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Date Posted: 19:07:19 03/05/01 Mon
Author: Kate
Subject: Repost: Homecoming Parts 1-5 (continued)
In reply to: Kate 's message, "Repost: Homecoming Parts 1-5" on 19:03:28 03/05/01 Mon

“Stop it Eric.” Marlena looked disturbed. “You’re acting like a spoiled child.”

He turned his back to his family. “I’m going to see Grandpa and Grandma. They deserve to know about this.” He left.

Marlena sighed, and pulled Sami and Belle into her arms. “It’ll be okay.” She promised. Her eyes were haunted.

TBC

A week later

Belle played with Chloe’s hair, as the other girl fidgeted nervously. “Trust me.” Belle said, with supreme confidence.
“This will look fabulous!”

Chloe looked at her friend nervously. “Trust you? I was once told never to trust someone who told me to trust him or
her.”

Belle rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue.

Chloe was startled into a giggle.

“I saw that!” Belle exclaimed in delight. “You do like this! You are having fun! See, I knew you would.”

Chloe shrugged. “It was nice of you to come over. As long as you’re here Nancy won’t bother me about not having
friends.”

A peculiar expression crossed Belle’s face. “Well, I just had to get out of the house, you know?”

“What happened?” Chloe sensed Belle’s disturbance.

“I- well you’ll know soon enough.” Belle sighed, and looked at the ground. “My sister, well she isn’t really my sister,
but almost mine, she, well,” Belle couldn’t say anything. “She was killed and ever since my parents have been nuts
about protecting us.”

“Oh Belle.” Chloe sighed, and hugged the other girl. “How- and when? Anyone I know?”

“Her name was Carrie Brady.”

“I heard Nancy mention her, now that I think of it.” Chloe neglected to mention that her mother was less than
impressed by the young woman. “She was engaged to Mike Horton, right?”

“Yeah.” Belle nodded, wiping her eyes. “They were running a clinic in Israel and it got bombed.”

“Oh my God. That’s horrible.” Chloe whispered. “Does Shawn know?”

Belle frowned at her friend a little. “Yeah.”

“He must be really upset. She was his cousin, right?”

Belle sniffled indignantly. “She was practically my sister and all you can think about is Shawn!”

“Belle, I’m sorry if it seems that way.” Chloe didn’t sound overly repentant. “It’s just he knew her. I didn’t. You’re
the same age. Maybe it would help you more to talk to him about her.”

Belle softened her expression. “It’s okay Chloe. I wonder if Philip knows yet?”

“Philip?” Chloe sounded defensive. “Why would he care?”

“Carrie was a big part of his growing up years too. God, when we were little we all worshipped her. Shawn, me,
Philip, Brady, Will, Abby. It just isn’t fair!” She cried. “Carrie was really young! This shouldn’t have happened to
her.”

“It shouldn’t happen to anyone.” Chloe said simply.

“It isn’t fair!” Belle cried again. “Mike and Jeremy got out of it without a scratch on them!”

“Mike and Jeremy?”

“Mike was her fiancé. Jeremy is his son.”

“Oh.” Chloe said, raising her brows. “How come all of Salem doesn’t know yet?”

“We’re trying to get the family together before we tell the whole world.” Belle sighed. “I’ve never seen Daddy Roman
act like this.”

“Daddy Roman?” Chloe asked, another odd expression crossing her face.

“Carrie’s dad, and practically mine too.”

“I thought John was your father.” Chloe was lost.

“He is.” Belle sighed. “But when I was born my mom was still married to Daddy Roman.”

“So you thought he was your father.”

“For a while, but eventually it all got straightened out.” Belle sighed. “Don’t worry, live in Salem long enough and
you’ll learn the ropes.”

Chloe made a face. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because you’re the only one I have to talk to right now.” Belle sighed. “Meems is acting weird, Shawn and I would
just fight and you can’t talk to Philip about serious stuff like this.” Belle blew out an exasperated breath. “And don’t
get me started on Brady!”

“You already mentioned Shawn.” Chloe said mildly.

“Not that Brady, Brady my brother.”

“You have a brother? How come I haven’t met him?”

“He’s been at college.” Belle explained. “He and my dad have been having problems communicating for as long as I
can remember.” A frown wrinkled her face. “He’ll come home for this though.”

“How come you’re so sure?”

“Because it’s Carrie.” Belle shrugged. “I can’t explain it more than that.”

