Always in My Dreams

by dustypencils

AU. Olivia and Fitz have been married for 6 years and have a four-year-old daughter named Cena. Olivia runs a nonprofit she founded and Fitz is a retired Naval officer who negotiates business deals for high-profile clients. Olivia has left their home and Fitz does not know why or where she is. Find out how these two came together and why Olivia felt she needed to leave her family.

74. Chapter 74 Tamika

A/N: If you are still interested in this story, I am finally posting an update. This chapter is big because I am truly trying to finish the story. Tell me what you think, and happy International Women's Day. I wonder if Mona is attending the event. Haha. That reference is for those of you who have been following the story. Stay safe and mask up!

Chapter 74. Tamika

Fitz takes his eyes off the road for a brief moment to glance over at his wife who is sitting in the passenger seat twisting her fingers, her telltale sign that she is worried. He slides his hand over the SUV's center console and brings her hand to his lips, giving her a reassuring smile and silently trying to convey that everything is going to be all right. He returns his eyes to the highway, driving them to Lincoln Memorial Hospital for their 10 o'clock appointment. Olivia squeezes his hand because she knows he is anxious, too.

Dr. Perry scheduled Olivia for a growth scan this morning to check the development of the babies. After two successful pregnancies, they both know the scan is a routine, third-trimester test. Unfortunately, thoughts of Abby's premature delivery of Baby Joshua fill them with concern, preventing them from wholly enjoying what should otherwise be an exciting event.

XXX

Running at warp speed through the family room toward the kitchen, Cena and Asha stop suddenly when they reach the entryway. They cover their mouth with their hands, trying to quell their giggles when they see Jolie standing in front of the copper farmhouse sink next to Jeffries trying to emulate his movements. Jolie is becoming Jeffries' new best friend. The giggles escape their mouths when Jolie loses her balance and almost topples to the floor. Jolie flashes the older girls a hard glare before bringing her hands back together, as if in prayer, and resumes her yoga practice.

Unfazed by the giggles, Jeffries remains focused and in position, inhaling deep, cleansing breaths, and slowly exhaling. His lower back is acting up again, so, for a few minutes, several times a day, he stands in the yoga tree position to stretch his lower-back muscles and calm his mind. Jeffries slowly lowers his left leg to the floor, places his hands down to his sides, and slowly opens his eyes. Jolie copies his movements as best as she can. Feeling relaxed and calm, Jeffries turns and smiles at Cena and Asha.

"Can I do something for you, Little Ones?"

"Jo is trying to do what you do — but she keeps falling," Asha says through the laughter.

"You mustn't laugh at things you don't understand," Jeffries says, gently admonishing the girl. "You must always seek to learn about the unfamiliar."

"What were you doing, Jeffries?" Cena asks with curiosity.

"It's called yoga."

"Yoga," Jolie repeats, having already been schooled by Jeffries.

"What's yoga?" Asha asks as she and Cena walk over to the farmhouse sink.

"Yoga is a set of exercises called poses —breathing techniques — and meditation principles."

"What's meditation?" Cena asks.

"Meditation is the practice of paying attention to the present moment. It's about calming your mind and listening closely to your body's sensations — your thoughts — and emotions —in order to see them more clearly."

Asha and Cena look at each other and shrug their shoulders. They have no idea what Jeffries is talking about.

"Is it like dancing? Miss Ebony says we have to stretch our muscles before dancing."

'It's not quite like dancing — but you do stretch the body's muscles."

"Can you teach us — too?" Asha asks eagerly.

"Of course — but later. I have much work to do right now. Okay?" Jeffries walks over to the refrigerator to start preparing lunch.

"Yay," Cena and Asha squeal, jumping up and down with joy.

"Yay," Jolie squeals, jumping up and down, too.

"Jo is a handful. She climbs on everything and takes off her clothes," Asha says, giving Jeffries the scoop on the toddler as she climbs onto the stool to sit at the island. She eyes the colorful vegetables in the oversized, wooden bowl that is sitting on the island top.

"Jolie — are you a handful?" Jeffries asks, smiling down at the toddler. Jolie smiles and covers her face with her hands. "She's just curious about the world around her."

Cena climbs on the stool next to her friend and rests her elbows on the granite island top. Jolie is not the only one who is curious about their colorful new helper.

"GoGo couldn't find her glasses because JoJo was hiding them behind the big flowerpot."

"Jo is so smart. After daddy reads our bedtime story we're supposed to go to sleep."

"But — she always gets out of bed and pushes her chair over to the wall," Asha says.

"She turns on the light."

"Baaba says he always finds her sitting on the floor playing with toys."

"And with no pajamas on. She's hot all the time. Daddy says she's a hot box."

"Jolie — why do you get out of bed after the lights are out?" Jeffries asks.

"I want to play," Jolie says innocently.

"Daddy says playtime is over — but she still gets out of bed."

"Daddy play with me. We drink tea," Jolie says, revealing the secret. With eyes wide and mouths slightly agape, Cena and Asha look at each other. They had no idea Jolie gets to stay up late.

"Is GoGo bringing the babies home today?" Asha asks Jeffries.

'No. The babies come home in December," Cena says, answering for Jeffries.

"Cena is right — the babies will come home in December. GoGo and your Baaba went to the hospital this morning to make sure the babies are growing properly."

"How do they know?" As an only child, Asha is unaware of the pregnancy cycle and how babies are monitored.

"Doctors have a special machine called an ultrasound. The ultrasound machine takes pictures of the babies that are inside of GoGo's stomach."

"Mommy showed me pictures of Jo when Jo was in her stomach."

"How did the babies get in GoGo's stomach?" Asha asks with confusion in her eyes.

"GoGo and Baaba will have to explain that to you," Jeffries says as he pulls foodstuff from the refrigerator to prepare their lunch.

Having worked in households with young children for almost 20 years, Jeffries believes in giving children direct and truthful answers and not sugarcoat them. However, he will never tell children more than what is age appropriate, or what the parents want them to know.

XXX

Fitz smiles as he watches his wife pop another Crab Rangoon into her mouth. In addition to their entrees, Olivia ordered three different appetizers and she is working on her second glass of iced tea. She has been eating and talking nonstop ever since they arrived at the restaurant. She is giddy, perhaps, even euphoric. He has not seen her this happy in quite some time. Everything that is happening with CPS and Asha has created a pall over their home.

"Babe — I haven't been to — we haven't been to this restaurant in ages. You know how much I love it here. In fact — we haven't been on a date — I mean a real date — just the two of us — in ages. Are you starting to take me for granted?"

Olivia bursts into laughter at the unintended pun. Patrons' heads turn in their direction and Fitz shakes his head. She is happy. Her smile is like a cool breeze on a sweltering July day.

"Are you getting high off all that food you're eating?"

"I am so happy, Fitz. I mean Cloud 9 kind of happy. Our babies are perfect. Everything about them is perfect. I was so worried."

"I told you they were fine. You worry too much."

"You were worried — too. I saw it in your eyes," she says, sliding another forkful of the Chicken Pad Thai into her mouth.

"Can I get you anything else — some dessert?" The waitress asks, glancing at the table filled with food. Olivia looks at Fitz.

"Give my wife whatever she wants."

"I'll have the pistachio ice cream — the Mississippi mud pie — and some of those little doughnuts with the different dipping sauces. Extra caramel — please."

"Would you like any dessert, sir?"

"No. Thank you."

"I'll be back shortly," the waitress says, stuffing the order pad into her apron pocket as she turns away.

"I'm going to get fat if I keep eating all of this food."

Fitz raises his eyebrows, thinking she is going to be in the bathroom all night, as he watches her sip the iced tea.

"I love your smile. You're always the prettiest woman in the room."

Olivia blushes at the compliment. After all of these years, her husband still has that effect on her.

"I bet you say that to all the girls," her smile broadening.

XXX

Three pairs of eyes watch Jeffries as he walks around the family room lighting scented candles with the candle lighter. Bowtie's ears perk up as the wicks starts to burn. He enjoys sniffing all the new smells Jeffries has introduced to the home.

"As you learn how to do yoga poses — I will instruct you to notice your breath — and the way your body moves during the exercises. Breathing techniques are an important part of yoga. Breathing in specific ways helps you to stay focused — reduce stress — and calm the mind. Are you ready to get started?" Jeffries asks as he stands in front of the girls who are lined in a row.

"Yes," the three barefoot girls respond in unison.

"All right. Let's get started."

The girls squirm with anticipation.

"Hands down to your sides. Shake your hands —make them loose."

The girls flap their hands like flags blowing in the wind.

"Now — we're going to practice breathing. Inhale. Fill your belly with as much air as you can."

The sounds of the girls sucking in the air fill the room. Jolie starts to cough; she has inhaled too much air.

"Now exhale. Try to empty your stomach of as much air as you can."

The girls loudly blow the air through their mouths, expelling the air from their stomachs.

"Again — fill your belly with as much air as you can. Hold it. Hold it. Now exhale — slowly. Mindful breathing is an excellent way to calm the mind and body," Jeffries says with his eyes closed, slowly inhaling and exhaling.

Cena and Asha look at each other and smile. They still do not understand all the words Jeffries is using but they are having fun at home since their camps are closed today.

'Next — we're going to practice our first yoga pose."

Cena and Asha get excited and they smile broadly.

"The tabletop pose is the starting position for many other poses such as cat and cow."

"Cat and cow?" Asha says, scrunching her face.

"You'll learn about those positions at another time. Now — follow what I do," Jeffries says, getting down on all fours. "Rest on your hands and knees."

The girls get down on all fours.

"Bring your knees hip-width apart."

"What's hip width?" Cena asks. Jeffries gets up and adjusts Cena's knees so they are aligned with her hips. He does the same for Asha and Jolie.

