"I just want to be a mother..."

Carissa spoke, slowly, tightly, "We...we thought the third time would be the charm...but...no...it happened again."

Kathryn inhaled sharply and deeply, tears coming to her own eyes as she covered her mouth with her hands.

Bryan had heard Kathryn's gasp and quickly walked out of the dining room and into the living room, "What's wrong?" He asked.

Kathryn looked at her husband, "C-Carissa...she...oh God this is terrible."

Bryan closed his eyes as he figured it out, "I am so sorry."

Carrissa was crying again, her voice barely under control, "I...I just want to be a mother. Why? Three miscarries...that's three more than any women deserves." She sat heavily on the couch. Jasmine sat down next to her lover, gathering her up in her arms, she gently tried to comfort Carissa. "I never did anything wrong. I took all the vitamins. I take good care of myself. Three." she continued, her voice slightly muffled by her hands.

Sandy and Peter walked in to the living room, followed by Courtney and Jeremy.

"What's going on?" Peter asked softly.

Bryan looked at the four, "Carissa just miscarried again." Sandy gasped and took her husbands hand, while Courtney walked over to Carissa, and sat down on the other side of her.

"Carissa?" Courtney said, gently.

Carissa looked up at the teen, fighting back a sniffle. "Hey Courtney. How are you?" She asked, then her eyes widened, "Oh, my it's your birthday isn't it!"

Courtney nodded soberly, "Yes. I...I don't know what to say. It's my birthday but...are you okay?"

Carissa smiled weakly, "Right now, I feel a little better. Seeing you turning out to be such a sweet person lifts my spirits immensely."

The red headed Jasmine nodded at that, "Happy birthday, Courtney. Number eighteen, isn't it?"

Courtney nodded back, "Yea..."

Kathryn looked at everyone, the joyful mood of the breakfast taking a deep spiral for the worst.