It seems like Grace is always ruining something.

I don’t know what got into her tonight. One minute we’re out in the rain, dancing and kissing each other; the next she’s slamming the bedroom door and locking it behind her. I should’ve called out for her. I should’ve tried to get into the room to talk to her. I simply didn’t want to. I was actually annoyed with Grace after she stormed off.

Grace and I have been on pretty good terms since I came back. We both know there’s some unspoken conversations that need to be had, but for the most part, we’re doing good. Really good, actually.

But I couldn’t help but notice Grace’s behavior sometimes. She gets even more anxious whenever I want to talk to her in a more serious matter. Mornings when I go into the office, she gets really sad. And I know she constantly is worried about me having to back to Korea one day. Sometimes, I feel as if she’s counting down the days and gets more stressed about it as they pass.

I had to step away from the house for a bit to clear my head and gather my thoughts. I went to the cafe; it was the only place I knew to go at this hour of the day. I sat in the same place I met Grace almost a year ago. It’s crazy; how this time last year I didn’t even know Grace existed; I didn’t know that the love of my life was in New York City, at this cafe, buried in her paperwork. It makes me smile; it’s crazy how much life will pull you towards in the direction it wants you to go in.

The fact of the matter is, I was finally ready tonight. I finally built up the courage to ask her to be my girlfriend. I showed her my favorite spot in the city; my secret spot that I go when life gets a little too stressful for me. I came back for her, left my life in Korea to create a life here with her. She still doesn’t see that.

Am I doing something wrong? Am I not showing her enough? What more do I need to do in order to show her I love her? I closed my eyes and saw the four seasons pass by; I found her in the summer, fell in love with her in the fall, left her in the winter, died for her in the Spring, and came back for her in the summer again.

I opened my eyes, still angered by the thought that Grace still thinks I would leave her. That I didn’t love her enough to stay. That I’m just here for a while, go back, and forget about Grace.

But I can’t. I can’t just go back and live my life like it was before. I can’t go to sleep at night without smelling Grace’s apple shampoo in her hair. I can’t not wake up in the morning with her red hair all over my hoodie she sleeps in. I can’t come home from work and not have her there excited to spend the night with me. I can’t go about my life without the things that Grace added to it. It’s those things that are now my favorite things.

I grabbed the coffee I was drinking and tossed it in the garbage before leaving the cafe.

It started to rain again, and I tried to get back to the apartment as quickly as possible before the storm got worse. I made it to the apartment building soaked from the rain, but I didn’t care. I walked past the front desk and into the elevator to go back up to Grace.

I unlocked the door, and called out for Grace. There wasn’t an answer. I walked over to the bedroom door and twisted the doorknob, and to my surprise the door opened. I slowly opened the bedroom door and saw Grace sleeping in bed. She looked peaceful, but I noticed her eyes were puffy and her face was stained with tears. She had been crying, and I feel horrible knowing she was crying because of me. I didn’t want to disturb her, so I changed out of my wet clothes into something more dry and comfortable. I climbed into the bed beside her and instantly fell asleep.

…

I woke up the next morning with Grace’s side of the bed being empty. I quickly got up, in hopes that Grace was still here. I looked at the balcony area when I saw something move. It was Grace. I slowly walked to the balcony and slid the door open. Grace looked at me, and then looked out into the city. The sun was barely coming up.

“Hey, Gracie.” I greeted. She didn’t say anything back. I took a deep breath and let it out; the crisp fall morning air being visible.

“Grace, I’m sorry that I upset you last night. I didn’t–” I began until she interrupted me.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. I freaked out over nothing.” She admitted. I listened to her as she spoke; I didn’t want to speak over her if she needed to say something important. Grace only speaks if it’s something important, so when she does, I try my hardest to let her figure her thoughts out and speak out everything.

She finally looked up at me.

“I just get nervous. I know how it feels when someone is about to leave your life. I’ve had it done one too many times to me,” She stated. She sighed before continuing. “And I guess… I guess I’m just afraid that one day you will leave me too.” She spoke it into the air instead of at me.

I had to do this. I had to show her that she’s worth more than what she thinks she is.

“Gracie,” I started as I reached out for her hand. “I won’t leave you. I promise I won’t leave you as long as I can stay here. I plan to stay here for awhile too.” I said. “And,” I continued. She looked at me, confused.

This is it.

