America's Sweetheart by Catherine Burke

Part 7

Chapter 21

Gwen's eyes stared aimlessly at the opaque glass doors of the conference room at Frost, Pittman, Darby and Associates. In front of her lay three piles of files from Glenn Leonard. She had reviewed the file with Keegan's photos in it before she hopped on a plane. The contracts were reviewed and scrutinized by her attorney's. Currently, Keegan was in another conference room talking with her legal counsel on what options she had. Connie had sunk to an all time low by making money off her daughter and her seriously ill ex-girlfriend. Gwen could hardly believe all the lies in the files in front of her. Her wallowing was interrupted by a shadow moving past the doorway. She glanced at the stacks of manila folders. The contracts were the key to this entire mess. The actual agreement to sell the information to Look was between Leonard's agency and the tabloid. The agency acted as a proxy for Gwen. Gwen's signature was only on the original agreement with the agency. Connie had copied or forged Gwen's signature on the other agreements. Audrey, the administrative assistant at the investigative agency noticed the doctored forms. When she started with Leonard, she updated the contracts with her initials in the bottom corner. Most of the forms with Gwen's signature had no initials. The small detail was over looked by the agency since there seemed to be no issues with the assignments.

Connie had masterminded this entire scheme. A year prior to Gwen's photo's being published in Look, Connie asked her daughter to help her by hiring an investigator to look into a new boyfriend. Being burned by many of Connie's love interests in the past, Gwen thought the idea of having the creep investigated before he bilked money out of Connie which in reality was Gwen's cash flow. The files revealed that Connie never hired to look into the man. Instead, the contract was to broker the deal with Look. Gwen than rehired the agency to investigate who sold the photos. In reality, Leonard went to check out Keegan in Michigan. Gwen's attorneys had reviewed the contracts with Look regarding Keegan's photos. There was nothing legally she could do. Down the hall, Keegan's attorneys were probably telling her the same thing. They had no way to stop Look from running the story. The plus side of the situation was that Look had yet to publish run the story. The contract with Leonard gave the agency at least a fourteen day notification window prior to publication. Their options were limited. Her eyes lifted to the door, there were solutions. Hopefully Frost was as good of an attorney as her ego projected. Gwen felt the migraine coming on, this was her fault. If Connie hadn't hired the investigator, none of this would be happening. She really shouldn't blame Glenn Leonard. He was making a living.

The third job was the most recent and the most puzzling. When Glenn mentioned searching for her "brother" Gwen was still in shock from Connie's deception. She didn't want to challenge the fact she had neither a sister nor a brother. The third pile was the thinnest and the most recent job the Leonard Agency was working on. After skimming the first paragraph, Gwen's heart began to pound. According to the documents in the file, two years prior to her birth, a baby boy was given up for adoption. His parents were listed as Christopher and Molly England. Her great aunt and uncle gave up a child for adoption.

Gwen was in shock. She knew the couple well. There was never any mention of a child. Molly and Christopher always looked at her with the loving eyes of parents. They would never give up a child. Molly had made several comments to Gwen about wanting children. Scolding Gwen when she said she was waiting for the right time. "There never is a right time." Molly's words echoed in Gwen's brain.

As the confusion muddled her brain, she stared at the glass doors. An occasional shadow would walk past, interrupting her focus. None of this made sense. Why Connie would be searching for her cousin after all these years and why tell Leonard it was a sibling? Maybe Connie didn't know about the child until after Christopher's passing. According to the dates on the paperwork, the child was now nearly thirty three years old.

There was something about the dates and times that had Gwen confused. Connie was sent to live with the Englands after Leslie Reid, her mother, died in a car accident, and after some trouble on the naval base. James Reid was a career Navy man and didn't know what to do with a twelve year old girl. According to Connie, she moved in with the Englands just after her sixteenth birthday. While living at the base and under the watchful eye of her father, she had run away multiple times. Molly always referred to Connie as the daughter she could never have. Gwen had always assumed the couple couldn't have children. Her aunt and uncle created a safe happy place for her. Connie was out doing her own thing while Gwen was being raised by the elderly couple. Occasionally, Connie would return, sweep Gwen from the Englands and introduce her to the new boyfriend, fiancée or husband, depending on the stage of the relationship. When Gwen's name began to draw attention, Connie was quick to use her daughter's fame to impress her next suitor. As the years, progressed, Connie changed the relationship title from mother-daughter, to sisters. Gwen drew the line at meeting Connie's new companions when one guy asked if she was interested in a ménage à trios with her sister. Completely appalled, Gwen scoffed at the dirty old man and refused to meet any of Connie's friends.

Pushing away from the table, she didn't want to think about her mother any more. The entire situation was a nightmare. Connie's meddling had cost her a piece of her relationship with Keegan and she wasn't going to allow that to happen again. They would get through this as a couple and come out the other side stronger than ever. Looking back on the pile of files, she hoped Keegan was fairing well in her meeting with Frost and her associate Kathy Garrett.

"Robin, there has to be something I can do." Keegan folded her hands together on the conference room table and lowered her head to rest on them. She was frustrated after hours of going through the contract line by line, word by word that there was no way out. Look had the story wrapped up, Keegan didn't have a leg to stand on. The pictures were taken without her knowledge but she was in a public setting. It wasn't as if Glenn Leonard climbed up a tree in her yard and took pictures through her window. Robin Frost and Kathy Garrett received copies of the contracts. At Gwen's urging, Keegan agreed to speak with Frost and find out her options.

"They have you by the balls, legally." Garrett commented. When she looked through the case Frost handed her last night, she was taken back. She knew Keegan. She watched her lead Weston to the championship. When Keegan went on to represent the country, she and a number of Detroiters were disappointed when their hometown hero disappeared from the team just before the games. Garrett flipped through the photos before she read the case. She thought the case was going to be a wrongful death or a malpractice suit. Instead, she stared into the bright blue eyes she recognized as a friend. She finally understood the reasons for Keegan's disappearance. "Keegan, if you do the interview and we time it right, you can release the story before the tabloids."

"I don't want to do an interview. Why doesn't anyone get that?" Keegan lifted her head to address the attorneys. She no longer wanted to be in the spot light. She didn't care what story the tabloids ran. She left her soccer career behind a long time ago. Exhausted from the stress of the situation, she just wanted to go home and take a nap.

"Don't do an interview. Let your family and friends tell the story." Frost suggested. She raised a dark eyebrow a bit at Keegan's perplexed look. "Listen, it's pretty obvious that you are extremely content with how things are. I want to run down a few scenarios." The yellow legal pad in front of Robin had heavy black markings on it. Keegan couldn't make head or tail of the scribbling, but the way Frost read from it, she knew the attorney did. "You do nothing. You let Look tell your story, or their version of the story. They are the ones with the photos and the proof of your battle with leukemia. So whatever they print will be viewed as the truth since you have no comment for the public." Frost noted the way Keegan shifted in her seat, maybe she was getting through to the stubborn client. The tabloids could be ruthless if the public wanted the story. Keegan's popularity and her mysterious disappearance from the soccer arena would cause a stir. Just the snippet of her at the hockey game during the intermission caused talk around town. Many of Keegan's associates didn't realize she was once a great soccer player whose career came to a grinding haul once the leukemia was discovered.

"Let your family tell the story of how they sat by your side while you withered away to almost nothing. How Meghan's scholarship was threatened to be pulled because she wanted to be by your side. How the methods for bone marrow transplants were out dated and getting a match was like finding a needle in a hay stack."

"Meghan had what?" Keegan's head shot up. Frost looked at Garrett. "Wait until I see that little..."

"Your sister wanted to be with you Keegan. She didn't think you would be here today." Frost explained. She didn't know Meg when she was in school, but Ashley talked at length how Meghan was home and at Keegan's side until the university threatened to take away her scholarship. "You do an interview and let the public know why you dropped off the national team. Why you never played professional soccer again. Explain your relationship with Emerald and how the foundation came into your life and helped. How your sister had a child on the off chance the baby could be a bone marrow match. How Emerald and Helping Hands have gone above and beyond to sponsor donor drives and maintain a data base of potential donors. So when little Christy needs a bone marrow transplant, there is a greater possibility a match can be found." Frost had the intense look in her eyes when she was trying to convince a jury to side with her client. "Tell them how stupid it is not to do research on stem cells. Tell your story Keegan, with your words and your pain. Don't let some rag tag magazine belittle your struggle." Frost watched as Keegan sat back in her chair, her eyes swimming with unshed tears. "Do the interview Keegan. Trust Gwen to make all the wrongs right and don't let some stupid magazine take away the story of your life."

"You don't lose often." Keegan said as she wiped at her eyes.

"On occasion, I know when to settle." Frost handed her a box of tissues. "Do you want to look over the agreement with SNN that Hannah and Gwen brought?"

