A/N: Sooo I've tried writing this chapter a couple times, but every time, I lose it. So hopefully this is the lucky try! Haha. And this is totally unrelated to the story, but on Facebook I friended the guy who took Taylor Swift to prom, and I friended Abiail (TS's BFF). So I'm pretty giddy right now. Now, back to Gracie! ENJOY, my darlings.

"Daddy!" Elba said excitedly. She leaned out of the arms of the woman holding her, anxiously awaiting her father's touch.

Thomas' eyes welled up with tears. "Oh... Elizabeth!" He rushed towards her, scooping her up into his arms.

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling like I was intruding on a private moment between family. The woman backed away, clearly uncomfortable too. We locked eyes, and she showed a small smile. I looked back to Thomas, who was staring down at Elba. His head snapped up when the woman cleared her throat.

"Oh, yes. Vivian. I will have your pay by the end of the week. Thank you for caring for Elba."

She nodded her head and silently left, closing the door softly behind her.

Thomas once again became hypnotized by his daughter.

"Gracie, come here please," he said to me. Then, to Elba, "Elba, darling, there's someone I'd like for you to meet."

I walked slowly towards the pair, trying to not seem too intimidating to the two-year-old. She stared at me curiously. I reached out my hand and gently touched her arm. "Hello, little one," I whispered.

Elba smiled and began giggling. "Hello!" she replied.

I started to laugh, too. Elba certainly was something, she was so charismatic.

"Elba, this is Gracie. Gracie will stay with us," Thomas explained.

Elba brought a hand to my face and touched my nose. "You're Gracie," she said.

Thomas chuckled at his daughter's words. I nodded. "Yes, I'm Gracie."

"Now that introductions are out of the way, I think I'll unpack. Gracie, could you watch Elba for a few minutes?"

"Of course." He set the girl in my epty arms. I was surprised by how heavy she was. I was so tiny myself, and already she was almost as big as me. I struggled under the weight.

Thomas flitted out of the room.

I grew tired quickly, but there wasn't a chair in sight. So, I improvised. I plopped down right onto the floor, relieved by the cool feel of the hardwood. I hiked up my skirt to expose my legs to the same feeling. Elba squirmed in my lap.

"So, what would you like to do?" I asked Elba.

She shook her head. "Nothing."

"Oh? But don't you want to play?"

Elba shook her head again. "No."

My face knotted in confusion. Sure, Elba was an incredible little girl, but she was strange.

"Alright, we won't do anything."

We sat on the floor for a few more minutes in total silence. Eventually, footstpes sounded behind us. I stood again, with Elba in my arms.

"Hello, ladies," Thomas said jokingly. Elba giggled. "Gracie, Elizabeth wasn't too much trouble I hope?"

I smiled. "Not at all! She's amazing, so well behaved for a toddler."

He walked over to us. "She certainly is. Now, I think I'll go put her down for a nap."

I handed Elba to Thomas, and he once more left the room.

I looked around, thinking of things to do. Finally, I came to the decision I needed air. I walked out the front door to sit on the porch. I inhaled deeply, greeted by the cool air.

The sun shone brightly, illuminating the leaves and grass. I closed my eyes, enjoying the peacefullness of spring.

I heard the door shut behind me. Opening my eyes, I saw Thomas sit next to me.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"I had so many chances to leave, but I never did. Even when I couldn't stand anyone in my life, this land always kept me tid here. It's what kept me sane. Even though I spen most of my time at sea, this place is my home. I'll never leave it."

I listened intently to his words. I realized that this was my home, now, too. I looked over to him, my hair flew in the breeze and reached out to caress his face.

"Gracie Baxter, I love you. I love you so much and I am so glad that I get to spend the rest of my life with you," he said.

"I love you too, Thomas."

He leaned down and kissed my forehead. I rested my head on his shoulder, enjoying the feeling of his embrace.

I had found my place in the world. Though I had never questioned it before, I knew where I belonged now. I had lived life as it came, not bothering to worry about tomorrow. That had been fun, but certainly didn't fit me. Now I was going to serve as a loving wife to Thomas Andrews, and a caring mother to his daughter. And I was okay with that.