MUTE [A Chris Colfer Imagine]

EPILOGUE.

[5 YEARS LATER]
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As I stood here looking into our son's room, I couldn't believe what my life was like right now. All them years ago, I never believed that I would have my dream job owning my own bakery, be in a successful marriage and just celebrating my precious son's 5th birthday. I had everything I wanted in life, and yet I still struggled to believe that I had any of this. I was happy now, I was completely, and happy. Except something was missing, and that was another child.

Because of complications with my first pregnancy, I was unable to have anymore children, so when our son Lucas asked us when he would get a brother or sister to play with.

It hit me so hard and I struggled for days because of this, it wasn't his fault, it was just the way life worked and I understood that. So when Chris brought up adoption, I was all for it.

But it had been nearly a year now and we still had no luck with adopting a child.

---

But things got better, and a few months later we had a call from the adoption agency saying that they had a 4 year old little girl who they thought would be perfect for our family. When we saw a picture, I knew she was already perfect.

Her name was Ellie-Mae and she was 4 years old, she had blonde hair and green eyes, she was shy, and she was mute. At first I didn't believe it when the social worker told me, but she was honest and explained that Ellie-Mae had a bad past experience with her parents, and she hasn't said a word for the past 7 months. I looked over to Chris, and we just knew.

We spoke to the social worker, and we'd have to wait for another call before we could arrange an appointment to meet the little girl.

Whilst we were waiting, we spoke to Lucas. I thought that he would be angry or upset but he was just ecstatic that he was finally getting a little sister, he didn't care that she didn't speak, he said he would still be the best big brother ever. I cried at that, because I couldn't believe that we had created a little gentleman.

It was a few days later when we got the call, and it was a week after that when Chris, Lucas and I walked into the children's home to meet Ellie-Mae. As soon as I laid eyes on her, I wanted to wrap her up in my arms and protect her from the world. She looked scared and nervous.

But as everything else in life, things turned out okay. Ellie-Mae had taken a shining to Lucas and didn't leave his side for the whole visit, it melted my heart everytime I looked at the two of them playing with a new toy from the toybox.

I knew my answer straight away, and one look into Chris' eyes, I was saying yes to the social worker.. yes we did want to adopt her.

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It wasn't just that easy though, it took nearly a year before we could officially call Ellie-Mae ours, before we could call her Ellie-Mae Colfer. It took taking Ellie out for the day, twice a week for a whole month - and then it consisted of Ellie having overnight stays with us. We got closer as time went on, but I could finally relax when our appointed social worker set a meeting with us one day and finally told us now was the time.

After signing so many documents, getting Ellie-Mae's new bedroom set up for her, packing the little things she had a the children's home, we were finally able to take her home forever.

---

Life was still hard sometimes, but the four of us got through it like a family. We stuck with each other through everything, and we knew that it would be hard for not only Ellie but Lucas also when they grew up. But we were their parents, and it was our job to protect them which is something we always promised we'd do.

Chris and I.. Our love was strong, our family was strong and our life was strong, and if we carried on supporting each other through all the trails and tribulations.. It would all be okay.

And as I stood outside Ellie's bedroom, watching her as she snoozed peacefully.. Chris' words from when I was in high school came back to me.. It really does get better.

THE END.