The next day, Katrina woke up with a note on her pillow from her mother apologizing that she missed her arrival and to meet her downstairs for breakfast. Though, she was bummed that she missed her mother, she was happy to make up the time, sans her father.

"Good morning, sleepy head." Donna greeted her as she saw Katrina descended the staircase. Katrina beamed as she ran the rest of the way down and hugged her mother. She had missed her so much, and she knew she would feel closer to her more than ever because she saw a lot of Lucille in her mother.

"Good morning, mama. I've missed you so much." she said as she pulled back and stared at her mother lovingly and Donna returned the look.

"I've missed you, too. So, what was it like living with my mother for the summer?"

"Oh my god, grandma Lucille is amazing. I had no idea that you two were so much alike. It was as if I was spending the summer with you. How were things here?"

"Nothing much exciting. I just worked, worked, worked. I swear these new crop of dancers don't have any idea of what they're doing. I mean, the show was opening in damn near five days and it was still sloppy. Anyway, your father worked hard as well."

"Of course…" Katrina said as she rolled her eyes.

"Hey, now, don't be so hard on your father. He loves you, and the only reason he works so hard is to give you a better life than what we had."

"Okay, okay…I'll cut him some slack. Anyway, I had gotten to know Latoya more."

"Really? I swear it would be a million years until you two saw each other again."

"Wait, we saw each other before? I don't remember that, and she never mentioned it."

"Of course you two don't remember. You were babies…toddler, really. Your grandmother was really sick and we went down to Georgia to visit her. You two couldn't ever be separated. You were almost like twins."

"Wow…no wonder we clicked so well. It was almost like she was a sister, and she had my back when I was facing the firing squad at the family thing."

"I'm sorry for that. I really wanted to be there after not being there all these years. Did you send them my love? I hoped they understood that I was swamped at work."

"I have to be honest…they're pretty pissed. I mean, I had to defend myself but Latoya and grandma had my back."

"And from what I hear Nate Archibald had your back as well. So, he's your boyfriend, now?" she said smiling and, playfully, nudged her daughter. She was a little less serious than her husband and she had found it in her heart to forgive Nate when she saw how much he loved her.

"Yes, he is. Please don't be mad at me. I mean, we've been feeling this way for a while…ever since we were kids, really, but…"

"Katrina…I understand. I was young once, too. I felt the same way about your father."

"So, you're not angry with me? You approve of my relationship with Nate?"

"Yes. I approve of your relationship with Nate. Now, would you stop talking about it as if it was some agenda at some board meeting. He's your boyfriend." Donna said as she laughed.

"He is." Katrina said as she heard her phone telling her she got a text, and she knew it was from Nate. He had agreed to meet with her in Central Park for a walk.

"Now, Katrina…I hate to rain on your parade, but…your father also told me that you were talking to that Chuck Bass."

"I wasn't talking to him. I just rode with him from the airport because he was picking up Nate, and it was more convenient that way. I'm not friends with him. I'm still pissed at him for what he did to me." Katrina said choosing to not tell her mother about her teaming up with Chuck to ruin Jason. She didn't want to work with him, but they were both out for revenge.

"Okay, you know I don't agree with your father about the whole Nate thing, but I have to say that I just don't like Chuck. There is something seriously wrong with that boy. And that girl, Blair, is even worse. I know I shouldn't be saying this, but I was going to beat their asses if they didn't leave you alone."

"Mama…" Katrina said feeling embarrassed, yet she felt the same way.

"I know, I know…you can take care of yourself, but you know it's hard for a mother to not want to protect her cub against evil. Besides, I'm a grown ass woman…shouldn't even be talking about hitting a child my daughter's age. And you shouldn't either."

"Don't worry I won't. Though, I think being around grandma Lucille and Latoya has changed me a little. I think I can deal with Blair a little better if anything happens again."

"Katrina…why do you stoop so low to their level? I know you travel in a vicious circle, but I really don't like that you go out and partying and…"

"I'm not like that anymore, mom." she said knowing that it was half true.

"I know, but I feel like I did something wrong. Maybe, I should've let you gone to public school or kept you away from this life of money and secrets. You know, sometimes I wonder what would've happened to you if you grew up in Georgia."

"Mom, you're making it seem like I'm a bad person…" Katrina said feeling a little hurt.

"No, no…I'm not saying that you're bad. It's just this lifestyle. I know you're a better person now, but…I just wish you were a little more humble. I'm not saying that being wealthy is wrong. I just wanted to make sure you knew how lucky you are. I mean…I wanted you to fully appreciate what you have. You understand what I'm saying?"

"I think I do…I know before this summer I was a spoiled, rich brat. I was terrible and I'm going to still be terrible, but I have days, especially since this summer, that I truly think, 'Wow, I'm really lucky.' I'm trying to change because I don't want to disappoint you, because I know I disappointed you in the past. It's going to take some time, but I'm trying."

"I know you're trying, sweetie. I know you're trying." Donna said as she stared at her daughter proudly. "So, what do say we have that breakfast? I made pancakes, and I'm pretty sure they are ice cold by now…sorry about that."

"That's okay. Anything you make is good to me." Katrina said as she hugged her mother realizing that she didn't leave Lucille in Georgia because she was in her mother.

"Too much soul food, huh?" Donna joked and Katrina laughed.

"Yeah…Oh, can you believe that Nate actually ate some of the food, and I think he was actually enjoying most of it. It was rather amusing."

"So, you really like him?"

"Yeah…I do. I never thought that this would happen because we were such good friends. I mean, I knew I like him a lot, but I didn't know how he felt. It turns out that he had the same feelings about me that I had of him."

"You know…I have to admit that I would have never guessed that my best friend's son would be dating my daughter. I'm glad you two are together. I don't think I could take it if you were dating someone else. Nate's a good guy, and you're a good girl. I love you, Katrina."

"I love you, too, mom." Katrina said as they hugged.