by KL Donn
She gets choked up as she begins to speak, and I’m incredibly proud of the woman she’s growing into. Ember is going to do great things.
Marina
I was shocked when Mom informed me she was bringing everyone. I had assumed she only meant the women. These kids are in for a real treat today.
As Ember takes the stage, I can see a lone tear escape her eye as she sees the full house. “Oh wow,” her voice cracks a bit. “I can’t thank everyone enough for coming. We wanted to give a special thank you to Claudia Parks and the women of Fayetteville’s sewing circle for your generous time and donation. These kids deserve every ounce of happiness I’ve seen in their eyes tonight. I hope you enjoy their show!”
The lights dim as she backs away into the curtain, and soon, a soft melody of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” plays as children begin to filter onto the stage. Starting with the really young ones dressed as stars. Their faces transform as they glide across the floor with fluid grace.
The music picks up a beat as it transitions to “You Are My Sunshine,” and some older kids enter the stage dressed as sunflowers. I watch, wholly entranced, as these kids don’t waver as they move around one another. Their motions are graceful and practiced.
“Ember is amazing.” I lean into Arsen’s side.
“She really is.”
When the next crescendo hits, “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” from Cinderella plays, and girls and boys of all ages come out dressed as princes and princesses. They look incredible, and I’m so proud of the job my mother and her friends were able to do in such a short period of time.
The small recital only lasts another thirty minutes before all the children are taking their final bow. The curtains close, and the cheers and applause make the entire center deafening. The music was simple, yet elegant. The dancing was promising and enthralling. These children are so lucky to have found an amazing teacher in Ember.
As we all stand and prepare to make our way to find Arsen’s sister, Thea leaves in a rush. Kol scowls, and I find myself curious about the young girl and what’s had such a traumatic impact on her. I wish I could have told her that no matter what it is, she can fight past it.
“What did you think?” Ember rushes from the dressing room as Mom’s sewing circle goes in to help the kids with their costumes and give them their goodies.
“You did great, kid.” Kol leans forward to kiss her cheek.
“Couldn’t be prouder of you, Em.” Arsen kisses her other cheek.
“That music was perfect for every twirl and plié!” I croon.
“Where’s Thea?” Ember asks, looking around us.
“Fucking left.” Kol seems annoyed by that.
“Oh.” Ember shakes off her disappointment as a few of the children’s parents come over to thank her for working with the kids so well. I was shocked that not more came out.
“Miss Ember.” One boy of about five tugs on her skirt.
“Yes, Jacob?” She squats down to his level.
“Mama left this for you.” He hands her a note, and as Ember opens it, I crouch down to him. “Hi there, Jacob. I’m Marina.”
“Oh my God.” Tears fill Embers eyes.
“What?” Arsen and Kol both ask.
“You have pretty eyes,” Jacobs says, stealing my attention once again.
“Why, thank you. I thought you danced wonderfully tonight.” I smile to ease some of the anxiety I see on his face.
“You think so?” He slips one hand into mine.
“You were my favorite little star out there!” I can see Arsen and Kol reading the letter Ember was handed, and as Arsen’s gaze meets mine, they’re furious.
“Hey, Jacob.” He crouches down with us. “I’m Arsen. Did your mama say anything else when she gave this to you?” I’m confused until he shows it to me quickly, and my heart breaks for this beautiful little boy.
She left him.
Abandoned him.
“No.” He shakes his head and his bottom lip wobbles as he picks up on the emotions surrounding him.
I see my parents coming closer with huge smiles on their faces, and when they see how serious our small group is, the happiness fades.
“Hey, Mom, Dad. Do you think you can get the kids home safely?” I ask, knowing I can’t, and won’t, abandon this sweet child clinging to my hands like I’m his lifeline.
“Of course, honey. Is everything alright?” She looks at everyone.
“It will be,” I tell her. “We’ll make it okay.” Arsen nods at me. Kol’s on his phone in the corner, looking angrier with each passing minute.
As Arsen talks with Kol, Ember and I take Jacob out front to say goodbye to the parents that brought their kids as we wait on what the next move is.
It takes another six hours before we find out that Jacob’s mother has indeed left town. Signed over all of her rights to the boy to the state and wiped her hands clean of him. After speaking with social services, as well as his kindergarten teacher, we discovered he lived in a home of abuse and drugs. That, in some ways, he’s better off that she left him with us than at home by himself.
It doesn’t make what she did right, but at least, we can help.
“He can come home with us,” Arsen says as we leave Jacob to sleep in Arsen’s childhood bed, shocking me.
“Home?” I croak. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it.
“With us,” he reiterates.
“We could do that?” My eyes are misty with tears.
“We have a meeting with his social worker first thing in the morning.” He grins at me.
I walk up to him, unable to contain my excitement, and wrap my arms around his waist. “I love you so much, Arsen. You’re the best thing to ever happen to me.”
He doesn’t say anything, and when I pull away, he drops to one knee, a gorgeous princess-cut diamond with a white gold band in his fingers. “Marina Parks, it’s not too soon. It’s just right. You and me? We’re solid. We’re everything. I love you. Until the end of time, I will, and nothing will ever change that. Jacob will be icing on our cake. Will you marry me?”
