I woke up the next morning, still in the sitting room and found I just couldn't get up, I was frozen still, and not just because the fire had died out overnight and the room was cold, but because I was scared stiff of facing Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell.

I had seen something I shouldn't have, and although it was only a kiss, and although they were the ones who'd been reckless enough to kiss each other in the same room I was in, I was so afraid that they were going to be too embarrassed about me knowing and alarmed that I might tell someone else that they were going to send me back to the orphanage immediately.

I just couldn't bear the thought of leaving yet. They had been so kind to me and I had been treated so well here that I really didn't want to be sent back prematurely because of my own over-curiosity.

It wouldn't be unfair of them to think I might blab about it to someone else either. After all, Miss Farrell had already caught me gossiping with Mrs. Greer a few nights prior. She knew how much I would love her and Mr. Warbucks to be together romantically, and I knew that they probably didn't want it getting out even if they were.

I groaned, burying my face in my hands, then sighing as my stomach started to rumble. I needed to eat, but I did not want to leave the room and have to face the inevitable. I just wanted to live in ignorant bliss for at least a few hours more.

This room was chilly, but the orphanage would be like sleeping in an igloo. One of the many reasons I was glad to have escaped there for two of the coldest weeks of the year.

When my stomach really started hurting I realized I was going to have to get up. I made my way to the kitchen to inform Mrs. Pugh that I was awake and very hungry and ask her for some breakfast. On the way, I ran into Drake who informed me that Mr. Warbucks had gone out of the house earlier that morning and that Miss Farrell had taken her breakfast with him in the dining room and was now quite busy working, but would come and see me shortly.

"OK, th-thank you Mr. Drake", I stuttered, already feeling nervous about what Miss Farrell might have to say to me.

Drake didn't seem to notice my nerves. "Why don't you take a seat at the dining table and I'll bring your breakfast to you momentarily?"

"Sure, thank you", I nodded my head, offering him a little smile.

My breakfast was delicious as usual but I found I couldn't enjoy it quite the same as I could all the other days I'd been staying at Mr. Warbucks' house. I was too distracted by my own shame and fear about being sent back to the orphanage.

When Drake and Mrs. Pugh came to take my tray, I quickly jumped up from my seat. "Mr. Drake?"

"Yes Miss?" The butler looked at me inquiringly.

"Do you think I could have some more paper and a pen so I could write to my friends at the orphanage?"

"Did you not write to them just the other day, Miss? I delivered myself."

"Oh yes, but that was before my adventure yesterday. I have to tell them all about the Automat!" I lied. I mean, I was excited to tell them about the Automat and about helping all of those people in the Hoovervilles, but really, writing the letter was just an excuse to avoid talking to Miss Farrell for longer.

Drake and Mrs. Pugh chuckled. "Very well child. I'll get you something to write with", Drake bowed his head.

"Thank you", I smiled in gratitude and relief.

He returned very shortly afterwards, bringing with him a pen and a pad of paper with the Warbucks Industries insignia on.

"I'll be in my room writing my letter. Will you let Miss Farrell know please?"

"Certainly", Drake replied, looking a little perplexed.

I'm sure he knew how fond I was of Miss Farrell and of Mr. Warbucks and how I would usually give my left foot to spend as much time as possible with them, so my behavior this morning and the fact that I was so obviously avoiding them must have come across as very odd.

I shook my head at myself as I walked upstairs. I was doing a fine job at rousing suspicion, and if people started getting suspicious, it might lead them to the truth about Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell's kiss and then they'd be even more upset with me.

Boy, what a mess I'd gotten myself into.

I lay face down on my bed which hadn't been slept in the last two nights and began to write my letter, trying to distract myself by recounting all of the wonderful things I'd done the day before.

Before I knew it, I heard a gentle knock on my door. "Miss Annie?"

"Yes Mr. Drake?" I asked, looking up from my paper.

"Mr. Warbucks has just arrived home and he and Miss Farrell would like to see you."

I felt a pit in my stomach immediately. I'd become quite distracted with writing my letter that I'd almost forgotten my predicament with Miss Farrell and Mr. Warbucks.

"OK, I'm coming", I responded to Drake and made my way downstairs on shaky legs. As I walked to Mr. Warbucks' study, I decided that come what may I was just going to have to take it on the chin and be grown up about it. There was no sense in behaving childishly.

