I stood in the doorway, quite shocked to see her standing there, looking so young and pretty and fresh. I could not disguise the look of surprise that had embedded itself on my face. I had every intention of asking her in, but couldn't form the words. I stood there gaping stupidly.

She was almost as tell as Mikey and that meant she was just about six feet. She wore a dark brown corduroy jacket that reached her tiny waist, with jeans and black boots with pointy toes. She had a beautiful blue and pink knitted scarf around her delicate neck and a matching knitted cap that fit snugly around her long dark hair. She had dark eyeshadow on that made her eyes look smokey and alluring and shiny lip gloss on her full, pouty lips. She was absolutely breathtaking. I could see why my son was so taken with her.

' Hi Mrs. Boscorelli. I'm Carmelle. We met at your husband's birthday party.' She said pleasantly, giving me a wide smile that showed off her perfectly spaced teeth to perfection.

I regained my composure and smiled back at her. ' Hi, I'm sorry...I was expecting someone else to be at the door...' I said apologetically, looking down at my old pajamas and suddenly wishing I had gotten dressed and had a shower. I felt like an old hag next to her.

' Oh, that's ok. I just came to drop off your tickets.' She said as she reached into her coat pocket and produced an envelope and handed it to me.

' My tickets?'

' The tickets to the policeman's ball next week. Mike asked me to drop them off because he's in training this week. First Aid and Whmis.'

I had totally forgotten about the policeman's ball that was being held at our old precinct. Bosco and I had been invited every year and had never missed one. It was a fabulous time and we got to see most of the men and woman we had worked with, including Sully and Brendan Finney and, of course, our old Captain Swersky. I had been really excited about going but it had slipped my mind during our current situation.

" Oh, thanks. I forgot about that.' I said, taking them from her hand. ' Would you like to come in for a cup of tea or something?'

She smiled at me again and it was such a lovely smile, I couldn't help but like her just a little.

' Sure. I'd love to.'

I held the door open for her and she stepped inside, bringing with her the fresh scent of her perfume. It smelled oriental and musky but pleasant, none the less.

' You have a beautiful house.' She exclaimed as she pulled down the zipper of her long boots and put them neatly aside.

' Thank you.'

She took off her jacket and hat and hung them up neatly on the hall tree and stepped into the hall. She walked directly over to the decorative table that Bosco had made me one year that held different nicknacks and pictures and examined each one. She ran her perfectly manicured fingers over the polished wood admiringly.

' This is a beautiful piece. Where did you get it?'

' Bosco...my husband...made it.' I said proudly. ' He goes through 'wood' phases and makes all kinds of wonderful things.'

It was true. Bosco had made quite a few of the pieces that were in our home. He had made the hallway table, which really wasn't a table, but more like half a table, for me two years ago because he knew how much I liked to display pictures and collectibles. He was very talented and did an amazing job on everything he made. This piece was done in a honey colored wood that he had stained and coated with a shiny shellac to make it look expensive and posh.

' He did a great job'. She commented lightly.

' Come right this way.' I said, indicating that she follow me to the kitchen. Along the way she stopped every few feet to look at the pictures that hung on the walls.

The entire length of the hallway was filled with framed pictures, ranging in different sizes. My white walls were full of memories and times that I loved to look at each and every day. There was hardly any wall left and I guessed that there were about two hundred pictures hung.

Lovely photographs of all my children, from birth and their younger years, hung up perfectly to give me and anyone else who looked pleasure. Emily and Charlie had a special spot in the middle of the hall where I had hung about twenty pictures of them in various stages of development, until their death. Pictures of Bosco and I in uniform and in our old patrol car, 55-David. Different events, birthday parties and graduation memories, all hung with great care. We even had lots of pictures of Sasha and Ty and their kids over the years. I was very proud of my wall of memories.

' I've never seen so many pictures at once!' She exclaimed, impressed by what she saw.

I laughed over my shoulder.' Ya. I really have a passion for them. I always wanted to take photography when I was younger.' I added, not really knowing why I was opening up to this woman, except that maybe I was nervous.

She came into the kitchen behind me and looked around the room appreciatively. When we had redisigned Rose's home, the home Bosco grew up in, I knew I wanted a huge kitchen with lots of cubbord space. Bosco and Ty had redone the entire room and put in huge bay windows by the sink that allowed the sun to shine directly in and warm up the room. It gave it a very homey and bright appearance. I had one full wall of cherry wood cupboards with shiny gold handles for the doors, that ended with a stainless steel fridge. I also had a stainless steel microwave and dishwasher. It had cost a small fortune but we had done it anyway. In the middle of our kitchen was a huge cherry wood island with six stools, three on each side. It wasn't really needed, since we had the table, but it made the enourmous room look a little fuller. At the very back of the room, sat our cherry wood table that was big enough to fit ten people. It was a beautiful and classy table, but it was hard to keep the finger smudges off of it. I always kept a burgundy table runner on it with three candles, spaced nicely. I was very proud of my kitchen and it showed.

