Chapter Text
Grace and Oliver profusely thanked the bodyguard for saving Annie's life. Seeing the little girl in mortal peril as a result of a wicked con had terrified both the adults. The three were lost in their own world until a police officer approached Oliver and medics approached Grace.
"You stay with Annie." Oliver said sympathetically as he handed the girl in his arms over to Grace.
Grace nodded as Annie clung to Grace, burying her face into Grace's side. Annie's tears began to soak through Grace's shirt, but she didn't mind, she just wrapped her arms around the ten year old.
"Are you her mother?" Asked the medic.
"I-" Grace stuttered. No one had ever asked her that question before. Of course she was like a mother to Annie. For all intents and purposes, she acted like her mother, she cared for her as if she was her own child. She loved Annie. But on paper, she was nothing more than a friendly adult.
"Ma'am, if you are not her mother, I must ask you to step aside." The medic continued.
"No!" Annie cried, tightening her grip on Grace as she began to cry harder. "Please don't go."
Grace looked to the medic helplessly then back to Annie. She held Annie a little tighter. "I can't leave her! I just can't! Does it really matter what I am to her?"
The medic let out a frustrated yet sympathetic sigh. "I suppose you can stay. We just need to check Annie over."
Grace looked to Annie once more as they exchanged a knowing nod between them. The two followed the medic to the back of an ambulance.
"They're just going to check you over and make sure you're okay, is that alright Annie?" Grace explained as she lifted the girl onto the stretcher.
The lights were bright, and the summer night cold. The smell of the cool air and the sterile, medical smell of the ambulance was overwhelming. Annie looked at Grace with a panicked look.
"Can you sit beside me?" Annie's voice became quiet for the first time.
Grace once again looked to the medic who silently nodded. Grace shuffled onto the stretcher and watched as Annie was examined. They put bandaids over her grazed and bloody knee, cleaned the dirt from the small cuts on her arms and gently removed a splinter from her finger.
"She's a very lucky girl. She'll have cuts and a few uncomfortable bruises and nothing more. Nothing life changing." The medic took off his gloves and disposed of them.
Grace let out a relieved sigh just as Oliver approached the two.
"Is she alright?" Oliver asked, instinctively looking to Grace
"She'll be fine. Just cuts and bruises, the odd splinter here and there." The medic interjected before Grace could speak.
Oliver continued to look at Grace. He wanted to hear it from her.
"She's fine Oliver. Perhaps a little shaken." Grace casted her eyes back down to Annie who was holding her hand tightly and leaning on her arm.
Oliver couldn't comprehend just how small she looked as she cowered into Grace for comfort. The once so self-assured confident ten year old redhead, suddenly looked much more like the scared little girl she really was. The façade had finally broken.
Simply, nor could he comprehend how Grace was able to put her own anxiety to one side and remain so strong, having such unwavering nerves for Annie. It was clear to Oliver that her emotions had been doing a number on her. Her eyes were tinged red from tears, from seeing Annie in mortal peril, and the relief when she was placed back into their arms, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Will they be ready to leave soon?" Oliver turned to the medic, finally acknowledging him. His voice for the first time sounded uncertain, perhaps for the first time since the crash.
"Yes, yes. They're free to go." The medic said almost dismissively.
Oliver held out his hand for Grace and Annie to step down from the back of the ambulance. Grace stepped out first, almost losing her balance on the uneven surface in her heels. Oliver almost but caught her as she steadied herself. Annie followed shortly behind, running to be with Grace once more. Instinctively, she wrapped her free arm around Annie, and held onto Oliver's hand as they made their way back to the car.
Perhaps it was the shock from what had just transpired, or perhaps it was something else at play, but as the press continued to take pictures of the three, neither Oliver nor Grace batted an eye. In that moment, Oliver's carefully constructed image of a hardened business man, who loved only money, capitalism, and power, no longer mattered. His façade too, dropped that evening.
Like a gentleman, Oliver opened the passenger door for the two girls. Without saying a word, Grace slid into the front seat and lifted Annie onto her lap. Annie held onto Grace tightly, as did Grace with Annie. Grace soothed Annie as she curled up in her lap, repeating "you're okay, you're safe now" as she stroked her hair.
