"Whats happening?" Kirstie demanded managing to sit up.

"I think I am in labour" Marie then informed her anxiously "I have been getting regular pains and they are getting stronger coming every fifteen minutes now"

"What??" Kirsty exclaimed throwing back her bedcovers "B-But you are not due for another two weeks yet" she scrambled out of bed trying not to panic

"I know" Marie replied "But it seems the baby has decided it doesn't want to wait" "OK" Kirsty was now fully awake "I will phone the hospital thank goodness its only ten minute drive from here, you go and get dressed and get your stuff.. are you ok?" she then asked in after thought, seeing Marie wince slightly.

"Yes, but I think you had better phone right away" she replied.

"Don't worry I intend to" Kirsty replied pulling on a top and her jeans and heading for the phone downstairs, whilst Marie waddled as best she could to her bedroom next door to get her stuff

They had been preparing themselves for this moment for a while now, Kirsty phoned the hospital letting them know she was bringing Marie in driving her there in her car, Marie gathered her case with everything she needed which had been packed and ready from the month before, she was looking a little pale and drawn.

"I can't believe this is actually happening" she giggled with nervous excitment. as Kirsty holding onto her arm led her out through the front door to the car parked across the road.

"Just make sure that baby doesn't pop out till we get to the hospital" Kirsty grinned, her own heart pounding at the thought of it "I don't think I would make a very good midwife"

"I will try" Marie told her "But I can't promise anything"

She managed to get herself into the car, Kirsty hurried around and got into the drivers seat, she was glad it was three O clock in the morning and most of the roads where deserted.

As she started up the car and they drove of she glanced across at her friend to see if she was ok, Marie's facial expression was slightly contorted letting Kirsty know her friend was having more pain, she speeded up a little more, and noticed that Marie was clutching something in her hand, and realised it was a photograph, the photograph that had been taken nine months previously when Marie had the privilege of meeting her musicial hero Bono when U2 had played a concert in their local town, nine months ago, a time that Marie could hardly forget right now Kirsty imagined, after all from what Marie had confided in her and swore her to secrecy that this baby she was having was Bono's a result of her spending the night with him after they met.

No one else knew, not even Marie's parents who had disowned her when they found out she was pregnant and had kicked her out, it had been Kirsty her old school friend who had taken Marie in, and it had been Kirsty Marie had broke down and told her, Kirsty had been shocked and surprised and even a little sceptical.. but did not want to call her friend a liar.. and she did have the photo from that night.. so she had been with him.. so there was a possibility it could be true.. Marie always seem to get all dreamy thinking about it and claimed she was so was happy just to have his baby she had no intention of letting him know about it after all he was a married man she didnt want to ruin that.

Kirsty being a good friend and feeling sorry for Marie because her parents had abandoned her when she fell pregnant didnt really care about who the father was.. she just wanted to be there and help out if she could.

Marie insisted the baby was going to be a boy and probably look like Bono, with dark hair and blue eyes.. she hoped it would look like him, sometimes Kirsty got concerned about her friends obsession with the baby looking like Bono, but didn't say anything though as she glanced at the photo in Marie's hand now, she realised they would know soon enough how the baby would look like, she was excited and scared for her friend at the same time.

She was relieved when they finally arrived at the hospital parking near the part where the maternity block was. Kirsty helped her friend out of the car carrying her case and happily handed her into the care of the waiting nurses after they visited reception area She went and got herself a coffee and sat in the waiting room, the nurse said they would call her once they had finished examing Marie.

Before leaving her Marie had handed the photograph of her and Bono to care for. Kirsty looked down at it, it was a bit rough around the edges with Marie handling it so much, The photograph had Marie standing smiling with Bono next to her, he had his arm slung around her shoulder pulling her close, he was wearing shades and also smiling for the camera. Kirsty was trying to imagine what it had been like after the photo.

Marie had told her he had talked to her for a while then offered her to go along with him and the others for a drink.. then he had taken her back to his hotel.

At that very moment Kirsty was a bit pissed that the guy had taken advantage of her friend and left her in this mess even if he was a big rockstar celebrity.. she would like to give him a piece of her mind, though her friend insisted it was a wonderful experience and she had no regrets whatsoever, and would get all dreamy about it.

