Back To School Fears
The Daughter I Never Had Chapter 3
A/N: Okay I have to admit I am kind of lazy and do not really have much inspiration to write new fan fiction. Basically what I am doing for this story is rewriting chapters from previous stories in Mrs. Pugh's perspective. This is a combined perspective of chapters 9 & 10 of my story Family. I own no characters from Annie. As a refresher Family is set three years after the end of the 1999 movie. By this point Annie is 14 & going into 9th grade and Molly who was adopted by Oliver and Grace at the end of my story Forever Changed is 10 and going into 6th grade. The story was originally intended to be a oneshot but I just ADORE this pairing. Also please note I am super busy right now between work and the play I am so chapter 6 of Holiday Memories will not be posted until the 2nd week of December. Thanks in advance for your patience!
It was a mild mid-August morning I was making breakfast and Grace was at the table sipping coffee and reading the New York Times. Annie came into the kitchen looking very anxious about something.
"Good morning Mom."
Grace smiled "Good morning Annie."
"Good morning Mrs. Pugh."
I smiled "Good morning Annie. You're just in time for breakfast."
Annie sat down at the table. Grace noticed her look of anxiety right away.
"Still nervous about starting high school sweetheart?"
Annie nodded.
"What's your biggest fear?"
Annie was silent. She looked like she was methodically planning what she should say. I placed her breakfast plate in front of her.
"I have quite a few actually."
I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table next to Grace.
First off, the high school is such a bigger building than the middle school. What if I get lost?"
I smiled.
"Annie, love do you remember when you first to came to stay here for Christmas three years ago and how big you thought the house was?"
"Yeah, how is that the same?"
"Think of the high school in that way.. a place that's big and scary when you first arrive but will seem smaller once you get used to it."
Grace smiled at me and squeezed my hand. "I couldn't have phrased that better."
Annie nodded. "Okay, secondly I just got my schedule in the mail and I have no classes together with any of my friends. I'm kind of nervous to meet new people."
Grace smiled at Annie "I have no doubt in my mind that you will have no problem making friends darling. You are the most outgoing person that I know."
"What if I don't fit in anywhere?"
"You'll find that special group of friends who will see you for the caring and intelligent person that you are. I said and Grace nodded in agreement.
"And what about boys?"
Grace smiled at her daughter playfully. "What about boys?"
"How will I know which one is the right one for me?"
I took Annie's hands in mine.
"Annie, you are still very young. You'll have a long time to find that special someone. Don't rush things. Patience is important."
Once again Grace smiled at me and squeezed my hand. I squeezed back knowing that she remembered that was the same advice I had given to her when she had told me she had feelings for Oliver.
"Do you feel better now sweetheart?" Grace asked.
"Yes. Definitely!" Annie smiled at us gratefully and then went back to eating her breakfast.
Once she was done and had cleared her plate she got up and whispered something into my ear. Grace smiled. I had a feeling she and Annie must be up to something. Once she told me her secret a smile spread across my face and I hugged Annie tightly. Annie skipped out of the kitchen to get ready for the day.
"Did she tell you that sees you as grandmother figure to her?" Grace asked.
I got up and put her arm around Grace. "She most certainly did. How long have you known that?"
"Since she was working on her family tree project in March. I think things have just been so hectic since then she hasn't gotten the chance to tell you until right now."
I rubbed Grace's back. "I know how special Annie is to you darling. I am so happy she thinks of me a grandmother figure. We should do something together sometime... just the three of us."
Grace grinned widely and leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. "I think she'd absolutely love that. I love you Helen."
I gave Grace a squeeze. "I love you too sweetheart."
About one week later Grace came into my room after tucking Annie and Molly into bed looking very concerned. I was sitting up in bed reading a book.
"Come darling, let's chat." I patted the bed next to me pulling the covers back.
Grace climbed in bed next to me and curled into my side. I love the sense of closeness we share.. very much.
"What's on your mind my dear?"
"I'm just so worried about Molly."
"What's got you so worried?"
"Well she's so nervous about starting school… going to middle school is a big deal."
"That's normal darling. I'm sure she'll be fine."
"Oliver and I have noticed she's had somewhat of a difficult time adjusting to new social situations. What if she has trouble making friends?"
I stroked Grace's hair back from her forehead. " Molly is a very sweet and friendly girl. I have no doubt in my mind she'll have any trouble making friends."
Grace sighed. "I hope you're right Helen."
"I love you Gracie Liz."
Grace looked like she was about to say something but she was holding back.
"Why the hesitation my dear?"
Grace looked embarrassed. "It's quite silly really."
I looked at her.. waiting patiently.
"It's just you've been like a mother to me all this time but I've been so afraid to call you Mom."
I nodded. "Grace, sweetheart I know I could never replace your mother in your heart but you are so special to me."
"Helen, you're special to me too. You have no idea how much you mean to me."
I waited patiently. Grace was silent.
" I love you Gracie Liz." I whispered.
Grace swallowed the lump in her throat. Tears were glistening in her eyes
"I love you too Mama.
"There that wasn't so hard was it?" I said smiling.
Grace shook her head. I felt her embrace tighten around me.
I rubbed her back until she fell asleep then I kissed her on the top of the head.
"Good night baby girl. Sweet dreams."