1.26

She took a hesitant step forward. "Bug...Kaylee? Is it really you?"
Everything seemed to move in slow motion for Kaylee. She looked at the woman standing there and could vaguely remember a sight, a sound, a smell. Her voice. She remembered that voice reading to her, singly softly as they baked cookies in the kitchen, laughing as they danced in the rain. Without realizing it Kaylee was racing down the stairs and through the gate. Her grandmother met her half way.



"It is you," she whispered in her ear as her frail arms wrapped around her in a surprisingly strong hug. "I knew it was you the moment I walked around the house and saw you climbing up the stairs. You have your daddy's profile. And his walk. He always used to do that 'leading with the chin walk' when he was nervous." Kiki pulled back and placing her hands on Kaylee's shoulders studied her.
"Look at you. You're gorgeous. You look just like your mother."
Kaylee hid a wince and smiled and she gently cupped her grandmother's face. "I'm glad that I found you. You don't know how glad I am."
"Umm...I'd hate to be rude but who is the guy standing behind you staring at us?"
"Oh!" Whipping around Kaylee motioned for Ty to come closer. Grinning widely he placed his hand on the small of her back and absently began to massage it as he held out the other hand to her grandmother."
"Ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm-"
"Boy, put that hand away and give me a hug. I can see those matching rings now. You're family."

Ty gave her a gentle squeeze then started to straighten. She gripped his shoulders and leaned forward.
"That last sixty yard throw blew me away. I was on the edge of my seat worrying that you were going to be sacked or that the play was going to be intercepted. Your receivers are amazing and that tail end has got some good foot action. With your arm I think we can make it to the Bowl game this year."
Ty blinked in amazement before he started to laugh. Kiki winked at him before reaching out a hand for Kaylee. Smiling at the two of them she gave Kaylee's stomach a pointed expression.
"So, I'm going to be a great-grandma soon?"
"In about three months or so," Ty said proudly.
Kiki finally seemed to notice the rain and ushered them into the house.

"It's not much," she said by way of apology as they stood in the foyer.
Not much, Kaylee thought in dismay. There wasn't anything there except for a small folding table and two lawn chairs. The plaster was peeling and the floor boards were cracked and uneven. Out the corner of her eye she saw Ty's eyes narrow as he reached up to rub the back of his neck.
"Let's go upstairs. That's where I spend most of my time anyways. Heat rises and all and that's were the radiator is. Umm...just give me a moment. I wasn't expecting company and I just want to straighten up a bit."
"Nana, we don't care about that."
Kiki's eyes teared up when Kaylee called her nana but she cleared her throat and blinked. "Just give me a minute." She rushed up the stairs.
As soon as Ty felt she was out of hearing distance he opened his mouth but Kaylee forestalled whatever he was going to say with a finger pressed to his mouth.
"I know. She can't stay here. But let's take one thing at a time okay?" He nodded as he pressed a kiss to her fingertip.
"Did I tell you how proud I am of you?"
"What? Shut up!" she said blushing.
He laughed. "I am. No matter how it turns out you did the right thing in finding your grandmother."
They fell silent when Kiki called for them from upstairs.

"Sooo..."Ty said as he looked around then cleared his throat. "I'm going to go get some fresh air. I have my cell on me if you need me so...yeah, I'll be outside."
"You don't have to-"
Kaylee patted her grandma's knee as Ty slipped out the door. "He's giving us some time to ourselves. Cherish it because Ty loves to hover. That's one of the things that I love and dislike in him."
"He's a good man. I can tell he makes you happy. How long have you two been married?"
"I thought you were a fan of his?" Kaylee said curiously.
"I am. Of his professional life. I could care less about about his personal but now I know I should have. I would have known where you were all this time. Speaking of which...where is Janet?"

Kaylee popped up quickly. "I remember this picture!"
Kiki gave her a strange look as she joined her.
"Yes, I remember this picture as well. Who do you think took it? You had just learned how to do cartwheels and I thought for sure that you were never going to walk anywhere again."
She laughed softly as she reached out and traced the edge of the frame. "This is the only picture that I was able to save after the fire. All your father's baby pictures were burned and I must say he was the cutest baby."
"He was a good looking guy."
"Yes, yes he was. But it wasn't just his looks. His personality is what drew people to him. He and Janet were so much alike yet at the same time so different. Sometimes I used to wonder what would happen if one lost the other. They had such a strong bond...and then Terry died and Janet...I worried about her."
Kaylee rubbed her stomach absently as she stared down at the picture. Her version was faded and wrinkled but this version...she could see the happiness shining out of her parents eyes.
"Kaylee? What's wrong?"
Turning Kaylee sighed. "I guess you have to know."
"Know what?"
And so Kaylee told Kiki about her childhood, about Janet...about everything.



There was a tense silence as Kiki stared down at her feet before turning to where Kaylee had sat down beside her. "I didn't know. I swear I didn't know. If I would have I would have done everything in my power to find you. I wouldn't have left you there. I, my God, I never thought that Janet could be so heartless. So cold. She was never like that."
"Well you said you used to wonder what would happen...Janet turned into someone that no one would recognize. I guess to distance herself from the past she just became someone else."
"She could have come to me. She could have left you with me if she wasn't going to take care of you. How could she do something like this to her own child? To MY grandchild?"
Kiki's hands curled on her thighs before she got up from the couch. Where before there had been a bounce in her step, she know walked like an old woman as she stood in front of the window.

"Can you forgive me?"
Startled Kaylee moved to the other end of the couch to stare at her grandmother as she stared out the window. "Forgive you for what?"
"For letting Janet take you away. For not trying harder to find you. For not protecting you, or my son, from the Wells family." Her fist clenched behind her back.
"I knew how powerful they were but I did nothing to prevent my son from falling in love with their daughter. And I stood by, complacent, as the man who murdered my son, and destroyed my home, walks around as if he's the pillar of the community. So, I ask you again...can you forgive me?"