Emma woke up to find her mother cooking breakfast in the kitchen. After everything that had happened, Emma was going to start going back to school. She just hoped the stares wouldn't be so bad this time around.
Her mom gave her a small smile. Their relationship would still take a lot of work, but both were willing to put in that work. Olivia passed the plate to Emma and squeezed her shoulder.
"I'm going to go wake up Gavin. Wouldn't want you guys to be late on the first day back."
Emma nodded and texted Gia to walk with her and Gavin.
I'm thirty seconds out. I make no promises to be civil if demon mom is there.
The pink ranger rolled her eyes.
She's here, but we're working on our relationship right now. You don't have to be a protective mama bear anymore.
As Emma put her phone down, she heard a knock on the door. When she opened it, she hugged her best friend.
"Don't attack her, she's waking up Gavin. She made my breakfast and she's really trying."
Right then, Mrs. Goodall came downstairs dragging a tired Gavin. Celebrations of Jake's birthday went late into the night since Ernie had given them his space. They wanted to live it up while they could, and milked every last minute.
Gavin felt that everything was starting to turn around for the rangers and things were going to start being normal again. The rest of the team shared that feeling as well and while they could enjoy this warm feeling of safety, they fully intended to. This meant Gavin had stayed up much longer than he should have considering his exhaustion and condition, and he was less than amused when his mother came to wake him up.
Mrs. Goodall smiled hesitantly. "Hello, Gia. I made breakfast... Feel free to help yourself."
"I'm not hungry."
Gia felt a slight nudge from her best friend and sighed. "I'll take one pancake, thanks."
The yellow ranger joined the younger Goodall at the breakfast table and ate while Emma joined her mother in the living room, waiting for them to finish.
"You seem a lot happier."
Emma looked up at her mother. "I am. It was... hard dealing with everything. Not having to worry about Gavin starving through the night and missing dinner has helped relieve a lot of my stress. I guess I was hesitant that you were back and the circumstances were less than ideal, but you've really been great. Thanks."
Mrs. Goodall couldn't meet her daughter'e eyes. "I know I've said it a thousand times before, but I really am sorry. I didn't mean for this to affect you so much. I knew it would be hard and I still put this all on you, and that's one of my greatest regrets. If I knew how much it hurt you, I would have come back so much sooner."
"Yeah, well, not everything was bad. To be completely honest with you, I still resent you a little. And I think a part of me always will." Olivia's face fell, but knew it was justified. "But... Gavin and I have really grown. He's not the little boy I used to protect from Dad. He's so strong, and through everything, he's been by my side. I'm grateful we got the opportunity to be siblings again. I was so hurt and broken after everything Dad put me through, and he really helped heal me."
"I'm glad you and your brother have picked up where you left off. I knew you would take care of him, no matter what. It probably doesn't mean anything coming from me, but I'm really proud of you. I wouldn't have been able to manage all the hours you worked, taking Gavin to the hospital, having to solely provide for both of you, and school. No thanks to me, but you have grown into a woman I'm proud to call my daughter. I haven't been around for the last decade, but you handled everything with such grace... I'm just proud of you."
Emma squeezed her mother's hand, but Mrs. Goodall pulled her in for a hug. "I'm so sorry, Emma."
The pink ranger was taken by surprise when her mother hugged her, but the shock only heightened when her mother started crying. Emma returned the hug.
Gavin walked in at the moment and saw he was interrupting a moment. But his mother saw him and stood up.
"You kids should probably be getting to school." Gia also came into the room, grabbing her backpack, and saw Mrs. Goodall with tears in her eyes.
She turned and walked out the front door, calling behind her that they were going to be late. The Goodall siblings realized she was right and scrambled to get their bags and follow.
When they were outside, Gavin stayed back so Gia and Emma could talk.
"Why was she crying?"
Emma looped an arm around her friend's shoulder. "She's really sorry about everything. We were just talking and things got emotional. But it was a good kind of emotional."
"I guess I should really stop hating her, huh?"
"You can hate her if you want, but she is trying to make amends. And I really don't want to hold a grudge against her. I just want to move on. She's proven she really cares, and having her take some of the responsibility has made me feel so much lighter. I don't want things to be rocky anymore."
Gia sighed. "Yeah, I get it. You and your mom should mend things while she's still around."
The yellow ranger felt herself being swallowed in a hug. "I'm really sorry, Gia. It's probably hard to see everything going on with my mom."
Gia then felt another presence behind her, joining the group hug.
"You guys totally forgot I was here, didn't you?"
Emma laughed as she let go. "Honest answer? Yeah."
Gavin stuck out his tongue. "Ignoring your little brother, your flesh and blood, for your friend. Whatever, I see how it is."
Gia just laughed. "We all know she loves me more. She even gives me amazing hugs."
"Hey! I hugged you too, doesn't mean I love you."
Gia poked him in the stomach and he squealed. Gavin started running away, not wanting to be tickled again.
The yellow ranger chased after him.
Emma just laughed to herself. She did worry a little that the running would put strain on his body and called out to the pair.
"Not too fast!"
Gavin slowed down, but not enough to forfeit his lead over Gia. She also slowed down along with him to keep it fair.
"Yes, mom."
Emma rolled her eyes and when they finally arrived to school, she saw Gia chasing him all the way to his first class.