Words

"You want to talk about it?" Kevin asked hesitantly. Between the two of them, they had barely uttered five words since leaving the house, but there was no doubt what was on her mind…or his.

Kelly looked up, her eyes still shimmering with tears. "I don't even know what to say," she softly responded. "Nothing makes any sense."

"It doesn't have to." He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer to him. "You just talk and maybe…I don't know…maybe it'll make it better."

She sat down with a heavy sigh, her eyes closing as the image of Joey's face flashed back into her mind. "You didn't see him, Kevin. You didn't see his face."

"I know…I know I didn't." This morning the hurt had been replaced, at least in part, by anger, but last night…last night he couldn't imagine how hurt Joey would have been.

"What did he say to you?" he asked, not certain he really wanted to know.

"That's just it," she responded sadly. "He didn't say anything. If he'd screamed or yelled—if he'd been angry…I don't know. I think….I think I could have dealt with that, but he looked so hurt, so sad. He just stood there." She shook her head, in an effort to physically shake the images from her remembrance. "You just…you didn't see him."

Reaching out, he took her hand in his. "We'll talk to him. Somehow…Someway….we'll make this work."

Kelly shook her head. "I don't know, Kevin. I don't know that there are enough words to fix this."

"Wow, that was quick," Joey forced a smile as he opened the door.

"Yeah, well, when you send a Buchanan jet to pick a girl up, things happen kind of fast," she smiled, stepping into the room. Looking at Joey's face, she sighed. "I take it this wasn't a social call to catch up with a good friend."

"I wish," Joey sighed. "Not that I don't want to catch up," he quickly added. "I do…and not that you're not a good friend, you are…"

"Joey," she stopped him, holding up her hand. "Just tell me what's going on."

He shook his head, almost embarrassed to say her name. Walking over to the couch, he motioned for her to sit down, gesturing to the coffee pot and cups displayed in front of them. "It's Kelly," he said quietly.

"Joey," she groaned, casting her eyes upward. "You haven't given up on that yet?"

"You don't understand. We were happy. We were in love. We got married," he protested. "It's just…"

"Just what?" All of that was clearly in the past. It didn't take a professional to figure that out.

"It's over now…She's with someone else."

"Who?" she asked, her interest slightly peaked. Joey was a good guy, and even Kelly knew it. Despite her personal opinion of her, she'd always thought she loved Joey, and she had to admit she was surprised to hear she'd found someone new.

"My brother," Joey admitted sadly.

eX..or soon to be

"A new normal" That's what she'd said when he'd asked her, point blank, how he would get through this. Those words became his mantra of sorts, and somehow…eventually…he began to feel better.

"You ready for this?" she asked, descending the stairway, surprised to find him already up and dressed.

He looked back, smiling in spite of himself when he saw her. Knowing that Kelly was with his brother hurt in a way he couldn't adequately describe and sometimes he thought he wouldn't make it through the day, but then she'd call, or stop by and it would seem bearable—even if just for a little while.

"As ready as I'm gonna get, I think," he admitted.

"At least she called you," she smiled, touching his arm lightly and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "She obviously wants you involved."

He nodded. "I know she does, I just…I don't if…" He stopped. He wanted to be there…needed to be there, but every time he saw her with his brother another piece of him died. It was the way she smiled when he touched her. The way her shoulders relaxed when he reached up and straightened the collar of her coat. All the things she used to do with him….

"Joey…"

"Yeah, sorry…," He looked over at her as she now sat down on the lowest step. "In case I haven't said it lately, I can't tell you how much it means to me that you're here. Sometimes it seems like you're the only friend I have."

"You know that's not true. You have plenty of friends. Besides, I can remember plenty of times that you were here for me."

His brows furrowed, "Name one," he scoffed.

"You helped me move that time, remember? And you helped me find the perfect place for that painting."

"Oh yeah," he smiled. "That was a great sacrifice."

"You listened to me talk about my Mom," she said, her voice lowering a little, "And you never made me feel like I was a burden for needing someone to talk to."

"You weren't," he said.

"Neither are you," she smiled. "Besides, it gets kind of lonely with no one to rescue."

"Oh." He laughed then, a real laugh…like one he hadn't experienced in quite some time. "So now, I'm a new project?"

"Maybe," she smiled, looking up at him. "But, maybe if I'm lucky…this time there's a chance for something more."

