She had expected to hear Eve Guthrie, not Lillian Raines. She shook her head against it, hoping that the words would recombine.

"It was only one time. She had just gotten a clean bill of health. Her cancer was gone. She hugged me, and I started kissing her…"

Holly put her hand up "I know what comes next, spare me."

Ed shook his head. "I'm responsible for what happened to Maureen. I killed her"

The door to Blake's former bedroom slammed shut. Holly and Ed locked eyes. "How much did she hear?" He asked.

"I have no idea, but I'll go find out" Holly rushed to the door, equalizing her breathing before knocking on it. "Michelle" She called out softly. There was no response so she opened the door. On the bed Michelle had curled into a ball. She was crying. Holly went to her and took her in her arms.

"Dad killed Mom? I knew they were fighting but why did he have to kill her?"

Holly held her firmly. "Michelle, you need to talk to your dad. You misunderstood what you heard."

"I did not. I heard him say he killed my mom. You heard it too. We need to call the police." She stiffened under Holly's embrace. "He's going to be arrested and go to jail. I will go live with Grandma"

"Michelle, you're not going to live with your grandmother or anywhere else for that matter because your father isn't going to be arrested. Go talk to him."

"I said no, damn it"

Holly pushed her away and held her at arm's length. "Look at me young lady. If you want to talk to me like you're a grown up then I suggest you start acting like one. Get out of this bed and go talk to your father, now!"

Her tone startled Michelle. Holly never talked to her that way. She couldn't see her face in the dim light, but she could tell she was mad. "Fine, but then I'm calling the police" Michelle climbed off the bed and stomped to the living room. Holly stood in the doorway, out of sight but close enough so that she could hear.

"Come here honey" Ed said, patting the cushion beside him.

With trepidation Michelle went to the couch and sat next to him, arms still firmly crossed and an angry pinched look on her face. "I'm only here because, damn it, Holly made me" She informed him.

Ed chose to ignore her defiance "Michelle, I haven't been fair to you these past few months. I didn't tell you why your mom and I were fighting, or that in a way I was responsible for her death because I I was afraid. Afraid that if I told you that you'd never speak to me again."

Unable to contain her composure any longer Michelle balled her hands into fists and started bouncing them off of Ed's chest. "You killed her! I heard you tell Holly. What did you do to her? What did she do that was so bad that you made her run away?"

Ed allowed the torrent of blows to land squarely until she stopped of her own exhaustion. When she did he took those same fists in his hands and kissed them gently. "Michelle, your mom didn't do anything, I did."

"I know" Michelle whispered, and then the tears started.

"What do you know?" He asked

"You broke Mom's heart. I heard her talking in the kitchen after she broke the cup. She was angry at you. You broke your vows, and her trust, and she said you did it to me too, not just her. Then she was gone. She said you weren't good enough for her, or her daughter. Then you were gone and the next thing I know you were telling me she died."

Ed began to sob uncontrollably. Holly wanted to run into the living room and hold them both, but restrained herself.

"Michelle, I made a terrible mistake. I, oh damn, you're old enough to know what intercourse is." He ran a hand through his thinning hair. "I had intercourse with someone who wasn't your mom, and that hurt her badly."

Michelle didn't look shocked, rather she looked relieved. "It was Mrs. Raines, wasn't it?"

Ed's head shot up, he locked eyes with his daughter. "How….how…did you know?"

"Just by the way you two were acting before Mom died, and how she acted after. You both acted weird. You had sex with Holly too, didn't you?"

In the dark Holly's eyes grew wide.

"Would that upset you?" Ed asked.

"Not as much as Mrs. Raines. I love Holly, but I wish it could be Mom."

Ed pulled his daughter into him. The pair cried together for the first time since Maureen had died.

"Michelle, I am so sorry" He whispered. "I still see you as a little baby in your mother's arms. Not as the young woman you're becoming. I should have told you the truth months ago."

