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"I'll tell you what; I can't even come home for my mother's funeral without people hitting each other." Karen complained once they were all in the car. Will was driving, she was in the front and Jack was sitting in the middle, back seat. He rushed them out of the house so quickly that Karen didn't even see the stares of the men that Jack was talking to.

"Karebear, I'm sorry but I had to. They were saying some really messed up things about you."

"Like what, Poodle?" she asked as she turned around in her seat to face him. "What could they have possibly said that could make you hit someone?" He took a deep breath and looked up into her hazel eyes. She tilted her head slightly to the side and patiently awaited his response.

"They said that…that they used to pay you to suck their cocks." He admitted. He noticed her face fall and turn ghostly pale. Her breathing became a little faster and she looked over to Will who was trying his hardest to keep control while driving. "Oh my God, Kare, you didn't?"

"Honey, I was fifteen, pregnant, and scared. I was too young to get a real job and there was no other way for me to make money so I could leave. Please don't judge me, Poodle. I'm so ashamed." She said, quickly. He blinked twice before asking the obvious question.

"You were pregnant?"

"Yeah, honey, I was."

"At fifteen, but I thought you were a virgin until college." He said, remembering a conversation that they had had when they first met.

"Technically I was." She said. She never really wanted to have to tell Jack her secret, but she couldn't very well lie to him. Plus, she could trust him with her life. He was her best friend after all. He gave her a quizzical look before it all seemed to click in his head.

"You were…"

"Honey, you don't have to say it. We all know, alright? Please just don't tell anyone. You and Will are the only ones who know and I'd like to keep it that way."

"I'm so sorry, Karebear." He said as he took his seatbelt off and hugged her like she would disappear. She hugged him as well and held back some leftover tears that seemed to want to fall more and more frequently. She felt weak and pulled back from his embrace. "I love you, Karen." He used her full first name so she knew how serious he was.

"I know, Jack. I love you too."

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July 26

My first day at Grace Adler Designs was, what I thought, a success. She tried to teach me things about fax machines and other forms of machinery that I will never be able to make work. I don't think she really cares, though. All of Stan and my high society friends seem to like her work so I think she'll let me stay. She's the first real person in a long time that I have met who seems alive. I love how inspired she is.

I met her best friend as well. His name is Will and I can't stand him. He's such a self centered prick. He walked into the office and completely ignored me at first. Then after Grace introduced us he didn't seem to care. His only worry was the fact that his lover of seven years was moving their stuff out of his apartment. I understand why he's so upset, but he could have at least had some common courtesy. I was, however, surprised to find out that he was gay. I never got the gay vibe from him. I don't think he's completely gay, though. I'm pretty sure he got a good look at my ass when he left.

A couple of weeks past and life was getting back to normal. Will continued to read the old journal and Karen was finally herself again. She didn't cry as much as she did the week of her mother's death. She was able to let go.

Jack kept Karen's secret safe within his soul. He wasn't even tempted to tell anyone because he knew how much it meant to her. Grace had surpassed her due date and was miserable. She spent a lot of time with Karen since Leo was on his last trip with Doctor's Without Borders. He wanted to make one last large chunk of money before the baby was born. Too bad he would possibly miss the birth.

"I'm so fucking hot! Why is it so hot in here?" Grace complained as Karen walked over to her and handed her a bottle of water. She sat down on the couch and pulled a blanket over her legs.

"Honey, we turned the air on for you. It's not hot, you are." She said, taking a sip of her water.

"I want this thing out of me. I'm ready now."

"It won't be long, Gracie. You just need to be patient."

"Oh so now you're all full of wisdom? You've never had a kid, Karen. You have no idea what this is like." She said, full of venom.

"You don't have to be such a bitch. I'm just trying to help." She said as she stood up and walked to the kitchen to get a jar of green olives. She started eating them and walked back over to the couch.

"I'm sorry, Kare. I'm so insensitive." She apologized, tearing up a little. Karen rolled her eyes.

"Your hormones are crazy, honey. Here, have an olive." She said, popping an olive into Grace's mouth. Grace cringed at the sudden taste.

"Why are you eating olives?"

"I've been craving them like crazy here lately." Grace smiled. Sometimes Karen was so strange.

"Ouch. This damn thing kicks all the time." Karen sat her olives down on the coffee table before looking at Grace again.

"Can I?" she asked. Grace nodded and she put her hand on her friend's swollen belly. She smiled when the baby kicked and added her other hand.

"You look like such a dork, Kare." Grace giggled.

"I do not, honey. I'm just excited for you." She replied. The baby kicked again and Karen's smile grew.

"Will you be her godmother?" Karen's head shot up.

"What? Oh, honey, I'm flattered, but I don't think I'm your best choice. Maybe you should ask your sister."

"No. I want it to be you. You really don't get much of a say in this because I know how stubborn you are. Leo and I both agreed that if anything ever happened to us then you and Will are in charge." She said. She stood and pulled Karen up into a hug. "Now, I have to pee." She said abruptly. They both laughed, but suddenly stopped when they felt a burst of water hit their feet. "Oh my God."

"Did your water just break?" Karen asked softly. They remained still, half hugging, as Grace nodded her head in panic. Karen licked her lips. "Honey, get your bag and I'm going to wipe off my feet and get some shoes." She said, pulling away.

Karen was thankful that Driver was downstairs with the limo. She and Grace were on their way to the hospital in a flash. Karen called both Will and Jack and they were on their way as well. Grace was terrified, but Karen kept her as calm as she could all the way to the hospital.