So, when I got to the study I put on my bravest face and greeted Miss Farrell with a pleasant "Hello". When Mr. Warbucks asked me how I was today, I answered him cheerily "I'm fine Sir, and how are you?"

The way he answered me was strange though, he started babbling as if he were nervous and when he told me that the time had come for us to have a serious discussion, I was certain I knew what he meant.

"You're sending me back to the orphanage, right?" I asked him despondently, but prepared for his answer.

"Annie, can we have a man-to-man talk?" He asked me, seeming to avoid my question.

"Sure", I replied with a shrug. Maybe he wasn't going to send me back after all. Maybe he just wanted to teach me a lesson about minding my own business. He had given me some very sound advice so far, so I sat down, ready to listen to what he had to say.

He started to talk about his childhood and his own family, and I listened intently but was somewhat confused why he would be telling me all this. He told me his own parents had died when he was very young, and I remembered what Mrs. Pugh had said to me about Mr. Warbucks having to support himself from a young age. I felt so bad for him. Miss Hannigan was not the greatest guardian in the world, but at least she gave us kids somewhere to stay so we weren't out on the streets.

He went on to talk about how he'd made all of his money and my eyes bulged a little. I knew he had a lot of money but I didn't realize he had that much money!

When he told me about his philosophy on not having to be nice to people as he made his way up in the world, I couldn't help but voice my disagreement. He raised his eyebrow at me for a moment, then moved on swiftly. He sat down beside me and told me that even after all the money he'd made and all of the things he'd accumulated in his life, he now understood that all of that wealth meant nothing if he had no one to share it with.

He asked me if I knew what he meant, and I could only assume he was talking about his relationship with Miss Farrell and trying to express to me his reasons for kissing her. He didn't need to prove anything to me though. Even before Mrs. Pugh had explained it to me, I knew that you had to have someone in your life to love, otherwise your life wasn't worth much at all. He didn't have to justify loving Miss Farrell to me, or even explain it. I could see that he loved her, and that she loved him, and I thought it was wonderful.

"Sure!" I responded to his question, to which he smiled, "Great!"

I had love for my parents, and it was a love that was so strong, but I guess my love for them was quite different to the love between Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell...

"Kind of", I amended my statement uncertainly.

I couldn't truthfully say I understood what being in love like him and Miss Farrell was like. There was the little crush I had on Don Budge I supposed, but I don't think that was really the same thing.

"I guess not", I told him, re-evaluating my answer.

"Damn", he cursed and stood up, walking away.

I felt so bad. I could see he was doing his best to explain things to me in a way I could understand, but he was struggling and I just wasn't quite getting it.

To my left, I heard Miss Farrell clear her throat. Mr. Warbucks spun back around and glanced at her before reaching into his pocket for something and turning back to address me again.

"Uh, um, I was in Tiffany's yesterday and I picked this up for you." He held up a blue box with a pretty white ribbon on it.

"For me?" I stood up, feeling slightly astonished. Here I was thinking I was going to be in trouble, that Mr. Warbucks was about to tell me off, and instead he was giving me gifts. I was so confused. "Gee. Thanks Mr. Warbucks, you're so nice to me", I told him, feeling overwhelmed and surprised.

I thought for a second perhaps the gift was a bribe, a way to convince me to keep my mouth shut about what I'd seen in the sitting room the night before.

When I opened the box and looked down at it, seeing the engraved message Mr. Warbucks pointed out to me, I began to understand that I'd had this whole situation all wrong.

Mr. Warbucks wasn't mad at me at all and he didn't want me to go back to the orphanage. Not ever.

I was very touched by his gift, but…if I didn't go back to the orphanage, how were my parents ever going to find me?

An instant panic rose up into my throat, and when I read what had been engraved on the locket in the box, I felt tears sting my eyes.

"To Annie, with love from Daddy Warbucks."

I didn't want to be rude and I couldn't just refuse his generous gift, not after all the kindness he had shown to me, so I simply placed folded it neatly back into the box and said, "Thank you Mr. Warbucks, thank you very much" as politely and controlled as I could, though my heart was tight in my chest at the thought that someone, even someone as wonderful as Mr. Warbucks could ever try to replace my parents.

