V

Mother do ya think they'll drop the bomb?

Mother do ya think they'll like this song?

Mother will they try to break my balls?

Ooh, ah, Mother should I build a wall?

Mother should I run for President?

Mother should I trust the government?

Mother will they put me in the firing line?

Ooh, ah, is it just a waste of time?

Hush now, baby baby don't you cry

Mama's gonna make all of your nightmares come true

Mama's gonna put all of her fears into you

Mama's gonna keep you right here under her wing

She won't let you fly, but she might let you sing

Mama's gonna keep baby cozy and warm

Ooh, baby

Ooh, baby

Ooh baby, of course mama's gonna help build the wall

Mother do ya think she's good enough...for me?

Mother do ya think she's dangerous...to me?

Mother will she tear your little boy apart?

Ooh, ah, mother will she break my heart?

Mother, Pink Floyd

When Jo had finished her pitch, the other three in the room didn't speak, but simply thought about what Jo had said. The pitch had followed a long, emotional discussion between Monica, Bailey and Blair, Jo simply listening. Jo and Monica were implacable foes, but for all that Jo did believe Monica, in her own strange way, loved both her daughters. The problem for Monica is she loved living the high-life more than her daughters. It was the priorities that Monica could never get right.

"Mother, I've never been happy in France", Bailey had tearfully told the woman. "I love you, Mother, but I'm alone where we live. I don't have friends. I don't have any other family."

"But darling", Monica had tried to reason, "you were born there. I try to provide you with everything that I can. Heaven knows I'm not perfect, but I try to provide you with everything."

"That may be, Mother", Blair spoke up on behalf of her sister, "but to feel so isolated isn't good for anyone, let alone a child. She needs more than just a safe place, she needs somewhere to socially develop, to meet friends, to spread her wings. She's not doing that."

"Well what would you have me do?" Monica's anger finally boiled over. It was the opening Jo had been waiting for.

"Maybe you could do for Bailey what you did for Blair, Monica?"

Blair looked quickly at her mother, who was ready to explode again, Blair stopping her. "What are you talking about Joey?"

Jo looked at her lover, then back at Monica. "After you and David divorced, that's when you went to Europe to live, Monica. And that's when you and David, together, decided to send Blair to Eastland."

The very mention of the school in Peekskill brought the conversation to a contemplative halt. Jo continued.

"Blair blossomed there, Monica, you know that. More than anything growing up, Eastland helped shape her into the woman she is today: strong, intelligent, independent, tough as nails, but compassionate. Those are all good things. I think Bailey would thrive at Eastland."

"Mother, do you think Bailey could pass the entrance exam?"

Monica didn't hesitate. "She's as intelligent as you, Blair", Monica assured her. "I don't think she'd have a problem with that."

Jo looked over at the young girl. "Bailey? What would you think of going to the same school that your sister and I went to."

A large, sunny grin broke out on the girl's face. "Mother has told me so much about Eastland, Blair", she said turning to her older sister." She turned back to her mother, not as sure about her next question. "Mother, would you come there and visit me once in a while if I would go there? I love you, Mother, and that would mean a lot to me."

Monica left her seat and got down on her knees in front of Bailey. "Yes, my dear, I give you my promise to visit you, at least once every semester. I do love you, Bailey. And I know you would be safe and healthy, and get a wonderful education there."

"Princess?" Blair looked over at Jo. "Perhaps you can call Mrs. G, and go up there and show Bailey around? She obviously can't go there til Fall, but she needs to check the place out, maybe meet with the Superintendent?"

"Mother? Bailey?" Blair looked at them both.

"I believe that would be a splendid idea", Monica said, feeling better than she did an hour earlier. She would never acknowledge that Jo had brokered the deal. But this did help her daughter, and, when she stopped to think about it, it helped her as well.

At 10am Monday morning, Blair, Monica, and Bailey had made it safely to Peekskill. When Blair had called the night before, Edna made sure to have one of her adult employees at the story available to run Edna's Edibles while she met with her friend. Edna had called the Dean of Eastland, Dr. Merrick Carter that morning, and asked if he would have a few moments to meet with a former student and a prospective student, the man saying he would make the time.

They met on the Campus of Eastland, near the Administration building, Blair walking up to her older friend and mentor, David in her one arm. "Mrs. Garrett!" She gave Edna a one-armed hug, kissing her on the cheek. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too, Blair", Edna said cheekily, "but hand over the baby, right now." They both laughed, Blair handing off her son to Mrs. Garrett. "Goodness Blair, he's growing like a beanstalk, isn't he?"

"You have no idea, Mrs. Garrett", she said with a chuckle. "Actually, I take that back, you're a mother, of course you have an idea."

