My second favorite person in the Bible is Naomi.
**Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands, Bob Dylan**
"Mom!" Debbie watched as Kara carefully made her way down the steps. They met in a tight hug. Debbie felt the firm little belly pressed between them and smiled through her tears. It was real. She'd never thought Kara would want to have children after she'd watched her mother disintegrate into a dried up husk of her former self. She'd thought for sure that she'd poisoned her own daughter against love and family.
Debbie felt such an overwhelming surge of joy and grief that she was crying just because she didn't know what else to do. Her baby was here, safe in her arms. She could see for herself that she really was going to have a grandchild. She stood back, holding Kara's hands in hers. "Let me get a look at you." Kara's cheeks were rosy, her hair healthy and shiny. She looked rested. Her own heart beat a little slower, a little calmer, knowing she was OK. "I'm so glad to be here honey." She hugged her again, just because she could.
Kara squeezed her back "I am too mom." Debbie buried her face in her daughter's neck breathing in Kara's scent as the tears kept flowing. This was her baby. Her only baby left. "Oh, but mom, you shouldn't have come. I am so, so sorry."
Debbie closed her eyes and willed the tears to slow. She'd known there was a chance Kara would feel this way. In the back of her mind she'd figured she could always have a visit and then keep on going, back to the farm in Kansas, home where she'd spent six years alone, drinking her way toward a lonely oblivion. But she wanted to stay. She'd risked a lot for a chance to be here and she had no question in her mind that it was worth it. "I promise, I will work hard and help you. I won't be a burden, I won't be trouble." The words just tumbled out into Kara's neck. She gulped in her scent. She would never ever tire of holding her in her arms, talking with her, being with her. Debbie tried to duck her head. How foolish she was. She'd hurt Kara time and again. What mother does that? No wonder she only had one left. She'd pushed them all away. "No, No I unders…"
Kara framed her face in her hands, forcing Debbie's up to meet her big teary eyes. "Mom, oh Mom. I only meant that there was such a cost. Too much of a cost to you for coming to see me. You left safety and security and lost Peter, because of me, and I'm sorry." Debbie looked into her green-hazel eyes, so like her father's, so like Eric's, and saw her own guilt reflected back to her. Her heart was still thudding in her chest.
"I had to Kara. You'll understand soon. I'd lose everything, everyone to be with you, to help you, to keep you from hurt."
Kara bent her head, forehead resting on her mother's. "You scared the bejeezus out of me Mom. I thought I was going to lose both Danny and you. Who would have put me back together? Promise me you'll never do something like that again."
Debbie pressed her lips together, attempting, and failing to smile. "I'm not making that promise honey. If other times come that I need to be in danger for you, I'll do it, every time. Like I said, you'll understand someday. You would have recovered. Someday my time will come, and no matter the circumstances, I guarantee you, it will hurt less than losing a child."
Kara hugged her tightly again and Debbie relished the feeling, breathed in the moment. "Come on. Take us inside, make introductions, and then Vince and I will get out of your hair while you do whatever you need to finish up for the day."
"Are you here to stay?" Kara asked her, as they hooked arms and she led her mother up toward her office.
"I'm here as long as you need me."
