Carmen Lopez-Fitzgerald slammed the door as she entered her home. Throwing her backpack down she headed toward the kitchen. “Mom are you home?” She called.

Kay walked out of the kitchen and smiled at her daughter. “Right here baby.”

“I hate her mom, I really hate her.” Carmen fumed. “Gracie lied to dad! She told him tryouts were tomorrow.”

Kay let out a sigh, wrapping her arms around her daughter. “You can’t just blame Gracie sweetheart.”

“Oh I blame Dad too.” She spoke. “But I am so mad at her right now. Why does she hate me mom? What did I do to her?”

“Oh sweetie.” Kay frowned kissing her daughter’s forehead. “There’s so much you don’t know.”

“About Gracie?” Carmen questioned.

“No.” Kay frowned. “About me and your father, and Charity.”

“Mom.” Carmen spoke smiling softly. “I know that Daddy wasn’t there for you. He loved Charity, and you loved him.”

“Yes, that’s true.” Kay frowned taking her daughter by the hand. “But did you know that your father and I almost got together before he married Charity?”

Carmen gasped. “What? No way!”

Sitting down on the couch Kay smiled. “Don’t act too shocked.”

“When did that happened?”

“You were only a year old, and I was at home alone one day.” Kay frowned. “You had this horrible fever, and I called Miguel. He was as scared as I was, and we were both still teenagers. Your father has never been the sharpest tool, so he had no idea what to do, but he was here and that helped. The doctor said to watch your fever all night and Miguel refused to leave me. We spent the whole night talking.” Kay smiled. “When your fever broke we were so relieved. I don’t know what happened, but your father kissed me.”

“He kissed you?” Carmen questioned.

Kay shrugged her shoulders. “I assumed it was like old times. He would kiss me and then tell me how much he loved Charity, but that night he didn’t. Instead he just held me all night.” Kay smiled. “We actually spent the night sitting in the floor of your bedroom. We wouldn’t leave you, and he just stayed there with me refusing to let me go.”

“That’s so sweet.” Carmen gushed. “But where does Gracie fit in to all of that.”

“The next day, Miguel and I were in the living room, and he kissed me again. Your grandmother Grace saw us and told Miguel she was going to tell Charity. At the time your dad actually had half a backbone and told her to go ahead, he was going to stay with me and you anyway.”

“But he didn’t.” Carmen frowned.

“Because I sent him home to Charity.” Kay frowned. “They got married two weeks later, and it wasn’t long until Charity was pregnant with Gracie. I always felt like my mother told Charity everything and if she did I’m sure Gracie knows as well.”

“Mom why did you do that?” Carmen whispered. “You sent Daddy away?”

Wrapping her arm around Carmen, Kay sighed. “It was the right thing to do. I just figured he was messed up, but I knew he loved Charity. Never understood, why he loved her, but he did love her.”  Kay frowned. “Their marriage has never been the fairytale Charity wanted sweetheart. Sometimes I think Charity blames me for that, but it’s not my fault.”

”Is it mine?”

“Never.” Kay answered quickly. “Your father’s problems at home have nothing to do with you. You were a gift to both of us, and I want you to always remember that.”

“Mom, does Gracie think that dad still loves you? Is that why she hates me?”

Kay dropped her head. “I’m not sure sweetheart, but I think its time I had a long talk with your father.”

~*~*~*~

Her golden blonde hair fell to her shoulders as she looked over at her mother. Blue eyes sank back to the floor as she thought about what she was about to say.  “Mom?” She questioned shyly.

“Hmm?” Gwen Hotchkiss spoke as she thumbed through the files in her lap.

“Mom, if someone asked me out, but you didn’t like his parents, would you still let me go?” Peyton Winthrop hinted.

Gwen’s eyes quickly left the papers and rose to met her daughter. “Has someone asked you out darling?”

“Maybe.” Peyton spoke. “But just what if, you and his mom had a kind of messed up past. Would you let me date him?”

“Depends on the guy.” Gwen answered back. “Peyton, who asked you out?”

“Alex Crane.” Peyton whispered under her breath.

”I see.” Gwen nodded.

Peyton waited for a reaction, and when nothing happened she frowned. “You knew didn’t you?”

Gwen smiled. “I’m your mother, I see all, hear all.”

“Well.” Peyton smiled. “Can I go out with him? He’s real sweet mom, and so cute.”

