“Do you do all the cooking around here?”
“No, Ben. Julie usually does that, but I like to cook when she lets me in the kitchen.”
They walked back to the house with Chance’s hand on Benjamin’s shoulder. Chance really liked this little boy. He hoped he would have a big farm when he grew up. He hoped for all of Benjamin’s dreams to come true. This kid really deserved a break.
Julie was in the rocking chair feeding Faith when they came in the back door.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get her bottle ready, honey. Your beautiful rose bush and this natural-born gardener sidetracked me. To make it up to you, we are going to make breakfast for you girls,” Chance said as he flashed a big smile to Julie.
“My mother called. She and Peggy will be here soon with some diapers and formula for Faith. They went back to Clyde’s dealership for Mom to look at that new truck she wants. She wanted to get there as soon as he opened so she could try to wheel and deal with him before he got distracted. By the way, she said thank you for getting her the gift she always wanted. She said she never doubted you could do it but is amazed at just how fast and so many in such a short time,” Julie said with a big smile.
“Your mother never stops, does she?”
“She is the spice that makes our life so delicious.”
Jolly decided to curl up in the corner and stay out of the way of all of the little feet but kept his eye on the baby in Julie’s arms. He looked as if he was trying to figure out what that thing was. When she cried, he howled back at her. When she stopped to look at him, he turned his back to her and flopped back down. She smiled and turned her attention back to her bottle.
Sarah and Grace came down the stairs hand in hand. They were dressed, and Sarah had brushed her hair neatly, but Grace had a brush dangling like a big earring from one side. “It stuck!” She said. “I can’t get it out. Sarah stuck it in there.”
“Sister Mary Margaret never sticks it.”
The doorbell rang, and Chance asked Benjamin to go and let Karla and Peggy in. He opened the door, and Karla immediately extended her hand to him. “Hello, I’m Karla Stockton, and this is my friend Peggy Miller. What’s your name young man?”
“I’m Benjamin Brown; it is very nice to meet you. Please come in.”
“Thank you, Benjamin; it is nice to meet you too. Julie, here’s the diapers. We hope we got the right size.”
“Thanks, Mom. Hi, Peg. Thank you both for coming. Chance and Ben are making breakfast for all of us. Peggy, would you mind helping Grace? She seems to have a brush stuck in her hair.”
Grace stood stock still on the stairs. Her eyes were as big as saucers, and her mouth was wide open. Peggy went to her and picked her up.
“Come here baby and let Miss Peggy get that out for you. I know it hurts. I will be very careful and try not to pull. I get my brush stuck in my curly mop when I get in a hurry. Were you in a hurry this morning?”
Grace didn’t say anything at first. She just let Peggy gently remove the brush from her hair. Peggy reached into her purse, pulled out a big comb, and started to comb Grace’s hair. “Now you are all pretty and ready for your day.”
Grace sat on Peggy’s lap and turned to face her. She looked right into her eyes and said, “You are my forever mommy. I saw you once before. I look just like you and so, we are forever.” She smiled real big and looked around the room and said, “I told you I would find her.” With that, she leaned back onto Peggy’s lap, and to everyone’s amazement, she did look like Peggy. A tear fell onto Peggy’s cheek. They stayed there just holding each other until Chance called everyone to breakfast.
Grace sat in the antique highchair pulled up to the table. She was almost too big to fit so Peggy removed the tray. “My mommy sits next to me,” Grace insisted. No one quite knew how to react to Grace’s mistaken identity of who her mother was. It was Grace’s truth for now. Chance looked at Peggy and realized that was whom Grace was speaking of that morning. He needed to talk to Clyde and Peggy very soon. Why hadn’t he thought of them before?
Sister Mary Margaret and Scudder had arrived within fifteen minutes of each other. After the introductions to Julie and Karla, Mary Margaret asked if she could speak with the children alone. Chance showed her to the library and took the children in to her. He left the room and closed the door.
He approached Peggy and asked, “Can we have our coffee out on the front porch?”
“Sure, Chance. It’s about little Grace, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Have you and Clyde ever thought of adoption?”
