Wrens jeep came to a stop in my mothers driveway. A late summer storm had hit, and the rain pelted the car with such force, it sounded like an assault of hail. Kate took off her seatbelt and leant forward between us from the back, her blonde bob tickled my cheek as she did so. Her green eyes fixed on the eaves of my mothers grand Victorian home, and the rain that was hurtling off of them.

"Feeling a little like a horror movie, kids" she observed.

She wasn't wrong, the light had faded, and the dark clouds overhead made the early evening skies seem more like it were midnight. A clap of thunder added to the shiver now running down my spine. I wasn't scared of my Mother or Millie. I was scared of what my truth was, and how I came to be.

Kates green eyes widened, and she grabbed the hood of her rain coat and placed it over her head, holding it tightly to her cheeks "Oh scoob. I'm feeling a little like I'm gonna pee my pants" she said in a goofy shaggy voice.

Wren let out a laugh "I missed your commentary Kate" she said turning, and meeting her big green eyes between us.

Kate wrapped her arm around Wrens neck as I watched them both fondly "And I missed you, red"

Another clap of thunder had us all jump, refocusing on the house. The windows downstairs were lit by the lights inside, the curtains and blinds were mostly open. My mothers red convertible was back in the driveway, ahead of us, but there was a second car, which I didn't recognise, an SUV. It looked like Twin A, and Twin B, were both inside.

"The fact that Millie's clearly here has me baffled" Kate observes.

"I would have thought she would be long gone" Wren added.

"If anything, at the bottom of the ocean by now with the way Moira was looking at her earlier" Kate mused.

"My Mother wouldn't hurt her" I tell them "Moira Dawson is many things, but when it comes to Millie... she is the other half of her. It doesn't matter what Millie's done, my Mother will forgive her, and knowing her, she will try and help her. But what my Mother doesn't realise is, sometimes her help comes across as controlling. Millie won't want it. Hell, I don't even want it. My Mother has to let go and let us all make our own mistakes."

The front door opened, and my Mother stood there waiting for us. She was still wearing the smart black outfit she had on earlier, but she had put her hair up into a tight bun.

"Why does she look, hot" Kate remarked.

I poke her in the arm "It's dark... you're seeing things Katherine"

Wren reaches over and squeezes my hand "ready" she asked.

I take a deep breath and nod "as I'll ever be"

We vacate the jeep, and it's not lost on me how my Mother sighs, to see I've brought company.

"I'll gather the chairs" she mused as I stepped up beside her on the porch, and she kissed my cheek.

"Please" I return. "Be nice" I whispered in her ear.

"Wren Nomikos" My Mother greets with a smile, releasing me from her embrace "it's been a while. I hope to see you back playing in a couple weeks"

"Yes, back at it, Professor Dawson" Wren replied, a little apprehensively.

"Now now, call me Moira when we are not on the university grounds. After all... you are sleeping with my daughter"

Wren was taken aback, but she was warmly welcomed inside, with a pat on the arm and a smile. I think my Mother just enjoyed keeping people a little on their toes. You never knew what you would get with her.

Wren and I passed my Mother into the foyer. Kate met the crypt keeper next.

"Katherine...a pleasure" my Mother greeted, her voice laced with sarcasm.

"Likewise" Kate returned, avoiding her touch as she squeezed by her and followed us inside.

My Mother shut the large front door and we looked around us. I was looking for Millie,
Kate was wondering where the scent of cookies was coming from, and Wren was admiring the pictures hung on the walls. She had never been here, and I could see her taking it all in. Embarrassingly, she was currently looking at my graduation photos, the ones by the home phone. I hoped she wouldn't look too close, one was of me and my friends from college, with my Ex girlfriend being one of them.

"Don't worry" My Mother said taking the picture and lifting it for Wren to inspect closer "that girl was not a patch on you" she said pointing directly at Ruth, the last girl I had thought I loved. Compared to the way I felt now about Wren though, it was clearly not love or anything close to it.

"Mother" I chastise, taking the photo and placing it back down "I'm not sure that was necessary"

Wren picks it back up from where I placed it, and she looks at it with a squinted eyes "she's the criminal Psychologist" she asked "the last girl"

"She is, and long gone" I explain.

