Sweet Girl

Amazing Grace

Ella is tugging on the hem of Stevie's blouse, making it fall off her shoulder as she stands with Lori in the middle of the kitchen, flute of champagne in her hand. Ella has been taught not to interrupt adults, but she's been tugging on Stevie's shirt for what feels like forever in her little mind.

"Mommy," she finally groans, and Stevie looks down at her immediately, setting her glass down so she can pick her up.

"What do you say?" She asks as she balances her on her waist, Ella's arms automatically going around her neck. Ella hasn't called her Stevie once since last night, but she doesn't mind. In fact, she loves it. It feels natural for Ella to refer to her as her mother.

"Excuse me," she mumbles, embarrassed that she got scolded in front of Lori. "Mama said you could get me some juice. Please."

Vivian hasn't made her way out yet; the third day after chemo always leaves her sick as a dog. She managed presents this morning and then needed a nap, skipping her parent's house altogether. Stevie ignores the shocked look on Lori's face as she heads to the fridge and grabs Ella's cup, then sets her back down on the floor. Ella toddles off back to Chris, who's setting up Candy-land for them and Jessi, in the living room.

"Mommy?" Lori questions, both eyebrows raised as she takes a long sip of her mimosa. "That was awfully fast, Steph. What are you doing?"

Stevie runs her tongue along her back teeth and into her cheek as she retrieves her own champagne. "I don't want to hear it, Lori. She's mine. The adoption is final."

"Stephanie -" Lori balks at her "you cannot be serious. You cannot just take this woman's child because you think you're in love with her for now."

Stevie looks pained as she meets Lori's glare. She has half a mind to throw her sister in law out of the house, right on her ass on the curb. "I am in love with her. In fact, I'm going to ask her to marry me, Lori. If you don't understand that's fine, but keep the judgment to yourself."

"I'm just -" Lori starts, and then downs the rest of her drink, "I'm worried. It took you ages to agree to care for Jessi if anything happened to me or Chris — and now you're taking her kid because you've known her for five minutes?"

Of course this is about Jessi. That child has always been the apple of her eye, but she's her niece. It's not the same. She expected the jealousy from Jessi - she's still a kid for all intents and purposes - but from Lori? She rests a hand on her hip and sighs. "Lorraine, I was not clean when you asked me that. Why did it take me so long? You might recall, I went to rehab so I could sign those god damn papers with a clear mind. I changed my entire life just to be Jessi's just in case. How dare you question this."

Lori stares at her for a moment, and then she relents. She knows she's in the wrong. "I - I'm sorry. You're right. I just worry about you. About what this is going to do to you when she's gone and you have to grieve and raise a child all at once."

"Like I would be grieving and raising your child if you died before she'd turned eighteen?" Stevie stares straight at her, daring her to say anything else.

"Alright," Lori softens, resting one hand against her shoulder, "I'll start warming things. Are we still aiming for dinner at four?"

Stevie nods, but doesn't say another word. She's livid with her; she doesn't want to look at her. She wanders through the living room, patting Ella and Jessi on the tops of their heads as she passes, then disappears upstairs to check on Vivian. She's sitting on the edge of the bed, clad in a pair of black leggings and a long, v-neck sweater, half her makeup on when Stevie greets her.

"Feeling better?" She asks gently as she stands between Vivian's thighs, resting her forearms on her shoulders. Vivian wraps her arms around her waist and squeezes her, kissing her exposed collarbone.