Time skip to three months later...

Chole's POV:

 I looked at the time. Goodness, it was only one month away from the court trial the one in which I would be given Sarah as my child or she would be taken from me.

    I shook my head, I did not want to think about it. Life with her was grand.

    I had gotten together with him, the man who loves me and I love as well, Nath.

     I was sure it was because of her. Before she came along, I never once saw the way, he looked at me. I never once gave him a fair chance, but now I am glad to have them.

    I  got up and ready for the day. True to his word, he had not left me.

    Nathaniel stayed at my place twice a month ago, but then he went back to his place. That was okay because I did not expect him to always stay at mine.  Sarah told me more about her past and I sobbed. My daughter had gone through more than I could have imagined.

      "Sarah, I am sorry, you had to go through all that, " I say.

     "Mom, you went through worse than I did, and Nathaniel still loves you," She says.

      "Yes, he does," I say with a grin.

    Nathaniel and I had been on a  few dates since we had gotten together. Some with Sarah, and my father tagging alone, but most as just us. I did not mind though because he was good with us all. 

     I hadn't told him, but I reconsidered marrying him. It would be good for Sarah.  I know he would not mind the arrangement. It would be good for me since it is rather cold sleeping alone.

     I smiled.  I  heard the bell ring and Sarah answered it.

   "Mom, he is here!" Sarah exclaims.

   "He?" I ask. "Yes, Dad, who else," She says.

      I go to the door and see Nathaniel standing there.  "Do come in, love," I say.

       Nathaniel comes in and closes the door. He sits beside me and Sarah climbs up and sits on the other side so that she is to his left.  "My two favorite girls are looking beautiful and well, I see," He says. I blush. I am unsure why his compliments make me react this way, especially since we have already confessed our love for each other and kissed.

         "Here," He says. He hands a small package to Sarah. She opens it and starts to cry.

          "It is a truck just like the one I lost in the car the day my sister, mother, and father died," She says. "Oh, thank you, Dad," She says. She kisses his cheek.

          "Oh, and this is for you," He says and hands me a box. I open it and sob. Inside is the first piece of jewelry he had ever given me back when we were in sixth grade. I thought I had lost it because Jeff had torn it off when he saw it. He did not like me wearing anything he did not give me.  "Where did you get it?" I ask. "Bee, I was there when he ripped it off you, and I picked up. I kept it for you hoping someday to return it,"  Nathaniel explains. "Thank you," I say.

          I lean over and kiss his lips. Sarah claps her hands in approval. "Woo hoo, Mom and Dad are kissing because they love each other!" She squeals.

          I  pull away and smile over at him. 

          Time has a way of slipping away from us.

    Time skip brought to you by Chole's tattoo...

  One month later, Chole is at the trial and Sarah is staying with her grandpa. Nathaniel is at the trial, but he does not say anything. He remains quiet and winks at her.

    The court presents the case of Sarah to the people. Everyone listens to the evidence brought before them. The court continues with Chole sitting there thinking, please let me keep her. I don't know what I would do without her.

     The judge stands up. He is smiling. He turns his attention to the court. "Let the defendant rise, Miss Chole Bougerious."  Chole stands up.

     "The court has noticed you have taken great care of the child in your custody called Sarah Jane Phillips. We have  noticed that Mr. Nathaniel Kurtzberg has helped you with her on some occasions along with Andre Bougerious, your father." The judge says.

        Chole stands there not saying a single word. She fears the worst.

          The judge continues.  "I see no reason and neither does the majority present here today to change a thing. Expect for one thing and that being said, the court gives the sole custody and adoptive rights of Sarah Jane Phillips to Chole Bougerious and let the record say that from here on out, the little girl shall be known as Sarah Jane Bougerious."

          The judge strikes his gravel twice and leaves the courtroom.

      Chole goes out to her car with tears of happiness in her eyes. She can't believe it, Sarah is hers, and she can't wait to tell her the good news. She climbs in her car and hears a voice say, "Congratulations, Bee."  She looks up to see Nathaniel standing there smiling at her. He hands her flowers. He pecks her on the lips. "See you soon," He says.

      "Yes, soon," She says with a pink hue to her cheeks.

       Chole drives home. Nathaniel smiles as he goes back to his place. Chole arrives back at her place glad to be the official mom to Sarah. She texts her father with the good news.

      "Yahoo!" he says. Sarah hears him and smiles. "What is the good news, Grandpa?" She asks.

   "The court says yes, you stay with Chole and that makes you my official, granddaughter," He says.

       "Yes!" Sarah exclaims.

           Chole's father and Sarah show up then Nathaniel. They celebrate with a nice supper and ice cream for dessert.  Sarah is eating vanilla, Andre (Chole's father) has lemon, Chole has lemon and vanilla swirl, and Nathaniel has strawberry. "How come you are not having strawberry too, Sarah?"  Her Grandpa asks. "She is allergic to strawberries," Nathaniel and Chole said together.

     Sarah shrugs her shoulders, "What I break out if I eat strawberries."  Her Grandpa smiles. 

        After Chole and Nathaniel finish their ice cream, Nath kisses her.  Chole kisses him.

         Andre and Sarah give each other a high-five.

          Find out more in Chapter 45

     Until then,

bye-bye,

little owlets!

Summer out!