Erin and Maggie worked seamlessly in the kitchen preparing for the picnic at Stonehenge. Alex and Stacy were sitting on the couch while Zack was playing with some toys on the rug.
"So how did you meet my daughter?" Stacy asked Alex.
Alex smiled, "I am so glad you asked me that question. We met on my crime scene when the president was attack in National City."
From the kitchen Maggie yelled, "babe keep thinking that but it was my crime scene."
They laughed but Stacy looked confused.
Alex explained, "I have federal jurisdiction while Maggie has jurisdiction from the NCPD so I trump her."
"Aaahhh it sounds like you two didn't like each other very much in the beginning."
"Well kind of. There was this tension but I softened up to her and saved her after she got kidnapped."
"YOU WERE KIDNAPPED MAGGIE?" Stacy said concerned.
"Mom I'm fine don't worry."
Alex laughed, "that's not the worst we've been through. Heck I was kidnapped and almost drowned in a tank. If Maggie and my sister were seconds later we may not have been having this conversation right now." Maggie stopped cooking and walked into the living room, sat on Alex's lap and hugged her.
"You aren't going anywhere for a long time if I have anything to say about it." Maggie said pecking Alex's lips before returning to the kitchen.
"How do you manage a child with such stressful jobs? I could barely do it and I worked as a waitress."
"We have a supportive family that helps us out. When you come to National City you will see our family is anything but ordinary. Once we got Zack I've taken less hours and recently have stepped back from being in the field."
"Did you adopt Zack?"
Alex face went numb for a little, "Zack is biologically mine and Maggie adopted him but I haven't always had him. I was r-a-p-e-d and then gave him up but then fate intervened and we found him during our job one day. His adopted parents had passed away unfortunately so we took him in."
Stacy put a hand on Alex's forearm, "I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. It seems like we all have had our hardships one way or another."
Alex responded with a hollow laugh, "you got that right. Maggie and I recently had our wedding in my family's backyard by the beach and this was to been a honeymoon of sorts."
"You decided to visit Blue Springs as a honeymoon?"
"Well we recently went to my hometown and Erin has been asking when were to come visit and Maggie wanted it to be soon so here we are. I don't mind where we go as long as we have each other and Zack that's all I can ask for."
"You two really love each other. It is amazing to see. Thank you for everything you have done for my daughter and for me."
"There is no need for thanks. Maggie has helped me so much since I met her I don't know where I would be without her. I didn't know I was gay until I met your daughter. But there was something about her I just couldn't help myself."
"If we were back at my house I could show you all the baby pictures and videos we have of her."
"We could go to your house now if you want. Your husband should be in the precinct for a while so it would be safe to grab any belongings you want to bring to National City."
"Are you sure it's not too much to ask?"
"No absolutely not. We should got soon if we want to be back before they have the food ready."
Alex walked into the kitchen, "hey Maggie I'm driving your mom to grab some of her things at her house. Are you interested in coming?"
Maggie was torn, "I don't know. What do you think I should do?"
"I can't tell you what to do but I will support whatever you decide."
Maggie looked into Alex's eyes, "I don't think I can do it. It's too much. I don't think I can handle it."
"Babe that's perfectly okay. I will be back as I can." Alex said rubbing Maggie's upper arm. Maggie kissed Alex then returned to cooking. Alex looked sad then went over to Zack and whispered in his ear, "mama is feeling a little sad. Do you think you could give mama some extra hugs and cuddles while grandma and I go out."
Zack stood up in his superhero stance, "mommy I will make mama happy with hugs and extra kisses. Oh and Teddy says he will help too."
Alex smiled and ruffled his head, "that's my boy. I love you." Alex kissed his forehead then headed out to the car.
Alex drove while Stacy sat in the passenger seat looking out the window. Alex occasionally looked over to check her.
"How are your pain levels," Alex asked to break the silence.
Stacy looked at her wrist, "I'm fine. The medicine you gave me is really helping."
Alex saw right through her answer, "you know one thing I love about Maggie and my's relationship is that we don't keep secrets and we don't lie to each other. We believe that having a strong foundation is essential for our family. So in saying that how are you pain levels?" Although there were a few flaws in that statement they tried to live by it as much as possible.
Stacy looked at Alex with awe, "you really are something special but to answer your question physically it's not too bad as long as I don't put pressure on my wrist. My ribs are another story."
"If it gets any worse please don't hesitate to tell me. When we get to National City I know this great therapist that you could talk to. Before you say no please just think about it. I had my reservations about talking to someone but after Maggie convinced me to go it really helped."
Alex could see Stacy fiddling with her fingers, "okay I'll think about it. Turn in here." Stacy pointed to the house. It looked similar to Erin's house but more run down. The outside of the house needed power washing and the lawn was in desperate need of a trim. Alex noticed Stacy's hesitation and quickly sped to the other side of the car letting Stacy out and holding her hand.
"I will be right here the whole time. You are safe Stacy." Stay nodded and began to slowly walk to the front door. Alex took the keys from Stacy's trembling hands and opened the door. As they walked through the house, Alex noticed there wasn't a picture of Maggie anywhere. It was as if she didn't exist.
Somehow Stacy knew what Alex was thinking, "the only remaining things of Maggie's is in her room. John refused to go in there and I couldn't get myself to move any of her stuff. Go on up and look, I'll be fine getting my things."
