A/N: Thank you for the lovely reviews and PMs. This chapter sort of continues the same line as the last chapter, except it happens about a month or so later.

Many thanks go to the ever-so-lovely blossom-of-snow for beta reading and editing this story, and doing a damn fine job at it.

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I will be going on a short hiatus and will resume posting new chapters in late January or early February. In the meantime, I wish you happy holidays!


There were very few instances in Sharon's life when her sense of occasion has been tested. If Sharon ever bothered to do quick math, then she was sure that about ninety percent of those times were related to Rainie. She loved the girl with all her heart, but she had to admit that Rainie's lack of enthusiasm with holidays, birthdays and important milestones was a disappointment.

She had expected a fully-armed resistance, with screams of 'you're ruining my life', and 'if you ever dare, I'll never talk to you', and possibly the throwing of objects and scribbling of profanities on her wall. When none of her worst case scenarios manifested, Sharon was surprised. Rainie simply didn't care about her graduation to even throw a fit about not wanting a party. Truthfully, Sharon couldn't blame her. Janice's disgusting behavior on prom night made Rainie hate and resent her classmates as a whole, and her summer school experience has been tainted. Even though her GPA was a well-deserved 3.6, she refused to celebrate, claiming that seeing the kids from school for the very last time was the best thing that happened to her in the academic year.

Reluctantly, Rainie allowed Sharon to invite a few people to a get-together if she was able to get in touch with any of the friends she claimed Rainie had. Clearly, she underestimates Sharon's ability to bring people together.

Sharon was thrilled to see that despite Rainie initial aversion to a graduation party, she still had a good time. It appeared that having the Major Crimes division there to celebrate her achievement and articulate their pride in her accomplishments had a positive effect on Rainie's mood. The addition of Jon Worth, who somehow managed to insert himself into the party, made it a bit more special, not because Rainie knew who he was, but because he offered her a job as a set PA on Badge Of Justice. Sharon wasn't sure how serious the offer was, or if Rainie even should apply for a job in an industry that could be particularly problematic for women to work in, but she wasn't going to contemplate the idea at the moment.

After all the guests left, Sharon began cleaning up. She put away the cake and snacks and began washing the dishes when Rainie came into the kitchen. Sharon didn't hear her walk in until she felt the girl's arms snaking around her from behind.

"Thank you, Sharon," she said softly. "I know that I'm not an easy person, but thank you for everything that you're doing for me."

"Sweetheart, it's absolutely my pleasure," Sharon replied. "Did you have a good time?"

"Surprisingly, I did," Rainie admitted.

"I'm glad," Sharon said. She was happy to see her daughter content. "I know that high school was rough for you. You've gone through a lot in those last three years, but I think that you learned to deal with disappointment maturely, and I hope that you use the upcoming year not only to rest a bit but also continue to work towards a better future."

"Are you upset that I didn't get into college like your other kids did?" Rainie asked, and Sharon could detect the hint of fear in her daughter's voice.

"No," Sharon replied. Five different rejection letters arrived between March and April. Two other colleges in the East Coast accepted Rainie on the condition that she graduates high school with a 4.0 GPA. Sharon was there when Rainie opened the first three letters and at Rainie's request, was the one to open the other four. "You'll have another chance next year."

"What if that doesn't work out?" Rainie wondered.

"Let's not worry about something that hasn't happened yet," Sharon said. "We'll figure out your options if and when that moment comes."

"Will you still want to adopt me if I don't go to college?" Rainie's voice shook.

Leaving the dishes and removing her gloves, Sharon turned around towards Rainie. "What kind of question is that?" she asked, cupping Rainie's face in her hands. "Rainie, I want you to be my daughter regardless of your ability to go to college."

"But you always say – 'be kind, be safe and go to college,' and now I'm not going to college, and what if I end up becoming nothing, like my mother?" The fear in Rainie's eyes told Sharon of the dark places the girl's head went to. "Like I used to be before you?"

"Honey, you are not nothing. You've never been, and you never will be," Sharon's voice was thick with emotion. "You will find your way in this world. And if it takes a year, or five – I'll be here for you every step of the way, I promise."

"Sometimes I feel like everywhere I go, people look at me as that girl who used to be a whore, and even in days when I manage to wake up in the morning and feel normal – something happens that makes me remember that I'm still that girl. I can't ever get away from it, not really."

"Maybe you're not supposed to forget where you came from. Simply remember where you are right now, and how far you've come from where you started," Sharon wrapped her arms around Rainie's shoulders. "I look at you, and I see a bright, kind, talented, intelligent and beautiful young woman, who's gonna kick some serious ass one day if she only learns to believe in herself," Sharon said.

"Did you just swear?" Rainie grinned.

"I did, and I'm not going to apologize for that, because I believe that it's true. You are a remarkable person, Rainie. And I have faith that you can make it out there and be everything you've dreamed of, and more," Sharon said. "You just need patience and confidence in who you are and what you can achieve. The rest will follow."

"No one ever believed in me like you do," Rainie wiped a tear that slowly made its way down her cheek.

"Maybe they didn't take the time to see what I see," Sharon replied.

"I love you, Sharon," Rainie wrapped her arms around her again and pulled her into a tight hug.

"I love you too, my beautiful daughter," Sharon said and kissed the side of Rainie's head.

They weren't sure how long they stood in each other's arms, but when Rainie stepped back, Sharon could see the lethargic expression on her future daughter's face. She smoothed Rainie's hair with her hand and gently cupped her cheek.

"Why don't you head to bed, sweetie?"

"It's not that late," Rainie argued.

"The clock might say it's not, but your face says it is," Sharon replied.

"What happened to 'be kind'?" The smirk that appeared on Rainie's face made her eyes light up with humor.

"Oh, I am being kind, believe me," Sharon teased her.

"Wow, that's a blow to my ego," Rainie joked. Sharon smiled. That girl had a wicked sense of humor that somedays was even worse than Ricky's. "Thank you for the lovely party, Sharon. You're the best."

"I'm glad you had fun," Sharon replied and caressed the girl's cheek.

"Goodnight," Rainie said. "Don't exhaust yourself. After all, you're the one here who can't afford to sleep in tomorrow."

"Hilarious!" Sharon called after Rainie as the girl walked down the hall to her room. "Goodnight, love! Sleep well!"

"You too!" she heard the muffled reply moments before she heard Rainie's bedroom door clicking shut. She hoped that their little conversation silenced the voices in Rainie's head that tried to put her down. It wasn't unusual for a teenager who's been rejected from five universities to feel incompetent. But Rainie has had more to deal with than the normal teenager, and the mere fact that she graduated high school with high marks was commendable. She didn't share Rainie's worries that she won't get into college the following year. On the contrary, she was sure that after recovering from her difficult high school experience, Rainie would blossom and have much better chances at being accepted into any university she desired to attend. She knew that Rainie had her eye on USC's art program, and she thought that for Rainie to get in there, a good college essay and a solid portfolio would probably be enough, and until applications were due in December, she wanted Rainie to relax and make meaningful memories. She was sure the rest will come in due time.

-TBC-


As always, I'd love to know what you thought about this chapter, so feel free to leave a review or send me a PM.