"I'm going to talk to Angela."

"I'm coming with you."

"No. I'll be back in a few hours."

XXXX

A few hours later, Olivia was very worried about Karen. Mellie didn't have anything. No formula, diapers or her favorite stuffed animal. When Mellie called and asked Olivia what to do because Karen wouldn't stop crying, Olivia asked Mellie to come get the diaper bag. Now they were sitting at the kitchen table. Karen was still crying in her car seat.

"How did you find Fitz?"

"I met him in a dream."

"I guess that's possible. Are you two a couple?"

"Yes."

"You want to raise Karen with Fitz?"

"You are going to have another baby and get married again. You shouldn't be a mom like this. You are not prepared. Go apply to college. You're going to be a nurse."

"You want to steal my baby."

"Mellie, I can have a baby. I don't need to steal your baby. I want you to have a career. You can't have that with Karen right now. If you keep this baby, you're going to be waiting tables when you're 30. Is that what you want for yourself?"

"No."

"I'm going back to work in two weeks. You have to make your decision right now. Do you want me to adopt Karen?"

Olivia was not going back and forth with Mellie. This was her last chance. If Mellie said no, Olivia was going to say goodbye to Karen. She loved Karen, but she was also tired of putting Mellie's education goals before her own. Olivia had to postpone graduate school until she could learn to balance Karen and her job. Fitz was already in graduate school. Olivia was being completely selfless when she could focus on her own career and furthering her education.

"Yes."

"Okay, I'll call the adoption agency tomorrow."

"Do you really think I can be a nurse?"

"You are going to be a great nurse. Go after your dream."

Mellie grabbed her purse and keys. "Goodbye Karen."

The baby was still crying when Mellie let herself out and walked to her car. Olivia hurriedly made a bottle and held Karen. She locked the door after Mellie left her driveway.

"I know you're scared. I'm going to finalize the adoption tomorrow. You're staying with me."

Olivia called Fitz, and he didn't answer the phone. He was probably fighting with Angela.