Summary ~ Mark and Elizabeth’s daughter discovers the story about what really happened the day she was born.

Genre ~ Mark/Elizabeth

Disclaimer ~ I’m like everyone else, I don’t own anything.

Notes ~ Okay, this is a story that I wrote when I had writer’s block for One Is Silver. I was inspired by a FRIENDS fanfiction I read. And I did do my research for this story.

Need to Know ~ It takes place Christmas of 2019. In order for this story to work you have to pretend that Elizabeth did not get pregnant when she did and Mark never had a brain tumor. BUT, Susan Lewis did return in September of 2001. The last episode that applies to this story is The Visit. Also, what occurred in Loves Labor Lost did not occur. That would be a tad weird.

Feedback ~ Like what I wrote? Want me to write more? Think I should give up writing all together? Well, then please tell me; don’t mumble it to yourself. Anything you have to say about this story, another story, or the site in general is always welcomed. Send all comments to greeneblob707@yahoo.com. And if you could put the title of the story you wish to comment on in the subject box I would love you even more. Enjoy!

Caroline entered the cold, dark house and threw her car keys and book bag on the nearby table. She scanned the house for any sign of her father. But she knew he wasn’t there. She noticed that the answering machine was blinking so she decided to play the message back, fully knowing whom it was from.

“Hey Caroline! Sorry sweetie, but I couldn’t get off work. Carter called in sick so I am going to have to pull a double. There is some money in the top drawer of my dresser so you can order a pizza if you want. Or you can help yourself to whatever. I don’t know when I will get back, so don’t wait up. I love you, bye!” Caroline heard the click of the phone, and the monotone voice of the machine told her she had another message.

She stopped and listened as she heard her aunt’s voice on the phone. Or at least the woman she called aunt. “Hey sweets, it’s Aunt Susan if you can’t tell! Yeah, I know that your dad isn't going to be able to make it home tonight so I want to let you know you are welcome as always to come over here if the mood strikes! Don’t hesitate! Sean’s making some chicken and the girls might go see a movie if you are interested. So whatever you want is fine! Talk to you later!”

Caroline sighed as she deleted the messages. Her dad wasn’t home again. He was hardly ever home anymore. She couldn’t remember the last time just the two of them made dinner together and just sat around talking. They use to do that a lot when she was younger. But now it seemed like she never saw him anymore. She sighed and looked around the desolate house. She finally decided she didn’t want to be alone that night.

She hopped in the car and pulled out of the driveway. As she drove down the street, she fiddled with the radio, trying to find something decent to listen to. She finally stopped on a station that was playing her favorite Christmas Carol, fittingly titled ‘The Christmas Song.’ Caroline sang along with the radio as she cruised down the busy streets. She finally pulled up in front of her aunt’s house. The Christmas lights were sparkling, and it looked like a scene out of a Christmas card. The light snow gently blanketed over the bushes and the small blur of colorful lights could be seen underneath. A small line of smoke came out of the chimney, and through the window Caroline could see the sparkle of their Christmas tree. She stood outside the door for a good while, just admiring the scene. It reminded her of how her house use to look when she was little. It looked like that no more.

Finally, when her cheeks started to sting, Caroline decided it best to go inside. She walked through the snow and smiled as she heard it crunch underneath her feet. She rapped her cold hands against the red door and waited for an answer. She finally saw little Jack peek through the window. Caroline smiled at him and waved her hand hello. He giggled and opened the door. “Hey Jack!” she grinned.

The little boy smiled back and yelled towards the direction of the kitchen, “Mom, Caroline came!” Susan put down what she was doing in the kitchen and came out to see Caroline.

“Oh good, you came!” she smiled.

“Yeah, I didn’t feel like pizza tonight.” Caroline replied.

“Here, let me take your coat,” Susan said. Caroline smiled and took off her green jacket. She handed it to Susan who handed it to Jack so he could put it in the closet. Jack skipped off to go put the jacket away. “I’m so glad you came, Caroline. I hated the thought of you being all alone tonight.”

“Yeah, well, I’m alone every night,” Caroline said.

“I know, and I hate that,” Susan replied.

“Well, dad has to work, and I know that. It’s okay.” Caroline said, trying to reassure her aunt. The two walked into the family room where Samantha and Colleen were sitting watching a movie. “Hey guys!” Caroline said, sitting down.

“Hey Caroline,” Samantha replied, not once taking her eyes off the screen.

Ten year old Colleen looked over at Caroline and said, “She hasn’t been talking to anyone the whole time the movie has been on.”

