It's been twenty-four hours since Reid placed Ava back in my arms, and in those twenty-four hours I'm grateful Ava was none the wiser as to what happened. I know she must have been scared when my father took her from preschool, but she doesn't seem to have any lasting effects. I'm finding it difficult to let her go. She even slept in the bed between Reid and me last night snuggled right into my side. I'm thankful Reid went with it. He knew I needed it.

My hope is when she gets older this incident will be a forgotten memory. As for me I will always remember and move on. However, there is one last thing I need do before I can completely put my past behind me. I need to see my mother. I want… no, I need answers. It's time to close this chapter in my life and never look back. Once I do, I feel I'll be able to have the closure I need and move on with the rest of my life.

Reid mentioned last night both of my parents are to be taken back to New York tomorrow. So, it's now or never. Turning my attention away from my daughter who is quietly playing with her toys on the living room floor, I look to Reid who is sitting on the sofa next to me, his attention also on Ava. "I want to see my mother. You think you can make that happen for me?"

Without questioning me he answers, "Yeah, babe. I'll make a call."

I love how he gets me without my explaining. Somehow, he knows I need this and I trust him to make it happened. While setting up visitation with my mother, Reid contacted my supervisor at the nursing home requesting personal time off due to a family emergency. When he came to me and announced what he had done, I was about to open my mouth and say something when he told me, "I thought you'd like to take the week off and spend it with Ava." Once he explained his reasoning, there was no way I could argue. A week home with my little girl sounded wonderful.

"Want me to get Bella or Alba to come watch Ava while we go see your mom?" Reid asks.

"No, they've already done so much for me. I'm not going to ask any more of them. If it's alright with you, I'd rather go by myself and Ava can stay here with you."

"Hell no, Mila, you're not going by yourself. I don't want you confronting that bitch alone."

"You've got to stop acting like I'm made of glass. I'm going. I promise I can handle seeing her. It's time for me to put the past in the past so I can move on with my life. Confronting my mother is something I need to do alone. I need to show my mother she didn't win. I want her and my father to see they didn't break me," I explain with my voice steady and calm.

Letting out a sigh of defeat, Reid strides up to me standing toe to toe and cups my face, "You are the strongest, bravest woman I know."

Placing my hands on his forearms I exhale, "Thank you, for everything," I say right before his lips meet mine and I melt into him.

* * *

"Alright, Kitten, Agent Holden is expecting you down at the station. I'll stay here with Ava."

I give Reid one last kiss before walking over to Ava and kiss the top of her head, "Be good for Reid while I'm gone. Okay, sweetheart?"

"I will, Momma."

I almost don’t want to leave the little bubble we've been in all day, but what I'm about to do I'm doing for the three of us. I can't move on and be the person or mother I want to be until I finally put the past behind me. Grabbing my car keys and purse off the kitchen counter, I make my way over to the door. With one last look over my shoulder, I glance at Reid. Nodding, he gives me the silent encouragement and strength I need.

Walking into the police station I thought I would be more nervous, but what I feel is anger mixed with a little bit of sadness. I'm angry for everything my parents have done to my daughter and me, and sad because all I ever wanted from them was love and acceptance. "I'm here to see Agent Holden," I say to the officer behind the reception desk.

"What's your name?" he inquires.

As I am about to give the officer my name, Agent Holden appears from around the corner. "It's okay, Officer Jenkins, I've got it from here." Placing his hand on my back, he ushers me down the hall from where he just came. "How you holding up, Mila? How's Ava doing?"

"Ava's good, she doesn't seem to understand what happened which I'm grateful for, as for me I'm doing okay. This whole ordeal is a lot to process. I appreciate you allowing me to speak to my mother."

"Trust me, Mila; it's not a problem. I understand. We don't normally do things this way, but given the circumstances, I'm going to bend the rules. In my line of work I see so many victims who don't get to see justice or get the closure they deserve."

"Does my mother know I'm coming to see her?" I question.

"Yes, and she agreed to meet with you. Our flight back to New York is in an hour, so I'm sorry you won't have much time."

Lifting my hand, I cut him off, "I don't need a lot of time. What I plan on saying to her will only take a minute."

"Alright. Reid said you only wanted to see your mother. What about your father? Do you wish to see him as well?"

