Blake took Gwen's hand and headed to the the living room. Lena was waking up in Gwen's arms as they approached her biological grandmother. Blake squeezed Gwen's hand reassuring her that it would be okay. Blake stopped by the coffee table and spoke to the older lady "Ma'am...I am sorry I never got your name"
"It's Ms. Richardson...Martha Richardson" she said not yet noticing Gwen and Lena
"Ma'am this is my wife Gwen. I have spoken to her and she has agreed with me in that you can stay for the party and visit with Lena but she will not be leaving with you. You can watch her play with her cousins and open her gifts...your welcome to a plate of food as well; but when the party is over you will need to be on your way" he states matter-of-factly.
"Thank you...I appreciate it...may I hold her" she asks reaching for Lena. But before Blake and Gwen can say that they aren't comfortable with that notion Lena turns into Gwen's chest and tucks her head into the crook of her neck and says "mommy no"
"Ma'am...look she is not comfortable with you holding her so let's just head out back so she can play and you can watch her out there. She is already scared because she doesn't understand what's going on."
"Fine...that's fine" Ms. Richardson replies
As they head out back both Gwen and Blake's families turn to see who is with them. Luke had stayed with Ms. Richardson while Blake and Gwen spoke but once they were back he had gone out back to try to inform them of what was happening. As Blake walked out with Gwen and Lena, Ms. Richardson stayed behind them. Gwen asked Lena if she wanted to go play with her cousins; the little girl nodded so she took her over to where Stella, Ryan, and Jace were playing. She set Lena down and she went straight to Stella and joined their game of tag.
Ms. Richardson sat with Gwen and watched Lena playing "Miss Gwen...I am sorry I stormed in and made a scene but when I found out she was okay I had to see her...she is all I got left...I don't have no family left...my boy is gone...what was I supposed to do?"
"Ma'am I can't begin to understand what you are going through but do you understand why my husband and I are being protective? We just adopted her, the judge signed the papers ma'am."
"I understand that but she is my kin...she's my grandbaby."
"I know that now ma'am but at the hospital they found old fractures that hadn't healed that your son and daughter-in-law put there. They were abusing her ma'am" Gwen stated.
"Look my son wasn't the best man but he tried...he had an addiction...he got that from his daddy."
Gwen didn't know how to respond. What do you say to someone who thinks it is normal? She excused herself for a moment when Blake approached her and they both went over to play with Lena. Ms. Richardson was watching them interact with her and how loving they were. Tears began to form in her eyes. Her granddaughter looked so happy, so peaceful, and so loved. Just then Blake said..."hey princess let's go open some presents".
Gwen sat with Lena as she opened her gifts. She got toys, books, clothes, and coloring books all that would help her learn new words, colors, and numbers. Blake took pictures of Gwen holding Lena and opening presents and he doted on his little girl when she got excited over her new Minnie Mouse toy. Ms. Richardson just sat by watching everything unfold. Blake and Gwen were so attentive to Lena and so was the rest of the family. She sat their thinking "how am I supposed to tear her away from this family" to herself. Lena looked so happy, so well taken care of, and happier and healthier than she had ever seen. As the party started to unwind Ms. Richardson went up to Blake and Gwen and asked to speak with them...