Alex walked into Maggie's room to see a skateboard in one corner, a line of different types of converse sat underneath her bed. There was a bookcase with several books and CDs. On her bed was her favorite stuffed giraffe Nicky. There was a few photos of Maggie with her parents and friends on her desk and on her walls. Alex walked over to the nightstand and opened the drawer to find Maggie's old diary. She opened it to the last page and read:
Dear Diary,
I can't get Eliza out of my head. Everything she does makes me smile and I feel so much happier when I'm around her. I want to ask her to the Valentines Dance but I'm scared. I've heard people around town say that liking the same sex is a sin but if it's what you feel and who you are how is that bad. I'm gay and I'm proud of it. But what about mom and dad? They love me so they should accept me right? I hope so my biggest fear is not being accepted. Anyway I hope Eliza says yes to the Dance, I have my outfit already picked out and know exactly what flowers to give her. Wish me luck!
Maggie
Alex couldn't even imagine what went through Maggie's head that day. There was a knock on the door. Alex looked up to see Stacy. Stacy walked in the room and looked around, "you know I haven't been in here since that horrible day. I prayed everyday wishing happiness for Maggie." Stacy said sitting down next to Alex.
"You did what you thought was best for her I can understand that. Having an abusive parent is… well it's something that should never happen."
Stacy looks to Alex, "you sound like you talk from experience."
"Not exactly, my mom never laid a hand on my but she found other ways to hurt me. My dad died when I was 14 and my mom couldn't handle teaching Kara how to be human. Ya know because she is strong and can fly and stuff. So it was forced onto me and whenever she messed up it became my fault. Everything that happened because my fault so I basically stopped living for myself and only for Kara's well being."
"That sounds like emotional abuse to me. I don't mean to pry but is she still like that?"
Alex nodded, "she has gotten much better recently and that is all thanks to Maggie. Maggie stood up for me and forced my mother and I to go to counseling. We've gone once a week for a few months and it has changed our lives. If it wasn't for her I don't think I could have even stood up for myself like she did for me."
"My daughter sounds like an incredible woman."
Alex smiled, "she is the best woman I have ever met." Alex shook herself our of her daze, "did you get all your things?" Alex asked as her phone buzzed.
"Yes."
"Perfect timing because Maggie says dinner's already."
As dinner came to a close, Maggie looked at the time then said, "let's clean up then get changed. We need to show Alex carhenged."
Stacy and Erin lit up, "that sounds like a wonderful idea."
Dinner was cleaned up in now time and everyone changed and went out to the car.
"Mama where we going?" Zack asked.
"We're are going to a special place." Erin says with a smirk as all the memories flood back from her past times at Carhenge. Erin and Stacy both blush as Alex and Maggie look at them with arched eye brow. Erin pulls out the blanket while Alex grabs the chair from the back of the car. There aren't too many people around so the family finds a nice stop inside the circle of cars to put their stuff. Alex puts down the chair and helps Stacy sit so she doesn't stress her ribs. Maggie sits next to her mother while Erin, Alex, and Zack go play with the ball Zack brought.
"How are you feeling after going back mom." Maggie asks taking her mothers hand into hers. When she looks up to her mother she sees tears in her mothers eyes.
"I never thought I'd hear you call me that again." Stacy admitted wiping her eyes.
"I never thought I'd get the chance to say it either." Maggie shrugged.
"Alex is so wonderful and it is clear as day how much she loves you."
Maggie ducks her head to hide the redness engulfing her neck and cheeks, "honestly I never thought I'd find someone like Alex. After everything I've been through this life I'm living feels like a fairytale."
"You do have a beautiful family Maggie."
"No mom we have a beautiful family." Maggie starred at her mother's hand, "I never thought I would be able to forgive you for what happened. I always blamed you and dad entirely but I never thought that it wasn't just me getting hurt."
Stacy leaned closer to Maggie, "sweetie you were a child. You shouldn't have had to think about that sort of things. If he wasn't so damn stubborn maybe things could have been different. Maybe if I was stronger, more like you I could have left him earlier or done something."
"Mom you cannot blame yourself, what happened wasn't your fault. You did everything you could and I understand that. I forgive you."
As Maggie said those words Stacy broke down in tears, "I love you so much Maggie I'm so sorry."
Maggie hugged her mother, "I love you too."
The two of them stayed hugging for a while trying to make up for lost time. Alex looked over and her eyes watered with happiness for her wife.
"Now you get to start over mom. You get to be happy and enjoy life with me and your grandson." Stacy and Maggie watched the others play, then Maggie's phone buzzed.
She looked down and gasped focusing all her attention on her phone.
"Maggie what is it?" Stacy looked concerned.
After a few moments Maggie starred at her phone in shock, "Oh my god."
Maggie looked to her mother with wide eyes then to Alex.
"Maggie what's wrong." Stacy said again.
"I passed." Maggie stood up and yelled, "Alex I passed."
Alex stopped in her tracks and looked to Maggie, "what?"
"I passed the sergeants exam!"
Alex ran to Maggie picking her up and spinning her around, "I'm so proud of you Mags I knew you could do it." Alex said kissing Maggie.
"What's going on?" Erin asked as her and Zack joined the group.
"I took the sergeants exam a couple weeks ago because there's an opening and my Captain said if I passed I get the promotion and I just found out I passed."
Stacy hugged Maggie, "that is amazing Maggie. I'm so very proud of you."
Erin hugged and congratulated Maggie next followed by Zack.
"Look at that," Alex said in amazement as she watched the sun set.
"It really is a beautiful sight isn't it."
They continued to watch the sunset then headed back home. For what seemed a rough few days, every member of the Sawyer-Danvers family fell asleep with smiles on their faces.