"Can I take a few minutes?" Keegan asked as she ran her hand across her forehead. She was not feeling well and the beads of perspiration had her concern.

"Sure. How about we meet back here at two? It will give us some time for lunch if you want." Frost nodded to Garrett as they stood up and stretched their legs. "Keegan, we are going to run out and get some food. Do you want us to bring you something back?"

"No thank you. Robin, I really appreciate everything your doing to help. I'm sorry if I overstepped my bounds last time I saw you."

"It's water under the bridge, Kee." Robin said as she stuffed her briefcase with folders, pictures and pieces of paper. "If you can get Garrett an autograph from Gwen, she may waive her fee."

"Notice she didn't say her fee." Garrett gestured a thumb towards Frost. Keegan gave a small smile to the attorneys and slowly walked out of the conference room. She would do anything for a decent size couch and blanket so she could lie down for a few minutes. "Keegan, I think Gwen is in the conference room by my office if you want to me to check."

"Could you Kathy? I'm not sure if it's stress or pregnancy that has me worn down." Keegan felt her energy sapped from her as she sat back down in the soft leather chair. She was tired of looking at contracts and talking about strategy. She wanted to go home and take a nap.

Gwen rushed into the conference room where Keegan was at. When Kathy told Gwen Keegan wasn't feeling well, her heart stopped. She didn't want to have to deal with another Kirk Lane situation. She relaxed for a moment taking in Keegan's exhausted form. Kneeling at Keegan's side, Gwen let her hand touch the heated flesh of Keegan's cheek. The woman would never complain. There were some many things going on, Gwen didn't notice the pale color or the clamminess of her skin. The same thing happened just before the Olympics. Deep down she had the fear of the leukemia returning. Since seeing the photos of Keegan during her illness, Gwen scoured the internet for any information regarding leukemia. She needed to know what the possibilities were. There would be no more surprises for Gwen when it came to Connie.

"If I didn't before, it is official. I hate my mother." Gwen said as she placed a kiss on Keegan's forehead checking for any sign of fever. "There is just so much I didn't know." Her head hurt as the threatening migraine hit with gale force. She cursed her own flesh and blood for manipulating and sucking cash right from under her nose.

"Gwen, come on deep breaths." Keegan touched her hand gently. "Migraine."

"I am refereeing to them as Mothergraines." A smile touched her lips as her lids lowered closing out the overhead lights.

"Connie's little stunt may throw a monkey wrench into the mix, but I think we can get past it. I hope we can." Keegan said her concern increasing as beads of sweat showed on Gwen's brow.

"Do you want to go home?" Gwen stroked her fingers on Keegan's thigh. "We can have Frost drop by Danny's house tomorrow. I don't deal with this anymore today." Gwen looked into Keegan's eyes. There was a quiet stillness about them.

"I love you." Keegan said as she reached out and cupped Gwen's cheek. Gwen turned her face to kiss her palm. "Can we go home? I want to take a nap."

"Yes." Gwen kissed her forehead.

"Will you lie down with me?"

"I'm not passing on that opportunity." Gwen stood and held out her hands to help Keegan to her feet. Gwen felt the sick emptiness roll across her stomach, a side effect of the migraine. Bill and Sarah were due in town tomorrow. Danny was having a cook out for the family. The idea of seeing the Garrys made her queasy. She wasn't sure of the reception she would get. The recent enlightenment into Connie's activities, she was sure the Garrys would advise Keegan to break off the relationship and run for the hills.

"What time are we supposed to be at Danny's tomorrow?"

"Two." Gwen held her hand as they walked to the main lobby of the firm. The receptionist retrieved their coats. "Can you have Ms. Frost call the house? We're going home."

"No problem Ms. Lerner." The blonde bobbed hair young women with the pink sweater said as she bit the inside of her lip. "Umm, if you see Mr. Finch, can you wish him good luck for me?"

"Sure thing." Gwen said as she gave the girl a polite nod. She heard Keegan snicker.

"Surprised she didn't give you her number to give to Bobby." Keegan said as soon as they were in the elevator. "Are you okay?"

"My mother and your parents." Gwen remarked as she sank back against the elevator wall. "It's going to be the end of me."

"Oh." Keegan lowered her head. She had spoken to Sarah at length about Gwen. Her mother was pleased and couldn't wait to see Gwen. Bill's reaction to Gwen was still a mystery. She knew her father cared for Gwen, but she wasn't sure if he was willing to forgive.

The drive home was quiet as Gwen sat in sleeping lightly in the passenger's seat. Keegan held her hand, stroking Gwen's fingers with her thumb. They would go home, lie down and re-energize for the cook out at Danny's tomorrow. The gang was supposed to be there. Bobby was supposed to stop by later if he was able to break free. He was focused for the Motors' quarterfinal playoff games with the Memphis Mountaineers. Gwen hoped he would be able to stop over. She needed a friend and a part of her family. What was the saying if you don't like your family make your own? Having the starting defensive player for the Motors at the cookout would be a good in with Bill. As she pulled into the garage, Gwen was reminded of the first time she had driven Keegan home. Keegan woke at the sound of the garage door lifting.

"Please relax. Everything will work out." Keegan touched her forearm before stepping out of the car and into the house. Gwen waited a few seconds before following. What was the worst that could happen? Keegan would leave her. Gwen felt her chest constrict. She wasn't going to let that happen. Not this time. Not again. She lifted her eyes to the door and saw Keegan holding it open for her. "Are you going to lie down with me?"

"I wouldn't miss it." Gwen touched her lips to Keegan's. "We're sleeping, resting, whatever. No funny business."

"Funny business?" Keegan laughed as she walked through the mudroom and upstairs. "Is that what you're calling it now? What happened to hot monkey sex?"

"My mother and your parents." Gwen grimaced as her laugh caused a shooting pain through her head.

There it was again, the buzzing noise. Gwen lifted her head from the pillow and listened. Keegan slept with her, wrapped against Gwen's body. Her head rested on Gwen's chest as her body and leg were draped over Gwen's. Again, the buzzing filled the air. She looked at the clock but they hadn't set the alarm. Kissing the top of Keegan's head, Gwen carefully slipped out of her grasp. Satisfied Kee was still asleep, Gwen put on a t-shirt and sweat pants and ventured in the direction of the noise. About halfway down the hall, the doorbell chimed. Gwen jumped at the sound. Someone was at the front door. Gwen chastised herself for being stupid and scared of a door chime. With a chuckle, she went to the door and opened it.

Connie Sherman stood at the door. Her perfectly styled hair was swept up in the back with small blonde tendrils curling over her ears. A sleek black Lincoln was parked in the driveway with a man standing at the back passenger door.

"Connie, what are you doing here?" Gwen's brow furrowed and her voice was slightly raised.

"Do not talk to me as if I was a servant. What are you wearing and why are you answering the door dressed like that?"

"First," Gwen started her defensives on full alter. "I was sleeping. Second, I will talk to you anyway I want. I am a grown woman, mother." Gwen saw Connie flinch at the use of the word mother.

"I'm sorry. Let's start again. I came to see you. I need to find out what this business is about selling your house. Are you moving in with Bob? Is this his home?" Connie's eyes moved over the quaint structure.

"If you have business with me, please contact Hannah." Gwen said, as she went to shut the door. Connie must have practice with stopping closing doors, since her quick movement prevented Gwen from closing the door.

"I don't know what's gotten into you lately, but frankly Gwen, it's very unbecoming. I will not clear it through your agent to see you. I have the right to see you any time I choose."

"You have no rights when it comes to me!" Gwen pushed her mother back from the storm door and stepped out into the driveway.

"Rights…" Gwen paced. Her eyes lifted to the bedroom window. She didn't want to wake Keegan. "I'll give you some rights. How about my right to live my life as I see fit? No more interference from you, screening my messages, acting on my behalf. How is acting on my behalf translated into monetary gain for you? What about my right to know how my name is being used and dragged through the mud?" Gwen ran her hand through her hair. She noticed the driver had moved into the front of the car and was avoiding the argument.

"What about the hell I went through when those photos were in the tabloids? All the damage control Hannah went through to salvage my career?"

"You came out better afterwards." Connie said smugly. "The point is I didn't have to go through that. You sold the photos to Look." The color faded from Connie's face.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Connie denied. "I know it all. I've met Glenn Leonard. I have the files. Jesus, mother, what were you thinking?" Gwen was so busy pacing the cement in frustration that she didn't see Keegan come to the door. "Do you understand what you did? Do you even care?"

"I don't know what you are talking about." Connie's lips were set in a firm line. She wasn't going to budge on this topic.

"You know damn well what I am talking about!" Gwen shouted and started towards her mother. Keegan stepped out and placed a comforting hand on her forearm. As if pulled from a trance, Gwen turned to Keegan's comforting presence. Gwen saw the pleading look in Keegan's eyes. "Connie, contact Hannah." Gwen turned and grabbed Keegan's hand.

