All my life, you stood by me

 If it hadn't been for a stranger, Gabby might have gone to Izzy and Cowan's wedding even if she hardly knew them. Yes, it was fun, helping with a wedding. She didn't understand why it made her so happy. Of course, there was a lot about her life she didn't like.

But a friend of her grandmother's brought it all back to her. How her life used to be. They'd met while Gabby was out on a walk to the park alone. Trying to figure out what to do about Oliver and Carrie. She hadn't meant to make a mess, but it seemed to be her MO. She thought back to high school beaus. She always wanted to control everything, but it always backfired. 

Even before Ste, she easily could fall in a love-hate relationship. Maybe it was in her genes. Maybe she just hadn't Googled enough. Gabby had even thought of finding AI support, but it was an option she was just thinking about.

And then, when Doris remembered her. "Oh, you've grown up so well," she smiled after she told her she remembered when she was little. How Gabby and her grandmother did everything together.

"Your Gram might not have been a professional artist, but she should have been."

Doris said she'd never met a crafter like Iona. "Was there something she didn't do?"

It made Gabby smile, almost to tears. She did confess that it felt like another life now. After all, Gabby did end up in the Foster system. But she was later adopted, although she was a troubled teen. Not that she wanted to think about that now. Doris started talking about Oliver's adopted mom, who was another close friend. "She tells me you two are together."

Doris's smile made Gabby feel it was a seal of approval that was meant to be. "I'm sure he needs you, especially with his little one."

Gabby sighed, thinking of the responsibility of Carrie. It didn't hit home until now. As soon as she got back home, she decided it would be different. She and Carrie could spend more time with the dollhouse and let Oliver get ready for summer school. It was the least she could do. 

Maybe they weren't exactly talking, but they could care for each other. And she'd put that word NEEDY out of her mind. It would take both of them to nurture the future.