“What’s so special about Carrie?”

Belle thought for a minute. “She loved us.” Belle was rarely philosophical, but when she was it was interesting to hear.
“Scratch that, she loved people. All people, it seemed. She didn’t really get along with Sami that well, but when you
think of it it’s understandable.” Belle began adeptly pinning up her friend’s long tresses. “But when push came to
shove, when troubles hit, Carrie was there. When I had nightmares, she would rock me back to sleep. She always
seemed to just sort of know when I needed her.”

“Was she like that with everyone?” Chloe was confused. She sounded very different from how Nancy described her.

“Pretty much.” Belle nodded. “But with Mike she was really special. When he was around she sort of glowed.”

“Glowed?” Chloe said doubtfully.

“Yeah. It was so obvious to me that they were in love. I mean, he was smart and cute and all that. But more than that,
he adored her. With Austin, it was like, I don’t know, it was weird. I hardly ever remember them together and happy.
When they were together and I was around one or the other was always upset.”

“Why?”

“Sami, Lucas, Will, Mike, Franco, a murder trial, there was always something.”

“Will?”

“Sami’s son. For a long time we thought he was Austin’s.”

“And he wasn’t?”

“No, he was Lucas’s.”

“And the problem was?”

“Austin still wants to be Will’s father, even though he isn’t. He was kind of pushing Carrie to have kids early, though
she didn’t want to.”

“He’s with Sami now?”

“Supposedly.” Belle shrugged. “I never really know what’s going on with them.”

“So Carrie was living with Mike in Israel and helping him raise his son, but wouldn’t do that with Austin?”

Belle sighed. “Will wasn’t Austin’s son, that was why she had trouble with it. I bet Jeremy misses her too.”

“What was it about her? You make it sound like kids adored her, but she didn’t want any of her own?”

“She didn’t want kids with Austin.” Belle explained. “Or that’s how I see it. My mom really objected to Mike and
Carrie being together.”

“Isn’t that sort of hypocritical?”

“Very.” Belle sighed. “Brady’s coming home tomorrow, so you’ll get to meet him.”

“What’s he like?” Chloe asked.

“He’s my brother, and I love him, but he’s a pain.”

“What’s he do?”

“He always makes trouble. Fights with our parents, stuff like that. The only people who understood him, besides me
were Carrie and Abby. He’ll miss her more than any of us I bet.”

“Who’s Abby?”

“Someone else who used to live in Salem and doesn’t anymore.” Belle shrugged. “She was Brady’s best friend.”

“Not yours?”

“She was older than me.” Belle sighed. “Can we not talk about this? It’s depressing.”

Chloe acceded. “What do you want to talk about?”

“You.”

“Me.” Chloe looked unimpressed.

“And Philip.”

“What about it?”

“Are you two an item?”

“Belle, please.” Chloe fixed her with a scornful look.

“OK, okay.” Belle said agreeably. “Nothing’s going on. The question is, do you want something to?”

“No.” Chloe moved, uncomfortable, and blushing. “No, of course not.”

“Well, what about you and Shawn?” Belle persisted.

“What about us?” Chloe asked, wishing there were some way she could escape this line of questioning.

“Do you like him?”

“Yeah, a little. He’s so sweet.”

Belle sighed. “Chloe!” She cried. “We both know that’s not what I meant.”

“OK, OK.” Chloe rolled her eyes. “I have to think.”

‘That means no then.’ Belle thought gratefully.

“I could like him the way you mean.”

“Oh.” Belle said weakly.

‘Ah ha.’ Chloe thought. ‘She does like him.’

The phone rang sharply. “Belle, it’s for you.” Nancy bustled in.

“Oh, thanks Mrs. Wesley.” Belle blinked, took the portable phone. “Hello?”

Her expression changed. “Look, calm down.” Belle sighed. “I’ll be right there.”

“Belle, what is it?” Nancy exclaimed.

“Nothing.” She sighed. “Just a little family stuff.”

Chloe frowned as Belle flew down the stairs. Something was more than a little wrong to rattle her that badly.




Austin stomped through the middle of Salem Place. Carrie was dead. He couldn’t believe it. Somehow, some way, he
just couldn’t believe it. They weren’t married anymore, or dating, or in the weird state of limbo their relationship had
so often been in. But he still loved her. He hadn’t thought about her lately. Hadn’t thought anything of her.

