Assariyah

by La'Toya Makanjuola

  CHAPTER 23

  Cameron and I stayed in bed for practically the whole day. He had planned for us to visit Canonteign Falls, England’s highest waterfall, but I was feeling way too tired. My body had been pushed to its limit and it was now screaming at me for some relief.

  Being the understanding man that he is, Cameron ran a relaxing bath for us. After soaking in his vintage tub we cuddled up in bed. When the hunger started to kick in around five-fifteen, we ordered some Chinese.

  We finally got out of bed around 6 p.m. when our food was delivered. After indulging on Szechuan prawns, chicken balls, Singapore fried rice and roast duck, I was ready to fall back asleep again.

  “How are you feeling now love?” Cameron asked, while stroking my hair.

  “Still tired but definitely much better than I felt this morning, thanks.”

  “I feel responsible for your pain, I’m sorry; I should have waited till you got better.”

  “Don’t be sorry, you give me more healing than you’ll ever know.”

  Cameron kissed me on my forehead, “I love you and can’t wait for us to be a family,” he said.

  His forehead kisses always had a way of making me feel so protected and loved. Everything was going so right for me, it scared me. I could not shake the annoying voice at the back of my mind that kept telling me that I didn’t deserve this happiness. It would only be a matter of time before it all went bad. What if Amelia wasn’t available for adoption, would Cam still want to be with me? I didn’t share my concerns with him, I battled with my dark thoughts alone.

  The next day Cam and I drove back to London. To my horror he put me on a sex ban. The plan was for me to recover fully as quickly as possible. Once we started the adoption process the social workers would be all over the house and I would have to stay in Exeter. Cam was going to apply as a single parent and we didn’t want to take any chances.

  I had to rely on my memory to remember the information Lacey told me about herself and Amelia. Details such as her date of birth and the area they grew up in would be crucial to us finding Amelia. We knew it was going to be hard but we were willing to do whatever it took to get Amelia.

  Cameron gave me a return address that I could give to Lacey to reply back to my letters, but until I knew for a fact that we could get Amelia out of the system, I had no intention of telling her what was happening. I didn’t want to raise her hopes only for her to be hit with another disappointment. She had already suffered one too many knocks.

  Cameron registered and subscribed to a website called ‘Be My Parent’. We scrolled through hundreds of children’s profiles to no avail.

  “This is useless Cam, I was stupid to ever think we were gonna find her.”

  “You’ve got to stay positive Assariyah. I promise you, if Amelia is still in care we will find her.”

  I wanted to believe him but the more profiles we looked through; the more the doubt crept in.

  Over the next few weeks we searched without any success. I was left feeling deflated and was ready to give up on the search.

  “We’re never going to find her Cam, we might as well stop wasting our time.”

  “Babe I’m telling you, if Amelia is in the system I’ll get her home to you. I didn’t really want to go down this route but I have a friend, Damien, who works for the local council, I’ll see if he can pull a few strings for me.”

  “I hope so Cam, otherwise we can forget the whole thing.”

  Cameron contacted his friend Damien and they arranged to meet up for lunch the following day.

  I prayed to God that we would be able to find Amelia. For some strange reason, God seemed to be watching over me. I was filth, but He always had mercy on me. My mama always used to say, ‘What the devil meant for evil, God will work out for your good.’ When I look back at all the things I had been through, I can see where God had carried me.

  Isabella had used Aaron Bridges as a set up to trap me, but through that situation I met Fred, who unknowingly led me back to Cameron. I had to believe that God would also guide us to Amelia.

  CHAPTER 24

  Time seemed to be moving painfully slow. I waited anxiously for Cam to return home from work. I wanted to know how his meeting with Damien had gone. This was not the type of thing that could be discussed over the telephone, so I had no choice but to wait.

  When Cam finally returned home I didn’t even give him the chance to take off his jacket or even offer him a drink. All I wanted to know was how the meeting went.

  “How did it go Cam?”

  “Don’t I even get a kiss?”

  “Oh I’m sorry babe, I’ve been on edge all day.”

  He pulled me close and kissed me. “I’ve got some good news. I gave Damien all the information we have on Amelia and he promised to contact the local authority she was born under. He said that if Amelia was in care, he would try his best to link me up with her social worker.”

  “Oh my God that’s great news. Do you think he will keep his word?”

  “I’ve done a lot for him, but we’ll have just have to wait and see,” he said and hugged me.

  In the meantime I wrote to Lacey and sent her some postal orders to get by. I wanted more than anything to get Amelia for her. A week or so later and there was still nothing. I told Cam that we should probably try another avenue but he told me to be patient.

  Some days later Cameron finally received a phone call from the person we believed to be Amelia’s social worker and they arranged to meet the very next day. I couldn’t believe that things were actually starting to come together for us.

  As planned, Cam met the social worker. He brought home a brief profile to show me.

  “Is this Amelia?” he asked, showing me the profile that the social worker had given him. Tears of joy flooded my eyes at the sight of her. She was a spitting image of her mother. The profile stated that she was five years old. Everything matched.

