Ripple Effect

-28-

"Time to go, Gabby." 

Gabby looks up to acknowledge Ava's words. "You're sure that she's going to be okay, right?" 

Ava softly smiles, "They assured us that she'll be well looked after and placed in a safe location with other girls around her age." 

"She's all alone, Ava." 

"It's only going to be for a few days and just think tomorrow at this time, you're going to be officially a part of our family." 

Gabby smiles through her tears, "It just feels wrong not having her there, you know?" 

Ava nods, "I know, but, we're going to see about possibly Facetiming her, so, she can be apart of it." 

"Not the same." 

"It's the best we can do right now. We should head out now, or else we're going to miss our flight." 

"I thought that we were flying with the FBI guys?" 

"We are; your story is still in the headlines and flying commercial isn't exactly an option at the moment. Doesn't mean that we can keep them waiting any longer than necessary and Lexa already messaged that she's in the lobby waiting for us." 

"She stayed with Lily Rose until she had to leave, right?" 

Ava nods, "She did. Just between you and me, I think that we're going to have our hands full with those two." 

Gabby nods, "Agreed. It's been nice to see both of them smiling and laughing with each other. You told me before that everything happens for a reason, I still don't really know why all of this happened, but, maybe, it was so I could be there to help Lily Rose. I always wanted a sister, but, learned not to get attached to any of the kids in the foster homes because they could be gone the next day. I'm kinda scared that, that's going to happen with her, I'm attached and setting myself up to get hurt."

"Look at me, please." 

Gabby lifts her head up and looks in Ava's direction. "Have I said or done anything that would indicate that Lex and I aren't 100% behind fostering Lily Rose?" Gabby shakes her head, "I don't think so, but, that doesn't mean you haven't thought about not following through with it." 

"And that's a fair point. To which I'm going to admit that yes, I've had doubts, but, those doubts have never been about adopting you or fostering Lily Rose, they've been about me and if I'm up to the job of being a parent to two beautiful and talented teenage girls. I mean, you're probably going to starve because honestly, I'm not a very good cook and you'll probably have no clothes to wear because I hate folding and putting away laundry and it took me multiple attempts before I got my driver's licence and ..." 

"You're not good at solving math equations or spell checking my homework." 

Ava shrugs, "That's true. Oh shit! Pardon my language, but, you missed a bunch of school, and your finals. That's going to be something that needs looking into when we get back to Raleigh, and if there's a way you can make it up." 

"Ava?" 

"Yeah?" 

"Only a real parent would be concerned about the amount of school I've missed, I think you're going to be just fine. Also, while we're on the topic of school, exactly how far away is Stanford from where you live?" 

"I take it that you're back on good terms with Wren?" 

Gabby nods, "We both still care about each other, but, things haven't changed; it's still illegal for us to be together and I don't want to do anything that could us or you guys in trouble."