“I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something important.” I mentioned. She didn’t know what I was talking about. She seemed nervous.

“Don’t worry,” I smiled and reassured her. I took in a deep breath and paced myself when finally saying this. I really hope she says yes.

“Joahae… ani; saranghamnida.” I nervously said. Grace looked at me, trying to figure out what I was saying. I looked up at her. Tell her.

“I love you, Grace,” I admitted. She looked at me in shock. I started to regret even saying anything. She hasn’t said it back, and half of me wishes I waited. She faintly smiled at me and before she was even able to say anything, I spoke.

“I–” I began to get flustered. I can feel my face getting red and hot. I then saw Grace smile in amusement; I couldn’t tell if she was smiling at me or to me.

She got up from her seat and crossed her arms on her chest.

“Jamie Kim, are you asking me to be your girlfriend?” she playfully asked. Aigoo, Grace. She came up to me and tussled with my hair. I felt like I was in high-school again in that moment.

But she put her arms around me and looked up at me. She was… happy. I couldn’t help but smile back at her.

“I would love o be your girlfriend, Jamie.” She softly said. I couldn’t imagine ever being Grace Ashmore’s boyfriend. The fiery redhead that was tough-as-nails and headstrong. The beautiful and talented woman that she is, is now my girlfriend. I couldn’t help but just grab her and kiss her hard on the lips. She didn’t protest, and once we broke up our kiss, she looks up at me and pulled me into the apartment.

Back in her bedroom, she pulled me on the bed and went to lay down on her side of the bed. I got into bed with her and held her in my arms, and fell asleep.

Grace Ashmore, girlfriend of Jamie Kim.

There’s something so beautiful about the rain in the city.

The way the raindrops hit the concrete and bounce off, the way people run into the nearest store to buy an umbrella since they forgot theirs at home, and just the way the sky turns grey and the city lights turn on earlier than usual. Summer rain was always my favorite part, mostly because it would cool down the streets for a bit.

I looked up and saw a black umbrella opened above me. I look to my right and see Jamie holding the umbrella in one hand, and put his free hand around me. I felt small in his arms, but so protected. I’ve realized Jamie knew me better than I knew myself sometimes. I don’t know how someone that I met just under a year ago knew me better than any other person in my life. Did he find the time to get to know me and listen to me? Does he just understand me better than anyone else? I don’t know what it was, but Jamie always made me feel safe. And dry as well.

I didn’t realize Jamie was talking to me until I heard him call my name. I looked back up in his direction.

“Should we head back home before it gets bad?” Jamie asked. A part of me didn’t want to go home. A part of me enjoyed this scenery with Jamie and being present in this moment. I grabbed him by the hand and pulled him to a nearby park.

“Gracie, where are we going?” Jamie wondered. I looked up at him and finally let go of his hand when we got inside the small park. I ran out from under the umbrella and twirled in the rain. “Gracie!” Jamie called for me.

“Come and join me!” I excitedly said. The rain felt good against my skin. I had taken off Jamie’s blazer and placed in my tote bag. My dress began to stick to my skin as the rain hit me against my body. Jamie stood there, clearly confused at my behavior in that moment. After seeming like he was questioning it, he finally smiled and closed his umbrella. He squealed as the heavy rain began to hit his body.

“Wow, this rain is pouring down!” Jamie found himself yelling over the sound of heavy rain hitting the ground. I run up to him and grabbed his hand.

“Doesn’t the rain feel good?” I asked.

“It’s definitely something I haven’t felt in ages!” Jamie responded.

I let go of his hand and began dancing in the rain. My arms were stretched out and I looked up towards the sky with my eyes closed. I twirled in place, my hair hitting my face every time I stopped twirling. I couldn’t stop laughing. In this moment, I felt happy. In front of me was a man I found myself deeply in love with; his black hair sticking to his face, his glasses gathering all the fallen raindrops. He looked absolutely stunning in the rain. I ran up to him and kissed him. He seemed taken back from it, but he didn’t protest after a couple of seconds. He placed his hands on my jaw and kissed me back.

We break up the kiss and look at each other. He smiles.

“What was that for? I mean, I’m not complaining.” Jamie said. I laughed and wiped the wet strands of hair off of my face.

“Just felt like it.” I answered. He smiles back at me and goes in for another kiss.