“We have. We talk about it often. After we found out we couldn’t have children, we were devastated. He threw himself into the business, and I into community work. Now, we think we may be getting too old to be considered viable adoptive parents. Don’t they want parents to be in their early thirties?”
“That used to be the case but not anymore. People are living longer now. Some couples don’t even begin having babies until their forties. I am not trying to force a snap decision on you regarding Grace, but she thinks she has found her forever mommy, and I don’t know how to tell her anything different. Will you think about it and let me talk to you and Clyde about the legalities? I could see you two at the office after hours so Clyde won’t have to be away from the dealership?”
“Wow, this is sudden. But, she is right about how we look just alike. Maybe, our prayers have been answered. Only, we thought we would be going around looking for a childlike people shop for cars. That’s the part we found distasteful.”
“It doesn’t work that way. So, shall I call Clyde or do you want to talk to him first?”
“I think I’ll call him now. He is waiting for the service department to get Karla’s new truck ready. He was going to bring it to her. You can talk to him when he gets here.”
“Thank you. I believe you, and Clyde would be great parents to Grace.”
Peggy walked out to her car, got her cell phone, and called Clyde. As soon as he answered, she broke down into tears.
“Honey, what’s wrong? Are you okay? Please, calm down and tell me if I need to go to the hospital or where?”
“I’m sorry, honey, I just got all teary and can’t stop crying. I’m okay. In fact, I’m better than I have been in a long time. These are tears of joy, I think. You know how we have been talking about adopting a child for a while? Well, one of those babies that was brought here to Julie’s just climbed into my lap and told all of us that I am her forever mommy!”
“No shit! Just like that? How old is she? Do you think she should be our Forever kid?”
“Yes, Clyde, I do think she could.”
“Well, then I’ll come over and see if she likes me too. If she does, then Chance can tell us what we need to do. Are you absolutely sure you are ready to give up most of your charity work? This ain’t a puppy. We gotta make a commitment to this little thing for our lifetime. I’m ready if you are. Hell, honey, we have been ready for a long time. I might just turn over a task or two to some of these lazy asses I keep on the payroll around here to spend more time as a family.”
Peggy laughed and said, “Honey, I can’t wait for you to see her. I think you will be surprised at just how cute she is. My day planner didn’t have: Become a mommy, in between Take Karla to buy a truck, and go to lunch with Clyde, but I guess I can pencil it in.”
“I’ll go hurry the guys in the shop and be over there as soon as the truck is ready. It shouldn’t be more than thirty minutes. I love you.”
“I love you too. See you soon.”
Peggy sat there for a few minutes to let things sink in… I just might become a mommy, after all, she thought. How nice.
Clyde arrived to find Peggy, Chance, and Julie sitting on the front porch. Peggy went straight to him and hugged him. He said, “Let’s just go in and meet this little girl who found her forever mommy.” Before Peggy could tell him that she was in the library getting some sad news, he walked into the house and took baby Faith out of Karla’s arms.
Clyde looked at her for a long minute and then tears streamed down his face. “She looks just like my baby sister did when she was a baby. She is so beautiful. This baby is going to have a wonderful life with us.”
“Oh, honey, she isn’t the one I was talking about. Ours is in the library with Sister Mary Margaret.”
“How can you say you don’t want this beautiful little girl?” Clyde looked so hurt and a bit lost.
“I didn’t say I didn’t want her. I said, the one that chose me is in the library.”
“Oh, well, then how do you feel about adopting two baby girls because I am choosing this one. She looks just like the baby pictures of Prissy. The boys in my family always fought with one another but none of us fussed at Prissy. She was all joy and sunshine to us and is to this day. This little one will bring some of that into our home and I know it.”
“I see that we really need to talk to Chance before you see the other children,” Peggy said with a chuckle.
The door to the library opened, and Scudder and the children filed out followed by Mary Margaret. Scudder and Benjamin went out to the garden. Julie introduced Mary Margaret to Clyde and Grace ran straight to Peggy. “So, if you are married to him, then he must be my forever daddy,” said Gracie. Sister Mary Margaret looked at Clyde and Peggy and said, “So, I see why Gracie thinks you are her mommy. The resemblance is remarkable.”
