My first month in Denver flew by. Every weekday I tried to go somewhere new. In the days before Keely went back to school, she joined, showing me all the best places to shop and where to find the best food. I visited with Derek a few times, and even joined him on some outings with Hank to a park or the children's museum. Weekends were full of laughter and family time. We'd spent one weekend outfitting the nursery, purchasing a white crib and dresser, as well as a glider and ottoman.

While shopping for furniture, Keely had seen a set of three framed images she begged us to get for the nursery. It was a pink tinged set of Parisian themed pictures; one of the Eiffel Tower, a shot of the carousel across the street, and an image of hot air balloons in the sky. As we'd gotten to know each other more, Keely was fascinated to hear about my travels around the world. She'd been most interested in Paris, and though it still held some dark memories for me in regard to my time spent there while faking my death, sharing the good parts with her had been somewhat cathartic.

Overall, Denver was starting to feel more comfortable. Andrew's house felt more like our house with each passing day, and I felt I was building a good relationship with Keely. The Friday after Labor Day, Keely's volleyball team had their first home game of the season. Her friends, Maria and Natalie, had played volleyball in middle school and had convinced her to try out for the team this year. Keely had never played but was naturally athletic, and with a little practice before tryouts and coaching from her friends, she made the JV team along with them.

She'd been quiet the days leading up to the game, which Andrew and I simply chalked up to nerves. The day before the game, JJ texted me and said the team was finishing up a case in Colorado Springs and asked if I wanted to meet up the next day before they left. Since Andrew was planning to go to Keely's game, I agreed, but the next morning Andrew texted and said the director had called a meeting he couldn't skip out on. Knowing that meant no one would be there for the game, I called JJ, apologizing profusely as I told her I wouldn't be able to make it, feeling that someone should go support Keely.

The JV team was good, and for a new player, Keely spent a fair amount of time on the court. At the end of the game, parents waited for the coach to release the players before making their way onto the court, meeting up with their kids.

As I walked down the stairs of the bleachers, I wasn't sure whether Keely would want me to come say hi or not. Yes, we had a good relationship so far, but I didn't know if greeting her after the game like the other parents was my place, especially without Andrew there. Ultimately, the decision was made for me when Keely spotted me at the bottom of the steps. "Emily! What are you doing here?" She ran over with a curious but friendly look.

"I knew your dad couldn't come watch, but I thought someone should be here for your first game. Great job out there, kiddo!"

"Oh, thanks! Um, Maria was going to take me home since dad couldn't make it, but since you're here can I just ride with you?"

"Of course, I'll wait for you out in the hall."

"Thank you!" As I watched her run back to the locker rooms, I pondered the tone of her voice. She seemed happy with the fact that I was there, but something was off.

####

As we climbed into the SUV a few minutes later, Keely was quiet. She stared out the window as we drove, seeming deep in thought and somewhat somber. "Keely, is everything ok?"

"Huh?" She asked, taking a second to process what I said before continuing. "Oh, yeah. I'm fine." I didn't believe it for a second but decided not to push. A moment later though, she looked over at me. "Emily, were you there for the whole game?"

"I was, yeah. Why?"

"Did you happen to see my mom?"

"Um, no sweetie, I didn't." I reply apologetically, glancing over at Keely who nods slowly. "But that doesn't mean she wasn't there. I wasn't looking around the crowd much." I add, trying to put a positive spin on it.

"I guess I don't know why I thought she would actually come. Growing up, even after mom and dad divorced, they always made sure one of them would be able to come to my activities. I left a voicemail about the game earlier this week, and I texted her this morning when dad said he wasn't going to be able to make it. I thought maybe…" Her voice trailed off. "It was stupid."

"It's not stupid. It's perfectly normal to want your mom to be there."

"You know, a big part of the reason I even let Maria and Natalie convince me to join the team was in hopes that maybe mom would come to my games. She's been avoiding my calls all summer."

"I know. I'm so sorry, Keely." I say as we pull into the driveway.

"Yeah, me too." She says solemnly, climbing out of the car. Walking inside, Keely drops her practice bag and shoes in the mudroom before joining me in the kitchen where I pull out a Gatorade for her.

"Thanks." She says, taking a swig. "And Emily," she waits until I meet her eyes to continue. "Thanks for coming, today."

"Of course, sweetheart." I smile.

####

"I didn't even know she invited Michelle." Andrew remarks as we crawl into bed that evening. I'd told him about my conversation with Keely, which had only served to make him feel even worse about missing the game.

"I think it's just finally hitting her, everything with her mom." I sigh against Andrew's chest, knowing to some degree from my own experience what it's like to feel you mean nothing to your mother.

"Thank you for being there for her, I can't tell you how much that means to me."

"You don't have to thank me. I care about Keely and I was glad to do it."

"I know, but I also know how much you were looking forward to seeing the team. They're your family and I know how much you miss them."

"You guys are my family, too. You and Keely and our little girl."

Andrew and I simultaneously lay a hand on my stomach. "You know, we're going to have to come up with something to call her other than little girl." He says, his thumb rubbing lightly.

"We do." I confirm quietly. Andrew slides away from me a bit, my head slipping off his chest as I look over to him, meeting his curious eyes. "What?"

"You have one in mind, don't you?" He says knowingly.

I sigh. "Yes. There's one name that's constantly been in the back of my mind. I've been trying to think of more, in case you don't like it, but there haven't been any others I've wanted to consider."

He props himself up on his elbow, head resting against his hand as he looks at me expectantly. "Well, are you going to tell me?"

I'm silent for a moment more, biting my lip and hoping he doesn't hate the name. "Stella." It's the first time I've said the name aloud, having told myself I wouldn't get attached to the name if I didn't speak it. Slowly, a wide grin appears on his face. It seems genuine, not a forced reaction to appease me. "You like it?" I ask hesitantly.

"I do. And I think it goes perfectly with the one name that's been lingering in my own mind. Grace."

"Stella Grace." I test the name on my lips. "Stella Grace." I whisper a second time, unable to hold back a smile.

"Stella Grace Mendoza. It's perfect." Andrew leans in for a short, sweet kiss, our foreheads meeting as we pull apart and snuggle back into a close embrace.