"Mommy you have to go?" Gracie whined as I tucked her into bed.

"Me and Daddy will be right across the hall in your uncles room, don't worry sweetheart." I smiled at her and she reached up to loop her arms around my neck so I couldn't move.

"I go too?"

"You've gotta go to sleep Gracie." I shook my head and she frowned. "But if you need me or Daddy then have Ender come get us, okay?"

She nodded and I gave her a kiss. I managed to get loose from her arms and then called Ashton over to come tell her goodnight.

She had his baby blanket clutched to her chest, holding the blanket that used to be her fathers close to her heart.

"Goodnight baby girl, I love you." Ashton gave her a kiss and tickled her to make her smile before we went to Ender who was playing video games on his phone.

"Phone up, bud." Ashton said and Ender set it down.

"Goodnight, we love you." I kissed his head and Ashton did the same before we left the room and went across the hall to the guys room.

Ashton was in basketball shorts and a tee shirt and I wore a sweater and yoga pants because it was freezing in the guys' room.

"Hey Car." Luke smiled at me and pulled me into a hug.

"Hi." I smiled back and then moved to hug Calum and Michael.

"So have you told Gracie yet?" Michael asked as I sat down on the sofa next to Ashton.

"No. I don't know how to explain it to her." I sighed. "I mean how do you tell your child that social services is making her stay with a stranger for a day?"

They sat there silently.

"How you two are doing this I have no clue. I can't even begin to think how much it must hurt, I mean she's not my child but even I've cried and lost sleep about it, but you two...you're like the strongest people I know." Calum said and I sent him a little smile.

There was a knock on the door and I stood up to go answer it, opening it to reveal Harry.

"Hey." He stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. "How are you doing?"

"Well I haven't burst into a puddle of tears in an hour so that's good."

"I'm so sorry." He squeezed my sides before letting me go.

I went back over to Ashton who pulled me into
his embrace as I sat on his lap.

"You cold?" He asked me.

"A little." I shrugged. "Do you want anything to drink?"

"A beer if the guys have one."

"Sure." I stood up and went to the kitchen where Harry was getting himself a drink.

I found a beer for Ashton and then began to look around for the coffee.

"Luke, where's the coffee?" I called out.

"You don't need caffeine!" He yelled back.

"Luke." I turned around and gave him a death glare.

"Second cabinet on the right." He said in a mousy voice and I smiled before retrieving it.

"Well that was a terrifying look." Harry commented and I rolled my eyes.

"I'm the only girl in this group of boys, I have to be authoritative." I shrugged and he chuckled.

"You drink coffee all day long, how do you sleep?" He set his drink down and leaned on the counter as he moved next to me.

"Well I haven't really been sleeping a lot lately so it's not a big deal." I said as I pressed the heat button.

"Carter that's not healthy."

"Well when your child is being taken away from you, you kind of throw health to the wind."

"You don't know she's getting taken away. The judge hasn't made a verdict yet."

"It doesn't matter. She could still leave."

My coffee finished brewing and I poured the cup before grabbing Ashton's beer and walking to the sofa, Harry following me.

I handed Ashton the beer and he gave me a smile as I sat next to him and the blanket he had found as Harry sat beside me on the other cushion.

Michael and Calum were bickering over what movie to watch and I leaned into Ashton's side.

He took my coffee cup so I could spread the blanket over myself and then he gave it back so he could put his free arm around my shoulders.

"She'll be okay." He kissed my head.

I downed my cup of coffee in no time flat and then went to go check on the kids.

I walked into the room quietly and they were both passed out asleep. Gracie was curled up in a little ball, pressed against Ender who had his mouth open in his sleep.

I gave them each a kiss on the forehead before leaving and going back to the guys room.

Ashton had finished his beer and now had both arms free to hold me and I sat down in his lap again, him moving to kiss me.

"Please no." Calum said and Ashton flipped him off.

"I'll kiss my wife whenever I please."

"We're not that bad." I rolled my eyes at Calum.

"Yeah, because you wouldn't make out with Ashton in front of us."

"Who says I wouldn't?" I raised my eyebrows.

"You did! Like two months ago when we were watching movies and you made the comment that you wouldn't make out in front of us because you'd be embarrassed." He waved his arms dramatically.

"Prude!" Michael teased me and I saw Ashton widen his eyes.

"Well she's far from that I can promise you." He told them but smirked at me.

"Okay, say we do make out in front of you guys, what will that prove?" I asked.

"That you're not a prude." Michael sneered.

"And that you're not afraid to do it." Calum smirked as well and I bit my lip.

"Stop listening to them, they're being annoying." Ashton shook his head.

"See, I like him better than I like you." I stuck my tongue out at them and flopped my head down on Ashton's chest.

He rubbed his hand on my arm, the friction giving me warmth as I cuddled into him.

"Here." Ashton put his hands on my waist and moved me back closer to him so I could lean against his chest.