"Well… well, you aren't dead. Connie's venomous comment floated in the air. "Knocked up and needing a meal ticket." Gwen felt her hand drop as Keegan confronted her mother with a slap across the face.

"Remember Connie, you are nothing to me but a trespasser. Now get off my property before I call the police and have you arrested."

"I will press charges." Connie placed her hand over the redness forming on her cheek. "I have witnesses." Connie shook her purse at Keegan.

"I'm pregnant, hormonal and justified. You have five seconds." Keegan's voice was controlled and calm. A sure sign she was pissed. "Four…three.." The car door slammed behind Connie as the driver reversed out the driveway, leaving Gwen and Keegan standing there.

"That was interesting." Keegan said as she took hold of Gwen's hand. A few of the neighbors were craning their necks towards her house to see what was happening. "Gwen, look at me." With a few tugs on her hand, Gwen finally looked at Keegan.

"I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for." Keegan pulled her into the house. "I can be a little cranky when someone wakes me up." Keegan started up the stairs to their room.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Gwen said as she tried to loosen her fingers from Keegan's grasp. Keegan turned to her and plastered a searing kiss on her mouth. Breaking apart for oxygen, Gwen smiled up at her. "I'll take that as a no."

"You're such a smart woman." Keegan said as she pulled Gwen up the rest of the stairs. She went to the bed and sat down, waiting for Gwen to join her.

When Gwen stepped between the vee of her legs, she leaned over Keegan, gently putting her lips to Kee's, pushing her back against the mattress. Gwen held her weight above the dark haired woman for a moment. Looking into her blue eyes, she saw the desire in Keegan's face. Her thigh slipped between Keegan's, spreading them apart. She could feel her own desire, but this was about Keegan, about showing her how much she loved her. Gwen sat up and pulled her t-shirt over her head and tossed it to the floor. She saw Keegan's eyes move to her breasts. Grabbing the hem of Kee's shirt, she pulled it over her head. As she moved over Keegan, she felt a hand capture her breast. She chuckled.

"What are you doing?" Gwen questioned as Keegan's hands touched her breasts. Keegan didn't answer, instead she kissed each breast, her mouth covering them with kisses, until she pulled a hardened nipple between her lips, sucking it. Gwen felt the heat of desire rush to her center. She pulled away from Keegan for a moment to shed the rest of their clothes, then brought their lips together again. Breast against breast pressed together. Gwen held in a groan. "I love how you feel." Gwen moaned as she pressed her hips into Keegan's. "The way you taste, your scent." Her mouth followed a path down Keegan's neck to her shoulder, over her sternum. Placing a solid kiss in the valley between her breasts, Gwen felt Keegan's hands roam over her back to her hips, urging her closer. Gwen touched each of her breasts with her lips and fingers, rolling the taut nipple between her lips before touching her tongue against the hard bud. She heard the gasp from Keegan and felt her hips lift slightly off the mattress. Circling her tongue against the nipple, she took it between her teeth and bit down lightly. Just touching Kee was enough today. She wanted this to be about Keegan.

"Gwen…" Keegan's breathy voice filled the room. Pulling back from her breasts, Gwen continued her trail of kisses along Keegan's ribs to her belly, pausing a moment to press her ear to Keegan's child. She let her hands roam the expanse of flesh, grazing her fingers through the thatch of coarse hair between Keegan's thighs. Moving her hand lower, she slipped it between Kee's parted thighs. The warmth and wetness greeting her was her homecoming. She had found her home. It was this woman who loved her unconditionally. Gwen covered Keegan's mouth with her own in a hard passionate kiss that purged her soul of any doubts. Her fingers stroked and coaxed Keegan to a new height. She felt Keegan's legs wrap around her waist as she increased their movement. Holding back to ensure perfection, she wanted Keegan's satisfaction more than her own. Gwen slid two digits into Keegan's warm. Her thumb played a pizzicato against the bundle of sensitive nerves. Keegan's body jerked then went rigid for a moment as the swell of flesh pulsated around Gwen's fingers.

"Oh God!" Keegan screamed as she threw her head back, allowing Gwen access to suck her neck. They lay entwined in each others arms.

Basking in the aftermath, Keegan tried to settle her breathing. They had been together but nothing like she just experienced. Gwen kissed her lightly, then pulled her into the crook of her arm. Watching her chest rise and fall, Keegan tried to calm her racing heart and pounding pulse. She did not speak as she moved to be on top of Gwen. Although her breathing was still labored, she kissed Gwen on her lips and cupped her face. She moved her arms to Gwen's waist and buried her face in her breasts. Gwen cupped the back of her head as she kissed the top of it. Keegan shivered in Gwen's arms, her body still shuddering as small sensations spread through her center. The lock she had on Gwen was gentle as her head rested against her chest. The tears rolling down her face were a surprise. She had never felt so loved or needed by anyone.

"What's wrong?" Gwen asked as she tilted Keegan head up to look at her. She kissed her tears. "Keegan?" Gwen began to question what was happening.

"I'm just really happy." Keegan sniffed and laughed at the same time. "I love you Gwen."

"I love you too."

The vodka martini went down smoothly slowing burning Connie's throat. She had three hours until Richard was expecting payment. She needed to get the money from Gwen. If that little bitch wasn't in the picture, Gwen would have already given her the money. Every since that bitch, Kelsey. No, no. What the hell was her name? Keegan….Keegan Garry, Connie fumed about the small dark haired woman who had come back into Gwen's life. She paced her room in at the Weston Inn. She didn't want to get stuck with the bill so she made certain to use the same hotel Gwen stayed at during her charity trip. That way, she could defer the billing to Gwen's account. Five years ago, she was elated to have the witch from Michigan break up with Gwen. Although her daughter was miffed about the relationship ending, her career sky rocketed afterwards. Now Keegan had returned. Gwen career was sure to plummet and the manipulative bitch was turning Gwen against her. All needy and pregnant, Connie was not going to allow her daughter to be used. There was no way she was going to allow that to happen. She needed to remove Keegan from Gwen's life even if it took drastic measures. She flipped on the television and went back to the mini bar for another Stoli. In the background, she heard notes of Thurston Harris's "Little Bitty Pretty One." The song brought a smile to her face as she thought of Chris and how he used to sing the song to her. She lifted her eyes to watch the scene from John Carpenter's movie, Christine where the fat kid is run over by the red Plymouth Fury. Connie lifted the glass to her lips as the smile slowly appeared. At that moment, she decided she needed to get Keegan out of Gwen's life, one way or another.

Chapter 22

It was a busy morning in the kitchen. Gwen had hard boiled eggs and started cutting fruit for the dishes they were bringing to Danny's for the cook out. Face off time for the quarter final game between the Motors and the Mountaineers was at eight o'clock. Danny planned on having the family over, eat, swim, and then watch the game. Gwen extracted her body from Keegan's over two hours ago. She knew the smaller woman was tiring quicker and her energy level faded fast. Any time Keegan could grab a nap, she was closing her eyes. Today would be a long day. Sarah and Bill were in visiting, the cook out at Danny's and the game tonight. If Gwen could place a bet on the odds, she'd say Keegan would take a nap just after dinner and wake up for the game.

Wiping her hands on a dish cloth, she finished the deviled eggs she had made and set the cut fruit in the refrigerator. She needed to shower and call Bobby. He was playing great and he didn't want to upset his routine. So before every home game, he spoke to Gwen about anything other than hockey, his way of relaxing before the game. When the Motors reached the playoffs, the players, including Bobby, stopped shaving. Gwen cringed at the thought of rough hair as it scraped against her skin. At least Tony's beard had been softened. Bobby was as sharp as a porcupine quill. When Bobby asked her how she knew what a quill felt like, she refused to tell him the horror story from her youth. Since meeting Danny, Bobby developed the habit of stopping by her home before going to the arena. The computer programmer had gotten through the thick exterior of the hockey player. Bobby liked Danny and they would usually chat before the games. Gwen hoped to get to Danny's before Bobby took off for the arena.

Quietly, Gwen stepped into their bedroom and stood over the undisturbed figure sleeping on the bed. She resisted the urge to touch Keegan's face. Her heart pounded against her chest as she thought how lucky she was to have the sleeping woman in her life again. Walking over to the closet, she pulled her t-shirt and shorts off, throwing the garments into the hamper, then looked back at Keegan. She planned on taking a shower, but she didn't want to disturb Keegan. Standing in her bra and underwear, she looked for an outfit to wear to the cookout. May was here but there was still a slight chill in the air. Gwen wondered if anyone would attempt to swim. Finally selecting a pair of navy blue cargo shorts and a gray button up top to wear, she turned to find two very blue eyes staring at her ass.

"Enjoying the view?" Gwen teased as she turned towards the bed.

