Chapter Twenty-Two
Grace
It had been a few days since Hattie had left. Tristan had been relatively normal- for Tristan, that is. He was always friendly so I should be thankful for that, it's just he was sometimes a little too friendly.
I heard a knock on my door and looked up out of habit. "Come in!" I said uncertainly.
I heard the door open. "Grace, you have a very interesting visitor." Petunia's high pitched voice carried throughout the room.
Hope surged through my chest at the thought it might be Jaxon.
"Grace? I'm Hattie's sister! My name is Luisana and my husband's name is Michael." I heard someone walk across the wood floors towards me.
I smiled. "Hi, it's so nice to meet you. Hattie has told me all about you."
She laughed, "Don't listen to a word she says!"
She had an accent I didn't recognize but her enthusiasm was no doubt the same as Hattie's.
"So, Miss Petunia, where do I sign?" Luisana asked cheerily.
"Sign what?" Petunia snapped.
I bit my lip, tempted to tell Petunia off but not wanting to leave a bad impression on Luisana.
"The adoption papers of course!" She cried as though it should have been obvious.
I gasped; she was going to adopt me? Just like that?
Petunia sucked in a breath as well. "Well, you'll have to follow me then. We have certain regulations that have to be followed that typically take time. We have to send a social worker out to approve your home."
Luisana simply laughed, "I already have all the papers needed. We had our home approved and background checks done." I heard paper being shuffled around.
"Well, you sure did come prepared," Petunia remarked snottily. "Not sure why you'd want a blind girl anyway," She muttered quietly, laughing.
Luisana was quiet for a moment. "I'm taking her tonight, so do what you have to do to make that happen or I'll report you to the social services. I have close friends in that department. And don't you ever talk about her like that again."
My mouth hung open. This was truly amazing. She had my full respect already- someone that could stand up for others ranked highly in my books.
"All I have to do is sign these papers, and then you can take the brat." Petunia muttered.
The silence was so thick you could slice it with a knife.
I heard more papers shuffling and the clicking of a pen.
"Great- so that's everything then?" Luisana asked.
"That's everything." Petunia said bitterly.
"Grace, honey I'll pack your bags and we'll be on our way. Michael's picking us up so you'll get to meet him really soon. Is there anything or anyone you want to talk to before we leave?"
I shook my head. "I guess I should say bye to Tristan." I sighed.
"Oh, so you finally remembered I existed huh?" He said with venom.
I jumped in surprise. "Of course I remembered you existed. It was nice meeting you Tristan, I hope you get out of here soon." I extended my hand.
He took it and shook it, crushing my hand. I winced, yanking my hand back.
"See you later, Grace." He muttered before slamming the door.
"Well, he seemed pleasant! Are you alright?" Luisana asked with concern.
I smiled, "I'm amazing, thank you so much."
She finished packing my bags and took my hand. All I had was a duffel bag and a backpack.
She led me outside, her hand still holding onto mine.
I heard a car pull up and the door opened and closed.
"You must be Grace," The man said warmly. "My name is Michael, I've heard a lot about you from Hattie."
"Thank you so much for taking me in, I can't begin to explain how grateful I am."
A hand found my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "You're safe now, squirt. As soon as we're settled in we'll get your eyes looked at." He said.
I gasped, "That's so much money, I couldn't let you do that for me, you've already helped me so much..."
Michael laughed. "Grace, you're family now. I'll do everything I can to get your eyesight back for you. I know a lot of great doctors- either way, blind or not- you're a great person and nothing can change that."
I smiled, because for the first time since the accident I felt like I belonged again.
"So Grace, did you want to keep your last name? We're just going to fill out the last of the legal papers on the way home." Luisana asked gingerly.
"I want to keep my last name," I said slowly. I wasn't ready to give that up yet. I paused, considering everything. I was also ready for a fresh start.
"Maybe you could hyphenate our names together?" I suggested.
"Of course!" They said enthusiastically.
"Out of curiosity, what is your last name?" I laughed; amazed at how welcome they made me feel only in the short time I'd known them. There was a slight pause before Michael answered.
"Our last name is Bublé." They answered, slightly amused.
"I thought Hattie would have told you already!" Luisana said with surprise.
"Told me what?" I asked as realization slowly creeped up on me. "Oh my gosh, do you mean you're Michael Bublé, the singer?"
"That's me, kiddo." He chuckled.
Once I got past the initial shock over the fact Michael Bublé and his wife Luisana had adopted me, things seemed to fall right into place. I knew that everything would be fine.
If only I could tell Jaxon that I was okay. I sighed in defeat.
We pulled off what I assumed was the main road and turned onto a quieter street. I felt someone's smooth hands grasp mine tightly. "We're almost there!" Luisana said excitedly.
"About ten minutes until we're home," Chimed Michael happily.
"This is all so unrealistic," I laughed, "My friend Harper used to talk about these stories girls wrote about getting adopted by famous people. She'd die if she found out it actually happens in real life."
A pang of hurt shot through me as I thought about my absentee friend. She still hadn't made any move to contact me.
Luisana laughed, "We're people too!" She gave my hand another comforting squeeze.
The car rolled to a stop after what seemed like an eternity. I was eager to get settled into my new home. It was bittersweet- after a devastating month and a half I was finally going to have some stability. Although being adopted so quickly wasn't something I thought I would have to get used to. Legally, I was now their daughter.
I missed my actual mom and dad more than I could ever hope to describe. There was a constant hole in my heart that throbbed whenever I neared some sort of normalcy in life. It was a constant reminder that I would never be completely okay again.
The car door opened and another pair of hands helped me out. "Easy, the ground is slightly uneven. The driveway is made of paved stones." Michael explained.
I nodded in acknowledgement. They led me up the many stairs to the front door and inside turned a few corners until we reached an elevator. It beeped to let us know we had reached what they had told me was the fifth floor.
At least I have an elevator to help me get downstairs.
"I feel like I'm being led through a labyrinth." I laughed.
Michael chuckled, "It will take some getting used to, but there will be plenty of people to help you get settled. We've booked an eye appointment for you tomorrow. I hope that's not too soon for you."
"If we're pushing you too fast just let us know, love." Luisana said gently.
"I'm so grateful you took me in, and no, I'd be more than glad to find out what exactly is going on with my eyes."
"Alright, well dinner is going to be ready soon, so we'll let you relax a little in your room." Michael said as he walked down the hallway, leading me by the arm.
I heard a door open and they led me over to my bed. "I'll come get you when dinner's ready." Luisana chirped happily. "I'm so glad to have you here, Grace. You're a real blessing in our lives."
I listened as they shut the door quietly behind them. I sat gingerly on the bed and ran my hands along the silky bedspread. It was a big change from the scratchy ones I had been sleeping on at the home.
I laid down and closed my eyes. Tiredness began to take over my subconscious and I found myself dreaming of Jaxon's laugh.