Speechless, I don’t know what to say. Tears are running down my face when a little hand grips mine from behind. Looking down, I see Jacob smiling, even though his world has fallen out from under him today.
“Say yes already!” I hear shouted from the bottom of the stairs by multiple voices.
“How could I say anything else?” I tell him, and he stands, placing the ring on my finger and lifting me in his arms. A deep kiss is dropped on my lips, and for the first time in my life, I feel complete. I feel like I’m finally living the life I’m meant to have.
“She said yes!” I hear Jacob yell to the nosy nellies, and cheers, louder than the performance, fill the entire house with so much love.
Epilogue
Arsen
One year later.
“Fuck yeah!” I scream into the bullpen. Every officer and criminal stops in their tracks to stare at me. Without answer, I holler to my captain, “Cap, I’m going home!”
His head pops out of his office as I pass, and he asks, “It came?”
“It fucking came!”
“Then get your ass home, boy!”
Without further prompting, I race out of the building and head for my truck to get home to my blushing bride.
Marina and I tied the knot six weeks ago in a small ceremony in her hometown. I had wanted to whisk her away to City Hall the second she said yes, but she insisted we were only going to be married once, and she wanted it to be perfect. As far as I was concerned, she was there, so it already was.
I quickly gave in when she and Ember pulled the tears card. Ironically, they vanished as soon as I agreed. The two were closer than best friends now. They told each other everything, which was why I had this news delivered to my office. Marina and I needed to learn the decision together.
Ember and Kol could damn well wait this time.
Pulling into the driveway of our new house, I r
un up the back steps, not shocked at the image before me as I enter through the back door.
“Great fucking news!” I call before either occupant can say anything.
“Arsen, language!” Marina admonishes with a laugh.
Ripping open the letter, I only read past the part that says adoption finalized before I hand it to her with a smirk. “Try and contain yourself.” I challenge her.
I know the exact moment she reads what I did. Tears flow like a river down her cheek. Her smile is brighter than sunshine, and her knees go weak, so I have to catch her.
“Is this real?”
“As you and me, baby.”
“What’s going on?” Jacob asks from the table where he’s doing a puzzle. He loves puzzles and math. Putting things together gives him great joy.
Walking over to him together, I pick the boy up and set him on the table. “Do you remember when Marina and I asked you if you’d like to stay with us? Then, Susan, your social worker from Knoxville, came and asked you a bunch of questions?”
“Yes.” He looks between us.
“Well, today, right here”—I show him the paper, and his eyes roam the words. Most of which he doesn’t know yet—“says that as of now, you, Jacob Daniels, are our son.”
Marina’s sobbing and vibrating body confuses him. “Why are you crying?”
“I’m so happy, Jacob. So very happy.”
He beams at her. “You’re my mom and dad now?”
“We are,” I confirm, watching as a smile to rival Marina’s transforms his face.
“We’re a real family!” he cheers, every bit as excited as we are as he wraps his arms around us. “Can I call you Mom and Dad, now?”
“I would love that so much.” Marina sobs into his small body.
“A real family,” he murmurs, amazed. “I have a mom and a dad.” I begin to choke up at the excitement in his voice. “You’re mine, and I’m yours.” He grins at us as we nod.
A year ago, we started down a path to an amazing gift. A boy so sweet and caring we couldn’t help but fall under his spell. Jacob is the child of our dreams, and with love surrounding us, I know we’ll be alright.
Epilogue 2
Marina
Two years later.
“Arsen!” I’m sure my scream can be heard in every house in Tennessee. As I waddle to the top of the stairs, my husband comes running.
“Is it time?” I want to smack his stupid grin as he races up the stairs.
“What do you think?” I growl at him. His hand snakes around my back as another contraction hits me.
“They’re close together. You think you’ll make it to the hospital?”
“Just get me there,” I grunt.
“Mom!” Jacob skids to a halt in front of us. “Is it happening? Are you okay?” Even though our sweet boy has been worried and scared about the baby coming, he’s a real champ. He loves her every bit as much as we love him.
“It’ll be fine,” I reassure as Arsen helps me into my new SUV, and Jacob gets my “go” bag from the house.
The doctors have been baffled at how I got pregnant at all, and Arsen has been strutting around like a damn peacock, proud as could be for the last six months.
We were warned that I would likely miscarry and that I should abort, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I couldn’t abandon my baby without giving her my all, first. She deserved everything I had before we gave up.
I’ve been on bed rest for the past three months as a precaution, and Ember and Thea have been practically living with us ever since. They’ve traded on and off depending on their schedules, so I was never alone. Even Kol spent a week with me because the girls couldn’t get away.
“Kol, it’s happening.” Arsen phones his brother to tell him what’s going on, nothing but pride and excitement in his voice.
Jacob has been worrying me in the backseat. He’s being quiet and subdued. “Sweetheart, it’s going to be fine.” I reach a hand back to him, and he grips it. I can feel him shaking.
“I know, Mom.” I never tire of hearing him say that. It’s like I’m getting a gift each time.