“Why not?” Caroline asked with a smile.

“She says she needs to watch it for school,” Colleen said, making a face.

“What? What movie is it.” Caroline asked.

“Pearl Harbor,” Colleen replied.

“Colleen! I am trying to listen! God!” Samantha snapped.

“Why does she need to watch it for school?” Caroline asked, confused.

“Sam says that since they are learning about Pearl Harbor she should watch the movie to get a ‘better understanding,’ whatever that means.” Colleen told her.

“Oh Sam, you aren’t going to learn anything from this movie! It’s a love story!” Caroline laughed. Samantha rolled her eyes and pretended not to be listening. Caroline was about to say something else when she was interrupted by Susan telling them dinner was almost ready.

Caroline got up and walked into the kitchen so she could volunteer her services. Susan was setting the table and her husband Sean was getting the food out of the oven. “Hey Caroline,” He said with a smile.

“Hey Sean.” Caroline smiled back. She never called him Uncle Sean like she called Susan, Aunt Susan. To her, he didn’t feel like an uncle. Susan hadn’t married him until Caroline was about five, and she was never as close to him as she was to Susan. She loved Sean of course, but she just never called him Uncle Sean! Of course, she never called him Mr. Davis either. That sounded to weird for Caroline. So he was just Sean. “Um, Aunt Susan, I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help with dinner?” Caroline asked politely.

“Sure sweets, you can pour the drinks, that would be a big help.” Susan answered. Caroline nodded her head and went to go pour the drinks. When she finished she placed them all on the table. “So how was school today?” Susan asked.

“Eh, it was okay. Same old, same old,” Caroline replied.

“Well that’s how it is suppose to be! But are you sure nothing the least bit exciting happened at all?” Susan asked with a grin.

“Trust me, it was very, very pointless and dull!” Caroline laughed. “Today is a B-Day, so I don’t have any classes that I like. Human Anatomy is on A-Days, and that is my favorite class.”

“Oh, that’s right, you are into the sciences, aren’t you?” Susan asked.

“Yep! I live for it! I can’t wait till I can go off to medical school!” Caroline said, excited.

“Oh God, trust me, it’s not a fun experience. And neither is your residency,” Susan told her.

“Yeah, but it’s worth it in the end. Besides, I like being challenged.” Caroline smiled.

“Wow, you are your mother’s daughter.” Susan smiled. Susan then realized what she had said and quickly tried to cover herself by saying, “Okay! Dinner is ready! Girls, dinner is ready!”

“Where is Jack?” Sean asked.

“Oh, he’s in the basement, I’ll get him,” Caroline said. She went and fetched Jack then they all ate dinner together.

After dinner Samantha and Colleen decided to go see a movie. They invited Caroline to come, but she declined, opting to instead just hang out with her Aunt Susan, which she loved to do. At around nine Sean took Jack up to bed and Susan and Caroline were left alone in the family room. They talked about random subjects. School, movies, TV, and stuff like that. Finally the topic of her father came up. Caroline was reluctant to talk about it first, but she finally gave in, deciding if she was going to talk to anyone about the subject, it would be Susan.

“I don’t know, I mean, I know he has to work, I understand that. And I wouldn’t want him to give it up. It’s just that, sometimes I just miss him, that’s all,” Caroline complained.

“Oh sweetie, that’s perfectly normal! Of course you miss your dad! But you know, if you really feel so strongly about it then you should really talk to him about it. He probably has no idea that his working too much makes you so upset,” Susan told her.

“That’s just it! He doesn’t seem to know anything about me anymore! He is never around enough to find out what I am like now. In his eyes I am still the same as I was five years ago. And I am not, at all. I just miss how things use to be, that’s all. We use to be like a family, just the two of us. Now it seems as if we are just strangers who live under the same roof.” Caroline sighed.

“I don’t know what to tell you sweets, except that if you really want things to be like they use to, then you are going to have to be the one to bring up the subject. Because if I know Mark, he isn't going to be the one to do it.” Susan said giving her a pat in the leg. Susan then added, “He does love you Caroline, more than anything. And you should know that.”

They were both quiet for a good while. After several minutes passed Caroline looked up from her lap and asked Susan, “What happened the day I was born?”

Susan looked up, her eyes full of despair and shock. “Oh Caroline,” she said, “That’s something you should talk to your dad about, not me.”

“Aunt Susan, please, I need to know. It will be too hard if I go ask dad. Can you please just tell me, please.”

