3 months later 




Michael had been in jail for quite some time now, awaiting his trial to be sentenced. He was charged with multiple crimes and it seemed as though he would be locked away for years to come. Zenia felt strange about it. She knew that is what he deserved and it would be good for his sobriety, but she felt a soft space in her heart for Michael and his troubled soul. 


For some time after their return, it seemed as thought Justin wouldn’t let Zenia or Grace out of his sight. It showed them just how protective he was over them. 


As they begun their healing process, they all went to therapy separately and together and began to navigate life since the kidnapping. It was difficult for everyone, but they finally got a point where they were all feeling better and their little family was starting to feel normal again. 


Zenia had returned to her job at the clinic, finding it comforting to be doing something she loved, helping others. Grace returned to school and was thriving in the classroom, coming out of her temporary shell that she had developed during that difficult time in their lives. Justin finished production on his movie and was excited for the release. It seemed as though everything had fallen back into place.


It was Justin’s birthday weekend and they were spending their time in Montana per Justin’s request. He had invited his parents, Lynn and Paul as well as Zenia’s mother Tanya to accompany them on the trip. All he wanted was to spend time with his family and enjoy a home-cooked meal (and that infamous peach cobbler).


“Are you enjoying your birthday, baby?” Zenia asked plopping down on the large sectional beside Justin who was rubbing his full stomach satisfyingly.


Justin placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him, pecking her lips. “Yep. Best one yet. I’m glad we all got to come out here.” 


“Me too.”


He looked around, “Where’s my Gracie girl?” A hint of concern in his voice. He kept a close watch on her since their return. He knew Michael was no longer a threat, but he couldn’t help but to become a bit overprotective lately.


“She’s getting your present.”


“She got me something?” He asked genuinely surprised.


Zenia nodded trying to remain calm when inside she was a ball of nerves. Grace’s gift was something that she asked her mother about on her own and after a little planning and a couple of loopholes, she was able to follow through with it.


Grace ran into the living room with a festive bag in her hand. “Hey everyone! Justin is opening my present!” She announced. Seconds later, the older adults joined them and took a seat.


Grace held the bag out to Justin, “Happy Birthday!”


Justin sat up and took the bag from her, eyeing it curiously. He sifted through the tissue paper, pulling out a small picture frame. He ran his fingers over the photo and smiled. It was a picture of just him and Grace walking away from the camera and holding hands. Justin immediately recognized where they were in the picture and what day it was. He had no idea that Zenia had snapped a picture that day at the park. 


“Wow. I love this. I didn’t know your mom took this picture. Thank you, Grace.” He said genuinely. 


“There’s more!” She said anxiously, pointing at the bag.


He reached his hand inside again and pulled out a sheet of paper, gasping as he read the words in bold at the top of the document. 


PETITION FOR ADOPTION REQUEST 


“What? What is this?” He asked, looking between Zenia and Grace.


“I want you to be my daddy.” Grace said. “Will you please?”


“You want ME to be your daddy? Wow, Gracie girl I’m honored that you would ask me. Of course, I would love to be your dad.” He enveloped the small child into his arms, kissing her forehead affectionately. He was stunned and both ecstatic. He already looked at her as his own child, this was just the icing on the cake making it official. 


“Z? How did you do this?” He asked.


“I had a visit with Michael a few weeks ago and he agreed to terminate his parental rights. He said that Grace deserved a father that was there for her.”


“Wow.” Justin was rendered speechless. Even after the lengths Michael went to to take them, in the end he still was able to do a noble thing and sign over his rights knowing that he wouldn’t be able to be there for Grace himself. For that, Justin couldn’t hate him anymore. 


He glanced across the room at his parents who were embracing each other with tears in their eyes.Tanya sat on the other side of Lynn and was clutching her hand and crying as well.


Zenia put her arms around both Justin and Grace as they all embraced, letting the happy tears fall freely. 


“This is just beautiful, y’all.” Lynn was the first to speak up. She wiped her eyes. She got up to hug her son who she was proud of in so many ways. 


“I’m proud of you son. I get to be a Poppy to this amazing little girl.” Paul said, beaming.


Tanya hugged Justin as well and patted him on the back, “Thank you for always taking care of them. You are so good to them.”


“I told you I would always take care of them. They mean the world to me.” He picked up Grace with one arm, and placed his other around Zenia’s waist pulling her in for a kiss. His heart warmed at knowing one day Grace would be his daughter and Zenia his wife. They would get their fairytale, but on their terms.


“I love you.” He said resting his forehead again hers.


“I love you too. Looks like you’re stuck with us.” She teased.


“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”