a/n The only thing I can say here is...remember the Author's Note from the last chapter .

Chapter Nine

"Can you believe that Christmas is only a few weeks away?"

It was the very first week of December. The girls had just gotten out of school, and, with no homework, they decided to sit on the grass outside of Aubrey's house for a bit. It was a little cool out, the grayish sky sporting no sun, but neither of them minded. It actually felt good.

"I know right?" Harlyn said back. "It feels like time went by so quickly. It can keep going this way though. I want our vacation to hurry up and get here."

She was anxious for it. Yes, she loved school, but vacation meant she could stay home and have Aubrey time, and nothing beat Aubrey time.

"Ah yes, Christmas vacation. You know, this is going to be your first Christmas with us."

The younger brunette smiled at the thought. Normally, Christmas wasn't an excitable thing for her. After all, it was a time for family and friends, both in which she never really had. Now, however, she had people to celebrate it with. She didn't even care about the presents or anything. To her, being able to wake up with Aubrey on Christmas morning was the best present of all.

"Yeah…I'm looking forward to it."

"Wow…Harlyn looking forward to celebrating? Are you sick again?"

The girl snickered and stuck her tongue out at her best friend, Piper giggling in return. She was right though. Harlyn did have a habit of dismissing any kind of celebratory moments from anniversary dates to her very own birthday, so her actually looking forward to something was definitely a first.

"It's so weird. I've changed so much since then…"

She really had. Before, the whole idea of even being here was enough to irritate her. She had hated people and the idea of family. Now, it was the complete opposite. She was actually happy. Yes, there were still a few things she struggled with, but still, she was happy. She and Aubrey were getting closer and closer with each passing day, and the young girl found herself always getting loved on. And not just from her guardian, but from the whole Mitchell family as well.

"They never gave up on me either…"

This thought made her face her friend once more, Piper looking back with a curious gaze.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I was just thinking…I never really thanked you, have I?"

Piper's confusion grew.

"Thanked me for what?"

"For always being there for me. You've put up with me on my good days and bad days."

"W-well…I don't put up with you." Piper replied, suddenly feeling shy at Harlyn's unexpected words. "I like being there for you. You're my best friend."

"Still, you deserve a thank you. You've helped me through some tough times and you're always there to listen to my worries, no matter how big or small they are. Really, Piper…thanks."

Piper looked down, more shyness kicking in as she pulled at some grass. She was touched though, a warm smile on her face as she listened.

"You're welcome…" she said softly. "I'll always be there when you need me."

"And I'll always be there for you, too."

Piper's smile grew a little wider. It wasn't normal for her to be the shy one, so to counter act it, she playfully threw some of the grass bits she pulled in Harlyn's direction.

"Look at you, talking freely about how you feel. You sure you aren't sick or anything?"

Harlyn giggle and threw the grass back.

"Hey now, it's really easy telling you this. It's with Aubrey that I have trouble saying things to."

"Does this mean you still haven't read her the essay yet?"

Harlyn looked down and shook her head. A few times she had built up the courage to read it, but in the end, she would always end up chickening out, leaving the warm words she desperately wished to tell Aubrey unsaid.

"I want to… I really do. I'm just…scared."

"I know…and I can understand that, but you know that nothing but good is going to come from reading it to her, right?"

"I do." Nothing but good has come from anything she had done with Aubrey. "And I know it would make her happy too, but…I just don't know."

She just couldn't bring herself to do it yet. It was like she worked herself up so much that the mere thought of sharing it made her nervous.

"You don't think that some of the things I say are too much, do you? Like, I use the "L" word in there. Well, ok, maybe she won't find that weird because she says it all the time, but the "M" word she might find to be weird. She might be like, what the hell is this?"

Piper laughed and shook her head.

"She will not be like that. She'll love hearing both the "L" and the "M" word, and the only thing you are going to have to worry about is breathing because once you've read it to her, she is probably going to hug you so hard you'll suffocate."

Harlyn snickered at the thought. That actually wouldn't be too surprising.

"Maybe. I don't know, I do want to, but just not yet. You don't think that-"

"Oh well, look at what we have over here. Nerd alert."

Both girls looked to the side to see a familiar but very unwanted face. While Piper merely rolled her eyes at the sight, Harlyn got nervous. The presence of the sandy haired male was never a good thing, and the fact that he lived in her neighborhood made it worst.

