Sunday morning, Grace came down stairs to find her daughter and husband in front of the TV in the living room.

"Don't you have basketball today?" Grace asked Connor.

"Nope. Yasin hurt his knee, so we're not playing this week." The man was holding the baby as he switched channels. "I'm staying to watch the game."

"This early?"

"The Bears are in London. They're playing against Jacksonville."

"Okay, then let me give Debbie her breakfast and get her ready for church." Grace leaned forward to get the baby out of Connor's arms.

"I'm sorry, why are you taking her to church?" Connor moved the baby away from her. "She's too young."

"I'm not taking her to the mass, I'm taking her to meet my church friends."

"You're not secretly baptizing her." Connor said. "We talked about this."

"I am not secretly baptizing her." Grace put her hands on her hips. "We agree in letting her chose when she's older. I just want my church friends to meet her. She'll be with the other church babies in the nursery."

"She's going to get sick with those babies."

"You take her to your sisters."

"Yeah, but they're my sisters." Connor insisted. "Debbie can stay with me and watch the Bears game instead of going to church. We don't care if we go to hell together."

"Don't say that!" Grace said. "Don't say you're going to hell."

"Come on, do you believe in hell?" Connor smiled. "With the devil and the flames?"

"Hell is to be away from the love and grace of God." Grace replied.

"Do you think I'll go to hell for being an atheist?"

"No, I think you'll go to hell for exasperating your wife."

Connor laughed, "Okay, okay. You can take Debbie to church. But her head better be dry when you came back."

As a kid Grace wasn't exposed to religion, Peter and Alicia weren't religious, a few times they went to church for a wedding, a funeral maybe. When someone asked her in school what was her religion, Grace replied: 'I think I'm protested.' Christianity came to Grace's life thanks to her friend Shannon.

"You don't believe in Jesus?" Shannon Vargas asked her friend during lunch break at school.

"Uh...I guess, I mean...sure."

"Jesus believes in you." Shannon told her. "He can save you and your family."

"Save me from what?"

Grace didn't know what Shannon was talking about, but at 13 years old, she was impressible and soon she was trying to learn everything about Jesus. Kinda like your 13 years old cousin wants to know everything about One Piece, and just like your cousin Grace was obnoxious about it. Like wearing a christian shirt to her public and secular school.

"It's persecution, mom."

Alicia couldn't rolled her eyes harder at her daughter. "Just change the shirt, Grace."

Part of the appeal of being into Christianity was to have something of her own, something to belong to. Although Grace found out she didn't fit with every Christian.

"Of course Jesus was white." Shannon said with annoyance. "He was blonde and had blue eyes."

"I think that was the European's interpretation. Jesus was a middle eastern Jew." Grace told her. "I saw this video with a cool young Pastor here in Chicago and..."

"Don't be silly Grace. God made him blonde so he could stood out."

Grace was disappointed that Shannon was so closed up to new ideas, so she found encouragement somewhere else.

"Pastor Isaiah, do you think Jesus was white?" Grace took her chance and asked the black pastor as he was leaving the apartment. The year before Pastor Isaiah Easton was Peter's spiritual guide, he visited Peter to pray together. Until Peter felt like he had repented enough and cut him off.

"I believe Jesus had skin like mine, Grace."

Grace seek out the young Pastor of the video, she wanted to meet him and talk, she wasn't planning to get baptized but he was so encouraging, so Grace went for it. Her excitement went away very quickly when she saw Kalinda Sharma on the door.

"I really didn't know my phone was dead." Grace looked down at her feet. Kalinda was driving her back to Alicia's apartment.

"Why didn't you tell your mom you were going to get baptized?"

The teen tilted her head "She thinks its dumb...well..I think she thinks it's dumb."

"I don't think it's dumb." Kalinda said. "It's just something humans do, like rooting for Toronto Maple Leafs. It can be fun, it can fill your life but you can't let it became everything to you. That's dangerous."

"Okay."

When Grace changed schools she was happy to found a bible study she could join right away. She thought her group mates were serious about it like her. She liked to discussed the bible and the different interpretations.

"There is a Christian Youth Group we can all join." A fellow student told her. "They meet in the Mission of God Church every Sunday morning."

"Outside school?"

"Sure."

"I'll ask my mom."

