Do we have any relatives at all? Why did you bring them here? What a pity Pity? And what about us? Were barely fitting in as it is! I told you to call Childrens Services tomorrow, didnt I? Let them sort it out!
Ian glared at his wife. She had just returned from her best friend Sarahs funeral. Not just the funeral the whole lot. Two youngsters trailed behind her: threeyearold Poppy and thirteenyearold Elliot, shuffling uncertainly at the doorway, unsure how to react to a host who clearly hadnt prepared for guests.
Emma gave the kids a gentle push toward the kitchen and, keeping her voice low, said:
Elliot, could you fetch a juice for Poppy and one for yourself? Its in the fridge.
When the pair disappeared behind the door, she turned to Ian, her tone sharp:
Arent you ashamed? Sarah was my dearest friend! Do you think Id abandon her children in trouble? Imagine what theyre going through now. Youre thirtyeight and you still call your mum for everything! Imagine that!
Alright, I get it, but youre not actually planning to leave them in our house, are you? Ian asked more calmly.
I am! Im going to apply for guardianship. They have no one. Their dads a mystery; he didnt even show up at the funeral.
Sarah lost her parents early. She has an aunt, but the aunts too old and refuses to take them in. And we dont have any kids of our own, do we?
Ian, Im your wife, remember? Dont you want my opinion?
Come on, love, youre a good person. I know you. Otherwise I wouldnt have brought the kids in without permission. Are you scared of the future expenses? Well manage.
Besides, theyre not little any more. Elliot will stay at school, and well enrol Poppy in a nursery. Our lifestyle wont need a massive overhaul!
Yes, but my mother Emma! Shell have my head if she finds out. Shes always nagging me about not having grandchildren!
I think Mum should stay out of our business. We always wanted to adopt one child anyway. Why take someone elses? Elliot and Poppy know us, and we know them. Itll be easier for everyone.
Maybe youre right, of course, Emma. But we were aiming for a single baby, not a whole bunch. One little one! Right, Poppy shes still tiny. And Elliot? Hes a teenager! You cant just sweep his problems under the rug!
Both of us were teenagers once. All the problems got sorted. We grew up and became perfectly sensible adults.
Fine, well sort it out as we go. Let them stay for now
Emma planted a loud kiss on Ians cheek and smiled. She trusted him completely. Hed always been a bit of a grumbler, a bit of a complainer, but when push came to shove hed step up and help her with everything.
Emma drifted to the kitchen to start dinner while mentally mapping out tomorrows todo list: a visit to Childrens Services, gathering paperwork from work and the bank, sorting certificates
And so began an endless parade of forms and bureaucracy. Orphaned children dont just magically find families on TV; you need a mountain of documents and approvals.
They even considered temporarily placing Elliot and Poppy in a childrens home, but Emma and Ian pooled all their energy and fought to keep the youngsters by their side.
With Elliot and Poppy there were no major issues. The little girl quickly lost any melancholy thoughts, finding solace in new toys and sweets.
The boy struggled a bit more. Ian saw him fighting back tears. One evening he pulled Elliot aside, put a hand on his shoulder, and looked him straight in the eye:
I know it hurts, lad. Im almost forty and I cant imagine what would happen if my own mum fell ill. But for Poppys sake youve got to be strong.
If you ever need to cry or shout, tell me. Well step out somewhere nobody can see us. You cant bottle that kind of pain up. And dont show it to Veronica; shell get scared. Please, speak to me.
Elliot eventually began to respect Ian. Emma watched them walk together, then return home like the best of mates.
The couple endured a barrage of inspections from every possible agency. To prove they could support the children, they even took out a loan, refurbished a spare bedroom, bought cribs, toys, and new clothes.
A lump sum was needed to enrol Poppy in the nearby nursery. When Elliot confessed he missed his friends from the sports club, Emma even paid for a weekend session to keep him happy.
At last, the gauntlet was cleared. The children were officially placed under their care. Ian landed a second job to settle the debts.
Emma found a side hustle tutoring physics at a local school and offering extra lessons at home for a fee. The financial pinch eased.
A year later the kids had settled into the new routine, forging close bonds with their guardians. Poppy even started calling Emma Mum.
Ians own mother, Vera, who had been sceptical at first, eventually befriended the youngsters.
Summer rolled around, and Ian suggested:
How about a seaside break? Im not keen on going to Brighton; lets head to Spain! Theres a lastminute deal I saw. Ill ring them up and book us tickets right now.
Emma welcomed the idea. She was exhausted after the years rollercoaster and craved a distraction. Ian promptly booked the trip.
A few minutes later a colleague called Emma just to chat, clearly bored. During the call Emma blurted out their Spain plans.
The colleague sighed, Lucky you! Ill be stuck at the cottage all summer again Moneys tight. You must be getting a nice allowance from Childrens Services, huh?
Emma froze, suddenly seeing herself through others eyes: greedy, opportunistic, only after the cash. Of course we took the kids for the money! she imagined they were thinking.
She voiced the thought to Ian, who paused before replying:
You know, Ive heard similar rubbish before. A mate once told me I should trade my old car for a newer one because Im supposedly living off the kids benefits.
Right, right, Emma recalled, your mum also says I should finally sort out my teeth now that the incomes up.
And my boss warned me not to expect extra holidays or overtime because the kids arent yours, so you get no extra perks. Can you believe that? I never asked for anything!
The neighbour, Jan, joked on the stairwell, Life must be a breeze now, huh? Youre hauling all those charity bags from the shop!
I tried to explain, Now there are four of us, so Ive got to cook more. Elliots always hungry hes growing!
So they all think we adopted the children for the money? Ian summed up.
Emma shrugged, Let them think what they like.
Maybe we shouldnt go to Spain then, theyll say were blowing the childrens benefits. And everyone keeps asking whether Ive transferred the kids lease to my name!
Theyll sympathise when I tell them your friend never owned a home,
What do we do then? Emma was genuinely stumped.
Shed never imagined any profit. The state allowance the children received was being saved, not spent.
Elliot was due to start a vocational course soon; he dreamed of becoming a programmer, and those courses arent cheap.
Nothings stopping us! Well go to Spain! Let them gossip. Everyone judges for themselves.
Soon the family set off for Spain, had a brilliant holiday and grew even closer.
Back home, however, Emma felt nauseous and weak. Ian, fearing shed caught something abroad, called an ambulance.
Emma was whisked away for tests. Elliot was distraught, fearing hed lose the woman whod become his mother figure. He even wept.
A short while later Emma called Ian, her voice bright:
Ian, you wont believe it were having a baby!
Darling, really? Is that even possible? We never thought wed get a second chance!
They said it can happen! It must be a little thankyou from the heavens for my dear friend.
Emma laughed, then grew serious:
Ian, I hope you understand the kids will stay with us, just as before.
What other options are there? Elliot, Poppy, come here! Ive got news a little brother or sister is on the way!
Hooray! the kids erupted in joyous squeals.
In that moment everything was perfect: joy, love, hope, and sheer happiness.
Thats the warm, slightly sarcastic tale with a happy ending. Feel free to drop a comment about what you think, and give it a like.
