Gravity Rises (S3)

Epilogue: Part Two

Content warning: This chapter contains semi-graphic descriptions of child abuse and its effects. Also, this isn't a super accurate representation of the Oregon legal system. I erred on the side of happy endings for everyone. You're welcome.

ONE HOUR AGO

"She'll hate me," Grace said quietly.

Gideon looked at his sister. "No, Evi. She won't. It'll be okay."

The two of them walked together on the road to the Northwest Manor. Edward and the kids had gone up in the car and were already there, but Gideon and Grace had wanted to walk.

"I'm taking you from her, Charlie," Grace said.

"No," Gideon said. "You're not taking me. I'm choosing to stay with you. Mother knows that, and she's willing to let me go. You know this, Evi."

Grace was quiet for a moment. "Even if she's cooperating on the legal side, she could still hate me."

Gideon didn't think there was much chance of that. Geneva was cooperating, so much so that Grace's custody of Gideon was all but official. And it had only been four months — not much time in the legal system. If Geneva helped this go so smoothly, then she probably didn't have any secret hatred.

The siblings kept walking. Gideon couldn't help but smile in the warmth and sunlight. But it was a little stuffy, since he was wearing long sleeves, and Gravity Rises was surprisingly hotter than Oakland. In Oakland's balmy temperatures, he'd almost forgotten how unpleasant it was to wear long sleeves all the time in the summer.

Gideon's stomach flipped. But. . . that unpleasantness would be gone soon. It was strange to think about.

He tried to put that out of his mind, and focus instead on the thought of seeing Geneva. It would be the first time in months that he'd talked to his mother. He'd seen her at her trial, but they didn't get to spend time together, so it didn't count.

Gideon and Grace reached the Northwest Manor. It looked different, but Gideon wasn't sure why. The grounds were still manicured, with the usual topiary the Northwests had in summer (albeit less than average, and in the shapes of supernatural creatures like perytons). And the Manor itself was still clean and bright.

Then he realized what was different. The gates were open.

He walked right in with Grace. The open gates made the Manor feel happy and welcoming. But even so, Gideon's stomach flipped again in fear. The memories of walking back to the Manor to face abuse were popping up in his head.

He tried to calm those memories, along with his heart rate. It's okay, he told himself. Father isn't here. And Mother won't hurt me.

They walked up to the door, where Grace hesitated for a moment. But then she knocked.

The door opened almost instantly.

"Grace, Gideon," said Geneva, a warm smile on her face. "Come on in."

They stepped inside. There was an awkward moment as Geneva looked at her children, and they looked back in uncertainty. Then, "I'm glad you're here," Geneva said. She moved forward to hug Grace.

Grace swallowed and returned the hug.

It was a long embrace. Gideon realized that Geneva and Grace hadn't hugged each other in over six years. From the sounds of their breathing, he was pretty sure they were both crying.

Then they pulled back. "Congratulations on your acquittal, Mother," Grace said.

Geneva smiled again. "Thank you." Then she turned to Gideon. "And thank you for your testimony."