"Jake, get out of here. No one feels like dealing with you today."

"Oh shut up. I live in this neighborhood, too. I can go wherever I want."

This was the last thing Harlyn needed today. Granted, she didn't believe his words anymore, but he still made her uncomfortable and was quite bothersome.

"Seriously Jake, just go." Piper continued. "Leave us alone."

"Make me."

Back inside the house, Aubrey was trying to figure out what she was going to make for dinner.

"We had pasta last night." She mumbled as she stared into her open fridge. "And we had steak the night before, so what should we have tonight?"

She honestly had no idea.

"We could order out." She thought, shutting the fridge and walking into the living room. "We haven't done that in a while. I'll have to see if Harlyn has any ideas."

Peeking outside, she saw the two girls still sitting on the grass, Aubrey smiling at the sight.

"My baby girl…" she thought, turning back around after and flopping on the couch, It was good to see her happy.

"All right…food, food, food. Ordering out sounds nice, but what to get….Chinese? Pizza?"

Again, she just didn't know. There were too many options and she couldn't think of what she craved for.

"You know what? Yeah, let me go ask Harlyn what she thinks."

Getting up again, she turned with the intention of heading to the door and walking outside, but as she did, something else caught her eye. Through the window, she had noticed that another figure had joined the girls, and the sight of him didn't please her in the slightest. Just a few weeks back, Harlyn had finally told her about this boy and of how he always picked on her and Piper. After living in this neighborhood for so long, she of course knew who he was and told Harlyn she would go to the boy's house and talk to his father. The girl didn't want that though, and after some convincing, Aubrey decided to let it be. Now, however, the boy was on her territory, and this wasn't flying with her. Not at all.

"Not today, buddy. Not today."

Back outside, Piper was still arguing with Jake, both girls really wanting him gone.

"You're such a pain, Jake. No one wants you here. Go somewhere else."

"No, I think here is just fine." He said, plopping himself right beside the younger brunette. "After all, I haven't gotten the chance to annoy you yet today. Especially Harlyn here. Hey you, how's life in a home that's not really yours?"

"Shut up…"

"Aww, what's wrong? I'm just telling the truth. If it bothers you so much, why don't you go and tell your fake mommy?"

"Hello."

All three kids jumped and turned, Harlyn shocked at who she found there.

"Aubrey?"

"Hey love, who is this?"

"Um…yeah, it's no one. We were just-"

"This is Jake." Piper cut in. "The kid that likes to bother us at school, especially Harlyn."

"Oh! Jake! I've heard so much about you!" she said, walking over to him with a smile. "It's nice to finally meet you!"

Jake was a little unsure how to handle this.

"Uh…I…"

"Harlyn tells me you like to tell stories."

His nervousness now turned into confusion.

"What?"

"Mhm! She says you love to tell stories, and she's told me a few that she's learned from you. I think my favorite one was when you told her that I didn't really care about her and that she was completely unwanted and unloved."

Yep. His nervousness came right back.

"It's so kind of you to tell her stories like that. Now let me tell you one."

She walked a little closer and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Once upon a time, there was a little boy who bullied a little girl. He told her all sorts of thing that hurt the girls' feelings. Truth was, he really didn't anything he was talking about. He knew nothing at all. The biggest thing he didn't know was that the girls' mother knew the boys' father, and that if the boy messed with the girl again, the mother would have no issues going to the father and telling him all of the things the boy does just so she can make his life a living hell."

Jake's face turned white, Piper was trying hard not to laugh, and Harlyn just looked on in shock, unsure of what to do.

"Now you listen here, buddy. You mess with my child, you mess with me, and trust me, I am not someone you want to mess with. And in knowing that, it would be in your best interest to leave, don't you think?"

He was definitely scared.

"Y-yes ma'am."

"Good, because I know you wouldn't want my little story to come true, would you?"

"No ma'am."

"Yeah, that's what I thought. Now go."

He wasted no time in listening and took right off. When he was out of sight, Piper finally lost it and started cracking up.

"Oh my god, did you see his face? I've never seen him so scared in my life! Aubrey, that was amazing!"

"Why thank you very much." The woman said proudly, the two of them high fiving. "I don't think you guys will have to worry about him anymore."

