Lexi went over to her desk and pulled out the adoption papers, "I found these when I was looking for some stuff in the attic that we could use for props in drama club. They were in a trunk."

"And you knew who I was from Bess?" Mary asked

Tears streamed down Lexi's face, "I'm sorry." She said beginning to escalate into full blown sobs, "I never should have done this. I've messed up your life twice."

Mary quickly crossed the room and pulled her into en embrace, "Hey, who said you messed up anything?"

Lexi pulled back wiping her eyes, "Oh, come on. You can't tell me you're happy about a kid you didn't even want just showing up."

Mary brushed the hair out of Lexi's face, "Lexi, honey, if you think you weren't wanted, you couldn't be more wrong."

"But you gave me up." She said

She took Lexi's hand, "Come on, let's sit down and talk. I know you must have a million questions."

They sat next to each other on the bed and for a moment Mary studied the face of the child she never thought she would see. All of a sudden it was like it happened yesterday. Her heart ached for what she missed despite the fact that she knew she had done what was best for Lexi.

"You are so beautiful." Mary told her smiling, "So, I guess I should tell you what happened, huh?"

Lexi began to relax a little, "You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to."

Mary exhaled heavily, "Well, I guess I'll start at the beginning." She decided, "I was in college and met this guy at a fraternity party. He was handsome, funny, smart, the whole bit. He was getting ready to graduate and go on to law school. We saw each other for a couple of months and only slept together one time. So listen to your parents when they say it only takes one time."

Lexi smiled, "Were you…were you on anything?"

"Yes, I was, so also listen when they tell you nothing is fool proof." Mary told her, "We were at the lake one night and one thing led to another and two months later I found out about you. Right after I went home for the summer."

"Did you tell him?" Lexi wanted to know everything, "Did he know about me?"

Mary looked down for a moment, "Yes, I told him. He was going to law school and the last thing he wanted was a wife and baby to support." She looked up and saw his face staring back at her, "Lexi, I don't want to hurt you."

"No, I want to know." She insisted, "He didn't want me but you did."

"Yes, I would have married him and tried to make things work. At the time I thought I loved him. But when he walked away I knew I couldn't do it by myself. I probably could have found a way, stayed with my parents but I knew I couldn't give you the life you deserved."

"So how did you end up in California?"

"Well, back then when girls got in trouble, they were usually sent away. I went to stay with an aunt who lived in Palo Alto and came back to Roseburg shortly after you were born."

Lexi had one more question she was afraid to ask but had to know, "Um, when he said he didn't want to have me, did you ever think of …of not having me?"

Mary pulled her in her arms again, "Oh, Baby, no." She assured her stroking her hair. She pulled back and looked directly into Lexi's eyes, "The only choice for me was keeping you or giving you up for adoption. I made the decision because I wanted you to have the best life possible."

"I bet your parents were really mad, huh?"

"They weren't thrilled but they loved me and would have supported either decision." Mary assured her, "Honey, when it was clear I couldn't keep you, I knew there was a couple out there just waiting for you, to hold you, cuddle you…love you."

Lexi was feeling better but she knew what was coming next, telling her parents, "I don't know how to tell my parents. They have no idea I even found the papers."

"Well, we'll go down there and talk to them together." Mary said, "Lex, they love you. I'm sure they'll understand."

"Okay."

They walked out of the room and down the stairs holding each other's hands drawing strength from each other from their mutual task. They reached the living room to find Susan and Paul both reading to unwind for the evening.

"Mary, I didn't know you were still here." Susan said smiling but she noticed Lexi's red and puffy eyes, "Honey, what's the matter?"

"Mom, I uh, I found these when I was looking for some stuff for drama club in the attic." She handed her mother the papers

Susan looked at the papers, "Oh God." Was all she could manage

Paul joined her on the couch, "What is it?" He took the papers from her and looked at them, "Lexi, we told you we could deal with this when you were older."

The name on the papers seemed to escape them, "Look at the name where it says birth mother."

