Raising Donna

The Uncertain Surprise

After securing Donna safely and dressing her into a warm coat, I drove back home. I carried her by the hip while unlocking my apartment door. The familiar aroma hit my nose as I walked in. "Welcome home my little D." I spoke cheerily. She looked around the room mesmerizingly. The walls had family and friends's picture frames hung up. A front TV facing a gray soft-fluffy couch with another one across. One nearby kitchen, and a dining room where there's a table of five chairs. The only difference was most of the room had baby essentials everywhere. Diapers, blankets, food, formula, a pink carrier and high chair. The new clothes on my bed were gifted from my oldest cousin Karlie. She is pretty much the one who knew I planned to adopt. And isn't surprised this is part of making my point to my parents. Donna babbled adorably while sucking her thumb. I kissed her cheek and went to my room. She played with my strand distractedly. I carefully laid her on the bed before unzipping the coat. She waved her little arms and legs playfully. Giggling in awe, I kissed her nose and got ready for a bath.

In the kitchen, Donna sat in a high chair with nothing but her diaper. Honestly she got rather fussy about getting dressed. I was making her lunch and warming up her milk bottle. "You know you'll be getting dressed after." I said, raising an eyebrow. She made a few coos and frowned. "Nah uh, you should be baby." I told her. The microwave went off with a ding. I pulled out the warm bottle and placed the lunch plate in front of her. "Bon appetite!" I beamed, smiling. Donna happily kicked her feet repeatedly and giggled. I chuckled and fed a couple spoonfuls. She held her bottle while drinking the milk. My phone buzzed on the counter. Karlie was calling. I picked it up and answered. "Hello?" I spoke. "Did you get her?! Did you get her?!" Her excited voice hit my ear like a bullhorn. I gritted my teeth while holding it dearly. "Jesus, Karlie! You're trying to make me deaf?" I spoke irritatedly. She laughed. "Sorry Hails. I'm just really excited you wanted to adopt. There's sixteen cousins in this family yet we're gonna be great-Aunts and Uncles now." She said. I snickered. "Karlie, relax. I just got her today. The last thing we need is everybody fighting over who wanna hold her." I joked. "Great, now I have to prepare for that." She whined, knowing she'll have to get past everyone to hold Donna. My parents need to meet her first. Yes it was partially because of my point but their response of me adopting makes me a little nervous. I inhaled a deep breath. "My parents are a different story." I told her. She went immediately silent on the other end. "Oh yeah. My advice, tell the truth clearly and calmly. Guarantee they'll be happy to hear they'll be grandparents. But I must say, an adopted child is a complete first for this family. Just steer clear of the situation—Donna's cries hit my other ear. Tears were filling her eyes. I groaned. "Speaking of situation, I gotta go." I told her. She must've heard her cries because she chuckled. "Agree. But remember what I said." She said. I nodded. "Thanks!" I said before hanging up. Donna made grabby hands. I picked her up and rubbed her back soothingly. "It's ok, it's ok my love. Mommy's here." I cooed softly. Her cries slowly stopped. I hugged her close to my chest. Her head laid on my shoulders. I still bounced her on my hip for another minute. "Mommy's got you." I whispered, kissing her forehead. Her chocolate brown eyes were no longer shedding tears. I went back to my room and carefully changed her into PJs. She was beginning to fall asleep so I laid her down before wrapping a blanket over her. A warm smile crept on my lips. She looked so peaceful, unbothered, less-unhappy. The exact same when I first met her. It almost makes me wanna hold her close. I smiled warmly, pulling out my phone to snap a picture. Should I send it to everybody? Particularly, my cousins around my age? I snapped out of my thoughts. My parents and grandparents needed to meet her first before them. Karlie knew because like the helpful person she is, she helped shop these things with me online and took the news well. I walked out and sat down on the couch. I lowered the TV volume. The picture made me giggle while making it my Home Screen. I stretched and yawned. My phone instantly buzzed. A text from Karlie made me drop my phone on my lap. My jaw dropped in shock.