Before getting in the car himself, he walked up to the journalists, re-entering his tough business mogul persona.
"I ask that all images from this evening are sent to my residence and cleared before printing. Do you understand?" Oliver said to the young journalists sternly. They nodded fearfully, knowing his reputation for violent outbursts towards uncleared journalists. "If you cooperate with my humble request, in return, I will issue you with a statement from my personal press office, in which you can run, with a list of authorised images. If you do not comply, I shall see that you never photograph, write or publish anything again. Have I made myself clear?"
The journalists quietly nodded. Putting down their cameras and handing them over to his bodyguards. Accepting the compromise for the sake of their careers.
Oliver calmly walked back over to his car, feeling a sense of pride for protecting his two girls. Grace looked at him with one of her sympathetic, yet knowing looks.
"Don't worry about those pesky journalists Grace. I negotiated a deal." Oliver said proudly as he started the car.
"Oh Oliver, I do hope you didn't do anything foolish." Grace replied slightly fearfully. "It wouldn't be fair on Annie."
"Have some faith in me Grace, I may have learned a thing or two from you." Oliver smirked at her, seeing this didn't calm the anxiety in her eyes, he looked back to the road. "In exchange for their silence and all their images from tonight, in return, they will have a pre-approved statement from myself and use of selected images, we have approved."
Grace let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you. For doing this for Annie."
"It wasn't just for Annie, it was for you too." Oliver said quietly.
Before Grace could decode exactly what Oliver meant by that, Annie's shock wore off as she began to crumble in Grace's arms. Her tears suddenly were free flowing. Neither Grace nor Oliver had seen Annie cry before this evening, it just about broke Grace's heart to see the once happy little girl fall to pieces. Part of her ached as she felt partially responsible. She was mentally beating herself up for not being more diligent, for not checking the birth certificate for fraud, for letting her crushing emotions over losing Annie blind her rationality.
Grace kissed Annie's forehead and repeated her earlier phrases. "You're okay, you're safe now. No ones ever going to hurt you. No ones ever going to take you away again. I promise sweetheart, I promise."
Although Annie nodded and untensed her body as a result of Grace's words, she was unable to control her tears. Annie's mind was racing. Rooster was ready to kill her, Miss Hannigan aided their fraud, she almost lost the two people who cared about her, her cuts were still stinging from the antiseptic they cleaned her cuts with. She had the other half of her locket.
Her parents were gone.
"My parents are dead." Annie cried softly into Grace's chest. "No one's coming for me."
Those few words sent a cold shock through both the adult's bodies. They looked at one another with a sad, knowing look. The police had confirmed this to Oliver, just half an hour prior. The look in his eyes only served to confirm Annie's statement to Grace. Silently, Grace nodded and turned her attention back to Annie.
Grace tried to speak but no words came out. What are you supposed to say in situations like these? There isn't enough love in the world to heal the wound left by the realisation that your parents are both dead, and that they would never be coming back for you. The one bit of hope Annie had clinged to her whole life had vanished. The one thing that kept her staying so positive, even through the greatest adversities, was gone.
"Oh sweetheart. I'm so sorry." Grace finally managed to say. "I'm so, so sorry Annie." There was nothing else she nor Oliver could say.
Annie's cries filled the car as they pulled up back at the mansion. Oliver got out of the car first to open the door for Grace, he went to take Annie from her arms but she gently waved her hand at him.
"Will you be alright carrying her? She's half your height Grace." Oliver asked out of genuine concern, the last thing he needed was Grace injuring herself unnecessarily.
"I can't let her go, Oliver. I can't." Grace said, her words catching on the lump that had formed in her throat as she finally met Oliver's eyes. Hers too were brimmed with tears.
Oliver conceded, although fearful Grace's legs would buckle under the weight.
