Sam, lets hand Lucy over to the childrens home!
Are you out of your mind? Hand over? What are you talking about? Alex stared at his wife, baffled.
Exactly, hand her over! Were having a baby soon, why keep a stranger around? Jane riffled her curls. You were the one pushing for adopting her in the first place!
I was hoping wed finally have our own little one, thats why, Alex replied, sighing. Every family needs kids, right?
Fiveyearold Lucy was standing in the doorway of the bedroom, tears welling up. She wasnt a blood relation? They were going to send her back to the orphanage? Shed been over the moon about a new brother or sister and now, because of that, she might lose the parents shed just found!
Feeling something shift, Sam rose from the bed and went to the door. Lucy was there, sniffling.
Dad, am I not yours? she asked, her big eyes full of panic.
Dont be silly, love, Sam scooped her up. Of course Im yours!
But you said you were going to send me back to the childrens home! So Im not yours? Lucy blurted, wiping her cheeks.
We took you in, but that doesnt mean youre not family. We love you dearly. Mums just a little hormonal with the baby on the way Let me get you tucked in.
—
Im leaving you and youll never see the baby! Jane shrieked. I want a proper familyno outsiders!
Calm down, Jane. There are no outsiders in this house, Sam tried to soothe her. Lucys our daughter too.
I didnt give birth to her! Shes not my child! Janes voice rose. Its you or herpick!
Sam helped Lucy pack a small bag.
Youll stay with Grandma for a bit until Mum settles down, he said. The baby will be born, Mum will be fine, and well bring you back, okay?
Lucy nodded eagerly. Anything to stay away from the orphanage. She loved Grandma Lily, who always had a biscuit or a piece of cake ready.
Gran, if Mum tries to send me back, can I just live here forever? Lucy asked as she stepped over the doorstep.
Lily gave her a firm look, then smiled. Of course, my dear. But Mum wont actually hand you overshes just stressed.
—
Two months passed and Lucy was living with Lily. Alexs visits grew rarer, his work at the hospital and his shift at the clinic pulling him in opposite directions.
One morning Lily was making tea when Lucy saw a car pull up. She squealed, Granddads here!
That early? Lily frowned. Alex never came before noon. Sensing something off, she sent Lucy to the kitchen and went to meet her son.
Jane passed away last night during labour, Alex said, slumping onto the sofa, exhausted. She couldnt make it, and the baby didnt survive either.
The three of them sat in silence, the cold tea forgotten.
Mom, Im taking Lucy back home, Alex announced. She belongs with us.
If you need a place to stay, Ill put you up, Lily offered, looking at her son.
Thanks, Mum, Alex murmured.
—
Lucy examined the new school uniform with giddy excitement. She was only a few weeks away from being a proper pupilbright blazer, shiny shoes, a fresh backpack.
A knock sounded at the front door. Dad! Lucy ran to meet Alex. He wasnt alone. A petite, slender woman stood beside him.
Lucy, meet Emma. Shes moving in with us, Alex said, trying to sound cheery.
Hi, Lucy! Emma smiled, handing her a small bouquet. A little something for the first day of school.
Lucy muttered a halfhearted Hello, ignored the flowers, and hustled to her room.
Dont be mad, Alex whispered to Emma, shes actually a sweet kid.
Emma replied, Im sure well get along.
Lucy thought, Right, lets see how this goes, and slammed her bedroom door shut.
Alex and Emma soon married. A promotion soon whisked Alex away to a new role, leaving Emma to shoulder most of the daytoday care. She did everything she couldhelping with homework, going to parentteacher meetings, taking Lucy to the cinema and cafés. Eventually Lucy warmed up and trusted her stepmum. The house settled into a comfortable rhythm.
At the end of the term, Emma announced she was pregnant. Lucy felt the world tilt. She shut herself in her room and cried for what seemed like ages. Emma stood outside the door, pleading, Lucy, please! I love you. Ill never let anyone take you away. Well always be a family.
Yes? Lucy sniffed, peeking out.
Yes, love, Emma hugged her. Youre my own.
Months later Lucy held her baby brother, Kolby, in her arms and marveled at how tiny he was.
Mom! Look how funny he is! she giggled, inadvertently calling Emma Mum. Emma, tears of joy brimming, embraced her.
Two more years went by. Lucy was in Year4 when tragedy struckAlex died in a car crash. Lucy and Emma fell into a silent routine, caring for little Kolby, whispering around the house to keep the tears at bay. Kolby didnt understand why everything felt different and often threw tantrums.
One night, after Kolby fell asleep, Emma slipped into Lucys room.
Lucy, we cant keep living like this. Dads gone, but life goes on. We have to stop drowning in grief, okay?
Okay, Lucy whispered, finally accepting the truth.
Just as they were starting to find a new normal, there was a knock at the front door. A sternlooking woman introduced herself as a social services inspector. Lucy, you need to be placed back into care. Both parents are gone.
Emma protested, What about me? Im her mother now!
The inspector demanded adoption papers. None existed. Thats the problem. Your grandmother is too old to look after a child, and you have no one else. Pack up, Ellen.
Lucy didnt cry. Shed long since stopped caring what happened to her. The nightmare shed fearedending up in an orphanagehad finally come true.
Ill get you out of there! Emma shouted as she left, but Lucy felt nothing. Who would want a girl whod already lost her dad? She saw Emma visiting the home occasionally, but the girl never answered the door. Eventually Emma stopped coming altogether.
Right, thats itplaying mother, Lucy thought with a bitter grin.
Two months later a boisterous teenage boy named Vickyknown around the block for his mischiefpoked his head into Lucys dormitory. Whats up, Ellen? The matron wants to see you.
What did I do? Lucy asked, bewildered.
The matron, Mrs. Hughes, declared, Congratulations, Ellen, youve been taken in by a family!
I dont want a family, Lucy muttered gloomily. Im cursed with families.
Whether you like it or not, pack your things and meet your new parents.
Lucy trudged out, resigned.
By the doorway of the home, Emma stood waiting.
What are you doing here? Lucy asked, indifferent.
Im here for you.
Ive already been adopted
Thats me.
You? Lucy raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity sparking.
Yes, I told you Im your real mum and I wont let anyone take you away. Its just that single mothers arent easy to place, but Ive managed to sort out the paperworkand a fewwell, lets just say some bribes. So, were a proper family now. Come on, Kolby misses you!
Come on Mum Lucy whispered, a small smile breaking through.