"Absolutely." Keegan smiled and snuggled her pillow. "Hi. What time is it?" "Close to eleven." Gwen climbed across the bed on her knees until she straddled Keegan's legs. "Are you going to get up soon?" She leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Sleepy head."

"It's your fault. You kept me up very late last night." Keegan whined but placed her hand on the waistband of Gwen's panties. Running her fingers along the waistband, she could feel Gwen reacting to her touch.

"You keep that up and your family is going to wonder why we blew them off. I don't think your parents would appreciate that." Gwen cooed. She knew if Keegan slipped her fingers closer to her center, she would instantly explode. Keegan gave her the look and Gwen knew she wanted her. Her fingers continued on their path towards dangerous territory. "Don't." Gwen stopped her progress with a light touch on her wrist. "I want to too, but your dad is waiting to see you. I really don't want to piss him off." "You're no fun."

"That's not what you said last night." Gwen took Keegan's hands and pinned them gently above her head. Kissing her again on the lips she pulled back and looked into Keegan's eyes. "I'll take a rain-check." Gwen moved her hips against Keegan's thighs. "Definitely tonight." Gwen jumped off Keegan before things got any hotter or heavier.

"Unfair…." Keegan sighed and turned on her side to watch Gwen put on her clothes. She stuck out her lip, pouting.

"Up. I am taking a shower if you want to join me."

"I'm not up yet. I want a cup of regular tea…." Keegan pouted. The doctor advised against any caffeinated beverages. "I'm not a morning person." Keegan stretched her hands above her head and yawned. "Plus my system is all out of whack." Keegan rolled on to her back and placed a hand on her womb. She looked at the caring look that covered Gwen's face.

"Poor baby." Gwen pulled away. She turned her brown eyes to Keegan, who moved to a sitting position. The look in her eyes must have been filled with lust. Because how Keegan looked, Gwen really really wanted to be late for the outing.

"What?" Keegan sat up in the bed, the sheet falling to her waist giving Gwen a full view of her breasts. She watched Gwen's eyes widen and realized that her state of dress was causing the blonde discomfort. "Remember, you said no."

"I'm an idiot." The perplexed look on Gwen's face glanced from the bed to the shower. "Join me Kee."

"We'll be late."

"It's better than being frustrated all afternoon and evening." Gwen watched as Keegan pulled the sheet up to cover her breasts as she slid from the bed. Wrapped in the sheet, she walked up to Gwen. Holding the sheet with one hand, she raised the other to Gwen's cheek. Letting her cool palm touch Gwen's face, she smiled up at the woman who held her heart.

"Do I frustrate you?"

"You make me very happy. Being with you…. being part of your life makes me happy. I've been miserable without you. I never want to feel that way again." Gwen leaned towards Keegan, bringing their lips together in a searing, passionate kiss. Breaking apart, Gwen leaned her forehead against Keegan's. "Shower….now." Keegan laughed as she leaned into Gwen's shoulder savoring the warmth.

As the car got closer to Danny's house, Gwen was on the verge of having a panic attack. Keegan noticed the unconscious gesture immediately. Gwen's fingers were spread wide and long exhaling breaths released from her chest. Silently, Keegan pulled the truck over to the side of the road and put it in park. She shut off the engine just as Gwen began to protest.

"What are …"

"I want you to listen to me." Keegan began. Gwen looked out the passenger's window for a moment than turned her attention back to the driver. "I love you. My family is.. has always known how I feel about you. If I love you, they will love you too." Her parents had always been fond of Gwen, treating her as if she were their daughter.

"How do you know?" Gwen's eyes were on the brink of tears. "I don't know what it's like to have a family that supports you. Your parents treated me better than my family. What are they going to say after they find out about Connie and Look? I'm sure Sarah isn't going to be happy to have your story in the tabloids. I will disappoint them. Hell, I disappoint myself." Gwen inhaled deeply, trying to keep tears at bay.

"If you think that then you don't know my parents at all." Keegan said softly. "My parents are happy for us. Us…Gwen. They're happy I'm alive to have a life, a baby, a lover."

"Is that what we are? Lovers?" Gwen knew this was not the time to talk but she didn't know when they would have time alone. "Is that what you want?"

"I'd like to be much more. More than what we were before." She reached hand across the gap separating the seats and grasped Gwen's hand. They intertwined their fingers. "I'd like to think we are a family… or will be.. the three of us. I've dreamed it."

"I want that. Keegan, I want that so bad. I'm afraid. There is so much going on, this thing with Connie, your story, the break up with Bobby, and the new job with SNN. I want to protect you. I don't want you to get hurt."

"You don't need to do that."

"Do what?"

"Any of it, I don't need to be protected." Keegan tightened her grip on Gwen's hand. "What I need is for us to work together, to talk. You can't keep this inside of you. Just like I can't change what I did, but for the record, I would." Keegan thought about Gwen's visit to her hospital room. "I'd call you back inside that room and tell you how scared I was. How I didn't want you to leave my side." A lone tear slide down her face and fell to the floor. "I was the idiot. My mistake."

"No …no I'm the one whose mother played games."

"How can you control what Connie does?" Keegan asked. She saw the same frustrated look she knew her eyes mirrored. Connie had taken so much away from them. Forgiveness was something neither woman offered. Of course Connie was still pleading the innocent victim. How many other people's lives had Connie destroyed?. Five years was a long time. Leaning across the center console, Keegan pressed a warm kiss to Gwen's lips and wiped the lone tear from her face. "You can't. We can't let Connie come between us. Never again. I was so empty without you."

"She won't baby. Nothing will ever come between us again." Gwen pulled Keegan towards her, kissing her full on the mouth. "Never, again. I promise." When they pulled apart, Keegan saw the pain in Gwen's eyes. At that moment Keegan wished she could catch Connie in a dark alley and take out her frustration. The slap yesterday felt great, but there was so much more damage the woman caused them.

Placing her hand on Gwen's thigh, squeezing lightly in a supporting gesture, she pulled the van back on to the roadway and headed into the familiar neighborhood. Keegan's foot pushed a little heavier on the pedal as she honked the horn and waved at the couple standing in front of Danny's garage. Bill was easy to spot, dressed in vulgar golfing attire of a lemon colored shirt and plaid shorts. His black hair had grayed over the years and his glasses were pushed on top of his head. Sarah, dressed in a light blue sun dress stood next to her husband. Her soft brown hair was cut into a bob style easy to manage and swept behind her ears. She leaned into Bill's side as she lifted a hand to shield her eyes from the afternoon sun.

"There they are!" Keegan commented as she glanced at the nervous looking blonde. She could see the beads of perspiration on Gwen's brow despite the cool air blowing on them. "It's going to be fine. Mom has been looking forward to seeing you. She's glad you're back in my life."

"I don't understand that. Your mother should be pissed at me, not glad that I'm back in your life. If you were my kid, I'd give me the 3rd degree. I want her to be happy for you… for us. Glad and happy are two very different emotions." Gwen mumbled.

"You're over-reacting." Keegan said as she pulled into the driveway. "Come on chicken." The small comment brought a smile to Gwen's face. "It will be like the first time I brought you home to meet them." Keegan held the amber colored eyes for a long moment. "They love you."

Gwen closed her eyes, breaking the intense contact. She hoped Keegan was right. Her eyes popped open as Sarah's voice screamed a greeting to her daughter. She watched Keegan scramble out of the car and be engulfed in her mother's arms. Both women were in full blown tears as Gwen slid from the car and walked around to the welcoming committee.

"You're absolutely glowing." Sarah remarked as she pulled away from her oldest daughter and took in the bulging midsection, her hands still resting on Keegan's forearms as if she never wanted to lose contact. "You look beautiful." Sarah's voice was full of emotion. She hadn't seen Keegan since Christmas. "Oh sweetie… you look very very happy."

"I am mom. I am." Keegan wiped a tear from her cheek and turned to her father. "Pops." Keegan threw herself against his chest. The once giant of a man seemed to be shrinking with age. Her arms wrapped around his waist. "You're too thin." She said as she felt his scratchy cheek against hers.

"I could say the same for you."

"Liar." Keegan felt as if she was a big as a whale. "Thankfully, I'm not going to the beach. The crowd will probably try to push me out to sea."

"Never. How are you Peanut?" Bill tousled her hair and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'm great dad." She smiled up at him, looking at the deep blue eyes she inherited. She looped her arm in his and turned to a very unsure Gwen standing quietly at the front fender, a worry crease marring her forehead. Keegan gripped her father's arm as Sarah went to Gwen's side. When Gwen shifted her weight from one foot to the other, Sarah lifted a hand to Gwen's face and caressed her cheek.

"Thank you." Sarah said, causing the stoic blonde to drop her head as tears spilled out.

"I'm so sorry." Gwen whispered. Sarah wrapped her arms around Gwen and gave her a giant hug. "I'm sorry." Gwen repeated.

