After Juan's funeral, Laurel couldn't seem to pull it together. She was depressed, didn't want to leave the house, and had a hard time caring for her children.
Taking care of 4 kids alone was not an easy thing to do, especially after the violent death of your soulmate. Willow was no help - after Juan's death she shut down and wouldn't even speak to Laurel. Hallie was carefree and bubbly as any toddler would be. Her baby sister's Juliana and Juanita were oblivious to it all too. But Laurel was completely exhausted and didn't know where to turn for help.
When suddenly there was a knock at the door. Kate, her old friend from high school had looked her up when she got to Riverview. After some small talk, Laurel told Kate about everything that had happened to her. Kate was sympathetic, she had always been a good friend to Laurel. Kate said "I hate to burden you any more than you have been, but I have a favor to ask. Me and my son, JC, were living with this horrible guy and he beat me up and we left him and just got in the car and drove. I remembered that you lived in Riverview and thought I would pay you a visit, so this is where we ended up. We have no place to go. I know you could use the help with the kids, and I think it would do us both good to have some adult company!" Laurel completely agreed.
Kate was a tremendous help! She allowed Laurel to get some much needed R&R and even babysat while Laurel went out to look for a job.
"Um Laurel, before you go on that interview, I think you need a make-over. Don't take this the wrong way, but you don't exactly look professional enough to work in a business office." Laurel knew Kate was right, though it wasn't something she really wanted to hear. After the make-over, Laurel was very pleased with herself! She was wearing make-up for the first time in forever, and a new dress to boot! She was finally feeling human again! Things were going great. Laurel got the job at the large corporation and was bringing in enough money for everyone! Kate stayed home and took care of all the kids including her own son. Since JC and Hallie were the same age, they got along great! Juliana and Juanita were growing into beautiful little toddlers, and as for Willow.....well....the teen years hit.
Willow just couldn't seem to let go of the death of Juan, the only father she had ever known. Juan was a great dad, despite his rough lifestyle. He had never hurt her or her mother, and she took his death especially hard. She resented her mother for "moving on" after his death. She started wearing all black, dyed her hair bleach blonde, and wearing heavy make-up. She was rebelling for sure.
Meanwhile, Hallie and JC were getting along wonderfully! They were best friends and did everything together.
Willow became more and more brazen, and before long she was running all over the trailer park. She met a guy named Joey Peters who was all kinds of trouble. Here she was a young, impressionable 15 year old and she was dating a 22 year old slacker pothead with no job. He wasn't even attractive. But he showered her with attention and drugs, and she quickly fell in love - or what she thought was love.
One day she walked over to Joey's trailer so they could make out, and he wasn't home. But some guy across the street hollered out at her "Hey baby, damn you look sexy....come on over here and holla at ya boy!"
Willow just LOVED the attention. She chatted with him for a few minutes and he invited her inside. Apparently he had a toddler, which shocked Willow a bit because he seemed to be fairly young. She learned that he was 19 and had gotten his girlfriend pregnant and was only with her because of the baby. In a weird way, Willow thought this made him great boyfriend material and thoughts of Joey drifted away.
Before long, they were kissing and making out. Willow didn't realize that she was out past her curfew!
Busted by the fuzz. "Come on young lady, you're coming with me!"
At home, Willow was confronted by her mother. "How could you be so stupid? And what's this I hear about you being in some strange guy's house? An older guy at that! YOU ARE GROUNDED!"
"You really think you can ground ME? You're just an idiot mom. You think you know everything. You don't even know ME. You're never around. Kate is practically my mom now! And as for a dad? Well you saw to it that I never met my real dad, and the only dad I ever knew is GONE forever!" She burst into sobs, as did Laurel. They hugged and Laurel promised to be a better mom to her.
Months flew by and things were going better with Willow and Laurel. She thought things were going perfectly now, and was even promoted at her job! One day she came home from work to get bad news. "Laurel, I know this isn't the best timing but I've lived here with you for a long time and my whole life has been about all the kids. I've loved it here, but it's time for us to move on. You know the guy I met online? Well he's asked me to marry him!!" Laurel was happy for her friend, but sad that she was planning to leave. She felt okay though, she was on her feet and she would make this work.
