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

Chapter 87: How are you?

Talia's POV

I let out a breath as I finally ended the online class. It was the last one before lunch break. Somehow that one seemed to be the hardest of the day. It almost seemed like students were busy with their food instead of the class. And me too, I couldn't help but wonder what Leah was cooking downstairs. It always smelled amazing.

Today, however, I didn't get down immediately after class. My friends and I agreed to meet up around 12 to finally have a chat again. We did this occasionally but it was hard to find a time that suited for everyone. It's odd how we couldn't find free time now that we're at home... It seemed we were busier with the people at home.

I smiled as I opened the video call. "Hey everyone."

"Hi, Talia." They all said.

I took a moment to look at my friends. I hadn't seen them in a while. They didn't really change but it was weird. Normally, I'd see them every day, at work. I really missed them.

But I was happy to see they were doing alright. I could tell Mary's house had changed. She had been talking about how some areas needed work done. It seemed now she had the time to do it.
Charlotte was participating in the chat with her dog. She had recently bought it. She hadn't shown her much as the puppy was very excited. I think it was an Australian shepherd.
And Heather... Well, she was glowing. I could see her smile at someone else in the room, probably Eva. I was happy for her.

"So how are you?" Charlotte asked me.

I smiled. "We're doing alright, considering..." I said and they all nodded, clearly sharing the feeling. "We went to the adoption center yesterday."

Immediately, they all got closer to the screen. It was clear they were all eager to hear more. "And?" Heather asked.

I let out a breath. "We didn't really connect with anyone," I looked down briefly. "Leah did though."

"So why don't you plan to visit that child again?" Mary asked.

"It was odd," I frowned, thinking back at the woman of the center. "When we started talking to the boy, the woman pulled us away. It's almost as if she didn't want us to talk to him."

I could tell they were surprised to hear this. "Did she explain herself?" Mary asked.

I shook my head. "She didn't even want to say his name," I sighed. "I didn't really get to talk to him so it's no big deal for me, but Leah did. She seems really upset about it."

"Maybe she indeed connected with him," Charlotte said as she was battling her puppy. The puppy wanted to play but she wanted to talk to us. "I say you have to go back."

I sighed. "Probably," I smiled as I saw she was struggling more. "I think she wants to play."

"I know," Charlotte eventually picked the puppy up, finally giving us a good view of the puppy. "But she has to wait," She kissed the puppy. "She knows that."

"She's so beautiful!" Mary exclaimed.

"What's her name again?" Heather asked.

Charlotte gave Heather a look. "Charlie," She said as she looked at the puppy. "It's easy."

"Named after yourself?" Heather asked, already a hint of amusement in her voice.

Charlotte looked at the screen, her face stern. "It just sounds good: Charlotte and Charlie," She then smiled. "Two best friends."

I smiled at her. "It's great indeed."

"Thanks, Talia." Charlotte smiled. 

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I arrived in the kitchen and smelled the great food Leah had prepared. "Oh baby, it smells amazing," I said as I entered the kitchen. I heard the oven so I assumed our food was in there. I looked at Leah, she was doing the dishes. Her head was down, so I assumed she was still upset. I walked to her and wrapped my arms around her. "I promise we'll figure it out." I whispered.

She let out a deep sigh.

"I promise, baby," I kissed her head. "Please don't be sad."

She raised her head and turned around, to face me. "He was great, baby," She sighed. "I don't understand why we couldn't simply talk to him."

I caressed her face. "I don't know either," I gently rubbed her cheek with my thumb. "I promise we'll go back there and demand to see him."

She looked at me. I could tell she wanted to believe me, but she seemed too upset to try. She sighed. "Lunch is ready," She said as she walked to the oven. She opened it and took out a nice casserole. "Have a seat."

I walked to the table and saw she had already set everything on it. All I had to do was sit down and eat. "This looks great, baby," I said as she was putting the food on my plate. I quickly took a spoonful of food. "Mmm, it's delicious."

She showed me a small smile. "Thanks, baby."

"Where's Emil?" I asked as I kept eating.

"He's sleeping," She said and ate another piece. "He was tired."

I slowly nodded. "Is he still upset too?"

She slowly nodded.

I sighed. "You know what," I started, gaining her attention. "Tonight, after my last class, we'll just go back to the center without warning them. We'll demand to see the boy and if they don't let us," I reached for her hand, holding it in mine. "I'll make a fuss."

She chuckled a bit. "I bet you do."

"Of course," I squeezed her hand a bit. "Anything to make my family happy."

She smiled a bit and looked down. "His name is Jin," She suddenly said. "He seemed so worried about what others may think or say to him," She then looked up at me. "I recognized myself in him."

I looked at her, listening to what she was saying. I knew what she meant: she was bullied a lot as a child. It made her hesitant to talk to other people, it made her worried about people's opinions. Instead of saying anything, I squeezed her hand again.

She showed me a small smile. "I want to get him because he seemed to feel at ease when I talked to him," She gulped. "If I can help a child feel comfortable, I want to help."

I nodded. "I know, baby," I pulled her hand to my lips, kissing it. "You'll always try to do the best for people."

She smiled a bit.

"Tonight, we'll go get our second son," I smiled a bit. "I promise."