"There's no need Gwen. You're here now and that's what counts." Gwen nodded at Sarah's words struggling to gain her composure. "You are staying?" "Absolutely." Gwen lifted her head and looked at the soft hazel eyes of Sarah Garry. When she looked towards Bill, he was staring at her. He didn't say a word. His blue eyes flicked from Gwen to his wife and back to his daughter. She wiped at the tear drops on her cheeks.

Sarah looked over at her daughter. Keegan was actually beaming. If Gwen made her happy, than Sarah was not one to question. She was thankful her daughter was still alive. The illness that once racked Keegan's system was under control. Sarah said a silent prayer, thankful she was able to have her entire family there with her for Mother's Day. For the last few weeks, she had heard the uncertainty and excitement in the Keegan's voice. A call from Ashley confirmed Gwen and Keegan had reconnected.

When Meghan called to voice her displeasure with Gwen's presence in her older sister's life, Sarah scolded her youngest. "Can't you be happy for her Meghan? What more does she have to go through?" When her raven haired offspring failed to reply, Sarah continued.

"I wish you could find someone who makes you as happy as Gwen makes Keegan."

"Somethings aren't meant to be mom." Meghan's answer still haunted Sarah. She wanted her children happy, in loving relationships and healthy.

"Never say never….." Sarah said as she turned towards Danny's house, wondering what had put a smile on her youngest daughter's face.

"Danny said to take everything to the patio. We are still waiting on Ash and Andy. Tony's picking them up. Andy was still napping when we left." Bill said as he tried to grab a bowl from his daughter's hands.

"No way, I'm not at that helpless poor me stage yet." Keegan said as she slapped his hands away.

"Says you." Gwen teased. "She's a bit cranky if she doesn't get enough sleep. She was napping to."

"You're the one who woke me up. I was sleeping fine." Keegan teased. She went back to bed for a half hour after their shower.

"Probably still would be. Did Bobby stop by?" Gwen saw the excitement in Bill's eyes. Sarah smirked for a moment.

"If you are referring to Bob Finch, no we have yet to meet him. I like Bobby better, it fits him." Sarah started for the house. "Meg is here."

Keegan pushed on the side gate then waited a second before opening the latch release. She turned her backside against the wood, winking at Gwen as she pushed it open. Her clear blue eyes sparkled at Gwen as she kissed the blonde passing by.

"I didn't wake you up. I put you to sleep." Gwen smiled, knowing Keegan left the shower very satisfied.

Danny walked out of the house to the patio to greet them. Gwen set the plate of deviled eggs on the table and took the bowl of fruit salad from Keegan.

"It's not much compared to what Deb made that night." Gwen thought about the dinner party at Danny's. How beautiful Keegan looked standing in the fire light, the evil little smirk on her face as she lanced the splinter in her finger, so much had happened in such a short time. Gwen wasn't going to take any moment for granted.

"Gwen, thank you. Don't worry, as if any of you have cooking skills." Danny teased as she organized the spread.

"I can cook." Meg said as she emerged from the house, a silly grin plastered on her face.

"You can microwave and grill. That really isn't cooking." Sarah said as she placed a hand on Meg's arm. "But I still love you." Sarah leaned over and kissed Meg's hair.

"Well, I think you are going to have to battle dad for grilling rights." Keegan commented as Bill was already fiddling with the propane. He had pulled the tank from underneath and mumbled something about a seal. "Let me help you bring some things out. Let the jocks and dad battle over the grill."

"I'm not a …" Gwen started to argue.

"Please." Meg said as she handed her the brush to clean the grill. Gwen took the brush and began to scrape off the metal bars.

"You okay?" Meghan questioned as she took in the nervous mannerisms.

"My mother, your parents, what else can go wrong?" Gwen said as she stopped scrapping. Meg started to laugh. "It's not funny." Meg didn't stop. Gwen shook the brush at Keegan's sibling.

"How come any time someone say what else could go wrong, the worst happens? Gwen, don't worry about my parents, they love you. Heck if you can win me over, Bill shouldn't be an issue."

"What about Sarah?"

"Mom's a push over. You know that."

"So, you're okay with me being back in Keegan's life?"

"Absolutely." Meg took the brush out of her hand. "Just don't f- it up."

"I won't." Gwen said as she turned to the house to look at Keegan. Standing next to Danny and Sarah, Keegan looked petite. In her hand she held bottled water as she continued to talk. Mother and daughter looked so much alike it scared Gwen a little. At least she knew Keegan would still be a beauty when they were old and gray. When Danny handed her a beer, Keegan threw back her head and laughed. She turned to look at Gwen, a bright smile on her face as she held up the beer for Gwen's agreement. Gwen nodded and nudged Meg.

"Beer?"

"Hell yes." Meg said. "You can't cook out without a beer." Meg continued, then lifted to her eyes to where Gwen was staring. Keegan was looking back at her. "It's great you're back together Gwen. She loves you."

"I don't know what I would do without her in my life." Gwen turned back to Meg who was now staring at the taller figure in the house. "What about you? Dating anyone?"

"Dating?" Meg laughed. "I'm not dating material."

"You'll get there one day. Some woman is going to come into your life and sweep you off your feet, give you a sick feeling in your stomach and give you that rush every time you see her."

"You get that?"

"Every time I see your sister." Gwen explained as the women came out of the house.

"I'll let Ash know." Meghan said as she took the beer from Sarah. Gwen punched the outstretched arm.

"You're an ass." Gwen commented as the beer in Meg's hand spilled a little. "You better give that to your dad."

"He can get his own." Meghan tipped back the brown bottle just as Bill walked up.

"Still stealing my beer." He swiped the bottle from his child and laughed at the lost look on her face. "No respect."

"Is Bob coming over? I think dad is really looking forward to meeting him." Keegan asked.

"God, I hope he shows up. He is trying to maintain rituals. What time he goes to bed. What shorts he wears. And he is looking like Tony. Scruffy beard and all."

"There is nothing wrong with scruffy, and as long as they keep winning, he can continue to look like me." Tony said as he opened the gate, Andy getting a ride high on his shoulders. Ashley squeezed between Tony and the gate, laughing.

"I agree." Ash had on a Motors t-shirt and a pair of khaki shorts.

"As long as the Motors win, who cares what Bob Finch looks like?" Bill raised his beer in agreement. Ashley handed one of the bags she carried to Danny.

"Andy, time to get down. Tony isn't a horse."

"Could have fooled me." Meghan mumbled under her breath.

"What's that, golf girl?" Tony said as he flipped Andy over his head and safely to the ground. Meg ignored him. "All tough and a smart ass." Tony quickly snatched Meghan up by the waist and threw her over his shoulder. He carried her over to the side of the pool as she screamed and threatened him.

"Don't you dare!" Meg screamed.

"Why not? You called me a horse."

"Ash called you a horse." Meg defended herself. "I just agreed." Tony spun around with Meghan screaming and hitting his back. "Ash! Danny, help! Mom!" Meghan called out as Tony dropped her head first into the pool. Tony stood on the edge with his hands on his knees laughing. Meghan flipped her hair back out of her face. If she didn't get it dried, she'd have a curly mess in her hands.

"Pay backs!" She pointed a finger at Tony.

"You started it." Tony said as Danny walked past him to the ladder where Meghan was climbing up. Danny held out a towel for Meghan and wrapped her in it. Rubbing her hands along Meg's back, Danny gave her a quick smile.

"You did start it." Danny touched a finger to Meg's pouting lips. "Tony, just for that, you have to cook." Danny took Meg's hand and led her into the house. "I think there are some clothes you can wear and get your hair dry." The family watched as their hostess took Meghan into the house without argument.

"What's up with that?" Ashley said as she expected her sister to throw a fit and find a way to get Tony into the pool. Instead, Meg let Danny take her into the house. "No clue." Sarah said as she gave Keegan a wink.

"Do you have a minute?" Gwen asked as she approached Bill on the back patio. He had been avoiding her since the greeting on the driveway.

"Sure." Bill popped his glasses on the top of his salt and pepper head. He walked a little ways into Danny's back yard where she had a bench swing set up. "Have a seat." Gwen had been pacing the back patio for the last twenty minutes trying to gather her courage to speak with him. She walked down the flagstone path behind Bill. When he gestured to the wooden seat next to him, Gwen swallowed nervously and sat down. She had talked to this man before. Six years earlier, she talked to Bill about giving Keegan a ring and having a commitment ceremony after Greece. This time she needed to stand her ground and alleviate any concerns Bill voiced.

"Wow.." Gwen whispered quietly as she settled with her body facing him. Her back pressed against the arm rail. Bill stared at her with the familiar blue eyes of the Garry family. "Are you angry with me?" Her eyes held Keegan's father for a moment. "Why do you think I would be angry with you?"

"My guess would be you're not happy with Keegan and I being back together." Gwen fidgeted nervously on the wood seat.