"Place your palms directly under your shoulders. Make sure your fingers are facing forward and your back is flat."

Jeffries places his hand on Asha to flatten her back. He helps Jolie to flatten her back, too.

"Very good, Cena. Everyone - look at me. Your pose should look like mine," Jeffries says, getting back onto the floor and resuming the basic position.

Cena and Asha look at his pose, widening their legs and flattening their backs. Jolie tries to emulate the older girls' moves.

"We will hold this position for one minute." He knows the girls cannot hold the position longer. After one minute passes, Jeffries transitions the girls to meditation.

"That was fun," Cena says, her face flush from holding the tree pose for one minute.

"I couldn't keep my back flat," Asha says.

"You'll get better with practice." Jeffries gives Asha an encouraging smile.

"Finally — we're going to meditate for three minutes. Sit on the floor with your backs against the sofa."

The girls scurry across the room, sit on the floor, and press their backs against the sofa's frame. Their legs are stretched out in front of them.

"Relax your hands and close your eyes."

Jolie looks over at Cena and Asha, whose eyes are closed. She closes her eyes, too.

"During meditation — your mind will roam. You may notice other sensations in your body. You may notice things happening around you or just get lost in thought. There's nothing wrong with this — thinking is just as natural as breathing. It's natural for the mind to wander. When this happens — I want you to simply notice what you were thinking about or what was distracting you. Then — take a moment and pause. Then continue to meditate."

After a few unsuccessful attempts at trying to clear her mind, Asha opens her eyes and looks over at Jeffries who is sitting next to her with his eyes closed; inhaling and exhaling.

"I can't stop thinking," Asha says with frustration.

"Me either. The birds are too loud," Cena says.

"Don't worry, Little Ones — it takes practice to learn how to calm your mind," Jeffries says with his eyes closed.

After a minute, Jolie starts to fidget. She does not know what she is supposed to be doing. The sound of the alarm system chiming is a welcomed relief for the toddler. She takes off running from the room. Mommy and daddy are home.

"Something smells good," Olivia says, walking into the family room carrying her bag of leftovers from lunch.

With Jolie in his arms, Fitz stops in the doorway, frowning when he sees Cena, Asha, and Jeffries sitting on the floor with their eyes closed. He wonders what the heck is going on.

XXX

Uncertain of what to expect this morning during their meeting with Cynthia Harrington, Olivia and Fitz hold hands as they walk in silence down the long, tiled hall toward the social worker's office. Cynthia was opaque about the meeting's purpose when she called last week saying she had news for them. News can be either good or bad. Olivia inhales softly, tightening her grip on her husband's hand when she sees Cynthia walk out of her office.

"Good morning, Mrs. and Mrs. Grant," Cynthia says with a forced smile as she glances at the couple holding hands. She is tired this morning. She and Frank, her husband, were up late last night fighting once again about her overspending.

"Good morning, Mrs. Harrington," Olivia replies.

"Good morning," Fitz says half-heartedly.

"Come in and have a seat," Cynthia says, turning and leading the way into her office.

Fitz helps to lower his wife down into one of the small chairs that is situated in front of the desk. He sits down in the chair next to her, crosses his legs, and takes Olivia's hand in his.

"Thank you for coming in this morning Mrs. Grant — Mr. Grant. May I offer you something to drink - coffee — water — "

"No — thank you," Olivia replies politely and Fitz remains silent, looking past the woman. He cannot tolerate looking at her.

"I asked you here this morning to provide you an update on the investigator's efforts to find Asha's family and discuss the next steps."

Olivia holds her breath, rubbing the amethyst crystal between her thumb and forefinger as she watches Cynthia place the reading glasses on the bridge of her nose. Cynthia begins to read the investigator's report.

"Mr. Chambers — our investigator — found a sister of Kelly Innis. Her name is Tamika Richardson. She is Miss Innis' younger sister. She is 29 and has just completed her nursing degree. She is married to Michael Richardson. Mr. Richardson is a Master Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. For the past 18 months Mr. Richardson was stationed in Germany —at the US Army Bavaria Garrison, headquartered at Grafenwöhr. The Richardsons recently returned to the States where they now live in Columbia, South Carolina. Mr. Richardson is stationed at Fort Jackson and Tamika Richardson works as a registered nurse at Prisma Health Children's Hospital. They recently bought a home and they don't have any children."

Cynthia clears her throat, removes her eyeglasses, and looks up at the Grants.

"The Richardson's are an exemplary couple," Cynthia says, glancing at Fitz' crimson face before continuing. "You should know — Mrs. Richardson had no idea that her sister had passed away. Of course — she was devastated when she heard the news. She also had no idea her sister had a child — that she has a niece. It has been years since the sisters had seen each other."

"So — what does all this mean, Mrs. Harrington?" Olivia asks in a measured tone, trying to control her anxiety.

"Mrs. Richardson wants to meet her niece." This bit of information gets Fitz' attention and he looks up at Cynthia.

"Meet her? What does that mean — meet her?" Fitz asks, staring coldly at the woman.

"As I told you the first time we met, Mr. Grant — CPS' first goal is to ensure the welfare and safety of children. Our second goal is reunification."

He is fed up with the woman dangling the carrot — pretending she is working with them when in fact she is working against them.

"Don't give me that welfare of the child crap. That wasn't your first goal. Your first goal was to remove Asha from our home. Why would you want to snatch a little girl from the only other family she has known since she was born?"

"Fitz," Olivia cautions, placing a steady hand on his arm.

"No one is snatching anyone, Mr. Grant," Cynthia says, trying to maintain a calm tone.

"Really — then why are you bringing this aunt here? What's the purpose? The woman is a complete stranger."

"Mr. Grant — at one point — you and your wife were strangers — too. Yes — Asha attended dance class with your daughter — and you hosted a few sleepovers at your home — but — "

"It was much more than a few sleepovers. Kelly entrusted her daughter's safety to us. Asha was practically living with us full time when her mother died."

"Fitz."

"No. She's trying to make us out to be a couple of strangers when we are much more than that. Asha is much more than our daughter's sleepover friend. She is family. I won't let her try to make it anything less."

"I can appreciate —"

"You can't appreciate a damn thing. You would rather remove a fragile child from the home where she is loved and cared for because of some antiquated policy? What the hell is wrong with you? Don't you think that little girl has been through enough?"

Cynthia inhales deeply. The self-entitled man is testing her patience.

"Fitz," Olivia says, trying again to calm her husband who is seething with anger. "My husband is very concerned about Asha's well-being. We both are."

"Don't be nice to her. She didn't like us from the first day we walked into this office and I want to know why," he demands, the veins on his forehead stand out like whipcords.

"Calm down, babe."

"I won't calm down. I want to know what you have against us. I want to know why you're so determined to remove Asha from our home."

"Mrs. Grant —"

"Don't talk to my wife — talk to me. Answer my damn question," he demands.

Cynthia springs to her feet, sending her chair crashing back against the small credenza and causing the photographs of family and friends to topple over. She has had enough. She was born and raised on the tough side of town and she is not a stranger to defending herself. Many days when she walked home alone from school she had to battle the tough, older girls. Most of the time, she was able to hold her own in the fights. But now she is a grown woman who is married, has a child, and lives in a better neighborhood than the one in which she was raised. She prefers to keep that side of her personality at bay, but sometimes people like Fitzgerald Grant try to test her.

"Under the circumstances — I've been patient with you, Mr. Grant — but I won't tolerate your foul language for another minute. You kept that little girl in your home for months after her mother died. You're a reputable attorney— President of City Council — you know you should have brought her in long ago — but you didn't. You didn't because you think your privilege affords you the right to take whatever you want — whenever you want it. The only reason you came to CPS is because you hit a wall. If you didn't need official documents to enroll Asha in camp you would still have that little girl living illegally in your home. Now— you bring your self-entitled attitude in here thinking you can just roll over me — and I will rubber-stamp your agenda. Well — that ain't gonna happen. Your money buys nothing in here, Mr. Grant — and it certainly won't buy that little girl."

"Privileged? Self-entitled? Is that what this is all about? You're willing to ruin a little girl's life because you have a personal problem with us?"

"Fitz, please."

"Why do you assume what you have to offer Asha is better than what her aunt has to offer? Asha has a family— a real family — and she deserves to know them and they deserve to know her — whether you like it or not."

"A shared bloodline does not make a family, Mrs. Harrington."

Cynthia takes a deep and calming breath before continuing. She hates that she allowed the man to upset her.

"Tamika Richardson arrives next Tuesday. She'll be in town for three days. Have Asha here next Wednesday morning at 9:30 so she can meet her aunt — or —"

"Or what, Mrs. Harrington?"

"I'm not going to argue with you any longer, Mr. Grant. I can have the authorities go to your house this minute and remove that little girl from your home. Is that what you want?"

Cynthia glares at the irate man letting him know she is not messing around.

"Let's just go, Fitz," Olivia says, tugging on her husband's arm. Fitz continues to stare at the woman with disdain.

"I hope you know what the hell you're doing."

"Come on, Fitz — we're done here," Olivia says, giving Cynthia a look that says I know why you're doing this.

XXX

As Fitz carries the dinner dishes over to the sink, a few plates and pieces of silverware slip from his hands and crash to the floor.

"Dammit."

Cena and Asha look at Olivia, waiting for her to admonish him the way she does when he says the bad word. But to their surprise, she remains silent.

"Breathe, daddy," Jolie instructs her tense father as he bends down to pick up the shards of broken pottery.

"Get the girls ready for bed, babe. I'll finish cleaning the kitchen."

