April 7th

Part 8

Disclaimer: Still own no one!

A/N- Unbeta'ed.

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Joanne closed the journal, just as the train lurched to a stop. So, this was Westport. That ride hadn't seemed that bad.

"Joanne," Benny muttered, pushing through the crowd. "Give me a hug" Joanne hugged the man, struggling not to cringe. This affection was just unlike him. "When are you due?" Joanne looked down, examining her belly. Was it that obvious? "When you have five kids, it's always obvious" He chuckled. "Benji, 12, Lucy, 8, James, 4, Abby, 2, and Jillian, 2 months." He laughed again. "Well?" Joanne blinked.

"November fifteenth, but I'll probably go earlier. It's genetic." She murmured. "Isn't it Lucy's birthday?" Benny nodded.

"Yep. Before you think you're imposing, we've already done dinner and cake." He said. "Chocolate with passion fruit mousse, courtesy of Papa Grey." She smirked, her fingertips grazing her stomach. "Care for a piece? The extra's in the Rover, meant for my secretary," Joanne nodded, listening to her stomach growl. "We'll grab coffee too." Joanne groaned. "Sorry, coffee for me and something with no caffeine for you." She smiled.

They rode to the small coffeehouse in silence. All Joanne wanted was this story. She had to know. What happened to Norah?

"Black coffee for me and an orange cream smoothie for our little Mama" Benny muttered, placing the plastic cup in front of her. Joanne sighed. "Anyway, what did you want to know?" Joanne sipped the cold drink.

"What happened to the baby?" she asked. "What happened to Norah Juliet Cohen-Johnson?" Benny sighed, sipping his coffee.

"Maureen had a slow leak in her water bag. For about two months. The doctors never picked up on it, for whatever reason. When she was born, her lungs were unable to work properly for very long, since her body was ravaged by infection. It's a miracle that she wasn't stillborn." He sighed. "Maureen almost died of an amniotic infection. As soon as her water started leaking, she should have gone into labor. For whatever reason, she didn't. It tore Mark and Maureen apart." He turned his head. "They haven't been the same since. Mark became more cautious, while Maureen became somewhat of a risk taker."

"No wonder she was so against this." Joanne muttered, rubbing her belly. "My body failed her… now it all makes sense." She sipped her drink.

"I'm glad you finally know the truth." Benny murmured. "Have a happy, healthy pregnancy." Joanne nodded. "Do you want a ride home? I have some work to do down there." Joanne nodded.

She didn't want to brave the trains again.

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