I never been kissed in the rain. I thought that shit only happened in those cheesy Hallmark movies, yet here I am, kissing Jamie in the rain like it’s something we always do. Jamie was an interesting man, to say the least. He felt more like a gentleman than any other man I dated or been with. He also has really been the only one to allow me to be as silly as I can, as spontaneous as I can, and be as much of myself as I can. He made me want to show parts of myself I never got the chance to. I always had to be this “tough-as-nails” independent woman. I could never be gentle and small, and soft. Jamie allowed me to be both, and I enjoyed that there wasn’t no favorite side of his. He just took me for all of me, despite how imperfect I am.

Jamie grabbed my hand. He guided us out of the park after running around the park like two little kids. The rain was letting out, and we walked all the way back home in our wet clothes, without a care in the world.

…

He gave me his hoodie to wear after I stripped out of my clothes. He must’ve known I was cold or else we couldn’t have given me one of his over-sized hoodies. He comes out our bedroom in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt on.

“Feeling any warmer, Gracie?” Jamie asked. He sat down next to me on the couch as I hold a cup of tea in my hands.

“Yes. Thank you for making the delicious tea, by the way.” I answered.

“You’re absolutely welcome.” He looked down at his hands and starting to pick at his nails. He seemed nervous about something. It made me feel uneasy; familiar to when he was going back to Korea back in December. I was worried I was going to hear it again.

“Is there something you’d like to ask?” I asked.

“Huh?” Jamie responded. I took a deep sigh before moving forward.

“Just say it.” I finally said. Jamie looks at me, confused.

“Say what?” He questioned.

“That you’re going back to Korea.” I finally admitted. Jamie looks even more confused than he did before.

“Why would you think I’m going back?” he finally asked me.

I looked at him, realizing that the day he told me he had to go back to Korea was something I still haven’t healed from. It’s something I worry about constantly these days; his three months were also over, and although he is applying for a work visa to stay here for an additional 9 months, things can go wrong. Good things don’t happen to the people who are in my life.

“You’re almost close to wrapping up your case, which means you’ll be out of work and your three months will be over and you’ll have to go back–” I couldn’t stop talking. I felt stupid feeling this hopeless over something I wasn’t even sure of, but I can’t lose him again. I can’t.

Jamie looked at me; he looked concerned. It look like he was honestly trying to put two and two together.

“Grace, I don’t know where this is coming from, but that’s not at all where I was going.” Jamie finally stated. I didn’t believe him. I don’t know why I didn’t, but my first instinct was to not believe him.

“You said that last time.” I spat.

“I didn’t know when I was going back last time.” Jamie spat back.

I got up and placed my glass on the coffee table and walked away from Jamie.

“Gracie–” He called out.

“No, Jamie,” I spat even harder. “Do you know how it feels to be walking on eggshells every time you have to say something or ask me something important. I know you’ve been spending all this time with me because you’re getting ready to leave me.” Grace, what the fuck are you even saying?

I don’t think I ever seen Jamie look as heartbroken as he did standing there. Maybe he knew I was right. Maybe this was his way of softening the blow before he admitted he had to go back to Korea. I spent stupid; embarrassed to even fall more in love with him knowing he was more than willing to go back. i couldn’t face him anymore, so I just turned away and headed for the bedroom.

He never came in that night.

It one of the more cooler days in the beginning of the new season. Grace and amie walk down the busy streets of the city once afternoon. Grace, in just her normal summer dresses, is now also wearing Jamie’s blazer jacket. Jamie is in his pullover, happy next to Grace.

Grace: Thank you for lending me your jacket. I didn’t realize it would feel so cold so soon!

Jamie: Autumn’s here in a week, Gracie.

Grace: Listen, there have been times that it was like summer on my October birthday. The Fall is just as inconsistent as the Spring; you never know what you’re gonna get.

Jamie smiles and slips his hand into Grace’s. Grace notices and smiles to herself; she doesn’t say anything about it.

Grace: Do you miss it?

Jamie: Miss what?

Grace: Home?

Jamie: We just left home not too long ago, Gracie–

That catches Grace off-guard. She looks up at Jamie and he looks down at her as well.

Grace: Korea. Do you miss it?

Jamie: Oh! Uhm…

Jamie ponders on the question. He looks up to the sky, and takes a deep breath in.

Jamie: Sometimes. I miss the Korean food the most; it’s just not the same in Koreatown.

Grace: Is Koreatown even a good representation of how life is like in the city parts of Korea?