When he tried to remove my locket, that tipped my quiet resolve over the edge. I felt my whole body seize up as I jumped back and yelled "No!"

I didn't want a new locket, and I didn't want a new parent. I wanted my locket and my parents. Like any child, I deserved to have my parents in my life, and even though it had been a long time since I had seen them, they deserved for me to go on looking for them.

Tearfully, I tried to explain all of this to Mr. Warbucks. I didn't want him to think I wasn't grateful, but he just didn't understand that my whole life, I had been waiting for my parents and I just couldn't, and wouldn't give up on them now. The thought of meeting them, of having folks of my very own one day, making them proud of me and having them to love me, that was the one thing I wanted more than anything in the world. More than ice cream, more than Broadway shows or operas or Coney Island, more than limousines and new coats and shiny lockets. I just wanted them.

I rushed to Miss Farrell's arms and hugged her tightly. She held me and whispered words of comfort to me while I cried and cried.

Behind me, I heard Mr. Warbucks tell Miss Farrell that they should get me something to comfort me. Mr. Warbucks suggested a brandy and I turned around to give him a reproachful look. I turned back to Miss Farrell and she told me it was going to be alright, and I wanted to believe her so much, but I just didn't know how at that point.

"Annie", Mr. Warbucks spoke again, softly. "I'll find them for you. I'll find your parents for you", he told me, looking determined.

Even though I had rejected his gift and rejected him wanting to be my Father, Mr. Warbucks was still offering to help me. I was amazed by his graciousness.

"You will?" I asked him in disbelief.

Only when Drake started speaking to me did I realize that some of the other staff had come to see what was happening, presumably after they'd heard me yelling.

Mr. Warbucks asked Drake to call some very important people including the FBI!

I was so blown away by how serious he was about helping to find my parents. I truly didn't know what to say. He was being so nice to me, even though I had turned down his gift which I knew he'd been so happy to give me. I was so grateful to him, but I also felt guilty about rejecting him, as well as very sad to think about my parents, how desperately I longed for them, how much I wished they would come for me, how scared I was that something had happened to them to stop them from doing so...

When Mr. Warbucks directed all of his staff to get to work, Miss Farrell stayed behind and took me in her arms again, rubbing my back comfortingly and speaking soothing and reassuring words to me.

For quite some time, I just stood there hanging on to her, feeling so many different and complicated emotions.

"I-I-I'm s-sorry", I sobbed against her.

"Oh no, no, don't be sorry. I just wish I'd realized. I should have asked you more about your parents. I should be apologizing to you", she squeezed me a little tighter and I could feel her own tears against my hair.

"B-but you and Mr. W-Warbucks have been so nice to me. You have nothing to apologize for."

She sighed deeply and rubbed my back again before loosening her hold on me. "Well, Drake is right. If anyone can find your parents, Mr. Warbucks can."

I shook my head, my eyes still filled with tears. "I'm so thankful."

"It'll be our honor", she assured me, though she herself looked rather sad.

"Now", she raised her hands to my face and wiped my tears away with her thumbs. "Why don't you and I go and have a nice cup of tea and you can read me that letter from your parents."

I smiled stoically at her and nodded my head. "I'd like that, Miss Farrell."

She stroked my cheek gently with the back of her knuckles. "Sweetheart. I want you to know that I'm…your friend." She swallowed, as if she was trying to stop more tears from coming. "Why don't you call me Grace from now on, hmm?"

I smiled a little bigger at her. "OK, Miss Grace."

She chuckled and nodded her head. "OK."

She wrapped my hand in her own and we walked to the kitchen together to have our tea.

Mrs. Pugh brewed a fresh hot pot of tea after giving me a big hug, reiterating what Drake had said about Mr. Warbucks being just the man who could find my parents.

I felt so assured and so supported by all of these people. I counted my blessings for the thousandth time that week.

As we began to sip our steaming hot cups of tea, Mr. Warbucks himself came striding into the kitchen.

"Oh, Mr. Warbucks!" Mrs. Pugh greeted him in surprise. I don't think he usually came to the kitchen so it must have been quite a surprise for her to see him there.

"Mrs. Pugh", he nodded his head at her cordially, then turned to me and Miss Grace. "Annie, I've just got off the telephone with FBI director Hoover who has notified me that it would be very helpful if his agents could have your locket and your note."