  “Yes… it’s her,” I nodded.

  She had the same chocolate skin, striking brown eyes and wild curly hair as Lacey. She was absolutely beautiful and I loved her right away. I kissed and hugged Cam over and over again.

  “Thank you baby.”

  “I told you we would find her,” he smiled.

  We didn’t want to waste any time and started the adoption process immediately. The social worker linked Cameron up with an adoption agency and he had to fill out an application form. Usually, social services matched potential adoptive parents with a suitable child but with Damien’s help, Amelia was the child that had been lined up for him.

  Cameron drove me down to Exeter. He travelled back and forth as much as he could, but I missed him dearly.

  Cameron kept me updated each step of the way. He was invited to a series of preparation classes to prepare him for the adoption. He had to give three referees to give him a personal reference and he had to undergo a full medical examination. I wished I could have been there to go through each step with him side by side but this was the only way. I loved and appreciated Cam so much more for all the sacrifices he made for me especially when he did not have to.

  After the social worker sent off the assessment report we had to wait for several months to find out if Cameron had been found suitable to adopt a child by the adoption panel. I filled my days by writing and praying daily to God for everything to work out as planned. As the months passed by all we could do was hope for the best. The waiting was so hard and tough, but Cam kept encouraging me that we had to stay focused on Amelia.

  I’ll never forget the day Cam drove down unexpectedly to Exeter. I was not expecting him till the weekend so it was a big surprise for me.

  “What are you doing here Cam, is something wrong?” I asked concerned.

  “No everything is perfect!” He beamed with joy. “I’ve been approved to adopt Amelia.”

  When the words left his mouth I fell to my knees and praised God. I couldn’t stop crying. I jumped on Cam, “I love you so so so much. Thank you for everything you have
done to make this happen for us.” All the hard work, all the sacrifices we made over the past eight months had paid off.

  Cameron had to spend the next couple of months visiting Amelia in her foster parent’s home before she was allowed to move in with him. Cameron advised that it would be best if he brought Amelia to visit me in Exeter until I came back to London. He wanted to apply for the court order first to make the adoption legal and permanent.

  Meeting Amelia was one of the best days of my life. She was a spitting image of her mother, a true beauty. She was such a shy, sweet and reserved girl. I experienced a love I had never felt before. The feeling was just indescribable. Every time I looked at her with Cameron I found myself catching my breath over and over again.

  CHAPTER 25

  Cameron and I decided that now that we had Amelia we could no longer live in England. We planned to go to Dubai for two weeks and eventually settle in Africa. We needed a fresh start. We had the perfect family and we didn’t want anything to compromise that.

  Our passports, flights, accommodation, the business and so many other things needed to be sorted out before leaving. Cameron applied for Amelia’s passport. I’d booked an appointment with the passport customer service centre two weeks ago. I had to go there early this morning to apply for my passport. I used my childhood address to avoid being linked with Cameron. Using the premium service meant that I could collect it on the same day.

  When I got back home from my appointment I wrote to Lacey.

  Dear Lacey,

  I hope all is well with you. I need you to trust me and do what I say as soon as you get this without any questions. I need you to send a visiting order to the following address (52 Brunwick Park Road, London, E20 5PP). Address the visiting order to Cameron Simmons and Amelia Simmons.

  I know you are probably really confused right now but I promise all your questions will be answered in a couple of weeks and this will all make sense. I have enclosed a postal order for you.

  I love you loads and I’ll be in contact with you sooner rather than later.

  God Bless.

  Your Girl.

  Xxx

  I gave Cam the letter so that he could post it for me the following day when he went to work. I could only hope that Lacey would reply promptly. Delays were the last thing we wanted.

  Twelve days later we received Lacey’s reply with the visiting order. Cam called Holloway to book the visitation for him and Amelia for the weekend. Once the visit was confirmed, he booked a private jet to take us to Dubai and our accommodation at the Burj Al Arab.

  The next few days were extremely hectic for me. I juggled between looking after Amelia and packing our things together. Even though we agreed on only taking the necessities there was still so much to pack.

  On Saturday, Cam, Amelia and I woke up very early to tie up some loose ends before our evening flight. We set off at 11:30 a.m. even though the visit was not till 2 p.m., we couldn’t afford any delays.

  “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” I said to Cam as Derrick loaded our luggage in the car.

  He squeezed my hand lightly, “We’re doing this babe.”

  “Where are we going?” Amelia asked.

  “We’re going on a big adventure baby,” I told her smiling.

  Her beautiful eyes lit up. “An adventure!” she exclaimed.

  Cameron and I both laughed. “Yes baby an adventure, but first we’re going to see someone really special.”

  We arrived at Holloway an hour later. I hated being back there. Even from outside the stench of the prison invaded my nostrils. The screams and horrific cries haunted me. I felt like the walls were going to swallow me up.

  “Are you okay?” Cameron asked.

  “I’ll be okay,” I replied, putting on a brave face. I didn’t want Amelia to see me upset.

  Cam kissed me on my forehead and got out of the car with Amelia.