"Not true Millicent. I saw her two days ago in the organic food store down town" my Mother informs me, to my obvious regret.

Wren took that in, and went back to looking at the picture in more detail.

Kate came over and leant into my shoulder to whisper "I knew I forgot to tell you something in all this hullabaloo"

"What" I ask her hesitantly, not wanting to really know the answer.

She bares her teeth and draws her lips back as if this was going to be a little awkward "She came into the bakery. She's got a job with the Portland PD. She asked after you. She was in Eugene visiting her father"

She notes my widened panicked eyes, and rubs at my arm "sorry" she whispered.

"It's fine" I say, sounding as if I was trying to talk myself into that fact, and not Kate "We left it as friends. It's not as if I'm going to see her. But if I do, we are good. No drama"

"Come into the sun room" My Mother asks "Millie's back there waiting"

Kate followed my Mother "An enticing invitation" she joked quietly to herself.

I knew my Mother heard all, and had filed that away against Kate for later.

I reached for Wren as she placed the picture down, wrapping my arms around her waist. "I love you" I whispered, kissing her cheek from behind her.

"So, nothing to worry about with the sexy librarian looking ex" she asked, looking up with a teasing smile.

"Nothing" I promise, turning her around and placing a kiss upon her lips.

Her hand finds mine, and she kissed me in quick succession with little pecks to my lips "come on ...let's close this chapter"

"Please" I return, following her lead into the sun room.

My Mother gathered the chairs around a formal seating arrangement she had set up in the centre of the room. Millie was sat in a high back awaiting us, she looked a lot more nervous now that she was in Moira's domain. Outside it was dark, and the panoramic views were mostly hidden by dark clouds, but as the lightening lit up the sky, the city's skyline was visible, and behind it, the mountains, and the greenery surrounding the city.

"Beautiful room" Wren observed.

"Millie lost her virginity in this room" Kate whispered between us.

I whacked her lightly with my hand on her shoulder "Katherine" I chastised. "Are you and Moira determined to tag team against me tonight"

"Babe" Wren reassured, her hand taking mine once again "it's all good" she whispered.

Everyone took a seat but me. I pointed toward Millie "Why does she have to be here" I ask my Mother.

My Mother pats the seat beside her "Please Millicent. She's here to tell you everything. She wants to face it, and make peace with you. It's not my place to take that moment from either of you. I'm not about to be blamed for controlling this situation, or anyone here"

I took the seat beside her, and all eyes fell on Millie. She nervously fiddled with her jacket zip in her lap.

"I just want to start, by telling you how sorry I am for earlier. I did come for the money. I won't lie" she begins.

"No shit Sherlock" Kate groans.

Moira throws her a death glare, and Kate pretends to zip her lips.

"You need money that badly" I ask her "so badly you would steal from your own child"

She begins to shake her head, but then resigns herself to the fact she can't deny it. Of course she was desperate, her actions reeked of desperation. "I thought of it as his money... not yours. That's how I made it okay in my mind. It was Richards"

"Richard, my father" I ask.

She nods.

"And how did I come to be conceived" I ask.

This question, it was the only thing I truly needed to know, and the ache that formed in my chest as I said it... it was evident that the answer would be life changing. Either way.

Either I was a product of sexual force, or I wasn't. I needed to know.

Millie leant forward in her seat and rested her arms on her knees, bracing herself. My Mother glared at her furiously.

"I lied, to Moira, about that. At first I didn't want to tell her, that I was pregnant. I was so embarrassed to have been so stupid to fall. I knew better than that. But then, I realised I needed her help to get out of that town, and I knew if she thought he had hurt me... that she would make it happen"

"He didn't" I ask, frozen to the spot.

Wrens hand squeezed mine.

"He didn't" she confirmed.

The whoosh of air that left me with that revelation, my god, who the hell lied about something like that.

"That's fucked up" Wren replied in a raised voice, laced with anger "my Mama was raped ... nobody should lie about sexual assault or rape... it's fucked up. It makes the real victims have to fight that much harder to be believed. Don't you think they've been through enough" She spat. "And that innocent man too... you probably ruined him"

This time it was my turn to squeeze her hand, lacing my other around her waist, bringing her toward me and offering a comforting embrace against me.

