Sorcha Warbucks overcame many obstacles in her life. She beat the odds time and again, yet by the time she was three she still could not walk or speak, though she made many joyful sounds. In fact, no one who knew her had ever met a happier child. She smiled all the time and was the apple of not only Oliver and Grace's eyes, but of all of the staff and everyone else who met her.
Although she was loved by many, and formed a particularly special bond with President Roosevelt, especially when she too began to use a wheelchair, no one was closer to the little girl than her Mother.
Grace and Sorcha became inseparable and the woman was forever fiercely protective and adoring of her sweet, forever innocent child. The two of them never spent a day apart, not for the rest of Grace's days.
The Warbucks' lives became so entirely different from what they had once been. Oliver, a man who had never really trusted the world enough to give his heart since losing his parents and brother at such a young age, had once again learned to open himself up to being loved and to giving all of his love to his own wife and children.
He had come full circle in his life, returning to being so utterly devoted to family that nothing mattered more. Not his business, not his money and not himself. Of course, he'd done so well financially that he and his family never needed to worry about money again, even with the extra costs that came with having a child with a disability. His youngest daughter was always incredibly well taken care of and given so much attention and adoration by all of them. She and the rest of his family were Oliver's top priority for the rest of his days. He credited Grace and Annie for turning his life around. For reminding him that love was truly the most important thing in the world and that without it, life was pointless.
Having his three other children only pushed the point home even further. He could not imagine himself without his family. His sons who grew to be fine young men and his daughter who was truly an angel on Earth.
As Annie grew, she proved to be incredibly smart and wily. Under the guidance of The Brearley school and of Mrs. McIntosh, she thrived and finished school top of her class. Of course, both Mrs. McIntosh and Dr. McIntosh became incredibly important to the Warbucks' family and they remained in close contact for the rest of the McIntoshs' lives.
For a girl who had never received any formal education before the age of 11, Annie's advancement with her education was astounding. Grace and Oliver could not have been more proud of their eldest child.
After leaving school, she took over the remainder of the business her Father and Mother still ran. When her brothers came of age, they began to take the reigns more and more while Annie became full time carer to her now aging parents and her beloved sister.
Stephen and Sean were adventurous and industrious young men. They were blessed with all the best parts of their Father and Mother. They had Grace's compassion and intelligence as well as Oliver's tenacity and stubbornness - though the latter could probably be attributed to both of their parents.
The boys learned a lot from their sisters as well. Annie played a big part in helping to raise them, seeing as she was nearly a teenager when they were born and the boys always looked up to her. The two brothers also learned many valuable lessons from their triplet. They learned what it meant to be understanding, to show kindness and to embrace those from all walks of life, especially those who were different than they were.
The Warbucks children were raised to be tolerant, respectful, hardworking and among all the privileges they received, the greatest of them all was the love they all shared as a family.
At the dawning of Oliver's days, he and Grace sat on the terrace of the mansion, looking out over the great expanse of their lawn, watching their children and young grandchildren relaxing and playing together in the grounds. The boys, who were now men in their late twenties, were running around after Annie's and Stephen's children. Sorcha sat against a tree next to Annie and Stephen's wife Rebecca, Sorcha's face a picture of delight as Annie held her new-born daughter between herself and her younger sister.
"I don't think there are any two people on this Earth more blessed than us", Grace wearily yet contentedly said to her husband as she watched their family.
"No dearest, I think not", Oliver spoke croakily, looping his wrinkled and knobbly fingers through hers.
"Do you remember the day I came for an interview with you? You thought I was too floury, too young and naive, but I pleaded with you to give me a chance and eventually you agreed to take me on."
Oliver laughed raspily. "And you were quick to prove my first impressions of you wrong."
Grace grinned lightly. "And then five years later, you asked me to be your wife."
Oliver turned his head to look at her. His wife. His dearest. The woman he owed his whole happiness to. She squeezed his hand gently, her eyes full of emotion. "I'm so glad I said yes."
He slowly lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. "I'm so glad I did too."
THE END.
A/N: I have loved writing this story. I have seriously loved it. It's been such a journey and such a treat to portray these wonderful characters in this setting. I'm sad to be finishing this but excited to start working on some new stuff for this fandom too (watch out for that soon!)
Thanks for reading everyone!
Peace and love,
Renee.
