A Helping Hand

is it update time? :poke:
i'm bored!
Do we start taking bets that Michael & Sydney share the guest bed when her parents are in town for Christmas?
yes we should start taking bets! :P
graciey gets her puppy!
graciey gets her puppy!
i bet Michael wants her!!
:lol: :lol: :lol: so true!
i know what he wants he wants a good loving family and a roof to keep over his head for him and gracie but the only person to give him that is SYDNEY!
maybe Michael will get a promotion since sydney is the CEO of the company and he is staying with her.
Pheonix :P
 
Chapter 17
Sydney had to admit that she was not entirely surprised by Michael’s answer to her inquiring as to what he wanted for Christmas. She suspected that the truthful answer would have been a home for Grace and himself. However, she could not have been further from the truth and she found that out the following day when he came to her asking to speak in private. Little did she know that Michael had been up all night thinking about what he really wanted, the only thing he had ever wanted since he and Grace became homeless. While a home for the two of them was definitely on that list there was something more important that he needed for the time being.

Just after dinner, Michael pulled Sydney aside into her office, requesting that he have a moment of her time to talk. Unsurprisingly she looked confused, and asked what he wanted. It was then he began saying the difficult words he knew he had to get out no matter how much he wanted to keep them inside.

“Ever since Grace and I lost our apartment I’ve been afraid of one thing and only one thing. Yes, living on the streets and not knowing where we were going to sleep was scary. Trying to sleep in a room full of people I didn’t know who could have hurt Grace was scary as well, but nothing was as terrifying as the thought of someone finding out – of the authorities finding out.

“I know what will happen if they do,” Michael continued. “The state will take her away from me because I can’t care for her properly and provide a home for us to stay in. To them, I’m an unfit father and, if they find out, Grace will bet put in foster care until I can find us a place to live…if I can…and even if I can they’ll always be watching us. I thought this situation would be temporary, but obviously its not…”

He took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly as he looked up to Sydney, who was looking more intrigued than ever. “You of all people I believe will appreciate how hard it is for me to say this but… but I need someone to take Grace. I went to the library; I looked it up. I need to give someone temporary custody of her – she needs a guardian who can give her a roof over her head and a warm meal on the table every night. I know this still involves giving her up for the time being, but at least its on my terms and at least I won’t be looking over my shoulder constantly waiting for the day when they find out what’s really going on because…because I know that day is coming – I don’t know when, but I know it is and knowing it kills me.”

When he paused, Sydney took in a long breath and let it out slowly. It was fairly obvious where their conversation line was going, but she couldn’t let herself believe it until she heard the words from him.

“I know you care for Grace…and she…she talks about you all the time; she loves you-”

“I love her too,” Sydney chimed in rather tearfully.

Michael gave her a very tiny smile as one corner of his lip pulled up ever so slightly. “I know this is a lot to ask – a lot to ask, but I want you to take custody of Grace. I don’t know how long it will be for but…but at least she won’t be thrown in some foster home with god knows who else. That would kill me,” he emphasized strongly. “I just… I don’t know what else to do, so I’m asking you to please, please do this.”

When he finished speaking, all Sydney could do was stare at the man in front of her. He was giving up the only thing he had in his life because he loved it so much and breaking his own heart in the process. What could she possibly have said to that? How could she make it better? She wasn’t sure, but she wanted to more than anything.

“I know this is a lot to take in and this is a surprise I know…,” he continued after a few minutes of silence hung between them. “You can…take your time…”

“I will,” Sydney croaked out. “I’ll think about it I promise.”

“Thank you,” he said sincerely. Just as he was turning to walk away, he felt Sydney touch his arm lightly. She walked around in front of him, looking him in the eye, before speaking.

“I know how hard this was for you,” she said softly. Then, she slipped her arms up around his neck, pulling him into a strong hug. “Thank you for asking me.”

“Yeah,” he said softly into her ear. Then, they broke their hug and went out to join Grace on the sofa, where she was celebrating being free from school until the next calendar year.

“Hey Sydney, can we go see the big Christmas tree sometime?” Grace asked after a picture of the item in question flipped up on the television screen.

“Sure; we’ll go this week during one of my lunch breaks okay? Unless your dad wants to come too…,” she let her voice drift off as she looked up to Michael.

“Oh yea Daddy come!” Grace grinned at him.

“How about we go during the evening? Then we can see it lit up,” Michael suggested.

