CHAPTER 1

Brenda stood motionless just outside the airport terminal; she couldn’t believe she was actually there. It was two years ago she had stood almost in this exact same spot, and had made the decision to leave Port Charles for forever.

“It’s just easier this way” she remembered saying to herself.

But she knew better, this decision was anything but easy. Truthfully it was the only choice she had; Port Charles could no longer be her home. She had given up that right four years ago when she chose her fear over “their” love. It had been a mistake; she saw it now but no amount of wishing would ever change it. When she had finally returned she tried to recapture what once was, but in doing so she was doomed to repeat the same mistakes. Now there was no turning back, she had to move on and out of Port Charles; if not for herself but for him.

So two years ago she stepped on a plane, only looking forward and promising never to look back and surprisingly enough she had been successful until yesterday. It wasn’t until yesterday that her world started to spin, something that it hadn’t done for years and the thought of it made her physically sick.

“How could this be happening” she said as she choked down her tears.

After years of reconstruct her life, it only took one phone call to bring it all crashing down around her. Now one 13 hour flight later, here she stood face to face with the past she tried so desperately to escape.

“Ms. Barrett?”
“Reginald!” she said with a smile. “I thought Ned was going to be picking me up?”
“He was, but he was unexpectedly ….. detained.”
“Detained? Everything is alright, isn’t it?”
“Oh yes, everyone is fine. That is, as much as can be expected under these circumstances. Sorry…. let me get your bags, I’m sure you’re anxious to get going.”

Brenda sat silently while Reginald drove them across the city to the well known Quartermaine mansion. She was lost in her thoughts, unable to get past he conversation with Reginald.

“Under the circumstances…” she thought. The words kept repeating in her head over and over like a broken record. Circumstances was a word reserved for situations like losing your job, or getting your car stolen; nothing like what they were going through right now.

“How could this happen?” she asked herself.
“Excuse me?”
“Oh nothing Reginald” she said embarrassed that she had spoken out loud.
“Are you alright Ms Barrett?” he said as he peered at her from his rear-view window.
“I don’t think I am Reginald, but I’m don’t matter right now” she said feeling her eyes beginning to sting.
“You know, she’s going to be really happy to see you….”

And with that, the tears finally came streaming down her face; more rapidly and with more emotion than she was prepared for. She quickly wiped them away, afraid that if she didn’t she may never get them to stop.

The outside of the gate house looked exactly as she remembered it from her old L&B days except for one major difference; she didn’t want to go in. She stood standing at the front the door unable to open it and face what was on the other side. And she might have stood there all day if Lois hadn’t finally opened the door.

“Brenda!!!” she screamed as she pulled her into her arms. “Oh how I needed my best gal pal. Thank you so much for coming.”

When Brenda was finally released from her friend’s tight grasp she took moment to look at Lois and was taken back by her appearance. Lois had always been an energetic, happy, beautiful women but Brenda didn’t see that woman now. Instead she saw dark circles under Lois’ eyes, her hair was disheveled, and she could see the sadness in her eyes and hear it in her voice.

“I wish you would have called me sooner Lois. You know I would have been on the first flight out.”

“Oh I know that Bren but what would that have accomplished?”
“Probably nothing, but at least you wouldn’t have been alone.”
“Well I wasn’t but it is soo good to see you anyway. Now why don’t to come in.”

Brenda wasn’t sure what she expected to see when she entered the gate house maybe she nothing but she knew she wasn’t prepared. As she looked around the room she found books and papers scattered all across the floor, along with boxes and boxes of medical supplies.

“I’m sorry about the mess. I’m actually having someone come down from the main house today to sterilize everything. I haven’t exactly been able to pick up around here these last couple of months.”

Reaching out Brenda clasped on to her best friends hand. She didn’t know if her being here would be any help to Lois but she did know that she had made the right decision in coming.

“Well anyway, I know someone who would love to see you!” she said as she wiped tears from her eyes. “Follow me.”

After reaching the top of the stairs Lois quietly tiptoed into one of the far rooms asking Brenda to wait while she went in to make sure everything was alright for her visit. As she waited Brenda fought back the urge to run down the stairs and out of the house as quickly as possible and to escape the “circumstance” that had brought her back to Port Charles. But deep down she knew better and when the door finally opened Brenda put on her biggest smile and greeted her god daughter Brooke Lynn.