"I'm sorry" Millie said, downcast, her eyes on the table "it was a horrible thing I did. I see that now"

"No you don't" I argue. "You are still here trying to take Richards money. You are still trying to take from him. And that leads me to so many more questions. How did this relationship between you and your professor happen? Did you destroy his life just for money? And, did he want me?" I ask.

She sat back and folded her arms over each other "I pursued him. I needed better grades, and I was slipping. He was older than me, and married, but he was handsome, and I did find him attractive. I just thought it would be an easy way to fix my situation. We would have some fun together, and he would help me"

"But she got pregnant and blew up this poor man's life" Moira interjected. "And everyone else's in the process"

Millie shook her head "I wasn't planning on destroying your life Moira. There was never a moment I wanted you to take the baby. I just wanted the money, so I could transfer college and relocate. To try again"

"I find that hard to believe" I accuse "You've since abandoned three more children. Your youngest is about to be fifteen. A baby. And I don't see you desperately trying to be reunited with her"

"Veda, she doesn't need me. She's got you" Millie tried to explain.

My mother erupts from her chair "Millicent will not be raising your child. She is in her early twenties, and she has her own life and career taking off. I will not have you destroy another persons life, because you can't look after your own blood"

"Mother" I chastise loudly "Veda is staying with me. Even if Millie somehow gained an ounce of maternal instinct and came for her... I wouldn't let her go. This woman isn't capable of looking after a tamagotchi, let alone a child" I accuse, gesturing toward her "and unlike how it sounds like I ruined your life"I say, looking to my mother regretfully "my sister wouldn't be ruining my life or my career. I want her. I want Veda"

Everyone looked toward me with surprise. I hadn't ever shown a maternal instinct up until this year either, but I was suddenly in a position it was asked of me... and I was sure as the sun rose in the morning, rising to the occasion for this kid. My kid. My sister. I had learnt a thing or two from Wrens family, and the most important thing I knew to do with Veda, was be the one adult she could rely upon to be there, whatever happened. I would be her rock. Dependable, and staying put.

I hadn't run any of this passed Wren, that I would be taking on a teenager permanently, and that I expected to be her guardian now until she was eighteen. I hoped I knew her well enough though, to know she would absolutely do the same thing.

"We, want Veda" Wren added beside me, answering my question.

Kate joins her "She's a feisty little thing, but I concur ... we keep the mini Moira"

I smiled and looked to both Wren and Kate, they had my back, and I felt the support carry me through.

"Millicent you didn't ruin my life" my Mother assured me again "I love you. That wasn't what I meant. If I could go back I would do it all again. Of course I would have not taken you from Richard if I had known. But he still would have found it hard to remove you from my arms, because you're my daughter... and because I loved you fiercely from the second I saw you"

She tears up, and nobody knows what to do. Moira Dawson never let anyone see her vulnerability.

I reach over and take her hand "I believe you" I whisper.

She nods, and dries her eyes quickly. "I'm just sorry this is such a mess for you. If you want Veda. I'll support you. I promise"

"I do" I confirm.

Millie looks irritated opposite "It's not that I don't love you ... or them" she tries to explain "it's because I do, that I know you are better without me. I'm not a Mom. I just don't have the thing that makes you good at it. Clearly. I know I love you Millie. I wanted you. I did want to try with you. Moira wouldn't let me, and so I'll never know if I could have been good at it. You must believe me on that. I do love you. You're my firstborn... and my first love"

"And your first cash cow" I return with spite.

"Richard didn't need that money" she returns in defence of herself "His family were wealthy. It didn't hurt him financially. It was only personally, with his wife, that he lost out... but she took him back it's not like I ruined his marriage"

"And he almost lost his entire career" Moira reminds her "because of me reporting him over you and your lies"

"Moira" Millie argues "I never told you to report him. I just wanted that money. You were the one that went too far"

"My goodness" My mother says with a smirk "You're such a cunt"

Both Wren and Kate squirm in their seats. I could sense Kate wanted to laugh, but daren't.

"Mother" I ask "Calm. I need Millie to finish answering my questions"

"Did he want you" Millie questions out loud.

I nod.