Clyde just couldn’t stop thinking how beautiful it was to see Peggy and that child together. It was truly a match made in heaven. He looked down at baby Faith still resting in his arms and boldly asked Mary Margaret if he thought they could be the forever parents to these two beautiful baby girls.
Mary Margaret looked him in the eye and said, “That will be up to Chance for the final decision, but as for me, I think it would be wonderful. Get with Chance and he will line up all of the hoops for you to jump through. Believe me, there are lots of them.”
Sarah looked to be deep in sadness and sorrow for the loss of Sister Elizabeth. Karla took her to the kitchen where it was quiet and sat her down in the breakfast nook. “Sit here, honey, I’ll make you some chocolate milk, and we can talk about how you are feelin’. I don’t like to see little ones all upset. It is hard to lose somebody you love and know you won’t see them again till you get to heaven.”
“I am sad that Sister Elizabeth died, but I know she doesn’t have to be in pain anymore. And her feeling won’t be hurt anymore by those mean people at the Church. They called her bad names and made her leave the church because she was in love with Sister Mary Margaret. She was the best and sweetest person I ever met, and they didn’t care. They tried to take all of us away from them, and she still forgave them and wanted to be a part of their church. I was just a very little kid but I remember. Sister Mary Margaret didn’t forgive them, and she told them to kiss her ass. She didn’t care about them anymore because they hurt Elizabeth. That is when Miss Essie bought the house from the church and gave it to them so we could all stay together. She gave us money so we didn’t have to go to foster homes. Miss Essie knew that they were good Mothers to us and taught us all about God and Jesus and being fair and to forgive most of the time.”
“I know they were good to you kids because you all are very polite and smart. You don’t get that way without somebody’s loving guidance. The best advice I can give you is to remember Elizabeth’s kind and forgiving spirit and try to be like her in that way. She is looking over you from heaven right now, and she knows just how much you love and respect her. Now, drink your milk and let’s go see what Scudder and Benjamin are findin’ so interesting out in the garden.”
Clyde, still cradling Faith in his arms walked slowly out to the front porch. He sat on the swing next to Chance. “Do you think we could possibly adopt this baby and Peg’s little mini me? I just can’t seem to let this one out of my sight. She is so sweet and beautiful. I know it’s a lot to ask but I, also, know that Peggy and I have wanted this for so long, and we will be the best parents any kid could ask for. I promise you that much, Chance. I am so in love already that I don’t want to put her down.”
"Clyde, I will see what I can do. In the meantime, we have some paperwork to do, and we have to file the petition with the courts. I can’t act as your attorney because I represent the children so you will need to hire one for you and Peggy.
Also, I know a lady who works with foster kids who I would like for you to meet with. I know you aren’t fostering and are adopting, but she can give you some insight into what these children might need. They have been secluded their whole lives. The baby probably won’t have a transition problem but Grace might. I’ll give you Wendy Vann’s card, and I would like for you to consult with her before you sign the papers. I just need to know that we have dotted all of the i’s and crossed all of the t’s."
“Of course, we will, Chance. I am ready to get the ball rolling on this. We have to make it so these little ones have a permanent home and family. I believe we are the forever parents they need.”
Chance looked at Julie and smiled, “Well, it looks like we are probably down to finding homes for Ben and Sarah and my work will be done.”
“I think we should keep them, Chance. We could be good parents too. Then they can stay close. I don’t want them to lose each other and the sisters all in the same year. Besides, they are such great children, and I think they would thrive well here with us. What do you think?”
“I think we aren’t married, and Mary Margaret won’t allow single people to adopt her kids. That marriage thing aside, I would love to be a dad to Benjamin and Sarah. They are wonderful kids. Ben already loves the garden and wants to grow vegetables, and I heard Sarah tell Grace that she wants to live in this house.”