My eyes widened in alarm. "But, Mr. Warbucks…"

"It'll only be for a day or two, to help them with their investigation. He thinks that one or both of them could be the key to finding your parents."

I clutched the note, which I had just been reading to Miss Farrell and Mrs. Pugh in my hand protectively, and my locket with my other hand.

"Annie", Miss Grace spoke to me softly. "If Director Hoover says they could be useful then it'll be best that you let him borrow them."

"I'll make sure you get them back undamaged", Mr. Warbucks promised me with a soft but sincere tone.

Slowly, I passed him my note and Miss Grace stood to help me take my locket off. She passed it to Mr. Warbucks and I noticed as her hand pressed it into his, he grasped hers for a moment before looking at me. "Thank you, Annie. These will be a big help."

"Thank you, Mr. Warbucks", I croaked, becoming quite emotional again.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Miss Farrell asked him as she stood facing him.

"You just take care of Annie. She needs you more than I do today", he smiled gently at her and placed his hand on her arm.

"Alright", she nodded, the two of them staring into each other's eyes for a moment.

Quite honestly, with all the emotion and drama that had ensued after Mr. Warbucks had presented me with the new locket I had almost forgotten all about the kiss he and Miss Grace had shared the previous evening, but now I looked up at them in anticipation, wondering if they might do so again.

I was a little disappointed when Mr. Warbucks removed his hand from her arm and turned to Mrs. Pugh. "I'll be working through lunch today, but I'm sure Mrs. Pugh will make you anything you like, Annie."

The cook nodded in agreement, smiling kindly at me.

"Anything warm will be fantastic", I told them honestly.

Mrs. Pugh chortled. "Oh, don't you worry, it'll certainly be that."

"I'll see you later this afternoon", Mr. Warbucks told Miss Grace and me.

"Good luck", Miss Grace told him endearingly and he nodded with a smile in her direction.

We finished our tea and then Miss Grace suggested a swim in the pool before lunch. She came with me this time, donning her cap to keep her hair dry and her lovely bathing suit - royal blue, of course.

It was nice to have someone swimming with me. We chased each other around the pool and lightly splashed one another, both of us giggling and squealing. It was a great distraction from everything else that was going on.

While we were in the middle of having a race up the length of the pool, Mr. Warbucks walked into the room and I watched him as he froze and stared at Grace, unblinking for several moments.

"Oh! Is everything alright, Sir?" Miss Grace panted, trying to catch her breath.

"Um, uh yes, everything's fine", he stuttered, then finally tore his eyes away from her to look at me. "Uh, Annie, I've just come to tell you that I've booked us on the Hour of Smiles Radio Show this evening to try and get the word out that we're looking for your parents."

"Wow, the radio! A lot of people are going to hear that", I replied, feeling excited but nervous.

"Yes. I'm going to put out my home address where they can write in and fill out a questionnaire about themselves and about you. I want to make sure whoever comes forward to claim you is in fact your real parents."

"Gee Mr. Warbucks, it sounds like you've thought of everything!"

"Yes, well…The Hour of Smiles Show is at five. Grace, please have her ready to leave by four."

"Certainly, Sir. Would you like me to come too?"

He smiled tiredly at her. "I really would, if not only for moral support, but I think it'll be best if you stay here, just in case anybody calls with information before we return home."

"Yes, Sir", she replied dutifully.

"Thank you", he said to her, his eyes lingering once more before he managed to pull his gaze from her and leave the room.

Miss Grace and I got out of the pool shortly after that and went to eat our lunch. Mrs. Pugh had made a beautiful chicken and vegetable pie. It was so delicious and comforting to eat.

After lunch, Mr. Drake asked Miss Grace and I to go to Mr. Warbucks' study so we could go over the list of questions that anyone claiming to be my parents would be asked.

"And don't forget to ask them about the locket", I suggested to him once he had read out the questions and made sure they were correct.

"Well, we can't exactly tell them about the locket, otherwise people will simply claim they knew about it all along. However, what we can do is ask them for anything specific they remember leaving you and see what their answers are."

"It's been a long time. What if they can't remember?" I asked despondently.

