Our story begins about a month following the court case where a judge has allowed the baby to come and live with Megan and I under the condition that we put our differences aside while in her presence to give her a sense of having a real family. Though we both were very skeptical as we harbored resentment and anger towards each other, we agreed to do this knowing that it would be best for our daughter. Despite our present dislike for one another, I have held out hope that Megan and I will indeed rekindle our relationship and passion for each other. This coincides with the arrival of the baby and wanting to do whatever I can to ensure her happiness. Though this seems impossible, I may be pleasantly surprised with the result as you never know what an impact could have on parents who have a baby. Especially ones who are not on the same page as the baby is born. In saying all of this, I have only addressed Megan’s problem with me. I have yet to discuss my problem with her, though it is much easier to fix than her problem with me. Like any failed relationship, it’s basically about secrets. This one is not about secrets dealing with infidelity though. It’s a much darker secret. I dare say that this secret is one that could split us apart forever if the baby wasn’t present. Though I had heard about what had happened with Brad during the trip to England, I had yet to hear anything about mom. I don’t know whether this was because she didn’t want me to know or Megan didn’t want to tell me. It could have been a bit of both. Either way though, this secret will shock me.

Our story begins on the morning that Megan and I are set to go and pick up our daughter from the courthouse to bring her home. As anyone would expect, Megan was not in the mood with me and it showed in the way she woke me up that morning.

She enters the room to find me sleeping. “Are you getting up yet? And don’t you dare act as if you don’t know what day it is. Remember that it would take nothing for me to say that our daughter shouldn’t be around you regardless of what the judge said. So if I have to wait for you to get ready, I would need to keep our daughter waiting. This is the last thing she needs so maybe I’ll go by myself and you don’t need to have any part of her. Let’s go.” she demanded as she pulls the covers off.

“Good morning to you too bitch.” I say angrily

“That’s it. I have had it with you already. You are not ruining this for me. It’s the most important day of my life. It should be the most important day of yours. You’re not showing it by still sleeping past your alarm.” Megan said.

“You know maybe this isn’t such a bad thing. Maybe in our first act as real parents we could stand to be a little late. It’s teaching our daughter about patience and the fact that good things are worth waiting for. I say.

“Think about that for a second. Our daughter waits a full seven years to meet us after she’s born because of a judge who also doesn’t see us as good parents. The judge goes against his better judgement to give us a chance to prove our worth to our daughter so I would think the last thing our daughter or he would expect is for us to be late. This isn’t a soccer game or a fuckin ballet recital. It’s our first chance to make a good impression and I want to make a good one. We do this by being there for our little girl when she expects us to be. I will say this one more time. You do not and really should not have anything to do with this if you don’t want to, even though I think you shouldn’t so say the word and I will leave now and see you when I get home.” Megan said.

Megan’s words reminded me of the way mom used to talk to me growing up. This caused me to get emotional. “You know mom used to say that to me all the time.” I reply as I begin to tear up.

“We’ll talk about your mom later but we need to go now.” Megan said.

We arrive at the precise time the judge is expecting us. “We’ve been expecting you. Now let me introduce you to your daughter Megan. Megan, this is your mommy and daddy.” said the judge as Megan runs towards us.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” asked Megan

“Yes she is.” I reply

“We ask that you take good care of her and please do your best to stay on the same page. I would hate for Megan to have to deal with that. She’s already been through so much.” the judge said

We bring Megan home. “Welcome to your new home.” Megan and I say.

“I’ve got a good idea. I think in our first act as parents, we should give our favorite little girl whatever she wants to make up for lost time.” I suggest

Megan gasps. “That’s the first you have said to me in a long time that I agree with. So what will it be? A trip to the toy store? Maybe the mall to buy you some new clothes? Come on. Don’t keep me in suspense. . I want to be the best mommy ever. You know what? How about we do both? Mommy and daddy will take you on the shopping trip of your life.” Megan said

“I DON’T WANT NEW CLOTHES OER NEW TOYS. I JUST WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE!” Our daughter yelled as she runs up to her room.

“She’s very smart. She showed herself to her new room.” I said.

“I’ll go talk to her.” Megan said

Megan knocks on the door. “Can I come in? What’s wrong sweetie?” she asks as she closes the door.

