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"Dad!" I shouted, as mum opened the door for him and gave him a kiss. I ran into his arms as he walked through the door, and jumped up to have a cuddle.

"Hello my gorgeous girl! How was school?" He asked.

"Good! I drew a picture of you, me and mum, and mum put it on display on the mantle piece!" I said with excitement.

"Wow, let me see!" Dad said, walking into the living room and smiling.

"Gracie, that's beautiful." he said. I smiled at him and sat down next to him.

"So, shall we go out for dinner?" Mum asked. "I'm too lazy to cook, and Gracie has drawn something beautiful, so I think we should go out."

"Yay!! I shouted with excitement. I put my shoes on and got ready to go. When I was ready, I ran back into the living room to see mum and dad. They were both so pleased that I managed to put my shoes on myself; I was only six at the time.

"Gracie, we're so proud of you. I love you," dad said.

"I love you, my gorgeous little angel." Mum said. She scooped me into her arms and carried me out to the car.

*****

I was breathing quickly, still in Tracy's arms. I didn't think she quite understood what had just happened.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

I nodded my head. "Flashback."

"What happened?" Tracy questioned.

"I heard a knock on the door. Then everything went black, then I can remember seeing my dad. Mum was normal. Dad was still here. I was having a flashback of a lovely night with my parents when I was six. I drew a picture of us together, and then I put my shoes on by myself and they said they loved me so much. I used to struggle with putting my shoes on, so when I did it, they were so proud." I said, tears brimming my eyes the more I thought about it.

"Oh, Gracie, come here," Tracy said, squeezing me tight.

"I miss my dad so much," I wept.

"I know. But he is so so proud of you." Tracy said. She kissed my head and stroked my side.

"Really?" I asked. "Why would he be proud of me?"

"You're still here." Tracy said.

"Wow, that's powerful," I replied.

"Yep, but it's completely true." Tracy said. I snuggled up to her and felt her playing with my hair. It made me feel so calm when she did that, and it made me begin to fall asleep. Until Liam shouted for us.

"Come downstairs!" he said. We slowly got up and headed downstairs hand in hand, to see everyone going out to the garden.

"We felt like you needed cheering up, so we've done this for you." Liam said. The garden was decorated with a big banner that read, "We Love You Gracie" in rainbow coloured letters. They had put some bowls of crisps out, and had a game of football ready to play. I wasn't really the kind of person to play football, but it was the only game everyone could play together.

"Guys, this means so much to me," I smiled.

"You deserve it," Lily said.

"You don't need your mum, even though it hurts. You're better off without her." Carmen continued. Tracy squeezed my hand, and I looked up to see her trying so hard not to cry.

"What's up with you?" I asked with a giggle.

"I'm just so proud of you. Everyone's shown that care kids can conquer anything, and it just means a lot to me." Tracy said.

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