"Not in a long time, my dear." Edna gave David a kiss on the forehead. "I told you, young man, that your Aunt Edna would be around." She handed him back to Blair after a few moments. "Don't get comfortable, kid", she said to the baby, "I'll be holding you some more before that day is out."

Monica and Bailey had stayed back so Blair could greet her friend, now Edna turned her attention to the other two.

"Monica!" Despite how trying Monica Warner could be, and how much the woman loathed Jo, Edna and Monica had always gotten along well. Monica truly appreciated the effect the older woman had on her daughter growing up. "It's good to seer you again. It's been a long time."

Monica embraced Edna, kissing her on the cheek. "Far too long, my dear." She looked around the campus. "This place brings back a lot of good memories-you being one of those."

"Thank you, Monica", Edna said sincerely, "that means a lot to me." Edna then looked down at Bailey, stepping up to her. "And you must be Bailey? I'm Edna Garrett."

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Garrett", Bailey said with a warm smile. "Blair has told me so much about you."

"Uh-oh", Edna said with smirk. "I hope most of it good?"

"All of it has been good. By the way, Jo told that she sends her love."

Edna beamed at hearing the name of another of her surrogate daughters, noticing that Monica's smile became tepid at hearing the name. "Well you tell Jo that I send it back, and that she needs to visit me soon."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Blair and Monica had agreed that Mrs. Garrett didn't need to know the entire story of why Monica was contemplating Bailey going to school where her sister had. For Mrs. Garrett, it would seem like a logical step for Monica. Blair had grown and thrived at Eastland, and Monica must be fairly certain that Bailey would, too. As far as it went, all that was true. Blair didn't want the family laundry to be aired any more than anyone else.

"Edna, do you believe that the level of education has changed since Eastland and Bates were combined?"

Edna shook her head. "I don't think it has. I have both boys and girls who assist at Edna's Edibles as a means to give them an idea about the real world works, and from talking to the kids and the teachers, I don't think it's been affected negatively", she said with confidence. "If anything, I believe it's actually helped both academically and socially. Remember, Monica", Edna reminded the woman, "I'm not longer officially work for Eastland, but I do sit on the Board of Directors, so I am current on what's going on."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Edna", Monica said with a truly genuine smile.

The tour excited Bailey, with Blair and Mrs. G. pointing out different things to the young lady, actually visiting the home that Blair, Jo, Tootie, and Natalie had grown up in, the House mother currently there welcoming Edna, whom she knew well, and her guests. Blair and Mrs. G. became a little misty-eyed when showing Bailey around the residence. Even now, so many years later, this house meant so much to both women.

By early afternoon, they met with Dean Carter. Merrick Carter had been an American History teacher when Blair was there, both Blair and Jo having had him as an instructor. She gave him a huge hug when they met again, introducing her mother and sister. Dean Carter sat down with Monica and Bailey, finding out a little about the young lady, and advising her that she could take the entrance exam whenever she wanted. The exam could even be taken online, and the results instantly sent to the Admissions office.

The more Bailey heard and saw, the more excited she had become. This is what she wanted-to make friends, to be a part of something where she could grown-and what's more, she knew she would get to know her big sister and her little nephew much better. And although she didn't tell her Mother, she was excited about getting to know Jo better, too.

By the end of their day at Eastland, Monica was convinced that Eastland was where her daughter belonged, if she passed the entrance exam. She had trusted Eastland with Blair, and felt every confidence that Bailey would also grow here as well.

Blair, Bailey, and Monica arrived back at the home in Rockville Centre about thirty minutes before Jo arrived home, Jo bounding into the living room, anxious to hear about the visit with Mrs. G. and Eastland.

Monica was bottle-feeding David when Jo entered, Blair rising and giving her lover a sweet hug and kiss. "You look like you had a good day, love?"

"Every day's a good day comin' home to you, Princess." Another sweet kiss followed, Jo moving over toward Bailey. "How was the visit, kid? Did you enjoy it?"

"We had a blast, Jo", Bailey said excitedly. "Oh, and Mrs. Garrett says she sends her love, and that you better visit soon." Jo laughed at the remark, agreeing that she needed to visit Eastland one of these days.

Jo was still trying to make the effort to be civil to Monica. "So Monica, how did the meeting with Dean Carter go? He's a pretty good guy."

Monica played the civil game herself. "It was a very good visit, Joanna", she said with a nod, making sure David was getting his meal. "He assures us that once Bailey takes the entrance exam, that she would have a place there in the Fall if she wants to go. To be honest, Eastland looks as good as ever, and I know Bailey will get an excellent education there. Both of you obviously did."