Carmelle pulled out one of the stools and sat down. ' This is utterly amazing, Mrs. Boscorelli! You should be in the decorating business!'

Despite myself, I was beginning to like this woman. I knew it was probably because she was praising me up and down for my choices in decorating, but there was a very sincere way about her that was refreshing.

I turned on the tap and filled up my tea kettle and then walked over to the stove. " Thanks. I really do love to decorate. Oh, and by the way, call me Faith. Mrs. Boscorelli makes me sound so old.' I said, smiling at her.

' Faith it is then.' She said and followed it with a melodious laugh.

When our tea was ready I brought two steaming mugs over to the island and sat down across from her. She began to tell me her story. She was an only child and had grown up in Queens. By the time she was twelve she had landed a modeling contract with 'Loreal' and had traveled around the world. By nine-teen she was dried up and very much needing of some time off. Between catching planes and meeting people and partying, she was starting to burn out. The life of a model, while glamorous by times, was very demanding. There was always someone else who was prettier and skinnier who was just waiting for their chance to knock you off the block.

In that hour, I learned that she was not only beautiful, but also very smart. She had gone to Yale University for four years and had got her degree in Business. She now worked as a part time trader for the prestigious company in Manhattan, Bonsai, which I also found out, her grandfather and father owned.

She talked happily about her family, revealing that her mother had died when she was only twenty from lung cancer and Carmelle talked about how much she missed her. Being an only child, once her mother was gone, there was no other woman to talk to and confide in. She talked about her dreams of one day getting married and having a big family. I wondered if she thought she could tame my son, but I didn't say anything. Toward the end of our conversation I did get up the courage to ask her what was going on.

' So, Carmelle...you and my son...how long have you been together?'

'About two months or so. We met at Haggerty's. I was having lunch with my girlfriend and he and his partner came in during their break.' She revealed dreamily. From the way she spoke about him, I knew she was smitten.

' He came and picked me up that very night and took me out for dinner at LaGrada, in the Village'. She continued. ' He even brought me flowers and everything. He is so wonderful and romantic. You have raised your son well, Faith'. She said, blushing a tiny bit.

A tiny hurt passed through my heart, knowing that Mike hadn't even broke up with Kath two months ago. He had made sure he had another woman waiting in the wings before he left her.

' You've been together for two months?' I asked, hoping she wouldn't see the surprise on my face.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, remembering. ' Yes. That day at Haggerty's, after his partner went outside, he came over and asked me out to dinner. I had never laid eyes on him before but he told me he had to take me out, that he wouldn't take no for an answer...and I said yes. We've been together ever since.'

I bet he waited until Kath left before going over and speaking to Carmelle! What a rogue! I felt angry at my son's lack of respect for Kath and now, for Carmelle. Oh, if she only knew my son half as well as she thought she did, she might have changed her mind, I thought to myself.

' Well, he does have a way with women.' I said lightly. ' He's just like his father that way. Before Bosco and I got together we were partners at the same precinct that Mikey works at.'

Her eyes brightened. ' Really? I didn't know that. I mean, Mike told me you were both police officers but he didn't tell me that you were partners.'

I laughed at her exuberance ' We were partners from day one and we stayed that way until we retired.'

By this time she had finished her tea and was sitting with her chin in her hands, her dainty elbows supporting her arms, listening to me in fascination. Every once in a while she would break out in a tiny peal of laughter. She really was quite delightful and fun to be around. She was very relaxed with me and I with her.

'So, was your husband as wild as Mike was when he was young?' She questioned.

' Wild? I'd say so. There wasn't a woman around that didn't stare at him with lust in her eyes. They still look at him that way.' I laughed at the memory of the way Bosco used to be.

' I know that Mike has always been a lady's man, but I'd like to think that he's settling down now. I know his reputation for playing around.' She confided, looking down at her mug. Her long hair fell into her eyes and she brushed it back and tucked it behind her ear.

' Mike has always been independent, Carmelle, and he likes his freedom. I hope you don't mind me saying'. I added quickly. ' But I'd like to believe that he will settle down some time soon.' I offered..