Mr. Warbucks and Miss Grace shared a sad look. Mr. Warbucks stood from his desk and came to kneel down in front of me. "They'll remember. They wouldn't forget something so important."

I wasn't sure if he was talking about the locket, or about me, but I nodded my head at him.

"We're going to find them, Annie", he told me softly and sincerely.

"Thank you", I choked, trying not to start crying again.

"Annie, why don't you go and find Cecile and ask her to help you choose a smart and warm outfit for your radio appearance?" Miss Grace suggested.

"OK", I replied to her and left the room quickly, not wanting to burden either of them with more of my tears. As I walked out of the door however, I heard a barely-contained wail which made my steps falter. I turned back and poked my head in the door of Mr. Warbucks' study, not wanting them to know that I was prying yet again, but feeling concerned.

Miss Grace was clutching Mr. Warbucks, his arms around her in a firm embrace. She was sobbing into his shoulder. My heart broke again with sadness and with guilt.

I really hoped that they would forgive me for denying their kind offer of a home for life, and that they would still want to be my friends. I didn't know my parents well, but I just knew they would all get along.

I searched the house and found Cecile and we went upstairs to choose an outfit for my radio appearance. It wasn't as if the whole of New York would be able to see me, but I still wanted to look nice for Bert Healy and The Boylan sisters.

I got dressed and then went back downstairs where Mr. Warbucks was waiting for me by the door.

He drove us to the radio station in the Duesenberg, asking me what I knew about The Hour of Smiles. Turns out, it was one thing I knew a lot better than he did. Us kids listened to it on the radio a lot at the orphanage. Mr. Warbucks never listened to the radio for entertainment purposes so he hadn't heard the show before.

We arrived at WNBC studios and met everyone who worked on the show. It was fascinating to see behind the scenes of a program I listened to quite often.

Burt Healy and Mr. Warbucks did a good job with the announcements, telling the public of New York about me and how I was searching for my parents. I was amazed when Mr. Warbucks read out the figure he was willing to give them if they came forward and could prove they were my folks.

I knew he wanted me to stay with him really, but because I only wanted my parents, he was still willing to make sure I was well taken care of. I could have cried for his generosity.

I blinked in surprise when his shouting broke me out of my thoughts. He was yelling something at Bert Healy about endorsing products. I jumped up and grabbed his hand, pulling him outside to stop him from humiliating himself and tarnishing what had been a successful interview.

As we got back into the car, he was still rambling about Burt Healy and what cads he and the producers of the radio show were.

I shrugged as he started the engine. "I found Bert Healy to be quite nice, but maybe a little silly, and the Boylan sisters were talented but not overly friendly."

Mr. Warbucks glanced my way quickly before returning his attention to the road. "It's never a good idea to meet your heroes, Annie. More often than not it will only lead to disappointment and almost always to disillusionment.

I shook my head, looking at him as he looked ahead, driving us safely home.

"They aren't my heroes, Mr. Warbucks. If anyone is my hero, it's you."

I saw him swallow deeply, his eyes blinking rapidly. After a few moments, he cleared his throat and croaked, "And you're mine, dear girl."

…

When we arrived home, Miss Grace was waiting for us at the door. "You heard the broadcast?" Mr. Warbucks asked her.

"Yes Sir, you spoke well. Both of you did very well", she gave each of us a gentle smile.

"Thank you, Grace", Mr. Warbucks smiled warmly at her and she returned it, looking proudly at him. She turned to me and placed her soft hands on either side of my face. "You must be hungry. Shall I go and see how far away dinner is?"

Mr. Warbucks placed his hand on her lower back and told her, "I'll go, you stay here and Annie can tell you all about the Hour of Smiles", he rolled his eyes playfully and she let out a quiet chuckle. "OK."

I filled Miss Grace in on the experience of being on the radio and she listened to me happily as we walked to the dining room together and took our seats at the table.

"It'll just be a few moments more", Mr. Warbucks said as he walked into the room, taking his seat at the head of the table. "I forgot to ask you before Grace, were there any calls while I was out?"

"Oh, nothing of importance, Sir. Just a few of your um…associates who'd heard or had been told about your radio appearance and were wondering what you'd gotten yourself into."

Mr. Warbucks shook his head in dismissal.