They looked and a new wave of shock washed over them, "You?" Susan asked looking at Mary

Mary felt her legs about to give from underneath her but managed to steady herself, "Yes."

Paul stood up, "Well, just what the hell is going on here?"

"Dad, I told you, I found them and well, I had heard Bess mention Mary and I thought it might be her." Lexi explained, "She had nothing to do with this."

"So you just took it upon yourself to tell her? Now we know why this newsroom job is so important to you." He said trying to remain calm, "Do you have any idea how this makes your mother and me feel?"

Mary sensed it was time for her to leave. There would be plenty of time for her to talk to Lexi further but she wanted them to understand fully what took place, "Look, I didn't know until I found out that Lexi was born in Palo Alto and then, when you told me she was adopted, I put it together and confronted her."

"Well, this is between the three of us. I think you should leave, Miss Richards." His tone cold as ice

"Dad, this isn't her fault." Lexi tried to explain

"Lex, it's okay." Mary assured her, "You need to talk this out with them. There is plenty of time for you and me to deal with this." She put her arm around her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze before heading for the door. She had her own feelings to sort out before telling anyone.

Mary returned to her apartment to find Andy waiting for her. She tried to appear normal but she didn't think this was something she'd be able to hide.

"Hi." She said smiling weakly, "What are you doing here?" she asked hanging up her coat

"Well, Phyllis let me in." He explained, "I really wanted to see you." He said getting up and crossing the room to join her. He pulled her in his arms and kissed her, "I've been waiting all day to do that."

"I'm glad you came by." She said and they sat down on the sofa

"So how was dinner?" He asked

"Uh, fine." She managed

He took her hands in his, "You know, I didn't just come over here because I missed you."

"You didn't?" She asked

"No." He said, "I have been thinking about something for a while now and after this weekend I knew it was what I wanted to do."

"I don't understand." She said

"Well, let me make it clear." He said getting down on one knee, "Mary Richards, you have made me happier in the last few months than I have been in my entire life and it would be my honor, my privilege to be your husband. Will you marry me?"

Tears formed in her eyes, "Oh, Andy, you've made happy too, very happy but there is something you should know."

"Hey, what could be so bad?" He wiped her eyes

"Well, this may be more than our relationship can handle." She told him and stood up and walked across the room, "So, I guess I'll just say it straight out."

"Okay." He said. He had never seen her so uncomfortable

"Andy, when I was in college, I got pregnant and gave up a child for adoption, a little girl." The words just seemed to tumble out like a boulder down a mountain

Andy couldn't really believe what he was hearing, "You what?"

"Just what I said, I have a daughter." She explained, "And she's here in Minneapolis."

"What do you mean she's here? You found her?" He asked

"She found me." Mary said, "Apparently she came across her adoption papers by accident and decided to seek me out. I met her about a month ago."

"And you're just telling me this now?" His temper was rising

"I didn't know who she was then." Mary explained, "I just found out tonight."

"Tonight?" He repeated, "Well, you were at Lexi's for din…" He trailed off

"Yes, Andy, she's my daughter."

"I don't believe this." He said, "So let me ask you something. Would you be telling me about this at all if she hadn't shown up?"

Mary looked down unsure of how to answer him

"I see, so what if we had gotten married? You would have kept this from me unless the kid showed up and you were forced to?"

Mary finally looked up her brown eyes pleading with him to understand, "Andy, no one knows but my parents. Do you know how long I've carried this with me?"

"Well, I thought we meant more to each other than that. Above everything else, we've been friends for a long time." He felt like his whole world was falling apart.

"I wish I had the answers you wanted." Mary said

"So do I." He said heading for the door, "I don't think I can be with someone who I'll have to wonder if they're being honest with me." He reached the door and started to turn the knob

Tears streamed down her face, "I understand," She had no choice, "But for what it's worth, I would have said yes."

He opened the door without looking back. The harsh slam making her jump.

TBC…Mary and Lexi try to figure out who they are to each other and Lexi's parents try to come to terms as well. Mary comes clean with the gang at WJM and tells her parents about Lexi