How could I tell her what I suspected? Could I betray my son by telling this beautiful young lady that he would most likely use her and discard her the way he had Kath? It was my job to remain impartial and to not stick my nose where it didn't belong, and that was going to be very hard for me to do...but I knew that I needed to give Mikey the benefit of the doubt. Who was I to say that he would never settle down?

Before I could say another word, the doorbell rang. ' Oh, that's my friend Sasha. I'll be right back.' I said, excusing myself to go to the door.

I glanced at the clock on the wall as I walked down to the door. It was a quarter after twelve. I had completely forgotten to start lunch for Sasha and myself, and now, Carmelle, if she wanted to stay.

I swung the door open and to my surprise and dismay, it wasn't Sasha. It was Kath!

She stood on the steps, dressed in an old pair of gym pants and a ratty hooded sweatshirt. Her hair was back in a ponytail and she had no make up on. Her face was red and her eyes were puffy and I could tell that she had been crying. She, too, had on the uniform of the depressed.

She couldn't come in! She just couldn't, but what was I supposed to tell her? The panic I felt right then was monumental. I stood there with my mouth gaping open, frantically trying to think of something to say.

' I...uh...'

' Oh, Faith, I'm so glad you're home!' She cried, when she saw me.

' Kath...how are you?' I asked, sounding very stupid. She was heart broken and had obviously come for some kind of comfort.

She started to cry and buried her face into her hands. ' I just need to talk to someone. I'll just come in for a minute.' She said, sounding desperate. ' Please, Faith. I need to talk to you, there's no one else.'

' Uh...Kath...this isn't a good time...I'm really sorry...but...can we do this later?' I cringed, as I looked at her. I couldn't help it, I felt like a big jerk, and I really was sorry about what had happened between her and Mikey, but was so afraid that she would discover Carmelle and I felt a tiny bit guilty for befriending someone new when Kath's pain was so fresh.

' Faith, you need to listen to me, I have to talk to you. I'm so sorry, but it can't wait.'

Before I could utter another word, she walked past me into the house and started down the hall toward the kitchen, not even taking off her sneakers.

' Kath! Wait! Don't go in there' I called out desperately, running to try and get to her before she saw the 'other woman'. I went as fast as I could, but banged into the hall table and stubbed my big toe.

' Dammit!' I growled, jumping up and down on one foot, while trying to continue my trek to what I knew was going to be one hell of a confrontation. 'Bosco!' I called over my shoulder.

'Bosco, get down here now!' I yelled again. ' Kath! Wait'.

She didn't stop, however, and proceeded on. ' Kath, please wait a minute...there's someone...' I called, as I ran down the hall.

I knew instinctively that this was not going to be pretty. Kath was quite similar in temperament to Mikey. She could lose it faster than he could, and that was the truth. She was ruthless in her temper and even worse with her words. She could be sweet and charming when she wanted to be, but if you got on her wrong side, it could be nasty. I knew. I'd seen it.

One time she and Mikey were out at Haggerty's and they were drinking quite heavily. They were a very social pair, and as long as she could put up with the drinking, there was no problem with him. She didn't start out as a drinker, but over time she ended up being able handle a lot of alcohol. She could drink as much as he could, which bothered me, but there wasn't anything I could do about it...and they ended up having an argument with some firefighters from Chelsey who were down for the weekend at a conference with Camelot's men. Bosco, Ty, Sasha and I had gone out to a movie and decided to stop of for a beer on our way home. We had just greeted everyone and sat down at our table, when a string of loud curses reached our ears. I looked over at Mikey's table and saw Kath, nose to nose with one of the firefighters pickups.

Now, I was used to hearing swear words, I was a cop for twenty-five years, so I know the lingo and all that goes with it...and I had two sons...but this girl could curse worse than a drunken sailor on a Saturday night! I had never heard such language and was absolutely shocked to hear my Kath talking like that.

Apparently, this bar-fly had insulted Kath and wasn't about to apologize for it either. The two woman were standing beside the table, mouthing off at one another and to make matters worse, no one stopped them. The men sat at the table and cheered Kath on, laughing and getting a real kick out of the display they were making. A few even whistled.

Bar-fly didn't like what she was hearing, and no doubt, she was embarrassed by Kath's stinging words, so she threw what was left of her beer in Kath's face.

That was her first mistake.

Her second mistake was laughing after she did it. I saw Kath's eyes grow huge and wild and so help me, Kath grabbed a handful of that poor woman's long blond hair and gave it a yank. Next, she threw bar-fly down on the floor and landed at least two punches to the face before Mikey and Brendan Finney's son, Liam, pulled her away.