And now she was gone. Why did he feel so guilty, like he should’ve stopped it? There was nothing he could’ve done.
Was there?

Of course not. He hadn’t been in Israel. But Mike Horton had. Austin’s hands balled into fists. That was the sticking
point. Mike Horton had left Carrie alone to die, and he didn’t have a scratch on him.

Austin Reed hated him for that.




Six Weeks later

“I have to what?” Jeremy scowled darkly.

“Go to school.” Mike repeated to his son, scowling back. “Lot’s of people do it, you’ll like it.”

“Sure.” Jeremy rolled his eyes. “Like you did.”

Mike sighed. “Jeremy, this is not open to debate. You’re going.”

“You can’t tell me what to do!” Jeremy shouted at his father.

Mike had his mouth open to answer when Alice ran in. “What is all the shouting about?” She demanded imperiously.

“He,” Jeremy jerked his chin at Mike. “Wants me to go to school.”

“Well, darling you have to.” Alice said, turning her head to stare at him.

Jeremy scowled. In the week he’d been in Salem he’d rapidly learned not to disobey Alice.

“But that doesn’t mean you don’t have something to say about it.” She continued. “Why don’t you decide where you
want to go to school?”

“Huh?” Jeremy looked confused.

“But Gran-,” Mike protested.

Alice silenced him with a look.

“I don’t know.” Jeremy said softly.

“The Hortons have all attended Lincoln High School.” Mike said. “Or, with your grades Salem Academy would be a
good choice.”

“No.” Jeremy said, rebellious spirit showing up. “No, I don’t want to go there.”

“Where do you want to go?” Alice asked, wisely not making suggestions, allowing him to make his own choice.

Jeremy thought for a minute. “What school does that girl, Belle, go to?” He asked.

“Belle Black?” Alice raised an eyebrow. “She goes to Salem High School, with your cousin Shawn.”

“I’ll go there.” Jeremy said firmly.

Alice almost flinched. ‘Well, maybe Jeremy will be just what the doctor ordered to get Shawn moving on his feelings
for Belle.’ She reflected for a moment. ‘Or maybe it will drive the boys so far apart they’ll never be friends.’




Callie Fredericks sighed. She found it a little hard to swallow that she was an ISA agent, in effect a spy. She
remembered nothing about her life.

She sighed. That wasn’t one hundred percent true. Every once in a while she got a flash, a fragment of a memory. She
clutched at the fragments, trying to fit them into what her uncle told her about her life.

She sighed. She had received a flash last night, as she tried to fall asleep of herself sobbing. She had been around
eight, and she was distraught. Her daddy was gone.

The night before that she had caught a glimpse of her Uncle Shane holding a woman’s hand. She had been a flower
girl, twirling around in delight.

There were other things, less complete. The most frequently recurring was a handsome man’s face. She knew his
name. It was Mike. And she loved him.

For being twenty-six years old that was pitiful.

But she was going back to a town named Salem. The name sounded so familiar she would swear she had been there
before. But Uncle Shane said she hadn’t… Maybe Uncle Shane was wrong? She thought morosely.

Callie sighed as she sat down on the plane. Uncle Shane had insisted on having her hair cut and dyed. She was
wearing contacts. She didn’t look anything like she had when she first woke up. When she first woke up her hair had
been long and brown. Her eyes had been blue gray.

Now her hair was in a chin length bob and bright blond. Her eyes were electric green. She looked fake. She decided.
Pretty, but not the approachable kind. If she ever found Mike he wouldn’t recognize her.




Mike Horton sat in his living room. He was a wreck.

Carrie was gone. Intellectually he knew it. But his heart would not, could not accept it. His cousin Hope had spoken
of a psychic bond between her and Bo. She claimed it enabled him to find her.

Mike snorted bitterly.

Robin was gone. She was the mother of his son and one of the two people on earth who had always been able to get
through to Jeremy.

He sighed.

Jeremy was still there. But he was adamantly against his father. All they did any more was fight. Marlena had come to
see him. SO had John. Neither had stayed long.

Marlena’s conversation had been brief. She blamed him for everything. He shouldn’t have fallen in love with Carrie.
He shouldn’t have disrupted her marriage. He shouldn’t have taken her to Israel. He shouldn’t have lived when she
didn’t. He shouldn’t have taken her baby away.

