She had just dropped Emily off at her first day of Kindergarten before driving herself to Grace's office. After years of being driven around in a limo, she finally decided to buy a car. The subway was not an option, and Driver was getting too old to operate a vehicle. Besides, it was more practical for her to be able to drive herself and her daughter wherever they needed to be.

"Good morning, Gracie." She smiled to her friend as she entered the office, hanging her coat.

"How cute was she?" Grace referred to Emily on her first day of school as she walked to stand in front of her assistant's desk. Karen smiled and pulled her digital camera out of her purse, handing it over.

"I can't believe I'm one of those moms who take pictures of everything she does." They giggled at the thought and she put the camera back in her purse. "I thought she was going to cry, but she did really well when she got around the other kids."

"That's good." She continued to smile and wiggled a little. Karen gave her a curious glance as she bit her bottom lip.

"Honey, what's going on?"

"Leo and I set our wedding date, and I have a really important question to ask you."

"I don't have to decorate the church with your family or anything do I, because that really sucks?" Grace giggled and shook her head, watching relief pass across Karen's face.

"I want you to be my maid of honor."

"Aw, honey, that's sweet."

"But that's not all." She rushed over to her desk and grabbed a folder, hurriedly handing it over to Karen. She narrowed her eyes and opened to folder to reveal sheet music. "I want you to sing at my wedding." She met Grace's eyes, astonished. She used to sing a lot when she was in her twenties, supporting herself in various ways, but she had no idea that Grace even knew about that. The only person she had ever told was… "Will told me about all the money you used to make."

"How do you even know I'm any good?"

"Will said he's heard you singing before, when Emily is sick and stuff. Plus, Jack's going to play the piano, so it's going to be really special. Please."

"I don't know." Grace rushed over to Karen's side and pulled her into a deep kiss, brushing her hand over her cheek. She pulled away with a perceptible pop, raising her eyebrows in anticipation for a more acceptable response. "Fine, but don't be disappointed if it isn't perfect."

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Traffic had been bumper to bumper for twenty minutes and Karen's patience was running thin. Emily's incessant jabbering from the center of the backseat didn't help. She was telling her mom about the book they had read in school that morning while she played with her pigtails. Karen sighed and tried her hardest not to be annoyed by her daughter's constant talking. It wasn't her fault, and she certainly was doing no harm.

"Emily, honey, I love hearing about your book, but could we have some quiet-time for a few minutes?"

"If you promise to braid my pigtails tonight."

"I promise, sweetie." She took a deep breath as only the radio filled the car with noise. As she leaned her head back against the headrest on her seat she put the car in park, taking off her seatbelt as well. It didn't look like they were moving anytime soon. She looked out the window and her brow furrowed at a strange sight. A large semi was racing down an alley, which she was sure wasn't supposed to be used as a shortcut through traffic.

The thought of something illegal happening in New York didn't surprise her. What did surprise her was the speed with which the vehicle was moving. It was still a decent distance away, but her heart began to beat a little faster. It wasn't like she could just drive away.

"Oh, Mommy, I met a new friend today. Her name is Abby, like our cat, and she was wearing the same shoes as me…" She continued to speak, but Karen's eyes widened in panic. The semi wasn't slowing as it approached the street at a terrifying rate.

"Shit." She quickly grabbed the lever at the bottom of her seat and slid it back so she could move faster. Emily couldn't undo the belt on her car-seat, and she knew that the truck was not going to stop. They had to get out together.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" She didn't answer as she hurried to get to the backseat of the car, her large stomach making it more difficult than she needed, or expected it to be. She began to unbuckle the belt, turning to see the semi closer than ever. She wished she would have gotten out of the car to get to Emily, but there was no time, and she was panicking.

"Cover your head." Emily followed the instructions, and Karen huddled over her daughter in a form of protection. As soon as they ducked she could hear the sounds of the collision, the glass of their windows shattering at the impact. Everything went black.