Karen sighed as she read another chapter of The Purpose Driven Life. It was a book Jules had given her months before but in her super busy schedule, she'd had yet to read it. Given Haley's desperate phone call, the few hours it took to prepare to leave Tree Hill for New York and the plane ride had given her ample opportunity to catch up. She found the words inspiring and the message encouraging as she took out a marker and highlighted stuff she thought Haley might be interested in later when she was feeling better.

"You hear that?"

Karen looked up and rubbed her tired eyes.

"Taylor, I don't hear anything."

"My point exactly", the younger woman grinned. "The sweet sound of silence."

Karen returned her smile.

"You must be exhausted. Why don't you get some sleep while all is quiet for now? I've got things under control. Little Jamarah is out like a light."

"Sleep is probably what I need but an ice cold beer is what I want. I was thinking about hitting the bar. I haven't been out in ages it seems like."

"Oh to be young again", Karen laughed whimsically.

"You sure everything is okay here?"

"Everything is fine."

"Haley…"

Karen could see the worry on Taylor's face and she couldn't blame her. From the moment she had arrived at the loft, she got a firsthand glimpse of how bad things actually were. She barely recognized the sad, sullen, withdrawn young woman that used to be her bubbly, vibrant, happy Haley James. Slowly the person who was so used to holding it all together, was losing it.

But Karen was prepared. Andy had already contacted a psychiatrist friend of his in the city who specialized in treating new mothers suffering from post partum depression and lucky for them, he also happened to make house calls. Haley had been too tired to object and had spent hours talking with the doctor while Karen cleaned the apartment and bonded with a sweet little baby that looked oddly too familiar. It had been a few days since her arrival and things were getting better…slowly. At least it wasn't getting any worse.

"Your sister is okay, Taylor…or at least she's getting there."

"You think that shrink can help her?"

"I think so. What she's going through is not uncommon and it's not her fault."

"So she'll come around?"

"Eventually she'll come back to us."

"And she can be a mom to Jamma?"

Karen smiled.

"I think so."

"Good. I'm glad. Jamma's just a baby, you know? She can't help all this and she certainly didn't ask for any of it. She deserves better."

"I agree."

Taylor nodded.

"Well, I'm gonna take off for a little while. Um, my cell number is on the refrigerator door."

"Okay."

"Call me if you need me."

"Will do but I think we'll be okay."

"Alright. If Jamma wakes up and she's too fussy and won't go back to sleep, just call Chris Keller."

"Chris?"

"Yeah. He plays guitar and sings to her over the phone. For whatever reason, she seems to really dig his voice."

Karen smiled.

"Okay."

"Oh and I made bottles for the night. If you need to make new ones, just pour from the milk jar I already did because Jamma needs supplements in her formula…you know, because Haley didn't breastfeed or whatever."

"Alright."

"And…"

"Taylor, sweetie, I'm okay. It's been a while but I've done this before. I think I can manage."

She shrugged.

"Yeah, I know but it's hard. Ever since we brought her home, it's just been Chris and me and sometimes me by myself. I feel like I'm the mother sometimes. I need the break but it's hard to leave as stupid as that sounds."

"It's not stupid, Taylor. It is very mature and noble and kind of you. I know you've been through a lot with Haley and the baby these past few weeks and even during the pregnancy. You've really been there for her. I'm proud of you. You've changed a lot…you've grown up. You're a good sister and a good friend."

"Thanks", Taylor smiled. "Um, I'm gonna head out. I won't be too long. Call if you need me."

"Have a good time, honey", Karen called out as the door shut softly.

The apartment was clean and quiet with both mother and daughter sleeping soundly and safely. Karen smiled. She still couldn't get over Taylor's positive transformation. Although always a sweet girl at heart, her wild ways had created quite the reputation back in North Carolina. Although much work lie ahead, she had already began with a remarkable start, Karen thought as she got comfortable on the couch. She had no idea how long the calm would last so she decided to read a few more chapters. An hour later, her cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Karen? Hi…it's Deb."

"Hey."

"I'm sorry it's so late. I hope I didn't wake you."

"No. I was just reading. What's up? Is everything okay with the café?"

"Fine. I'm holding down the fort. I just called to see how you're doing. You left town so abruptly and not that it's any of my business but you didn't really explain why. You don't have to tell me, I just hope everything is alright with you."

Karen sighed.

"I'm fine, Deb. A friend needed me."

"Anyone I know?" Deb treaded carefully.

"You used to", Karen replied softly.

Deb knew. She'd had a gut feeling the entire time.

"It's Haley, isn't it? How is she?"

"Struggling. Trying to cope. But she's a little scrapper. Always has been. She's going to be okay."

"And…and her baby?"

Deb's voice cracked with a hint of pent up emotion.

"The baby's great. She's beautiful."

"I know. I…I saw the pictures."

The magazine pictures. The pictures that did everything but have a DNA test scream the child was in fact a Scott.

"Oh…those…"

Now it was Deb's turn to take a deep breath. Her heart pounded and she trembled, sweaty hands almost dropping the phone.

"Karen, I…I have to ask you something. I have to know."

"Deb…"

"Please. If you know, you must tell me, Karen. Is Haley's daughter my…"

Deb stopped mid sentence. She looked up to see Dan entering their bedroom.

"Deb, are you still there?"

Deb sighed.

"I…I'm here. Look, I have to go. Um, we'll chat later, okay?"

"Okay…you positive everything is okay?"

Deb watched as her husband stripped down to his boxers bringing the watered down whiskey to the bedside.

"I don't know", she breathed. "You tell me…"