Jamie: *chuckles* Absolutely not. *looks down at Grace* I think you would like it in Korea, Seoul especially. It’s very much like New York City.

Grace: Yeah?

Jamie nods his head.

Jamie: Most definitely. I will show you all the amazing places you can eat at when you’re there.

A lightbulb goes off in Grace’s head. She looks extremely excited. She squeezes Jamie’s hand even harder and proceeds to pull him to faster walking pace.

Grace: I know exactly what we should go to today!

Grace excitedly pulls Jamie by the hand, and he doesn’t protest. He never does.

…

Two large glasses of milk with swirly straws are placed on a restaurant table. Grace thanks the waitress and looks across the table at Jamie. Jamie looks around in awe.

Jamie: What is this place?

Grace: It’s called the Jitterbug Joint. It’s this 1950-themed place where their specialty is desserts and milkshakes. The milkshakes are way too cold to try out on a day like this, so instead–

The waitress places down a large plate of confetti-pancakes with sprinkles.

Grace: We’ll show you the second best thing in this place; Fetti-Cakes!

Jamie laughs at Grace’s excitement.

Jamie: Is this your happy place?

Grace begins to cut through the dessert.

Grace: When I tell you I would come here after work to eat tons of desserts when I was pregnant with Willow; I’m not joking. I lived in this spot.

Jamie: What made you stop coming here?

Grace: Life just got to me. I was now busy juggling the job and a new baby; I simply just didn’t have the time to come here and escape.

Jamie: *smiles* You seem like you’re happier.

Grace blushes a bit. She tucks her hair behind her ear and rolls up the sleeves of Jamie’s blazer to start eating the dessert.

Grace: You think so?

Grace pushes the other half of dessert to Jamie. He smiles and takes the extra fork from Grace and they both start to eat the dessert. Jamie’s eyes widen when he takes the first bite.

Jamie: Whoa, this is so good!

Grace: Right?!

Jamie takes another bite and wipes his mouth with a napkin. Grace watches him as she also eats her portion.

Grace: What do you mean I seem a lot happier now?

Jamie: You seem lighter, not as stressed as you were before. Maybe not being at firm anymore has lifted this weight off of your shoulders.

Grace takes in the response and eats her dessert.

Grace: Do you think I made the right choice? Leaving the firm?

Jamie: Do you feel like you made the right choice?

Grace: *sighs* Jamie…

Jamie: Do you feel like you made the right choice in leaving the firm?

Grace takes a moment to reflect.

Grace: I believe so.

Jamie: Then that’s all that matters. If you believe it was a right choice, no one else’s opinion matters.

Grace smiles. Jamie takes her hand on the table.

Grace: How are you able to stay level-headed and still be in the law business?

Jamie: *smiles* Let me show you my favorite spot.

Grace raises her eyebrows; she’s definitiely caught off-guard.

Grace: Lead the way, boss.

Jamie smiles and raises his hand for the check.

…

The sun is setting; Grace and Jamie are walking through a woodsy area. After awhile, they finally stop. Grace is at awe. She takes in the sight of the Brooklyn Bridge and the tall buildings in the next borough, surrounded by water.

Grace: This is… beautiful.

She turns around to see Jamie, who is standing behind her.

Grace: How did you find this place?

Jamie: *laughs* Actually from getting lost one day during my first visit here.

He walks up to Grace. She slips her hand in his. He instantly notices.

Jamie: I was trying to find a shortcut from the office my old firm was working out of. I was going to meet up with Shawn and Kevin and found myself lost on the way.

Grace: *laughs* Oh no! Did you ever meet up with them?

Jamie: I did.

Jamie turns Grace around in the other direction. Grace’s eyes widen.

Jamie: I eventually found the cafe.

Grace: Really?

Jamie: Yeah. *turns backs around* I find myself coming back here whenever I get stressed or if I’m having a bad day. It helps me clear my mind when things get hard.

…

As they walk back to the main road of the trial, Grace and Jamie hold hands and swing their arm. After a while, Grace begins the conversation.

Grace: I’m just so curious on how you’re still able to be composed and put together and still be able to do your job at the firm. I just feel like I always had to choose between one thing or the other.

Jamie: Life is just about balance. Once you’re able to maintain balance in the different things in your life, it makes things easier.

Grace: Sooooo, you’re saying is that all I need is better time management?

