Brooke moaned out loud as she sank her teeth into the Hostess cupcake. They were her favorite guilty pleasure and one she usually indulged in when she was sad, stressed, or upset. Lucas often would have to hide them from her and they had become her number one "sex substitute" all those times when he was away on the road.

"No hubby but at least I've got you guys", she shrugged as she bit into cupcake number four.

She desperately needed to wind down from her time in Switzerland and France. It was nice to be alone once again, the silence was no longer suffocating. In the sanctity of her own home she could just be. She closed her eyes and looked forward to another day of lounging and doing absolutely nothing. She could be alone with the peace, the quiet and the cupcakes. The very thought brought a smile to her face, one which completely faded as soon as the telephone rang.

She had changed the number three times in the last month alone to avoid the pesky reporters but someway, somehow they always managed to track her down. The voice mail service hadn't been added yet so the phone just rang and rang and rang some more. When she couldn't take the noise any longer, she finally picked up the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Brooke?"

"Who is this?"

"Hi. It's me…it's Karen."

Brooke nearly choked on her dessert at the mere sound of her mother in law's voice. The two women had always gotten along but they were not what anyone would describe as close. In the Lucas vs. Brooke war, it was coming down to family and friends taking sides and there was no question in Brooke's mind where Karen's loyalty would lie. The conversation was going to be interesting as well as awkward.

"So…I guess you've heard everything."

"If everything means that my son temporarily lost him mind and permanently ruined his marriage, causing his wife to justifiably leave him…then yes. I have heard everything."

"So you didn't call here to lecture me? Is it safe to say you won't beg me to forgive Lucas? Because I swear, Karen, if I hear one more person pleading his case…"

"No, it's nothing like that. I promise you, Brooke. Lucas did a very bad thing and granted he's very sorry, I can only imagine how much he hurt you. This is your life and your marriage and ultimately your decision. I won't try to sway you or judge you. Believe it or not, I understand. Even about the baby…"

"Karen…"

"No. Let me finish. That was my grandchild and uh, I'm really sad that you decided not to have the baby but I do respect your decision. I'm sure it wasn't an easy choice for you."

"No, it wasn't."

"I hope that in time and when you're feeling better, maybe you guys could give it another go. But regardless…I hope this doesn't affect us. I don't want you to become a stranger, Brooke."

Brooke took a deep breath.

"Look, I appreciate the call and I appreciate you being nice to me but who are we kidding here, Karen? I know I'm not the wife that you had envisioned for your son."

"Brooke…"

"You always wanted someone for him more like Haley or Peyton. I know that you never liked me very much. We have nothing in common and you know that's true."

"Actually it's not", Karen spoke up. "Look, when I first met you, I admit I thought you were a little, well…nutty, for lack of a better word. But then I saw you with Lucas. For ten years I have watched you two together and no one takes care of him or loves him like you do. I respect that. And I respect you too, Brooke. And I'm sorry it took me ten years to tell you that.

Brooke's eyes stung with tears. She had cried so much over the last few weeks that according to her doctor, she had cried herself right into an infection of the tear ducts.

"Karen…I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. I'm not taking sides or anything because I love you both but I'm here for you of you need anything, Brooke. I hope that's enough for you."

"It's more than enough", Brooke said quietly.

"Well, I don't want to hold you. I know you could use your rest so why don't you give me a ring sometime when you're feeling better."

"Okay…um, Karen?"

"Yes, Brooke?"

"Remember you told me the story about Dan and when you got pregnant with Lucas. I know you loved Dan very much and he sort of abandoned and betrayed you. As angry and hurt as you were…how close was Lucas to not even existing?"

Karen took a deep breath.

"It's true. Dan did want me to have an abortion but that's something I chose not to do. I realized that it wasn't just Dan's child…that it was my baby, too. And I realized I wanted my child in my life."

"Yeah", Brooke nodded. "I guess that makes sense."

"It's a scary thing, Brooke. But it was your decision and you shouldn't have to justify or explain it…"

"I didn't", Brooke began to cry.

"What?"

"I didn't have the abortion. Karen, I'm still pregnant."

"But Lucas went to Geneva and he said…"

"He doesn't know. We fought in Switzerland and he begged me not to do it. I didn't give him an answer and the next day I went to the clinic but at the last minute I couldn't do it. I guess I realized that I want my child in my future too."

"Wow", Karen said taken aback. "I…I really don't know what to say. I mean, I am happy. I just…hon, I really think you should tell Lucas. I know you don't want to hear it but it is his baby too and he does care and he has a right to know. Regardless of your feelings for each other, this child is going to bond you guys for life."

"I know."

"Brooke, he never meant to hurt you…"

"That doesn't really matter", Brooke sighed. "In the end it hurts all the same."