"You're close. I think the key word is 'together.' What exactly does that mean to you?" Bill leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees. His hands dangled loosely between his legs. "How long are you planning on being together with her? Are you going to stick around this time?"

"I plan on forever." Gwen watched his reaction and waited for the negative response. When she did not receive one, she continued. "You and I had a conversation a few years ago."

"What conversation would that be Gwen? The one where you promised me you would love my daughter no matter what?" Bill rocked a little, causing the chains to squeak then as he leaned back.

"I do love your daughter." Gwen's confidence was fading fast. "Things didn't work out the way I had planned."

"I remember the conversation well." Bill chided. "You asked permission to marry Keegan." His blue eyes blazed with disappointment.

"I never asked her." Gwen confessed. She wanted to many times, yet it was never the right time. Between practices, travel, and games, they barely had time together, let alone have an intimate moment where she could propose.

"I thought you wanted a commitment, you were the one who wanted to spend the rest of your life with her. Where were you when she was crying out for you? When she prayed to die because the pain was so bad? What happens when she gets sick again? How long will you wait to jump ship? Lose yourself in some other woman?"

"Jesus, Bill." Gwen commented as she put a hand to her head. She thought Meghan had been hard to convince. The Garry patriarch was making her sweat. "I need you to understand that I love her. I loved her then and I love her now. I never stopped."

"Loved her so much you walked away. Now you find out she was sick and you expect me to believe you will be at her bedside?"

"She's not sick." Gwen argued back.

"At any time, she could have a relapse. Do you understand that?" Bill almost shouted at the blonde. "Then where will you be? You'll have a sick lover and a child who are depending on you. Will you be there for them? You've given me no reason to believe that you will stick around during the rough times. Look at your family Gwen. You can't depend on them."

"I will be there." Gwen shouted as she jumped to her feet. "You know that Bill. I would have stayed in Michigan if she had told me she was sick." She ran her hand through her hair in frustration. "I'll stay because I love her and because I'm nothing without her. Do you get that? Nothing! I know that I wasn't complete until she came back into my life." Gwen shouted again. She waited a moment as she gained her composure. "I should have pulled that ring out the night she left me in Miami. The night I knew something was wrong and she didn't tell me, or when I came to the hospital, but I didn't. And I've paid. I've paid dearly for missing every single day for the last five years."

"What do you want from me?" Bill asked. His face formed the familiar stubborn lines his daughters had inherited.

"Permission to be with your daughter. Your blessing if…" Gwen sat back in the chair. "When we have the commitment ceremony for you to walk her down the aisle." "You had it once before…" Bill paused of a moment. "Do you have a ring?"

"It's the same one." Gwen said as she reached into her cargo shorts and pulled out the worn and weathered black velvet box. Bill eyed the beaten and well worn box. The plush material had been scraped away from Gwen rubbing the box.

"Nervous habit?" Bill asked as he watched the soccer player rub her finger against the once plush covering.

"Beats smoking." Gwen offered. She set the ring box on the arm rail and got to her feet. She walked a few steps away and looked up at the clear blue sky. Keegan would wonder where she was. "I love her. I truly love her with all of my heart. I love the baby. We're a family." Tears began to slip down Gwen's face as she truly realized she had a family of her own. A family she would protect and love no matter what. A family she would never betray or use.

Taking his glasses from the top of his head, Bill pulled them over his eyes. Opening the ring box, he saw the exquisite engagement ring. The setting was delicate with a thin band of channel set princess cut diamonds with a large half carat centered diamond. "This is a beautiful ring Gwen. She'll love it." Bill stood up and move to Gwen's side. "Be good to her Gwen." Bill handed the ring back to the crying woman.

"I will. God, I won't disappoint you sir."

"Sir… please Gwen, you've never called me sir… don't start now." Bill hugged her tight. "Do it soon because I don't think I can keep it a secret."

"Tonight." Gwen assured him.

"Gwen! Bobby's here!" Ashley called out the back door. Gwen chuckled as Bill quickly placed an arm around her shoulders.

"Let's go wish Mr. Finch good luck." Bill commented as he grinned like a little boy on Christmas morning.

Keegan smiled as she watched Gwen rinse the dishes and hand them to Danny. She wondered what transpired between Gwen and Bill in the back yard. They went from avoiding each other to actually joking around. Bill was still on cloud nine from meeting Bobby. When the player handed over two tickets to the game, Keegan thought Bill was going to break into tears. Sarah gave him a stern look then nodded in approval. After dinner, Bill disappeared with his buddy, Ben Wilmington heading to the game. When Gwen stood straight up and stretched her back out, she turned to see Keegan staring at her.

"Want to go watch the sunset?" Gwen asked as she handed the last dish to Danny. "That would be wonderful. It will let me walk off some of this food." Keegan said as she touched her full stomach. She needed to get out of the house. Andy was extremely difficult during dinner, cranky and vying for a spanking. He was getting on Keegan's last nerve. The baby was active tonight, kicking her rib cage more than once during dinner. Maybe the little bugger was trying to compete with Andy by creating a ruckus.

She stepped outside into the spring weather to avoid listening to Andy's cries. Cold enough to warrant a light jacket, Keegan wrapped her arms around her torso and waited for Gwen. Keys in her hand, she opened the door for Keegan. Sliding behind the wheel, the blonde turned her and said. "Danny said there's a lakefront park just up the street. How about we go there?"

"Anywhere, as long as I don't have to hear Andy crying." Keegan wondered if Ashley would put him to bed before the game started. Gwen had been quiet during dinner. On occasion, Keegan would catch Gwen staring at her. She didn't mind. They drove a little ways to the park on Lake Erie. The winds kicked up a bit.

"Come on Mommy." Gwen held her hand out for Keegan to grasp. They started to walk along the wooden deck which ran horizontal to the lapping waves.

"Did something happen between you and Dad tonight?" Keegan asked as she placed her arm in the crook of Gwen's arm.

"Actually it did. I wanted to clear the air with him." Gwen started. "I hope you're not mad about it."

"Why would I be mad? I'm glad you talked to him." Keegan said as she leaned her head on Gwen's shoulder. "Being around the two of you was a little tense."

"Just don't scream my name out in the middle of the night and I think he'll be alright."

"Hey." Keegan slapped her lightly gently as her face flushed. Gwen stopped walking and drew Keegan into her arms. "You're teasing me."

"Yes." Gwen lowered her lips and brushed them lightly against Keegan's. The sunlight bounced on the water as the red fingers of light recessed into the horizon. The waves rolled gently on to the shore as a willowy breeze touched their skin. "Come on let's sit." Gwen led her to a picnic table. Keegan stepped up on the seat and sat on the top of the table. Stepping back, Gwen held on to Keegan's hand. She heard Keegan take a in a sharp breath as she pulled the tattered jewelry box from her shorts pocket. "I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." She ran the pad of her thumb over Keegan's knuckles. "I've held on to this ring for a long time. It's always been for you. My heart has been so empty without you in my life. I never want to feel that ever again. I'm asking you to spend the rest of our lives together. Marry me Keegan." With shaky fingers, Gwen pulled the ring from its nest and held it out for Keegan.

Keegan's heart stopped beating the moment Gwen pulled the small black box out of her pocket. She heard the words but the shock of the situation was overwhelming. Rays of exiting sunlight glistened off the ring. She knew Gwen was giving her heart. Tears filled her eyes as she bit her bottom lip to stop the quivering. She didn't care about the ring. She cared about the meaning of the words Gwen was asking her.

"Yes! Oh God yes!" Keegan leaned into the blonde and planted a large kiss on her lips. She let her lips linger until she pulled back and peppered her face with small kisses. She felt Gwen put her hands on her hips and pull her closer. "I love you." Keegan leaned down and brushed Gwen's hair from her face. Lowering her lips to the woman in front of her, Keegan heard the sigh just before their lips met

"I've always loved you." Gwen said as she stared into Keegan's eyes. "You're my soul." She pressed her face into Keegan's hand. Kissing her palm, Gwen tasted the saltiness of her skin.

"Did you even look at the ring?"

"The ring doesn't matter. The fact you're asking me to marry you is the only thing I care about. You could have gotten it out of a gumball machine or eaten half the sucker."

"It would have been cheaper, but lucky for you I know what you're worth." Gwen took the ring out of the box and slipped it on to Keegan's left ring finger. "Is it loose?"

"It's perfect." Keegan held the ring out in front of her to actually examine the princess cut diamond. "It's gorgeous."

"You're gorgeous." Gwen pulled Keegan to her feet. "I planned on giving this to you a few years ago, but things didn't work out."

"No, you're wrong, things worked out perfectly." Keegan placed her hand on Gwen's cheek and felt the warmth radiate from her. She kissed her. "Perfect." Keegan smiled holding the soft brown eyes. "Is this what you and Bill were plotting in the back yard?"

