Chapter 9

Cal and Gillian didn't leave the office until late in the evening, and the car ride home was silent. Cal didn't know what to say. He didn't know if there was anything to say. He couldn't imagine what it must feel like, to have had Sophie in her grasp only for her to slip away again.

Emily opened the door before they'd even made it to the doormat. "Hey Dad! Hi Gillian. Geez, you both look terrible. Bad day?"

"What's going on?" Cal asked, immediately picking up on some deception.

"So don't freak out, but I found this girl on campus when I was walking to my first class. She looked like an absolute train wreck. I took her home, fed her, and let her use the bath. She's been alternating between sleeping and binge-watching Queer Eye ever since." Emily lowered her voice. "I didn't really ask about what happened, but she mentioned being kicked out, and she's got this big red mark on her face like she got punched."

"You did the right thing," Gillian said. "I can go talk to her."

Emily stepped aside to let them pass. Cal went to the kitchen to grab a bag of frozen peas, while Gillian went to the living room.

He was on his way back when he nearly ran into Gillian. She was still, as though frozen in place. He followed her gaze to the couch, and sucked in a breath. Even he would recognize that head of red hair anywhere.

"Sophie?" Gillian breathed.

The girl's eyes blinked open at the sound of her name. The emotions played out quickly (surprise, joy, relief), and she shot off the couch. "Dr. Foster!"

Gillian was rocked back by the weight of Sophie's body slamming into her, but she held tight anyway.

"Oh, Sophie. Thank God you're alright. You gave us quite a scare," she said.

Cal could hear the way her voice choked with emotion, and he couldn't help but to feel moved. Of all the things that could have happened, of all the scenarios they had been worrying about all day, Sophie was in his home, safe and sound.

After a moment embracing, Gillian cupped her girl's face in her hands, thumb brushing over the red skin of her cheek. "Did your mother do this to you?"

A flicker of fear. An almost imperceptible nod. Yes. Gillian's lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes narrowed. Anger. Determination. Love.

"She's not my mother anymore," Sophie said. She sounded so brave, despite everything that had happened to her. "She kicked me out. She doesn't want me back, and I don't want to go back." There was a pause, then her tone turned fearful. "You won't make me go back, will you?"

Gillian hesitated for a moment then found her resolve. "No. Not if I can help it."

Cal slipped out of the room, taking Emily with him, to give them a bit of privacy. They settled at the kitchen table where he picked at some leftovers and Emily poured herself a glass of wine.

"What's going to happen to her, Dad?" she asked.

He sighed. "I dunno, love. Legally, she's still under her mother's custody."

"That's not fair. Her mom has given her away twice, now. Clearly, her mom doesn't want her, but Gillian does. Why can't she just live with us?"

"Because it doesn't matter what anyone wants when it comes to the law."

Emily frowned but didn't say anything more.

"Hey." Cal reached over the table and set his hand on hers. "It's probably going to get messy, but we can figure something out. It's legal for a minor to live somewhere other than their parents' house as long as they have permission. Who needs the law on their side when you have love?"

A/N: I feel so bad about messing up the last update that here's the next one :)