Unfolding Truths: KO x LMM

Nine

"DADDY!" Gracie jumped into Matt's arms.

"Hey baby girl." Matt smiled, lifting her into his arms. "How're you doing?"

"I'm okay. Look at the ring Lin got me." She held out her hand as Matt placed her back down.

"That's very pretty. Are you excited to go ride?"

"Yeah!" Gracie giggled. "Oh, Lin and Vanessa got me tickets to see Moulin Rouge and Wicked. I'm not sure if it's to go with them or someone of my choice," she turned to Lin.

"Someone of your choice. A friend, maybe?"

"I don't have friends here." Gracie stated, turning back to Matt. "Would you wanna see Wicked with me? It's for December 27th."

"I'd love to, kiddo."

Something about Gracie inviting Matt to see a show he got the tickets for irked Lin. "Honey, maybe you should invite your mom or Vanessa." Lin suggested.

"But I want to see it with Daddy." Gracie said.

"Gracie..."

"I'm sorry, Lin. But I wanna see it with him."

"Fine. Anyway, have a good time at the barn."

"Thanks again." Gracie said, waving to them as she and Matt left.

"Okay, let's go see Diego." Matt said as he and Gracie got into the car.

"Lin doesn't like that I call you my dad. But it's not my fault that you're the one who took on the fatherly role in my life. I didn't know any better until this month. I've always seen you as my dad. And I always will. Lin is almost like...the step dad I don't need in my life." Gracie sighed. "You're my dad, he's just some guy who donated his sperm to help mom create me. But you raised me, not him."

"I know, honey. I have always and will always see you as my daughter." Matt squeezed her hand.

When they made it to the barn, about an hour out of the city, Gracie quickly changed into the new pair of riding boots before getting out of the car. She smiled as they headed inside.

"Hello Mr Caplan. I see you brought Gracie in. Hi. Diego will be thrilled to see you back here." Mrs Dawson, the owner of the barn, said, walking over to the pair.

"Hi Mrs Dawson. Has my dad been out to ride him at least twice a week?"

"Three times a week, every week." Mrs Dawson smiled.

"Good. Daddy? Can we please get me signed up for another barrel race? And maybe another jumping competition?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

"Thank you so much. Okay, I gotta go get Diego tacked up." Gracie said and headed toward Diego's stall. When she saw him, she smiled. Diego walked to the stall door, sticking his head over the shorter door, wanting her to pet him. "Hey Diego. I've missed you so much. How've you been, boy?" Sue rubbed his nose. "You ready for a ride? We're gonna start training again. Now that I'm back in New York, I'll be here every week." She kissed his nose and then walked down to the tack room.

When she grabbed her saddle and reigns, she smiled. She also grabbed her helmet and headed back to Diego's stall. She took him out and tacked him up.she then led him to the arena where Matt and Mrs Dawson were watching. "We have the jumps set up if you wanna work with that for now."

"Sounds good." Gracie said and mounted the horse, working the course.

"She's gotten good." Mrs Dawson smiled. "Did she do any extra training out in Wisconsin?"

"Yeah. She rented a palomino out there. But she always loves riding Diego most."

"My favorite breed has always been the Appaloosa and Diego is a stunning one."

"He sure is a gorgeous horse."

After about 45 minutes of running the course, Gracie took Diego for a walk around the ring to cool down. Then, she took him back to his stall and fed him, gave him water and took off his tack. She then brushed him down and headed back to Matt.

"Hey, Gracie. Ready to head home? Your mom texted and said Ruth and your grandparents are there."

"Yeah, I'm ready." Gracie yawned.

"Tired after your ride?"

"Yeah. But it was a good one."

"I'm glad."

As soon as they arrived home, Karen was waiting at the door for their daughter. As soon as Gracie opened the door, she was attacked in a hug. "Hi mija." Karen smiled.

"Hi Mami. Aunt Ruth, Gramma and Grandpa are here?"

"Si."

"Well, I should go shower before I say hi to them. I smell like barn."

"Alright."

Gracie went and showered, changed and went to the living room. "Gracie!" Ruth said, hugging her niece.

"Hi Aunty." Gracie said, hugging Ruth. "So, did Mami tell you I met my dad? They finally told me who he is."

"Yeah, they told us."

"He may be my father biologically, but Matt will always be my dad."

"Speaking of that, Gracie, Matt and I have news." Everyone looked at Karen as Matt went to their side. "We're dating again."

"Wait, Mami, Daddy, you're back together?"

"Si, mija. We are."

"NO WAY! THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!" Gracie ran full force into Karen and Matt, hugging them.