I'm out of quipy things to put in the Author's Notes. Look for one at end, though.
Chapter Eleven:
Spencer:
Gracelyn appeared in her new green and blue uniform.
"How do I look?" she asked.
"Beautiful," I said.
"It's a uniform, not an evening gown," she said teasingly.
"You always look beautiful," I said.
She blushed.
We had just moved to DC a week ago. It had been three weeks since she was released from the hospital. Today was her first day at Harrison Prep.
"I made sausage and eggs," I said.
"I'll eat it," she said. "But that stuff is kind of heavy. Can you buy Cheerios next week?"
"Why didn't you say anything when I went grocery shopping yesterday?" I asked.
"I'm still adjusting to acting like a respectful teenager," she said as she took a plate of food. "I was busy texting Liam, and wasn't paying attention when, you asked what I wanted from the store."
"How's the emancipation case going?" I asked.
"A good lawyer read about the case and volunteered to represent him pro bono," she said. "The process is just going to take a while. At least another month."
"Are you nervous about today?" I asked.
"The Idaho Gracelyn would say: Duh. But the DC Gracelyn is saying: yes."
"I already spoke with the principal," I said. "She's going to make sure you aren't bullied."
"I'm looking forward to the assembly I'm headlining on bullying," Gracelyn said.
"I'm proud of you for volunteering to share your experiences," I said.
"The web series I worked with Teddy, Tina, Liam, and bunch of other kids on, is super popular," she said. "Speaking out against pranking is more popular than pranking."
"Just don't let it go to your head," I said.
"I won't," she said.
"Speaking of Tina, they asked me to keep it a surprise until your first day. She's enrolled too."
"Really!?" she shouted.
I nodded.
"Awesome!" Gracelyn said. "It is so much more fun to hang with her compared to all the girls who just said 'yes, you're gorgeous.' I actually have intelligent conversations with her. I can't wait it see her!"
I checked my watch.
"You better get moving," I said. "The bus will be here soon."
She put her plate in the sink.
"Have fun all by yourself," she said.
"I will," I said with a smile.
Gracelyn hugged me.
"Bye," she said.
"Bye."
I watched my transformed daughter leave. I couldn't be prouder of her.
…
"Thanks for agreeing to meet with me," Lila said.
"I couldn't pass up on offer to eat at the exclusive Kensington," I said. "Or to see you."
She smiled.
"This is actually a business meeting," she said. "I want to buy the rights to you and your daughter's story."
Lila hadn't acted in over ten years. The papers said she preferred the backroom dealing, after getting offered to many parts she didn't like. She now owns her own niche production studio, based in New York City.
"I've received a few offers," I said. "I know you're not going to offer me the most money, so why should I consider you?"
Her smile broadened.
"I'm offering you executive producer credit. If you don't like the script or a certain scene, we'll scrap them until we produce something you like."
"Can you guarantee me a quality production?"
"We still use film," she said. "It enhances the experience we've discovered."
"Do you know why I'm even considering the sale of mine and my daughter's story?"
"You're afraid someone will take only the tawdriest moments of your life and warp a very traumatic experience for you, and your daughter into something worse," Lila said.
I nodded.
"I can't offer you the money other studios are offering, Spencer," she said. "But I have a team that was really affected by the story of a teen, who transforms into a hero, and a father willing to do anything to keep those he loves safe."
"If I decide to choose your studio, I have one very specific request, I don't want to be portrayed naked."
She nodded.
"I fully understand that," she said. "There are clever ways to rewrite that moment."
"Then show me," I said. "Have your team draft the scene and send it to me in three days. I'll give you my answer a week after I receive the scene."
"You're playing hardball," she said. "I like it."
I blushed.
Lila stretched her hand across the table.
"I've gone through two ugly divorces. I wasn't sure I believed love was worth it anymore. I was devastated, when you lost three people you loved. Spencer, I know you're still trying to find yourself, and it doesn't matter if I get the rights or not. I want to be in on the process of you discovering who you are again."
I touched her hand.
"I'll consider it," I said.
"I'll take it," she said.
We smiled at each other.
…
Simmons's house had become the gathering spot for BAU members. We were all sitting in the family room drinking wine, and eating pizza, three weeks after Gracelyn started school.
"How's Gracelyn adjusting?" J.J. asked.
"She's having a hard time, as kids are very wary of her, but she tells me she's up for the challenge. Tina is also very protective of her. They're watching old movies tonight, one about 'crazy rich Asians,' I think."
"That's an excellent film," Garcia said. "Marie is hacking circles around everyone in the BAU. Teams are fighting over her and it has gotten so intense, the section chief had to get involved."
"Is Gracelyn going to try out for the cheerleading team?" Simmons asked.
"The squad is nothing like what she was used to in Idaho. They're not very competitive. The team is allowing her in on a conditional basis. Like everything else, Gracelyn is determined to prove herself."
"Have you been in touch with anyone back in Idaho?" Alvez asked carefully.
"The assistant principal Owen Collins, who is now the new principal, sent me a fruit basket with pictures of Hastings leaving her office and finding her car egged and TP'd. He also wrote me a letter where, he explained what's he's done as he knew I didn't read or watch news relating to the school.
Coach Kim Barret was rehired to rehabilitate the cheer team. The board unanimously voted to cancel football this season and focus on reconfiguring the culture. The board also authorized his request for funding to run the entire school through anti-bullying seminars every two months. Theodore Wells is heading an antibullying peer support program. He also managed to the get Lionel Hasting's jersey down from the auditorium. The final thing he included, was a USB drive with surveillance footage of him visiting Lionel and cutting the jersey up in front of him, which made Lionel cry. The remnants were burned during a faculty cookout."
"Wow," Alvez said. "Talk about big changes."
"I'll say," J.J. said.
"Moving on to more pleasant things: Rumor has it, you're selling the rights to your life story," Prentiss said. "And a Lila Archer is involved."
"Wow, does that bring back old memories," Morgan said.
J.J. laughed. "Very old memories."
"What are you talking about?" Lewis asked.
"It was my twelfth case. Lila pulled me into a pool fully clothed and we…kissed."
"Seriously?" Simmons said.
Morgan laughed.
"One of the agents at the time pulled out the film a paparazzo caught of the two of them," he said.
"Are there still feelings?" J.J. said. "After all these years?"
"Maybe," I said coyly.
The team gasped and smiled.
"Go for it pretty-boy," Morgan said.
I laughed.
Simmons stood up.
"On that note," he said. "Spencer we've been doing this for the last nineteen years. We'd try to gather once a year and light four candles."
He opened a box by the fireplace.
"One for David Rossi," he said and lit the candle with a match.
We sat in reverent silence.
"Max Brenner."
We observed the flames.
"Diana Reid."
Again, we sat in contemplative silence.
Simmons pulled out the last candle.
"We're not lighting this one tonight, because you are back with us," he said. "Take it home with you as a reminder, we never stopped thinking of you."
I felt tears in my eyes as I took it.
"Thank you, Matt," I said. "Thank you, everybody. I loved and missed you all dearly."
"You're back where you belong," Garcia said.
"I know," I said. "I'm home."
Author's Note:
Still not the end. This has been billed as Gracelyn's story, so I figure she needs to have the last word in a way.