As we roll up to the hospital, Kol is standing there with an entire maternity team ready to take me away. “Contractions are only a minute apart,” Arsen tells them as he helps me from my seat and onto the stretcher.
“Good luck, Mom!” Jacob calls, and I want to cry and hold my baby.
“I love you, sweetheart!” I see Arsen give him a quick hug as he runs after me, leaving our son with Kol while I bring new life into this world.
Jacob
Seeing my mom, the nicest woman I know, screaming in pain brings tears to my eyes. I’ve tried to stay strong for her. Dad has told me that I should show her how excited I am to have a new baby sister, and I am.
But I’m also scared.
What if they love her more than they love me?
What if they send me back?
What if they don’t want me anymore?
“Jake?” Uncle Kol grips my shoulder, squeezing it. “You okay?”
I look up to him; he’s a lot of fun. He’s always treated me like I was really his family. “I don’t want to lose you guys,” I reply. Angry when I feel my eyes fill with tears.
“Oh, kid, you ain’t never going to lose us. We’re family.” His smile is genuine.
“But they have their real baby, now.”
Without saying anything, he guides me upstairs to where Mom is going to have the baby and into a waiting room.
“You’re their real son, too, you know,” he tells me.
“Not by blood. I’m not really theirs.” I can’t contain my tears.
“Who says?” He looks angry.
“Kids at school.” I got into a fight twice this year because of it.
“Have they ever made you feel like they won’t love you anymore?”
“No. Mom does her best to let me help with all the baby stuff.” I really enjoyed all the extra time I’ve been getting to spend with her. Mom’s smile soothes me in ways I never knew before.
“Yeah?” Uncle Kol smiles. “And Dad, he likes to play basketball with you, right?”
“And fishing,” I say. It’s one of our favorite things to do.
“Don’t you guys have a boys’ weekend planned in three weeks?”
“Oh yeah!”
“Can I tell you a secret, Jake?”
“Yeah!” I’m excited Uncle Kol wants to tell me something.
“Being a big brother to a little sister is a huge job, but you won’t find one you’ll love more than this. Girls are gentle creatures. They cry a lot, they’re sensitive, and they need tons of love. More love than just Mom and Dad can give them.”
“They do?” I sit up straighter, sounds like a tough job.
“Yep. When she’s a teenager and a boy breaks her heart that first time, she’s going to look to you to make things better. You’re going to have to show her that men aren’t always selfish, and she needs to be more selective.”
“I like the sound of making her happy.” I always love when Mom smiles at something I’ve done.
“And that’s not all,” he says.
“It’s not?”
“Nope. Sometimes, we have to scare the boys away.”
“Like Uncle Noah?” I remember when Uncle Kol got really mad at him.
“That’s right. We have to make sure they’re worthy of our little sisters. If they can’t impress us, then they got to go!”
“Wow.” This sounds fun now. Except… “What if Mom and Dad don’t love me as much as they used to?”
“You know what they’re going to do, Jake?” I shake my head. “They’re going to love you more.”
My eyes grow wide. “Why?”
“Because not only will they get to raise you, they’ll get to raise your sister and watch how you help them out with her. Because even when she makes you mad—and trust me, she will—you’re going to love her just as much as you love your mom.”
“Do y
ou think she’s born yet?” I jump up, too excited to sit still a second more.
Before Uncle Kol can say a thing, a nurse comes in. “Mr. Daniels?”
“That’s us!” I cheer.
She smiles. “Your Mom and Dad would like you to come meet your sister.”
I follow the nice woman, with Uncle Kol behind me, and as we near Mom’s room, Dad comes out, a big smile on his face. Running to him, he catches me and gives me a huge hug.
“I love ya, kid.”
“Love you, too, Dad.”
He carries me into the room, and Mom smiles at me, looking just as happy as the day she told me I was theirs. “Hi, sweetheart.”
“Hi, Mom. Are you okay?” She doesn’t look like she was ever in pain now.
“I am, baby.” She pats the bed beside her leg, and Dad sits me down. “Would you like to meet your baby sister?”
“I really would.” As she unravels the blanket in her arms, I see a pinched nosed, red-faced little… “Is that an alien?” I tilt my head to the side. Everyone laughs.
“She’ll be cleaned up soon and look more like a sister then.”
“Okay.” I shrug as I reach out a hand touch her cheek. “What’s this white goop on her?”
Dad and Uncle Kol lean over to see my finger as mom laughs. “That’s from the sac she was in, in my belly.”
“Eeewww,” Uncle Kol and I say together. Dad helps me wipe my hand off.
“We have a big job for you, kid,” Dad says.
“What?”
“Well, you did such an amazing job of helping me get everything ready for your sister, we thought you might want to help name her?” Mom smiles at me then the baby.
“Wow.” I look to Uncle Kol, and he gives me two thumbs up. “Janelle,” I say, thinking it’d be cool if we were both a J name.
“Janelle,” Mom whispers with a soft smile. “It’s perfect.”
“It sure is.” Dad seconds.
“Cool.”
“How about a picture of the happy family?” Uncle Kol asks, pulling out his phone.
