"Louise! We were just on our way to see you!" I smiled and welcomed her inside. She hesitated, but decided to follow me. Harry and I took a seat on the couch in our living room while Louise sat opposite of us on the loveseat.

"I'm so sorry to hear about Caroline." I spoke softly.

"Indeed, we really are." Harry agreed.

"Well, it was her fault. Sure it's sad and she was my granddaughter. I love her, but she made some pretty irrational decisions that ended her up in her grave." The lady looked angry.

"Will there be a funeral procession?" I asked.

"No. She didn't have any decent friends anymore anyways. Raya and I would have been the only attendees."

"Oh. I'm sorry Louise." I smiled at her, hoping to change her unhappy mood.

"No need. Now, let's talk about what I came by for." She stopped and I saw tears swell in her eyes for the first time. "I know child services has visited you - they told me that they had."

"Yes, an officer was by last night." Harry spoke, fiddling with his hands. "We don't want you to fret Louise, we know that you need Raya right now. I'll sign the rights over to you."

Louise's facial expression changed completely. Her frown turned into confusion and then almost an appreciative smile. "You would be willing to do that for us?"

Harry and I looked at one another, a bit surprised at her reaction, and then both looked to her and nodded. "Of course." Harry smiled at her. "You've raised her. You're all she's ever known. We know how hard it would be for you to let her go. Plus, she doesn't know us. She'd be horrified leaving her grandmother and coming to live with complete strangers. We don't want you two to suffer any more than you already have."

Tears fell down Louise's cheeks. "I was coming here ... to ask you ... to take her." She sobbed. "Because it's what's best for her. Stability and a home that's not half caving in." Louise brushed the tears from her face. "I'm old and she won't have me around much longer. I'm all she's got." Louise folded her hands in her lap, clearly embarrassed for her breakdown.

"She's got us, Louise. You've both got us." I moved to hug her and to my surprise she hugged me back tightly and for a second I thought she wouldn't let go.

"Whatever the two of you need, we'll take care of it." Harry smiled at her again.

"Well, do you think it would be best to take Raya? I can visit her everyday. I just - I don't want her to be so attached to me when I know I don't have many years left on this earth. I want her to have others that she feels secure with when I'm gone." Louise looked at us.

"Louise, we'd love to have Raya as our own. But we want you to decide. Plus, what are you talking about? You're full of life!" Harry flashed her a cheeky grin and she giggled like a crazed fangirl. That's pretty good, considering the things I've done after getting that look from him. Phew.

"Oh, stop." She smiled. "But I really want what's best for Raya and I think you two are just that. But you have to let me visit everyday!" She wagged her finger.

"Wait..." I began and Harry's face lit up as soon as he realized what I was getting at.

"We have a guest suite downstairs. It's own entry, garage and drive. I hadn't even thought about it until now. We usually let Leah's family stay there when they visit, but it's vacant. Plus, you mentioned that your house was in bad shape. If you moved into the suite, you could visit Raya any time of the day that you wanted!" I smiled at Harry. He'd caught on and finished my sentence. Damn good couple we are. Damn good! I smiled to myself, like an idiot.

Louise contemplated the thought. After a few moments, she spoke up. "Well, I'm paying rent every month. And I get access to Raya all the time." She grinned and Harry and I agreed, laughing.

"Whatever you'd like Louise!" I smiled. She stood and hugged Harry and I.

"Thank you two for being so good to Raya and I. Shall we all have dinner soon?" Louise asked as she headed for the door.

"Absolutely! I'll cook!" Harry grinned and Louise shot me a worried glance. I winked at her.

"He's actually really good!" I laughed.

"Hey! What do you mean 'actually?'" Harry protested. Louise laughed and made her way to her car, waving.

"You're a great cook, baby. Really." I closed the door as he pulled me into his chest.

"You know what else I'm good at?" He wagged his eyebrows.

"Someone's a little full of themselves." I scoffed.

Harry pulled away and made a face. "Yeah, and you want to be just as full of me."

My jaw dropped at his inappropriate comment and I swatted at him. He moved out of my reach and ran through the house. I chased after him, giggling.

++

"I'm really excited for this event, El! I can't wait to be back on stage!" I sighed as we shopped
for outfits for the company event. Of course, my stage outfit was being made, but I needed something to wear for the time that I wouldn't be on stage.

"I can't wait to hear that voice of yours again!" I used to blast your album in my car!" I giggled at the thought of Eleanor singing in her car to my album. "Look at this, Le!"

Eleanor pulled a gorgeous gold dress off of the rack. It had a shimmer design and a plunging neckline. "Oh my God, it's beautiful." I gasped, taking it from her.

"Harry is so going to drool over you that night! He may not even be able to sing with you!" Eleanor laughed. I tried on the gown and fell in love. I purchased it, but Eleanor was picky and left the store empty handed.

After visiting a few more shops, we decided to call it a day. Harry, Devon, Kirsten and I were having dinner with Louise and Raya. It was Harry's first time meeting Raya, so I was really nervous. He'd texted me several times asking for advice. I knew he was nervous.

++

Harry cooked a savory dinner of roasted chicken breast and a vegetable medley. That boy can COOK! I'd tried to help, but he wanted to impress Louise so I wasn't even allowed in the kitchen. I could smell it cooking though, and I stood at the doorway, begging like a puppy.

"Go away!" Harry joked as I asked him for a taste. The doorbell rang, so he got lucky as I scurried off to answer the door. I swung open the door and greeted Louise. Raya immediately wrapped herself around my legs. "Leah!" She squealed. "I'm glad I get to see you again!" My heart melted right there. I knelt down and hugged her. We pulled away from one another and she stared past me. Harry had come into the foyer and was watching the interaction. He smiled and waved at Raya, but she hid behind her grandmother. My heart hurt because I knew how much he wanted her to like him, but I knew she'd probably come around before the night was over.

I woke Devon from his nap and everyone met at the dinner table. As I situated Devon in his high chair I heard Raya whisper to Louise. "Why does that man look like me?" Louise patted Raya's knee as if to tell her to wait until later. I wanted to scoop her up and calm her fears - to tell her that she'd never have to wonder about her parents again - that we were right here and that no one would leave her again. But I couldn't. I made small talk with Louise and Harry while feeding Devon and myself.

Notes

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