XXX

Olivia glances around the kitchen one more time checking that everything is in place for when Jeffries arrives in the morning. She turns off the lights and walks through the family room and down the hall to the study. Closing the door behind her, she settles into the well-worn leather chair and pulls on Fitz' sweater. She presses the power button on his computer and smiles when the screensaver displays a picture of him and the girls shopping at the farm. She shakes her head when she sees her baby is dressed in a multi-patterned and multi-colored outfit. Fitz obviously acquiesced to Jolie's outfit choice. He would let her wear almost anything as long as she wore something.

Olivia clicks the videoconference icon and waits for one of her parents to answer. Seeing her parents and hearing their sage advice is always enlightening and comforting.

"Livvia — how are you doing, baby? It's been a while since we've heard from you. Stand up and let me see you," her mother says with excitement.

Smiling, Olivia stands and proudly rubs her stomach.

"My goodness, Livvia— the babies are really growing. How are they doing? How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, mom. The babies are fine," she says, sitting back down in the chair. "Fitz and I saw the doctor a few weeks ago. The babies are high and my cervix is closed. We had a growth scan — too. Do you want to see the pictures?"

"Of course - I do. You haven't sent your father and me any pictures of the girls in a while — but I forgive you now that I can see my new grandbabies."

When the ultrasound pictures display on the screen, Gwendolyn's eyes well up and she brings a hand to her mouth.

"Oh, Livvia — they are just adorable. Look at how they're hugging each other."

"I know," Olivia says, proudly smiling at the screen.

"How are my other grandbabies doing?"

"Cee and Jo are fine — too. I'm sorry — I haven't called lately — so much is going on," Olivia sighs.

"Is Fitzgerald still fighting with his father?" Gwendolyn asks, shaking her head from side to side.

"Not openly — but he still doesn't want anything to do with Gerry. When we were at the hospital—"

"Hospital? Why were you at the hospital? I thought you said you were fine. Are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine, mom — but Abby had an emergency C-section. The baby came early. The family was all there — of course."

"My, God, Livvia. Is Abby all right? How's the baby?"

"The baby is fine. They're both home now — but mom — I think something's going on with Abby. She doesn't seem like herself."

"What do you mean?"

"She's been quiet and withdrawn since she delivered. You know that's unlike, Abby. She won't let anyone hold Joshua — that's the baby's name — not even John."

"That doesn't sound good, Livvia. Have John keep an eye on her — she might be experiencing postpartum depression."

Olivia nods her head.

"So — what's going on with Fitzgerald and Gerry?"

"Things between them haven't gotten any better. In the waiting room — at the hospital— Cee wanted to show Gerry her watch and Fitz wouldn't allow her to talk to him. Of course — Cee doesn't understand why."

"This is not good, Livvia. Cena loves her grandfather. There has to be more to this secret organization story than what your husband is telling you."

"I know," Olivia says tiredly, running her fingers through her hair.

"Whatever it is — it must be really bad. The Grants have a lot of quirks — but they have always been a close-knit family. Fitzgerald will tell you when he is ready. It takes some men a while to process things."

"What are you saying about men processing things?" Calvin asks as he walks into camera view and sits down on the sofa next to his wife.

"Hi, dad. How are you doing?" Olivia asks, smiling broadly like a little girl. She is so happy to see her parents.

"I'm doing all right for an old man. How are you doing, Pumpkin? How are my grandbabies?"

Olivia stands again to show off her growing belly.

"You look good, Livvia — really good. Nice and plump."

"Calvin — you don't ever call a woman plump — not even one who is pregnant with twins."

"Oh — shush, Gwennie. My daughter knows I'm only teasing her."

"I know — old man," Olivia says, returning the tease.

"Touché. Touché. Now how are my other two grandchildren?" Calvin asks, his arm draped over Gwendolyn's shoulders.

"Livvia — put the pictures back up so your father can see the twins. They're hugging each other, Calvin. They're just adorable," Gwendolyn says, getting teary-eyed again. Calvin grows misty-eyed, too, as he stares at the screen.

"A miracle," he says softly.

"Are you crying, dad?"

"A grandfather reserves the right to get a little emotional when he sees his grandchildren," Calvin says, brushing the back of his hand over his cheek. Gwendolyn places a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Tell me about my two other grandbabies. How are they doing?" Calvin asks.

"Cee and Jo are fine. They're growing like weeds. Cee and Asha are in summer camp for the next few weeks — until school reopens."

"You mean Fitzgerald allowed the girls to go to camp? Now — that's what I call progress," Calvin says with a chuckle. "Fitzgerald is a good man."

"The girls absolutely love it, dad. They both come home every day talking a mile a minute about their day. Cee goes to an arts camp and Asha attends a STEM camp. She's also getting grief counseling at camp."

"That's good, Livvia. That little girl has been through so much," Gwendolyn says. "Livvia — you look a little tired — is everything all right?"

"Mom — things aren't good," Olivia says sadly and Calvin immediately leans forward and scowls at the camera.

"What has Fitzgerald done now?" Calvin blurts out.

"Fitz hasn't done anything, dad. It's about Asha. I think we're going to lose her."

"Lose her? What's going on, Livvia?" Gwendolyn stammers.

"Fitz and I met with the CPS social worker again today."

Social worker? Why are you two meeting with a social worker?" Calvin asks, the furrow in his brow deepening.

"We couldn't enroll Asha in camp without her birth certificate and immunization records. We didn't have any of those things so we contacted CPS to let them know about Kelly — about the situation. It was time — past time — really. Unfortunately — doing so opened a huge can of worms."

"Oh -no — Livvia."

"Mom — the social worker says we should've brought Asha in right after Kelly died. In hindsight — I wish we had. We could've avoided so much pain."

"Hindsight is always 20-20. Livvia. As a mother — you know every child deserves to live in a safe and loving home. You and Fitzgerald provided that precious child what she needed at the time. No one can fault you for doing the right thing."

"I wish the social worker saw it that way. We let it go on for too long, mom. I think we only delayed the inevitable. CPS wants to try to find Asha's family — Kelly's siblings. In the meantime— they made us Asha's foster parents."

Calvin eyes his daughter closely, thinking this situation is becoming too complicated.

"Fitz didn't like the idea — of course. He wants to keep Asha — and so do I."

"I thought Kelly's siblings were traumatized as children since they grew up in foster care. I didn't think they were in a good place emotionally," Gwendolyn says.

"That was my understanding — too. But CPS needed to do what they call a reasonable search to determine if there is a suitable family member who might want her. CPS' first objective is to reunite families."

"Have they found anyone?" Calvin asks.

"They found an aunt — Kelly's sister. Her name is Tamika Richardson. She arrives in Washington next Tuesday. She wants to meet her niece — of course. She didn't know Asha existed. She didn't even know her sister had died. It's all such a mess."

"Aww, baby — I'm so sorry. I know how much Asha means to you and Fitzgerald."

'We have no idea what's going to happen when Tamika arrives. We don't have any rights — really."

"Livvia — you say the aunt is coming to meet Asha— you didn't say she was coming to take the girl," Calvin clarifies.

"Dad — the social worker had the aunt investigated. She and her husband seem to be good people. Why wouldn't they want her?" Olivia says as the tears begin to stream down her face.

"Baby — I want you to stay calm. You can't let this thing get you too upset. You cannot control what will happen. It's all in God's hands now."

"I just don't want Asha to think we're abandoning her, mom. I don't want her to think we don't love her. She's so happy right now."

"That little girl knows how much you and Fitzgerald love her. But — you and Fitzgerald must sit her down and explain what is going on. You must prepare her for the possibility that she may have to leave your home. Use language that she'll understand."

"I know. We have to take her to CPS next Wednesday so she can meet her aunt. If we lose her — Fitz is going to be devastated. He's already upset with the whole process. He hates the social worker."

"Livvia — if this aunt wants to unite with her niece — it will be hard for your family and Asha. But — in time — everyone will get beyond this."

"Don't be so callous, Calvin."

"I'm not being callous. I just don't want anyone to look at this thing through rose-colored glasses. Anything can happen. Fitzgerald is a smart and wise man. In the end — he will do what is best for everyone involved."

'I know, dad," Olivia says sadly.

"The sting of losing Asha will linger for a while — if it comes to that," Calvin adds quickly. "But — in a few short months — you both will have your hands full taking care of two more beautiful children."

"Livvia — in Africa — children have fled wars — survived famines — and other catastrophes. When they get the support and opportunity on the other side of the disaster — they do and can recover. It's what we as adults do to respond to their trauma is what's so crucial to their healing."

"Let's pray the aunt is a good person," Olivia says.

"We'll keep Asha in our prayers, baby."

"Thanks, mom. I do have some good news — though," Olivia says, perking up a bit as she brushes the tears from her cheek.

"What is it, baby?" Gwendolyn asks, eager to hear that there is some good that is happening in her daughter's life.

"We hired a helper. His name is Jeffries."

"You hired a male housekeeper? What the heck is wrong with Fitzgerald? The minute I think he's evolving — is no longer a controlling Neanderthal —the next minute I realize he has lost his mind," Calvin says with disgust.

"Shush, Calvin."

"Jeffries is terrific, dad. He has so much experience — and he's not bad on the eyes either. He sort of looks like Lenny Kravitz," Olivia adds with a smile.

"You mean the singer? The son of the woman who played on The Jeffersons television show back in the 70s?" Gwendolyn asks excitedly.

"Yup. A dead ringer," Olivia says, smiling as she nods her head up and down.

"Oh — Livvia — Lenny Kravitz is so handsome. I can't wait until December so I can meet Jeffries," Gwendolyn gushes and Calvin rolls his eyes.

"Be careful, ladies. It sounds like you two are objectifying the man."

XXX

Dressed in her favorite pajamas that GoGo allowed her to select, along with a bunch of other clothes, when they went shopping at the mall, Asha lies in bed looking around her new bedroom and smiles. It is so pretty, just like Cena's room, except it is decorated in her favorite color of purple. Some of her toys and books line the shelves of what GoGo calls a hutch. The hutch sits on top of a dresser that has lots of drawers for her clothes that do not hang in the closets.

