More Than a Soldier

Chapter 55 - Bio Parents

Y/n's POV:

"Hello. Ma'am? Are you still there?" The voice pulls me out of the shock that I'm feeling. "I'm sorry. Can you repeat that?" I ask her, not truly believing that this is happening. "Your birth parents contacted us and would like to meet you." She says, not annoyed that she's repeating herself. "But how? They dropped me at a hospital as a child. How can they or you know that they are my biological parents?" I ask her. This surely isn't happening. This is just someone playing a big joke on me, right?

"I can understand your distrust Mrs Johansson." She starts but I quickly interrupt. "Please just call me Y/n. It would make me more comfortable." I request. "Of course Y/n. I know this is all a shock. But I'm more than happy to explain everything." She reassures me in a calm and kind tone. I take a deep breath before telling her I'm ready.

"When you were left at the hospital, they took a DNA sample from you. It was all new technology back then. But it was a way that they could not only check your health but also confirm parentage in the future. This is the first case that I've worked on where that has actually been used." She starts off explaining and it all makes sense. I did know that they have my DNA, they had to share that with me when I turned 18.

"Your parents, they contacted our branch here and explained their situation and how they wanted to find their daughter. We went through an extensive process with them where they were interviewed and questioned to marry up their version of events to reality. When we were able to prove that they matched, they were invited to complete a DNA test. Those results came back to confirm that they are in fact your biological parents." She pauses allowing me a moment to take it all in.

My mind is going a million miles an hour. I never expected this. I have my family now. They just left me and now they want to know me. "We are only contacting you now that we are sure they are your parents. There is absolutely no obligation on your behalf to meet them. You can tell me you don't want to see them, and I will pass that on. They don't have any information on you, no contact details or anything. So, there is no concern of them being able to contact you if you don't want them too." She informs me and it makes me relax ever so slightly.

There is a silence again as she patiently waits for me to respond. "I'm sorry. I'm just. This is all a big shock to me." I express. "Please don't apologise. I realise this is a huge surprise to you. Please take your time in processing this." She kindly responds. "Do I need to give you an answer now?" I ask, hoping I'm not going to be rushed in anyway. "No. Not at all. In fact, I encourage you to take the time to think this through and talk with your loved ones for support. I can give you my number and if you have further questions or want to give me an answer, you're more than welcome to contact me." She offers and I smile slightly.

"Thank you. I appreciate that. Um. Are you able to tell me their names?" I ask hesitantly. I'm not sure I want to know, but maybe it could help. "Of course. Their names are Charlotte and Dale Hudson. They live in Bristol." She responds. I'm not sure how that makes me feel. They're clearly still together. Were they young when they had me? Did they not want me at all? More questions form in my mind.

"Y/n. I know this is a lot to take in. But everything is on your terms. So, take your time and give me a call when you're sure of what you want. There is no rush to do so." She tells me in a motherly tone. I feel instantly comfortable with this woman. She's kind and caring. I can see why she's in this profession. "Thank you, Deborah. I appreciate that." I say with a small smile.

We exchange details and say our goodbyes and I just sit there on the sofa in shock. I can't believe it. I don't know how I'm feeling. At the moment, I just feel numb. "Y/n?" I hear a soft voice from beside me. But I don't respond. Emotion starts to take over and my eyes fill with tears. "Y/n/n. Are you ok?" The worried voice gets louder and suddenly Sophie appears in my vision. Her hands gently cupping my cheeks.