The staff eagerly awaited their return. The initial joy on their faces when they saw Annie safe and sound in Grace's arms subsided to a bittersweet feeling when they heard Annie's cries. The women of the house rushed around Grace and Annie, asking if she was alright, telling Annie she was so brave, how worried they all were when they heard what had happened. Grace's gaze was fixed on Annie, her face plastered with a mixture of residual anxiety, relief and heartache. Oliver stayed by their side, stoic and silent. Annie, managed a small smile for the female members of staff along with a very quiet ' thank you ' before burying her face back into Grace, and holding her tightly. As Annie's grip tightened, Grace squeezed the girl and planted a kiss on the top of her head.
"I think I should put Annie to bed." Grace mumbled, as she turned her head to look to Oliver. He gave Grace a nod and then a nod to the members of staff, indicating they were dismissed for the night.
The staff dispersed and left the trio standing in front of the grand staircase.
"I'll be in my office." Oliver said, running his hand down Grace's back. "Take all the time you two need."
Grace smiled, mouthing a 'thank you' as she began to make her way up the stairs.
~~~
Despite Grace's most concerted and best efforts, Annie, understandably, was still too upset to sleep as she finished her bedtime routine.
Grace let out a defeated sigh, as she sat on the end of Annie's bed, looking at the teary eyed girl with a soft sympathetic smile.
"Has anyone ever read The Wind and The Willows to you Annie?" Grace asked, trying her best to distract Annie and maybe herself.
"No, no one has ever read anything to me before." Annie perked up slightly at the thought of someone reading to her; a small smile reappeared on her face.
Although Grace's heart broke every time Annie revealed just how much she had missed out on, Grace couldn't help but smile when she saw Annie's mood lift, even if it was just a little.
“I’ll be back shortly, I promise.” Grace smiled softly, leaning over to stroke the girl's cheek as she stood up and left the room.
Grace, herself changed into her nightgown, and tried to hide the tears and emotion that was ladened on her face. She began to carefully look through the window seat ottoman which contained her own childhood possessions. As she carefully looked through her treasured belongings, a fond smile appeared on her face. As she moved past the couple of photo albums, her mothers old pin cushion, a quilt and finally, a handful of books she once read as a child.
Why she held onto them for so long, she didn’t know. Perhaps it was sentimentality playing tricks, or perhaps she held onto them because of the part of her that longed for a family of her own, the yearning and until recently pipedream, of being able to pass down her belongings to a child of her own one day. Whilst Annie was not Grace’s daughter by any means, on paper nor by blood, Grace still felt a sense of pride, mayhaps also achievement on a somewhat personal level as she finally was able to pass something onto Annie.
Grace, with the hardcover of The Wind and The Willows in her hands, walked the short distance down the hall to Annie’s room. As she opened the door, it gave poor Annie a fright, she almost jumped out of her own skin. Annie’s body untensed once she realised it was only Grace, but her expression remained fearful.
“It’s only me, sorry dear.” Grace tried to reassure her. It was clear that the poor girl was going to be shaken for some time. Perhaps even leaving her for those few short moments was too much too soon.
Annie's eyes welled with tears, the shock of the past few hours had finally worn off and her emotions quite suddenly entered the forefront. Grace was settling down on the chair beside Annie's bed, as she looked up, she saw her little girl's eyes fill with tears and her body tense in panic.
"Oh sweetheart…" Grace's face turned to a sympathetic look, she furrowed her brow as she placed her book down beside her and opened her arms to a tearful little Annie.
As Annie raced out of bed into Grace's lap once more she nestled her face into the crook of Grace's neck and began to sob harder than she ever had before.
Despite never having a parent or anyone for that matter to hold her like this- at her most vulnerable, Annie relaxed into Grace and held her tightly as if it was a practice the two had established her whole life.
Grace held her tightly too, nuzzling her face into Annie' hair as the girl cried. Grace herself let a few tears shed out of Annie's view.
"My poor baby…" Grace ran her fingers through Annie's hair "shh, shh, you're okay sweetheart."
Annie's sobs suddenly slowed, the statement shocked her to the core.
"I- I-" Annie stuttered through her sobs.
"What is it Annie? It's okay." Grace repeated in a calming tone, still running her fingers through her hair.
"I'm your baby?" Annie sputtered out before turning to look up at Grace.