"Maybe he's not coming," Kelly shifted uncomfortably on the bench. "He sounded really weird when I called."

"Joey wouldn't miss this," Kevin assured her. "He's might be upset with me and maybe even upset with the situation, but this baby is important to him. He loves this kid. He's not going to mess this up."

She rubbed her belly protectively. "I just hope he's not so angry with me that…" Her voice trailed off.

"Hey," he whispered, reaching over to take her hand. "Joey cares about you. He couldn't stay angry at you even if he wanted to."

"Sorry I'm late." Joey appeared in the hallway, glancing over at Kevin and nodding slightly as an acknowledgement of his presence. "Is he, uh..staying?"

Kevin sighed. Joey had barely said a word to him directly since this whole mess took place. He'd speak to him through Kelly and when he absolutely had to on the phone, but that was it.

"No, I'm gonna go," Kevin replied, ignoring Joey's obvious silent treatment. "The two of you need to have this time together."

Joey nodded, holding out his hand to Kelly. "You ready?"

Kelly nodded, taking a deep breath before standing up. "See you later," called back to Kevin as she looked over her shoulder.

He smiled back at her as they walked away.

Years

There weren't words, at least not any that made any sense, to describe what he felt as he stared at the image in his hands. A black and white screenshot of what, up until a few moments ago, might have looked to him like a strange alien life form. Now, he realized as he inhaled deeply, he looked at the first real photo of his daughter. Sensing Kelly's presence beside him, he looked up, meeting her eyes for the first time.

"Thanks," he managed, his voice more than a little hoarse, a mix of stress and overwhelming emotions. "Thanks for inviting me here."

She stared at him, a bit taken aback by his words. "Of course I invited you," she responded, making her way towards a bench outside the door. "You honestly thought I'd do something like this without you?"

Joey's eyes studied the floor. He didn't want to think that. In fact every day he fought those thoughts as they invaded his mind. The thought of Kevin taking his place in her bed, in her heart, in her life, but the truth was, he feared the reality of it happening more than anything else.

His silence was answer enough.

"Do you have some time?" she asked.

"I'll be glad to drive you home if you need me to," Joey offered, assuming that was the point behind her question.

"No." She shook her head. "I'm actually a little hungry and I thought maybe we could grab a bite to eat and talk."

"Oh." He hoped he didn't appear as shocked as he felt. The last time Kelly had initiated a serious conversation with him, she'd asked him for a divorce. The papers, he thought. Was she upset that he hadn't returned them yet?

"I'll sign the papers," he responded, looking her in the eyes. "I just…I don't know…I couldn't do it yet."

Kelly nodded. "That's not what I want to talk to you about," she smiled. "Unless…I mean…unless you have other plans."

"No. I don't…I mean, that would be good…talking is good."

She nodded, leading the way towards the car.

A small smile crept on her lips as she sat in the chair and felt herself being gently pushed forward. Joey was always the perfect gentleman….even when they were younger; he'd always amazed her with his charm.

"Thanks," she whispered. She looked up, still wondering about his quick acceptance of her impromptu invitation. "You sure you didn't have anything planned today?"

"I'm sure," he said. "There's no one waiting for me."

Kelly smiled again. "That's not what I've heard."

"Have you been talking to Jessica?" Joey leaned back slightly in the chair. He certainly wouldn't say his love life was taking off, but things had been getting slightly more serious with Dorothy. At first she was a friend—a friend willing to listen, but lately….lately it had been less about listening and more about talking about anything, everything….. She made him laugh and he'd missed that.

"I'm happy for you. I want you to be happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you."

He nodded, feeling a little uncomfortable discussing a potential new relationship with his not quite ex-wife. A change of subject was definitely in order. "So, uh…what did you want to talk about," he asked?

Kelly looked at him, her eyes searching his for signs of his mood. "I want you to understand that Kevin and I….we don't have anything to do with the relationship you're going to have with this baby."

Joey felt his body tense with the mere mention of his brother's name. "Kel," he began. "We don't have to talk about this."

"We do," she protested. "I need you to understand that you don't have to thank me for including you in this child's life. You're going to be a part of her life. You're her father…that's never going to change." She looked across the table at him, aware of the thought that was running through his mind at that very moment.

"And I wouldn't want it to," she said, reaching over and taking his hand. "Honest."