"Aubrey…you just…you just…"

Harlyn was literally in complete shock. She was not expecting anything like that to happen.

"…You seriously just told him off."

"You bet I did." She told her, putting her arm around the girl. "I wasn't going to let him bother you."

"This is just too great." Piper said. "I need to run home and tell my moms this. I'll call you guys later. Thanks for that, Aubrey!"

"No problem darling! See you soon!"

After Piper had left, Aubrey gave Harlyn a little squeeze and smiled.

"Come on love bug, let's go figure out dinner!"

Aubrey started walking inside, but Harlyn stayed behind, the girl still in shock. She couldn't believe what had just happened.

"She just…she…

She looked back in the direction Jake ran and then looked back at the house, another realization hitting her.

"Not only did she defend me, but she also said…"

Taking off, she ran inside the house, following Aubrey into the living room.

"Aubrey, what you did just…"

"What?" she asked casually, as if what happened was completely normal.

"You…You stood up for me back there. I mean really stood up for me."

"Of course I did. You're my Harlyn."

"He looked like he was going to wet himself."

"Yeah, I think I got my message across."

"But what if he goes and tells his dad what happened and lies about it?"

"I'm not worried. He won't. Even if he did, I have known his dad for a long time. He'll believe me."

Harlyn just couldn't believe it. The way Aubrey had come out of nowhere and defended her was just…

"And mother…she used the word mother…does that mean it's not bad for me to use it either?"

"Hey, I wasn't going to let him pick on you. I won't tolerate it anymore. You're my baby girl. I will always defend you."

For some reason, in that moment, something clicked inside of Harlyn. She wasn't sure what, but it did, and it felt…good. Perhaps it was the way Aubrey came to defend her. Or maybe it was because she referred to herself as the mother and Harlyn as the girl in the story. Whatever it was, it prompted a change, and that change gave Harlyn just the right push she needed to do what she knew she should have done weeks ago.

"Aubrey?"

"Yes?"

"There's something I have to show you."

Aubrey shot a curious glance as that came out of nowhere.

"Something to show me?"

"Yes…I…I'll be right back."

Jetting out, she ran upstairs and to her room, leaving a slightly confused Aubrey to sit on the couch and wait.

"I wonder what she is doing…"

A few moments later, Harlyn came back down, a single piece of paper in her hand. Spying it, Aubrey furrowed her brows questioningly.

"What's that?"

Harlyn stood in front of the other, shuffling shyly in her spot. She was still a little scared to do this, but for once, she felt ready to.

"Um…you see…a few weeks ago, we had a writing assignment for English. We were told to write about who our hero was, and, well, I chose to write about you."

Aubrey's gaze softened from the unexpected words, a small smile growing on her face.

"You chose me?"

"Yeah…and I…I was wondering if I could read it to you."

Aubrey's smile grew a little bigger, the woman now getting comfortable in her seat.

"Of course, honey. I would love to hear it."

Shifting a little more, Harlyn's eyes fell onto her paper. It was now or never.

"All right…um…it says…"

She took a deep breath.

"Before this paper came to be, we were asked what, to us, makes someone a hero. Many said that a hero is someone who risks their lives every day to protect someone else. And others said that it's someone who saves the world. While I found those to be true, I had a different definition. To me, a hero is someone who, no matter how hard things get, sticks by another's side…they stick by them and do everything they can to make them happy and make them feel loved. This is what my hero, Aubrey, did for me."

She was already tearing up and she just barely started reading the essay.

"I came to stay with Aubrey back in July, and at the time, I wasn't too happy about it. See, I've been a foster kid all my life and I hated going into new homes, so I wasn't looking forward to going into hers. Not long after that, she started saying thing like "you make me happy" or "I'm glad you are here". She would also hug me for no reason. I didn't believe her words at first, but then, over time, I started to see that she was telling the truth. No matter how impossible or stubborn I got, and trust me, I wasn't easy, she never gave up. Not once did she ever think about sending me back. She just kept on loving me until one day, I broke."

Tears were forming a little faster now, the wetness traveling down her cheeks.

"I didn't understand why she loved someone like me, but over time, she taught me that people don't have to have a reason to love someone, they just do. And that's how it is here. She loves me unconditionally just because, and I…I love her. I love her so much it hurts."

Those once unspoken words were foreign to her lips, yet they flowed out so naturally that it actually shocked her a little.