With Kate gone, and Willow being more of a help, things were going smoothly for Laurel's family. One morning her boss called her into his office and asked her to go to lunch with him. Laurel's heart sank. In the past, employees who got to go to lunch with the boss were "let go". She was terrified! Once they were at lunch though, the mood changed dramatically. "Laurel, you have done a fine job. You're truly a beautiful, outstanding woman and I really admire your perseverance." Laurel replied "Oh thank you Mr. Holley, it's been a pleasure working for you and I hope to continue to do so for many years!" "Actually, that's one thing I wanted to talk to you about Laurel..." Uh oh. Laurel had a feeling she was about to get canned. "I need to be frank with you for a moment Laurel. my wife passed away 3 years ago, and I just haven't been the same since. I miss the company of a lady, a true lady. When you came to work for me, I was still grieving, but I noticed that you were too. To be honest, I have had feelings for you for a long time. Now, if this makes you uncomfortable at all, please tell me. But I wondered if you would like to go out sometime, outside of work I mean." Laurel was floored. Since the day she started her job, she had thought of Mr. Holley as this handsome older gentleman and way out of her league! She never considered that he might have the hots for her!!
Before she knew it, Laurel had jumped in head first. It's the same thing she had done in every relationship, but this time it felt different. Mr. Holley seemed to truly care about her. She wasn't "in love" with him, the way she was with Juan and no one would ever take Juan's place in her heart. But Mr. Holley was making her realize that she could love again. He was old enough to be her father, but still surprisingly good looking. And wealthy! Laurel slept with him that very afternoon during their "working lunch".
As her mother started a new relationship, Willow became despondent again. She didn't like the fact that her mother was gone all the time again, either working or spending time with Mr. Holley. Willow started acting out again, and decided to pay a visit to Lamont. Things were getting hot and heavy until she tried to seduce him. He flat out rejected her. Look baby girl, you are one sexy mama, but I already have one baby-mama-drama and I don't need another one. Besides, you're just a kid. Grow up and then come see me.
Willow was angry! She just wanted to be loved, just wanted some affection and even this low life couldn't give a crap about her. She broke up with him - even though in his mind they were never an item - and stormed out.
She immediately went to visit her old flame, Joey. She had never truly liked him, but he was a good kisser. When she "cleaned up her act" she hadn't seem him for a long time because she wasn't using drugs anymore and well....he was. But her anger at Lamont's rejection sent her right into Joey's arms. She found out he was clean now - no drugs at all. She was happy to hear this!
Their relationship grew over the next several months. Before long, she found herself in his bed! It was her first time and she was nervous, but he made her feel comfortable. Meanwhile, Laurel and Mr. Holley got married and the whole family had moved into Mr. Holley's big house! It was a very big jump from the trailer park. Willow had to take a taxi to see Joey now, instead of just walking next door. They began to see each other less and less, so the times they were together were often spent in bed.
One night she fell asleep in his arms, and was out past her curfew. She woke up to the sirens wailing.
"Officer, I am 16 now......my mother can't control me."
Once she was home, Laurel went ballistic. Again. Things were not going well between them. Laurel had a new husband and a new life and Willow felt like she wasn't even in the picture. 
One morning, Mr. Holley woke up in a very playful mood. He and Laurel didn't sleep together much because he had function issues in bed. But this particular morning he was ready to go!
Afterwards, he got up to make breakfast for his beautiful new wife when........the pain..........
Suddenly all Laurel's dreams went up in smoke. Her beloved husband, Mr. Holley, died. This can't be happening.......not again...............!!!
It felt like a dream, a nightmare. First she lost Juan, and now Mr. Holley!!!!!!!!!!!
Three months later, Laurel had collected Mr. Holley's life insurance. She was depressed but also just felt "off". She wasn't sure what was going on with her body. Meanwhile, Willow found out she was pregnant with Joey's baby. She didn't want to tell anyone, but everyone noticed her putting on weight.
She told her best friend Sandy, but no one else.
Juanita had grown into a lovely child, very artistic like her father Juan had been.
After a visit to the doctor, Laurel found out what was going on with her body. She was pregnant!!! She was elated but sad. Mr. Holley would never get to meet his only child. And she would be raising the baby all alone. But at least she had money this time. 
Willow had been trying to get ahold of Joey for a while, to no avail. When she finally caught up with him, she told him the news of her pregnancy! To her surprise, Joey dropped down on one knee and proposed to her right then and there. He told her that the reason she hadn't been able to get in touch with him was that he started a job....a real job....and that he had planned to ask her to marry him for months, and was saving up to buy the perfect ring. Willow was thrilled and said YES, of course!
To be continued....Coming in Chapter 3: Will Willow and Joey get married and have a baby, or will tragedy strike this family yet again? What about Laurel's new pregnancy? Can she handle being a new mom at her age, not to mention a grandmother? How will she take the new of Willow's pregnancy and now engagement at the tender age of 16? What about Hallie? She's a teen now....but we haven't heard anything about her. Will she and JC reconnect or are there other things on the horizon for her? And little Juliana and Juanita....they are beautiful little girls, but can they stay sane through all of this madness? Tune in to chapter 3 to find out!