"Dad, will you do me a favor?" She asked.

"Anything." He said kissing her shoulder.

"Would you take me to see Mom today?"

"Of course, but first let me get you home."

Holly walked into the living room. "Everything ok in here?"

"It will be." Ed said with a shallow grin. "I think I'm going to take this little, I'm sorry, young woman home. We have a lot to talk about"

Holly nodded. "Yes, you do. Michelle, thank you for coming." Holly smiled. "I hope the next time we have a girl's night in that we can have Chinese food with our movie"

Michelle broke out in a smile. "I'd like that, Holly."

Ed walked Michelle to the door, stopping after he opened it. "Why don't you go wait in the car honey. You can pick the radio station" He handed her the keys. When she stepped off the porch he went to Holly and laid his hands on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I would have eventually; I just didn't know how"

Holly laid her head on his chest. "It's not me you owe an apology to, Ed." She peeled away from him then. "Just promise me that you won't hurt her again."

"Who Michelle?" He asked thrusting a thumb over his shoulder.

"Her, Lillian, Me, even Eve" She sighed.

Ed clenched his forehead together. "Eve? What does she have to do with any of this?"

Holly pushed off of him. "Nothing, I guess. Go get your daughter. I'm going to bed. I have to be at work in 28 hours."

Ed turned and went back to the door, stopping again. "Holly, what does this mean for us?"

Holly sighed. "I don't know Ed. Let's just take one day at a time."

On Monday morning, promptly at 9 Holly strolled into WSPR. Her mind now on restarting her career, and less on Ed and his one-night stand. Gilly was the first to greet her.

"Holly, welcome back!" She was cheerful despite the fact that Holly's return meant she no longer had the position.

"Gilly, so nice to see you. I am guessing you've spoken to Roger?"

"I have, and let me tell you how relieved I am that he didn't hire someone off the street."

Holly pursed her lips. "But he has done some hiring hasn't he?"

Gilly looked at her with a mix of confusion and knowing, but before she could delve into the subject further Roger strolled in.

"Good morning, I see the gang is all here. Will everyone gather around please" He looked like the cat who ate the canary and Holly wondered why.

'As you all know, based on the glowing reports out of the this very news room, Jenna and I will be running Spaulding Enterprises which means I will be less of a face around the station" There was a clap from the rear of the group that quickly subsided.

Roger cleared his throat. "So, I have re-hired our very own Holly Lindsey to be the station manager again. Gilly Grant will remain in the roll of executive producer for the foreseeable future." A rousing round of applause broke out then. Roger looked at his watch.

"Well, I need to be getting over to Spaulding, but Holly I'd like to see you in your office please. Everyone else, get back to work. Just because the cat will be away doesn't mean you mice can play."

He guided Holly to her office. She quickly maneuvered herself behind her desk. She laid her brief case on the floor and her purse in the bottom drawer.

"You'll find everything as you left it. Gilly never got comfortable in here." Roger stated as he took the chair on the opposite side.

"I'm sure you didn't come in here to discuss decorating, Roger. What do you want?"

Roger looked at his watch and sighed. "Some things never change." He drummed his fingers on the polished surface of Holly's desk. "When we talked, I told you that you were unable to terminate anyone I hired."

Holly rolled her eyes. "Yes, and I agreed. So, who did you hire? Alexandra Spaulding to be janitor now that you and Jenna have stolen her enterprise?"

"No. I took the liberty of hiring you a very capable, though grossly over qualified assistant. You may find that you wish to promote this person to a position of more importance, but in an attempt to get her in the door I decided a lower-level position was better."

Holly stood, balancing her hands on the desk top. "You did what? Roger, how dare you! If I wanted an assistant, I would hire one. Damn it, I knew you were up to something." She flung herself back into her chair and put a hand on her forehead. "Who did you hire? Some bleach blond bomb shell who can't type more than 10 words a minute using the hunt and peck method?"

Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Well, I don't know her typing skills, but her back ground and resume are impeccable." Roger grinned and stood, straightening his suit jacket when he did. "Come on it" He called out.

Holly stood as well; lips pinched. Her eyes grew wide when Blake appeared in the door way. Roger opened his arms and embraced her when she entered the room.

"You're late. I told you 9:15. Please don't make me dock your pay"

Holly's eyes got wide. "Oh no, no, no no! How dare you, Roger!"

Blake pulled away from her father. "You didn't tell her?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise, and it is. Now remember, no matter what she says she can't fire you. I expect you to be at your desk every day, no matter what she says." He looked at his watch. "Would you look at the time. I've got to be going. I have an empire to run"

"Or ruin." Holly added.

Roger turned and smiled. "Good luck Holly. If you run into any problems, see Gilly. She wasn't as good as you, but close. She can help you figure things out." He pecked Blake on the cheek and let the office, closing the door quietly behind him leaving Blake and Holly to stare at each other.

Holly sat heavily in her chair as she continued to stare at Blake.

"Why are you here Blake? Did your father hire you to be his spy? Is that it? He can't fire me, and I can't fire you but he is still playing the role of puppet master." Holly shook her head.

Blake took up residence in the chair Roger had previously occupied. "I thought you knew. I'm sorry Mom."

Holly stared her down. "What is your job description Blake?" She practically spat her name.

"Well, Daddy said it would only be temporary that once you trusted me again that you'd promote me."

"What is your function, Blake? Are you expected to fetch me coffee? Are you to type memos to the staff? Are you to be the gate keeper and spy? What does your father expect from you?"

"Daddy wants us to repair our relationship, Mom." She lowered her eyes. "Ok, the truth. He wanted me to work with him at Spaulding, but Jenna forbade it. He suggested that I come work for you, with you. He thought that we might be able to get past what happened with Ross if we worked together."

Holly leaned back in her chair. She replayed the scene with Ed and Michelle in her head. She wondered how Blake would have felt if Holly had succumbed to the pain of finding her in bed with Ross. How guilty would she feel? Holly knew the pain was consuming her. It had destroyed the relationship they had precariously rebuilt since the pair returned to Springfield. If Michelle, at 12 could forgive Ed, then she as Blake's adult mother could forgive her, or at least she could try.

"I don't think that's a bad idea" Holly said quietly.

Blake was so taken aback she had to ask her to repeat herself. "Did I hear you right? Are you willing to forgive me, and Ross?"

"Well, maybe not Ross, but I'm sure I can build a tolerance to him like I did your father." Holly grinned slyly. "It won't be easy Blake, but I'm willing to try."

"Oh Mom, I can't tell you what this means to me. I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too, Blake. I know you think I've replaced you with Michelle, but I haven't. You're my daughter and I love you. Nothing; not Ross, not your father, not even my battered and broken ego will change that"

Blake clapped like a giddy school girl.

"There is just one thing, and this is non-negotiable"

Blake's smile fell. "I'm not giving up Ross, Mother"

"I'm not asking you to. My condition is this, under no circumstances is he ever to call me Mom"

Blake stood and went behind her mother's desk. She wrapped her arms around her, chair and all. "I can promise you that."

Holly pat her arm with her hand. "We both have work to do. I have to get up to speed on what I've missed. You should go to your desk, and assist me in a way I'm not sure how yet."

Blake practically bounced to her desk, closing the door behind her. She wore a smile that stopped when she picked up the phone. She looked out to the news room and quickly behind her. Holly's blinds were closed she noted as she dialed.

"Roger Thorpe" He answered.

"Daddy, it's me. We're in. Mom's willing to bury the hatchet, and fortunately it's not in my back"

"Very good Chrissy. I knew this would work. I love you honey"

Blake hung up the phone and sat back in her chair feeling very content in her new position at WSPR.