It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daugter's eyes
– Martina Mcbride In my daugther’s eyes.

She sat down in the floor of her bedroom a large box in front of her. With a frown she looked in the box and let out a sigh. Taking out a photo of a small boy holding a baseball bat and a ball she shook her head. “You promised me you’d never hurt me.” She whispered to the picture. “You said you’d be the one person I could always count on, how can you do this to me now?” She questioned the picture.

There was many things in the box she was staring at. A lucky rock he had found for her when they were twelve, it was suppose to bring her luck on a test she was scared she’d fail. There was the baseball he gave her for her birthday one year, and the glove her later bought her for Christmas. There was a picture frame that read ‘best friends’; it had held many different pictures of them as they grew up. A shell he found for her when she was into collecting things sat near a stuffed cat he won her at the carnival one year. She looked at each thing one by one smiling as she relieved the moment they became hers. It was a trip back in time, a final goodbye to what was. Blinking back tears she picked up a small black box and opened it. A small silver locket sat inside, picking it up she opened it and looked at the tiny picture inside. Two smiling faces looked back at her as she quickly closed it. Looking back down at the box she saw a tiny piece of white paper, as she unfolded it she felt her heart drop.
 

Kay,

You’ll always be my best friend. Thanks for being there when I needed you.
You are the best and I will always be here for you.

Miguel

“He saved for months.” She whispered as she remembered the look on his face when she opened his gift to her. “Not like it matters now.”

“Kay?” A soft voice whispered from the door. Her sister peered at her nervously, her hand on the door almost as if she was scared to come in.

“Jess it’s ok, I won’t bite.” Kay spoke.

“You ok?” Jessica asked, “I just peeked in on Maria, she was sleeping so soundly.”

Kay nodded her head, she watched as her sister sat down beside her in the floor, “Maria loves you, you’re a great aunt to her.”

“Kay I don’t want you to loose her.” Jessica spoke. “I know we don’t always get along, and I know you think I care more about Charity, but that’s not true. Just so you know, I don’t agree with what Miguel is doing, and I know he’s doing it because of Charity.”

Her sister’s words poured quickly from her lips. She was like a frightened child, but the words they had to be said.

“Thanks Jess.” Kay spoke forcing a smile. “I have no intentions of loosing Maria.”

Jessica smiled, “Just be careful Kay, don’t do something that Miguel can us.”

“Don’t worry Jess, I’m using my head this time.” Kay spoke.

Jessica looked at the items on the floor that had once been in the box. “You’re Miguel box?” She asked. “What are you doing with all this stuff?”

“I’m putting the past behind me.” Kay shrugged. “Don’t you think its about time?”

“Well yeah.” Jessica nodded. “So what are you going to do with the stuff in the box?”

“Get rid of it.” Kay answered. “Actually, you might could help me with that.”

“Me?” Jessica asked. “How?”

Kay smiled, “You’ll see.”

______________________________________________

Julian Crane sat in amazement as he listened to his son. “Well you’re a Crane, I will give you that.” Julian spoke finally. “But this idea, Fox do you realize what you’re doing?”

Fox nodded his head, “I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m helping a really good friend keep her child. The way I see it you owe me, I’ve kept quite about your secrets now it’s your turn to help me.”

“You’re blackmailing your own father?” Julian asked. “I’m impressed.”

“Oh please.” Fox snorted. “I can resort back to Crane tactics when I need to and this is one of those times.”

Julian stood from his chair, “What you’re asking, this plan is huge Fox. It will take a lot of work. I’m not so sure we can pull it off.”

“Oh I’m sure it can be done.” Fox smiled. “The question is are you going to help me?”

“Fox do you have any idea what this means? This plan it can impact your life greatly. Are you sure you want to do this? I realize you’re fond of Kay Bennett and her daughter, but we can think of something else.”

“No!” Fox spoke with a loud voice. “This is the plan I want to go with. I know what I want to do. If we make this work we all win.” He answered quickly. “We all get something out of it.”

“You sound very determined.” Julian frowned.

“Look, I hate asking anything of you. We both know how I feel about you.” Fox huffed, “But this is something I can’t do alone. So for once in your life could you please be there for me?” Fox asked. “I’ll never ask anything again.”

“Yes son, I’ll help you do this.” Julian nodded. “Kay Bennett will not loose her child, I’ll see to that.”

_______________________________________________________________
 

“I’m worried Charity, I’m very worried Kay will fight me.” Miguel spoke looking over at his wife as she stared out the window.

“Relax Miguel, Kay might fight but she can’t win.” Charity spoke. “I know you’re worried but we will get Maria.”

“How can you be so sure?” Miguel questioned.

“I just am.” Charity answered back cheerfully. “We are the best parents for Maria, any judge will see that. Kay chased you and hated me, she’s not fit to be a parent.”

“Kay’s so strong willed, she won’t give up easy.” Miguel shrugged. “She proved that when she hit me.”

Charity looked over at Miguel and the bruise that remained from Kay’s fist, “We will tell the judge how violent she is too. If we even have to go to court that is.” She shrugged.

There was a knock at the door and Miguel looked at Charity, “It’s a little late for someone to be here isn’t it?” He asked opening the door. Outside he saw no one in sight, but instead an old box sitting on the floor. Picking it up he peered in side his mouth falling open as he viewed its contents.

“Miguel? Miguel what’s in the box?” Charity chirped.

“It’s from Kay.” He answered bluntly. He sat it down on the bed and frowned, “She hates me.” He spoke looking over at his wife. He dug around in the box and saw all the memories Kay had kept. Suddenly the little black box came into view and he quickly grabbed it and opened it. Inside was the locket he had gave Kay as well as a note. “She kept that note all this time?” He muttered. Opening the paper he dropped his head, as he realized his note had been replaced with one from Kay.

 
You told me you’d never hurt me. You LIED.

“Miguel, what does all this mean?” Charity asked.

“It means we have a fight on our hands Charity. One I’m not sure we’re ready for.”