The House Where Love Grows

Chapter Thirty Two

" Mr. Chavez, you are not the biological father of Benicio Divit. You have no legal claim to this child." 

Those words hung there, tangling about in the air much like the sounds that came from a wind chime blowing gently in the wind. Sanem hadn't realized she was holding her breath until she felt the force from the exhale. She slowly opened her eyes and looked across the room at Mr. Chavez. She wasn't sure if she was looking  at a man that had lost his son, or a man that had just been handed a rejection to a loan application. Which ever it was he had that look of defeat....

Mr. Soydan stood quickly, " Sir, could we have a copy of those results please?" He asked, glaring across the room at Can and Sanem. Can had a surge of relief enter his body as he reached for Sanem. They had done it,.....they had won. There were copies of the results for both Mr.Chavez and for Can And Sanem as the judge made his final ruling.....

"Mr. Chavez, your claim for legal custody of Benicio Divit has been denied. There's has been no proof presented to support this claim. The adoption and legal guardianship of Benicio Divit to Mr. and Mrs. Divit will remain as is. And Mr. Chavez, you visa will cancel in 24 hours, at which time you must leave Turkey, or risk the chance of incarceration." The judge announced.

They didn't seem surprised, as Mr. Chavez and his lawyer stood to leave. It seemed as if they had already known what the outcome would be. Aziz and Mihriban had stepped out into the hallway to wait for Can and Sanem, both overjoyed at the outcome. Sanem was still in a daze as she gripped Can's arm and walked from the courtroom, but feeling so much joy she wasn't sure how to act. Can smiled at her as he wrapped his arm around her, holding her tightly against him as they exited the room.

Aziz grabbed them both and gave them huge hugs, " I knew it, I knew you would win." He shouted.....

It wasn't until they sat in their car, alone, did they let their true feeling come out. The tears came slowly as she looked at Can, her heart so happy she thought it may burst. " My beautiful wife I don't know how I would have gone through this without you. You gave me the strength to believe." Can spoke, his voice cracking with emotion. She smiled and as she laid her head against his body. " Can, do you think Mr. Chavez will leave without a problem?" She asked, recalling the look on Chavez's face after the ruling. " He has to Sanem, or risk the threat of jail. He doesn't have any reason to stay. Beni is not his son." Can said with confidence.

It would be hard to act as if this day was like any other, but that's what they would have to do. So Can dropped Sanem off at home and headed to the school to pickup Beni. The thought of how close they had come to losing him had made him sick, but now there's was nothing left to be frightened of.  Chavez would be gone in a matter of  hours and they would have their son...

The usual daily happiness in this family had more than tripled on that day. Can and Sanem sat back and watched their family that evening with a much deeper respect for what they meant to them. Even Luis took his time away from his room to play with Beni and the babies before bedtime... Their hearts were full and overflowing with love.....

Once the triplets were in bed, tucked in and kissed, Can and Sanem peeked in on Beni. He was always so good about waiting until after they tucked in the babies to have his turn. But this time he had fell asleep before he got his kiss. Can adjusted his covers, tucking them tightly around this small boy, and leaning down to kiss his forehead. Their hearts were full of love for this child....Sanem gave him a kiss and they left the room, quietly, closing the door behind them.

The light was still on in Luis' room so they knocked on the door and went in, " Are you ok son." Can asked. Luis smiled, " I am now." He replied, knowing what the results had been from the earlier in the day. " But Dad, how did they get Beni's DNA?" He asked, squinting his eyes. Sanem looked at Can, " Yes, I wondered that too, how did they?" Can smiled and walked into the bathroom that adjoined the boys room and returned with a brush, " I got the hair from Beni's hairbrush and took it to the lab. That's all they needed was a couple of strands." He stated, holding up the hairbrush. 

Luis looked at him, his eyes open wide, " Dad, you used that brush?" He asked. Can nodded and said, " Yes, this one, Beni's brush." He explained.

" But Dad,.....that is my hair brush."   An uneasy silence filled the room......

" What,....this is your brush?" Can said, barely able to speak....

The look they all shared at that moment had sealed the pledge. Without a word being said, Can and Sanem walked slowly and  methodically to their bedroom. Mulling over in their minds of what had happened.....they sat together on the balcony, stunned. 

After sitting their in silence for what seemed like hours,....coming to grips with the implications of what that could mean. Had they indeed dodged a bullet of circumstance. Or had this truly been a miracle.

Sanem said quietly, almost in a whisper, " Can, we will carry this to our grave, agreed."    

Can gripped her hand firmly and replied, also in a whisper, " Agreed".........

The past few years raced through his mind that night as he sat there alone. Sanem had fell asleep from sheer exhaustion, leaving him with nothing but thoughts and what ifs.

He walked across the hall to Beni's room and looked in, letting his eyes soak in this precious child. A child that they had found in his hour of most need, and a child that they had fell in love with in their hour of most need. Beni was their son In every sense of the word, and he felt it throughout his heart.

What had happened was fate.....what had happened was an intervention from that higher power. He truly believed that, he had to believe that....

It was mid morning of the next day when Mr. Faruk called to let Can and Sanem know the Mr. Chavez had let the country. " Can, Chavez is gone. He was given very specific instructions from the court and his lawyer not to return to Turkey or he would be incarcerated immediately. I don't think you have anything more to worry about from Mr. Chavez.

There was a long silence before Can replied,.....

" Faruk,...do you believe in miracles?  I do,....because we just lived one.." 

The years to come would be full of love and joy, as they watched their children grow and spread their wings. 

Each one of them would grow into their own, but never would they grow apart. The bond that had been instilled in them would remain and even become stronger and more meaningful as the years passed. 

Although Luis had chose to embrace his athletic career and leave his home, becoming known as one of the best and most talented football players in Turkey, he never strayed to far from the home that he held in his heart. They were as proud of Luis as any parents would be of a child. 

Beni and his Dad continued with his photography training over the years. He was quickly being recognized as one of the top photographers of the world.

Can was sure that Beni was much more talented than he had been at his age. But just watching him and the love he had for photography made Can and Sanem proud. Beni held the world in his hands.

Ece, Miray and Ruslan had more opportunities in life than most children their age. But never did they take it all for granted.  Luis and Beni had been the idols, their big brothers, the ones they strived to be like......the ones they loved more than anything..

All their children had proven to be the greatest accomplishments in the lives of Can and Sanem. The best things to come from a love that was meant to be. A love that past every test and trial, a love that only grew stronger as they grew older.....

This love that would never die.....

Thank you for taking the time to read this continuing story of  Can and Sanem Divit.

We will return to this family and all the love it holds later, with a Part 5 of " The Real Thing Series".... To come in 2023. 

I hope to see everyone there as we follow and grow with this family.