The moment that the Elliott Bay Towers came into view, her heart clinched in her chest. She knew that Frasier, Martin and Niles would want to know about her visit with Donny. But what could she possibly say? She couldn't tell them the truth; that Donny had dismissed the situation, placing the blame on Daphne and Niles. The entire visit had been a horrible nightmare; one from which she feared that she might never wake up.
In the parking garage, she slowed her car to a stop and turned off the ignition. Using the same relaxation technique as before, she took several deep breaths and slowly let them out. She had no idea what she was going to say when she finally entered the condo. They were all expecting an explanation. But just the thought that Donny wanted absolutely nothing to do with his unborn son or daughter hurt her so deeply that it was hard to breathe.
And then it occurred to her that she didn't have to tell them anything. She could just put on a fabricated smile and pretend that everything was all right. That Donny was supportive, happy and understanding about the news that he was going to be a father. That he-
No, she couldn't do it. She couldn't lie to the men that she loved so much. It wasn't right. It wasn't fair. And she knew that she'd never be able to fabricate such a story. Brushing away the relentless tears, she climbed out of the car and made her way through the lobby. It was perhaps fate that Morrie was engaged in conversation with someone else and seemed not to notice her presence. She simply didn't have the energy to strike up a conversation with him, much less begin to explain why her face was streaked with tears and that she looked absolutely awful. He was her friend, and had been since the day that she'd moved into the Elliott Bay Towers.
The confines of the elevator provided a strange comfort, surrounding her with the soft elevator music that Martin often referred to as muzak. Who ever heard of such a silly name? But if she'd ever found the songs that were played as she was whisked to the nineteenth floor annoying, they had suddenly become soothing. Perhaps it was because was finally home, where she belonged.
Despite the calmness, her heart was pounding in her chest and she suddenly felt light headed. The ride seemed to take forever and she was only vaguely aware of the familiar whoosh and gentle shaking before the elevator finally came to a stop on the nineteenth floor. The doors opened and she found herself looking at the door that led to her home; condo 1901.
She froze at the doorway, doing her best to will away her tears. She couldn't let Frasier, Martin or Niles see how upset she was. How helpless she felt. She had no idea what she would say once she walked through the door, but she knew one thing. They loved her; she believed that now. And she hoped that their love was enough to get her through it.