Graceful| Grace Helbig-Sequel #Wattys2017

Chapter 31

A week later

Grace's P.O.V

I wake up, everyone is still asleep. I take my phone from the bedside table to check the time. That's when I see it, the date 27/3. Hartley's birthday. I haven't brought her anything, presents, cards, a cake anything. I hate myself. I quickly jump out of bed, but still being careful not to wake up Hannah. I change into my clothes from yesterday. I write Hannah a note,

Hannah, It's Harts birthday I can't believe that we forgot. Can you look after Eve and Hart just till I come home, which shouldn't be long? I'm going out to buy stuff. Make sure Hart doesn't wake up.
Grace xx
I grab the car keys and go. I drive to the shops and towards Pandora. I run inside and wait by the counter, catching my breath.

"Hello, Mame. Can I help you?" She asks, finally noticing me.

"Yes...yes, please. I was wondering whether I could get a ring and bracelet, for my daughter's birthday. I need it fast." I explain, getting my purse out of my bag. She nods and brings out a few different styles. I pick a silver bracelet and a rose pink crown ring. I quickly pick a few charms, pay the lady then head off towards another shop.

I go in and buy a card, balloons and wrapping paper. I write the card there, signing it from all of us, while the shop wraps the box with the ring and bracelet in. I pay them also and race home. I go in to find Hannah feeding Eve.

"She still asleep?" I ask, panting while getting my breath back.

"Yeah. I can't believe we forgot." Hannah sighs, taking Eve's bowl to the sink.

"I'm gonna go blow up the balloons and set everything up in the kitchen. Not a very good sixteenth birthday is it?" I explain, pointing to the plastic bag. Hannah nods, which indicates that I could go set up things in the living room.  I walk into the living room and start opening the bags. I open the balloons and start blowing them up. I finish blowing them up just before Hartley comes downstairs. Me and Hannah, Eve on Hannah's hip, wait for Hart to enter the living room.

"SURPRISE!" We shout in unison, as she jumps from excitement.

"Happy birthday baby girl," I say, bringing her into a hug. I show her to her present, knowing I should have something else as well.

"Look I know it doesn't look like much, but it did cost a lot," I explain, as she sits down, unwraps the box and opens the box to reveal the bracelet and ring.

"Mom, it's amazing to thank you so much." She cries, bringing me into an embrace. I hold her tight, this is the happiest she has been for ages. I hate knowing and seeing that my daughter has no friends whatsoever. I have tried my hardest to get her into another school, but nothing. If only Maddi hadn't been so horrible to her, things might have been different.

"I'm glad you like.."
I get interrupted by a knock on the door. Hannah gets up and goes to the door. She opens the door, then coming around the corner came Chester.

"Happy birthday my little princess." Chester smiles, with a present in his hand. He walks up to Hartley and embraces her, kissing her on the forehead as he does.

"Thanks, dad." Hartley smiles, she smiles the darkest smile I have ever seen. She unwraps the present to find a necklace and in the card was fifty pounds in cash. She smiles, wrapping her arms around her dad.  

"Oh, here this is for you Grace. But you can't open it till later."  Chester says, handing me an envelope with something in it for me. 

"Dad, do you want to come to our picnic later?" Hart pleads.

"I would love too. You better go and get change then." Chester explains, pointing to the door. She grabs all here birthday presents and heads upstairs.

"You don't think you could look after Eve? Just while I make up the picnic food." I ask, taking Eve off Hannah's hip.

"I would love to look after my little princess," Chester says, as I hand Eve to him. Hannah and I both make our way into the kitchen and start on the food. As we finish the food Hartley was ready to go. Everyone get into my seven seaters and we all head off to the picnic.

After five hours, we finally head home. We drop Chester off home, he had got his own house in England and then head home. Hartley walks while I carry Eve into the house while Hannah parks the car into the garage. Eve snores peacefully, resting her head on my shoulder. 

"Thank you so much for the best day ever," Hartley says, bringing me into a small embrace making sure that she doesn't wake up Eve.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't a big super sweet sixteen." I sigh, placing Eve into the downstairs crib.

"That is ok mom. I am gonna go to bed now, I am really exhuased." She says, heading up the stairs.

"Night darling." I say up the stairs. I head into the kitchen and open the enevlope. I start reading the letter that Chester had given to me. Tears streaming from face, as I read the letter. Everything is just going wrong.

"Grace...Gracie whats wrong?" Hannah asks, looking me deep into my eyes.

"Chester's sueing for custody." I explain, as tears continue to run down my cheeks.

"Let me see that." Hannah orders as I pass her the peice of paper.

"You're telling me that a rapist can sue for custody of the child he fathered?" I ask.

"Yes he can.  In Birmingham, a convicted rapist sued for custody rights of a child he fathered with a fourteen year old."

"How do you know that Hannah?" I question.

"I read it somewhere."

"I can't beileve it, he first hurt me. Know he is trying to take my two beautiful girls away from me." I sob, I can't deal with this.

"Don't worry baby. I've got you." She says kissing the top of my head as I continue to sob in her arms.