CHAPTER 30

Bobbie returned to the nurses' station, still perplexed by Carly's use of the word "mom". She was concentrating on entering her chart notes when a familiar voice said "hello". She looked up and was astonished to see Luke leaning against the counter.

"Oh...my...goodness. I don't believe it!" Bobbie rushed from behind the nurses' station to give her brother a hug. "When did you get back in town?"

"A little while ago. I couldn't wait to see my lovely sister. How have you been, Barbara Jean?"

"Fine. Just fine," she said, looking him over. "How about you and your family? How's Laura? And Lesley Lu?"

"Fine. Everyone's doing well."

"Please tell me that all of you are home to stay."

"I wish I could, baby. But the truth is I'm here alone. And I'm only here for a short stay."

Bobbie tried to hide her disappointment, but Luke saw through her. "Hey, cheer up. We can still have a nice visit, can't we?"

"You're right," she replied and smiled.

"What crazy things have been going on around here?" he asked.

"Actually, quite a bit's been going on. Do you have time for a cup of coffee?"

"Lead the way."

They found a table in the cafeteria. After taking a sip of her coffee, Bobbie filled Luke in on the Carly and Tony saga.

"I can't believe she got herself pregnant." Luke was incensed.

"Wait until you hear the best part. Tony finds out, right before she gives birth, that he may not be the baby's father. A.J. Quartermaine told Tony that he and Carly had slept together and that he might be the father! Can you believe it?"

"No. What is wrong with that girl?"

Bobbie shrugged. "All I know is that Tony and Carly are no longer together."

"But they share a child?" Luke needed to make sure he was understanding correctly.

"Yes. We compared blood types, and Tony was the lucky one. If you could call him that."

"No kidding," Luke said. In his mind, he was already confronting his wayward niece.

"What about Carly?" he asked. "How's she doing?"

"Not well. The baby was delivered in surgery, by C-section, three months premature. As if that weren't bad enough, Carly got an infection during the surgery. Her doctor has been trying to get it under control. She's been vulnerable since giving birth, Luke. I feel drawn to her and the baby, and I'm not sure why."

"Because of Tony?" Luke hedged.

"No," Bobbie said, shaking her head. "I think it's because of my own situation. For all her ways, Carly is a young, misguided soul, much like I was. But she can make a better choice and a better life for herself and her daughter than I ever could have. I want her to see that. I want to help her if she'll let me."

"Barbara Jean," Luke warned. "Why are you going soft on that little witch? Have you forgotten the hell she's put you through?"

"Of course not. But time changes things, Luke. And it was just as much Tony's fault as Carly's. Why are you so easy on him?"

"I'm not 'easy' on my ex-doc-bro-in-law," Luke defended. "I just don't like the way this whole thing went down and the part Carly played in the break-up of your marriage."

Bobbie wasn't convinced. "You never have liked Carly, have you? Even when she first came to town."

"I never gave her a thought," Luke admitted. "Until she began messin' with my sister and her marriage. Then, it was war."

Bobbie smiled. "Well, you are really not going to believe this next piece of news. Guess what Carly called me when I helped her? She called me 'mom'. Is that wild or what?"

Luke choked on his coffee.

"Hey, are you all right?" Bobbie asked.

He nodded as he cleared his throat. "I'm fine. I can't believe that, Bobbie. Why would she call you 'mom'?"

"I don't know," Bobbie said, shrugging. "I guess she felt comforted by me, almost like a mother. It did give me pause, though."

"Barbara Jean..." Luke chastised.

"I know. I know. Don't even go there. Let me just say, though, that these past few days I've seen a different side of Carly, and it's been nice."

Luke shook his head but didn't say anything. He planned to deal with Carly as soon as he could.

"I need to get back to the floor," Bobbie said. "When do I get to see you again?"

"Will you be home tonight? I'll stop by the Brownstone."

"I'll be there. Come for dinner."

"Sounds good."

Luke watched Bobbie exit the cafeteria, already planning his lecture for his niece. What was her problem anyway, Luke thought, crushing the empty Styrofoam cup in his hand. What was she doing playing with Bobbie's head? That's what he intended to find out.