“Let’s go now!” Grace said, jumping up off the couch.

“We…can go now,” Sydney said with a slight shrug, not seeing a reason why they should not go. “We’ll just go in our pajamas. We don’t have to get out of the car; it’s too cold anyway.”

“OKAY!” Grace shouted before running towards the front door.

After calling for a car, the three of them only had to wait ten minutes (though it was ten minutes during which Grace was extremely impatient) before it arrived. Then, they piled into the back with blankets that Sydney so wisely brought and settled in for their ride to Rockefeller Center.

“How’d they get all those decorations on there?! Magic?” Grace asked as she peered out the window at the statuesque tree.

“No sweetie, they built up scaffolding around it and climbed up real high to put all the decorations on,” Michael explained to her.

“Musta taken forever!” Grace concluded.

By the time the three of them arrived home, Grace had fallen asleep due to the lulling affect of driving around in the car. Michael carried her inside and upstairs, where she woke up enough for them to change her into her PJs. Then, Sydney tucked her into bed and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead before whispering, “I love you,” into the little girls ear. True, it was the first time she said it aloud (save earlier that evening when she told Michael), but she had felt it for a long time ever since Grace turned up looking so pale and ill on her doorstep.

“Love ‘ou too ‘id-nee,” Grace mumbled sleepily. Sydney smiled and kissed her forehead once more before leaving the room so that Michael could take his turn saying goodnight to his daughter.
 
It took a lot of guts for Michael to ask Sydney to take custody of Grace. But as he said, at least it's on his terms and Grace will be happy to live with Sydney. Also the good part about the arrangement is that Michael can visit any time he wants, it won't be a court or Children's Services saying when and where he can see his daughter.

Chris
 
Ok that has to be the sweetest chapter you HAVE EVER WRITTEN!!!!

It took alot of courage for michael to ask sydney that. But i know that she will take care of Grace. Oh god my heart is pounding just thinking about how scared Michael must be about losing grace to any body.

WELL DONE!!
 
that made me sad.. maybe michael and grace could just stay with her. i admire michael taking in all the pain just to give his daughter the best... i hope they find a better solution to the probable situation...
 
I agree that must have been so hard for Michael to do. It just shows how much he loves Grace that he is willing to give up custody to make sure she stays in a secure home with someone she knows.
Great update
 
Sydney loves Grace! She's going to take real well care of the girl that for sure.

PLus Michael doesn't need to worry about his daughter's well-being at all!!! :smiley:
 
I was going to say you updated earlier and beat my review of the last chapter to it, when I realised today is not saturday. It's wednesday and there's a holiday here. So there you go. :P

This chapter was so, so emotional. It must have been hell for Michael to say that, but I'm so glad he did and I'm sure Sydney's going to say yes.

Great, great chapter.
 
Wow! Great chapter janet. Michael is putting Grace's best interest first and I can't imagine living with the fear of losing a daughter. Plus always looking over your shoulder wondering when they may take your child away.

We are not even halfway yet are we? Lots more of this story to go and I can't wait to read it.
 
IF Sydney gets tempoary custody of Gracie, doe that mean that Michael will move back on to the streets instead of staying with sydney.

texasalias
 
Aww, that was sad. he wants to give grace up to give her home. that's really thoughtfull of him even though it's breaking his heart. and he trust syd enough to offer her custody
 
It took a lot of courage for Michael to ask Sydney and I'm glad he did...
Now all she has to do is say yes. So if Syd does get custody, Michael will still be there, right/
Great update.
 
wow i sure that was hard 4 michael 2 do cause it sure would've been hard on me i could'nt take it and i have so much respect 4 him and im sure grace is gonna be kinda happy im still happy tho
loved the update
love VJ
 
awwww :love: poor Michael :( if he and Sydney would just get together...then he wouldnt have to give up custody. and he wouldnt have to work so hard to get money, etc.

can't wait for more! :D
 
oh my gosh that almost made me cry. that took sooooo much for michael to ask and it means so much that he would. now onto more pressing matters.......when are they going to realize that they are perfect for each other? I mean grace loves sydney, sydney loves grace, grace loves michael, michael loves grace, sydney loves michael, michael loves sydney....everyone loves each other......now if we could just get the last two to admit it then we'd be even better. hey that'd be a good christmas present don't you think? I think so! can't wait for more!
 
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