"Of course you are Annie." Grace smiled down at Annie who still had tears in her eyes. "You'll always be my baby, no matter what.”
Annie hugged Grace as tight as she possibly could. Her tears fell freely once more, except this time, they were happy tears.
Despite Grace's inexperience with being a mother, she fell into the role naturally. She made sure the ten year old was comfortable, she would do anything for her, no matter if it risked life and limb. Grace loved Annie, beyond the natural care one would have for any child; she didn’t just love Annie, she loved her as if she was her own. And perhaps most importantly, Annie loved her back.
Annie was almost inconsolable in Grace's arms. The sense of relief she felt knowing she was safe and cared for with Grace was overwhelming after the evening she had. Whereas merely a week prior she would have been beaten for even audibly crying, she was now being comforted by someone who cared for her, by someone who truly loved her.
Perhaps Annie didn't need her parents to feel complete, maybe she had everything she needed right where she was. Grace's hugs certainly felt like what she expected a mothers to feel like.
"Grace, I'm sorry I rejected you and Mr Warbucks." Annie's sobs slowed.
"Oh Annie, you had to try. No one blames you." A few of Grace's own tears fell as she pushed a curl behind Annie's ear.
"If my real folks are gone, then I want you and Mr Warbucks as my family." Annie said somberly. "You're the best any kid could ask for."
"Oh Annie, I’d love that." Grace's tears were free falling now, there was no hiding her emotions anymore. Grace met Annie’s gaze with love. "You're the best little girl I could have dreamed of."
"No one has looked after me when I've cried before. You'd be the best mom a kid could ever want." Annie sniffed.
Grace's heart simultaneously broke and filled with love for the little girl. Since she first met Annie in that dreadful woman’s office she had fallen in love with her. From the moment Annie agreed to coming with her, she had Grace’s heart wrapped around her little finger. She wanted nothing more than to be her mom, to protect her and make sure she never had to go back to a place like that.
"I love you Annie. To the moon and back." Grace pulled Annie closer. Tears free falling.
"I love you too Grace. I'm sorry for makin' you cry." Annie nestled herself into Grace's tight embrace and closed her eyes.
"These are happy tears Annie, I promise." Grace half laughed as she kissed the little girl's forehead.
"Your eyes are all puffy, just like mine." Annie said with a smile as she met Grace's gaze.
"I know… I'm just so relieved you're safe." Grace's voice caught in her throat as she kissed her forehead.
"Will you still read me to sleep?" Annie sniffled, looking up to Grace, a faint smile reappearing.
"Of course dear." Grace smiled back down as she wiped away both hers and Annie’s tears. She quickly composed herself as she opened the pages of her old childhood favourite.
As Grace read to her, she could feel Annie slowly drifting off to sleep. Although her body relaxed as sleep took over, Annie’s arms were still draped around her neck. Her head resting peacefully on Grace’s shoulder . Once she saw Annie had fully succumbed to sleep, she placed her old bookmark from childhood back in the book and carefully set it down on the bedside table beside them.
Grace herself was starting to doze, Annie’s warmth became quite soporific. Although Annie's bed was merely a few steps away, Grace decided that moving Annie posed too great a risk of disturbing the poor girl’s first bit of peace she had that evening. Moreover, selfishly, Grace was also enjoying Annie's sleepy cuddles, who knew how many of these she’d ever have again. She'd always fantasised with the idea of becoming a mother one day. However, her devotion to her work, and in turn Oliver, took priority and indefinitely placed all her plans on hold. The first few days of looking after Annie only served to reignite her desire which once felt unobtainable. For the first time she felt as if she had her own little family. And now, with Annie looking as if she is set to stay indefinitely, her wish had almost been granted although she did wish the circumstances were better.
Grace didn't expect to fall so… effortlessly into her role as almost a surrogate mother figure for the young girl. She didn’t expect to feel so maternal towards her. She didn't expect the unconditional love to come so quickly from a child that had only ever known abuse and abandonment.