Asha likes everything about her bedroom, but she likes the telescope the most. One day she came home from camp chattering incessantly about what the counselor taught the kids about the solar system. The next day, when she came home, Baaba surprised her with a new telescope. He set it up in her room so she could gaze at the planets and stars whenever she wanted. He warned her to never-ever look at the sun through the telescope. He said the sun is powerful and it could harm her eyes. She promised him that she would never-ever look at the sun. But sometimes, at night, after Baaba has read their bedtime story and they are supposed to go to sleep, she looks through her telescope, up at the sky, trying really hard to find her mommy. Miss Britney, the Sunday School teacher, says her mother is way up in the sky with God.

"Hey, Tink — did you enjoy your dinner tonight?" Fitz asks, when he walks into the room and sits on the side of her bed.

Asha giggles because Baaba gave her a nickname just like Cena and Jolie. Cena is Princess. Jolie is Angel. And she is Tink. Baaba calls her Tink because she likes to tinker with all sorts of things since she started Science camp.

"I did. But - Baaba — Jeffries cooks a lot of weird food," scrunching her face.

"It's called healthy food. Jeffries is a really good cook."

"Not better than you," her wide smile displaying the missing tooth.

Fitz presses a kiss to her forehead as Olivia walks into the room.

"Hi, GoGo. I told Baaba I like his food better than Jeffries — but I like some of Jeffries' food — too."

"Baaba is certainly a good cook," Olivia says, sitting down on the edge of the bed next to her husband. "I don't like drinking the kom— kom …."

"Kombucha. It's an acquired taste," Olivia says. She nods her head slightly, signaling to Fitz it is time to have the talk.

"Tink," Fitz begins, pulling the pajama-clad little girl onto his lap. "Do you remember my sister, Nora?"

Asha nods her head up and down. "She's Cena and JoJo's aunt. She lives in Portland, Oregon. Me and Cena…. Cena and I put Oregon on the map."

Asha smiles at Olivia because she self-corrected her grammar. Olivia returns the smile.

"That's right — she's Cee and Jo's aunt because she is my sister," Fitz says, pressing his index finger to his chest. Asha nods her head up and down.

"Asha — as Baaba has a sister — your mother has a sister — too," Olivia says, watching the girl's face. "That means you have an aunt. Your aunt's name is Tamika and you are her niece."

Asha scrunches her face, nervously twisting a button on Fitz' shirt. They can see in her eyes that she is trying to process what she heard.

"Do you understand, sweetheart?" Fitz asks.

"I have an aunt like Cena and JoJo?"

"Yes. Your Aunt Tamika recently learned she has a beautiful and smart niece named Asha and she would like to meet you."

Asha looks at Olivia with uncertainty in her eyes.

"Would you like to meet her?" Olivia asks.

"You don't have to if you don't want," Fitz says, and Olivia shoots him a disapproving look.

Asha nods her head up and down.

"Okay — then we will take you to meet her on Wednesday morning. Okay?"

"Okay," Asha replies with a slight smile.

"All right. It's time for somebody to get some sleep. Good night, sweetheart," Olivia says, pecking Asha on the cheek.

"Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite," Fitz finishes the old saying and presses a kiss on Asha's forehead.

"I don't have bugs in my bed, Baaba," Asha says with a giggle.

XXX

Jeffries fills Fitz' 16-ounce tumbler with the green smoothie he likes to drink while dropping Cena and Asha off at camp. As he begins to prepare Olivia's breakfast, he listens to the girls' conversation. They are such chatterboxes.

"Guess what?" Asha says to Cena as they sit at the island eating their breakfast.

Cena looks at her friend.

"I have an aunt — just like you and JoJo."

"An aunt? Really?" Cena says, intrigued by the news.

Asha nods her head with excitement and Jeffries frowns. Sensing trouble is coming, he slowly inhales and exhales as he fills the countertop compost with scraps.

"I'm going to meet her. Baaba and GoGo are taking me to meet her on Wednesday."

XXX

Jeffries is proving to be so much more than someone they hired to help take care of the children, prepare meals, and perform a variety of housework. He has stoked the girls' curiosity about yoga and mindfulness meditation, and Fitz is none too keen about it. He thinks it is a bunch of new-age mumble-jumble. Jeffries has also introduced healthy and clean whole foods into the family's diet, which is being received by all with mixed results.

With everything that is happening in their lives, Olivia forgot to schedule an appointment with James to style Asha's hair, and she cannot seem to get it right this morning. Perhaps it is because of her nerves. She wants Asha to look perfect when she meets her aunt for the first time. Watching as Mrs. Grant struggle with Asha's hair, Jeffries quickly takes over, styling the little girl's hair before they had to leave for their meeting at CPS. He is definitely competition for James, Olivia thinks when she sees the results of his handiwork. She wonders if there are no limits to the man's talents.

XXX

With arms folded across her chest, Cynthia Harrington stands at the end of the hall, outside of the conference room, watching as the Grants exit the elevator with Asha. Each holds one of the girl's hands as they walk up the hall to where Cynthia is standing. She sighs softly, she does not want today's meeting to be hostile like the last one. Although Cynthia detests Fitzgerald Grant, deep down she knows the man really loves the little girl and is protective of her. And she believes the Grants truly consider Asha to be a member of their family, affording her all the same luxuries as their two biological daughters. They have designed a gorgeous bedroom for the orphaned girl, with closets filled with expensive clothes for every occasion. Like their daughter, Cena, they enrolled Asha in a first-rate summer camp that caters to her interests and special needs. But access and privilege are not sufficient reasons to keep Asha away from her family. Cynthia strongly believes in the CPS credo: Reuniting families to build future generations.

"Good morning, Mrs. Grant. Mr. Grant."

"Good morning, Mrs. Harrington," Olivia responds politely. Fitz reluctantly nods his head.

"Good morning, Asha. Don't you look pretty this morning. Your dress is beautiful."

Asha looks up at the woman through her long lashes. She did not like that the woman asked her a lot of questions when she came to the house.

"Asha — say hello to Mrs. Harrington," Olivia urges the little girl.

"Hi," Asha says softly. Cynthia smiles, thinking the girl looks like her aunt. They have the same big brown eyes and thick eyelashes.

"How about we let Asha wait in the play area while we meet with Mrs. Richardson?"

Olivia looks up at her husband and Fitz nods.

"Tink —how about you play in the playroom while GoGo and I meet with Mrs. Harrington?"

"Okay," Asha replies, sliding her hand in his as they walk toward the sparsely decorated play area.

XXX

Drumming her freshly manicured fingernails on the metal table, Tamika looks around the nondescript room as she waits to meet the family that has been caring for her niece. She wonders how many foster care children have sat in this room with families promising to love and protect them. She shakes her head and thinks about how she got back to Washington after all these years.

It was an unusually hectic night at the hospital and she was working a double shift because several nurses called out sick and there was a horrible multi-car accident on the interstate that resulted in a steady stream of severely injured people being wheeled into the emergency room. That is why she ignored the buzzing phone in her pocket. She barely had time to wolf down the peanut butter crackers she keeps in her smock pocket and wash them down with the bottle of water before another patient needed her attention. Each time she pressed the ignore button, they called back immediately. Frustration and curiosity finally got the better of her, so she answered the phone, although she did not recognize the number displaying on the screen.

The man identified himself as an investigator for the Child Protection Services. Her heart began to pound in her chest like a jackhammer when he mentioned Washington State. She has tried to erase that part of her life from her mind.

When she hears the conference door slowly creak open, Tamika inhales deeply and swipes the tears from her eyes. She looks at the heavily pregnant woman and the man she assumes is her husband because they are holding hands. They certainly do not look like what she expected.

"Mrs. Richardson — this is Mr. and Mrs. Grant. Mr. and Mrs. Grant this is Mrs. Richardson — Asha's aunt. This is the family your niece has been living with since your sister passed away."

Tamika stands and exchanges handshakes with Olivia and Fitz. "Thank you for taking care of my niece. I'm sure it hasn't been easy taking in a stranger."

"We love having Asha live with us. She has become a part of our family," Olivia says, unconsciously rubbing her stomach.

'Everyone— please have a seat," Cynthia says. "As a reminder — today is about introductions. It's about you, Mrs. Richardson - getting to know the family who has provided your niece a loving and safe home for the past three months. It's also about the Grants understanding who you are and, perhaps, answering questions I'm sure you have. Finally — you will meet your niece. Is everyone okay with the process?"

"Yes," Tamika replies.

"Of course," Olivia says, but Fitz remains silent.

"Mrs. Richardson — why don't you start. Is there anything you would like to ask the Grants?"

"Again — thank you so much for taking care of my niece."

Olivia smiles and Fitz eyes the young woman closely.

"Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Harrington told me you and Kelly worked together at the same company. Were you and my sister close friends?"

"We both worked at Bryson Foods — on the same floor. I saw Kelly whenever I was in the office. Asha and our daughter, Cena — were in the same dance class. That's where they met. Sometimes — I would see Kelly there."

Tamika stares at Olivia and nods her head. Both women know the question was not answered.

XXX

"I hadn't seen my sister in years. Kelly cut off all contact with the family when she got out of the system – the foster care system. I guess she wanted to put that part of her life behind her. She had a hard life - we all did — Kelly more so because she was the oldest. Our mother wasn't the best mother — she wasn't a mother at all — really. She would go off for days — if not longer — leaving us alone to fend for ourselves. As the youngest — I thought it was fun not having mama around yelling and screaming at us. I also got to do whatever I wanted."

Tamika smiles reminiscently.

"But Kelly didn't get to do what she wanted to do — she had to take care of three children when she was just a child herself. She cooked for us — combed our hair — and played games with us."

