Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.
     - Jane Austen
 

Her father had told her never to trust Cranes. All her life she had heard about the horrible Cranes and how they only knew how to hurt people. Her father and Coach Russell had discussed in great detail the things the Crane’s had done to the people of Harmony. How cold and vicious they could be.

As she stood at the door of Miguel’s room at the B&B she had to wonder, could she trust Fox? Actually someone playing dirty didn’t sound like a bad idea, it might be the only way she could keep Maria.

She knocked on the wooden door in front of her and took a deep breath. She had to stay calm and she had to try once more for Maria’s sake. The door quickly came open with Miguel on the other side staring.

“Is Charity gone?” She asked bluntly.

Miguel nodded his head; “You said you wanted to talk without her here.”

Kay pushed past him, “So let’s talk.”

There was nothing friendly about her tone and it seemed almost strange to her. She was looking at her childhood best friend and yet she felt nothing. The man in front of her was nothing like the little boy that stood up for her when the other boys called her names. He was just another one of those little boys, and she felt as if he was a stranger to her.

“I guess you’ve had time to think about what I said.” He spoke.

Kay nodded her head, “Let’s talk about that shall we?” She questioned crossing her arms. “Let’s pretend for a second that I’m incredibly stupid, and I agree to give you my daughter. Tell me something Miguel, just when would I get to see her, in this agreement you claim works so well for all of us?”

Miguel gave Kay yet another blank stare as he combed his fingers through his hair, “Charity and I talked about that. We want full custody but we think you should be in her life. I’m not sure what we could work out once or twice a month maybe?”

Kay felt her heart start to pound and she knew her face was flushed as anger rose in her. “Once or twice a month? So maybe twelve days a year if I’m a good little girl?” She asked.

“Or more.” Miguel squeaked backing away from Kay. His face was red and his body gestures proved that he was more than just a little nervous. Miguel knew enough about Kay to know that when she was angry no one was safe.

“I was thinking joint custody Miguel.” Kay fumed. “As in we share in the raising of our child. It’s not to late for that, we can both be in her life and she can have what she needs and deserves.”

Miguel sat down on the bed, “Kay, Maria needs in a stable loving home.”

“She is in a stable loving home right now!” Kay yelled. “She’s with her mother, and her grandfather, and has an aunt who dotes on her and uncles who love her! She has what she needs with me! Why can’t you see that Miguel? Our daughter is healthy and happy with me, she is attached to me and you can’t change that.”

Miguel frowned, “She needs two parents who can be there for her. Someone that will be with her all the time, Kay I can give her that.”

“No you and Charity think you can give her that but you can’t! Charity doesn’t know my daughter Miguel. She doesn’t know what she needs or wants, or what each cry means! How can you try to take her from me like this? How?” Kay demanded.

“I’m thinking about my family.” Miguel spoke his eyes darting away from Kay.

“No you’re thinking about Charity!” Kay spoke shaking her head, “You have Charity, she’s your wife, you two got what you wanted so leave me and my daughter alone.”

“Kay, she’s my child too.” Miguel spoke his voice low.

”You don’t deserve to be her father.” Kay growled getting in Miguel’s face.

“I love her.” Miguel whimpered.

“If you think taking her from me is a good idea, you don’t love her enough!” Kay yelled as Miguel moved quickly away from her.

“Kay, I know you’re angry.” Miguel tried. “But I’m thinking about Maria.”

“Oh please you’ve never thought about Maria.” Kay spoke rolling her eyes, “You said it yourself when we were at the lodge Miguel, Charity comes first! I can’t believe I even thought about giving joint custody a second chance.”

“Kay, I’m doing what’s best for Maria. Charity is a wonderful loving person; she’ll be great with Maria. If I raise Maria you can have your life back, go to school, get a better job, it can be a new start.”

Kay felt her anger rising as her fist collided with Miguel’s face. “You idiot! You think I can have a life without my daughter?” She yelled as Miguel grabbed his jaw. “My daughter is my life! How dare you try to take my daughter and give her to Charity! My daughter is the one thing I will never allow your wife to have Miguel! Never!”

Her eyes flamed as she turned and slammed out of the door leaving Miguel to tend to his bruised jaw.