Jamie: *laughs* I’m saying that if you focus on one thing all the time, you miss out on the other great things in life.

Grace: You just seem like you always know what you’re doing.

Jamie: We all come across that way, it doesn’t mean it’s true.

Grace looks at Jamie; he doesn’t look at her back.

Grace: What was your turning point?

Jamie: My turning point?

Grace: Yeah. Like, what was the thing in your life that made you realize you had to change some things about it?

Jamie: *sighs* I wasn’t in Korea when my father passed away.

Grace doesn’t say anything, she doesn’t know what to say. Jamie stops in his tracks, lets go of Grace’s hand, and looks at her.

Jamie: I was in the states for the last two years of my law studies. Something told me to go back to Korea for the summer that year. Instead, I studied throughout the summer, and realized it was too late to go back. Mina called me, told me about my father… I couldn’t attend his funeral.

Grace looks up at Jamie as he talks. She feels sad for him.

Grace: I’m sorry.

Jamie shakes his head. He doesn’t want Grace to feel sad for him.

Grace: Your dad would be proud of the man that you’ve become.

Jamie looks up and smiles at Grace. He grabs her hands and swings them playfully.

Jamie: That means a lot.

They proceed to talk to the main street, holding hands, taking in each other’s company and presence.

Grace walks in the streets of Brooklyn; an area she doesn’t come often to visit. She never really had to come into Brooklyn unless it was to see Emerson, but he lived closer to the city than the part of Brooklyn she’s currently in. She’s looking down at her phone to see where her destination is located at. She stops in front of a brownstone and looks up at it. The address matches to the one on her phone. She walks up the steps and rings the doorbell. Shortly after, an older woman answers the door.

Grace: Aunt Jennifer?

Jennifer smiles at Grace.

Jennifer: The resemblance is insane. Come on in, sweetheart.

Grace enters Jennifer’s house as Jennifer closes the door behind them.

A file of manila folders are placed on top of the dining room table. Grace stares at the pile, now more nervous than she was before. Jennifer sits down across from Grace and starts organizing the folders.

Jennifer: I’m so glad that someone within the family wants to take over the business! I can’t see myself just giving it away to some stranger. This is just as much as my baby then my actual babies!

Grace: *laughs* I can only imagine.

Jennifer starts looking for documents in the folders as Grace looks on.

Grace: So, Aunt Jennifer–

Jennifer: Please, call me Pepper or Pep. “Jennifer” is way too formal for family.

Grace smiles. She’s still baffled that she’s considered family after being gone for almost most of her life from her mom’s side of the family.

Grace: –Pep, what got you in the business in the first place? Why didn’t you pursue, like, a professional career?

Jennifer: It wasn’t in the plan. I reunited with your uncle, Uncle Milo, after a year or two, and life just had different plans for us.

Grace: So, you changed your career for the sake of your children?

Jennifer: *nods* I did. It wasn’t just me anymore. It was my husband, and my children. I wanted to still do what I wanted to do but do it in a way where I could still come home to my family at the end of the day.

Grace ponders in the thought.

Grace: I don’t know if my mom told you, but I also have a kid. A daughter.

Jennifer: Of course I know that, Mollie never shuts up about that baby.

That makes Grace smiles, but not for long.

Grace: My previous career made me lose my family, in a sense. I don’t live with my daughter because of it, and… I don’t know, something tells me running this business for you will allow me to see her more. Be at peace some more.

Jennifer pours some iced tea in Grace’s glass for her.

Jennifer: You know what you value more in life now, and that’s completely okay that it happened later than what it expected you to.

Jennifer’s face suddenly changes.

Jennifer: You have the drive of your mother.

Grace: So I’ve been told. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing…

Jennifer: A little bit of both. She was passionate at her craft and extremely talented, and she was driven to be the best of the best in it. She also really loved your father, from what I remember. The decision was not easy for her, but we will never fully know her reasoning for the decision she made.

Grace: Did she talk about me when she left?

Jennifer: She didn’t talk to any of us for almost a decade. I think she wore that shame on her shoulders all that time, lived her life in isolation before she left competitive dancing.

Grace widens her eyes; she definitely didn’t know that information about her mom.

Jennifer: I’m glad you guys are in each other’s lives now.

Grace smiles and takes a sip of her iced tea. She places it down and clears her throat.

Grace: She’s definitely… different than I expected.

Jennifer: What do you mean?