“Alright.” Susan said quietly with a nod of her head.

Elizabeth groaned when her alarm clock went off. She rolled over and quickly turned it off. It was the first day of her maternity leave and she was not about to get up early in the morning. She couldn’t quite remember why she had set the alarm clock. It was probably a force of habit.

She tried to get back to sleep but it was of no use. She was awake and there was no getting back to sleep. Sighing, she rose from her bed and walked down the stairs into the kitchen. She smiled a slight smile when she saw Mark making eggs on the stove. “Good morning.” She smiled.

“Good morning,” He said, giving her a kiss.

“Mmm, that smells delicious!” she said, taking in a deep breath.

“Hungry?” he asked.

“Yes, very!” she joked. Mark put some eggs on a plate and handed it to a very grateful Elizabeth who began eating immediately. Mark then fixed a plate for himself and sat beside her. When Elizabeth had finished her breakfast she turned and asked Mark, “Want to talk about names again?”

Mark stopped and looked at her, saying, “I don’t think we are going to accomplish anything. We never agree.”

“Yes, I know, but this child does need a name you know. It can’t be ‘the baby’ forever.” Elizabeth smiled.

“I am still sticking by my choice.” Mark stated.

“Bridget?” Elizabeth asked. Mark nodded his head. “Oh Mark, I told you. I always wanted to name my daughter Caroline.”

“Come on Elizabeth, move past that. I can’t see myself naming my daughter Caroline because every time I hear that name I think of this girl I knew in college. And I would hate for my daughter to have the same name as her. I think Bridget is the perfect name. It means strength, and what better name then that?” Mark said, trying to convince her.

“I still think she should be named Caroline.” Elizabeth said while washing off her plate. “Caroline Marie, I think it’s perfect.” Elizabeth smiled as she walked up the stairs to go get ready for the day.

Susan walked up the path to her good friend’s door. She gently rapped her hands against the door then rubbed them together in attempt to get them warm. It was a freezing February day and almost as soon as she stepped out of the heated car, her cheeks became red and her hands stiff. She had the day off and decided to stop by Elizabeth’s house and help her out. She knew Mark was working that day, and Susan felt better knowing that someone was with Elizabeth.

Elizabeth swung the door open and smiled when she saw Susan standing there. “Hey!” Elizabeth grinned. “God, come in! It’s freezing out there!”

Susan laughed and walked inside. She took a deep breath in, thankful to be out of the cold. She smiled as she took off her jacket and hung it on the coat hanger. “This is a pleasant surprise,” Elizabeth said.

“Well, I was off today and I thought I should come by. Someone has to keep an eye on you! You look like you are about to pop!” Susan said playfully.

“God, and I feel like it. I can’t wait to get this show on the road. I’m so tired of being pregnant.” Elizabeth said walking into the family room. Susan followed and both women sat down on the couch. They chatted for a while, about the whether and what was happening at County. They talked about the baby’s name. “Have you decided on a name?” Susan asked.

“God no! We agreed on a boy’s name, but something tells me that we aren’t having a boy,” Elizabeth commented. “We just can’t seem to agree on a girl’s name.”

“What do you want?” Susan asked.

“I like Caroline, but Mark is insistent upon Bridget.”

“Those are both nice names.” Susan said.

“Yes, and I like the name Bridget. It’s just that I always wanted to name my first daughter Caroline, you know. I would give in and name the baby Bridget if this was our second baby, but for our first, I like the idea of Caroline,” Elizabeth explained.

“I totally understand. I have always said that I want to name my first daughter Samantha. And believe me, no one is going to change my mind about that!” Susan laughed.

Elizabeth smiled and then rose from her seat. “Would you like something to drink?” she asked.

“Sure! But let me help you.” Susan said following her friend into the kitchen. Elizabeth got a pitcher out of the refrigerator and Susan got the glasses out of the cabinet. When Susan turned around to face Elizabeth, she noticed that Elizabeth had stopped in her tracks. “Elizabeth? Elizabeth, what’s wrong?” Susan said, her voice full of concern.

“Oh, I think I just had a contraction.” Elizabeth said. She then winced in pain. “Yep, I’m pretty sure that these are contractions!”

“Oh my God, have you been having these feelings all day.” Susan asked.

“No, but I have been having back pain. Oh God, it hurts!” Elizabeth winced while grabbing her abdomen.

“Okay, we have got to get to County! Do you have your bags packed?” Susan asked.