“You know it’s been seven years since I’ve seen life outside of foster care and for what? To come home after all these years to find that you and daddy can just buy my respect? No you can’t buy me. I don’t want a bunch of new toys or clothes that I won’t like. Those are for spoiled kids. My whole life I’ve been anything but spoiled. You know what I want so just give it to me.” Our daughter explains.

“No I don’t know what you want. You’ll have to explain to me.” Megan said.

“You must think I’m really stupid. Do you not think I knew what was going on before I got placed in foster care? Don’t think just because I was a baby that I was unaware of all the fights between you, daddy, grandma, and now that I’m older, let’s talk about uncle Brad shall we? I may have been a baby but I wasn’t stupid. I saw him constantly try to sleep with him. That’s so gross. He’s my uncle and your brother in law. Oh wait, that’s changed too. Yes it did because you refused to tell uncle Brad to fuck off and leave you alone. Daddy was right all of these years but you know? That’s not the issue. My issue is that everywhere I was since being placed in foster care, there’s always been fights and for stupid reasons too. Let’s talk about the last one I remember. Daddy brought me outside for some fresh air while you and grandma went out for a drive. He dropped me by accident and I got a cut on my head. Now I would think you’re smart enough to know what babies do when their in pain right? They cry. I was a baby in pain so I cried. That is how babies express discontent. Through it all though, I forgave him because I wanted to have a family. You and grandma over reacted to me being a baby, which I was and expressing my discontent with being in pain. You know, I’ve seen things in the past seven years that my small cuts looks like child’s play. I watched innocent children being taken away from their families and dying of starvation but you know what was worse than that? A child who depended on their parents got shot right in front of me and trust me, I felt his pain but when I got out of there, I swore to myself that I would have a family that loves me and this is what you need to start acting like. No more fighting. No more courts. For god sake, no more foster homes. I want a family who loves each other. I don’t care what you were fighting about before. I don’t ask for much. Just be happy. Tell daddy you love him and he should tell you the same.” Our daughter ranted

Just then I enter the room having heard everything our daughter said while listening at the door. I walk into find Megan comforting her with a hug.

“You need to understand that just because mommy and daddy are fighting with each other, it doesn’t mean we don’t love you. No matter how much we fight, it should not involve you one bit. No matter how much we fight, it’s not about you and at the end of the day, one thing we will always share is our love for you.” I say.

“Then you need to prove it. Act like you love each other. Kiss mom in front of me.” Our daughter said.

Megan leans in to kiss me and whispers, “Only because this is what she wants.” Megan said as we share a kiss.

“Do you feel better now? I hope so. Good night. We will see you in the morning.” we say as we turn off the light and shut the door.

“I hope you enjoyed that because it’s the last time you and I will ever get intimate. As much as we should give Megan what she wants, she also needs to learn that sometimes she can’t get what she wants and if she wants us to get back together, more importantly if you want that, it’s not going to happen.” Megan said

“Are you sure you don’t want this?” I ask as I hold up a picture of us before the baby was born. The picture makes Megan happy.

“Not because you want it. Not because our daughter wants it. Because I want it. That’s the only reason I’m in love with you again.” Megan said as we begin getting intimate.

The sound of the intimacy wakes Megan up. She believes we are fighting again due to the high level of intimacy. She comes barging in the room. “Here we go again. Why can’t you guys just get along?” she said as she opens the door. We cease intimacy for a second to comfort her.

“This is what mommies and daddies do when they like each other like you wanted. You know, this is how you were made. Let’s get you back to bed.” we say.

So now that you’re back together, I want a brother or sister. This is what all the other kids in foster care ended up having. I was the only one who didn’t have one. It’s another thing I want.” Megan says to both of us.

“We’re not doing this. This is one of those things that Megan wants that she can’t have. Remember what happened with this one.” Megan says.

“I know but this time we will just send her to be with mom. I’ve learned my lesson. It could teach her that relatives can sometimes love each other from far away.” I suggest.

“Your mom can’t raise a child anymore.” Megan said

“I know she hates me. She doesn’t have to like me but I’m sure that she will have no problem taking care of another baby especially if it’s what Megan wants.” I reply.

“No I mean she can’t anymore.” Megan said

“What do you mean she can’t anymore?” I ask.

“Well there’s something that happened in England that you don’t know about. I’ll explain it all in the morning.” Megan said as we share a kiss before going to sleep.

The End

Bringing Megan home Chapter 2: A Meeting Seven Years In The Making By Jefferson Bert