I'm Yours (Sequel to "You're mine")

Chapter 76: A good mother

Talia's POV

"Leah was amazing," I let out a breath. "I... I was lost," I looked up at my friends. "I was so worried she'd ask about our relationship and the origin of it... But Leah just managed it all."

"It sounds like Leah did her homework." Charlotte smiled at me.

"That's how we know her." Mary smiled too.

I nodded. "It's incredible how she thought of all of that," I smiled at them. "How she thought about asking you guys to testify."

They nodded.

"Thank you, for doing that," I looked down for a brief moment. "I really appreciate this."

"Well, you don't know what we said, do you?" Heather teased, gaining a laugh from Charlotte and Mary.

I nudged her, gaining a chuckled from her too.

"It's easy to be against an illegal relationship, it's easy to dismiss it because of how it came to be," Charlotte started, gaining a nod from Mary and Heather. "To be honest, I think I'm speaking for all of us when I say that I wasn't sure about it at first. I was worried about you and the troubles you could get yourself in."

"We didn't want anything bad to happen to you." Mary added.

"But Leah is a good person," Charlotte went on. "She took care of you when you needed someone, she stood by your side through the good and bad times," She smiled a bit. "You two are good together and anyone who doesn't see that because of how you two came to be, well..."

"They're stupid." Heather concluded.

Charlotte nodded. "Exactly."

I smiled at them. "Thank you."

"So when are you going to know more?" Mary asked, gaining my attention.

I thought about it for a bit. That was a good question... "I don't believe she said that..."

Heather chuckled. "I think you should've asked that."

I looked down for a bit. "I hope we'll know soon," I gulped. "Ever since I met Emil..." I sighed. "I can't get him out of my head."

"Talia," Heather started, a smirk plastered on her face. I knew she would come back with a snarky remark or a stupid joke. "I know you like them young, but he's really young, isn't he?"

Charlotte nudged her while Mary showed how unpleased she was by looking sternly at Heather.

I looked at Heather. I knew she was saying this to get a laugh, to lighten the mood. But today, it hit differently. "He's perfect," I started, immediately I saw how Heather was surprised by my response. She clearly expected something else. "He's the son I want," I gulped and looked down, fidgeting with my hands. "When I think about my child, his image comes to me," I looked back up at them, seeing how much my words affected them. "He's my child."

Charlotte was the first one to smile. She leaned in closer, reaching for my hand. She put her hand over mine. "He will be yours soon enough, I'm sure of that."

Mary soon followed. "He will feel the love he deserves."

Then I looked at Heather, wondering what her next move would be. Would she come back with a joke again? Would she say something silly? Or would she actually get real with me, the way I know she can?

Heather looked down briefly, clearly trying to get her thoughts straight. When her eyes met mine, I knew she would speak from the heart. "For as long as I can remember, you wanted to have children. You wanted to be a mother," She licked her lips, indicating she was having a hard time speaking from the heart. "This boy brings you joy, he gives you light," She then showed me a warm smile. "He will get the best mother in the world."

I smiled at her. "Thanks."

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"Are we there yet?" I looked out of the window, looking everywhere, left and right. I wanted to see the adoption center so badly.

"T," Leah started, pulling me back in my seat. "I can't focus on the road if you're being a child like that."

I looked at her. "I'm sorry for being excited."

She sighed. "You know what I mean, baby," She frowned and sighed deeply when the light turned red. "Great..."

Since she got back from school, I could tell she wasn't in a great mood. I tried talking to her about it but she wouldn't say much. I wondered if she had problems at school. I wondered why she wouldn't talk about it. I thought we were past this... I thought we agreed to communicate better.

"I talked to my friends today," I tried, getting a conversation going. "They said some nice words."

Leah didn't really pay attention to me, she was still annoyed by the traffic light.

"They said I'd be a good mother," I looked at her. "Sometimes I wonder if I will be a good mother."

This peaked her attention. "Why would you doubt yourself?"

I gulped. "I just want Emil to have a good life. I want him to be well and do well," I looked down. "I want to help him get to his dreams," I looked at her then. "But I don't know if I'll be able to."

Finally, a smile appeared on her face. "Baby, listen to yourself," She said, starting the car again as the light turned green. "Your heart is in the right place and that will make you a good mother."

I smiled then and looked outside the window, impatiently waiting to see Emil again. My son.

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"Hello," Leah said to the lady at the desk. "We're here to visit Emil again."

The lady checked her computer, probably checking if we had an appointment. As we visited for the second time, and specifically asked for him, we had to make an appointment. She then nodded. "Follow me."

We walked through the hallways we now know. I was counting down the steps to Emil's room. I was thinking about what to say to him. I wanted to know how he was doing. I wanted to know what he had eaten today. I wanted to know what games he played. I needed to know everything.

We finally arrived at Emil's room. The lady looked inside, saw Emil, and smiled. "Emil, you've got some lovely people visiting you."

Emil looked up and, when he saw us, his face lit up.

"Enjoy." The lady said and motioned us to enter the room. She then left.

I couldn't contain myself and rushed to him. He was seated on a little carpet on the floor, and some of his toys were spread over it. "Hello Emil," I smiled at him. "How are you?"

Before he answered, his full attention went to Leah. He observed her as she came to sit with us too. It seemed he was happy to see both of us. 

"Emil?" I tried again.

He looked at me. "Happy!" He exclaimed. He lifted his tiny arms and started wiggling them.

I smiled at him and saw Leah was smiling as well. "What are you playing, little man?" She asked.

I smiled at her using a nickname for him. I could tell she was getting comfortable around him too.

We played for a bit and we talked too. Emil was clearly happy that we visited him and that he had someone to play with him. I could tell he was used to playing on his own. It saddened me.

"Emil," I started. As he was a little kid, who was easily distracted, I didn't get his attention immediately. "Emil," I tried again, finally getting his attention. "What would you think if you went home with us?"

I could tell Leah was surprised I actually asked this question to him. Probably because we weren't sure yet we would actually pass the test...

But my attention was on Emil. And his reaction... It was priceless. His eyes beamed with happiness. He got up and started jumping around the room. His laugh filled with joy was filling my heart. 

Yes, he will be my son. He just has to be.