Kirsty was still concerned how Marie was going to cope bringing up a child on her own, her job in a fast food resturaunt did not pay great wages and could be very demanding. Kirsty would be busy with her own job as office clerk to help out much.. but she supposed they would find a way to cope.. they had too.

It was about a half hour later a nurse came to fetch Kirsty to let her know that Marie was well on her way to having the baby and wanted her friend with her. stuffing the photo of Bono and Marie in the back of her jeans pocket, Kirsty got up and followed the nurse who led her to a small labour ward.

Marie was lying in the bed in a hospital gown. A female doctor and a midwife and two nurses where with her and they had her attached to a machine that was monitoring the babies heart rate. Marie looked rather strained and was relieved to see her friend Kirsty went over and grabbed her hand "So its not going to be long now eh?"

"No" Marie replied "I am just glad I have you with me... God the pain, they give me an epidurial which has helped.. I just wish it was all over with"

"Don't worry it soon will be" Kirsty assured her squeezing her hand

And sure enough in the next few hours it was all go for Marie as her contractions got stronger and her waters broke and the midwife was urging her to push at certain intervals,

when they informed her they could see the baby's head whilist poor marie was feeling exhausted but relieved Kirsty was in a state of anxious excitment encouraging her friend to get through the last push to help the baby out, she was remembering all the times that Marie would sit talking to the bump in her stomach, watching U2 on tv and telling her bump.. look there is your daddy, but now they were going to see the little person who had grown and kicked inside her these last nine months.

With all the effort she could Marie give one final push, and the baby slid out into the waiting hands of the Dr and midwife, who quickly and experty checked it over cleaning it up and cutting the umbilical cord, from where she stood, Kirsty strained to get a look and just noticed the small wriggling figure in the doctors hands with.

Then smiling the Midwife handed Marie the baby "Here you go Marie, you have a lovely healthy baby girl" she informed her cheerfully

Kirsty had listened to Marie going on about the baby looking like Bono so much for some reason she had expected a perfect little replica of him, but as she glanced at the baby that was not the case, the babys eyes were blue yes, but it had a soft mop of sandy hair, and was very much a female kicking and wriggling... considering Marie was also dark haired Kirsty was a little surprised, but still smiled "Aww isnt she lovely" she cooed

She noticed that Marie was staring at the baby in an odd way.. Kirsty wondered was her friend disappointed it wasn't a boy

"Yes" Marie replied quietly, but she wasnt smiling, instead her head flopped back on the pillow and she seem to have trouble wanting to look at the little bundle in her arms. Kirsty put it down to exhaustion, Marie had been through a tough labour. The nurse took the baby again while they fixed Marie up

As Kirsty left the room so they could get Marie cleaned up properly.. she couldnt help noticing the bleak look in her friends eyes, it made her feel uneasy.. Marie had been so looking forward to the birth of the baby, now she didn't seem very happy Kirsty was concerned.. and kept hoping it was nothing more than tiredness.

But the problem turned out to be more than that as the days wore on, when Kirsty came up to visit Marie she noticed that the baby was always in the nursery being minded, she didnt want to seem to talk about her, even when Kirsty suggested they find a name for her Marie just shrugged telling her she hadn't decided.

It all came to a head two days before Marie was due to be released from hospital, when Kirsty was going up to visit Marie, one of the nurses pulled her aside before entering the ward and asked if she could wait a moment,

It was then a older woman appeared informing Kirsty her name was Jean Lewis and she was a social worker concerned about Marie.. it was exactly what Kirsty had been concerned about, Marie's lack of motherly instinct or interest in her daughter. The social worker informed Kirsty that Marie had told the nurses that she wanted nothing to do with the baby.. had actually got hysterical and screamed for them to take it away, and they in the end they sedated her.

When they had tried to talk to her about it she refused and informed them she wanted to give the baby up for adoption. Jean Lewis asked Kirsty if she knew what was going on. Kirsty was as mystfied and shocked as every one else.. but promised the social worker she would try and find out what was going on... nothing had seemed right from Marie had set eyes on her newborn baby. and she really wanted to help her friend.

