Hello Everyone, your reviews for the last chapter melted my heart. I'm so glad that all of you enjoy Gia so much. I really like her too. I'm sorry this update took some time. I hit a bit of a writers block (even though I have the last couple of chapters pretty much written), then I had to help a couple of my friends through some tough times. I hope my next update won't be such a long time. I really appreciate your reviews, follows and favorites. You are all so sweet. To those of you still following me, thank you for your patience, I love this story and have no plans to abandon it. I also went back and edited the previous chapters because some of the mistakes bothered me. Here is chapter 5, I hope you enjoy, sorry if there are mistakes, it's late in my part of the earth.

R.I.P. Lee Thompson Young, you are missed.

Saturday, November 27th 1982

Maura woke up and immediately went to the guest room to see if Gia was up too. She quietly walked into the room and found Gia asleep on the bed tangled in the covers. Maura did not want to wake her, but wanted to be there when she woke up, so she ran back to her room to grab a book, then returned back to the guest room. She sat cross legged at the foot of the bed and read quietly. After about ten minutes, Gia turned and lightly kicked Maura's knee. Gia woke up when she felt her foot touch something.

Rubbing her eyes and yawning Gia spoke, "How long have you been here?"

"Not long," Maura said putting the book down.

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"I wanted you to get some sleep. You got hurt yesterday and you needed some rest, not to mention your age group has very inconsistent sleeping patterns and that's probably why you have those periorbital dark circles under your eyes." Maura responded.

Gia normally would find someone pointing out the dark circles under her eyes to be rude, but she knew that Maura didn't mean it in that way. Gia sat up and yawned once more. "You don't have ballet today, so what do you want to do?"

"Go to the library?" Maura suggested.

"Well we can do that if that's what you want, but I was thinking more like the movies?" Gia offered. "The one theater is still playing Annie, thought you'd might like to see it."

"Can I get popcorn?" Maura asked.

"0f course," Gia smiled.

"I'll go check the paper for times," Maura said excitedly.

"I'll make us some breakfast," Gia offered.

The two walked to the steps. Gia laughed as she watched Maura slide down the steps on her stomach feet first, then get up, grab the paper by the front door, and immediately run to the kitchen.

When Gia joined Maura in the kitchen she saw that the little girl was gathering the ingredients and supplies to make pancakes.

"Can I help?" Maura said eagerly.

"Sure," Gia responded.

Gia picked up the measuring cup and handed it to Maura. Gia began her instructions "We need-"

"Two cups of flour," Maura replied. "I've watched you make these many times Gia, I know your recipe by heart."

Gia watched Maura mix all of the ingredients together, smiling to herself, realizing that this little girl has learned something from her.

When Maura finished, Gia grabbed the skillet and butter, "I've got this part Peanut, you're too young to work the stove."

Maura frowned slightly, "But I want to flip the pancakes."

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, maybe next time, why don't you check the paper for the times."

Maura did as Gia asked, while Gia cooked the pancakes.

Gia sat down with the two plates, placing one in front of Maura.

"The times are 2:00pm and 8:00pm." Maura said.

"Let's see the 2:00pm show then we can grab dinner afterwards." Gia replied.

Maura nodded her head in agreement.

After the two cleaned the kitchen, they read on the couch quietly together until it was time to get ready to go.

Gia drove to the theater while Maura sang and danced to the songs on Gia's mix tape.

When they got to the theater Gia purchased the tickets and the popcorn, then the two made their way into the theater. Gia let Maura pick out the seats which were mid-theater and and mid-row, the perfect spot.

Maura loved the movie and although there was more of a focus on the relationship between Daddy Warbucks and Annie, she couldn't help but notice the relationship between Grace Farrell and Annie because Grace reminded her of Gia.

"Did you like it Peanut?"

"I really did, I was so happy that Annie had found a family for her friends and herself."

"I liked it too," Gia smiled putting her hand on the little girls shoulder. "Let's grab something to eat."

During the drive to the diner, a car that was driving erratically, cut Gia off, causing Gia to slam on the breaks. Immediately, out of reflex, Gia swung her arm out towards the passenger side to protect Maura. When everything was clear Gia quickly pulled into the nearest parking lot and was clearly in shock.

"Maura, are you ok?"

"Yes" Maura responded, looking at how scared Gia was.

Gia took a few deep breaths, "I'm sorry Maura, car stuff really freaks me out."

"It's ok Gia, we can go home, if it will make you feel better." Maura offered.

After a few more deep breaths Gia regained her composure. "We need to eat Peanut, and I want some lemon merengue pie."

Gia continued the drive to the diner cautiously.

When they got to the diner the hostess greeted them grabbing two menus and seated them in a booth. Both scanned the menu in silence until the waitress came by to take their order, both Maura and Gia ordered grilled cheeses.

"I think I might be an orphan like Annie." Maura said. "Like you too."

Gia looked confused.

"I'm adopted." Maura continued. "My mom told me that, someone gave me to her after I was born. I don't know what happened to my birth parents, but after seeing the movie I wonder if they died too."

Gia paused for a second not knowing what to say. This was the first time Maura had spoken about this. She wanted to make sure she listened, she wanted to make sure she said the right thing when Maura looked to her for support.