“Yeah, yeah they are up by my bed.” Elizabeth told her.

“Okay, okay I am going to go get them. I will be right back.” Susan told her. She darted up the stairs and found the bag, returning to Elizabeth in record time.

“We might want to bring the cell phone so we can call Mark from the car.” Elizabeth suggested.

“Right, okay, where is it?” Susan asked. Elizabeth pointed over to a shelf. Susan then went over and grabbed it. Susan then helped Elizabeth into the car and pulled out of the driveway. When she stopped at a stoplight she got out the cell phone and began dialing the familiar number to County General. “Hey Randi, its Susan.”

“Oh hey Dr. Lewis!” Randi said.

“Listen, I am on my way over with Elizabeth, she is in labor. You have to tell Mark.” Susan said as calmly as she could.

“She’s in labor?!” Randi practically yelled.

“Oh God, my water broke!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

“Yeah, she is definitely in labor.” Susan said. “Look, just tell Mark that we are on our way and he needs to drop what he is doing.”

“Yeah, yeah okay.” Randi said.

“Okay, good. Now I have to go.” Susan said hanging up the phone. The light turned green and they started down the street again. Elizabeth continuously winced as pain shot through out her body.

“Oh crap, oh God Susan, it hurts!” Elizabeth cried.

“I know, I know it hurts, just keep breathing. We will be there soon and then you can get an epidural.” Susan tried to reassure her.

“Oh, an epidural, definitely.” Elizabeth sighed.

When the pulled up to County General Susan helped Elizabeth out of the car. Both women looked over and saw Mark rushing towards them with a wheelchair. “Mark!” Elizabeth said, sitting down into the wheelchair.

“Hey.” He said giving her a kiss on the forehead. “How long have you been having contractions?”

“Not that long. I have had them twice in the last twenty minutes, and they are about nine minutes apart.” Elizabeth told him.

“Well that’s good, we still have lots of time.” Mark said, wheeling her into the hospital. “Good thing Susan was there, huh?” Mark joked.

“Yes, she is my savior.” Elizabeth said, looking towards Susan who smiled back. They took Elizabeth up to OB and got her settled in. Susan went down to the ER to see what pools and bets were being made.

About three hours later Elizabeth was eight centimeters dilated. Her labor had progressed very quickly. The baby’s heart rate had dipped down to 130, but Elizabeth kept telling herself that they were good till 120.

But about a half an hour later the baby’s heart rate dipped down to 100. Mark and Elizabeth became very alarmed, and called Dr. Coburn in. She checked the monitor and repositioned it. It was then that the heart rate began to go back up. “Thank God it wasn’t something serious.” Mark commented.

“I think we just had our scare for this delivery.” Elizabeth smiled, while Mark gave her a kiss on the head.

“Okay Elizabeth, your blood pressure is a little high and the baby is turning breech, so we want to do a C-Section.” Dr. Coburn said.

“Oh God, I was hoping we could avoid this.” Elizabeth sighed.

“Nope, sorry, if we don’t we put you and your baby at risk.” Coburn told her. Elizabeth nodding, understanding what had to be done. They got her pre-op and took her into the OR.

Bright lights hung above her head. Elizabeth had spent countless hours in the OR, but for the first time she was scared about being there. She knew that chances were she was going to be fine, but she hated that it had to be this way. She took a deep breath in, trying to relax herself. It was then that she saw Mark walk in.

“Mark, oh, thank God!” Elizabeth said.

“What, you thought I wouldn’t come?” Mark smiled. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” He said giving her a kiss. “And I still think we should go with Bridget.”

“Oh no, she is going to be Caroline.” Elizabeth smiled.

“Okay, now, one incision, skin to baby.” Coburn said, making the first incision in Elizabeth’s abdomen.

“Her pressure is rising.” A nurse said.

“Okay, give her 50 of hydralazine.” Coburn ordered.

“You’re doing great, Elizabeth, just great!” Mark said, but Elizabeth didn’t respond. It was then that her body started shaking uncontrollably.

“She’s seizing!” a nurse yelled.

“Oh my God.” Mark said quietly.

“Give her 100 of magnesium!” Coburn yelled.

“Her pressure is rising and she’s throwing PVC’s!” a nurse stated.

“10 more of hydralazine!” Coburn ordered. Mark became extremely worried and extremely helpless. He didn’t want to leave Elizabeth’s side, but he also wanted to jump in and help.

“Dr. Greene, please leave!” Coburn asked.

“What? No, I am not going anywhere!” Mark stated firmly.