When she went into the ward, the curtains were around Marie's bed, going behind them Kirsty found her friend lying on her side in the bed just staring into space.

It was only when Kirsty spoke her eyes turned on her,

"Hi Marie... how are you doing?"

"I am ok I guess" Marie replied

Kirsty knowing this was far from the truth couldn't take any more and sitting on the bench to face her friend, decided to just plunge in anf ask

"Marie what is going on? I just spoke to a social worker who told me you want nothing to do with the baby, that you wanted to give it up for adoption.. is it because she is a girl, I noticed from her birth you have no interest in her.. yet before that you were so looking forward to it.. I don't understand"

"I don't want to talk about it" Marie replied dully

"But you have to" Kirsty insisted "You must have a reason for acting like this.. you always give me the impression this baby was very precious to you that you really wanted it, why this sudden change of heart, has the idea of being a parent scaring you... if its that, you know I will help and support you all I can, and I am sure your parents will come around once they see her-"

"It' s not that" Marie interrupted her "I just don't want her.. I want nothing to do with her"

"But why?" Kirsty demanded, "You have to tell me what is happening, or I can't help you.. is it because of the baby's father?"

Now Marie shifted uneasily, Kirsty realised she had struck a raw note.

"Is the baby's father Bono?" she asked quietly

She didn't think Marie was going to reply.. but finally her friend ubruptly shook her head "No he isn't.. he never was, I never spent the night with Bono.. it was a lie" she confessed

Kirsty wasn't too startled by this revelation.."Who is it Marie?" she asked gently putting a comforting hand over her friends hand, "You can tell me"

"But is so awful" Marie replied "And I feel so stupid and ashamed" tears welled up in her eyes

"Its ok Marie, I promise, nothing you say will make me judge you bad.. I just want to help" Kirsty assured her

. Marie stared straight ahead of her unable to look her friend in the eye, seeming to have some sort of inner strugle with herself, but then she spoke, her voice unsteady

"Well it did happen the night of the U2 concert.. and I did get to meet Bono breifly and get my photo taken with him, only after that, me and the other friends I was with got talking to these guys.. one of them seemed really nice, said he had connections with U2, that his brother was a roadie for them, told me I could get to meet them all if I went with him supposedly back to the hotel where the band where staying." Marie fidgeted with the bedcovers now and sniffed before continuing.

"Like the little fool I was I believed him, and I went of on my own with him, thinking he was going to introduce me to his brother and U2, he brought me to this hotel, suggested we have a drink first, because the band would not be back at the place yes.. I thought ok, I didnt see the harm in it"

"I see" Kirsty said not liking the way this was going, but wanting to hear it to the bitter end she remain silent as Marie went on with some difficulty.

"I-I think he slipped something into my drink... I just remember feeling really strange and him helping me up from my seat, telling me he was taking me to the room where U2 were staying... I don't remember much after that except waking up in the hotel bedroom next to him.. and.. and I realised what must of happened-" Marie broke of there sobbing "I was so ashamed and felt so stupid all I wanted to do was get out of the place, I don't know how I got dressed I just remember he was still lying on the bed snoring and I just wanted to get away I felt so sick"

"Oh Marie" Kirsty exclaimed and now hugged her friend trying to comfort her.

"I just wanted to pretend it hadn't happened" Marie said trying to pull herself together again "But then I found out I was pregnant... I didnt want to believe it was because of that.. I couldnt tell anyone then I told you that Bono was the father, because It was easier belieivng that lie than facing up to the truth.. only when the baby was born.. it looked like him Kirsty.. it brought it all back.. now you see why I don't want her.. why I can't keep her" she stared at her friend with pleading hazel eyes hoping she understood.

Kirsty nodded her own eyes filling up with tears realising the horrible ordeal her friend had been through.

"Its ok Marie" she told her "everything is going to be ok" she hugged her again

Then one evening she noticed the Billboard up on the wall advertising the fact that U2 were coming. Excitedly she told Marie about it thinking this would cheer her friend up, and she would want to go to the concert. When she first told her Kirsty thought she seen her friends eyes lit up a little.. but it was only momentarily as Marie told her she was not really interested in going.