I was just getting comfortable when suddenly I heard soft knocking at the door.

"Mommy! Mommy!"

Gracie called out to me and I glanced at Ashton before we both got up to hurry to the door.

I opened the door to see her standing there with her bunny and blankey.

"What are you doing up baby?" I crouched down to be at her level.

"I want hug." She pouted.

"Okay come here." I picked her up and wrapped her in my arms, carrying her inside.

"Hey Gracie." The boys and Harry all smiled at her.

"You just wanted a Mommy hug, didn't you." I smiled as I sat down on the sofa with her.

"Mhmm." She smiled at me and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"I love you princess." I kissed her face while Ashton came over to us with a pillow and a blanket.

"I think it's bedtime for both of my girls." He smiled at us and sat down on the sofa before placing the pillow in his lap. "Come on, loves."

I laid down and Gracie curled herself on top of me before I laid the blanket over us. I extended my legs and placed my feet in Harry's lap, him looking up at me.

"Am I your footrest?"

"Please?" I batted my eyes angelically at him and he shook his head with a little smile before placing a hand on my ankle.

"Go to sleep." Ashton moved his head down so kiss me and then Gracie. "I love you."

I closed my eyes as I held Gracie.

The guys had the movie playing but were quiet and I could feel Harry absentmindedly touching my leg with his hand. Ashton was also touching me but had his hand on my head, tucking my hair behind my ear as he caressed my face.

"She's asleep." He said after a while. I really wasn't but I would let him think I was.

"She looked so heartbroken." I heard Luke sigh.

"You should have seen her face when the judge told us about the visit, it's was devastating." He said, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"What about you? How are you doing?" Calum asked.

"How do you think?" Ashton said sarcastically. "I'm heartbroken, but I have to be strong for Carter right now."

"But it's okay for you to be outwardly upset." Michael said

"Carter is already upset enough, she doesn't need to see me panicking, that will only make it worse. I'm just doing everything I can to make sure she doesn't have another seizure."

"That was the most terrifying thing I believe I have ever witnessed." I heard Harry say, his hand stalling to rest on my calf.

"Tell me about it." Ashton sighed.

I nestled into the sofa deeper as the room got quiet and decided I should get as much decent rest as I possibly could for the days ahead.

Ashton's PoV:

My eyes glanced down to see Carter passed out on my lap. Her lips parted as she drew in even breaths and her hand twitching lightly as it gripped the blanket covering her and Gracie.

The movie played on before me and I watched it, trying to distract myself from the unnerving thoughts of Gracie's visit with her birth dad.

The movie was almost over and I was really getting into it when I felt movement and looked to see Gracie turning around in the blankets before sitting up.

"What are you doing up baby?" I asked her as she tried to crawl to me but Carters sleeping head was rested in my lap.

"I no sleepy." She shook her head as she had her arms around my neck.

"Well you have to go to sleep Gray."

"Why?"

"Because if you don't then you'll be cranky tomorrow."

"No." She shook her head.

"Yes you will."

"You hold me?" She asked and I kissed her forehead before picking her up to hopefully rock her back to sleep but when I stood up she reached her arms back toward the couch, cries leaving her mouth.

I looked to see my baby blanket on the couch and hurried to get it and bring it up to her.

"I'm sorry, here you go." I touched the soft fabric to her cheek as she hugged it to her.

"I love blankey." She smiled as she happily clutched the fabric to her chest and I smiled back at her.

"Close your eyes Gray." I pressed an elongated kiss to her forehead and she then leaned her head down on my shoulder.

I walked around the room, lightly bouncing and rocking Gracie in my arms as the guys watched another movie. Repeatedly, I smoothed my hand over Gracie's hair and kissed her head as I tried to get her to fall back asleep.

I could feel her little breaths against my neck and her little heart beating steadily in her chest.

"What the-!" I heard Harry say and looked over to see him looking down at Carters feet. "Her feet are freezing!"

"Yeah." I chuckled. "She does that."

When I knew Gracie was asleep I took her back to our hotel room and laid her in the bed with Ender before going back for Carter.

"We've got a long couple days ahead of us so I better take her back." I said as I went to lift her up from the sofa, her body nuzzling into my arms even in her sleep.

"I guess I will leave as well." Harry said and we said goodnight to the boys before he opened the door for me so I could carry her out. He also opened the door to our hotel room and I thanked him for coming tonight before he left and I laid Carter down in the bed.

Once I got in bed I fell asleep almost immediately, trying to mentally prepare myself for the days to come.

The next day was spent taking Gracie and Ender to the park where they fed the ducks, the Disney store where we spent way too much money, and then an aquarium where the kids had a blast running around and looking at the fish, penguins, and sharks.

We didn't tell Gracie about her visit. We decided it would be best to just tell her she was going on a trip for a day and would be back the next morning. We would try to make it sound as positive and fun for her as we could but we'd most likely be lying.