"When momma would come home — we always had to move because she hadn't paid the rent. We spent our childhood moving from one housing project to the next. Growing up like that — it's hard to see a way through the tunnel. Even just getting a proper education - going to school every day - that is hard when you're trying to make sure you live to see tomorrow. That was our normal. We didn't know anything different."

"But - Kelly always made us feel safe. She always told us she would never leave us and she would take care of us forever. After a while - Kelly couldn't keep up the charade. One day — we ran out of food and all the children were crying because we were so hungry. Kelly went out to find food and a neighbor saw her digging through trash cans and called the police. That's when we were all taken away – separated - and put in the foster care system. I never saw my sister again. She never came back," Tamika says softly.

Olivia wipes the tears from her cheek, thinking Barbara Anne was much worse than what she and Fitz thought.

"I was bounced around to 13 different homes and neighborhoods and attended almost as many schools. Consistency was a foreign word until I aged out of the system."

"When I got out of the system— I was connected with an organization that helps people like me who have aged out. They taught me a better way of being. I tell you my story Mrs. and Mr. Grant because I know what it feels like to long for a mother. I know what it feels like to lose your family and feel all alone in the world."

Cynthia stares at Tamika and her heart breaks for the woman. In all of her years as a social worker, she has seen a lot and heard many horror stories, but Tamika's story is one of the saddest.

Tamika lowers her head and dabs the tears from her face. Except for a few tweaks here and there, depending on the audience, she has told her sad story at least a thousand times.

"Let's all take a 10-minute break — then we can regroup, and you can meet your niece." Cynthia says, giving Tamika a sympathetic look as she swipes a tissue from the tissue box.

XXX

"Mrs. Richardson - this is your niece, Asha. Asha — this is your Aunt Tamika," Cynthia says, smiling triumphantly.

Asha inches closer to Olivia. She is apprehensive of the woman who is supposed to be her aunt, but the woman is still a stranger to her.

"It's all right, sweetheart. We're not going anywhere. Come say hello to your aunt. She's been waiting a long time to meet you."

Asha looks up at Olivia with fear in her eyes, and Olivia gives her an encouraging smile and nods her head. Asha looks over her shoulder at Fitz, who is standing by the door with his face set hard. He nods his head, too. Asha inches her way toward her aunt, holding Freddie close to her chest.

"Hello, Asha. I am so happy to finally meet you. I'm your Aunt Tamika. I'm your mother's sister."

Asha stares at the woman thinking she looks like her mommy.

"Who is that?" Tamika asks kindly, looking at the robot her niece is clutching close to her chest.

"His name is Freddie. He's a robot. My mommy gave him to me."

"She did? That's so nice."

Asha nods her head.

"I knew your mother when she was a little girl just like you," Tamika says and Asha's eye sparkle with interest.

"You did?" Asha says in wonder.

"How about we give Mrs. Richardson and Asha some time alone?" Cynthia says, looking at Olivia and Fitz.

"Of course." Olivia steps back toward Fitz.

"We'll be right outside that door," Fitz says to Asha, giving her a reassuring look.

"That's a pretty dress you're wearing. And your hair looks adorable."

"Jeffries combed it. GoGo couldn't do it right."

Tamika makes a mental note of the names her niece is using.

"I have something I want to show you," Tamika says, as she digs through her purse and pulls out an envelope containing an old photograph. She believes their mother took the picture of all of her children lined up and dressed in their best on one of the rare days when she was sober.

"Would you like to see a picture of your mother when she was a little girl?"

Asha nods her head up and down.

"Come sit next to me so I can show you your family. You have a family, Asha."

Asha climbs onto the chair next to her aunt and sets Freddie on the table.

"I've had this picture for a really long time. That little girl — right there," pointing to the scrawny girl in the green sundress, "that's your mother. You look just like her when she was a little girl."

Asha studies the little girl's face in the photograph who is staring back at her. She does not think the girl looks like her mommy.

"And that's me whose hand your mommy is holding. She always said she would take care of me," Tamika says half to herself.

"You were little like JoJo."

"Who's JoJo?"

"She's Cena's sister. She's a handful."

Tamika nods her head.

"Who's that?" Asha asks, pointing to the little boy standing next to her mother with his pants pulled up to his chest.

"That's your Uncle Vincent. He was such a prankster. He was always pulling tricks on us. And that's your Uncle Trevor. He was so smart. He loved science and math."

"I like science and math, too," Asha says, smiling brightly. "I'm going to be a doctor like Uncle Bennie."

"Who is Uncle Bennie?"

"He's Baaba's brother. He's a doctor and he operates on people's hearts."

"I see. Trevor always said he was going to be an astronaut one day," Tamika says sadly.

"Is he an astronaut?" Asha asks with excitement, thinking maybe she can meet a real astronaut.

"Unfortunately —he is not. These people are your family, Asha. You have a family who will love you so much once you get to know them."

Asha continues to look at the faces staring back at her in the old photograph.

"I'm going to make a copy of this picture just for you — so you can see who you come from. Would you like that?"

Asha nods her head up and down.

"Baby — I am so sorry you had to lose your mother at such a young age. If I'd known about you I would've been here much sooner to take care of you. Your mother would have wanted that."

Tamika looks up when she hears the knock on the door.

"How are we doing in here?" Cynthia asks as she walks into the room followed by Olivia and Fitz.

"We're getting along just fine," Tamika says, brushing her hand over her niece's hair.

"GoGo — this is a picture of my mommy when she was a little girl," holding up the picture for Olivia to see.

"You look just like her," Olivia says, fighting back the tears.

"That's what Aunt Tamika says. She's going to give me a copy."

"Baaba — can I go play with the toys again?"

"Sure. We'll be out in a few minutes."

"Bye, Asha. We'll talk again," Tamika says.

"Bye," Asha says before skipping from the room.

"Don't forget Freddie," Tamika says, handing Asha the robot.

XXX

After enjoying another one of Jeffries' scrumptious dinners, Olivia and Fitz relax on the sofa, reflecting on their morning at CPS. They watch as the girls play on the floor and smile as Jolie tries to wake Bowtie from his slumber. They also eavesdrop on Cena and Asha's conversation.

"Did you like your aunt?" Cena asks in a whisper, as she twists and bends one of the Senegalese dolls that her Nana gave her.

"I don't know," Asha responds with a shrug of her shoulders as she continues to play with Freddie.

"Was she mean?" Cena asks with curiosity in her voice.

"No. She showed me a picture of my family," Asha says in a low tone, and the eavesdroppers look at each other.

"You have a family?" Cena asks, her blue eyes wide with amazement. Asha nods her head.

"Three uncles — too," Asha says in a low tone.

"Three?" Cena shrieks, her curiosity is heightened. Asha nods her head again.

"Baaba doesn't like her."

"Why?" Cena asks, leaning forward with interest. She wants to hear more. Asha shrugs her shoulders again.

"You know when he looks like this," hardening her face, "when he's upset?"

Cena nods. She has seen that expression on her father's face more than once.

"He looked that way the whole time we were there."

XXX

"Hey, Tink. How are you doing?" Fitz asks, sitting down on the side of the bed.

"I'm fine," Asha says through the yawn.

"Did you like meeting your aunt today?"

"I think so. She looks like my mommy."

"She does. And you have her eyes."

"I do?" Her eyes crinkling when she smiles.

"You do. Would you like to get to know your aunt better?"

Asha shrugs her thin shoulders.

"Do you know how much I love you?"

Asha smiles and nods her head up and down.

"This much," Fitz says, spreading his arms wide. "Never forget — I will love you forever — no matter what. All right?"

Asha nods her head again. She is sleepy.

"Good night, Tink," Fitz says, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I love you — too, Baaba," Asha says, turning onto her side and drifting off to sleep.

XXX

Sitting on the bench at the farmhouse table, Olivia chats with Jeffries like they are old friends. She enjoys their morning talks after Fitz has taken the girls to camp. Jeffries has lived such an interesting life. He has worked for all kinds of families in the States and several countries around the world. She is glad Fitz agreed to give Jeffries a try. Besides, she had grown tired of interviewing housekeepers and Fitz rejecting each candidate.

Jeffries' bracelets jingle as he stands at the granite island top quickly chopping vegetables into matchstick-sized pieces. Olivia wonders if he is also a trained chef. He certainly handles the knife like a professional and his meals are always delicious. Since joining their household, Jeffries has introduced the family's taste buds to a diverse array of culinary delights from different cultures around the world. Haitian food on one night. Sri Lankan food on another night. West African foods on some nights. And, Filipino food, as well. He encourages the family to eat certain dishes with their hands, as is done in the native country. Jolie especially loves eating those dishes.

"The girls really like the yoga practice you've been teaching them. Even Jolie looks forward to them."

"Little Jolie was my first pupil. She's smart," Jeffries says, scraping the vegetables into the large bowl and covering them with a generous amount of herbs and olive oil.

"How long have you been practicing yoga?"

"Too many years to count, Mrs. Grant."

They both chuckle as he tosses the vegetables in the bowl with his hands.

"Mrs. Grant — our lives can be stressful at times — and we need to find healthy ways to alleviate the stress. At one time — I was working many long hours taking care of my families — but I wasn't taking care of myself. After a while — my body began to pay the price. If I was going to be available for my families — I needed to practice self-care."

"Self-care?"

"Yes. Self-care is simply the practice of actively protecting your well-being and happiness — especially during periods of stress. A friend introduced me to yoga and meditation. The practices changed my life. They've made me mentally and physically stronger."

Olivia nods her head.

"How are your sister-in-law and her new baby doing?" Jeffries asks, as he slides the tray containing the vegetables into the oven.

"Joshua is doing fine — but I'm concerned about Abby. I think she might be experiencing postpartum depression."