"I know this sounds funny but I often think about who they are or were, if they thought about me, if they loved me." Maura looked at Gia.

"Peanut, I'm sure who ever they are or were, they must have been heartbroken to give such a wonderful gift away to someone else. They must have had a good reason, perhaps to give you a better life." Gia knew that what she had said wasn't perfect, but she had no way of knowing what the perfect response would have been.

"My mom says that I was her miracle that, she couldn't have a baby so fate gave her me." Maura smiled. "I know she loves me, I just wish I saw her more."

Gia reached across the table and grabbed Maura's hand smiling sympathetically. "I know Peanut."

Maura gently wiped away the tears forming in the corners of her eyes with her sleeve. "I'm glad I have you, Gia."

Gia marveled at the youngster, she was certainly mature for her age, but Gia felt bad that she might be too grown up. Most girls her age worried about the clothes they put on their Barbies but this little girl questioned her whole existence and she was only six. "I'm happy to be here for you, Peanut."

The moment was broken by the arrival of their food. There were a few moments of silence until Gia chuckled at Maura.

"What?" Maura said smiling at Gia's laughter.

"You eat your sandwich the same way that Allie did, crusts first." Gia responded. "You are the only two people that I have ever known that do that."

"What was Allie like?" Maura inquired, she knew she had asked about Gia's family the day before but maybe if she just asked about Allie, Gia would tell her. She didn't want to upset Gia again, it was just that she was so curious about Gia and wanted to know everything about her.

Gia thought to herself, that if Maura was willing to share something so personal about her life, she should do the same, that their trust should be mutual.

"Allie was born on my seventh birthday, as a present my mom let me name her so I chose the name Allison, with the nickname of Allie. She used to follow me around wherever I went, almost up until I left for college. She was really funny and always did impressions of our neighbors and teachers at our school. She wanted to be a school nurse just like our mom, she would always steal her stethoscope and give her teddy bears check ups. She wrote me a letter everyday I was up at college, I actually got the last one five days after the accident." Gia inhaled deeply then exhaled slowly.

"She sounds like she really loved you." Maura said.

"Yeah she was my little buddy." Gia responded.

Maura wanted to ask more but didn't want to push any further, she was happy that Gia shared this much already. "How bout that lemon merengue pie? Do you mind if we share one, I think I'm almost full?" Maura asked.

"Good idea Peanut." Gia got the attention of the waitress and ordered the pie.

The dessert talk was lighter than the dinner talk with the two talking about what they might do tomorrow, Maura's last vacation day before she had to go back to school.

After finishing the pie, Gia left the payment for the bill and tip on the table and the two left.

Upon arriving back at the Isles residence Maura informed Gia that she was tired and wanted to go to bed. Gia tucked Maura in bed then went down stairs to watch so TV as it was still early, only watched TV until midnight then she went to bed.

Gia awoke from her sleep when she felt a nudge on her shoulder. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the clock it was 3:30 in the morning. She turned on the light, and sat up.

"Maura, honey, what's wrong?" She looked at the little girl who was holding her stomach.

"I don't feel we-" Maura started to say but couldn't finish. She had thrown up all over Gia.

"I'm so sorry," Maura began to cry.

"Peanut, Sweetheart, it's okay, you probably ate too much." She put her hands on Maura's face and realized that her she was warmer than usual and a little bit sweaty.

"Or... You could have the flu or something."

Gia was thankful that the throw up only got on her sweatshirt and not the bed or the rest of her, she was also thankful that she was wearing a tank top underneath so she could easily take it off, which she did.

She then guided Maura back to her room and helped her lay back down on the bed.

"I'll be right back." Gia said, as she kissed Maura on the forehead which seemed even warmer than moments earlier.

Gia ran to the bathroom and grabbed the trash can and two wet washcloths.

When she returned she immediately put one of the washcloths on Maura's forehead and used the other one to wipe her face. Then Gia opened up the first aid kit that Maura stored under her bed. She got out the thermometer, cleaned it off with an alcohol pad, then shook it so it wouldn't interfere with an accurate reading.

"Open" Gia said as she tapped underneath Maura's chin because her eyes were closed.

Maura opened her mouth and Gia placed the thermometer under her tongue.

"Close" Gia said, and Maura followed Gia's instructions.

After three minutes Gia checked Maura's temperature.

"102.5 degrees" Gia announced. She placed the trash can next to the side of Maura's bed. She then noticed that Maura was shivering so she recovered her with the blankets.

"Please stay here with me, Gia." Maura said weakly.

"I wasn't going to leave you, sweetheart," Gia responded as she sat in bed next to Maura gently smoothing the little girls hair in an attempt to soothe her.

Gia continued until Maura fell asleep.

Maura woke up a few more times before sunrise to throw up and made it in the trash can each time. Gia would would continue to smooth Maura's hair each time until she fell asleep again.

Maura woke up around 10:00am the next day, her stomach felt better but her body still felt weak. She looked to her left and saw that Gia was there asleep next to her. She smiled and was happy that Gia didn't leave her during the night. Still feeling weak, Maura lay back, closed her eyes, inched a bit closer to Gia and fell asleep.

I hope you enjoyed, once again your reviews are appreciated and they make my day. I hope you all have a splendid day :)