Lori walked into the kitchen, joining Grace at the counter, watching Cassie and Sam in the Garden through the giant window over the sink. They were leaned together on the bench in Cassie's favorite spot.

"They are going to be ok," Lori commented. Grace just nodded. This was all so complicated; she understood that. Lori and Brandon probably understood it better than she did, Lord knows she's still struggling. She's only ever known her mom with her dad. Lori and Brandon knew their parents, then accepted Cassie into their lives to be with their dad, and now only have Cassie, and trying to let Sam into their lives. Grace likes Sam, she really does, but she also understands her mom's struggle, partially, from a different perspective of course.

"How did you do it?" Grace asked, bumping Lori's shoulder.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean losing your mom, gaining my mom, losing dad, gaining Sam…how do you handle accepting someone new into such an important position in your life without feeling like you're replacing someone."

Lori sighed, turning to sit at the table, Grace following her, leaving Cassie and Sam sitting together in the garden without an audience.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I love Sam, and I think he is great for mom, but," Grace shrugged, unable to say it.

"He isn't dad" Lori finished.

"Right"

"Honestly I don't know; other than I never, ever, thought of them as replacing someone. I loved your mom from the moment I met her. She wasn't like anyone I had ever met and she just drew me in. I gravitated toward her and she supported and loved me and never let me down. That's really all I thought about. I mean the moment I met her she was saving me from an angry dog and patching up my busted knee. She wasn't replacing my mom, just adding a parental love to my life in any way I needed. But after a while, she'd been in my life for so many years she really has been my mom. I just got two mom's I guess. And I couldn't have needed her more than when we lost dad. But I never ever questioned that she would continue to be my parent, no matter what. I guess I just think of it as adding a loving and guiding soul, and trying to feel lucky to have the opportunity to love and learn from so many different people."

Grace nodded, it was probably the best way anyone could explain it. She was shaped by the love and loss in their family, but would continue to grow with the love of others, without forgetting who they came from.

"Thanks Lori. I guess that's how I already think of him, as my adult friend and a great partner for mom. But after this morning I was thinking if they got married he'd be my step dad" she shrugged, "and then the word dad felt really weird."

Lori nodded, "yeah it is strange, but I think that's why I think Cassie grew into the role of my mom. I was younger than you though and needed a mother and she loved me unconditionally so I think it was inevitable. I think I will see Sam differently than that, more of a partner for mom instead of a dad. But still as someone who loves us and would do anything for us in this complicated and unruly world."

Grace nodded. She understood why Cassie was struggling, figuring out roles, relationships, and family positions in everyone's lives while respecting people lost from those roles. It wasn't about replacing love, it was about finding the right mindset to make the past and future merge in harmony.

They heard the front door open with Tara and Brandon emerging a minute later with boxes and bags from the Bistro.

"Stephanie sent rations," Brandon stated, laying a box filled to the brim on the table. "And this is just lunch."

"She said she's bringing dinner by later, just so we don't die of starvation," Tara added dropping her bags on the floor.

"How many people is she trying to feed?" Grace exclaimed, standing and sorting through bags, shocked at the staggering amount of food she was finding.

"You know her, she cooks when she's stressed, and gray days are always stressful. Plus she can't be here yet so she's compensating, which I, for one, am going to take advantage of," Brandon said as he dug into every container Grace was opening.

"You'd think I didn't feed him at home."

Brandon grinned through a mouth full of noodles and winked at Tara.

"Healthy appetite gives one energy for all sorts of activities my dear," he mused as she blushed, Grace and Lori exchanged a look and rolled their eyes.

"Anyone seen Mom since we left to get food?" Brandon questioned, still munching on the contents of yet another container.

Grace looked toward the kitchen window, "She and Sam were quietly sitting on the bench outside about 15 minutes ago."

Brandon paused, fork halfway to his mouth, "Sam?" he questioned, surprised Cassie was ready to talk already. This could be the fastest gray day they've had, record time actually. He glanced toward the kitchen door, streaks of sunlight filtered through the window pane but gray clouds were still hovering. Things weren't quite settled, the pot still stirred, was this the eye of the storm?