"I really wanna go there, Jo", Bailey said excitedly. "It's beautiful up there, and I wanna work for Mrs. G. one day." That made Jo smile brightly.

"Mrs. G. is family, Bailey", Jo reminded her, "and you know what I told ya about family?"

"She's pretty cool for someone who is older." Both Blair and Monica rolled their eyes, Jo letting out a snicker.

A few moments later, David had finished feeding, Monica burping him. "Since you haven't had a chance to say hello to DC, Joanna, I'll give you the honor of changing him." Even Jo had to laugh at that.

"I get it, grandparent's prerogative, right?"

"And one I take advantage of, my dear."

Watching Jo and Monica banter, Blair wondered why her mother simply never gave Jo a real chance to show who she was. Blair could still feel the undercurrent of tension between the two strong-willed woman, but for Bailey's and David's sake, they were doing a good job of staying civil.

Monica handed the infant to Jo, Jo's face lighting up like a neon sign. "Hey big guy, Mama Jo missed you so much today?" She kissed him lovingly on the cheek. "Why don't you and I go into your room and see what nice surprises you have for me in your diaper?" David gurgled something back, Jo loving it when he vocalized like that. "We'll be back in a few, guys."

While changing her son, a thought suddenly occurred to Jo, and she had a moment of panic. Why haven't I thought of doing that before now? My folks would kill me if they thought I wouldn't...

The panic passed, knowing that she could accomplish the task in a few minutes if Blair agreed.

"Hey Princess?"

Blair looked up as Jo and their son re-emerged. "Yeah, babe?"

"Can I talk to you for just a second. I just thought of something, and I want your view on it."

"Sure", Blair said, rising. "Mother, Bailey, we'll be right back."

They went into David's room. "Something wrong, Joey?"

"Well", Jo said nervously, remembering a fight she and Blair had years ago-the only fight that had come to blows, "I just realized something that I haven't done for DC, and it's pretty important to me. I can do it right now, it only takes a few minutes, and it's not that big of a deal if you don't want..."

Blair put two fingers to Jo's lips. "Honey", she said with a smile, "you're rambling. You can tell me anything."

Jo blushed, looking down for a moment, then looked back at her partner. "I just realized that David has never been baptized. A Church doesn't have to do it. I can baptize him, since was baptized myself. But if you don't..."

"Joey, I'd be honored if you baptized our son", Blair said with tears in her eyes. "And yes, it is important to me."

Jo let out a relieved breath, hugging Blair, then kissing her softly. "I love you, Princess. I'm sorry I got kinda long-winded there."

"You wouldn't be my barbarian otherwise, sweetheart. Can I make one request?"

"Anything, babe."

"Do you mind if Mother and Bailey watch. Mother is not very religious, but she had me baptized years ago, and I think it would mean something to her."

"I think I can handle that."

They both re-entered the living room. "Mother, Bailey", Blair asked both of them. "I wonder if you could join Jo and I in doings something? It's important to Jo, and she just realized it hasn't been done yet?"

"What is that, dear?" Monica looked puzzled for a moment.

"I would like to baptize DC, and Blair has agreed. It'll only take a few moments, but both of you should be present. If...if you wanna witness it?"

"Joanna", Monica said with genuine feelings, "I think that's a wonderful idea."

A few moments later, they were in the master bath, with its large sinks. Jo made sure the water was lukewarm, Blair undressing her son while Jo worked on the water.

"OK", Jo said nervously, turning to Blair. "Honey, I want you to hold David over the sink. The water in the sink is a perfect temperature."

Monica had been holding her grandson, handing him to Blair. Blair beamed at her lover, whose eyes sparkled back at her. Blair gently bent over the sink.

Jo tested the water once more, then took a small handful of water. "As one of God's children, who has been baptized into The Church, I baptize you, David Charles Warner", she poured the water in her palm over his forehead, then retrieved more water and repeated the movement, "in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit." As she said the name of the Holy Trinity, Jo made a Sign of The Cross on David's forehead, lips, and over his heart. "You are now baptized into God's Church. May He bless you and keep you, all the days of your life, my son."

Bailey didn't quite understand the significance, but Blair, Jo, and Monica all had happy tears in their eyes, Monica giving a soft nod to Jo.

"That was a good idea, Joanna", Monica noted. "I'm glad you remembered. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Monica. It just makes me feel better knowin' should...well if something were ever happened, that he has been baptized."

Blair had dried off David, and as she held him in the warm towel, she turned to Jo. "I love you, Joey. Thank you for baptizing our son."

"You two are my life, Princess. Thank you for allowing me to do this." They softly kissed, looking down at their son.