"Are you sure this is something you want to do?" Gia asked as she and Emma stepped off the elevator and made their way down the hall. Gia doubled checked the apartment number her mother had written down to be sure they had the right one. "You don't owe her anything, you know that, right?"

"I know," Emma nodded her head and gulped when she reached the door, "But… but she is my mother. I feel like a proper goodbye is in order."

"You don't owe her that," Gia put her hand on Emma's shoulder and forced the pink Ranger to look at her, "I don't want you doing this if it's just going to hurt. You've been happy since the concert. I won't let her bring you down."

"Gia, I have an amazing family waiting for me at home," Emma smiled. She took Gia's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Mom can't bring me down anymore. Just let me do this."

"I'm here if you need me."

"I know," Emma smiled and then knocked on the door. There was a long pause as they waited for someone to answer. Gia was nervous they had picked a bad time. Maybe she was out. Finally, the door opened. Mrs. Goodall saw the girls and welcomed them inside. It was an awkward welcome, but it worked. They stepped in and took their seats on the couch. Gia didn't get comfortable. She was sure they wouldn't be here long.

"Emma, you have no idea how happy it makes me that you've come by," Mrs. Goodall said as she went to the kitchen to get the girls something to drink. "I know I've made some mistakes, and I know we can't fix things with just one talk but…"

"Mom, I'm happy now," Emma couldn't look up at her mother. Though a lot of hurt and anger had been caused by her, whenever Emma saw her mother she saw, well, her mother. While it hadn't worked out between them as a family, it was clear that it was all just a matter of Mrs. Goodall realizing too late how she had failed. Emma could understand her parents never meant any harm. They had just been clueless.

"I'm glad, Emma, I really am. I just hope one day you'll be able to share that happiness with…"

"I wouldn't hold my breath," Emma shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sorry mom but… but I've got all I need with the Morans. I want them to be my family."

"I understand, Emma, but…"

"Please don't fight it, mom."

"Mrs. Goodall, Emma isn't doing this to hurt you," Gia spoke up, seeing Emma looked a little upset and stuck as Mrs. Goodall's eyes started to water. "She's just trying to do what's best for herself, and personally, I think that's fair. You haven't been around. She shouldn't be expected to wait and see if you've changed."

"I'm letting you go, mom," Emma whispered. "You can see the world with your boyfriend or whatever. You can do all you've dreamed of doing. When you're ready for me, I'll probably be here. I'm not saying we can't be friends one day; I'm just… not now, mom. Please, I can't do this now."

"Vanessa always was the better mother," Mrs. Goodall sighed, and to Gia it looked like the words pained her as they passed her lips. Mrs. Goodall held back her tears and nodded her head, "I guess it's for the best. As long as this is what you want, Emma. As long as you're happy."

"Very," Emma nodded her head. She then looked nervously down at her hands, and then up again at her mother with the faintest of smiles. She stood up and walked over. She wrapped her arms around her mother, "Thank you."

"I'm just asking one favour," Mrs. Goodall said as she held her daughter close, "You can shut me out of your life, Emma, but I don't want to lose you. I want to stay in touch with the Morans just… just to ask about you from time to time. If… if that's okay…"

"I guess it's fair," Emma said. She pulled away from her mother and started to walk to the door. She couldn't stay for much longer or she would really start to cry. She left as quickly as she could.

Gia got up from the couch and followed Emma, but trailed behind slightly. Then, just as she was about to leave the apartment, she heard Mrs. Goodall call her back. She turned around and saw the teary eyed woman looking pleadingly to her.

"Please take good care of her, Gia."

"Always have," Gia nodded and walked out.

Mrs. Goodall watched as the door closed and then fell into a chair. She put her head in her hands and started to sob. This did feel like the right thing, but it was also very painful. She had failed as a mother and too late she had realized how important her daughter really was.

Outside, closer to the elevator, Emma stopped and leaned against the wall. Though this had been what she wanted, that didn't make it easy. Gia joined her and wrapped her in a hug.

"It's for the best. You don't need all this right now."

"Are you sure?" Emma asked. Gia nodded.

"Yeah. She'll wait for you. If you think you've made a mistake, she'll still be around."

"And if she's not?"

"Then you haven't made a mistake," Gia shrugged her shoulders. The elevator came and the girls got on. Gia took Emma's hand. "It's going to be okay."

"I just wish it felt like it would," Emma muttered. When they got to the lobby, she smiled a little to see Mr. and Mrs. Moran were waiting for her. Without having to ask, her parents took her in their arms for a hug.

"It's alright," they assured her. "It's for the best."

The hug lasted a little while longer. Gia noticed other people in the lobby were starting to stare and rolled her eyes. Finally, her parents and Emma broke apart. Mr. Moran let himself smile.

"So, I've packed the car, and the moving truck is already on its way to the house. Who else is ready to get out of that cramped hotel and back home?"

"My own bed," Emma chuckled and was nudged slightly by Gia.

"You're the bed hog."

"Neither of you have to sleep with your mother," Mr. Moran groaned and rolled his eyes. Mrs. Moran shot him a look before turning away in a teasing huff and walking out. Mr. Moran whispered to the girls, "She steals the blankets and the pillows."

"How does she steal pillows?" Emma frowned and looked to Gia. The yellow Ranger was equally confused.

"I don't know," Mr. Moran shrugged, "I'm never awake to see her do it, but she does. And when I get them back, there's drool everywhere."

"Joe, are you coming?" Mrs. Moran called when she saw her husband wasn't following, and instead whispering something to the girls.

"Yes dear," Mr. Moran said and hurried after his wife. Gia and Emma looked to each other and started to laugh.

"Not too late to turn around," Gia said. Emma shook her head.

"I'm happy. That's what matters."

"Good, so then you'll be happy keeping your old bedroom and leaving me with mine."

"Duh, obvious… wait. Your room is bigger."

"I know."

"Is there any kind of deal we can make?"

"Nope."

"Are you…"

"Nope."

"Please?"

"Nope," Gia answered and covered her ears with her hands as she started to walk. "No, no, no, no, no!"


Author's Note: Final reminder that I will be on hiatus for about a week. During this time I will not have internet access, therefore there will be no new updates and I will not be able to answer any PMs. On my return, I will do my best to catch up on everything I have missed while I was away.

Thank you for your patience. I hope you all have a great week, and I hope you enjoyed the story. Many more to come when I get back.

Lily Hanson