Kath was screaming and flailing about, like someone who was taking a seizure. It took both Mikey and Liam to hold her down and to get her outside. Of course, the other woman had a broken nose and was going to have one hell of a black eye or two, and she looked awful. Some of the other guys helped her clean up and get her into a cab. And that was the end of it, but after that, Kath's nickname became ' slugger'.

Oh, I didn't know what I was in for when I reached the end of the hall, but I knew I'd soon find out. I hoped that Bosco had heard me and was on his way down stairs, for I had the feeling that I was going to need help.

Breathless, I rushed into the kitchen, my adrenaline pumping my heart faster and faster.

' YOU!' Came Kath's shrill voice, directed at Carmelle who was still seated on the stool.

She turned and looked at me accusingly, hurt and more anger than I'd ever seen written across her usually lovely face.

' Kath, I...'

Her eyes went wild and she had that same look that I'd seen before. Her face had turned an unhealthy shade of red and she was breathing heavily.

' How could you have her in this house? How could you do that to me? That little slut ruined everything that was precious to me!' She yelled at me.

And then she turned to Carmelle and looked her up and down distainfully. ' YOU SLUT! How DARE you come in here and ruin what Mike and I had! HOW DARE YOU!' She screamed, like a woman quite out of control.

It was apparent to me that Carmelle had never known of Kath's existence as Mike's lover before this very moment. She sat up strait, confusion written over her delicate features. She looked at me for direction, seemingly not knowing what to say or where to start. When I didn't say anything, Carmelle sat up straighter, I thought, and looked Kath in the eye.

' I...I'm...sorry...I don't know what you're talking about.' She said softly, but not in a sorry way. She said it in such a way that I understood that she pitied Kath, even though she hadn't known who she was until now.

That enraged Kath even more. ' You don't know what I'm talking about? I know who you are! I know your kind!' She spat, pointing her finger at Carmelle.

' My kind?' Carmelle asked, with a growing amount of confidence. She was not the kind of woman to be intimidated. She picked up her mug and got off the stool and set it on the sink and didn't bat an eye.

' YES! SLUT! YOUR KIND!'

' That's enough, Kath!' I hissed savagely.

Carmelle picked a piece of lint off of her blue turtleneck sweater and let it drop to the floor before replying.

' Thank you for you kind words. You must be Mike's partner. Nice to meet you.' She said with complete calmness and control. She refused to be bullied.

Kath didn't know what to say and neither did I. Bosco came strolling into the kitchen and stopped dead in his tracks. He looked at me with a horrified expression on his face. He was shocked to see both of Mike's woman standing in our kitchen.

' WHOA! What's going on ladies?' He yelled, making the referee sign with his hand.

No one uttered a sound. He looked from one to the other and then back to me. I shook my head.

' This SLUT decided to come over and get friendly with Faith and I won't have it! I won't have it!' Kath raged.

' I think you'd better leave, Kath.' He said, trying to control his temper. ' And if I ever hear you talking like that in my house again, it will be the last time.' He added.

Kath was terrible in her anger, and we all knew it. Carmelle interrupted the display and started to walk toward the door.

' I think I'll go. Thanks for the tea and the conversation, Faith. I enjoyed your company. Mr. Boscorelli, nice to see you again'. She said diplomatically and walked away from the lunicy.

'Bosco, can you walk her out?' I asked quietly. He nodded and left the room, but not before he cast Kath a scathing glance over his shoulder.

Now that we were alone, Kath seemed to have lost her tough demeanor and reverted back to crying. I took one step toward her and pointed my finger.

' If you ever talk to me like that again, I will kick your ass! Do you hear me! How dare you come into my house and disrespect me and my guest like this!' I spat at her.

I was really angry and I had no intention of listening to what she had to say. I felt sorry for her because she was so upset, but she had crossed the line. Big time. There was no going back from that.

She hung her head and really bawled. 'I'm sorry, but I can't stand to see her! Did you know that Mike was seeing her while he was with me?'

I didn't answer.

' Did you?' She asked again.

' Not until this morning. I had no idea.' I snapped. 'But that doesn't excuse your behaviour, Kath. I'm really disappointed in you. No. I'm not disappointed. I'm disgusted! Now, I really think you should leave.'

' I can't. We have to talk.' She said.

' I don't want to talk to you when you're acting like this.'

Why couldn't see understand? Was it that hard to comprehend? I crossed my arms over my breasts and looked at her expectantly.

' Well?' I asked.

' I'm pregnant, Faith. I'm going to have your son's baby.'