"He gave his blessing before he got the tickets. Otherwise, I would always wonder if it was because of the tickets I got his approval." Gwen commented as they held hands for a moment. The sun was setting behind them. "Not to kill the mood but the game is on."

"In ten minutes." Keegan pulled her by the hand towards the car. "Hey at least we're not in a crowded arena. We can cuddle in front of the television without worrying about people seeing us."

"You know what Kee?" Gwen said as she pulled her close for a quick kiss. "I' don't care."

The car sat idling at the curb waiting. This was the only option. If that woman hadn't come back, everything would have gone according to plans. People didn't care what happened to a "has been". The woman wasn't worth the paper the tabloid was printed on. Things needed to be taken care of before the plan was ruined. This was just a little detour a speed bump in the road. No one would know and no one would care.

The black Jeep Liberty steered down the quiet neighborhood street to the cul de sac at the end. Blocking the driveway entrance were four city department construction cones. The driver of the idling car put the automobile in park and revved the engine. When the SUV pulled against the curb, the back brake light went on then off. The occupant in the driver's seat opened the door and exited the vehicle. To dark to see exactly what road maintenance was being done, the driver stepped forward to investigate.

This was the opportunity they had been waiting for. As soon as the driver exited the car on the street gunned its engine and headed directly at the figure in the road. With the headlights dimmed the front of the car was aimed at the figure. The car over swung towards the curb clipping the parked vehicle. The impact slowed down the momentum of the speeding car, allowing the target to react. The figured turned to see.

The driver tried to change direction as Gwen's shocked face stared back through the windshield. Connie frantically pulled the wheel away from hitting her daughter.

Screams filled the air as Keegan watched Gwen's body fly across the hood of her truck and onto the tree lawn. The dark sedan squealed its tires as it tried to manipulate the circular roadway. Keegan was pushed against the passengers' door when the rear was hit by the on coming car. Her side hurt and she tasted the coppery flavor of blood. She must have bit her lip during the impact. She screamed as she watched the car come at Gwen. Scrambling to open the door, she finally realized the lock was engaged. In seconds, she was at Gwen's side checking for vitals. She needed to take care of Gwen. Gwen was the only thing that mattered. There was blood on her face and Keegan could feel her breathing yet, she was unconscious.

"Come on baby….stay with me." Keegan looked over her shoulder to see her neighbor's lights coming on. "Call 911! We need police and EMT!" Keegan screamed to Karen Wilmington, Ben's wife. In the distance, she heard sirens.

Chapter 23

Hot lights burned over head. A hand reached out to block out the intense light. For the thousandth time, she wondered how she got here. This was something she never planned on. If it was up to her and only her, she would have done everything differently. It was to late now.

Keegan sat in the canvas chair, the studio lights making her sweat and uncomfortable. Tempted to touch her make-up covered face, but she was afraid the woman would put more on her. Now she knew what it felt like to be on the Inside the Actors Studio. In the chair across from her sat Dale McKnight. He made idle chit chat with her as he showed her the set offering her the disclaimer he wanted to save the conversation for the "Where are They Now?" segment. To her right was a table set up between the seats with glass and a bottle of water. Weston University agreed to allow SNN to use the campus studio and save Keegan the hassle of dealing with local broadcasters. Keegan gave a small smile to the college aged production assistant. She negotiated with SNN that the crew would be all students at Weston. If she was going to do this interview, she wanted people she trusted and could benefit from the experience.

"Ready?" Dale asked the young man who was fitting Keegan with the microphone. Clipping the microphone to the lapel of Keegan's blazer, the student snaked the wire behind Keegan's chair and out of sight. He lifted his green eyes to meet Keegan's and gave her a wink. Keegan almost laughed as the blush ran up his neck to his face. Ashley had chosen her outfit, a soft olive color leaf print jacket with a black blouse and slacks. The student nodded and left the stage.

"As I said before, I'd like this to be like a conversation. Are you okay with that?"

Dale asked as he nodded to production booth. "Are we okay with volume?"

"As I said before, I'll let you know if a topic if off limits." Keegan let her boot dangle from the foot rest. Keegan took in the nod of agreement Dale gave her.

"In studio today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Keegan Garry former member of the National soccer team. Keegan, how are you today?"

"Doing well Dale with all things considered." Keegan glanced from Dale to the people and crew standing off camera watching.

"Your stance with the media has always been very standoffish. So why change? What has happened?"

"Standoffish?" Keegan let one of her bright smiles escape as she looked at the camera. "That's very political." Keegan chuckled quietly. "What hasn't happen would be a shorter answer but I think that would bore your audience." Keegan leaned over and grabbed the bottle of water. She was stalling and knew it. She made promises and needed to get this over with. "Where do you want to start?"

"Let's start in Greece."

"Never been there." Keegan smiled at her own joke.

"That's the point." Dale's shoulders bobbed up and down at his humorous guest. "Why did you disappear from the Olympic team just before the Greece games? There were rumors about an emergency appendectomy. Tell me what happen."

"I wish it was an appendectomy. Of gosh, it was like yesterday. I was riding high. Being on the team, going to my first Olympics and suddenly it was over. Not just the Olympics, my career, my life." Keegan watched as the members of the studio gave her their complete attention. She never thought people would give her plague a second thought. "The day before we were scheduled to leave, I went up for a ball against Shannon Abbott, nothing big just practice. Shannon wasn't going full on and neither was I. We just hit."

"Shannon Abbot is the reason you dropped out of soccer?" Dale thought of the three time Olympian with the curly brown hair and soccer mom persona. "Were you cutting into her playing time?"

"No." Keegan thought about how Shannon was probably screaming at the television set. "A bloody nose was the reason I didn't go to Greece."

"Can you explain?"

"A bloody nose isn't too serious where I come from. I'm a Motown girl, boxing, hockey, we get hit in the face all the time. The problem was, the bleeding wouldn't stop." Keegan recalled sitting on the sidelines with a damp cloth pressed to her face as the team continued to practice. After about two hours the trainers decided to send her to the hospital. "From that incident, it was discovered that I had cancer, leukemia to be exact."

"Didn't you know? Did you feel sick?" Dale's eyes were riveted on his guest. He knew there were things happening, he didn't expect this.

"I was in great shape. We were running six hour practices and getting ready for the games. I felt run down but I thought it was from the preparation and the traveling."

Keegan took another sip. Her throat feeling suddenly parched as she remembered Curtis and the team doctor. "For the record, I was not cut. I was deemed medically inactive."

"Is that important to you that people are aware of that?"

"Yes. I would have never left the team. I didn't have a choice. I would have gone to Greece. I was part of a gold medal winning team. There aren't many people who can say that."

"Did anyone on the team know what you were going through?" Dale was approaching a line but he wasn't sure if his guest would answer.

"Only Coach Curtis and medical staff were aware of the medical condition. There was no need to let the team worry about something they couldn't do anything about."

"So none of your teammates knew."

"None."

"Not even Gwen Lerner."

"Not even Gwen." Keegan stared directly into Dale's eyes. "My mother came up with the idea of the emergency appendectomy. No one would expect me to play in the games after undergoing surgery."

"Rumors swirled around the media tents regarding Gwen leaving Greece and going to visit you in the hospital." Dale waited. "Can you confirm she came to see you in the hospital days before the games?"

"Gwen came to the hospital under the pretense of the appendectomy. I sent her back to Greece to do her job and she did."

"Did you keep in touch or tell anyone on the team about your illness after the games?

"You have to understand that for me to start treatments for cancer, I went from running ten miles a day to barely being able to walk ten steps. When it came down to finding a cure or in my case a bone marrow transplant, my family got a hold of everyone we could." Keegan reached across the gap and touched Dale's arm. "You even were tested. I think you for that Dale." Keegan watched as the anchor covered her hand with his. She saw the watery look in his eyes. "Not many people knew the reason I left the games. Most thought the leukemia came later. It didn't. I was under a doctor's care for about a year taking interferon, but my blood cell counts started to drop and kept dropping. I received transfusions of red blood cells and occasionally platelets. My condition was worsening and I need to have a bone marrow transplant if I wanted to survive."

"I know your sister's company is in partnership with Emerald Foundation to assist cancer patients and their families."

"Helping Hands Corporation does a lot of work to make sure those in need of assistance receive it."

"I will assume that you did receive a transplant and that a match was found."

"Again, I will encourage your audience to go out and get tested. There are many people who are waiting to find matches in order to live. I did receive a donation. My nephew Andy was my donor. My doctors were able to use the umbilical cord and stem cells for the transplant."

"How old is Andy?"

"Four going on seventeen." Keegan waved to her nephew who stood in front of Ashley. "He's a very good boy."

"You managed to stay out of the press and spotlight for such a long time, why come on SNN and do this interview?"

"There are a few reasons. Mainly, to set the record straight." Keegan chuckled a bit as she thought about what she had said. "I left the team because I was sick. There wasn't a feud between myself and other players. As of late, there seems to be a large media interest in me. If I can tell my story and touch one person to sign up to be a marrow donor, I've done my part."