John had been kinder. “Carrie loved you. She was going to marry you. I guess that makes us almost family.”

Mike had been inexpressibly grateful for the small kindness.

Then Sami had come. Her eyes had been bloodshot. “Tell me everything.” She had demanded.

He had complied. He told her about the supplies they kept for the ISA. He told her about Carrie and Robin, staying
late because they had something to do at the women’s shelter. He told her about walking home with Jeremy, when he
heard the blast. In broken words he told of running to the building, searching the remains of the building, finding the
bodies of two women.

She had begun to sob, begged him not to tell her any more.

He had complied.

His mother and grandmother tried to get him to eat.

He couldn’t.

Belle came to visit. She had asked him what he was going to do now?

He had shrugged. “I don’t know.” It was an honest answer.

She left shortly after, to talk to Jeremy. He had been more receptive to her comforting.

Anna was the last to come. She seemed to understand he just wanted to be left alone. She had pressed his hand and
whispered. “Don’t give up, not yet.”

Something in her eyes had given him hope. So he got dressed, got ready and prepared for a good old-fashioned job
hunt. University had wanted him back, immediately, but he couldn’t do it. Too many memories.

He was working at Salem General Hospital, and the work was good for him. He didn’t feel truly alive. With his better
half missing how could he? But he felt almost human, and that counted for something. But today he had seen a girl
who looked exactly like Carrie.

He had called out her name. The girl didn’t even pause. Mike felt like a fool. But for that instant he had thought Carrie
was alive. And his world had made sense.

Now it was shattered.

Again.






“Agent Fredricks, do you copy?” Shane’s voice asked.

“Yes sir.” Callie answered crisply. It still felt odd. She couldn’t remember ever saying those words before in her life…

“You have your assignment.”

“Yes sir.” She repeated.

“Then hop to gel. We don’t have forever.”

“Ten four.” She turned off her cell phone. Her heart clenched. She didn’t think she was cut out to be a substitute
teacher.

But her mission was to be a substitute at Salem High, and use that to get cloe to Belle Black and Shawn Brady. By
getting close to them she would be able to observe their parents.

Callie sighed. How was she supposed to pull that off?




Austin was wandering through Salem Place. He had taken to doing that at odd and random hours of the night. It was
almost eleven, but the place was crowded anyway.

He felt like something was going to happen tonight. Someone crashed into him

He whirled, to see the girl who had hurtled into him. He felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. “Carrie.” He
gaped, staring at her.

“Watch where you’re going.” The woman said peevishly, stooping to gather her bags.

Austin grabbed the girl, and gave her a hard shake. “Carrie?” He repeated. “You’re- you’re alive.”

She stared up at the tall dark haired man. “My name isn’t Carrie.” She pulled away. “Who the hell are you?”

“Austin.” He whispered. “Carrie, look at me, it’s Austin.”

She shook him off. “I don’t know you.” She said harshly. “I don’t know you, so get your hands off me. I’ll call the
police.” She threatened.

He stared. His hand darted out touched her face. She was real. “How are you alive?” He whispered.

Callie gritted her teeth. Nothing she said registered on this baboon! A wave of déjà vu rolled over her. She had felt
that before about this man. More than ever Callie had to get away. “I don’t know who you are, so get away or I’ll
turn you into a eunuch.” She threatened in a cool tone, straightening to her full height, which was insignificant to his.

That got through to him. He looked startled. No strike that he was struck dumb. ‘Well, dumber.’ She thought, as his
arms (and jaw) dropped.

“Don’t you recognize me?” He whispered.

“No. Should I?” ‘Turn around and leave!’ An inner voice shrieked. ‘Leave now!’

“It’s Austin.” He repeated. “Your- your husband.”

Callie looked up at him, eyes wide.

“I’ll make you remember.” Austin said. He pulled her close and was about to kiss her.

“Police!” Callie shrieked at the top of her lungs. She could handle this guy. She knew she could handle this guy. Why
was she scared? She had ISA training, she knew how to fight, right?

A man who seemed vaguely familiar got to them quickly. “Austin, take it easy.” The black man admonished. “Now,
what’s the prob- Carrie?” He gaped.

She shifted nervously. “For the last time I’m not Carrie Reed!” She cried. She paled quickly. Where had the last
name come from?

“Why don’t you come down to the station miss? We’ll get this all sorted out.” Abe suggested, suddenly realizing he
couldn’t go to the station. ‘Oh, the hell with it, I have to figure this out.’