I shake my head. "No, I have nothing to say to him."

Seeing the truth in my expression Agent Holden continues, "She is in the room behind you. I'll be right outside the door if you need me."

Seeing Susan Vaughn in a pair of handcuffs is surreal. I mean polished New York attorney Susan Vaughn, wife of Richard Vaughn and my mother. Through all my anger towards this woman, I'm surprised I'm still able to feel pity for her. That is what makes me so different from the woman in front of me. I have a heart. I feel compassion even for someone who played a part in trying to destroy my life; I still feel a twinge of sadness when looking at her and knowing she will be facing several years behind bars.

"You know, I was going to come in here and ask you why, but I've changed my mind. I already know why. You're a conniving bitch. You are a miserable excuse for a human being. Instead, I am going to tell you something about me. I am everything you're not. I'm a good mother. A loyal friend and an excellent nurse. Grams taught me all of those things. She showed me how to love and when you love someone you love them fiercely, faults and all. And because I refused to go along with what you and father wanted out of a daughter, you tossed me out like yesterday's garbage. But you know what?" I asked leaning forward and braced my palms on the table in front of me and bringing my face closer to my mother's.

"You giving up on me was the best thing to ever happen to me. Moving to Polson and living with Grams was a blessing. I thrived and became the person I was always meant to be. It allowed me to follow my dreams of becoming a nurse and find the man who will one day be my husband. A man who, even though Ava is not his blood, loves her as if she were his daughter. A man who will teach her how a man should treat her by loving and respecting her mother. That is the kind of life I have. So, you see, you and father never stood a chance on ruining my life. You didn't break me. You made me stronger." By the time the last word leaves my mouth, I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders. I thought I wanted answers. Now I realize I didn't need them. I only needed my voice to be heard. Something I was never allowed growing up. Without another word and before my mother has a chance to respond, I turn on my heel and walk out the door; leaving my past behind me where it belongs.

* * *

Several weeks have passed since the incident with my parents, and their names haven't been spoken of since. Reid, Ava, and I have fallen back into a routine with me going back to work. Reid has returned to doing what he loves, and that is getting his hands dirty on the job site. At his last PT session last week, he was cleared by the doctor to resume all normal activities.

As for Ava, she is no longer in preschool. During our week home together, I brought up the subject with Reid about switching preschools after what happened there with my father and the carelessness of the staff, I didn't feel comfortable sending her back. Now Ava spends her days with either Alba or Bella. The sisters showed up at Reid's place on a mission. When the pair suggested they take over babysitting duties, I knew Reid had a hand in the whole setup. I insisted they had already done enough for me and couldn't accept their offer. I was not one to take advantage of people's generosity. By the end of their visit the three of us had worked out a schedule as to who would have Ava on what days. They said there was no reason for Ava to be in preschool when she has a family to look after her. I might have had a mini breakdown and cried. I feel blessed to be a part of the Kings' family.

Some days Ava spends with Alba and baby Gabe, and a couple of days she hangs with Bella at the garage. Those are the days my daughter comes home with a pocket full of cash, because her words are, "Uncle Quinn says lots of bad words today." Yes, all of Reid's brothers have taken on the Uncle roles. Quinn's mouth alone is going to fund Ava's college tuition.

As for Grams, she is not doing so well. She caught a cold, and her body is slow reacting to antibiotics. When I stopped by this afternoon after work for my daily visit, the doctors informed me if she continues to worsen, they will be forced to admit her to the hospital. When I saw her today she looked weak, and her skin was pale. My stomach clenched, and my heart ached at the sight of her lying in the bed looking so small and frail. I'm not prepared to lose my Grams. There is a part of me that hates to see her suffering, but the selfish part of me wants her to hang on. I'd be lost without her. What would I do without her by my side? We have always been a team, her and I.

Even now sitting beside her bed holding her hand, I will her to open her eyes and give me the answers. To tell me everything will be alright, just as she has done in the past. Resting my head on her bed while holding her hand, I close my eyes as tears roll down my cheeks because at this moment all I can do is pray.

Grams always said 'You don't pray for God to change what is because he has a plan. You pray for God to give you the strength to make it through.' So, that is what I do. I pray for God to provide Grams and me with the strength we need to make it through whatever he has planned.