1First full week of June:

Catherine was determined to let her work life stay at work this time, and not cross over to her life outside of work. She wasn't going to let herself slip again. Who knows what kind of situation she would end up in this time if she did. Catherine was busy at work, and gave Lindsey the credit card to use. Which was probably a mistake, but Lindsey was pretty responsible. Catherine had just gotten home and saw several empty boxes in the living room. She called up the stairs for Lindsey.

"Lindsey!"

"What?"

"What are all of these boxes from?"

"I'll tell you when you get back."

"From where?"

"I ordered Chinese."

"They deliver."

"I said you were going to pick it up."

"Fine, but I expect an explanation when I get back."

"Fine."

20 minutes later Catherine gets home.

"Lindsey would you come down stairs please?"

"Yeah I'm coming."

"Were you in a war?" Catherine asks as she looks at her daughter who is covered in various substances.

"No, come on."

"Where are we going?" Catherine asks as Lindsey pulls her up the stairs.

"Lindsey did you max out the credit card?"

"Nope."

"Hold on I can't go as fast as you."

"Sorry."

Lindsey races up the stairs, and Catherine slowly trudges up them.

"What are we doing?"

"Come here." Lindsey whines as she pulls her mother toward the end of the hall.

"Are you ready?"

"For what?" Catherine asks in fear as Lindsey stops at the door in front of her.

"Close your eyes."

"Ok." Lindsey opens the door and leads her in.

"Lindsey it reeks in here."

"It smells like paint right?"

"Yes. Why?" Catherine remarks impatiently.

"Open."

"What did you do?" Catherine asks as she stares at the room.

"I just wanted to help. I figured you would never get around to getting a nursery done so I did it for you."

"I was going to do it."

"Mom, you're 7 months pregnant."

"So?"

"So quit complaining. Do you like it?"

"Yes. Who painted the mural?" Catherine requests as she stares at the baby animals on the wall.

"I did."

"You did this?"

"Yeah."

"Lindsey, it's beautiful. Thank you."

"You're not mad?"

"No. It's one less thing I have to do."

"So when are you going to tell me what the baby is?"

"When it's born."

"Mom!" Lindsey shrieks as she throws a throw pillow at Catherine.

"Sorry. So is the paint dry? Cause if not all the furniture is going to have paint on it."

"It's dry, I painted it a few days ago. It still smells because the door was shut."

"Let's go eat."

"Ok."

The road had been hard, but it was beginning to get smoother. Lindsey adjusted to school after a few days, and was an 'A' student. The summer allowed her to express her creative juices. Catherine loved her job. She was the supervisor. Day shift. She loved being home when Lindsey got home from school. Catherine knew it wouldn't last. As soon as the baby was born she was going to have problems. Warrick hadn't found her yet, but he would. At least she thought he would. She never knew with him.