Finding Perfect

These concluding chapters resolve the novella’s central conflicts of Daniel’s quest to make contact with the adoptive family and Six’s emotional disconnectedness from not knowing the outcome of her son’s adoption. These arcs culminate in a reunion that solidifies the narrative’s thematic threads. The motif of phone calls and emails is instrumental, demonstrating that long-distance contact can create the emotional space needed for vulnerable truths to be shared. The initial breakthrough occurs through Daniel’s phone call and culminates in Quinn’s email. Within this letter, Quinn discloses her own history of loss, which establishes an immediate empathetic bond with Six, highlighting The Invisible Pain of Motherhood. Quinn admits that she can’t understand the extent of Six’s pain in giving up her child, but she relates because of the pain of her struggle with infertility and the absolute joy she feels having Matteo in her life. She shares insights about being terrified at the prospect of becoming a mother, not knowing that Six has also spent the past year terrified about the fate of her child. Each woman approaches motherhood from a different point of view, but each shares a pain that no one apart from their significant other can see.

The subsequent phone call with Graham and Quinn builds upon the trust established by the email, moving the plot and character journeys forward. This progression illustrates The Role of Communication in Healing From Trauma, showing that healing can be initiated through digital means that lower the emotional stakes before a direct encounter. This is crucial because the time and space between each communication give both couples time to reflect, discuss, and prepare. These communications stand in contrast to Six and Daniel’s confrontation with Daniel’s parents, which presents them with news they aren’t ready to process or accept.

The novella’s narrative arc culminates in the theme of Redefining Family Beyond Biological Ties. The novella blends traditional notions of family into an inclusive model based on shared love and emotional generosity. This redefinition is a more expansive form of kinship than closed adoption laws allow. Quinn and Graham are portrayed not as gatekeepers but as welcoming role models in Daniel and Six’s life. Daniel and Six’s families send gifts for their biological grandson, signaling their desire to be emotionally supportive while respecting the Welles’ rights as parents. The most definitive moment occurs when Quinn tells Daniel to “Go hang out in the living room with your family” (80), a statement that validates Daniel and Six’s connection to Matteo and the Wellses. The novella thus rejects a zero-sum concept of parenthood as either defined by biology or legal adoption, instead proposing a collaborative model where both coexist. Six’s final realization that Matteo is both “ours and theirs” (82) signifies her acceptance of this new family structure and finally eases her fears. By presenting this blended family as the story’s resolution, the novella champions a vision of kinship that prioritizes emotional connection and the well-being of the child.

Parallel to the external plot resolution is the completion of Daniel’s character arc. In the novella’s first chapters, Daniel is characterized by emotional paralysis, trapped by his immaturity and fear of confronting the truth about his relationship. His decision to proactively seek out the adoptive parents shows selfless motivation; he is driven not by a desire to rebel and claim his son but by a need to alleviate Six’s suffering. This intention is recognized and validated by Graham, who admits he was prepared to refuse contact until Daniel’s phone call. Graham explains that he was moved because he could relate to Daniel’s desire to see the woman he loved happy. This mirroring establishes Daniel’s actions as an expression of mature, sacrificial love. Graham is a role model for Daniel; unlike Daniel’s own father, Graham shows emotional maturity and doesn’t rely on outdated gender roles. He gently teases Daniel for not knowing how to slice a tomato but still laughs at Daniel’s jokes, showing that Daniel doesn’t have to lose his sense of humor to become a responsible adult. This is a New Adult coming-of-age moment because it rejects the traditional trappings of adulthood, showing that emotional responsibility and integrity are all that matter.

Daniel’s coming-of-age arc is also shown when he apologizes to the Uber driver after calling him a “Dick Prick”; the driver told them to get out of the car while Six was crying, and this upset Daniel. Once Daniel walks back his insult, his sincerity and loquacious personality lead him to quickly bond the Uber driver. It’s the same quality that led him to emotionally connect with Graham. When Daniel stops acting defensively, he learns that he can connect with people almost instantly rather than pushing them away. It’s a lesson he internalizes after delivering the news to his friends about his son, promising Breckin that he’ll stop using the offensive nickname Powder Puff now that he’s a father.

The novella’s resolution employs symbolism, most notably through the child’s name, Matteo Aaron Wells. The Italian name Matteo means “gift,” and Aaron means “miraculous,” framing the child as a “miraculous gift.” This codifies the child’s role within both families. For Quinn and Graham, he is the answer to their struggle for a child; for Six and Daniel, he becomes the gift of resolution and peace. The name’s significance bridges the gap between the two couples, ensuring the resolution feels complete.

Finally, the narrative structure of the concluding chapters is crafted to provide emotional catharsis, utilizing the Holiday motif to frame the reunion as a celebratory event. Thanksgiving highlights Six’s sense of loss and Daniel’s penchant for confrontation while Christmas, which is culturally associated with hope and togetherness, brings all characters growth and a happy resolution. This seasonal backdrop plays into classic holiday tropes, with Daniel referring to the outcome as a “damn Christmas miracle” (80). The novella concludes with an image of contentment, fulfilling the promise of its title, Finding Perfect, by offering complete emotional closure for Six and Daniel while setting Quinn and Graham up for their standalone novel All Your Perfects.