Author's Note: Here it is, the end! Thank you so much for reading - and keep an eye out for my account :)

It took Molly a while to accept the fact she had real parents now. It was a strange adjustment, for sure, having gone without since she was four years old. Given how she lost her birth parents, she could only assume she'd lose Esther and John to a similar fate. And thanks to Miss Hannigan's contribution to her life, it took a while to let go of the fear that her new parents wouldn't turn out to be so great after all.

Those first two weeks in Connecticut had been rough. Though it was freeing to no longer be confined to a single room or a dormitory with a dozen other girls, being without Annie proved just as difficult as imagined. John and Esther were still strangers, kind as they appeared to be so far. She didn't know what to expect.

Yet, soon enough, the good started to sink in. Esther wanted to tuck her in and kiss her goodnight. John wanted her to keep him company while he worked, telling her all that he does for a living. They both wanted to hold her hands as they took their evening walks. Even when she cried or made a mess they didn't lose patience. When she asked for seconds, she got it with a smile. When she wanted a glass of water, they brought it to her before she could think to ask. And Esther was even a better cook than Mrs. Pugh!

All this combined, she began to settle down into her new home, and before she knew it, the Wilkins family returned to New York City. Annie was the first face she saw when she got off the train.

"I've missed you so much!" Annie said, squeezing Molly hard.

"Me, too," she sniffled. "But Annie… you should see the Wilkins' house! It's not as big as Mr. Warbucks' but it's got them pretty flowers all along the fence and other kids in the neighborhood to play with. I made a new friend, too! Her name is Cora. She's exactly three months younger than me. Exactly!"

Annie laughed, sharing her joy. "I told ya things would be good for you! Aren't you glad you gave the Wilkin's a chance?"

"Mhmm."

"I've never seen you so happy."

"Well, I would be happier still if we were sisters, but I don't think I'd get to spend all day with Mrs. Warbucks like I do with Esther."

"No, probably not. I gotta say, I'm jealous!"

"I can't wait for you to sleep over. Esther said she'd make you a special cake and everything! I'm always talkin' about you. I can't wait for you to really meet her. And John, too!"

Molly carried on and on about her new life as they made the trip to the Warbucks mansion. The Wilkins and Grace followed behind, watching endeared at their girls' reunion.

"How is she doing?" Grace asked them in a soft voice. "She's the most animated I've ever seen."

"It took a little bit for her to warm up to us," Esther answered, "but I think now it's safe to say that she's attached."

"I'm so relieved. I still feel terrible for all the chaos before."

"It's forgotten," John said. "We're just happy to have her home."

"How's Annie doing now with everything?" Esther questioned.

Grace shrugged. "So-so. She's been worried sick about her. I'm hoping now that she's able to visit she'll relax."

"Their bond is so sweet."

"Terrific girls despite what they've been through," Grace agreed. "I'm so glad to see Molly has taken a liking to you both. I can't think of a better match."

"Well, thank you," John said. "She was worth the wait."

Their conversation was interrupted by Annie and Molly running back to them, impish grins on their faces.

"I think Molly coming back to New York means we should celebrate," Annie said.

"Oh?" Grace replied.

Molly nodded. "We decided that we need to go to Rumpelmeyer's."

"Is that so?" John laughed.

"What about our luggage?" Esther reminded with a chuckle.

"We'll drop it off when we pick up Mr. Warbucks," Molly answered.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Grace said, stroking Molly's hair. "Mr. Warbucks is in meetings all day."

"Can't he take a break?" Annie begged.

"I'm sorry, dear."

"What about later?"

"We'll see, but don't get your hopes up."

"How about this;" John started. "We let Grace and Esther go home and relax and the three of us go and paint the town?"

"Not a bad idea," Grace said, resting her hand on her stomach. "I'm a bit queasy today."

"Suits me fine," Esther said. "The train never fails to exhaust me."

"It's settled then. We'll save Rumpelmeyer's for when Oliver can join us."

Annie sighed but agreed while Molly was hopping up and down with excitement. Taking her new father's hand, she pulled him along, calling for Annie to follow.

. . .

"You know," Annie said later that afternoon, "today kinda reminds me of the first day out with Daddy Warbucks."

"Yeah?"

"We went to the movies and he bought out all of Radio City Music Hall. I fell asleep before the end, but it was so much fun."

"I've been to the park and stuff with John, but I guess this is my first time really doing something with him. Something this fun."

Annie smiled. "Isn't it great? Starting to feel like everything is coming together?"

"Yeah," Molly reciprocated. "Though I think I knew it for a while now. I mean, they didn't change their mind about me in Connecticut. I was sure they would. But now we're home again and I'll be starting school. They really seem to like me."

"They do, I can tell."

"Will things always be this fun?"

"Probably not," Annie answered honestly. "Fathers like to be busy, but then they make up for it by fun days like this."

"I guess it's worth it," Molly said.

Annie chuckled, "Yeah, it is. But I think once Mom has the baby, I'm gonna hang out with you and your folks as much as I can. They won't have time for me. Daddy's been busier than ever since you left and Mom is tired all the time. It's been boring not having you here."

"Well," John said, startling them both. He stood behind them with an ice cream cone in each hand. "You're always welcome to visit us, Annie, but give your parents a chance. They're going to want to spend time with you and the baby together."

She shrugged, unconvinced.

"I mean it. But I can't say you're not going to want to get away from a screaming infant every once in a while." With a wink, he handed the girls their cones. "To tide you over until we all get ice cream sodas."

"Thank you, Mr. Wilkins," Annie said, succumbing to a smile.

"Thanks, Daddy!"

John and Annie paused at Molly's comment.

When she realized her slip-up, she looked down and blushed, trying to hide her face behind the scoop of ice cream. "I mean… John. I meant to say John. I'm sorry."

"Molly," he said, crouching down in front of her with an ear-to-ear grin on his face, "you're allowed to call me 'Dad' if you'd like."

"… Really?"

"Really."

"And I could call Esther 'Mama'?"

"I think she would love that."

Bringing her face back out, she showed a shy smile. "I think I'd like it, too."

The new father/daughter pair hugged, though it resulted with ice cream smooshed all over John's back. Annie stood aside and watched, stifling a laugh, but also feeling a wave of emotion rush through her. She knew what this moment felt like. Addressing a parent for the first time after years of hope. Like her own, Molly had envisioned this moment differently. She had her parents in mind and it took a while to let that image fade away. But also like Annie, this new vision promised to be better than her wildest dreams.

Finally, she thought. Molly's finally found a family.