"And now…now my whole life is different. She is like a mother to me. I am seeing things in a way I've never seen them before. I am understanding that family is a good thing. I'm feeling things I never thought I would feel again. Everything has changed. No, she may not be one of those heroes who saves the world, but…but she saved mine. She saved my world. She saved me. I can tell you right now that I would not be this happy if it wasn't for her. The funny thing though is that she is the one who goes around and says how much I make her life better, that she's lucky to have me. I can honestly say that it's the other way around. I'm the lucky one. She's made my life better, and if there was anything I could say to her right now, it would be thank you. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for always being there. Thank you for loving me, thank you for saving my life, and thank you for being you. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me and I love you so much. Just…thank you."

At this point, Harlyn just choked up, her emotion all over the place and nothing she did could keep her tears back. However, when she looked up, she realized that she wasn't the only one crying. Aubrey was as well, tears literally pouring down her cheeks.

"Baby…my god baby, come here."

Without a moment's hesitation, she fell right into her embrace, her tears coming down faster as she wrapped her arms around the woman's neck and buried her face into her shoulder.

"Oh sweetie…" Aubrey said with a sniffle. "Sweetie, that was beautiful. I loved it so much. Thank you honey, that was so touching to hear."

Harlyn hugged her for a few more moments before pulling away slightly.

"You really loved it?"

"How could I not, Harly?" she said, reaching out to dry some of the child's tears. "It was absolutely wonderful."

Harlyn sniffled and rubbed her eyes.

"I love you, Aubrey…"

"I love you, too, baby, more than anything."

Aubrey flashed her a warm and happy smile, and in seeing it, she couldn't help but smile back.

"My baby girl, get back here."

She fell back into the hug once more, and for a good while, they stayed like that.

"She's happy…she's happy!"

That thought alone just warmed her up, and the fact that she could finally tell Aubrey she loved her did, too. Piper was right. Good things did come from saying it to her.

"I do love her…I love her so, so, so much…"

"My Harlyn…"

"Yours…"

"Yes…can you be my Harlyn forever?"

Those words the woman didn't plan to say, but in that moment, she couldn't help it. She was so overwhelmed with feelings that it just came out.

"Forever?"

"Forever." She said softly. "Forever…I want to keep you."

Harlyn's eyes widened slightly at this, her heart suddenly stopping.

"Wh-what?"

She pulled back to face the other.

"What did you say?"

Shaking off her nerves, Aubrey pulled the girl into her lap, slipping her hand into Harlyn's and squeezing it tight.

"Aubrey?"

"You know you are my Harlyn, right?"

The girl nodded shyly.

"And…you're my Aubrey."

"Yes, but…I want to be more than just your Aubrey."

Harlyn shuffled a little.

"What do you mean?"

Giving her hand a little squeeze again, she held the girl closer and gave her a teary eyed smile.

"Harlyn…you need to know just how amazing you are. I have never met a girl like you before. You're strong, you're smart, you're funny, and so full of life and love even if you don't think so. I see it all the time and I love it. I love you. You make me so happy, and words can't describe how wonder I feel knowing I make you happy, too. I love making you happy, and I want to keep doing that…forever. Harlyn, the thing is…what I am trying to say is…I want you to be mine. To really be mine. I want you to be…my daughter."

For the child, it felt the time had stopped. Her heart, her breathing, everything just froze. There was no mistaking in what Aubrey was trying to say, but her? She knew she was loved, but loved like a daughter? And here she was worried that Aubrey was going to find it weird to hear "mother" in her essay. Sad thing is that all the signs of Aubrey wanting her like that had been there, but because the idea of adoption was something she always dismissed, she wasn't expecting it. She thought it was a selfish thing to want Aubrey as her mother after everything the woman had already done for her, but now Aubrey was saying how much she wanted her.

"Me? Y-you want…me?"

"No one else but you. I love you so much and would love nothing more than to be your mother."

The tears that were already falling down the girl's cheek now came at a faster pace. That unspoken dream of having a mother and a home…something she had never had before, was in the palm of her hand.

"You…w-want to a…a..adopt me?"

Aubrey leaned in and rested her forehead on the child's, her smile so warm and full of love.

"Yes, I want to adopt you. I've wanted you from day one. I want you to be my little girl. Harlyn Posen does have a ring to it, don't you think?"

