Adopted

Chapter 24

I wound up leaving the hospital Tuesday morning. Sarah had gone home only once the whole time I was in the hospital to bring me some clean clothes to go home in. Brendon stayed with me while she was gone, but he'd also had to spend some time with his crew and band getting ready for the tour next week.

When I got home, Penny and Bogart both came yapping up to me, and jumping all over me.

"They really missed you," Sarah said. "They both kept going into your room, sniffing around and jumping up on your bed. We had to rescue Mr. Bunny and put him in your closet so they wouldn't try to tear him apart."

I smiled.

Sarah took me into the living room and had me sit on the couch.

"You just rest up, okay? Do you want anything? Tea? Water? Soda? Juice?" she asked.

"No, thanks," I said.

"Okay," she said, handing me the remote control to the TV. "You just rest up, watch some TV. Brendon will be home for dinner, and I think your grandparents will be back in a little while. They went out so that you could have some time before they came back. I'm pretty sure they're going to want to talk to you, and I think they're hoping you've forgiven them. Well, Grace does, anyway."

"Okay."

"What are you going to do? Have you thought about it?"

I sighed.

"I'm going to give them, her, another chance. I know she wasn't trying to be mean,"

"Good girl. I told them you were a mature young woman who just needed a little space and time to think about things."

Sarah brought my bag of belongings from the hospital up to my room and came back downstairs and went into the kitchen. Penny Lane jumped up on the couch and snuggled beside me. Bogart followed and started licking my face.

"Stop it, silly puppy," I said, pushing him slightly away. He kept coming up and licking me until finally I gave him scrubs on his belly. He rolled over and groaned as I rubbed his belly.

"Like I said, they really missed you," Sarah said, sitting on the couch.

We sat and watched TV for a little while together until we heard the door open.

"That'll be your grandparents," Sarah said, cringing. I shrugged.

"Hello?" I heard Boyd call out. "We're back."

"We're in the living room!" Sarah called out. "Might as well get it out of the way, huh?"

"I guess," I said.

"Hey you two," Boyd said, coming into the living room. "Hey there, kiddo. How are you feeling?"

"Better, thanks," I said.

"Good to hear," he said, sitting down beside me. "Look, Jessica, I know what Grace said hurt you. And she's really, really sorry."

"I know. I forgive you," I said, looking at Grace.

She smiled, and put her arms out. I got up and gave her a hug.

"Thank you, Jessica," she said. Boyd also got up and turned me around and enveloped me in a huge bear hug.

"You are a remarkable young woman, Jessica. And we are proud to call you our granddaughter. Have you thought about what you'd like to call us by any chance?"

"Honestly? Um, no. I'm still trying to figure out what to call Brendon and Sarah," I said, sheepishly.

"Well, no hurry. But just so you know, I'm partial to PopPop," he said.

"PopPop?" I asked.

"Don't ask," Grace said, smiling. "Jessica, I'm glad you're willing to give us, me, another chance."

"Um, you're welcome, I guess?"

"Now, I know it's not in good form to try to buy your grandkids' affection, but we figured that it couldn't hurt," Boyd said, picking up a small gift bag from beside the couch. "And hopefully you won't become all spoiled and bratty."

"Too late for that," Brendon said, coming into the living room. "She's already a brat."

He leaned over the couch and ruffled my hair.

"Glad to have you home, kiddo."

"Thanks."

"So, what did you buy to spoil my kid with?" Brendon asked his dad.

Boyd handed me the bag.

"Thank you," I said, confused. I opened the bag and inside was a small box. When I opened the box, there was just a guitar pick in it.

"Uh, thanks?" I said.

Grace had gone back to the front door and came back with an electric guitar. A blue one. By Fender. My jaw dropped.

"Mom! Dad! That's way too generous!" Brendon said, taking the guitar and looking at it.

"Well, we really messed up, and besides, if she's going to learn an instrument, she ought to have her own instrument to learn on."

Brendon handed the guitar back to me and I placed it in my lap, and stared at it.

Sarah nudged me. I looked over at her and she indicated I should thank Boyd and Grace.

I carefully got up and put the guitar down gently on the couch and jumped into Boyd's arms.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I exclaimed, hugging Boyd and then Grace. They were both smiling.

"Now, I expect by the time you get back from touring with your dad, you'll have at least learned one song. You can Skype us and play it for us," Boyd said.

"Deal," I grinned.

Boyd and Grace both sat on the couch, and Brendon took my guitar and said he was going to tune it and he'd put it up in my room. We turned the TV back on and I sat with my grandparents on the couch, leaning up against Boyd, and Grace holding my hand.

I fell asleep.

I felt myself moving and opened my eyes a bit. Boyd was carrying me up the stairs.

"You need a nap kiddo," he said. "Get some rest, and we'll come get you for lunch, okay?"

"Okay PopPop," I said, as he placed me on my bed.