"That's a shame. This is the time she should be enjoying her new little one."

Olivia looks down at her buzzing phone and frowns. Cynthia is calling.

XXX

Fitz walks into the bedroom already unbuttoning his shirt. He is exhausted and all he wants is a hot shower and a good night's sleep. Now that Asha and Cena have their favorite book, every night they each want him to read a chapter from their book. Storytime is getting longer and longer. Thank goodness Jolie is still satisfied with him reading Goodnight Moon.

"Close the door, babe," Olivia says, tightening the lid on the expensive jar of cream before setting it onto the night table.

Fitz frowns as he slowly closes the door. The expression on his wife's face tells him she does not have good news.

"What's wrong?" He asks, walking over to Olivia's side of the bed with his shirt halfway unbuttoned.

"Tamika wants Asha," she says flatly.

"What?"

"Cynthia called earlier. She said Tamika is taking Asha back to South Carolina with her on Saturday."

"And you're just telling me this?" His anger quickly rising.

"When was I supposed to tell you, Fitz? In front of the girls while we were eating Jeffries' grilled octopus?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to …. We can fight this, Liv. We can — "

"Fighting does no good. It's over. Tamika holds all the cards. The best we can do is make Asha's transition as smooth as possible."

Unwilling to accept the inevitable, Fitz shakes his head from side to side.

"This isn't over, Liv. We have options."

"We don't, babe."

"That damn Harrington woman didn't give us a chance. Her mind was already made up."

"She's just doing her job, Fitz," Olivia says tiredly. She knew he would be upset by the news.

"Why do you always defend her — take her side?"

"I'm not defending her. It does no good to be angry with Cynthia. Anger changes nothing."

"We don't know what kind of person Tamika is. For all we know she could be deranged."

"Fitz — please. The CPS investigator checked out Tamika and her husband. They're decent people."

"You don't know what all those years of living in foster homes might have done to her."

"And neither do you," Olivia shoots back.

"So - you're just giving up? Is that what I'm hearing?"

"We've lost, Fitz. We don't have any rights to Asha — and you know it. We need to prepare her. We need to help her to understand."

"Understand? She won't understand why she has to leave the people she loves to live with a woman she just met."

"Babe — I don't like this any more than you — but this is not about what we want. This has to be about Asha."

"That's why I'm fighting so hard. I want the best for her."

"I know — but maybe we're not who she needs right now."

Fitz glares at his wife. He cannot believe she is not on his side.

"Just listen to me. I don't agree with a lot of what Cynthia says — but she's right about the importance of family. If the tables were reversed — you would want Cee and Jo to know their family history. You would want them to live with the people who could tell them stories about us. Asha deserves no less. If she were to stay with us — one day she'll want to know about her background — and we won't be able to tell her anything."

Fitz stares at her with a furrowed brow.

"Babe, Asha is the only child of a woman who is now dead. The only connection she has to her mother is through her aunt and her uncles — wherever they are. They're the only ones who can help Asha to know where she came from and who her mother was. We can give her many things — but we can't tell her where she gets her beautiful eyes or her love of math and science. Babe — we wouldn't want Asha to one day hate us for keeping her away from her family."

Feeling defeated, Fitz sits down on the bed next to his wife and Olivia watches as his face softens.

"In time — Asha will need to pass down her family's history to her own children — at least the parts she wants to share. And hopefully— we will be a tiny part of her story."

"It hurts, Liv."

"I know. I know," rubbing her hand up and down his back. But — we have to give Tamika a chance to build a relationship with her niece — and we need to facilitate it. We cannot cheat Asha out of that. If — at some point in the future — we see Asha again — then it was meant to be. But — for now — we must give them a chance."

"I don't want her to be hurt, Liv. She's been through enough."

"I know. Babe — we have to tell Cee that Asha is leaving."

"Cee is going to be devastated," Fitz says, looking at Olivia with pain in his eyes.

"I know. None of us gets out of this one unscathed. I invited Tamika here tomorrow — for lunch."

"You did what?"

"Just listen to me. Asha needs to spend more time with her aunt — in a safe place — before she leaves. We'll have Tamika over on Friday — too. The more time we all can spend together — the better it will be for Asha — for all of us."

XXX

Like her mother, Barbara Anne, Tamika's eyes bulge when she enters the grand two-story foyer. She has never been in a home like this. She never dreamed she would ever be inside a house so elegant.

Bowtie runs down the hall barking and Tamika jumps back toward the front door, her eyes filled with fright.

"Quiet, Bowtie," Olivia commands, but the family pet continues to bark.

"Down, boy," Fitz demands gruffly, and Bowtie whimpers in obedience.

"We tried to stop him, daddy," Cena says as she runs down the hall with Asha in tow. Both girls stop in their tracks when they see Tamika standing with her back pressed against the front door. The woman looks scared.

"That's all right, Princess. He's fine."

"Take Bowtie up to your room, Cee," Olivia says.

"Come on Bowtie," Cena says, looking over her shoulder at the woman as she guides Bowtie up the hall. Asha glances at her aunt again then follows Cena upstairs.

"I'm sorry, Tamika. Bowtie is more bark than bite. Come on back and have a seat," Olivia says, trying to coax the woman away from the door.

XXX

"You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Grant," Tamika says, her voice filled with awe as she glances around the family room.

"Thank you. Call me Olivia — please."

"My niece is fortunate to have lived in such a beautiful home for these past few months."

"We are the fortunate ones," Fitz says," sitting on the sofa next to Olivia and crossing his legs.

"Of course. I just meant — Asha is lucky that a kind family cared enough about her well-being.

Jeffries brings a tray of drinks and sets it on the coffee table. He and Tamika lock eyes briefly.

"Thank you, Jeffries," Olivia says with a smile.

"Of course, Mrs. Grant. Shall I serve lunch in 30 minutes?"

"That will be perfect."

Cena and Asha stand in the doorway peeking at Tamika.

"Come in — girls and say hello to our guest," Olivia says.

"Hello, Asha," Tamika says to her niece, who is standing next to the girl she assumes is the Grants' daughter.

"Hi," Asha replies softly as Jolie enters from the kitchen. Jolie stares at the stranger."

"This is our older daughter, Cena. Say hello to Mrs. Richardson," Olivia says to Cena.

"Hi," Cena says, thinking Asha was right. The aunt does look like Asha's mother.

"Hello, Cena," Tamika says, thinking the girl has her father's eyes.

"Don't stare, Jo. This is our youngest daughter, Jolie," Olivia says, pulling the toddler onto her lap.

"Hi, Jolie," Tamika says, and Jolie waves her hand. "She's adorable."

'"Asha said you live in South Carolina," Cena says.

"I do."

"We have a map," Cena continues, pointing to the partially completed map of the United States that hangs on the wall. "Daddy helps us to put the States in the right place."

"Would you like to see where I live?"

The two girls eagerly nod their heads.

"Wow – this is a really nice map."

Tamika looks at the cut-outs in the box and picks up the State of South Carolina and places it on the map.

"South Carolina," Cena says, staring at where Tamika placed the state.

"That's far away," Asha chimes in.

"It's not that far. It's only five hours away by airplane."

"I've never been on an airplane," Cena says.

"Me either," Asha echoes her friend.

"Would you like to go on an airplane ride with me?"

Asha withdraws and Tamika realizes she has gone too far and too fast.

"Daddy — Miss Tamika lives in South Carolina. She came here on an airplane. Can we ride on an airplane one day?"

"We sure can, Princess."

Asha and Cena scream with joy.

"Why don't you girls go wash your hands so we can have lunch," Olivia says.

"Do you want to see my room? It's so pretty. Cena's room is pretty, too," Asha says, looking up at her aunt with excitement.

"I would love to see your room," Tamika replies, then quickly glances over at Fitz.

"I guess we can wait a little longer before eating lunch," Fitz says.

Cena starts to follow Asha and Tamika, but Olivia halts her daughter's movement.

"Cee — can you stay down here and help Jeffries and me in the kitchen?" She wants Tamika and Asha to spend some time alone.

"Okay, mommy. Asha — I'm going to help mommy and Jeffries."

XXX

"This is your bedroom?" Tamika exclaims, her eyes stretched wide as she stands in the doorway admiring the most beautiful room she has ever seen.

"Yes. GoGo and the decorator made it look pretty," Asha says, running into the bedroom and spinning around. "GoGo let me pick out some things — too. Baaba said I could get whatever I want."

It is a light-filled and spacious room that is much bigger than Tamika's own bedroom back in South Carolina. Drawn to the large white bed, Tamika walks across the room to inspect the lavender-colored, upholstered headboard. The heels of her suede booties sink into the thick carpet with each step. She carefully glides her hand over the fabric. Expensive. Everything in the room is expensive. She looks at the matching nightstands, each topped with a pale lavender lamp. It is apparent that every piece of decor was curated with care.

"Your bed is so big. And you have so many pillows," touching the soft comforter.

"Do you want to sit on it? It's so comfy," Asha giggles when she uses one of GoGo's favorite words.

Tamika carefully sits on the edge of the bed. She does not want to mess up the perfectly made bed.

"Your room is so clean. Do you keep it this nice all the time?"

"Jeffries cleans our rooms."

"Who is Jeffries?" Tamika asks, curious about the handsome server.

"He's our helper. GoGo needs help because she's having two babies."

"I see," Tamika says.

"Do you want to bounce on my bed?"

"No — I don't think so. I don't want you to mess it up. It's too pretty."

"Cena and I bounce on it all the time. You can bounce like this."

Asha bounces up and down on the bed and Tamika joins her, laughing out loud. She feels like a little girl again. But, as a little girl, she never had a bedroom like this, not even close. In fact, most of the the beds she slept on were as hard as a brick and the covers were old and scratchy.

"Do you want to see a picture of my mommy?"