"Harlyn Posen…"

Those words ran through her mind, her heart doing flips as she thought about them.

"Harlyn…Posen…"

It was…it was perfect. She could have a home…a real home. A real mother, a family… everything. She could call someone by that name and be loved by her forever. She could have what she always wanted with someone who made her feel more special and happier than she ever imagined. It was a dream come true.

"Aubrey…"

She locked gazes with the other set of baby blues, tears coming down the woman's face as well, but they were happy tears just like her own.

"Harlyn Posen…Harlyn Posen…"

"My Harly, what do you say? Will you do me the honors of being my daughter?"

Her heart literally just burst with emotion, and without any hesitation, she nodded her head.

"Y-yes…"

Aubrey's hand lifted as she covered her mouth, her own heart bursting as well.

"Baby…"

Within second, the two were hugging again, both letting out tears of happiness. No words could describe how they were feeling as the emotions were so powerful and strong.

"Harlyn…my baby…"

Harlyn squeezed her tighter. This moment was it. This moment confirmed everything and gave something to Harlyn she never thought she could ever have.

She finally had a home.

For a while, the two had sat like that, too overwhelmed to do anything but hold each other. Once they had calmed though, the excitement and happiness lead them to the Mitchell household, the two of them wanting to share the news as they were family, too.

"You want to keep me forever?"

"Forever love bug." Aubrey replied as the two walked down the side walk holding hands.

"I'll never have to leave?"

"Nope! You're mine darling!"

Harlyn smiled and nuzzled into her arm happily.

"Oh look! They're outside!"

As they arrived to the house, they found all four members in the front yard. Piper and Beca were sitting on the steps talking while Chloe was tossing a ball back and forth with Riley on the grass.

"Well hey strangers!" Chloe called.

The group turned to see them as they walked up.

"Hey guys."

"Hey there tough guy!" Beca said. "I heard what happened today. Way to kick butt Aubrey!"

"It was really so amazing. I really wish you could have seen it." Piper told them.

"Guess he won't be nothing you guys anymore." Chloe added. It was then she noticed something funny about the two. "Ok, wait a second. You guys have a look on your face like you have a secret."

The two looked at each other with a playful little smile before looking back at the group.

"I was just thinking the same thing." Said Beca. "What are you punks hiding?"

Aubrey looked down at the little girl

"You want to tell them about it, sweetie?"

Harlyn nodded.

"Guys…" Chloe said with a curious smile. "What's going on?"

"Well…I read my hero essay to Aubrey today, and after, she…she asked me if I wanted to be hers, and said she wanted to adopt me…and I…said yes."

The looks on each and every one of their faces, even little Riley's, was nothing but pure excitement and happiness.

"Ah! Oh my god!" Chloe shouted, running over to hug her. "That is so wonderful! I'm so excited!"

She then reached over and hugged Aubrey, too.

"Guys that is amazing! I'm so happy for you!"

"That's awesome, punk!" Beca added, following suit and hugging them both. "How do you feel, Harlyn?"

"Happy…" she replied, tearing up all over again from all the excitement. "I have a home."

"You do, love!" Chloe told her. "And a big old family that loves you and a mom who is going to take super good care of you and everything! God this is so great!"

"Congrats, Harlyn!" Piper said, taking her turn to hug her friend.

"That means you stay?" Riley asked.

"Yes." Harlyn giggled.

Yes, she was staying. This would be her home for good, and knowing that gave her the feeling as if she were walking on air.

"Yay!" Riley shouted, jumping up and down. "I really wanted you to stay, I-my ball!"

While jumping for joy, she accidentally lost grip of her ball, the item rolling into the street.

"Oh snap, I'll get it." Harlyn said, turning quickly to fetch it.

After taking care to look both ways, she went and grabbed the item. However, while she was in the middle of the road, a car came out of nowhere and turned skidding down the street. It was Aubrey who caught sight of it, and after that, everything just happened so fast.

"Harlyn! Move!"

Harlyn looked to her side, freezing up in fear when she saw the car coming towards her. The driver took notice and hit his breaks, but if Harlyn didn't move, it would skid right into her.

"Harlyn!"

Without a second thought, Aubrey jetted out into the street, her arms out and ready to get her.

-Slam-

…