Kirsty felt her heart sink.. she was so sure that Marie would come around at the mention of U2.. she still played their music a lot, but it seemed it wasn't going to be so, despite Kirsty trying to persuade Marie to go, Marie insisted that she didnt want to.. after all she had already seen them once.. and how that night had turned out to be a disaster, and suddenly Kirsty understood a little and never mentioned the concert again. thinking what a terrible shame it was that Marie's memories of that concert would always be tainted by what had happened to her.

A few weeks later it was only by chance that Kirsty got chatting to a friend Joanne on the internet who informed her she had won special VIP ticket on aq radio station to go to the U2 concert and was going to get to meet the band, Kirsty mentioned her house mate Marie was a big U2 fan, and Joanne suggested that if Marie wanted to pass on any messages to them she would gladly give it to them when she met them.

It was then that Kirsty had an idea how to maybe help Marie, and asked Joanne if she sent her a letter addressed to Bono would she pass it onto him if she could. Joanne happily agreed.

Kirsty didn't say anything to Marie about what she was doing.. not sure if anything would come of it.. not sure her friend would even approve.. but she felt it was something she had to do to try and help her friend come out of her depression.

It took three or four attempts till Kirsty felt the letter she wrote to Bono was how she wanted it, and with a thudding heart she posted the letter to Joanne, wondering if she would hear anything back.. she was not getting her hopes up.. but still even writing the letter had been theraputic for her.

A few weeks later the concert came and went, Kirsty manage to get in touch with Joanne who informed her she had a great time meeting the guys and had indeed passed on the letter Now it was just a matter of waiting, unsure if anything would happen if Bono read it, she wasn't sure what she expected from him.. but heard he was a real compassionate caring person and she hoped he would respond in some way

Weeks passed and there was no word back, Kirsty was glad she hadn't mentioned anything to Marie about what she had done, Maybe Bono was too busy or occupied to respond to her letter he was a pretty busy guy and she had been foolish to think he might take an interest in what she wrote and told him about Marie.

Then just when she had decided to forget all about it, the letter arrived addressed to Marie arrived.. It was only when Marie opened it and started to read it then gasped and fell into the chair that Kirsty looked around at her friend.

"What is it?" she asked in concerned

"I don't know how this happened.. but this letter.. it's suppose to be from Bono out of U2" Marie replied in bewilderment

"What?" Kirsty exclaimed her heart lifting in delight, she hurried over to her friend

"Yes according to this it seems you wrote to him told him about me going through a hard time.. did you do that?" Marie demanded

Kirsty shifted uneasily "Well yes.. I was trying to figure out a way to help you.. I know how down you have been feeling, so I wrote and told him about your predicament.. I never mentioned that you claimed the baby was his.. but I thought if he wrote you a word of encouragment it would help you, I know how much you look up to him and the others.. I hope you are not angry at me" she finished anxiously

"Well no.. how could I be" Marie replied tears welling up in her eyes "That was such a lovely thing to do.. and to think he actually wrote back, saying how sorry he was about the terrible experience I had, and how hard it must be for me, that I made a brave desicion and how I was lucky I had a friend like you who cared so much.. he got that right!"

Kirsty smiled "I wasn't sure he would reply thats why I never said anything.. besides this is a wonderful surprise for you I hope"

"Yes it is" Marie went over and hugged her friend, "thank you so much.. and guess what, he included tickets for both of us for the London concert is arranging the transport back and forth, and says its his small attempt to make up for what happened to me at the last concert .. though it was not really his fault and I never blamed them. but still this is so sweet of him.. don't you think?"

"Yes" Kirsty replied "I think its wonderful.. I never expected him to do that.. just hoped he would send you some words of encouragment to cheer you up.. but this is waaaayyyy better than I expected" she laughed

"I really am lucky having you as a friend" Marie said again "I don't know how I am going to repay you for all this"

"I just want to see you smile and be happy again" Kirsty told her, "I know this won't make everything instantly alright again, but I am hoping it helps"

"It does" Marie assured her smiling.

