2 weeks later
MichaelAt first, it had been really tough to have Poppy at home.
She was in pain, and the chaos of the house wasn't helping. Crystal had ended up swapping with Elijah to stay with her downstairs, and more than once she went over to Alfie's house to chill out for a bit.
Staying in hospital had- in some ways- been the break she needed, and now it was over, adjusting was hard.
Her friends and their parents, as well our our friends, had all been a huge help to us, though, and we appreciated it a lot. We got help with cooking, shopping, even getting the little kids out of the house to run off some steam. They'd all been so excited to see Poppy they hadn't taken much thought into how they might be overwhelming her.
But now, on Christmas Eve, we had a fairly happy Poppy.
"Dad, these cookies are amazing,"
"I'm glad you like them,"
"I've had the best day ever. Thank you for letting me spend today with my friends,"
"You're welcome sweet pea, we have a very special day tomorrow so it's better you did it today!"
The day wasn't just special because of Christmas. Crystal and I had been fighting for months to adopt Jasper because we knew we could, even if he was an adult.
And finally we had won.
So not only was Lauren getting adopted, so was Jasper, and we got to tell him.
"How many presents do I have?"
"You will have to wait and see,"
"Does everyone get the same amount?"
"No, but the number of presents isn't what matters,"
"I know. Please may you take me to the bathroom to get ready for bed?"
"Of course I can,"
I pushed her to the bathroom and then stepped outside incase she needed my help, which she didn't.
Eventually she called me to take her to her bedroom, then I helped her onto her bed and found her pyjamas for her.
"Can you sleep in here tonight?"
"No sweetpea, Elijah doesn't want to share a bed with mum,"
"Sorry I have ruined your sleep,"
"You haven't ruined anything. Over the next few days you might feel a bit better,"
"Yes. Hopefully,"
"Tomorrow is going to be so fun. I love you, sleep well,"
"Goodnight,"
Crystal slipped past me, turning back to kiss me goodnight, then I went upstairs and tucked everyone in. Even the older kids had that buzz to them, and I couldn't wait.
Christmas was so special to me.
Once the lights were out, I took three bags of presents downstairs and began to put them in piles. All the kids got their own label, but it was mainly to help us.
I went back upstairs and got the other three bags, finally finishing the piles for all ten of us. Everyone was bringing their gifts tomorrow.
When I finally made it to bed, Elijah had stolen the duvet, but it was a warm night so I dealt with it and laid the other side of the bed, drifting off to sleep myself.
"Dad! Jasper says I can wake you up,"
"What time is it daring?"
"Seven hundred and thirty,"
"Half past seven? I suppose that's okay,"
"Good, I brought everyone,"
I rubbed my eyes and opened them, findings most of the kids excitedly stood by the door. Even Elijah had got out of bed.
"Alright, shall we go downstairs and make breakfast ?"
"Presents!"
"After breakfast,"
"Okay,"
Lauren and Cameron ran downstairs, all of us following to the kitchen. Most kids couldn't sit still, so we opted for quick breakfasts, Crystal and Poppy emerging to join us.
"Good morning!"
"Merry Christmas,"
As I grabbed them breakfast, Crystal went round hugging everyone, then she stood by Poppy to eat.
Tension rose in the house as we waited longer and longer to open presents, but Crystal and I caved in and everyone found their places.
We did secret santa to begin with whilst we had some kind of control over everyone, but then since we knew what they got, we let them go to town. It was faster and easier, all I had to do was clear up rubbish.
"No way, a switch? Thank you so much," Nathan said, hugging me tightly, "Thank you,"
"You're welcome. Theres gift card to choose a game in my wallet, it thought I'd keep it safe,"
Just as he put it down, Poppy opened hers as well, slowly studying it.
"What does it do?"
"You can play games on it,"
"Oh. Thank you mum and dad this is lovely,"
"You're welcome sweetpea!"
"Mummy, I got a new doll!"
"Oh wow Lauren! I love it,"
"A princess dress!"
"A doll house!"
"A cookbook!"
It was a room full of everyones shouting what they had received.
And we loved it.
Once it had died down and all the presents were opened and happily received, Crystal pulled out a box for Jasper.
Inside the box was another box.
Inside that was a framed photo of us.
Underneath was the envelope.
"I'm nervous,"
"Don't be,"
He ripped it open and pulled out the slip of paper we put it on, tearing us as he read our notes.
"Yes."
"What's wrong Jasper?" Lauren said, wiping his tears.
"Mum and dad can adopt me too. We can be adopted together;"
"That's amazing," Elijah said, "Group hug!"
All the kids piled in, Poppy coming to the side, then we all stayed there for a moment.
Perhaps to catch our breathe after the intense present opening , or perhaps to congratulate Jasper that one extra bit.
Either way, I cherished it for the love we had for one another was unrecreatable.
And I hoped the love between us all would last for eternity.
In fact, I knew it would. Our forever family was finally complete.
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The end : 0Can't believe its the end but also so glad it ended on 40 LOL such a nice number
Hope everyone is good! I am working on other things I promise
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eternity// 5SOS
FanfictionSEQUEL to serendipity Michael always found there was a honeymoon phase after adoption. Kids behaved, everyone played together nicely, and everything seemed to be perfect. But then it wore off and the chaos hit like a truck. And it was a big truck...