Risk It All for Cecilia

Chapter 10

I pondered around the room for a while, trying to clear my head and work out what to do. Me and Brad have kept our little romance a secret for 6 months now. That's a pretty long time seeing as the only person that's found out is Connor - and I told him.

There was a small knock out the door, before it opened to reveal my Mum. "Hi" she smiled, her voice quiet.

"Hi" I mumble, sitting down on my bed but focusing my eyes down on my lap.

"Did you have a nice birthday? Who did you spend it with?" she questioned, sitting down beside me.

"Fabulous" I sighed, sarcastically, purposely ignoring the second question.

"Your Dad-"

"He's not my Dad" I snapped, cutting her off mid-sentence.

She looks thoughtful for a moment. "He's who raised you, Lily. Remember that".

My eyes followed up to meet with her sincere eyes. It looked like she strongly was thinking about this. She strongly believed he deserved to be called my Dad, and treat as if he's my real one. Was I in the wrong here? No, of course not. He lied to me for my entire life, what father does that?

"Anyway," she continued. "He left you this". She handed me a rectangular shaped box rapped with light pink wrapping paper and a black ribbon wrapped round it. Hesitantly, I take it out her hand. "There's more presents downstairs from everyone else, but I think it's important you open this" she told me, before leaving the room and carefully closing the door.

I sat for a moment, thinking about that encounter, before I decided to see what's inside. I could be stubborn and refuse to take it, but curiosity got the better of me. After unwrapping the paper, three things fell out. A photo frame, a small box, and a letter. I picked up the letter first, and began to read.

To Cecilia (Lily),
I'm writing this letter to explain to you why I've left. I know the news your Mum sprung on you must be a shock, and I'm sorry for that. I wanted to tell you when you were younger, but your Mum insisted you wouldn't understand and we should wait. The older you got, the bigger your personality grew, and we loved you more and more each day. It eventually got to the point where you would understand these things, but I couldn't bring myself to allow you to know. And that is because of Rosie.

We adopted Rosie 5 years before you were born. We decided to tell her she was was adopted when she was eight (and you were three). Although she was young, she was very clever. And she couldn't come to terms with the fact that we weren't her real parents. She excluded herself from the family. We took her to see a counsellor, but after just over a year, they advised us to let her go into care. She didn't even like us anymore. Of course, we said no, we wasn't going to give up - but she made a habit of running away. One time we had to report her missing to the police, and we didn't find her for two days. After that, social services realised what the circumstances were, and took her from us. I haven't seen her since, which hurts a lot because I love her a lot - still.

That's why I was so scared to tell you. Your mum decided you needed to know, so she told you. We've argued over it a lot recently, but as you know, your Mum usually wins!! When I saw how upset you were, I decided maybe I blocked out an emotion I shouldn't of when I was a child. I was adopted too. Except I didn't want anything to do with my real parents. They were good people, but I loved who had brought me up (who you call your Gran and Grandad).

I know you love us, but I understand if you want to find your real parents. We don't know why they put you in care, but I have attached records with all the information I was able to find. Just promise me you won't do this alone. And please don't be upset with what you might find out, or if you don't find anything. I'm out to find what really happened to me - that doesn't mean you have to. Whatever you choose, we completely back you up on - but don't forget where you belong.

Me, your mum and James love you like our own daughter/sister. And I know Rosie loved you too.

Happy 17th birthday, Lils. I love you so much, and I promise to see you again one day.

All my love, Dad xxx

A tear slipped from my eye as I finished reading. Had I really been that heartless? I never even considered there could be a reason behind them not telling me. And now he had gone. Left. I might not see him again, and he'll think I hate him. i picked up the frame to see a picture of me when I looked to be about 2. With me in the photo was another girl, who I assumed was Rosie. She had curly brown hair that reached just below her shoulder. She was holding my hand, like a big sister. The other side of me was James. He must of been roughly the same age as her, maybe a little younger. He was dressed in a Spider-Man t shirt and was sticking his tongue out. Behind was Mum and Dad, huge grins spread across both their faces. We all looked happy.

I then picked up the small box and inquizitively opened it. Inside was a necklace. It had a heart on it and a beautiful light blue gem. Engraved inside the heart said 'Cecilia Rose Jenkins, born Feb 10th 1998'. My body was shaking by now, but i had to read this. My trembling hands picked up the piece of paper containing all my known details.