Grace: She makes me regret the decision of quitting the firm to pursue this business every second she gets when we’re in the studio.

Jennifer laughs and shakes her head.

Jennifer: She’s just extremely harsh to people in this field. She knows you’ll be amazing and she just wants the best for you.

Grace: It doesn’t feel that way…

Jennifer’s attention is fully on grace and the direction this conversation is going in.

Jennifer: Is everything okay with you two?

Grace: *brushes it off* Yeah, it’s nothing to be worried about.

Jennifer takes a drink from her cup and stares down Grace.

Jennifer: Mmm, you lie just like your mother too.

Grace sighs at the comment.

Grace: Can you please stop saying that?

Jennifer: But it’s true though. Man, your mom couldn’t lie to us if her life depended on it–

Grace: *upset* I am not my mom! I am better than her! I didn’t leave my daughter behind for my career! My daughter is still in my life; she knows me, she still sees me, she calls me mama, I still do everything that I need to do and still be there for Willow! So I’m not my mother; please stop saying that.

Jennifer is at a loss for words. She carefully chooses her next words.

Jennifer: Grace?

Grace looks up at Jennifer.

Jennifer: You’re allowed to feel how you feel, but don’t let your emotions push you away from your mother. She means well, and she’s definitely got the same person she was when she was your age.

Grace doesn’t say anything; she just sits there in thought.

Grace: I know.

Jennifer: And I get it. My father wasn’t in my life for the majority of my childhood. He came back when I was a teenager and then left a couple of years after that. I don’t have the greatest relationship with him because he chose not to have a relationship with me. Your mom does. She’s trying to make up for lost time.

Grace: But–

Jennifer: Grace.

Grace gives up. She knows that Jennifer is right about the situation. Jennifer leans forward a bit to directly talk to Grace.

Jennifer: You would want your daughter to see you trying to be in her life. Mollie does to.

Grace sits there silently before she sees her phone vibrate. She smiles at the phone before placing it down. Jennifer notices it.

Jennifer: Who has you smiling all stupid?

Grace laughs, and Jennifer follows. The tension that was once there is now gone.

Grace: Just… a really good person.

Later that night…

Grace comes home and drops her bag near the front door. She quickly runs to the bathroom to use it and when she finishes, she goes to the sink to wash her hands. When she turns off the water, she hears voices coming in from the other room. She slowly walks to the door of the bathroom to listen to the voices in the other room. She smiles when she realizes it’s Jamie.

Grace walks out of the bathroom and slowly walks towards Willow’s room. The door to her room is cracked open, in which Grace looks in through there. Jamie sits on the floor faceing the crib as Willow lays down with her favorite seal plushie.

Jamie: *sings* And don’t don’t don’t, don’t doubt you; I believe in you. Just go, go, go, carry on…

Willow’s eyes begin to shut, and Jamie’s singing softens to nothing when he realizes she’s asleep. He quietly gets up from the floor to exit the room. Grace panics and tries to get away from the door as quietly and quick as possible. It doesn’t work. She stubs her toe on the corner of the wall, causing noise. Grace limps to the sofa to check on her banged toe.

Jamie comes out of the room and looks at Grace. His eyebrows cock up and wonders why she is limping.

Jamie: Jagiya? Are you okay?

Grace: *plays it off* Yeah! We’re perfect over here!

Jamie: *nods head* Ahh… and your toes? Are they okay?

Grace doesn’t say anything. she looks down at her toes, embarrassed. Jamie comes over and lifts her off from the sofa. Grace is shocked.

Grace: Jamie!

Jamie: What? i’m just doing my job.

Grace: The job of literally giving me heart attacks?

Jamie: No, I put one baby to sleep, now it’s time to put the other one down too.

Grace blushes and holds onto Jamie. He carries her into the bedroom and places her on the bed. He goes on top of her and kisses her gently on the lips. She looks up at him and faintly smiles. Her eyes are a bit teary.

Jamie: Grace?

Grace blinks and a tear runs down her face.

Grace: It… was a rough day… thank you for helping me with Willow.

Jamie kisses Grace’s forehead and then looks back down at her.

Jamie: Anything for you and little bean.

Jamie adjusts himself to lay next to Grace. He puts his arms around her as she lays her head on his chest. Jamie strokes the hair on top of Grace’s head until they both fall asleep, still in the clothes they wore for the day.