Giving up these small, quiet moments was an impossible task. Grace was beaming on the inside. She was chosen, and loved back by the closest thing she had ever had to a daughter. No threat of a poor night's sleep, nor an aching neck would convince her to let go.
As Grace drifted off to sleep, she gently ran her hand through Annie’s hair for one final time and planted a final kiss on the girl's forehead before nuzzling into Annie's hair as sleep overcame her.
~~~
When Grace didn't appear downstairs in the office at nine o'clock, Oliver set down his brandy and ventured up the stairs to check on the two girls.
Careful as to not make excessive noise, he almost but tip-toed up the stairs towards Annie's room.
As he approached her door, all he could hear was silence. He gently opened the door and as he did he was met with both Annie and Grace sleeping soundly on a chair. Grace's head resting gently on top of Annie's, both with their arms firmly around one another, both with content smiles, peacefully sleeping.
Although Oliver knew the two had an abundance of love for one another, he didn't expect the two to assume the role of mother and daughter so naturally. Even in their sleep they shared the same smiles, the same, almost fierce protection of one another. They needed one another, like the moon and the stars.
Oliver felt like a fool over just how blind he had been to their bond until today. It was there on the very first night when the bomb came through the window. When Grace protected and shielded Annie, holding her close, refusing to let go, placing her own fears to one side to prioritise the young girls. It was there when her supposed parents came for her, when Annie chose Grace to help her over her 'mother'. When their final parting goodbye hug lasted what felt like hours. It was there in the quieter moments. When they whispered almost inaudibly to one another. When Annie picked Grace flowers from the garden. When Grace pressed them in her notebook. It was there even when they were apart. When Annie spoke about Grace. When Grace’s whole face lit up when she spoke about Annie. When Grace stood up for Annie against Oliver. When Annie defended Grace like her life depended on it. Although they were whole on their own, they were complete when they were together.
Oliver stood still, just watching the two soundly sleep, in perfect harmony. Almost apprehensive to move in case he'd disturb the two and ruin a precious moment.
After a moment, he slowly moved over to the chaise lounge which had a knitted afghan draped over it. Surely one of Grace’s initial purchases for Annie upon her arrival, with how lovingly it was crafted, it had Grace written all over it. Grace’s love for Annie truly was everywhere in this room. It was like she couldn’t help but love the young girl, even if it was initially set to be short lived.
Looking over his shoulder to check if his movements were disturbing the two girls periodically, he slowly creeped back over to where the two slept and draped the afghan over them, kissing each of their temples as he tucked them in, carefully making sure neither was left uncovered. Oliver froze as he saw Grace smile in her sleep. Fearing he had woken her, his body went stiff, his face turned white with panic. Grace shuffled slightly in the chair without opening her eyes, she nestled her face into Annie's hair once more and as quickly as she stirred she drifted back off to sleep still with the most beautiful smile on her face.
Oliver let out a sigh of relief as he stood watching over the two for a few moments longer before leaving the room.
~~~
Annie was the first to wake that morning. She found herself surrounded by warmth both literally and figuratively. For the first time, Annie woke up feeling loved. She held Grace a bit tighter and nestled closer. Grace began to stir, as Annie fidgeted in her lap. She couldn't help but smile down as she saw the redhead still burrowed closely into her, twiddling Grace’s necklace absentmindedly. Even if her neck was aching, she wouldn’t have traded this for the world.
"Good morning Annie." Grace stifled a yawn into her other shoulder. "How are you feeling?"
"Better." Annie yawned then looked up to Grace. "Thank you for staying."
Grace smiled softly back down to Annie, she pushed a curl behind the girl's ear and brushed her finger down the side of her cheek. "Of course Annie. You looked so peaceful I just couldn't move you."
"I like your hugs." Annie beamed, looking up to Grace.
"I like yours." Grace said, kissing Annie's cheek. Annie's little giggles filled the room. "If you ever need me, for anything at all, no matter how busy I am, I'll be there. You will always, always, come first. Please never hesitate if you need me. No matter how small or silly the reason may be."
"Wont Mr Warbucks be mad?" Annie furrowed her brow.
"You're important to him too, Annie. When you were in danger, he dropped everything for you." Grace met her gaze, trying to reassure her. "No one's going to be mad at you for needing comfort."