Ten minutes later the lady returned and told them to follow her, she led them into the dressing room where the band and some of the crew, as well as their wives including Ali occupied, Kirsty suddenly felt very nervous and self conscious not sure what to say or do, she looked around at her friend Marie, who also seem to be not sure how to act.

Bono came forward, smiling his warm smile and holding out his hand as the lady who had brought them introduced them to all in the room. He shook hands with Kirsty first,

"You are the one who wrote me the letter.. it really touched me how much you were concerned for your friend, I had no choice but to reply and I had to meet you personally"

Kirsty shook hands with him, not sure how to reply Bono made it sound like it was an honour for him to meet her, and not the other way around it wasn't what she expected.

Now he turned his blue eyes on Marie. "And I had to meet you again to personally tell you how sorry I am that the awful thing experince you had.. and if there is anything I can do anything at all to make up for what happened.. just let me know" he told her in his sincerest voice

Marie was too overcome with emotion to reply just standing there in front of Bono, and him looking so guilty like he had done something wrong, she had never blamed him or the band, but it brought it all back to her now, she wanted to tell him she was ok, she was coping so as to make him feel better, but instead a vision of that night she had gotten her photo taken with him at the previous concert and all that had happened afterwards, she had kept it locked up inside her, now standing here before him again, seeing his look of sympathy was too much for her and it all flooded out overwhelming her and she burst into tears.

In an instant Bono had his arms around her holding her comforting her and she sobbed helplessly on his shoulder, unable to stop

Kirsty was distressed to see her friend in such a state, espicially in front of all these people who were strangers, but Bono far from seeming uncomfortable by the young womans heartbroken sobs which were soaking his shirt, held her, murmering comforting words to her, letting her cry and get it all out of her system as if she was a longtime friend he had known all his life and it was the most natural thing in the world to do.

After what seemed to Marie was an eternity and she felt completely drained of emotions and tears, she shakily apologised for falling apart in front of him.

"Its ok" Bono replied Ali had come over and handed her a hankie so she could wipe her face and blow her nose

"Thank you" Marie told her, "I am so sorry for blubbering all of your husband like that.. I don't know what you must think of me" she realised in dismay moving away from Bono and using the hankie trying to compose herself. "I-I don't know what came over me.. I am so sorry"

"You are fine" Ali assured her gently "And I think your reaction was natural under the circumstances, Bono told me all about it, it must have been awful for you" she now put her arm around her rubbing her back lightly trying to comfort her

"You are all so kind" Marie sniffed "I don't know how to thank you"

"Its the least we can do" Bono informed her. "I just hope tonight can make up a little for what happened, that you will have happier memories, and can put the past behind you"

"I think I will" Marie replied as she looked from Bono to Ali and managed a weak smile.

But the photo in her hand was the old worn one she had kept from their first encounter.. she was staring down at it seeming lost in thought"

"Are you alright?" Kirsty asked in concern moving the photos aside and coming to sit next to her

"Yes" Marie nodded glancing round at her "I have just been thinking about my baby, how she is doing" she then said

"I see" Kirsty replied carefully this was the first time Marie had mentioned her daughter from she had been adopted "Don't tell me you are having regrets about having her adopted ?"

"No.. not exactly" Marie replied, "I just hope she doesn't hate me.. for giving her away" she looked around at her friend "I didnt hate her y'know.. she was beautiful.. but I couldn't look after her, not when I looked at her and it reminded me of that night, I was scared in case I ended up taking it out on her" Marie then tried to explain, "It just hit me she might turn up at my doorstep one day demanding to know why I give her away.. do you think she will understand and forgive me?" she asked anxiously

Kirsty put her arm around her friend and smiled "Yes, I think she will understand, and I think she will happily forgive you"

"I hope so" Marie replied, she then started to rip up the old photo in her hand of her and Bono, Kirsty gaped at her "what are you doing?" she demanded

"I don't need this reminder any more, not if I am going to put my past behind me" Marie replied. "besides I have all these wonderful pics taken from a few weeks ago with good memories, I don't need this old thing anymore" she tossed the ripped up picture in the nearby wastebasket with a determination that it was time for her to move on

THE END