While we were sitting there waiting for our food, I looked over at both Mr. Warbucks and Miss Grace and a bittersweet thought came to my mind. "I just realized something. If my Mother and Father are found by tomorrow, this could be our last dinner together, just the three of us."

Mr. Warbucks and Miss Grace shared a somber glance before turning their heads to offer me comforting smiles.

"Do you think they'd let me stay with you a couple more days, until Christmas?" I asked meekly but hopefully.

I watched as their eyes lit up at my suggestion and Mr. Warbucks' smile grew. "Well, I'd be very pleased if you did, so we can certainly ask them. They can stay too, of course."

I beamed at him brightly.

Mrs. Pugh and Mr. Drake brought in our meal and once the table had been laid out, Miss Grace reached out for mine and Mr. Warbucks' hands. "Before we eat, why don't we pray?"

"Pray?" Mr. Warbucks looked at her quizzically.

She nodded with a tight smile. "For Annie and a happy reunion with her parents."

Mr. Warbucks' face fell slightly but he nodded his head anyway and took her hand and mine.

Miss Grace spoke softly. "Dear Lord, we thank you for this food before us and for all of the many blessings you have given to us in our lives. We pray that you will give us all strength and guidance, to lead Annie's parents back to her, and to make her and all of us happy and content. I thank you for bringing Annie into our lives, for allowing us to know such a special girl, and also for leading me in my own path to Mr. Warbucks who…"

I looked up as Miss Grace seemed to pause in her prayer. She cleared her throat and continued. "...Who gives my life such meaning and purpose."

I watched as Mr. Warbucks opened his eyes and stared at her fixedly.

"Please make our way clear and continue to guide our paths, bringing peace to our minds and tranquility to our hearts. Amen."

"Gosh, that was really beautiful, Miss Grace", I told her truthfully.

"Yes, it was", Mr. Warbucks added and squeezed her hand lightly before letting it go so he could begin eating.

After dinner, Mr. Warbucks said to me, "Now Annie, we don't yet know what tomorrow will bring, but it's no doubt going to be very busy. Why don't you go on up to bed and get a good night's rest so that you can face whatever comes your way, head on?"

"Good idea, Mr. Warbucks", I nodded my head. I was actually already feeling quite tired. It had been an emotionally draining morning, and then I'd gone for a swim in the pool, then made an appearance on the radio - it had been a big day, and I wanted to be prepared for tomorrow, especially if I was going to be meeting my parents again after such a long time.

"Good girl. I had better return to my study and man the phone in case any information comes through from the FBI. Grace, will you please take Annie up to her room and make sure she's comfortable?"

"Certainly", she replied warmly.

Mr. Warbucks and I stood from the table and I wrapped my arms around his waist. "Goodnight Mr. Warbucks, and thank you so much for everything."

I felt his warm and strong arms go around me. He held me close to him and whispered. "You're welcome. Annie. Sleep well."

As Miss Grace escorted me upstairs, I had a thousand questions to ask her about what was going to happen in the next couple of days.

"Do you think there'll be lots of letters? Do you think they might bring me a brother or sister? Do you think they'll like me?"

"Annie, they will love you. How could they not?" She smiled sweetly at me as she tucked me into bed.

"Thanks Miss Grace", I smiled back at her, stifling a yawn.

"Right. That's quite enough questions for tonight. You must get some sleep now."

"OK. Goodnight."

She kissed me on my forehead and murmured, "Goodnight sweetheart. Sweet dreams."

Figuring we'd all been through so much together that day and realizing it was possibly going to be my last night with them anyway, I raised myself up on my elbows to ask one last question I'd been dying to know the answer to, catching her as she turned to walk out the door.

"Miss Grace? Can I ask you just one more thing?"

She turned back around with an exasperated chuckle. "Yes dear, what is it?"

I slowly grinned at her. "Did you like kissing Mr. Warbucks?"

Her eyes widened in shock at my presumptuous question. She ducked her head shyly and blushed. "If I told you I didn't, I'd be lying."

She raised her twinkling eyes to mine and we shared a happy smile.

"Goodnight Annie", she said with an air of finality and I lay my head down on my pillow contentedly.

I started thinking of my parents and Mr. Warbucks and Miss Grace meeting each other and the two couples becoming friends. The happy visions filling my mind before my dreams even began.