"Richard was a man of duty. He may have cheated on his wife, but he put up quite a struggle when getting him to actually commit the act. It took me two months. But, he couldn't resist once I got his attention. A man has desires. So, yes, once he knew he got me pregnant, and he found out about you... he wanted you. He told me he would raise you, but not with me. I was hurt, but I didn't want him either. I just wanted his money, and you"

"And where did you go later, after you left Veda and the others" I ask.

"To Vancouver... like I said. I've been there ever since" she answered quickly. "And I would still be living quietly and without causing anyone any pain if my sister hadn't come and discovered me"

Moira rolled her eyes.

"It was all about the money... even you coming back" I confirm.

Millie looks ashamed. She hangs her head for a second "I came back to find out if you received that cheque. I was told it was coming to you, by his wife. She caught me at the funeral and had me escorted out. She threatened that if I showed my face again my child wouldn't inherit"

"Then take it" I say, taking out the cheque from my pocket and extending my arm.

I'm not sure whose hand came out to stop me first, Moria's or Kates. My hand got slapped down though in the commotion.

"No" My mother said firmly "over my dead body is that man's money going to her. He's your father Millicent. I didn't do right by him all those years ago. I didn't know he wasn't a bad person. I took you away to protect you, but in return I kept you from having a loving father who wanted you. I'm sorry" she apologised, her eyes looking into mine. "Now, it's time we followed his wishes, and you as his child, took your rightful inheritance, and place within his family. Millicent you are a part of the Brooks family by blood. You are entitled to not only this money, but your place in that family, with your siblings. They deserve to get to know you if that's what you want. This money, it's his wish you have it my darling daughter. You are the innocent in this. Please, don't give away your Fathers last gift"

I had only wished for Millie to finally go. I didn't want her here anymore, and if money got rid of her it was easy for me. I didn't want her causing anymore problems for me and Veda, and I didn't care if I wasn't wealthy. Money was never a drive for me. I only ever wanted to be comfortable enough to live a modest little life, and be happy.

"Your Mom is right" Wren added "Millie he wanted you to have it"

"Take it" Millie said, standing abruptly "it's my parting gift" she said nonchalantly.

That made my blood boil. I pocketed the cheque and stood too "It's nothing to do with you, this money. It's not yours to gift. How dare you" I accuse, raising my voice. "Your parting gift should be your permanent absence from our lives"

She looked a little hurt, but she looked to Moira and smiled softly "I won't come back. You have my word" and she looked to me "I'm sorry" she added "that you found out I was alive... I think we can both agree that death left me a little rosier than life has. Don't tell her" she asked me "do the kid a favour and don't tell her I'm alive. I'd rather she think of me as I was. Not as I am"

"I can't promise that" I return "I will do what's best for her. Not what is best for you"

Millie excused herself and exited behind us. We waited a few seconds in silence until the front door slammed.

My Mother had tears in her eyes. She had lost her all over again.

"You've never sounded more like a Mom" Kate said, coming around the back of the chairs and hugging me tightly. "The way you defended Veda. I'm proud of you Dawson"

"Me too" Wren said, standing and holding me from the back.

My Mother stood, and she waited for Kate and Wren to let go of me before taking me once again in her arms with a tight hug. She kissed my forehead repeatedly. Her perfume engulfed me.

"Forgive me" she whispered "please forgive me Millicent"

I began to sob, letting it all go, all of that pent up emotion coming crashing down on me at once. I needed my Mother. I always would. I understood her a little better, now that I had this fierce urge to protect Veda. My Mother had kept me from my birth father, yes, but she was keeping me from someone at the time, that she deemed dangerous and unsafe. A sexual predator. She kept me from Millie too, it seemed, but again, I couldn't blame her... she truly didn't believe she was fit to have me. She was correct. Millie would never have raised me with as much security as Moira did. Moira never did leave me, she was my constant, and despite being somewhat distant, she stayed.

"You don't need to be forgiven" I whisper back "I love you, Mother"

"I love you too" she whispered, kissing my forehead again.

That Chapter of my past came to a close for me right there, the truth was revealed, and the money not long later, it was cashed. I would just have to make a decision about what I told Veda.

This was the end of the pain, for me though, on my creation, and how I came to be, and very much the beginning of the healing.

I knew who I was.

Millicent Dawson/Brooks... a rebirth.