Joey smiled. She knew him almost as well as he knew himself…sometimes he thought she might know him better. "Thanks for saying that."

"I'm not just saying it. I mean it. Just because Kevin and I are together, there's no reason that you and I can't be friends…there's no reason we can't be important to each other and care about each other and raise this little girl together."

"Have you told Kevin all this?" he asked.

"Kevin would never want to keep you away from your child, Joey." She looked across at him again. "Your brother loves you. I know you're angry with him and I get it…I do, but he loves you and it kills him that you're still not speaking to him."

"Trust me. He doesn't want to hear what I have to say."

"I think he does," Kelly rebutted. "The fact that you aren't saying anything is much worse than anything you could say to him. He needs to know what you're thinking…what you're feeling. If you want do it for him, do it for you."

"I am doing this for me." Joey sighed, pushing the napkin, which was now in complete shreds away from his reach. "I can't keep flipping out on him over and over again. I need to find some way to be able to keep my composure and I found that way. I just pretend he doesn't exist. In my world, I don't have a brother." As he said the words, the familiar ache returned…the relationship with Kelly had been heartbreaking to lose, but sometimes losing the relationship with Kevin almost seemed more unbearable.

"Joey," she sighed, looking at him, desperately trying to reach him. "What about her?"

"Who?"

"Our daughter," she responded quietly. "Do it for her. Don't let her be born into a family with this kind of anger. Make peace with your brother…if not for the two of you, for her."

Zane

He stood outside the swinging doors, his eyes darting to attention every time they opened. The last four months had gone by in a blur. Between preparing for the baby, working at the Banner, and trying to find time for a relationship with Kelly, he'd felt as if he were trapped in a whirlwind. That fact that his interactions with his brother were still cold at best did nothing to make the situation less stressful. Yet today, of all days, they were all here…all with the same purpose…welcoming a new baby girl into the Buchanan family.

Kelly smiled as she lay back in the hospital bed. She was exhausted, but happy. The look on Joey's face as he held their daughter had quelled any fears she might have had about his resentment about the situation. She wasn't sure she'd even seen him blink since they'd placed her in his arms.

"She's so beautiful," he whispered as he walked towards the bed, extending the wrapped pink bundle so that Kelly could take her.

Kelly nodded with a smile. "I can't believe she's here."

"You know" Joey leaned in taking one more peek before taking a seat in the chair by the bed, "This little girl needs a name. We can't keep calling her She…although I bet she'd be the only She in Llanview."

"She'd be the only She in the world and with good reason," Kelly giggled. "I've actually been thinking about names," she whispered, grimacing slightly as she readjusted in bed. "I know it sounds a little weird, but I want her name to mean something..not just be pretty or trendy or…"

Joey's forced his eyes wider, "You mean, Kelly Cramer doesn't base every decision on fashion? I'm shocked."

"Stop it," she smiled. "I'm serious….I was thinking about naming her after my family and maybe your Mom."

Joey smiled, suddenly realizing she was serious. "You mean Melinda?"

"Well, actually…I was thinking about Cramer…I know it's different and all, but I want her to be different and unique and anything she wants to be…Cramer Victoria Buchanan….What do you think?"

Joey stood, walking towards the door. "Well, I think we need to introduce her."

Kevin looked up immediately upon hearing the door. Joey's face stood in front of him. "She's here," he said, not able to muster his normal hostility. "Come meet her."

"I think it's a great name. A special name for a special girl…" Kevin felt his own voice shake a little as he held her. In his mind it was merely days ago that Zane had been this small and he remembered holding him in his arms many nights just like this.

Kelly watched him as he stood there, knowing exactly what the moment had been like. From the second they'd placed Cramer in her arms, the first thing she thought of is how her little face reminded her of Zane. The fact that one could experience sheer joy and sheer devastation simultaneously amazed her.

"Kevin," Joey spoke, aware of the silence that took over the room as the word escaped his lips.

Kevin halted for a moment, unsure of how to respond. His brother hadn't initiated a conversation with him in months. "Yeah…"

"I probably should have talked with Kelly about this earlier, but I didn't…but I'm sure she wouldn't have a problem with it. I've got something I want to ask you…something about Cramer."

Kelly's felt the tears sting at her eyes as she realized Joey's intention. Of all the things he could have said and all the things he could have done, she couldn't think of anything that would have meant more than this…in this moment.