“Thank you.” Her glare was icy. “I want to file a formal complaint with the chief of police.”

Abe fought to keep a smile off his face. ‘Your daddy is going to love seeing you!’ He thought. ‘But where have you
been little girl? Why don’t you recognize us?’




Bo Brady was having a miserable day. They had just learned little Johnny had fetal alcohol syndrome, and Hope was
devastated. Shawn was shattered, and he himself was pretty broken up too. It was one more reminder that he was
Gina’s son, with an unknown father. But he and Hope were raising the baby.

He sighed. What else could happen. His eyes popped when a dead ringer for his niece, except for the eyes, stalked
into Salem PD, with Abe Carver and a very confused Austin Reed.

“Car- what?” He asked, when the young woman shot him an icy glare. “Who ever you are, if you call me Carrie I will
scream.” She promised. “For heaven’s sake, my name is not Carrie.”

Abe’s face was troubled. “Austin here thought Miss Fredricks here was his ex-wife and tried to kiss her in the middle
of Salem Place. Now she wants to file formal charges.” He explained. “Where’s Roman.”

“Seeing him is a bad idea right now. He’s with Anna.” Bo muttered to himself. ‘I had to ask.’ He thought. ‘I couldn’t
leave well enough alone?’

“Fine.” Callie pursed her mouth tightly. “I’ll file with you. My name is Carol Fredricks. I’m new in Salem, and that’s
the third time since I moved here that a young man who called me Carrie has accosted me. I want it to stop
immediately!” She cried.

Bo winced. “Did you find out the names of the two other young men?”

“Yes, one called himself Eric, the other Lucas.”

Bo sighed. “No one named Mike?”

Callie froze. ‘Is it true?’ She thought, bewildered. ‘Could I be Carrie Reed? How else could they know about Mike?’
She took a deep breath to steady herself. ‘No.’ She decided firmly. ‘Uncle Shane wouldn’t lie to me.’ “No.” She
croaked, face pale. ‘I will not ask, I will not ask, I will not ask.’ She repeated it like a mantra.

“So, what seems to be the problem?” Roman Brady came out of his office. His ex-wife was right behind him.

Callie whirled around. ‘That’s my father.’ She thought, knowing it was true, but fearing it was impossible. “Daddy?”
She gasped.

“Carrie?” The man looked like he would faint.

TBC

“I- my name isn’t- you’re dead.” Callie sobbed. “You’re dead. I don’t remember much but I do remember that.”

Roman was gasping like a fish out of water, but that didn’t stop him from throwing his arms around the young woman
who looked so like his Carrie. Suddenly Anna had thrown herself at them, wailing. “My baby.”

Bo, Austin and Abe looked taken aback. “Let’s go to my office.” Roman suggested.

“I can’t.” Callie shrank back. “I can’t- my uncle said my parents were dead- but you are my father- you are- you
are.”

Roman could tell that the young woman was hysterical. He guided her into his office, leaving Anna to fend for herself.
Roman got Callie settled into a chair with a steaming cup of coffee. “Now, I want to know-,” He began, but had to
stop. What did he want to know? “Everything.” He at last managed.

The entire story spilled out, of waking in an Israeli clinic, of her Uncle Shane, of remembering her father’s death, and a
few other trifles. She noted with bewilderment the fury in Roman’s eyes when Shane Donovan was mentioned.

At last Callie (or Carrie, as we will now call her) turned her face to Roman. “Tell me about your daughter.”

Slowly, choosing his words with infinite care he said, “My daughter’s name is Caroline Anna Brady. Her mother was
Anna Fredricks.”

Carrie’s mouth formed a small oh of surprise.

“Carrie grew up in an unusual way.” Roman’s voice was filled with regret. “It’s a long story, but the gist of it is Carrie
and her younger half-siblings, the twins,”

“Eric and Sami.” Carrie whispered. “The twins are Eric and Sami. I remember that.” Her tone was exultant, but
reverent at the same time.

Roman nodded jerkily, reaching out to clutch Carrie’s hand. He had no doubt that this pretty young stranger was his
daughter. “They were raised half by me, half by a man named John Black.” Roman’s voice was laced with pain. “Also
a woman named Marlena Evans.”

Carrie frowned. “She was blond, right?”