Julie smiled and said, “How long does it take to get blood tests and a preacher? I think we can be married before we can find a lawyer for the kids and get the Wendy Vann council. Shall we go inside and feed these folks and tell Mom she’s a grandma.”
Karla knew by the look on the faces of the four people coming in from the porch that adoptions were in the near future. “So, do I get those two out in the garden with Scudder as my very own grandbabies or not? If not, then I’m taking them home with me.”
Chance laughed and put his arms around her. “Well, it will be up to the judge to answer that question, but Julie and I will do all we can to make it happen. We love them too.”
“I’m making lunch for everyone so nobody leaves till you eat. Clyde, that means you too. You work too hard.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I just need to call and tell the guys that I’m off on important family business and won’t be back until it’s done. I think I have a diaper to change and a bottle to feed this little angel before she starts screaming.”
“Come on Clyde, I’ll help you,” said Peggy. “Do you know diapers have tapes now instead of pins?”
“It can’t be that much different. I used to change Prissy all the time.”
“Honey, Prissy is thirty years old now. It’s been awhile.”
They laughed as they walked to the guest room to change the baby. Grace followed closely behind. Clyde gently laid Faith on the bed, and Grace climbed up beside her. “She’s my baby, you know. I’m gonna dopt her when I get married, and we will be together forever cause she’s mine.”
“Would it be okay if we adopt the two of you together and you could be sisters forever?” asked Clyde.
“Well, I guess so, especially since I don’t get to change diapers or carry her around the house yet.”
“I can’t promise that we will get to adopt you and Faith but I will promise that we will do everything we need to do to make the judge say yes,” said Peggy with a smile. She was surprised that Clyde was so quick to get the hang of the new diaper with tapes. The change went perfectly, and he picked her up and held her close as he swayed back and forth while giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek.
Sister Mary Margaret entered the guest room just as they were leaving it. “Julie says you were c
hanging the baby. I don’t mean to cause so much of a burden on you folks. I can change her.”
“It’s a done deal and not a burden at all, sister. Peggy is a nurse, and I am a diaper-changing machine. Now, I’d like to get her a bottle, go to the porch, and rock her in the porch swing. Would that be okay?”
“Yes, that would be nice, and by the way, I’m no longer a sister of the church. I am just plain old Mary Margaret now. I have been for years. The children still call me Sister, and I don’t mind if folks call me that, but I just wanted you to know that I was excommunicated from the church. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea and think I am presenting myself as such. Except for the Church and Essie Grogan, nobody knew. I kept quiet about it for Elizabeth’s sake. Her heart was broken over it. She did what she thought was the right thing to do by going to confession and declaring her love for me. They told her to leave the orphanage and go back to work at the school and repent. She refused to leave us so, they threw us out like garbage. They put the house up for sale and told us to find homes for the children, and we had to move when it sold. I called to cry on Essie’s shoulder. I never expected her to buy the house for us or to donate funds to feed and clothe the children. She was truly a godsend. She also sent Chance to see us and arrange to find adoptive parents. He has found permanent homes for all of them except these last four. I know you’re wondering about Scudder. We raised him too. We never wanted him to move away. He was born in the house when it was still an orphanage. We loved him like a son from the very first day. He isn’t bad when he is there. He is sweet, kind, sane, and sober. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t take up so much of your time with my ramblings.”
Peggy hugged Mary Margaret and said, “I am so sorry for your loss, and you have nothing to apologize for. You must be exhausted and hungry. Why don’t you lie down and take a little rest, and I’ll go help Julie and Karla get lunch ready?”
“I think I will, if you don’t mind.”
Father Joseph stood as best man beside Chance as they watched Julie descend the stairs. She looked radiant in her white pearl-beaded dress and Essie’s jacket that looked as if they were made to be together. The diamond and emerald necklace hung perfectly on her neck. The necklace was something borrowed from Peggy, the jacket was something old, the dress new, and the something blue was a Lego block that Benjamin insisted she carry in her jacket pocket along with Essie’s note. With all the bases covered, she felt as if she were floating on air and ready for her life to be complete with Chance and the children.
The Estate of Essie Grogan Page 9