Annie played with Grace’s necklace absentmindedly , diverting her gaze away from Grace.
"I mean it Annie. You will always come first. Even if you just need a hug, I'll happily oblige." Grace hugged Annie a little tighter. Annie nodded into Grace before returning the favour.
The two stayed in place for a few moments longer, both squeezing their eyes shut, wishing the moment would never end.
The moment ended a few moments later with a knock on Annie’s door.
“Mr Warbucks sent me to ask the two of you if you’d be joining him for breakfast?” Drake asked, ignoring the tender moment the two girls were sharing.
“Tell him we’ll be right down Drake.” Grace’s voice took on her usual air of professionalism when addressing Drake, this voice immediately changed back to her voice, full of care when she looked back at Annie. “We best go down. It would be a shame to see Mrs Pugh’s breakfast go to waste.”
Annie nodded and slid off Grace’s lap holding out her hand for Grace to hold as they left for breakfast.
Oliver was dressed smartly in one of his usual suits whilst the two girls were still in their nightgowns. The two sat down at their usual seats next to one another, facing Oliver, who was reading a newspaper as per usual.
Once he saw the two girls arrive at the breakfast table, he set his newspaper down and grinned. “Did you girls sleep well?”
“Yeah, Grace’s hugs are real comfortable. She read to me and all.” Annie smiled up at Grace.
“Yes, we didn’t expect to fall asleep all cuddled up on the chair but I think maybe we both needed it.” Grace took a sip of her tea. “Thank you for placing that blanket over us last night Oliver.”
“It was nothing.” Oliver replied hastily, looking back down to his eggs. “You two looked so peaceful, I thought I ought not to disturb you.”
Grace let out a soft smile as she too, began to poke at her eggs, the three entered a comfortable silence.
“What did you read to Annie?” Oliver asked, finally breaking the silence. “I didn’t think we had any children’s books. And I know you much prefer your Jane Austin’s.”
“I had a few from my childhood. I just loved when my mother would read me The Wind and The Willows as a child and poor Annie had never had anyone read to her. I couldn’t have a child miss out on my favourite childhood book.” Grace scrunched her nose up at Annie.
“She does all the voices.” Annie chirped in enthusiastically.
“Does she now?” Oliver raised an eyebrow over his coffee towards Grace. “My, I would never have pinned Grace Farrell as one to possess such skills.” Oliver all but teased. His amazement in his secretary turned, love interest’s talent knew no bounds.
“She’s real good. She made me forget all about yesterday.” Annie’s excitement continued. She was back to the endless praise for Grace. It was a relief to both of them that Annie was somewhat back to her usual self. Even if the constant praise made Grace blush to no end and hide her face in embarrassment.
“Well I am happy someone appreciates my vast array of talents.” Grace jested.
Oliver began to protest, Annie as expected, jumped to Grace’s defence as if her life depended on it. Grace sat back, unable to hide the smirk on her face as she stifled her laughter. As she looked at Oliver, he too, had a playful smirk plastered on his face. Annie’s face however was deadly serious defending Grace with all her heart.
“She does too! She kissed all my cuts better in the back of the medic car!” Annie continued to protest against Oliver’s teasing over how heroic he was.
“Is that so?”
“Yep. Grace makes everything better.” Annie said proudly, holding Grace’s hand under the table. Grace squeezed the little girl's hand, offering a soft smile to Annie before mouthing ‘ thank you ’.
“I think I’m going to have to get used to losing more arguments as she gets older.” Oliver laughed as he took another sip of his coffee.
“When I’m older? Does that mean-” Annie frantically looked between a bewildered Grace and a stoic Oliver.
Oliver put his coffee cup down and smiled almost smugly at the two girls. “My previous offer still stands.”
Annie immediately ran over to him, arms stretched out. Oliver knelt down to pick up the girl and the two shared what would be their first father daughter embrace.
“Wait.” Annie began, turning her little body back towards Grace, her eyes began to look sad. “What about Grace? What would that make her?”
