She now had Helena attention and she could see the tears fall from her eyes. Their relationship had been getting better in the past months but there were still sore topics that they really didn’t get into. And this was one of them.

“The reason I believe you came here was because of one person. And that person is Bette.” Peggy raised her hand to stop Helena from interrupting her. “I know I said you could jump in at anytime but let me finish. Please.” Seeing there would be no more attempts to interrupt she continued. “I made her out to be this perfect woman…this perfect daughter. It wasn’t fair to her and it was never fair to you. And for this I’m sorry. I made you two enemies before you even met. I made you seek out and try destroy what you thought I loved more. And I guess in some ways I did.”

“ I saw in her things I always hoped that you and I could share in. While I was trying to collect the world best art. You where out trying to save the world. When I was searching for that mysterious piece that no one had. You were trying to open the eyes of the power that be of the plight of the world. And you know something? I’ve always had that mysterious piece of art. That original. It was you all the time. And I couldn’t appreciate it. I didn’t appreciate…you. Am I close? Or am I barking up the wrong tree? I need to know and I want you to tell me the truth.”

Helena stood from the couch and walked backed to the bar. She was going to needs something a little stronger than a glass of wine and she knew just the thing. She dropped cubes of ice in her glass and pulled out the vodka. If mummy wants the truth I’ll give to her. But in doing so I’ll reveal a side of me I wish to forget. She walked back to the sofa and sat down. For a few minutes she sat with her head hanging down. Trying to get her bearings together. Taking a deep breath she finally spoke.

“You know all my life I’ve tried to please you. To make you love me. But I got tired of trying to be the perfect Peabody daughter. It was no way I could win that fight. So I decided maybe I can’t make you love me but you will respect me. Stupid uh? But then one day you came to my office to tell me about this woman you met. How she swept you off your feet with her passion for art. How you have always wanted some one who you could take under your wings. Because heaven knows I wanted no part of it. She had all the qualities you would want in your daughter you said. But I still love you Helena. I want you to meet this woman. She’s like you. You said. Maybe some of her passion for the arts would rub off on me. We can only wish, you said. So yes mother I hated her. She was everything that I wasn’t. And she had your love. Your respect. She was the perfect daughter. And you let the world know she was yours as though you gave birth to her yourself. And yes you’re quiet right I could have ran everything from New York. But I had to know what did she have that I didn’t. The little time I spent with her in my office only picked my interest. She was a arrogant bitch I thought to myself. And on any other occasion she would have been in my bed. But I didn’t want her in my bed. I wanted to break her. Share the pain that I felt. So I followed her. I made her life a living hell. And I was pleased, but I never broke her.” Helena looked directly at her mother.

“And in the process she broke me. Some thing clicked in me. I didn’t want to fight with her no more. But I knew I had did a lot damage and it would take some time for we could get to a point that was comfortable for us both. So I knew I had to change my behavior. For the first time in my life I wanted friends. I wanted to be around people who were real for a change. And things were working out well so I thought. And then I met Dylan. I thought she was the one. The love of my life. But we know how that turned out don’t we? And let’s not even mention Catherine. So all my life I’ve been chasing some woman. And I know she out there…waiting. I will find her if she don’t find me first. I accept your apology, because I know I didn’t make it easy on you. I could have been a better daughter. Just like you could have been a better mum. But we’ve made mistakes and chances are we will make few more. But I want that chance with you. I love you.”

Helena finally broke down and just sob. She had express so much of what she had been holding within her that it flowed from her heart like river. The tears were coming from Peggy’s eyes as well. Knowing most of the pain that her daughter had experience was caused by her. But this was need by both in order to heal. She went to her daughter and held her in her arms and rocked her. My baby, my baby I will do my best to protect your heart from any damage then what it has already suffered. You have my word on that.

“I love you to and I always will.” Peggy just held her child as they cried together. Tomorrow is a new day to work on finding that woman to complete you and we will find her. But that’s tomorrow, for now I’ll just hold you .