"You and I have had our issues this past year," he began, clearing his throat as the all too familiar lump began to rise in it, "But I don't know that I really realized until today just how little it all matters." He looked up at his brother. "We're family—brothers and I love you."

"I love you too, Joe. I hope you know that and I hope you know that I never wanted you to get hurt in all this. I would never, ever intentionally set out to do anything to…"

Joey put up his hand. "I know, Kev. I also know how much you've been through this past year. I loved Zane, but you were his father and he couldn't have asked for a better one."

Reaching up, Kevin wiped his eyes quickly. Hearing those words from his brother meant more than he would ever be able to explain. "Thank you," he managed to choke out.

"I mean it," Joey finished. "I was there with you in London and I saw how much you loved that boy. I saw what a good father you were and I hope that I can be that kind of father for Cramer." He looked back at Kelly, receiving a reassuring nod as an incentive to continue. "I'm glad you're going to be in her life, Kev. A kid can never have too much love, and if you'll accept it, I'd really like you to be her godfather. If I can't raise my daughter, I couldn't think of anyone better than you to take my place."

Kevin stood in stunned silence for a moment, his voice so shaky that he didn't completely trust it to speak. After a minute, he looked up at his brother, walking over to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'd be honored," he whispered.

9 Months Later

Kelly looked around the table, still amazed at the progress that had been made in less than a year. Joey, Dorothy, Vikki, Clint, Jessica , Christian, Natalie and Brody all sat around the table chattering and waiting for the meal to begin.

Vikki stood at the head of the table, glancing over at Clint and smiling. "I'm so happy you could all be here," she smiled.

"For this rather unconventional Thanksgiving gathering," Clint added with a sly smile.

Natalie quipped, "What this isn't normal?"

The room filled with nervous laughter, until Vikki made eye contact with her daughter to shoot her a disapproving look. "I thought that since this was Thanksgiving and since we are all together, we could go around the table and have everyone tell what they're grateful for."

Vikki looked around the table, studying the none too thrilled looks of her guests. "Oh, come on," she prodded. "It'll be a nice tradition. I'll start. I'm thankful that everyone could be here today and that everyone has made it through this year with their happiness and their health." She looked over at Clint. "Your turn," she smiled.

"Do I have to be serious?" One look at Vikki and he had his answer. "I'm thankful to be back where I belong…back at home with the woman I love and with my kids….Happy and healthy..may it be the same next year. Alright sweetheart," he glanced over at Natalie. "I believe you're up.

"I'm thankful for a happy, healthy baby boy and for a wonderful man to raise him with." She smiled as she looked over at Brody and nodded.

"I'm thankful to be a part of this family…and that I can share my life with the woman I love and watch my son grow up."

Jessica sat up straighter and spoke, looking over at Christian. "I'm thankful for true love…the kind that never dies…and for the health and happiness of my children and family."

Christian smiled back at her adding, "I'm thankful that I finally figured out where I belong and that we're all here together to celebrate all the love and happiness we all have."

Joey looked up, realizing it was indeed his turn. "I'm thankful for a beautiful little girl and for a wonderful family." He looked over at Dorothy. "And for you," he added. "I'm thankful that you were here when I needed you most…and that you stayed because now I can't imagine my life without you."

Dorothy squeezed his hand lightly. "I'm thankful for the love of a wonderful man and for the acceptance of his wonderful family."

Kelly had been thinking as everyone spoke. She had so much to be thankful for this year, but sometimes the grief that still remained seemed to overshadow all the gratitude. She slowly began, "I'm thankful for this day and for every day. It's precious. I'm thankful for Kevin and my beautiful baby girl who is truly a gift. I'm thankful that I have a wonderful family both around this table and throughout this town that love and support me, and I'm grateful that my little girl will always know that she's loved by a mother, and a father, and countless other people.

Kevin smiled as she spoke, understanding the feeling she experienced. "I'm thankful for second or third," He glanced over at Kelly, "maybe fourth chances at love and life." Reaching over a little, he gently brushed the hair on Cramer's head. She smiled and giggled, grateful for the attention.

"And even though we're missing some our family this year," He squeezed Kelly's hand as he heard her intake of breath, "I'm most thankful that there are others that have joined us to help us make it through.