“You shouldn’t be here, Sandra, please take Dr. Greene out to the waiting room.” Janet told the nurse.

“I know where it is and I am not leaving!” Mark told her.

“Dr. Greene, please leave before I am forced to remove you!” Coburn yelled. Mark then ripped off his mask and his gown and threw it in the hazardous waste bin. He then walked out to chairs, very annoyed. He found Susan sitting there reading a magazine. She looked up and smiled, thinking Mark was coming to tell her if it was a boy or a girl. But the smiled faded when she saw his face.

“Mark, what’s going on?” Susan asked.

“It got sour in there.” Mark said sitting down.

“What?” Susan said disbelief.

“It’s eclampsia, I can tell. Her pressure rose and she seized.” Mark said, not fully believing his own words.

“Oh my God.” Susan said shocked. “How bad is it?”

“I don’t know, they made me leave. But it looks pretty bad.” Mark said, almost in tears.

“Oh God.” Susan sighed.

In the OR things were taking a turn for the worse. The seizure had stopped and they were in the process of getting the baby out. A few minutes later Dr. Coburn pulled out a very blue baby girl. She wasn’t breathing and the nurses quickly began to treat the little girl. After a few minutes she began to pink up. “Go tell Dr. Greene that his daughter is fine.” Coburn told one of the nurses. The nurse nodded and left the room.

“The uterus is boggy.” Sandra stated.

“Damn it! The placenta is torn!” Coburn said in frustration.

“She’s bleeding out!” A nurse yelled.

“She’s going into DIC!” Sandra yelled. Coburn began ordering drugs and trying frantically to stop the bleeding. But her efforts were failing. “She’s crashing!” A nurse yelled. “She’s in V-Fib!”

“Paddles! Charge 200! Clear!” Coburn yelled, shocking Elizabeth’s heart. “Charge 300! Clear!” She shocked her heart again. They repeated this process for what felt like hours. After about 15 minutes Coburn stopped, seeing as it was hopeless. A sharp, high pitched sound filled the room, and all heads turned towards the monitors.

“Asystole.” Coburn said. “That’s it, it’s over. Time of death, 22:36.” Coburn ripped off her gloves and threw them in the bin. She then slowly made her way out to chairs, where Mark was waiting. When she walked into the room Mark and Susan stood up. But Dr. Coburn didn’t have to say anything. They both knew what had happened. “I’m sorry, Mark.” Coburn said.

Mark sat down in the chair and didn’t say anything at first. He then put his head in his hands and started to cry. Susan sat next to him and held him in her arms as he cried.

A few hours had passed, or at least it had felt that way. Mark didn’t know where to go or what to do. His wife was dead; he had a daughter to raise on his own. His wife was dead. That stung him to say. He didn’t leave the waiting room, and neither did Susan. They both didn’t say anything. Susan didn’t know how to comfort him. Finally she said, “Mark, you should see your daughter.”

Mark looked over at her. He didn’t respond. He finally said, “I can’t, I can’t do it alone. I can’t see her.”

“I know its going to be hard, but you need to see her and hold her. She lost something today too. And I know that you feel very overwhelmed, but Mark, you need to see your baby.” Susan said, brushing a tear from her eye.

Mark nodding, giving in. He rose from his chair and followed Susan into the nursery. When the entered the room Susan walked over to one of the nurses and asked where the Greene baby was. She led them over to a little bassinet, where a tiny little baby was sleeping. Susan reached in a picked up the tiny baby, quietly saying, “Oh sweetie, shhh, it’s okay.” The little girl yawned and Susan playfully kissed her hand. She then turned to face Mark, who was staring at the little baby. Susan held out her arms, asking Mark to take the baby from her.

“I can’t, I can’t do it Susan.” Mark said, trying not to let the tears fall. “She looks just like her mother. I can’t do it.”

“Mark, hold your daughter.” Susan said, slightly smiling.

Mark reached out and took the baby from her arms. Susan could see his hands trembling. He settled her in her arms and sat down in a rocker. Tears began to flow from his eyes. “She’s so beautiful.” He said.

“She’s her mother.” Susan stated, kneeling next to the two of them.

“What do I tell her? When she grows up and asks about her mother, what do I tell her?” Mark asked, not once taking his eyes off the baby.

“You tell her the truth, Mark.” Susan told him.

“I don’t know if I can do this.” Mark said, his voice full of fear.

“Yes you can, you can do this.” Susan reassured him.