Grace didn't ask her mom, she wasn't afraid Alicia will say no, but she knew her mom didn't care for any of this. Neither did her new boyfriend Connor.

"For real? You want extra bible classes?" The teen boy raised his eyebrow.

"It's more about hanging out and maybe volunteer for something."

"If you're into it." He shrugged. He assumed they were a bunch of harmless nerds. It wasn't the case, in that youth group Grace met Evan Van Ray Jr with his black Cadillac Escalade.

"Do you know who my dad is?" Evan asked Grace, the girl shook her head. "My dad is the head of Illinois' republican committee, he hates your dad. He doesn't know I'm friends with you."

"Then I won't tell my dad either." She smiled to him, years later they would share a bigger secret as their relationship became sexual.

Faith helped Grace navigated the ups and downs of her family and found moral ground when the situations around were not ideal, Grace was a full on believer until one incident with her Pastor put her in a bad place. The youth Pastor was cool, he had a motorcycle, he talked like them, he was funny, he was hip and he tried to french kiss Grace when they were alone. The girl stopped going to the group, she wasn't sure what to do or what to say. She wasn't going to tell Connor, he was capable of trying to fight a full grown man. Zach was away in college and incapable of defending her this time. Dad was dad, and Alicia, well she was campaigning, and Grace didn't want to admit to her mom that her instincts were right, the youth Pastor was a creep. But what hurt the most was the betrayal from a man of God.

Evan tried to reach Grace via text but his message also reached Alicia's phone, thanks to their family plan and Zack updating the phones.

"Are you losing your faith, Grace?" Alicia asked her daughter with true concern.

"No. I don't know." the girl looked down. "I just…It comes and goes."

"I hope I don't influence you not to believe." Alicia told her. "I don't want that. I'm glad you found something."

"Even if it's something that you don't believe?"

"Yes."

Alicia went on with her campaign and Grace knew she had to figured this one by herself, fix it by herself. Just like Zach used to do. "We don't want to bother mom and dad with this." Alicia's interview with Pastor Jeremiah Easton gave Grace the idea of visiting her dad's old spiritual guide.

On election day Grace took the train all the way to the 85th Street to see Pastor Isaiah. She sat through 2 services and took time to pray between them.

"Your second sermon was beautiful. Not to say I didn't like the first one, but something about the power of God's love, really moved me." Grace told the Pastor, who nodded.

"Thank you." He sat next to her on the church pew. "I haven't seen you in a while, Grace. What brings you here?"

"Do I need a reason to come here?"

"No. Everyone is welcome here." The Pastor assured her. "But you're far from your house and today is election day. Shouldn't be with your mom?"

"She won't notice I'm not there."

"I don't believe that. Please, I can see something is bother you. What's wrong Grace?"

"I'm...sort of doubting my faith because of my youth Pastor did something...inappropriate."

"I see." The Pastor thought for a moment. "Grace, doubting your faith can be healthy. Someone who believes blindly is a fanatic. Do you understand that?"

"I think so." Grace said.

"And the hypocrisy of those who used God's name for their own benefit is upsetting. It happened to me with my own father, he cared more about a golden church then his congregation."

"What did you do?"

"I talked with God, I found a way to Him again." The Pastor told her.

So Grace had to find a way to believe again. She started small, just a small pray at home, just meditating, shutting out the noise. It did calm her and also it gave her an idea of what to do with the Youth Pastor.

"Hey Evan, do you think your dad can do us a favor?"

"A favor?"

Evan Van Ray Sr. took care of the Pastor problem, sure Grace could've told her dad the governor but why use your dad when you can use some else powerful dad.

Grace restored faith didn't last long; after the events of the Spectacular Thanksgiving Meltdown™ the girl returned to Berkeley to re do her freshman year of college. This time, Ramona and Peter came along to help Grace get install in her dorm.

"Well, this is a nice place." Ramona looked around the room. "A beautiful view of campus."

"Yeah." Grace sat down on her bed.

"You can do this Grace. Don't overthink it, be in the moment. You're here to learn, to meet new people." The stepmom said. "You should try extra curricular activities, maybe join a club. Your dad told me you like to go to church. I bet you can find a church in the city."

Grace felt hope in hear heart. "Yeah, you're right. I can go to church on Sundays."

The search for a church in the city had a lot of misses when Grace started to talk to the members of the congregations.