Roman nodded. He knew he should be excited but he wasn’t. He felt like he was stuck in a shell. He was in shock.
“Carrie grew up, eventually and got involved with the young man you met out there. Austin Reed.”

Carrie’s face was ashy. “Tell me I- or the person you think I am, because I might not be her, did not marry that-,”
She made a face, trying to think of a suitable word “Overgrown baboon.”

Roman gave a shaky laugh. “Unfortunately she- you- did. But no sooner did she do it but she fell in love with
someone else.”

“Mike.” Carrie sighed over his name. “I remember a man named Mike. I loved him more than anything.”

Deeply affected, Roman nodded. “Carrie loved Mike with all her heart.” He said simply. “I believe that.”

With effort the young woman nodded. It looked more and more likely that she was Carrie Brady Reed. But if that
was so why did Shane lie to her?

Roman took a deep breath. “Carrie and Mike moved to Israel. They opened a free health clinic there. It was bombed
over a month ago. My daughter died in the blast.”

Carrie took a shuddering breath. “Are you sure?”

“No.” The one word spoke volumes, but Roman added to it. “They didn’t find a body. At least, not one they could
identify as hers.”

“You poor man.” Carrie said. “I know you must want to believe she’s alive, want someone to hold onto. But be
honest, please. How much like her do I look?”

Roman slipped out his wallet and opened it to the photo section. The first picture was two little girls, hand in hand.
With a little cry Carrie recognized herself. Herself and her sister, Sami. Roman flipped through a few other to one of a
glowing young woman, arms wrapped around the man she knew was Mike.

With shaking fingers Carrie examined the photo. That was she. There was no doubt in her mind. “Mike.” She
murmured. “I have to- I have to see him.”

Roman nodded. “Carrie, pumpkin, I’ll take you there. But first.” He sighed. “No, I can’t ask you to.”

“Ask me to what?” She no longer fought his use of the name Carrie.

“Come with me.” He invited softly. “Come with me to see Marlena and John. They’re your parents too, almost. They
should know you’re alive.”

Carrie had a sudden flash. She was in her office, with Marlena Evans. She was receiving a lecture on propriety.
Marlena thought it was improper for her to spend so much time with Mike Horton. Carrie felt a trace of her
resentment, a trace of the old annoyance, “No.” She protested. “I don’t know that woman- not really. But from what
I do remember all she does is lecture and cry and sigh. I’m still confused right now- I don’t need to drown in her
crocodile tears.”

Roman looked at his hands for a few seconds. “All right.” He said, slowly. “We’ll just go straight to the Horton’s.”

“I want to see Mike.” Carrie said.

“You will.” He said. “I’ll take you to him.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Roman said, taking both of Carrie’s slender hands in his. “Can we just- could you stand- do you think I- will
you to your mother? Anna, not Marlena.”

“I don’t know.” Carrie’s eyes clouded. “I don’t remember her- I don’t want to hurt her.”

“Trust me.” Roman said. “Just talk to her.”

Carrie shivered. “Can I please see Mike? Please?”

Roman’s heart ached. “Yeah. Can I call him first- to warn him?”

“No- no I want to see if he- if he recognizes me.”

“He will.” Roman said. “But I won’t call.”

Carrie stood. She pulled the jacket around her shoulders. “I feel so- so- so- I can’t describe it.”

“I understand it though.” Roman grinned at her, as tears pricked his eyes. “I’ve come back from the dead too.”

“You have?” Carrie’s eyes rounded.

“Yeah- it’s a long story little one. A very long and complicated story.”

“Will I ever learn it.”

“Yes. But first- first let’s go see your Mike. We’ll sort out the details later, I swear.”

Carrie unconsciously shivered as they passed through the outer office, passed Bo and Abe and Austin, whom she
already thought of as the idiot, and Anna. Anna who was hysterical because she didn’t know whether or not
Callie/Carrie was her daughter.

Carrie stopped abruptly. “Are you my mother?” She asked, as an odd picture, from a book, flashed through her
mind.

Anna’s tears flowed faster as she nodded desperately. “Yes, yes baby. Don’t you remember?”

“I- I- no. I want to but I can’t!” Carrie looked on the verge of hysteria herself.

“Carrie, pumpkin, come with me. Anna, darling, Abe’s going to take you home. Austin, get the hell out of here.”
Roman growled, wondering what he would do if his daughter became hysterical again. “Bo, hold things down here.”

(Continued)

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