While Jenny's lawyer had assured her that Sarah was more than likely to remain in her care, regardless of what her grandparents wanted, the step-mother still wasn't completely at ease.

To protect Sarah from her biological mother, Bill had asked that Jenny go through the process of adopting Sarah. Kathryn had lost all rights to her daughter, but Bill wanted all his bases covered. He knew he needed to protect Sarah, even in the afterlife, in case Kathryn, or anyone else tried something crazy. He hadn't just married Jenny because they were partners. He trusted her immensely with his daughter and was certain that she would be a suitable mother, even as a single parent.

So, in the eyes of the law, Sarah was Jenny's daughter, even though she was still referred to as Sarah's step-mother. However, Jenny was worried that if Sarah's grandparents did sue for custody, that the judge might side with them, seeing as they were biological family.

Her lawyer had assured her that since Sarah had been living with Jenny for six years now, and since Jenny had been looking after her financial, physical and emotional needs since Bill's death, if well before, that she had a very strong case. No judge or jury in their right minds would want to remove Sarah from her home, from the custody of a parent, and out of state, just because the grandparents were related by blood.

But Jenny really didn't want to take that chance. No – she would have to convince her in-laws that Sarah was better off here.

And to do that, she would have to prove to them that a step-parent was just as good as a parent.

Sarah had set up the guest bedroom for her grandparents, but Jenny made her way in as they were getting ready for bed. She really wanted to talk, but brought in a second set of towels so it didn't seem like she was trying to intrude.

"Oh, she's thought of everything," Jenny remarked when she saw Sarah had already gotten towels for her grandparents. They smiled.

"She is a very thoughtful young lady," Luiza said.

"She is," Jenny nodded. "She's very excited you came by. "She loves having you around."

"We know," Jim answered. Jenny had been trying to play nice with them, earn their favour a little bit, but it seemed they didn't care too much for her opinion.

"You know," she pressed on anyways. This wasn't a fight for her, but for Sarah, "I do love my daughter, very much. If you were to take her away, this house just wouldn't be the same."

"I understand you care for her," Luiza said and Jenny noticed how she intentionally downgraded her use of love to a simple care. Jenny cared for her friends. She loved her daughter. "But you need to do what's best for the child."

"Is it, though?" Jenny asked. "I mean, moving Sarah again…"

"You certainly had no reservations about moving the other times," Jim pointed out.

"It was Bill's decision. It was his job," Jenny said. "But we researched Summer Cove extensively, and we enrolled Sarah in a good school, found a good neighbourhood and she's with good friends."

"And you don't think we've done our research?" Luiza frowned. "Sarah is going to be very well loved in our care. She'll be attending a school that may actually stimulate her intellectually."

"She's already a grade ahead."

"She needs more than that," Luiza insisted. "You've seen what she's capable of. A public school won't suffice when I know she can do so much more. Call it mother's intuition."

"But it's not just about intellectual stimulation," Jenny argued. "She's got friendships here that are going to last a lifetime. She's got a girlfriend."

"All things she can find when she comes home with us."

"Her father's things are here. His memory is here."

"He grew up in our home. There are far more memories there then here," Luiza smiled politely as she approached Jenny and put a hand on her shoulder. "I understand you are going to miss her, sweetheart. Sarah is special. One of a kind. Flying out to see her a couple of times a year just won't be enough, but you must do what is best for Sarah. Sure, on paper you may be a parent, but if we're honest, you're really more of a grown-up friend."

"Which was fine when there was a parent in the house," Jim added. "But now that Bill is gone, so is all authority."

"I have authority," Jenny stated.

"You're a glorified babysitter."

"Bill thought I was more than that."

"Bill never expected he would actually die," Luiza said with a little chuckle. "You can't think he planned this, do you?"

"Well, no but…"

"Of course, on paper he was going to make you Sarah's guardian. He wanted a happy marriage. He didn't want to bicker with you about who would get the kid. But now that the worst has happened…"

"I just really don't think moving Sarah is the best thing for her," Jenny claimed. "I know you just want to do what you think is right, but…"

"Sarah is our granddaughter," Jim said. "As far as we're concerned, grandparents trump step-parents."

"Adoptive parent," Jenny corrected. "You forgot I adopted her."

"Only to keep Kathryn's hands off her," Luiza said. "And my dear, you did a piss poor job at that. Sarah's been abducted by her mother how many times in the last few months?"

"That was out of my control."

"Precisely."

"I did everything I could to get her back," Jenny said. "Sarah is home. She's safe! She's happy."

"Of course, she's happy. She's living with no parental supervision…"

"I am her parent!" Jenny cried out and was starting to lose her temper now. Her in-laws were completely undermining her, never taking her opinions, ideas, or even the facts seriously. "Look, maybe I screwed up here and there, especially right after Bill died but… I had a sixteen-year-old dropped on my lap. I'm allowed a few mistakes."

"Honey, no," Luiza shook her head. "No, you're not. Not when it's our granddaughter who suffers. We are experienced parents. We know how to care for a sixteen-year-old."

"But…"

"Sarah is coming home with us," Jim stated. "We'll tell her tomorrow at breakfast. Once you see how excited she'll be to be back in a loving home, I'm sure you'll change your mind."

"I do love her."

"The love a parent has for a child is much different than the love you feel for a friend."

"I am a parent!" Jenny cried out in frustration.

"You're doing your best," Jim said, though Jenny knew what he meant. Your best isn't good enough.

"You don't want to start a custody battle," Jenny shook her head. Even if she had her doubts about the outcome, she had to trust her lawyer when he said she would win. "You can't believe for a second that a fight is in Sarah's best interest."

"We don't want a custody battle," Luiza said. "But if that's what we need to do, we are ready."

"You can't."

"Then don't make us," Jim said. Jenny looked between both her in-laws, then stormed out and slammed her bedroom door.