"We all know Jews killed Jesus."

"I can tolerate gays but trans are nothing but freaks."

"I'm glad Trump is president now, he's going to restore our Christian values."

Grace had to go to midtown San Francisco to a different kind of Church, she found them on the internet as an alternative church, saying they were a safe place for the LGBT+ community. She stood on the small lobby reading the announcements board, she wanted to get a vibe before coming in.

"Hello." A very tall woman with a strand of green hair came out to greet her. "Do you want to post something on the board?"

"Oh no. I'm looking for a church." Grace said.

"You got it right here, St. Josephs Community Church." The woman opened her arms. "Are you away from home?"

"I'm from Chicago, but I'm attending Berkeley. I've been looking for a church were people aren't crazy. They're saying the most hateful things out loud and congratulating each other for finally speaking up."

"It's sad to see the hate growing out there. But here's a sanctuary, we accept everyone."

"I'm...how do you say it?...I'm straight and I'm cis, that's the word right?"

"Yes, that's the term." The woman smiled. "But that doesn't matter here. Please, come in."

During her time at Berkeley Grace would spend her Sundays with St. John's congregation.

When Grace returned to Chicago for law school, she found an affiliate of the St. Johns church in the city. She liked the hip and cool church, and during COVID lock down they were more than ready to stream the Sunday service on Facebook live. Hallelujah for modern Jesus! Faith restored!

Until Peter was murdered.

As Grace had learn indirectly in her teens, having a love one murdered messes with your faith in...well...everything. The young lawyer visited Pastor Isaiah once more.

"Thank you for coming to my dad's funeral." Grace told the man of faith. "You didn't really have to."

"I knew your father, and I wanted to pay my respects." Isaiah said. "How are you, Grace?"

"I have conflicted feelings about my dad's death."

"I understand it. My own father is dying, he's in hospice now."

"I'm so sorry."

"I'm made my peace with it. All I can do is pray for his soul." The Pastor said. "Have you pray for your dad's soul?"

"Not really."

"Would you like to?"

Grace held hands with Pastor Isaiah and pray for Peter's soul. Pastor Isaiah became a spiritual guide for Grace every now and then. It wasn't an issue that she visited different churches. Until election time.

"Gotta pick one church." Campaign manager Selina Perez said loud and clear to her candidate.

"Pick one? Why?" Grace frowned. "It's the same faith."

"Because you're white and straight, so you can't be part of two churches with minorities." Selina explained. "Either you go with the blacks or the gays."

"They are black queer people."

"That's not the point Grace."

Grace went first with the alternative community church, they reiterated that she was welcome there but they didn't want to be linked to a particular politician or party. So Grace drove to humble church in 85th street.

"I'm sorry to bother you with this Pastor Isaiah." Grace was in his office. "I don't want to bring unwelcome attention to your church."

"What's the problem?"

"Since I'm campaigning for a public office, there are some questions regarding my faith. They think I'm 'a poser', that I'm only part of your congregation to appeal black voters, pander to them." She told him. "I recognize that in the past my dad used your friendship in his favor, but I'm not looking for an endorsement."

"What are you looking for?"

"Could you tell them that I come here to pray like anybody else? If there were different circumstances I wouldn't care but if I'm going to be a public figure, I want people to know my values."

Pastor Isaiah crossed his arms. "That sounds like an endorsement."

"Uh…You're right." Grace nodded her head. "Pastor Isaiah, would you endorse me as State's Attorney? It would mean a lot to me."

Grace was touched when she read what Pastor Isaiah said about her to the press, he talked about her noble heart and christian values. For the rest of the campaign Grace only attended his church. When she got engaged, Pastor Isaiah was the only choice to marry them.

"Tell me Connor, what is your faith?" The Pastor sat behind his desk with the young couple in front of him for their prenuptial talks.

"Me? I'm an atheist."

"I see. But you do believe in the sanctity of marriage?"

"Uhm...well…"

Grace looked at Connor as he stall before answering the question.

"I don't like that word: 'sanctity'." He replied. "It implies something beyond human. We're just human beings, all we have is ourselves and our actions."

"But he believes in love and respect." Grace added. "Regardless of whether Jesus said it or not."

"Or if he even existed." Connor said under his breath. "But I know the ceremony means a lot to Grace. So, here I am. Ready, willing and able."