“No, I can’t do this alone. I can’t raise this little girl alone.”

“You won’t be alone. I’ll be there.” Susan smiled. Mark didn’t respond. He looked at Susan, then back at the baby. Susan then asked, “Now, what are you going to name her?”

Mark was quiet. He studied the little girl for a moment then responded, “Caroline. Caroline Marie. That’s what her mother wanted.”

“I know, and it’s the perfect name for the perfect girl.” Susan smiled, tickling the baby’s chin.

“He was afraid to hold me?” Caroline asked shocked.

“Oh, sweets, he was terrified. He loved you and your mom so much, he just didn’t’ want to mess up.” Susan said.

Caroline was quiet; she didn’t know what to say. She finally got up the courage and asked, “Am I like her? My mom, am I like her?”

“Oh Caroline, you are exactly like her, in almost every way.” Susan smiled, a tear falling from her eye.

“Really?” Caroline asked smiling.

“Oh yes, everything about you. From your eyes to your hair to your personality. You are a younger version of your mother. And let me tell you, she loved you so much. You hadn’t even been born, but she loved you more than anything in the world. Your mom was such a special person. I only knew her for a few months, but she was my best friend. It didn’t take long for someone to fall in love with her.” Susan laughed.

Caroline nodded, and wiped some stray tears from her eyes. “Thank you Aunt Susan.” Caroline smiled.

“Oh, I have something you should see.” Susan got up from her seat and went into the basement. When she came back she was carrying a videotape. “I was always going to give this to you someday, I just never could figure out the right time. But I guess now would be a good time!” Susan laughed.

“What is it?” Caroline asked.

“You’ll see when you get home.” Susan grinned.

Caroline walked into her house and once again threw her car keys in their normal spot. She took off her coat and fixed herself a cup of hot chocolate. She then got a blanket, popped the video into the machine, and curled up on her couch.

On the screen appeared a much younger Susan. She was laughing and trying to steady the camera. Caroline then saw her dad come into the picture. He was wearing scrubs and Caroline chuckled at the site of him. The camera then focused in on the woman Caroline could only assume was her mother. Caroline checked the date in the corner of the screen. It was November 20th, 2001.

Her dad then came into the picture and sat beside her mom. He started talking to her stomach and her mother laughed. Caroline smiled as she watched her parents. She then heard her aunts voice say, “Okay, Elizabeth. Little Caroline or Jacob is watching this 20 years from now, what do you want them to hear?”

“Hey, it’s little Bridget or Jacob.” Mark scolded playfully.

“Oh come off it!” Elizabeth laughed.

“Okay Elizabeth, you have to answer the question.” Susan said.

“Well, okay. It’s 20 years from now, and whom ever is watching this is probably very embarrassed right now! Okay, well, I guess I would just want to say that if this baby right here is watching,” Elizabeth laugher, rubbing her stomach, “That I love you very, very much and I can’t wait for you to get here so I can watch you grow up. And please don’t ever forget that I love you, and whatever other kids may be running around!”

Caroline began to cry and the screen became blurred. She heard her father laugh and her Aunt Susan laugh as well. “I love you too, mom.” Caroline said quietly.

Just then she heard the door open and her father stepped inside. “Caroline!” he called out. Caroline didn’t answer. Mark stepped into the family room and saw Caroline sitting on the couch watching the video. He froze in his tracks when he saw what was on the screen. Caroline turned around and said, “Hey dad.”

“Caroline, where did you get this?” Mark asked.

“I went over to Aunt Susan’s and she gave it to me. I asked her about my birthday. She told me everything dad.” Caroline told her father.

“She told you the whole story?” Mark questioned.

“Yes. How come you never told me everything?” Caroline asked.

Mark sighed and sat down next to her. He began to answer, “Because, well, Caroline, I didn’t know how. It was just too hard.”

“I know it’s hard for you dad, but its hard for me to. At least you knew her! I didn’t know her at all! And if you would just talk to me then maybe I could at least know about her. She is my mom.” Caroline cried.

“I know, and I’m sorry, but I just never knew what to say.” Mark said. He began watching what was on the TV and tears started to form in his eyes.

Caroline was quiet, her body began to shake, and tears ran down her cheeks. “I love you dad.” She said, falling in his arms.

“I love you too, Caroline.” Mark said while stroking her hair. “I love you, and your mom loves you, very much.” Caroline smiled, and buried her head in her father’s chest like she was a little girl again. And for the first time in her life, Caroline felt like she had two parents.