who needs you Alex. Marissa needs you and you need her. I see the way you look when you think of her and I just wish sometimes it's me you were thinking of. I don't blame you for anything anymore, I never did. Please forgive me for I'm trying to do the right thing and that's you and Marissa. Don't take this as me leaving you Alex cause I'm not. I'll never leave you. Take this as me letting you go.

goodbye,

Hays.

Cara was crying now as she finishes the letter. She couldn't believe everything Alex has told her about their lives.

"Was Marissa there that day?" Cara wanted to know if her grandmother's words were right.

"Yes. She came back not knowing that your mom and I were getting married. She didn't even know she was going to our engagement until she got there. Her best friend, Summer tricked her into coming and the minute she saw me she ran away. If you want someone to blame for your mom's death, blame me." Alex let out.

"So all these years taking care of me are out of guilt?" Cara brought up the one thing that was bugging her.

"No!" Alex replied quickly. "I love you as if you were my own daughter. You are my daughter and nothing will change how much I love you…" Alex said sincerely as she stood up tears still streaming down her face, "I know you must really hate me now but I just want you to know that you're my little girl and will always be…biological or not." Alex let out as she walked slowly away from the younger girl.

"I don't hate you." Cara said suddenly causing Alex to stop and turn around to see her girl crying just like she is. "I love you mom." She finished.

Truth hurts sometimes but its what the truth brings that allows for a new beginning.