A.J. was three when she first wondered why she called her daddy Michael. Why she had to visit the blond lady and the other blond lady and the short man, once a month. Michael always seemed cautious around them with her, like they could scooped her up and he would never see her again. Which was silly, cause Michael was her daddy, just like Grammonica was her grandma, and Aunt Tracy spoiled her, because she always wanted a little girl.
A.J. was four when she realized Morgan and Kiki were her brother and sister and A.J. loved them. But really they were more like a fun aunt and uncle. She had to visit the short man and two blond women until the kidnapped attempt by the man. A.J. just wanted to be safe at Grammonica's.
A.J. was five when she asked Michael if she could call him Daddy like the other kids in kindergarten. Michael hesitated and then said of course.
A.J. was eight when Daddy married Sabrina. Aunt Tracy rolled her eyes, muttering "Finally!" and Grammonica simply smiled, with tears in her eyes. Morgan twirled her on the dance floor and Cousin Dillon made sure she got the biggest piece of cake, with frosting roses. She wondered why Sonny seemed angry when he saw Daddy with her outside the church . But somehow she felt a connection with him. A.J. thought his dimples looked familiar, maybe even the same ones when she looked in the mirror.
A.J. was ten when Daddy and Sabrina sat her down and explained she was adopted. Of course, she was. Sabrina adopted her when she married Daddy. Daddy smiled and said, no, that wasn't what he meant. He explained that Ava and Sonny were her biological parents and they love her so much but they couldn't care for her. A.J. suddenly remembered seeing Sonny on the news after he was shot. Ava was all over the newspaper. A.J. wondered if they were bad people and since she was their bio kid she was bad. Daddy immediately shot the idea down and promised A.J. was the best person he ever knew.
A.J. was thirteen and rebelling by hanging out at Corinthos Coffee. She liked talking to Morgan and flirting with the barista. Daddy wasn't thrilled but as long as Morgan was there it was ok. But it wasn't ok. Men stormed the shop and started shooting. She was immediately on the floor under Morgan. Seeing Morgan put a finger to his lips, A.J. understood to be quiet. Suddenly she realized what Daddy meant when he said he just wanted her to be safe.
A.J. was fifteen when Grammonica died from cancer. Everyone was sad but Aunt Tracy scared A.J. Her grief was overwhelming and A.J. didn't know how to fix it. It was the end of an era but A.J. didn't know that yet. The same year Ava fatally shot Sonny and went to prison. A.J. was relieved that she didn't have to worry about them again.
A.J. was eighteen when she finally contacted Ava in prison. Ava looked old, like more than a decade had gone. Ava stared at A.J. without seeing her. A.J. was sad seeing the waste of life. She wondered if she was in Ava's life whether it would make a difference.
A.J. was twenty-five when she finally thanked Daddy for adopting her. He laughed and said it was one of the best decisions he ever made. A.J. agreed but that wasn't what she meant. She meant thank you for caring enough to get her out of the life that was dangerous. Daddy said it was an easy choice but A.J. knew otherwise. A.J. had a wonderful life and she was grateful for it.