  “Please tell Lacey that I love her.”

  It pained me deeply that I could not go in to see her personally.

  “Derrick get me out of here please,” I stated.

  “Where to M’am?” he asked.

  “Anywhere but here,” I replied.

  After Derrick pulled off, my mind felt a lot more at ease. I gave him the address to my childhood home and directed him to the local cemetery. It wouldn’t be right for me to leave without paying my respects to my parents. I bought some flowers to put on their grave. My mama and daddy had always wanted to be buried together. Thankfully I knew where my daddy was buried. Otherwise I would never have known where my mama was laid to rest.

  I stood at my parents’ graveside and wept. “God I miss you both so much. I know I’ve disappointed you both so many times but I’ve changed now. Cameron and I are back together and have adopted a beautiful little girl called Amelia. I’m trying my best to be good and live right. We’re moving abroad to start afresh. I want you to know that I love you both so much. Please forgive me Ma and Daddy. God bless you both. Rest in peace.”

  When I laid the flowers down on their grave a light breeze swept over me. They were there with me, I could feel their presence. I had their forgiveness and that meant everything to me. I made my way back to the car and felt ready to face the world.

  When we got back to Holloway we waited on a side road. About thirty minutes later Cam called my phone.

  “Where are you guys?”

  “We parked up on a side road, will come back round now.”

  Amelia had a huge smile on her face as her and Cameron climbed into the car. I wanted to hear it all. “How is she? Does she look well? What did she say?” I fired question after question.

  “Slow down Mummy,” Amelia said.

  We all laughed at her remark. I was so proud of her, she was growing more intelligent and confident with each passing day.

  “You know Daddy and I met a really nice lady who has big curly hair like me.”

  “Tell Mummy what the lady told you to tell her,” Cameron prompted Amelia.

  “Oh yeah, she said she loves and misses you more than you’ll ever know.”

  I gave Amelia a big hug and smiled.

  “Lacey said to tell you that there are no words to describe what you have done for her. I told her about our plans and promised her that we would keep in touch with her,” Cameron told me.

  “Why didn’t you come with us Mummy?”

  “I’m sorry baby but I had to go somewhere else.”

  “Where?”

  “I tell you later, but first I want to hear all about this nice lady.”

  Amelia fell asleep talking about Lacey on our way to Farnborough airfield. One day, when she’s old enough to understand, Cameron and I will tell her all about her mum and what a wonderful woman she is.

  Getting through customs was fast and easy. I looked at Cameron holding Amelia as we boarded the private jet. My heart was filled with endless joy. This was the beginning of our forever.

  CHAPTER 26

  Waking up in the Burj Al Arab with Cameron and Amelia felt so unreal. I felt like I was living someone else’s life.

  “Good morning baby,” Cameron kissed me, “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

  “What surprise?” I asked, feeling a little nervous.

  At that very moment there was a knock on the door. Cameron went to open the door and returned with a big white box.

  “What is it?” I asked, as he handed it to me.

  “Open it and see,” he smiled.

  “Oh my God!” I shrieked loudly at the sight of the wedding dress inside the box. I was so loud that I ended up waking Amelia up.

  “Cameron what is this?” I asked totally shocked.

  Cameron got down on one knee. “Assariyah Jones will you marry me?” he asked.

  I was speechless.

  Amelia ran up to me, “Say yes Mummy!”

  I nodded my head over and over again, “Yes, yes, yes! Of course I’ll marry you Cameron Simmons.”

  “Thank God for that, bec
ause the wedding is this afternoon.”

  “What? You’re joking right?”

  “I’m dead serious!”

  Later on that afternoon, Cameron and I got married on a private beach. Amelia was our stunning flower girl and she was so excited. We had a very quiet ceremony and it was absolutely amazing. I cried all through my vows. Cameron and I were now officially married. He picked Amelia up and we walked hand in hand on the beautiful white sand together.

  I was the luckiest girl in the whole wide world. There were so many times that I thought I wasn’t going to make it and there were countless of times I shouldn’t have made it. So many people I loved hadn’t made it, but somehow by the grace of God I was still standing. After all the darkness I had been through, He blessed me with Cameron and Amelia, my never ending source of light. Their love meant everything and more to me.

  I now truly know that God is love.

  EPILOGUE

  Five years later.

  “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Amelia, happy birthday to you.” Cameron and I sang along with Amelia’s friends at her pool party.

  “Make a wish baby,” I smiled proudly as she blew out her candles.

  I went into the house to get Amelia’s surprise. It was hard to believe that Amelia was already ten years old. Five years had passed since we left England for Nigeria. Cam flew back with Amelia every year to visit Lacey.

  Cameron had hired Barry Grant to help with Lacey’s appeal. Unfortunately the first two appeals were rejected but we have to remain hopeful that Lacey will not have to serve her full term. I can’t wait for the day that she is able to join us.

  We love living in Victoria Island. Life is good for us. Cameron’s advertising and marketing business is booming in Nigeria, while his business associates were running La’Chase back in London.