“He’s a Crane.”

“Daddy was a Crane when you dated him.” Peyton smirked. “Please?”

“Peyton.” Gwen sighed. “You know my history with his mother.”

“People change mom.” The girl whined. “And you always tell me not to judge people based on who they are related to.”

Gwen sighed; her daughter was backing her into a corner. The girl was smart; she’d give her that.  “Do you really like this boy?”

“How will I know unless you let me go out with him?” Peyton grinned. “Please mom? One date, its not like we’re getting married.”

“He’s only fifteen Peyton. He can’t even drive.” Gwen challenged.

“No, but he can walk.” Peyton answered back. “Its not far to the Book Café mom.”

“The Book Café?” Gwen asked. “That’s where he’s taking you?”

Peyton shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. All I know is he’s a great guy and I really want to go out with him.”

“How does his mother feel about this?” Gwen frowned.

”He didn’t say. I’m sure he hasn’t told her yet, but he said he was sure it’d be ok.”

“Give me the week to think on it.” Gwen sighed. “I have to talk to your father about it as well. I’ll let you know something soon.”

“But you will think about it?” Peyton smiled.

“Yes darling I will.”  Gwen laughed. “Now, maybe you can help me with something.”

“What’s that?” Peyton questioned.

“Well Kay and I have decided to fix each other up on blind dates. I can’t think of anyone that would be her type though.”

Peyton thought for a moment and then began to laugh. “I’ve got it Mom! What about Uncle Todd?”

“Todd? Kay and my brother?” Gwen laughed. “Sweetheart, I’m not so sure that would work.”

”Why not mom? Didn’t he just dump his girlfriend? He’s a good father and Carmen liked him when she met him. He’d be perfect for Aunt Kay.”

“Todd and Kay.” Gwen thought for a moment. “You know Peyton, it might actually work.”

~*~*~*~*
 

Alex Crane opened the front door of his house and looked up to see both of his parents staring back at him. His mother had her arms crossed, as she arched an eyebrow at him. His father, the person that he could usually look to, was wearing a frown on his face.

“You know, I think I’m just gonna go.” Alex tried turning to head back out the door.

“Stop right there Crane.” Theresa warned. “We need to talk.”

“About?” Alex asked turning to face his mother. “Whatever it is, Ethan did it.”

Theresa sighed. “Ethan asked Peyton Winthrop out?”

“You’ve been snooping again.” Alex spoke dropping his backpack. “Mom, you promised you’d stop that.”

“Son.” Chad frowned. “You know your not allowed to date until you’re sixteen years old.”

“Everyone in my class is dating dad. People in grades below me are dating, why can’t I?”

“Because we have rules Son.” Chad frowned. “Rules you usually live by.”

Alex rolled his eyes. “It’s a date, I didn’t think you’d mind dad.”

“You know the rules.”

“I’ve already asked her out.” Alex fumed. “What am I suppose to do now?”

Theresa stepped in front of Chad. “You should have thought about that before you asked her out son. You should have came to us and told us you wanted to date Peyton. We could have worked something out.”

“Something?” Alex questioned glaring at his parents. “Like what? Making her come to the house? Mom, that wouldn’t have worked.”

“Alex.” Theresa sighed. “I’m sure Peyton is a great girl, but she’s sixteen years old and a grade ahead of you.”

“So.” He shrugged. “Why don’t you just say what really bugs you mom? You don’t like her parents and that’s why you don’t want me to go out with her.”

“Her father was once your step-father.” Theresa attempted.

“And that’s suppose to matter in Harmony?” Alex laughed. “I’m related to almost every girl in Harmony by some way or another. My grandfather is my brother’s father and my brother is my uncle. So what if she’s Ethan and Gwen’s daughter, it’s no big deal.”

“No its not.” Chad frowned. “Son, I understand you liking this girl. But planning a date with her without talking to us was wrong. You know the rules, even Ethan Martin had to wait.”

“You think he waited? Please, he snuck out every night.”  Alex fumed. “I’m not like that. So maybe I should have asked you before I called Peyton. It just sort of happened. We were on the phone and I just asked her out.” Alex blushed.

“Well your going to have to explain to her that you can’t date.” Theresa sighed. “I’m sorry son, but it’s the rules.”

Alex grunted and he turned to head up stairs. “Fine.” He yelled back. “But this is not fair.”

