The morning of Jessica's funeral Annie sat Ellie on the chair in the hotel room and neatly french braided the girls hair adding black bows to the ends of the braids, before dressing her in the grey dress, black sweater, white tights and black shoes. She had another dress and tights in the diaper bag in case of an accident but Ellie had been potty trained for months now and only used pullups at night or for naps. Josh was in the shower which gave Annie a moment to get dressed in her black dress and tights, with a black jacket and black heels. She touched up her makeup and smoothed her hair. She tucked the pins holding her bun in tighter. She knew she was dressed appropriately for this. Josh's black suit was on the bed with a white shirt and black tie. It was somber and respectable.

They finished getting ready and got in the car.

Walking into the church Annie clung to Josh's hand. This was hard, so much had happened in this church. Whispers echoed around them trying to figure out who they were, people Annie recognized but was afraid to talk to. She just wanted to get though today for the final closure and go home. She wasn't particularly upset, she had said goodbye to her sister years before. This was the public show, she was here for Dan and Chris. Annie and Josh stood out of the way waiting for their family, it was best that they were as inconspicuous as possible.

"You okay," Teddy asked standing beside Annie.

"No," Annie admitted, "I didn't sleep well."

"Nightmare," Teddy asked.

Annie nodded, "I thought I was done with those. I hadn't had one in two years. Then I had coffee with Leslie yesterday to humor her and they came back."

"That was the trigger," Teddy said.

"But I don't know how to say no to her," Annie admitted, "she'll always be the mom that raised me. Even if she can't love or accept me. She's still my mom."

"I know sweetheart," Teddy said, "it hurts. I know you're hurting."

"I just want to go home," Annie admitted, "this feels really unsafe."

"What feels unsafe," Josh asked.

"This building, Leslie," Annie said.

"I'm not going to leave your side," Josh promised, "I won't let anyone here hurt you."

"You don't have to accept what Leslie says," Teddy reminded, "she said it but it's your choice if you want to believe it."

"I guess there'll always be some loyalty and it makes no sense," Annie said, "I know I can't be with her and that it's toxic. I know that but at the same time it's the woman who raised me. But she hasn't been my mother in 12 or 13 years."

"It's confusing," Teddy agreed, "what do you want to do?"

"Do just what we have to and go home," Annie said, "I have an appointment with dr Graff Monday."

"Good," Teddy said, "should you find Dan and Chris?"

"They're playing happy family with Leslie," Annie said, "she asked me not to participate. I'm just one of."

Across the church people were looking at Annie and whispering. They thought that was Annie but no one had seen her in 10 or 12 years, it was rumored she was why Dan had divorced Leslie. A few had seen wedding photos so knew Annie was married but she had moved to the states for work.

They found seats about half way back and sat down before Dan came to ask Annie and Josh to move forward.

"Annie come sit with us," Dan said.

"I'm okay here," Annie said, "just blending in."

"Don't let your mother push you out," Dan said, "I want you."

"It's not safe Dan," Annie whispered, "we're better here."

"You're welcome if you change your mind," Dan said.

The pastor started the service and Annie participated robotically, she didn't want to be here, she wasn't safe and she knew she was triggered. Josh looked concerned, he hadn't seen these behaviours in Annie since Ellie was an infant and Annie had made the choice not to allow Leslie in their lives. But Annie had given in to the guild trips from numerous relatives and had coffee with Leslie the day before, feeling bad for the woman who had raised her. Annie's feelings around it would always be complicated.

After the service they filed back into the church entryway and the Seattle family huddled together.

"Can we go," Annie whispered.

"We'll say goodbye to Dan and your grandparents," Josh agreed, "Teddy can you take Ellie out to our car?"

"We will," Teddy agreed.

Annie walked over to Grandmere, "we're going to go."

"Are you okay," Grandmere asked.

"It's just a lot," Annie said, "were going to be up in a few weeks for Katie's graduation and to help her move."

"Dan we're going to go," Annie said, "Ellie's getting cranky and needs her nap."

"Thanks for coming bear," Dan said, "I know this was hard."

"I had to say goodbye," Annie said, "you'll be home tomorrow?"

"I will," Dan said.

"Call if you need us," Annie said.

"I will," Dan said, "we'll see you tomorrow."

"Dinner," Annie said.

"Okay," Dan agreed.

Dan gave Annie a hug, "you never have to see your mom again. Annie it's okay to stick to your guns. I love you bear."

"Love you two dad," Annie replied.

They walked to their cars and said goodbye to the Seattle family. Once they crossed the border to go home Ellie fell asleep.

Seeing her daughter asleep Annie allowed the tears to fall.

"It's done," Josh promised, "you don't have to go back there."

"I can't do that," Annie cried, "we have to ignore Leslie. As much as she raised me and was my mother she never loved me for me. Even now she can't see me."

"You're triggered," Josh stated.

"I am," Annie said, "I need to go home and run. I need to run until I can't anymore."

"I have Ellie and dinner than," Josh said.

"I thought I was stronger than that," Annie sobbed.

"You are," Josh said, taking her hand, "it's like my mom. Leslie is a constant trigger for you. Don't answer her calls or texts. Annie you don't owe her anything."

"Why does it feel like I do," Annie asked.

"Because she manipulates you," Josh said, "Leslie can't see past her own narcissism. It's done."

"It's done," Annie said.

"Done," Josh said.

"So we go home and then we start planning Ellie's birthday I guess," Annie said, "she's three next month."

"Ideas," Josh asked.

"Backyard dinosaurs," Annie smiled, "she loves her dinos."

"A dinosaur dig in the sand," Josh suggested.

"We would need a sandbox," Annie replied.

"I thought we were getting her a swing set for her birthday," Josh said.

"We are," Annie said.

"Let's add a sandbox," Josh replied.

"Fill it with plastic dinosaurs for her and her friends to find," Annie replied, "invite the other kids in her daycare class."

"Catrina, Tyler, Allison, Leo," Josh listed.

"Hallie, James, Asher, Lily, Isabella, Tyson, Jonah, Olivia, Hope," Annie said, "a few friends from day care it's her group she's been with since she was a baby."

"Are we keeping her at the daycare for preschool," Josh asked.

"I want to for another year then see," Annie replied.

"When do we come back up," Josh asked.

"Six weeks for Katie's graduation," Annie said, "then a couple times a year to see Grandmere and papa. I don't need to come back. Dan wants to move down full time. It's only his parents here now."

"Are you sure your okay," Josh asked.

"I just buried the sister that tried to kill me twice," Annie said, "I don't know what I feel. She's gone. I have no reason to see Leslie. I'm not going to try theres no need to. I tried to be compassionate to a grieving mother who is totally alone and it ended up hurting me."

"They can't hurt you again," Josh said, "Jessica is gone. Leslie you don't have to try."

"Leslie is done," Annie replied, "I'll tell grandma in a few days."

"You don't look okay," Josh said.

"Completely worn out," Annie said.

"We're a good hour and a half from home," Josh said.

"I'm sleeping," Annie said.

"I think you should," Josh agreed.