Brooke felt surprisingly better after her chat with Karen. It felt good to have support from someone who semi understood. It also felt good to come clean and admit that she had chickened out on the abortion. Of course Lucas would find out and that would make things even more complicated but that was a factor she was just going to have to deal with it, she thought as she heard a knock on the door.

She opened it expecting Gordon or Chantal but instead it was the last person in the world she expected to see.

"Mom…what are you doing here?"

"Hi baby", Mary Davis said as she flipped her sandy blonde hair. "May I come in?"

Speechless, Brooke let her mother enter the apartment. She hadn't seen her in over two years and they hadn't spoken in under six months. It was truly a shock. Neither one of her parents had ever been around when Brooke needed them…not that she needed them now. They had been the first people in her life to disappoint her. There was never quality time, hugs or long talks. In fact, they'd rather throw money and credit cards at her rather than pay her any real attention. Brooke had quickly gotten used to it. It didn't phase her when they split up her Senior year of high school. It didn't make much difference that her father had married a younger, British flight attendant and Brooke never raised an eyebrow when her mother hooked up with an even younger Filipino art gallery owner and gave her a younger half sister that she hardly ever saw. That was just life and the way it was. Besides, Lucas had always been there to dull the pain…

"Okay, I'll ask one more time. Mom, what are you doing here?"

"I've read the papers and all. I know what's happening and I figured that you needed me."

"If I needed you I would have called. But I don't need you. So thanks for asking, thanks for stopping by and have a nice life. Don't forget to do some sight seeing while you're in the city…"

"I guess I deserve that", Mary nodded. "Look, I know I wasn't always around. I am by no means mother of the year but I am sorry and I would like to try again."

"That seems to be the general consensus", Brooke bitterly laughed. "People I love fuck me over but just one measly apology and request to start all over is supposed to make everything better? Give me a break, Mom."

"I…I've been through a divorce honey and I know it's hard. I know you're having a tough time with it as well."

"You don't know me."

"I know you better than you think. I know you're confused right about now. I know you're scared because of the pregnancy. One part of you wants to just forget about this baby and your marriage so you can move on with your life and put an end to the pain. And the other part of you wants your baby and still loves your husband and wonders if there is any chance you could be a family again. Then the hurt and the fury and the betrayal come back and it's all too confusing."

Brooke could hardly believe her ears. That was the most her mother had said to her ever and not only did it seem sincere, it made perfect sense. How could this woman, the practical stranger who gave birth to her just jump inside her head and heart and automatically know almost everything she was thinking and feeling?

"Mom…"

"You miss him?"

Brooke bit her lip as yet another tear fell.

"Of course I miss him", she admitted quietly for the first time.

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. And now I have this damned kid to think about…"

"I know I haven't been a very good wife or mother but I know you were a great wife to Lucas and there's no doubt in my mind or heart that you'll be nothing short of a fantastic mother. And as for Luke…you'll work it out one way or the other. Maybe there's hope left and a resolution and a reunion is in the future. And if not, then you both move on but just remember you have this child together. Brooke, do it right from the beginning so you won't have to come back groveling 25 years later. And no matter how much you may hate your husband now, the love you will feel for that child should and will always overshadow that. And as far as your marriage…that's between you and Lucas. Whatever you decide is what you decide. And whatever that decision may be, don't you ever feel the need to apologize for it or defend it. No one really knows what goes on between a husband and a wife."

"No…I guess they don't."

"Whatever happens, you'll be fine, sweetheart", Mary smiled as she reached out to hold her daughter.

Brooke instantly pulled away.

"I'm sorry but the advice and the love all of a sudden and the pep talk doesn't make everything all better. Nice try but you're about 25 years to late."

"Better late than never", Mary whispered. "I've made mistakes and now I'm trying to correct them. That's what life is all about, Brooke. I know I deserve your anger and you're certainly entitled to it but you better think long and hard while you're sitting around being so bitter. Your heart is frozen, honey. And you can control your pain or let it control you. But being so unforgiving is a terrible way to be. Um, there isn't much more that I can say. I guess I'll be going now but always remember I do love you."

Brooke let the words sink in. The conversations with both Mary and Karen had somehow changed everything. Their wise words had caused her to think and revaluate the situation around her. She had lost her husband, her parents, and a piece of her life as well. Now all she had was that baby, that unwanted baby inside of her. Brooke had been hurt deeply and she had allowed that hurt to manifest itself into an unspeakable rage, lashing out at all around her. In that moment, that one moment, she had an epiphany.

"Mom? Wait…"

"Brooke…"

"Why don't you um, stay for a while?"

"Honey, are you sure?"

"I'm sure", Brooke managed to smile as she rubbed her belly. "You are right…late is better than never."