Theresa dropped her head. “He never gets mad at me Chad.” She whispered.

“I know T.” Chad sighed. “But rules are rules.”

“And he’s going to break them.” Theresa sighed. “I know he’s going to break them.”
~*~*~*~*
 

Kay sighed as she walked down the pier, her mind wandering as she looked up at the night sky.  She could still see the look on her daughter’s face as she realized how close her parents came to being together. For years Kay had worked hard to be a good parent to her daughter. She had worked for Gwen as a secretary, while getting her degree in business.  It had been rough on her, trying to be everything Carmen needed, but her daughter was all that mattered. Miguel wasn’t a horrible father, but Kay knew his children with Charity would always come first.

Watching as the stars twinkled above her, she knew she had done the right thing all those years ago. Sending Miguel away was one of the hardest things she had ever done, but she knew he would have left someday anyway.

“Kinda late to be taking a stroll don’t ya think?” A voice spoke from behind her.

Turning she smiled as Chad’s face came out of the shadows. “I could say the same thing to you.”

Shrugging Chad walked up beside her. “Just needed to think about a few things. I’m sure you’ve heard about my son’s love interest.”

“You mean Peyton?” Kay smirked. “Theresa must be loving this.”

Chad chuckled, “I told her fate was a funny thing and she smacked me. Our son and her ex husband’s daughter, of course it bothers her.”

“What about Gwen? I figured she would go insane over the fact that Alex liked Gwen’s child.”

Chad sighed, “People underestimate Theresa. It’s not really about Gwen at all. The Ethan factor bothers her mother than anything.”

“Does it bother you?” Kay questioned.

“What bothers me is my son is fifteen, and our rule was he couldn’t date until he was sixteen.”

“I see.” Kay smiled. “He tried to pull a fast one.”

“He is a teenager.” Chad laughed, “But it won’t work on me.”

Kay nodded her head, “You know, Carmen said most of her friends started group dating at thirteen and fourteen, and dating at fifteen.”

“Well not my kid.” Chad frowned. “I just can’t do that, do you remember thirteen Kay?”

“I was a kid.” She smiled. “That’s why Carmen wasn’t allowed to date until this year. I have to meet the guys personally, and must know something about their families as well.”

“How does Carmen handle that?”

“She’s ok with it. She’s a good kid, and she understands my concern.”

Groaning, Chad ran his fingers through hair. “I wish Alex would understand.”

“Well he is a Crane.” Kay chuckled, “Mix that with being the son of Theresa, and what do you expect?”

Chad smiled, “You’re right. He’s a very headstrong child. He got those genes from his mother. “

“What genes does he get from you?” Kay questioned arching an eyebrow.

“His amazing good looks of course.” Chad teased. “And his love of music.”

“He is also very sensible, much like you.” Kay smiled. “He’s a good boy.” Looking up at Chad she grinned. “He’s just a teenager, and being a teenager isn’t easy.”

“Being the parent of one isn’t a walk in the park.” Chad laughed.

“Tell me about it.” Kay sighed. “I just had a very difficult talk with my daughter.”

“About boys?” Chad guessed.

Kay shook her head as she glanced up at the sky. “Boys I can handle. What we talked about is something much more complicated.  I’m afraid I may have upset my daughter Chad. What I told her may cause her to resent me.”

“Carmen loves you.” Chad spoke touching Kay lightly on her shoulder. “What could you possibly say to her to make her resent you?”

Kay dropped her head, “I can’t say.” She frowned turning her back. “But it involves her father, and our past.”

“Oh.” Chad spoke starting to understand. “Those talks are never easy.”

“Tell me about it.” Kay laughed nervously. “Carmen is a strong child, but I know she still hurts. Her father not being around like he should hurts her, her sister’s cruel remarks hurt her, but mostly, knowing that her parents never had a chance to be together hurts her.”

Chad smiled. “But you’ll get her through it, that’s what great mom’s do Kay.”

“I’m not a great mom.” She chuckled.

“Yes you are. The fact that you can’t see it, proves it to me.”

“Thanks Chad.” Kay blushed. “This talk has been very interesting.”

Chad laughed lightly, “Parents need to vent at times too.”

“Yeah, I guess they do.” Kay nodded. “And I’m glad you were here tonight to listen.”

“Same here girl, same here.”