"Yes — I would," Tamika says, following Asha over to the desk that matches the rest of the furniture. I'm going to do my homework at my desk when I start school."

Asha picks up the framed photograph from the desk and hands it to her aunt.

"GoGo said we needed to buy a special frame for my mommy's picture. I picked silver. Mommy liked silver."

"It's a nice frame." Tamika stares at her sister's smiling face.

"You look like my mommy," Asha says, staring up at her aunt. Tamika forces a tight smile. "Come look at my telescope," pulling her aunt toward the window by the hand.

"That's a really nice telescope. You have so many beautiful things, Asha."

"Miss Britney — at church — says mommy is in heaven — so sometimes at night after Baaba has read our story — I get out of bed and look through the telescope trying to see mommy in heaven."

"Aww — you're such a sweet little girl," Tamika says, giving her niece a tight hug.

"Asha, daddy says it's time for lunch." Cena announces as she stands in the doorway watching Asha hug her aunt.

"We better go downstairs. I don't want you to get in trouble."

"We don't get in trouble. Right, Cena?"

"No. You better wash your hands. Mommy says we must always wash our hands before eating."

"Did Jeffries make blueberry pie for dessert? Jeffries makes the best blueberry pie," Asha says, smiling up at her aunt again.

Cena shrugs her shoulders and runs down the hall.

"Let's wash our hands in my bathroom," Asha says, grabbing her aunt's hand and pulling her toward the en suite bathroom.

XXX

The lunch yesterday with Tamika went surprisingly well. She seems to be personable, and Asha seems to like her, perhaps, because she looks a lot like her mother. However, today's going-away party is bittersweet. While Fitz and Olivia are sad that Asha is leaving them, they are glad she seems to have accepted that she is moving to South Carolina and will now live with her aunt.

"Uncle Fitz," Ethan yells with excitement when the front door swings open and he sees his tall uncle standing inside the foyer.

"Hey, Bud. How are you doing?" Fitz says, bending down and swooping up his nephew into his arms.

"I'm fine. I have a present for Asha because she's going away," Ethan says, holding up the box.

"It was nice of you to buy Asha a present."

"Daddy bought it. I don't have money, Uncle Fitz."

Maura and Bennie laugh and Fitz presses a kiss to the boy's cheek.

"Did you wrap it?" Fitz asks, looking into Ethan's sparkling brown eyes thinking the boy is beginning to look more like John.

"No. Daddy wrapped it because mommy was in bed again with the baby."

"Well — I'm sure Asha is going to like your gift. Why don't you take it inside? The girls are in the family room."

"Okay," Ethan says, running up the hall in search of his cousins.

"Mom — it's good to see you," Fitz says, kissing his mother on the cheek.

"Is she really leaving?" Maura asks with concern in her eyes.

"She is, mom," Fitz says in a somber tone.

Mother and son look into each other's eyes, each knowing they are both losing the little girl who has stolen their hearts.

"Bennie — it's good to see you," Fitz says, greeting his brother with a hug. "Thanks for bringing mom and Ethan."

"No problem. John wanted to stay home with Abigail and the baby."

"Of course. How is Abigail?" Fitz asks, looking at his brother with concern.

"John says she still doesn't want him to touch Joshua and she won't get out of bed."

"John cannot let her go on like this for much longer. She may want to harm herself — or Joshua — for God's sake. Abigail needs help," Maura says as a woman who has experienced postpartum depression.

"Let's not talk about it tonight, mom," Bennie says.

"Let's go inside — I want to introduce you to Asha's aunt," Fitz says.

XXX

Sitting on the sofa in the Grants family room, Tamika unconsciously drums her fingernails on her thigh as she stares at the gallery wall above the huge fireplace. Her niece's picture is prominently displayed with the rest of the Grants, as if she is an actual member of the family. Her head whips in the direction of the entryway when she hears voices coming from the foyer. She wishes she had declined the invitation to her niece's going-away party, but that would not have been a good look. Meeting new people always makes her feel uncomfortable.

"Grams. Uncle Bennie." Cena yells as she and Asha run down the stairs to greet the family.

"Cena —you seem to grow taller each time I see you," Maura says, giving her granddaughter a big hug as she sneaks a peek at Asha.

"Daddy measure Asha, Jo, and me," Cena says, pointing to the growth chart on the door jamb that shows each girl's growth history.

"Uncle Bennie — guess what — I'm making you another gift at camp. The counselor says it has to dry first."

"I'm sure I'll love it. I wear my bracelet every day," Bennie says, holding up his wrist to display the gift Cena made for him at camp. Cena smiles proudly.

"Uncle Bennie — do you want to meet my aunt? Her name is Tamika and she lives in South Carolina. I'm going to live with my family."

"I would love to meet your aunt — but first I want to give you this," handing the girl the gift-wrapped box. Asha's eyes grow wide. "Is it a stethoscope? Is it a thermometer?" Shaking the box vigorously.

"You'll have to wait and see," Bennie says, tousling the girl's hair.

"Look, Cena — I have another gift," Asha says excitedly.

"And here's one more — from me," Maura says, smiling at the girl's excitement.

"Thank you. Thank you," Asha says with exuberance as she wraps her arms around Maura's waist. Tamika observes the scene, thinking all these people seem to genuinely care for her niece.

"Mom, Bennie — this is Tamika Richardson, Asha's aunt. Tamika — this is my mother and brother."

"It's so wonderful to meet you, Tamika. Asha is a lovely little girl. We're all going to miss her," Maura says.

"It's good to meet you — too, Mrs. Grant."

"Hello, Tamika," Bennie says, extending a handshake.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Tamika says, accepting Bennie's handshake.

"Everyone – let's have a seat — we'll have dinner shortly. Jeffries has prepared a special feast just for Asha," Fitz says, pulling the girl close to his side.

"Jeffries? Who is Jeffries?" Maura asks.

"He's our new helper. He's terrific. You'll love what he's prepared for dinner," Fitz says.

"He teaches us yoga and how to breathe. It makes us calm," Asha reports.

"You hired a male housekeeper?" Maura asks with surprise in her voice.

"It sounds like Fitz is becoming a modern man," Bennie chuckles. "Where's Liv?" Bennie asks as he grabs a handful of the wasabi nuts from the snack tray.

"She's upstairs changing Jo. Jo is still getting used to her big girl underpants."

XXX

After dinner, everyone gathered around the gift table that Jeffries set up in the family room and watched as the excited little girl ripped the wrapping paper from her gifts. Fitz smiled as he watched Asha's eyes grow wider with each gift she opened. The going- away party is somewhat solemn as it marks the end of their wonderful journey with the little girl who brought so much joy into their lives. But Asha is happy tonight, and that is only thing that matters.

XXX

Sitting on the side of Asha's bed, Fitz and Olivia prepare to have one more conversation with the little girl to make sure she is ready for tomorrow.

"Did you enjoy your party tonight, Tink?"

"Yes," Asha replies, smiling broadly. "Baaba, Ethan gave me a turtle, but it's not real. He painted it so it looks like Carl."

"That's a pretty cool stethoscope Uncle Benny gave you."

"I like Uncle Bennie," she says with a yawn.

"Are you ready for tomorrow? Do you have any questions?" Olivia asks.

"GoGo— is my aunt always going to be nice like you?"

"Your aunt is a nice person," Olivia says, choking back the tears.

"Aunt Tamika said she's going to take me to the hospital where she works. She said she's going to show me a room like where Uncle Bennie works to fix people's hearts."

"That's really exciting," Fitz says, forcing himself to sound upbeat.

"Baaba — will my aunt read me a story at bedtime like you?"

"I will remind her," Fitz says, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "It's time for you to get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow," tucking the covers around Asha who has already fallen asleep.

XXX

Asha sets her backpack on the floor in the foyer and squats down in front of Bowtie to say her final good-bye.

"Bye, Bowtie. Me and … Freddie and I — are going to miss you," rubbing her hand over the dog's shiny coat. Bowtie wags his crooked tail and licks her face with his wet tongue, causing Asha to giggle.

"Bye," Jolie says with a wave of her chubby hand.

"Bye," Cena says through the tears, and Asha runs over to give her best friend another hug.

"It's time to go," Olivia says as Fitz picks up the backpack from the floor.

"Breathe, Little One. Don't forget to breathe," Jeffries calls out to Asha as he drapes a comforting arm around Cena's trembling shoulders.

XXX

Fitz leans forward in the chair and stares into Tamika's eyes. She shutters internally under his gaze. The man always makes her feel uncomfortable.

"Tamika — I don't want to be insensitive— but I must ask."

Tamika looks at him curiously— all the women do. Olivia has no idea what he is going to say.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Mr. Grant — it's settled," Cynthia interjects, "let's not — "

Fitz ignores Cynthia.

"Can you give Asha something that you've never experienced from a parent? Can you really love her?" Olivia's eyes almost bulge from her head. He has not accepted that Asha is leaving.

"Mr. Grant — that's totally inappropriate," Cynthia snaps. "Mrs. Richardson is not on trial."

"That's all right, Mrs. Harrington. It's a fair question. Five years ago — I would've responded no to your question, Mr. Grant." She still does not feel comfortable calling him Fitz. "I was angry for a long time. Angry with my mother. Angry with the system. For a long time - I just wanted to hurt somebody as much as I'd been hurt. But I got over the anger. I got help. If I hadn't — the anger would've eaten me alive. I also married a wonderful man who has helped me an awful lot. So – I am in a good place — and I have so much love to give my niece."

Fitz sits back in the chair and stares closely at Tamika. He cannot put his finger on it, but everything about the woman seems too perfect. She cries on cue. She smiles at the right time. She says all the right words. But there is something about Tamika Richardson that does not sit well with him ever since she told the sad story of her traumatic childhood. As a negotiator, who has cross-examined hundreds of witnesses, he knows when a witness seemed too good to be true, they usually were.