"You mentioned two items in that last response I want to touch on. You gave a slight laugh when you said straight. You have always been very opened about your sexuality. Has that changed?"

"Do you mean am I still a lesbian?" The entire studio laughed. "Yes. I've never hidden my sexuality. I was out in high school, college, and while playing for the National team. I don't see how who I sleep with affects other people."

"So I don't have a chance." Dale smiled.

"Sorry Dale."

"Let's talk about your current condition." Dale gestured to Keegan's middle section.

"Still a lesbian." Keegan said as she pulled her jacket back and stepped down from the chair. Her jacket pushed back, she showed the camera her bulging middle section. "I am at the start of my third trimester."

"But you're a lesbian."

"Wonders of modern science and a very smart mother." Keegan said. The love she had for Sarah showed through in her answer. She stepped to the chair and scooted up on the high seat again. She had to use the foot hold, but she didn't care. She was short and she knew it.

"What does your mother have to do with you being pregnant?" Dale was caught off guard by the comment.

"Most women who undergo treatment for cancer have some type of radiation, chemotherapy which they have to go through. My mother knew I wanted to have children. She suggested having my egg harvested and I did. I would suggest any person undergoing treatment to think about your future. If you want children, there are ways to persevere your reproductive abilities."

"I never thought of that."

"Neither do sixteen year olds who are undergoing treatments. I work in a hospital. I make time to go up to the cancer wing and talk to patients and share my story." Keegan had a flash of Jason Barascski, a seventeen year old, who was just starting treatment. He and his family spoke about his chances of having children if he didn't do cryopreservation.

"The other topic you touched on was the recent reemergence of your name in the media. I will assume you are speaking of the incident which occurred at your residences a few weeks ago."

"I was."

"I am sure there are things you can't comment on but can you at least tell the audience what you can?"

"There was an accident which a friend of mine was struck by a car outside my house." Keegan felt her eyes tearing up. She still had nightmares of seeing Gwen being hit by the car. Gwen putting her hands out to stop the on-coming vehicle her quick reaction to jump over the hood of the Liberty and roll across on to the tree lawn. "It was a horrible ordeal and I never want to go through that again." Keegan's blue eyes lifted slowly to the blonde woman who stared lovingly at her. The bruises had faded and the damage was repairable. Through it all the thought of Connie trying to kill her was a bit overwhelming.

"You witnessed the entire thing didn't you?"

"Yes, I was sitting in the passenger seat." Keegan could hear the emotional crack in her voice. If this line of questioning continued, she would break down. She almost lost Gwen.

"That friend is SNN correspondent and your former teammate Gwen Lerner." Dale looked to the crowd and saw Gwen leaning on a crutch, her left arm in a cast from the wrist to the elbow. "Do you think she'll join us on the set?"

Taking a page out of Gwen's book, Keegan leaned across the gap between them. Her hand resting lightly on his knee, she looked at him and the camera smiled and said. "No."

"In the famous words of Huey Carmichael, I had to try." Dale referred to the half time interview with Gwen at the Motors game earlier in the season. "So what does the future hold for Keegan Garry?"

"I hope to have a healthy baby."

"When are you due?"

"End of summer beginning of fall." Keegan's hand moved over her womb as if to protect the baby.

"What about the father?" Dale challenged.

"What about him?"

"Will your baby know him?"

"My baby will know its family. Sometimes blood relatives aren't what they are cracked up to be. The father will be part of the baby's life and that is all I will say on that matter." Gwen leaned back in her chair. Frost was right, she told her own story in her own words and let the tabloids run whatever lies they wanted.

On the screen were images of Shannon Abbott and Carol Edwards. The former teammates were sitting side by side telling stories about Keegan. The image changed to Ashley and Andy sitting on the couch in their living room. The picture captured Ashley's tears and frustration with the lack of resources for bone marrow transplants. The response the network got from friends, co-workers and professional athletes was overwhelming.
"There are two sides to Keegan. The BC and AC. I met Keegan during the AC stage." Jonathan Sparks sat in the gym. His legs stretched out in front of him as if he were about to strike the seated forward bend pose. "AC?" He lifted his head to the camera. "After cancer." He said as if the anchor was crazy. "We started doing low impact yoga to start rebuilding her muscles."
"Will she watch this?" Dr. Carrie Micha looked in the camera. "I love her you know. She is such a great person. Giving a lot of herself to others. Maybe to much." The camera changed angle as the shot was cut. "Call me!" Carrie said as she held her hand like a telephone handset next to her ear.
A tight shot of Gwen dressed in a sweat soaked t-shirt and soccer shorts filled the screen as footage from the Greek games was rolled.
"Gwen, can you give the fans some insight on Keegan Garry's absence? I know you're close with her." Dale McKnight's voice filled the air. The camera zoomed in tight on Gwen's profile as she tried to jog away. Her escape hamper by the sound man as Dale ran next to her.
"Keegan's missed." Gwen's image turned to the camera and finally replied to the microphone thrust at her. "There are things we can't control. Would we like her here with us of course, but that's not going to happen. Right now, we need to stay focused and play like a team." Her jaw was set in a hard line and the irritation she tried to hold in oozed through the camera lens.
"Rumor is emergency appendectomy. Can you confirm?" When Gwen shot Dale a look of disgust, he changed tactics. "Do you have a personal message for Keegan as she watches the games with her family in Michigan?" McKnight asked.
"Anything I have to say to Keegan has already been said. She knows how I feel and how the team feels. Thanks." Her brown eyes turned hard as they stared at the lens.

"Tonight you have been watching an encore presentation of the Keegan Garry's appearance on "Where Are They Now?" There are a few reasons for SNN re-running this episode this evening. It is with great pleasure I announce Keegan has given birth to a healthy baby boy, Christopher William Garry. Also today, the Michigan courts have charged Constance Reid Sherman with attempted voluntary manslaughter and attempted murder. If you can recall last May, former Olympian Gwen Lerner was struck by a car outside the home of Keegan Garry. That car was driven by Miss Lerner's mother, Constance Sherman. Today charges have been brought against Miss Sherman. She is charged with the attempted murder of Keegan Garry, her intended target and attempted involuntary manslaughter of her daughter, Gwen Lerner. Spokes person for Miss Sherman have stated Ms. Sherman is undergoing psychological treatment. " With a click of the remote, the image on the television disappeared The room instantly darken. Gwen touched Keegan's face. She watched her lover's chest expand and contract with the cadence of her breathing. She felt the sting of tears in her eyes. This was what she needed. She needed this small woman in her life. When sleepy blue eyes rose to hers she couldn't help but smile.

"Hi." Gwen whispered barely heard her own voice.

"Hey." Keegan answered and moved her cheek against the warmth of Gwen's hand. "What time is it?"

"Don't worry about that." Gwen replied as her fingers played with Keegan's hair. She ran her hand through the length enjoying the luscious feel on her fingers.

"Have you seen him?" Keegan asked. She had been out of it for the awhile. The medication the hospital staff gave her was playing tricks on her brain.

"Yes. He's beautiful like his mother." Tears gradually began to spill from the corners of Gwen's tawny eyes. She leaned down and kissed Keegan's lips.

"You're trembling." Keegan smiled as a low murmur came from Gwen. "Lay with me."

Keegan slid over slightly for Gwen to fit in the bed next to her.

"Are you sure?" Gwen felt shy and concern with her lover's comfort. Keegan answered by tapping the bed. Gwen curled her body around Keegan's. "Everyone okay with the name?" The whisper of a voice touched her ear. Gwen nodded against Keegan's hair her voice to full of emotion to speak. She snuggled next to her partner and thanked the fates above for their lives and the healthy delivery of their child.

"Next time you have the baby." Keegan mumbled in her sleepy state.

"I don't have the best genes." Gwen ran her fingers along Keegan's side.

"You look good in jeans." Keegan hummed as her fingers reached back and brought Gwen's lips to hers.

"We'll talk about it later." Gwen smiled as she settled behind Keegan making sure her partner was comfortable. "I love you."

The End

As stated earlier this is my first post to The Athenaeum. This story was a journey for me and if you can see the depth and love that went into it. These are two very special characters and I am not sure what the future holds for them. For me, I hope to post more stories soon.

Thank you for all of the feed back and if you would like to tell what you think of this tale, any feedback is welcome. I am a horrible speller and if it wasn't for the red squiggly line under the words, I'd have no clue.

I want to throw out kudos to Kerri (in the land down under - and a day ahead of me) who has graciously given me her time as a Beta/editor/master of all in getting this work finished and posted.

Take care and hope you enjoyed the ride!

You can send comments to me at burkcatherine@aol.com

Help find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and melanoma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

DONATE HERE: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ut/cmc09/bvanreenan