_____________________________________________________
 

Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald handed her sister-in-law a cup of tea as she sat down. “It’s nice to see you and Miguel happy.” Theresa smiled.

“Thank you Theresa.” Charity smiled. “We’ll be much happier once we can take Maria home with us.”

Theresa’s smile faded from her face, “About that, do you really think this is necessary?” She questioned. “I don’t think you realize how this will impact little Maria at all.”

Charity shook her head, “This is best for all of us. We can move on with our lives and Maria can have a happy family.”

“I saw Maria just the other day, she couldn’t be a happier baby. She has a smile on her face at all times. She’s almost walking too, seems like Kay is doing a very good job with her.”

“Kay works a very hard job, when we get Maria I’ll be able to stay at home with her, give her more one on one time. “ Charity smiled.

Theresa nodded her head, “Yeah I guess so. So you’ve been around a lot of babies? Maria is almost ten months old, she’s in a real growth period.” Theresa spoke.

“I’m sure I’ll be just fine with Maria.” Charity told her taking a sip of her tea. “Theresa you are on Miguel’s side right?” Charity questioned. "You do want us to get Maria?”

Theresa dropped her head, “I’m going to be honest with you Charity, I lost my child once. I had him ripped out of my arms and I stood and watched as he yelled for his mommy. I know what Kay is going through and I feel for her. She’s a good mother from what I can tell, I just wish she and Miguel could work out some sort of joint custody.” Theresa shrugged. “Maria needs both her parents, she needs her mommy.”

“She’ll have me.” Charity explained, “And I will be there for her, Kay has a lot of issues she needs to resolve. She’s done things, acted out, and because of that I really feel Maria would be better off with us.”

Theresa frowned, “I’ve done things as well Charity, made my own share of mistakes, but no one can be a better mother to my child than I am. Just ask him.” Theresa let out a deep breath, “All I’m saying is, think of Maria, because she’s the one that will be hurt in this.”

Charity nodded her head, “We are thinking about Maria. I assure you Theresa we don’t want to hurt her at all.”

“Miguel hurt her by not showing up for two months, he knows where I stand on that.” Theresa frowned, “And as far as this custody thing, I have to be honest I think Maria is better off having both her parents.”

“Theresa, I understand that it hurt you when little Ethan was took from you but this is different, the home that we plan to give Maria, it’s the better choice.” Charity smiled.

Theresa shook her head, “First you don’t understand anything about how I felt to loose my son, because your not a mother.” Theresa spoke crossing her arms. “And not to be rude Charity, but you have no idea what’s best for Maria. If you did, I don’t think you would have even agreed to taking her from Kay. I’m sorry but I just don’t see how I can support my brother this time. Not when I know what Kay is going through.”

_________________________________________________

Kay ran up the stairs of her father’s home and into her daughter’s room. She stopped at the door when she saw her father playing with Maria in the floor.

“Daddy.” She whispered wiping her eyes quickly. “Thank you for watching Maria.”

Sam looked up and saw Kay’s blood shot eyes, “You’ve been crying.” He stated bluntly picking up Maria and walking over to his daughter. “It didn’t go well with Miguel did it?”

Kay took Maria into her arms and kissed her daughter on the forehead. “Mama.” Maria cooed with a tiny giggle. Kay wanted to run into her father’s arms and cry for hours but she couldn’t. She also couldn’t run to her room and destroy everything she had that reminded her of Miguel. No, she had to think of her daughter, but she knew when her daughter went to sleep, she would rid herself of her childhood memories of Miguel.

Kay smiled down at her daughter, “He won’t budge.” She told her father. “I tried joint custody again but he shot me down. “There’s nothing left for me to do.”

“Well sweetheart at least you know you tried with him.” Sam frowned. “I need to get to the station, will you be ok?”

“Yes daddy, I’ve got my baby here with me, we’ll be fine.” Kay smiled.

Sam kissed both his daughter and granddaughter on the cheek, “Call me if you need me.” He told her.

“We’ll be fine daddy.” Kay spoke watching as he walked out of the room. “Won’t we Maria?” With a sigh she looked down at her daughter, “Don’t worry sweetie, mommy isn’t going to stop fighting. I’m not letting anyone take you from me. You’ve fought so hard so you can be my little girl, and I plan to fight just as hard to stay your mommy.” Kay promised as Maria’s chubby hands grabbed at Kay’s face while she giggled loudly. “Oh you think that’s funny huh?” Kay asked laughing.