"It's time to let Mrs. Richardson and Asha get to the airport," Cynthia says.

"I know you don't like me, Mr. Grant. I know you didn't want me here."

"Tamika — I don't dislike you. I don't know you. I just want the best for Asha."

"My husband and I can't match your beautiful home and all the nice things you and Olivia have given my niece. Our home is nowhere near the size of yours — but Asha will have her own room. I've been shopping like crazy to decorate it for her."

"I'm not concerned about the things you can or cannot buy for Asha. She has been through a lot. Losing her mother was traumatic for her and she is just beginning to accept she will never see her mother again. I just need you to promise me one thing."

Tamika looks at him curiously.

"Promise me you will love her and make her feel safe. Can you promise that?"

"Of course. I will take care of Asha the way Kelly took care of me."

"Tamika —I wrote a list of the things Asha likes and dislikes. I'm sure I've forgotten something— but I can send you anything I think of later."

Tamika takes the note from Olivia's hand and stuffs it into her purse.

"She likes chocolate chip cookies— homemade — with lots of chocolate chips. Oh — she needs to sleep with a night light on. She gets scared sometimes."

"I understand. I still sleep with a night light — too," Tamika smiles politely.

"She is gifted and naturally curious. She loves science and math," Fitz says. "She likes to have her favorite book read to her at bedtime. It's in her backpack."

Tamika nods her head.

"I'll go get Asha so you can say a final good-bye," Cynthia says, hurrying from the room.

XXX

The reality of what is happening finally sinks in and Asha drops down to the floor and starts to cry. She does not want to leave her family. She does not want to live in South Carolina.

"I don't want to go," she mutters through the tears, pulling her bent knees to her chin and lowering her head. Fitz is at her side immediately.

"It's going to be all right," Fitz says in a soothing tone, draping his long arm around the girl's trembling shoulders.

"Let her be, Mr. Grant. She will be fine. Children are —"

"Resilient? Is that what you're about to say, Mrs. Harrington?" Glaring at the woman. "Well — that's not true. Children don't always bounce back. I'm not leaving her like this. I will not leave this room until I know she is all right."

Fitz stands with Asha and she wraps her arms and legs around him really tight. She does not want to let him go. With a lump the size of a rock in her throat, Olivia wraps her arms around them both and Asha peeks up from Fitz' shoulder and stares into the eyes of the woman she now considers to be her mother. Olivia's heart shatters and tears roll down her face when she sees the sadness in the girl's eyes.

"I want you to always remember — GoGo, Cena, Jo, and I will always be with you — in your heart. No matter where you are — we will be with you. Do you believe that?"

Asha looks into his tear-filled eyes. She is not sure if she believes him.

"Nothing can ever change how much I love you — I want you to always remember that. Okay?"

With tears streaming down her face, Asha nods her head up and down.

"I want you to have this," he says, placing the gold chain with a locket around her neck.

Tamika leans forward, trying to see what the man is giving Asha.

"Whenever you're feeling sad — just look at it and know we are all thinking of you," opening the locket so she can see a picture of them the last time they were at the lake house.

Asha nods her head and the crying subsides.

"Mrs. Grant. Mr. Grant, Mrs. Richardson has a two o'clock flight."

"We love you so much," Olivia says through the tears, and Asha inhales deeply, filling her nose with the scent of Baaba and GoGo for one last time.

"We have to go now, Tink," Fitz says with a sad smile as he brushes his long index finger over her cheek.

"Please — let us know how she's doing. Send pictures," Olivia implores Tamika. "Call us when you get home and let us know if she is all right."

"Give Mrs. Richardson and her niece time to bond, Mrs. Grant. We don't want to confuse Asha any more than she already is. I'm sure Mrs. Richardson will reach out to you at an appropriate time."

"Let's go, Liv," Fitz says, tugging at his tie. The air in the room is stifling. He cannot breathe.

XXX

"Mrs. Grant. Mr. Grant," Cynthia calls out as she hurries from the conference room to catch up with the couple.

"I know this is difficult for you. The grief and loss you're feeling is a reflection of the love that developed between you and Asha — a reflection of the love that you gave a child in need. At times — the grief you feel can be overwhelming and consuming. It may even feel like you've lost one of your own children."

"Asha is one of our children. We are losing a child," Fitz snarls at the insensitive social worker before storming down the hall.

"I assure you, Mrs. Grant, Asha is going to a loving home. She's going to be with her family," Cynthia says, trying to reassure Olivia.

With a hand resting on her stomach, Olivia ignores Cynthia and hurries down the hall trying to catch up to her husband. She intertwines her fingers with his as they continue toward the elevator. When they hear the screams pouring from the conference room, their bodies stiffen and they stop mid-stride.

"Don't look back, babe. Keep walking. Keep walking and breathe."

When the elevator doors close, the emptiness in his chest makes him feel like he is being sucked into its black hole. He wants to run back to the room and scoop up the little girl into his arms and tell her everything is going to be all right. He wants to tell her it is all a mistake and they are going back home to enjoy her favorite ice cream.

"I failed her, Liv," Fitz cries, as the tears stream down his face.

Olivia presses the red button, stopping the elevator between floors. She takes his face between her hands and stares into his eyes.

"No - you didn't. You gave her everything she needed — when she needed it," brushing away the tears with the sides of her thumbs.

"Is she going to be all right?" He asks, trying to find some degree of reassurance in her eyes.

"I hope so, babe. I really hope so."

XXX

As the car pulls out of the CPS parking lot and into the busy street, the steady stream of tears continues to roll down Asha's face. She looks out the window, craning her neck, trying to find Baaba's car in the downtown traffic, but she cannot find him.

Drumming her fingernails on the purse on her lap, Tamika looks straight ahead as the driver merges the car onto the interstate. There is a lot of traffic; she hopes they do not miss their flight. The drumming sound gets louder when she thinks about how Michael, her husband, will react when he sees that she has brought her niece back home with her. They agreed the little girl should stay in Washington with her foster family because bringing the niece to South Carolina would not end well for anyone.

Asha's cries get louder as she thinks about Cena, Jolie, and Bowtie. She misses them already. The crying shakes Tamika from her reverie, and she looks over at the little girl who has been living a life she could never dream of as a child. No one like the Grants cared enough to rescue her from those hell holes called foster homes. Hell, her own sister did not try to save her as she promised. She learned early in life that promises do not mean a damn thing.

"That's enough crying," Tamika says in a sharp tone that is unfamiliar to Asha. Asha looks down at Freddie thinking the woman does not seem to be nice anymore. The tears continue to flow.

Tamika eyes the pretty outfit her niece is wearing and she can tell it is expensive. No one ever bought her nice clothes when she was that age, expensive or otherwise. Everything she wore was hand-me-downs that were either too big or too small. She did not get a new outfit of her own until she was released from the foster care system and got a job at a fast-food restaurant.

As her anxiety heightens, Tamika's fingers drum faster on the purse. She cannot take much more of the girl's crying. She remembers what crying always got her whenever she was moved to a new foster home.

"Don't be such a cry baby. Wipe your face," Tamika growls, shoving a tissue toward her niece. "You're just like your mother — she thought she was better than us. She couldn't wait to leave. She left me and my brothers all alone while she went on with her life. Look at her now — she's nothing but a dead junkie."

Asha glares at her aunt. She does not know what a junkie is, but she knows it is not a good thing because of the way her aunt said it. She does not understand why her aunt is now being mean to her.

"I have rules at my house. Just because you lived in that big house for a few months — don't think you're some kind of princess. Don't think you're one of those Grants because you're not. You're nothing. You're a nobody," spewing the same vile words one foster parent after another said to her over the years.

"When we get home — you're gonna scrub the bathroom. And if you know what's good for you — you better not miss a spot. I cleaned a lot of toilets at all the places I lived and you're going to do the same."

"Baaba said I don't have to clean. He said children don't do housework. Jeffries cleans for us."

"Baaba?" Tamika scoffs. "Do you think that white man cares anything about you? He couldn't wait to get rid of you. Look at you — you're Black and you're ugly. You're not pretty like his real children."

Huge tears roll down Asha's face and she clutches Freddie close to her chest and thinks about her mother.

"Stop that crying or I'll really give you something to cry about," Tamika snarls, balling her hand into a tight fist. "And give me that stupid robot — I'm tired of looking at it. I never liked the way that thing looked at me."

"My mommy gave him to me," Asha whines, trying to fight back, and the tug-of-war for Freddie begins.

"I said give it to me," Tamika demands, trying to pry the toy from Asha's hands. Asha bites her aunt's hand and Tamika slaps her hard across the face, causing Freddie to fall from Asha's hands and onto the floor. Tamika looks down at the small teeth marks on the back of her hand and raises the hand to strike the little girl again.

"Is everything all right back there?" The driver asks, looking in the rear-view mirror at the woman's twisted face.

"Everything's fine," Tamika replies, plastering on a fake smile. "You're going to pay for this when we get home. Do you hear me?" Tamika threatens in a low tone as she rubs the back of her hand.

Tamika snatches Freddie from the floor and tosses the robot out the window and onto the interstate and Asha cries hysterically. Tamika crumples Olivia's handwritten note into a tight ball and tosses it out the window, too.

"I hate you. I hate you," Asha screams, kicking the back of the seat.

"I hate you, too," Tamika responds, snatching the gold chain from her niece's neck and dropping it into her purse.

As the driver maneuvers the car over the interstate, he shakes his head thinking that is one mean and messed up woman.

At the tender age of seven, Asha knows that her life is changing once again. Her life with the Grants is over and a new and much scarier life lie ahead. She closes her eyes, fills her stomach with air, and slowly releases it just like Jeffries taught them.