Joan and Adam aren't going out in this story by the way. I thought I had better say that because otherwise, it could've gotten rather confusing.

Marissa was much kinder to Joan over the next day. She basically kept her thoughts to herself, and even helped Joan wash up after lunch. Joan guessed Marissa was scared that she'd tell Ryan about her pregnancy.

Ryan…Joan had completely forgotten about him. In the first few days he was here, she was head over heels for him. But now he was more like a cousin; which was probably a good thing. Joan didn't even know if it was legal to fall in love with you mothers cousins foster son. There was probably some sort of law against it. Joan's mind had been too busy to even think about him. Between trying to help Marissa, school, chores and now keeping both Kevin and Marissa's secrets, romantic life wasn't that high on the priority list.

Luke's day wasn't as cheery. His mother was constantly trying to get him to take Seth and Ryan out to do something, but Luke had a faint idea that the Arcadia Museum of Science wasn't their kind of thing. Joan wasn't even there to help that day; she had suddenly started to talk civilly to Marissa, much to Luke's confusion.

So in that one day, the three boys were able to watch Kung Fu Ninjas (Seth's choice), A Beautiful Mind (Luke's pick) and White Chicks (Ryan's preference). It was only three o'clock by the time they had finished those three, and even Luke had to admit that he would rather go play football than sit and watch anymore TV. So instead they went out in the back yard, where Kevin and Beth were snuggling up with each other.

"Get a room," yelled Luke playfully.

Kevin and Beth briefly looked up, but then carried on with business. Luke sat on the old swing set; Seth sat at the outside table and Ryan starting dribbling an old soccer ball. Much to all the boys, plus Beth's suprise, Joan came out a few minutes later, laughing with Marissa like they were old friends. Joan sure was acting weird all of a sudden. Yesterday, she hated Marissa, and now they were practically joined at the hip.

Kevin and Beth left to do something or other, and the rest of the children all gathered around the table at which Seth was sitting at and had a big long conversation

Helen was watching at the window washing up some dirty dishes. It was so nice to see that the teenagers were getting along. The same couldn't be said for the adults. Will and Sandy got on well enough; they were out every free day for a round of golf. But Kirsten was still being hostile towards Helen. She wasn't sure why the woman was doing it.

As if Kirsten could read Helen's thoughts, she appeared right next to her.

"It would be nice if we got on like that," said Kirsten somewhat musingly.

"Mmm," agreed Helen. She didn't understand why they couldn't. Kirsten just wouldn't open up.

"Look, I'm sorry if I've been a bit tense since getting here, but this is the first holiday I've had in three years, and leaving all my work on the other side of the country makes me a bit…uneasy…" said Kirsten.

Helen said nothing. Although it sounded like and apology, she didn't like where it was going.

"I don't know if you've ever had this problem, but when you have big company, you have lots of stuff to oversee. I can't stop thinking what Julie Copper's doing to the place…"

Helen felt her blood boiling. How dare this woman come into her house and complain about what she's missing back home. Poor woman, her company was being run by some selfish woman. Helen wouldn't be surprised if this other woman was Satan, because no real human could be more selfish than Kirsten.

"Then again, I doubt you've ever had a high enough position…"

"RIGHT! THAT'S IT!" screamed Helen, "I AM SICK OF HEARING HOW BAD YOU'RE DEVASTATING LIVES ARE! YOU THINK MY FAMILY IS SO LOWLY AND 'POOR'. RICHNESS ISN'T RUN ON MONEY, IT'S RUN ON LOVE, AND THAT IS ONE THING YOUR FAMILY LACKS. YOU DON'T HAVE THE DECENCY TO JUST TREAT US WITH LOVE AND RESPECT. YOU'VE ACTED LIKE A PRINCESS THE WHOLE TIME YOU'VE BEEN HERE!"

Helen was on a roll.

"BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? I DON'T CARE. I DON'T CARE ABOUT JUDY COPELAND, OR WHATEVER HER NAME IS, AND HOW SHE WAS IN SEX TAPE. I DON'T CARE THAT YOUR FATHER OWNS HALF OF NEWPORT!

"I AM SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING HOW BAD YOU LIFE IS. I HAVEN'T COMPLAINED ONCE ABOUT MINE, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? I WISH I COULD. I WISH I COULD REWIND TIME AND FIX EVERYTHING THAT'S GONE WRONG IN MY LIFE; KEVIN'S ACCIDENT, JOAN'S ILLNESS, AND MOST OF ALL, GO BACK AND NOT INVITE YOU HERE!"

Kirsten stood in stunned shock. Helen had tears streaming down her red face and was letting out large jerky sobs. She was leaning on the bench for support. Kirsten was still trying to understand what had just happened. The two ladies stood there for several minutes, in complete silence.

Helen still hadn't calmed down. Kirsten held onto the other ladies waist, and led her to the lounge room, and sat her down on the lounge. She then sat next to her, and put her arm around her shoulders.

"Shhh, it's okay. I'm sorry. You're right. I have been terribly rude. From right now, though, I'll stop. I want to be friends with you. Do you forgive me?" asked Kirsten, and she had never spoken a truer word.

Helen said nothing, but just buried her head in Kirsten's skinny shoulder and cried. The two women stayed like this for ages. Kirsten gently soothed Helen. Once she had completely calmed down, she whispered weakly "It's just so hard. I can't handle it,"

Kirsten replied "You can, I know you can. You're around a loving family that will always be here to help you, and even though things may feel as though they have hit rock bottom, it can only get better. You're a strong person Helen, and you managed to put up with me for over a weak before cracking, and that's a huge first!"

Helen managed a small smile. "Thanks Kirsten,"

The blonde woman helped the brunette to her feet and led her upstairs where Helen went to have a rest.

"I'll make tea," said Kirsten. "You just relax."

Helen nodded, then closed her eyes, and thought about the event just gone. It wasn't a nice thing, but it had made the two families that much closer. Maybe this visit wasn't a complete waste of time.