“She’s putting you in your place.” Fox’s voice laughed from the door.

Kay turned around and smiled, “You’re becoming a regular here.”

Fox shrugged, “This side of town is very interesting. Everyday I come here I see a father out playing with his son, or a mother pushing her daughter on a swing. Today I saw these three kids in the yard playing baseball, it’s different here.”

“Wow that stuff doesn’t happen on your side of town?” Kay asked.

“Well some of the parents play with their children, but none of them are friends with my father.” He frowned. “Anyway it doesn’t matter, did you have that talk with Miguel? You told me last night on the phone you’d give him one last chance?"

Kay frowned, “Yeah that didn’t go so well.” She sat her daughter back in her crib and turned to Fox, “I might have lost my temper a little.”

“Define a little.”

“I punched him.” Kay whispered. “Hard, in the jaw.”

“Kay! You slapped his wife and punched him.” Fox chuckled. “You are a wild cat.”

“Oh shut up.” Kay sneered. “I feel like my world is spinning out of control.” She sighed, “I thought maybe if I just talked to him, he’d remember that once, a long time ago we shared something so special.” Kay spoke walking over to the window. “We were best friends, how can he disregard that so easily?” She looked back at her daughter and had to smile as Maria waved her little arms around. She looked to see Fox staring down at Maria, his mind heavy as he watched the little girl play.

“Babies change people.” She noted as he glanced up at her. “Maria changed who I am, and I can tell she’s getting to you.”

“I still haven’t lost my edge.” He winked with his trademark smirk.

Kay rolled her eyes, “You know when Miguel left I promised myself I would change. No more lies, no more tricks or games, I’d be good and make Maria proud. Now he’s back and he wants to take her. Charity has things on me that will change everything, but I can’t loose my daughter Fox. I promised her I’d make her proud, but I just can’t bare watching Miguel and Charity drive away with her.”

“So the question is what are you going to do?” Fox asked picking up Maria from her crib. “I’m all for walking the straight and narrow, I give credit to the people that do that, but sometimes when you want something bad enough, you have to break a few rules.”

Kay frowned, “Breaking rules hasn’t got me very far in life Fox.” She let out a deep breath and looked over at her daughter. “But when I saw Miguel today, I saw a coldness in his eyes and I realized he’s determined to make sure that Charity becomes Maria’s mother. Fox, I can’t let that happen. As much as I’d like to play by the rules, I know if I do that my little girl will one day call Charity mother, and I’ll die before I see that happen!”

Fox smiled down at Maria and then back up at Kay, “I have a plan Kay, but the less you know the better.” He spoke.

“Fox how serious is it?” Kay questioned her eyes showing concern.

“Relax no one will be hurt physically.” He smiled. “And you will keep your daughter. Just let me handle it.”

“Fox why are you doing this? We’ve been friends for like two months and you’re willing to risk so much for me. I don’t get it.”

Fox simply smiled, “Doesn’t matter, I have my reasons.”

“Whatever it is you are plotting will Maria hate me for it later?” Kay questioned taking her daughter from Fox. “Because I can’t stand the thought of that.”

There was silence from Fox as he studied mother and daughter. He had often wondered what it would be like to be a parent. However for some people things like that just didn’t seem possible. “She’ll never hate you.” Fox promised.

“And you won’t tell me anything?” Kay asked. “Are you sure it’ll work? That you won’t mess up and I’ll loose Maria forever? Fox, whatever you have planned are you sure that it will keep me and my daughter together?”

Fox nodded his head, “It will work Kay. I’m a Crane remember? I can do certain things other’s can’t do.”

“I’m trusting you with my daughter’s future.” Kay warned. “Please don’t mess this up Fox.”

“You can trust me Kay, I promise you can trust me.” Fox spoke picking up his phone.

“Who you calling?” She asked staring at him.

“Someone who owes me big time.” He sighed holding the phone to his ear. He listened as a voice answered on the other end. “Father, this is Fox. Remember when you offered to help Kay Bennett? Well here’s your chance.”