After the wedding and moving to Highland Park, Grace had to find a church closer to her new home. Given the location, it was a mostly white, leaning to the left kinda off church and that was good enough for Grace.

Later on her busy Sunday morning, Grace met with Ramona and Angie for brunch.

"Hi Debbie, you're getting so big. "Ramona took the baby from Grace's arms while the waiter grabbed a high chair. The baby smiled back at her step grandma. "Grace, how was church?"

"It was...church. I mean, it was okay. Nice sermon today."

"You miss Pastor Isaiah?." Ramona said.

"I do. But it's a very long drive to the South Side from Highland Park." Grace sighed. "Maybe for Christmas."

"Where's Connor?" Angie asked her big sister.

"Stayed home watching football." Grace checked her cellphone. "And the Bears lost."

The waiter came set the high chair and they all sat down.

"So, are you still going with the doctor at the museum of history?" Grace asked the teenage.

"Yeah, she let me see the glasses of the Bobby Franks murder!" The teenager said with joy.

"Bobby Franks? The college kids who killed a boy just for fun?"

"The papers called it: The Crime of the Century." Angie said. "They have a full archive of the case in the department."

"You could be an historian." Ramona said. "You like investigate things, do research. You have the patience for it."

"I still don't know what I wanna be. Maybe I'd be a private detective." Angie told them.

"Okay Kalinda." Grace said.

"What?"

"Nothing." Grace gave a half smile to her sister. "I vote for historian too."

"Oh, and a professor asked mom out." Angie raised her eyebrows.

"Really?" Grace looked a her stepmom. As far as she knew, Ramona hadn't date anyone after Peter's death.

"It's nothing." Ramona shook her head. "He seems very nice but I turned him down."

"Why, mom? Is it because of...me?" The girl asked nervously.

"No, sweetheart." Ramona put her hand over Angie's shoulder. "It's something to consider when one is a single mom, but you didn't stop me."

Grace felt uncomfortable with the conversation.

"Then you just don't like the professor?"

Ramona sighed. "Honestly, fuck romance."

Angie laughed out when she heard her mom cursing. Grace tilted her head.

"Sorry, sorry." Ramona said to the table "Listen girls, I've been married twice. I don't want to be in a romantic relationship at all. I'm okay by myself."

"Good for you mom."

"Yeah, good for you."

Ramona noticed Grace lack of energy. "Are you okay?"

"I'm just hungry. That's all."

Around 1 pm, Grace drove back to her house and found Connor playing hoops on their driveway.

"Hey." Connor said as he took another shoot with the basketball. Grace stepped out of the car.

"I left for a couple of hours and you installed a basketball rim over the garage?"

"Yeah, well, I was angry after the Bears lost again. Bunch of jagoffs, can't give Williams a decent O-Line…Anyway, it wasn't that hard. And I can work out here. Wanna try?" He offered the ball to Grace.

"No, thank you." the lawyer leaned against her car to watch her husband keep playing.

"Debbie?"

"Sleeping in her seat. I don't wanna move her, I'm sure she'll wake up."

"How was brunch?"

"Good."

"And church?"

"Good."

"Do you enjoy still enjoy church?" He asked between shots. "Do you believe no matter what?"

"Not always. It comes and goes." Grace shrugged.

"I get it." Connor threw a couple more shots, he missed both. "Okay, that's it. I'm tired."

"Hey Connor. I stopped going to therapy."

"I noticed." The man cleaned the sweat from his forehead. "I figured you'd be back once the Aukerman case was over. Or...you don't want to go back?"

"I'm afraid."

"Of what?" Connor stood in front of Grace.

"I pretend I didn't have any negative feelings for years and in therapy I have to face them." Grace said. "I had to acknowledge how much I resent my dad but he was a criminal, to a certain point, it's understandable."

"Sure."

"It make sense." Grace continued. "But if I go back to therapy and it turns out I hate my mom when she was trying her best, what stops Debbie from hating me?"

They both look at their baby daughter sleeping in the car.

"And what about the other way around? If my mom hates me for being me. Then what if I hate Debbie?"

"That's kinda fucked up, Grace. You probably need to unpack it with a professional."

"Yeah, go to a shrink and tell all about my mother."

Next chapter: The alienation of (Saint) Alicia Florrick!