I rush into Olivia's arms and the tears fall down my face. "Welcome home, Skylar." Olivia whispers, and I know that she is emotional as well because I can hear it in her voice. I pull away from the hug and start laughing.

"This is too wonderful to be true." I say. I stop for a moment, gathering myself together. "Thank you Olivia, and Laura."

"I hope the very best for you, Skylar." My social work says, and I hug her goodbye. Olivia and I go inside her apartment.

"This is really nice." I tell her, looking around. I also realize this is now my home, too. "Am I going to be here permanently?" I ask. Olivia smiles and strokes my hair. Just that small action is so comforting.

"Yes, you are. I've started the process to adopt you, and it should take a few months. I love you, Skylar."

I love you, Skylar. Hearing those words, words I have desired to hear for so long, are my undoing. I drop to the couch and let go, allowing my tears to fall unchecked. I'm not crying tears of sorrow, or grief for all that I have gone through. Instead, I'm crying tears of joy, tears of delight for the fact that I have found my guardian. Someone to not only care for me, but to protect me, nurture and love me.

Olivia sits down beside me and pulls me into her. I wrap my arms around her, trying to put all of my gratitude and thanks into the hug. Of course, it is impossible, for the gratitude I have for this woman has no end. I part from the hug and shake my head. "Olivia, I love you too. I can't thank you enough, for caring and loving me enough to want to be my adoptive mom. I have longed for someone like you for years now, and I have found you." This makes Olivia cry and she takes my hand.

"Skylar, this is a gift for me, too. I've always wanted to be a mother, and God has given me that privilege by blessing me with you. I can't wait to be a part of your life, to help you continue growing." I smile and my stomach growls, interrupting the moment. We laugh and Olivia stands up. "I hear you're hungry. Would you like to go out for dinner or stay here?"

I think about it. "Let's eat out." I suggest.

Olivia smiles and pulls me up by the hand. "Will it be mexican?" She asks, because she knows that is my favorite.

"Of course." I reply, and we leave our apartment. OUR apartment! The thought makes me laugh with joy.

Olivia laughs too. "What is it?"

"That is our apartment. Ours! Like, mine too and not just temporary. It feels incredible to have a home." I say. Olivia puts her arm around my shoulder.

"It feels incredible to have a daughter." She says and gives me a kiss on the head. At the restaurant, Olivia and I order a thing of fajitas to share and cheese dip and salsa.

We enjoy our meal and after we're finished eating we stay at the table another hour, visiting. I tell her about my childhood, my family, and other things she doesn't know about me. We laugh together, sharing funny stories and finally we leave after Olivia pays for our meal.

"Would you enjoy renting a movie to watch tonight?" Olivia asks.

"Yeah, that sounds fun." I say with a smile. We head to the nearest movie gallery and pick out The Blind Side. It's both one of our favorites! We head home and I realize I need to unpack. "Olivia I still haven't unpacked."

"Ok, let me show you your room." Olivia leads the way and my room is a plain one with tan walls and a queen sized bed that has a creme colored comforter and brown pillows. "I know it's not really suited for a 16 year old, but we'll go shopping this weekend and you can choose the colors you like."

"That sounds good. It's fine for now." I answer and she leaves me to unpack. I hang up all of my clothes and fill the dresser up and set the desk up with my laptop and speakers for my music. On my bedside table I place the book I'm currently reading and a photograph of my parents and I. After changing to shorts and a tank top I head to the living room and Olivia is sitting on the couch with her phone in her hand. "Is the movie in?" I ask.

"Yeah, it's ready to go." Olivia pats the seat next to her and I sit down. I place a blanket over us and lay my head on Olivia's shoulder and we watch the movie. At 9 pm the it is finished, and we get ready for bed.

"Goodnight, Olivia."

"Come here." She says with her arms open. I give her a hug and kiss on the cheek. "I love you, sweetie."

"I love you too. See you in the morning."

"Alright. Sweet dreams."

After I crawl in bed I think about the events of the past month. That evening in the alley with a blade in my hand. Waking up in the frigid hospital room. Meeting Elliot and Olivia and telling them my story. The trial and testifying. Spending time with Olivia and staying in Laura's office, and then today and this evening. A lot can happen in a month, and I've learned to hold on during the hard times, because if you don't, you won't be able to experience the aftermath and what greatness can come from it. A month ago I was questioning God's existence. For years, actually. But tonight as I lay in my new home, with my adoptive mother in the other room, I know he exists. He has given me Olivia, and he has given her me. I pray, thanking God for Olivia, my saving grace.

Thanks everyone, for reading this story! I had a lot of fun writing it, and I didn't plan for it to end so soon but I am going to be writing more stories featuring Skylar, sort of like a series. Much love

xoxoxo