The sound of Lux crying woke Cate up at 5:03 am. Cate sat up in her bed, disoriented, and looked around. She was still wearing the clothes she'd worn yesterday and the book she'd started reading was open in the middle of her bed. She must have fallen asleep reading.

Cate rubbed her eyes sleepily and stifled a yawn. She'd fallen asleep early, but she was still tired. She forced herself to get out of bed and pick Lux up.

Cate fed Lux in the rocking chair, swaying back and forth. She glanced at the clock. She wanted to lie down for just a little while longer, but it was already almost 6:00. She didn't know how long it would take to get herself and Lux ready. As inviting as her bed looked, Cate knew she couldn't get back in bed.

Cate filled the bath tub with warm water. She gently lowered Lux in, watching her daughter for any signs that the water was too hot or too cold.

Cate carefully washed Lux's skin. She paused when she got to Lux's chest, not sure if it would hurt for her to wash Lux where she'd been cut open earlier that week.

The incision still looked irritated. It was bright red. Cate grimaced. It would heal, she knew, but it would leave a scar.

Lux was just a baby. She wasn't supposed to have scars yet. Cate shook her head sadly.

Cate decided to wash it. She wanted to keep it clean so it wouldn't get infected or anything. She didn't want there to be any reason for Lux to return to the hospital. Lux had already spent more than enough time in the hospital.

Cate cautiously washed Lux's chest, taking extra care to be gentle.

Cate patted Lux dry with a soft towel and then dressed her in Cate's favorite baby outfit out of all the clothes she'd bought.

Cate smiled as she carried Lux back to her bedroom. Her daughter looked absolutely darling. She smelled so sweet after the bath.

Now Cate needed to take a shower and get herself ready. She tossed her clothes into the hamper and put a robe on. She started for the door, but stopped when Lux whimpered from the crib.

How was Cate going to take a shower? She couldn't just leave Lux, she realized. Cate glanced at the clock. Crap. She had to leave for the Bazile's in less than an hour. She couldn't go to school looking like this.

Cate scooped Lux up and found Abby doing her make-up in her bedroom.

"Abby?" Cate said tentatively.

Abby looked up, surprised. Cate hadn't sought her out since their fight.

"Would you mind watching Lux for a few minutes so I can take a shower?" Cate asked.

Abby thought for a moment. She was torn. She'd been trying desperately to make things right with her sister, but she was mad about how Cate had acted yesterday afternoon.

Abby knew Baze was Lux's father, but Cate had been so mean about it. Cate knew Abby liked Baze when she slept with him. She definitely knew Abby liked Baze now and she continued to throw it in Abby's face.

Abby scowled. "Why don't you ask Baze to watch her?"

Cate sighed. "Please, Abby?"

"What? He is Lux's father. Get used to it." Abby threw Cate's words from the day before back at her.

Cate gave up on Abby and found Laverne in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee.

Cate hesitated. Laverne hadn't exactly been supportive when it came to Lux. It's not like Cate was asking for anything big, Cate reasoned. She just needed Laverne to watch Lux for a few minutes so she could get ready.

"Mom?"

Laverne looked up and frowned. "Why aren't you dressed? You're not skipping school again, are you?"

"No," Cate replied. "Can you, uh, watch Lux for a few minutes so I can get ready?"

Laverne glanced at the clock. "OK, but hurry up. If you're taking me to work so you can use the car, we need to leave soon."

Cate nodded and handed Lux to her mom.

"Cate! Are you almost ready?" Laverne called from downstairs.

Cate sighed. She'd taken the shortest shower of her life. Her hair was still damp. She hadn't had time to do her make-up. Oh, well. "Yeah. Be right down."

Cate buckled Lux into her car seat. She dropped Laverne off first and then took Lux to the Bazile's.

"Hi," Ellen said when she opened the door. She looked down at Lux. "How's my granddaughter?"

Cate smiled. "Good."

"She looks adorable," Ellen gushed, taking Lux from Cate.

Cate's smile widened. "Do you need anything? The car seat? Diapers?"

Ellen shook her head. "No, I have all of that here. We'll be fine. Won't we, Lux?"

Baze shuffled in. He grinned when he saw Lux. "Hey, Kiddo."

He smiled at Cate. "Hey."

"Hey," Cate said.

"Have a good day!" Ellen called as Cate and Baze traipsed out to their cars to go to school.

Cate hurried to the Bazile's after school. She didn't want to take advantage of Ellen any longer than necessary.

Ellen opened the door, expertly balancing Lux and the phone. She smiled at Cate and gestured for her to come in.

Cate obliged, taking Lux from Ellen. Lux didn't look any worse for the wear. She smiled up at Cate.

Cate followed Ellen into the kitchen and sat down, waiting patiently for Ellen to wrap up her phone call.

"Sorry about that," Ellen said when she hung up.

Cate smiled. "Thanks again for watching Lux."

"It's no problem. I want to spend time with my granddaughter," Ellen said sincerely.

"I know, but there's a difference between spending time with her and babysitting her every day. I really appreciate it. I don't know what I'd do without your help," Cate said gratefully.

Ellen looked up, surprised. Cate had been nothing but polite to her, but she was still taken aback by how appreciative Cate was.

Ellen wondered what Cate's own parents were like. The girl certainly didn't seem used to people helping her.

Cate shifted uncomfortably under Ellen's gaze. "Well, thanks again. We should get going."

Ellen walked Cate and Lux to the door. She bent down and pressed a kiss to Lux's forehead.

Cate buckled Lux in and drove home, where she had no help at all.

Cate placed Lux in her crib and sat down at her desk to do homework. She was behind in school. She knew Laverne was right. She needed to keep her grades up if she wanted to get a scholarship.

There just wasn't enough time in the day to do everything. She'd already had to quit her job at the boutique. She needed the money, but she couldn't work with Lux at home. Balancing school and a baby was proving to be enough of a challenge without a job in the mix.

Cate alternated between studying and taking care of Lux for the rest of the night.

It seemed like it had been an unusually long period of time since Lux had made a sound. Cate checked on her and was surprised to find Lux sleeping peacefully.

Cate glanced at the clock. Wow. It was already after 9:00. And she still had a ton of homework to do. It was going to be a long night.

Cate worked until midnight and still wasn't caught up. She was so tired she could barely see straight, though. She'd been making dumb spelling errors she would normally never make, a result of her exhaustion.

Cate turned off the light and got into bed. She felt like she would never be able to catch up.

She'd always been a good student. For the first time, Cate wondered if she'd be able to do well. Cate fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, but she tossed and turned throughout the night, the stress of balancing schoolwork and a baby getting to her.