The morning of her visit we awoke with a very dark cloud hanging over our heads.

Carter sniffled the entire time she packed things into Gracie's frozen suitcase, every once in a while reaching up to wipe away a tear.

Gracie was a little confused but it was my job that morning to keep her distracted by giving her a bath, fixing her hair, and getting her dressed.

I let her pick what dress she wanted to wear and tied bows around the two little French braids I did in her hair.

When I walked out of the bathroom with Gracie in my arms, Carter was placing a children's book in Gracie's suitcase. She put in Ellie the elephant and then her tooth brush and paste before zipping it up.

Ender finished getting ready and came to help me distract Gracie until it was time to go.

As we left our hotel room we were joined with all of our friends and my mom, the group of us getting in cars to head to the social services office where we would be dropping off Gracie and also picking her up tomorrow.

When we got there Mr. Jackson was waiting for us along with Holly Baker.

"What we doing?" Gracie asked me as I carried her inside.

"You're going on a little trip for a day, and we are all here to tell you we love you." I said and she smiled.

"Mr. Irwin, Ms. Chase." A woman walked up to us that I had never seen before. "I'm Amanda Lang and I'll be supervising Gracie's visit."

I shook her hand and so did Carter before I set Gracie down and Luke called her over to him so he could hug her.

He hugged Gracie tightly before she moved to Ari and Jason who hugged her and then to Michael and Calum who did the same.

My mom was next and I saw her holding back tears as she hugged Gracie goodbye and kissed her cheek.

"Remember to say your prayers and be a good girl." She said and Gracie nodded before Ender moved in to hug her.

I heard Carter suck in a harsh breath at this and I reached out to take her trembling hand in mine.

"Bye Gracie. I'll see you tomorrow okay?" Ender hugged her and she hugged him back.

"Bye bye Ender."

"You're the best little sister ever." He said and Carter suddenly turned into me.

"Ash I can't do this." She tried not to cry as she spoke in a whisper.

"She's going to be okay." I told her and she sucked in another sharp breath.

It was now our turn to say goodbye to our daughter and I felt my heart literally shatter in my chest.

I crouched down so I was at her level and brought her into a hug.

"I love you so much Gracie." I held her tightly, almost too tightly. "We will see you tomorrow and you'll have to tell us all about your trip okay?"

"But I wanna stay with you and Mommy." She poked out her bottom lip as Carter crouched down next to me as well.

"I know you do baby, but you'll see us tomorrow morning, I promise you." Carter gave her a little smile and reached out to touch her cheek. "Now come give me a hug."

She pulled Gracie into her embrace and I watched as she hugged our little girl with all of her might, afraid of what could happen if she let go.

"I stay with you?" Gracie asked us as she pulled away.

"No baby girl. I wish you could but you have to go on your trip today." I lifted a corner of my lips in a sad half smile.

"Okay, now you have Mr. Carrots, blankey, Ellie the elephant, and your Olaf. I put books and colours and toys in your suitcase and you have some of your favourite dresses to pick from tomorrow okay?" Carter said to her and Gracie nodded. "Alright now give me a kiss."

Carter kissed Gracie's face several times and then I did the same, holding her face in my hands as I gazed at her.

"We have to leave now." Amanda the social worker said and I nodded.

"Okay. It's time for you to go, but I love you so much baby girl." I hugged Gracie once more.

"I love you Daddy." She said and then moved back into Carters waiting arms.

"I love you sweetheart."

"I love you Mommy." Gracie said and then Carter and I stood up as Amanda came in to take Gracie's hand.

"Bye Gracie", I heard a few of the guys say as Amanda began to walk her away.

I could hear the blood rushing in my ears and my eyes became watery.

"No." Gracie whimpered as she was led away from us. "I stay with Mommy Daddy."

Carter let out a sob and she turned into my chest where I wrapped my arms around her as she brokenly cried into my shirt.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Gracie called out to us, now crying as she was walked out the door.

I watched with blurry eyes as she was placed in a car outside, her face red as the tears streamed down her cheeks. Her mouth was open as she cried, showing just how upset she was and the moment they closed the car door and I couldn't see her anymore I clamped my eyes shut and let out a sob of my own.

"Shh...it's okay, it's okay." My mom said as she placed a hand on my back.

But no amount of comfort could help me now.

I was heartbroken like I never had been before, and even though I knew she was coming back, there was no guarantee she would stay, and I didn't know how I would survive without that little girl in my life.

Carter and I held each other as we both cried in the middle of the social services lobby, everyone watching us as we fell apart.

We needed our daughter, and she needed us, and I had to make the judge see that.

I had to.

--

Guys, I cried so hard writing the end of this chapter omg I'm way too attached to these characters lol

Anyways, I hope everyone has a great week! Expect more sad/sappy chapters to come!

As always, comment and vote if you'd like!

Much love xx -M