Annie’s sad gaze met Grace’s apprehensive and panicked expression. Of course, she loved Annie with every fibre of her being. For all Grace cared, she would go to ends of the earth for her, just like she was her daughter. She’d play family for as long as she could, acting as if Annie was her daughter until someone else came to painfully take that role away from her. Grace’s brow furrowed sadly. Her eyes filled with sympathy as she was about to deal a crushing blow to one of the people she loved most.
“Oh Annie… I’ll always care for you, I’ll always be there when you need me.” Grace began, avoiding answering the unsaid question. She walked over to where father and daughter were still holding on to one another. She gently rubbed Annie’s back, in a bid to try to comfort her -to make the blow easier on the both of them.
“What do you want, Annie?” Oliver asked Annie softly.
“I want Grace to be my mom! I want her to be my mom forever!” Annie almost whined.
Grace's breath caught in her throat. Her heart ached. All she could manage was a singular ‘ aw ’. She looked to Oliver as her eyes welled with tears. Annie's eyes also began to have a sad look in them. It was almost as if she knew she was asking the impossible. She reached out to Grace, practically throwing herself into her arms. Oliver helped as best as he could in handing her over in a more gentle way as to make sure Grace could hold her. Despite their upset, Oliver's face still retained a soft, sympathetic smile.
As the two buried their faces in one another's shoulders, all anyone could hear was their inaudible muffled whispers to one another, as if it was their own secret language. If Grace was struggling to hold Annie, she wasn't showing it.
"You're the best mom in the whole wide world. I don't want anyone else. You said I was your baby." Annie said through muffled tears.
"You are my baby." Grace's words caught in her throat as she let out her sobs, overwhelmed by Annie both wanting Grace as a mom- no her mom and referring to her as such. Maybe for a moment, Grace could turn off her level headed rational brain and pretend what was on paper didn't matter so much. What was most important is how Annie felt, and Annie wanted her - no one else. Despite her best efforts her staunchly rational brain brought reality crashing as it reminded her that unless she was legally her adoptive mother, she had no parental rights to her, no say, no official role. Should another woman come into Oliver's life or she lost her job, her role, whatever that may be, would have to be forfeited. And that prospect destroyed her inside, making every time Annie insisted that she wanted Grace as her mom evermore bittersweet than the last.
Oliver put an arm around Grace's waist as he came up behind the two of them, slightly concerned that Grace's legs would eventually buckle from the crying and holding Annie, despite her superhuman maternal strength in the moment.
"Grace," he began, speaking in a soft tone, a tone reserved for his most sombre, tender moments. "You have a young lady who clearly adores you... And an old man who does as well."
The two girls turned their heads to face him. Grace and Annie sniffled at the same time, making them both smile at one another.
"Oliver, I adore you both, so much. More than either of you can imagine." Grace sniffled, swiping away Annie's stray tears before meeting his gaze once more
"Annie needs you in her life, and I believe the same thing can be said for mine." Oliver said tenderly, his soft smile unwavering. "If you'd do me and your little girl the honours, Grace, will you be my wife?"
"Are you sure Oliver?" Grave asked nervously, tears falling almost gracefully down her cheeks.
"I've never been so sure of anything." Oliver leaned down and planted a kiss on Grace's lips. Annie cheered in excitement causing the two adults to laugh and for Grace's tears to be halted.
"That means Grace can be my mom and you'll be my dad?" Annie perked up, now with un-tameable excitement.
"Yes Annie. You'll have us both as parents." Oliver replied, placing his other arm around Grace's waist forming a hug with Annie firmly in the middle. Grace smiled as her tears continued to fall.
Annie tried to wipe away Grace's tears, much like she had done for her just moments ago. Oliver smiled at the two before passing Annie his handkerchief. She smiled at Oliver and began to, as gently as she possibly could, dab away Grace's remaining tears. Grace let out a small laugh before kissing Annie's cheek.
"I love you my sweet little girl." Grace smiled at Annie before looking at Oliver. "I'm very lucky to have both of you."
"I love you Grace, I love you Daddy Warbucks". Annie nestled herself between the two.
"We love you too Annie."