it would always feel s t r a n g e but in the best of ways . spotted through the window on his way to the front door ( finally home ! ) the image before him was one of beauty ; his little girl , watched over && protected by the young woman who , in a way , belong to ALL OF THEM . an entire community couldn’t be said to parent a child , but 𝐉𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒 was their daughter nonetheless .
a pause as hand landed on doorknob , a moment spared to let his saving-grace enjoy whatever craft she’d roped judith into doing for just a while longer but not MUCH longer , as eric’s moment of kindness was cut short . the sound of porch steps creaking must have been just loud enough for little ears to pick uo on , as in an instant cool metal was ripped from his palm , gracie BURSTING through the doorway with a s q u e a l of delight ! the sickness grace had been suffering from earlier in the morning had miraculously passed , && just in time for her to miss class interesting .
S C O O P E D up && attacked with kisses , as eric reentered his home he did so with arms full of giggling blonde . the kid may have been a liar , but he couldn’t blame her . he tried to make it FUN for all involved , but school was school , && school SUCKED .
❝ looks like you’re a miracle worker , ❞ eric remarked , comment aimed at judith as his lips came to rest on gracie’s forehead . cool as a cucumber ! no fever to be found . ❝ you two have fun today ? ❞ the answer , from judith’s standpoint , was probably no but as eric wrapped an arm around her shoulder , pulling her in for an exhausted hug , he could only hope that judith knew just how thankful he TRULY was .