Why do I feel this way?

Chapter 94: Ringing the Bell

AWorldOfHerOwn I think this will make you happy? 🤓

It was the day of Jamie's last chemo treatment and couldn't wait to ring that bell when he left. As a surprise for the young boy and his mums, the Knight siblings managed to close the nursery early. Somehow they were successful in keeping it a secret from the sweet family.

The entire nursery staff wanted to be there to celebrate this wonderful occasion. Charlotte had received an update like she requested from the blonde before she left earlier that day. Everyone met outside the hospital to walk in together. As they neared the end of the hallway with the bell, Jamie along with Vivian and Siobhan were walking towards them.

Vivian stopped in her tracks as her eyes caught the sight. Her eyes first fell to Mia and Charlotte with gratefulness shining through. Her eyes tracked across each face as they smiled back at her. Siobhan grasped Vivian's hand. "How did they pull this off, Bon?" The blonde chuckled, "I guess they shut the nursery early. That explains Charlotte's insistence on the update..."

Siobhan smiled softly at her now best friend, Charlotte shaking her head slightly in disbelief. The last person to look in their direction was Jamie. His excited voice echoed through the hall as he called the names of his beloved teachers from the nursery.

They met in the middle, right in front of the "no mo chemo" bell. The nurses, nursery workers and Jamie's mums gathered around. One of the nurses announced, "Jamie, in honor of you finishing your treatments, you get to ring the bell today! Are you excited?" The small boy jumped up as he yelled ecstatically, "Yes!" He looked up at his mums seeking their approval. The two nodded with beaming smiles while they ushered him towards the bell.

Siobhan pulled Vivian in close, holding her tightly, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. Both their eyes began to fill with tears as they watched Jamie prepare to ring the bell.

Soon after he approached the bell he took the string in his hand and paused as if he was taking in the significance of the moment. There was not a dry eye in the place, even Autumn had tears falling from her eyes as Jamie wriggled his hand back and forth causing one of the most beautiful rings they ever heard. Of course there wasn't anything special about the bell, but what it represented was a new chapter to Jamie's journey.

Everyone cheered as Jamie began to giggle. When he released the string, he clapped as he ran into Vivian and Siobhan's arms. "Did I do good, mums?" The two women looked at him lovingly as they both said in unison, "absolutely, you did amazing."

A replay of Jamie's journey through his cancer treatment reeled through their minds. He really had done an amazing job and now it was time for him to experience childhood again.

The entire group that came to support Jamie treated the small family to a meal out. Marjorie had arranged for balloons and a cake to be presented when they arrived. The way Jamie's face lit up was all she needed to see.

While they were waiting for their food, Jamie made his way around the table. His first stop was Autumn and Winter. He climbed up into Autumn's lap as she smiled down at him. She placed an arm across his side holding him steady in her lap. He kicked his legs causing his body to sway back and forth as he spoke, "Mrs. Autumn, I think you can teach me how to throw a baseball now. Mummy said I might get to play this summer."

Autumn had to look up momentarily to catch the tears that attempted to form, but she quickly looked down at the boy, "I'm excited to teach you. I have a pretty good arm... I've hit a few of the parents with..." Winter interjected, "Yes, Jamie. She has helped a few parents learn to throw." He winked at his wife and she smiled softly, "Yes, I helped them."

Jamie hopped down and ran over between Charlotte and Mia jumping up into Charlotte's lap. He scooted over to the edge of Charlotte's leg, hooking his around. He swung his other leg over Mia's letting his body sink between them. "Hey Ms. Mia and Ms. Charlotte!"

Jamie looked at Charlotte with a confused look, "why do you like Ms. Mia? She is mean and you're nice." The redhead eyebrows raised as she lifted her eyes to her kind brunette. Charlotte giggled before answering Jamie's innocent question. "Well, Jamie. Mia can be nice too." She gazed into Mia's beautiful green eyes, "She tries to act all big and bad, but she really is just a softy."

Jamie scrunched his face as if he was thinking hard about Charlotte's words before leaning to hug Mia. "It's okay Ms. Mia. You don't have to hide who you are from us." The redhead returned the hug as her eyes glistened. Charlotte placed her hand on Mia's knee as Jamie slid off their legs. She whispered softly, "he's right, you know?" Mia nodded softly before shaking gently and shifting into light conversation.

It was Reece's turn next and as Jamie walked towards him, the blonde leaned over to grab him and lift him into his lap. "Hey, J-man! What are you most excited about now that you're done with treatment?" Jamie tapped his fingers across his chin before his eyes widened, "I'm most excited to be getting a sibling!"

The entire table fell into silence and all eyes turned towards Siobhan and Vivian. The brunette leaned her head down slightly pinching the bridge of her nose. Siobhan was in the middle of sipping her drink and choked slightly causing her to cough. Vivian took that as an opportunity to shift focus, "Bon, are you okay?!"

Mia crossed her arms over her chest as she raised an eyebrow, "Oh, absolutely not. You're not getting out of this one, Viv. What does he mean, a sibling?" Vivian sighed as she clinged to Siobhan's hand under the table. "Well, we weren't going to share this just yet, but we have applied for a foster parent license." A domino effect of gasps spread around the table.

Sorscha pulled Clodagh in by wrapping her arms around her as they looked at the couple with smiles. "We are proud of you two. You have overcome so much and are going to be amazing at this." Marjorie's sobs didn't remain quiet for long and Siobhan rolled her eyes as she scoffed. "Marjorie, take a deep breath and calm down. Why are you being so dramatic?"

The nursery manager closed her eyes and took some deep breaths, "Siobhan, you and Vivian are such an inspiration. The trials you have faced together would tear anyone apart, but you two are stronger." She threw her hands up in the air as she continued, "and now you are opening your home and hearts to little ones that need it the most. I just— I never thought, Ms. Ice Queen would ever agree to being a foster parent."

Vivian snorted, "It was Bon's idea." Siobhan darted her eyes at the brunette for exposing that detail. "Sorry, baby." Jamie jumped off Reece's lap running over to Siobhan and climbing into her lap. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around him holding him safely in her grasp. He leaned in to whisper in her ear, "Did I do something wrong, momma?" Siobhan pulled him away from her gently and smiled. "No, Jamie. You did nothing wrong. You shared something exciting with people you love. That's always okay." The blonde pulled him into a tight hug. Vivian rubbed her back in an effort to comfort her wife through this very vulnerable moment.

As the night went on, Siobhan glanced at each newfound friend, chosen family member. The smiles, the laughter, the stories and truths told, creating an unbreakable bond. Her family was not only Vivian and Jamie, but all those that surrounded her now. Never could she have guessed that when she let Vivian in, that first coffee meeting, she was choosing to rebuild something she thought she didn't deserve— a big, loving family.