“Welcome to your new home, Graziella Stephanie! Welcome to the Coelho’s household.” The booming voice of the tall, curly brown-haired man said as he opened the white door. His name is Stefan Coelho, the head of the family. His wife, Ellen Grace Coelho is the blonde-haired petite woman who is now carrying me inside.
“Shush, darling. She might cry.” Ellen cooed at me.
“No, she wouldn’t. She hasn’t cried since we left the orphanage.” Stefan said, as if what Ellen said was the most impossible thing he heard.
“Sure, darling. But she might, when she realizes that this isn’t the same place as the orphanage.” Ellen said.
“Well, a little crying isn’t too bad, right? After all, babies cry. It’s like it’s their sole purpose in life.” Stefan joked.
Ellen rolled her eyes. “Come on, Zia. Let’s go to your new bedroom!” She sounded so excited. Zia, the nickname they’ve been calling me ever since we got into the car.
At least they didn’t lose my other name, Stephanie, in that way I would still feel connected with Joanne, Mathilda, Clement, Alyssa, Christianna and the rest.
I have stayed in the orphanage for a total of 4 months and 15 and a half days. I’ve already learned how to walk, with Joanne, Clement and Alyssa’s help. We found out that I can’t eat too much chicken because of the itchy feeling I will experience afterwards. My blonde hair reaches the nape of my neck, with a bit of curls on the sides of my face. I could see the reason why Mathilda and Joanne agreed for Stefan and Ellen to be my new parents. Stefan has curly hair and Ellen has blonde hair and blue eyes, the same as mine. It would take a long while for people to discover that I was actually adopted.
“Do you like your new bedroom, baby girl?” Stefan asked as he stroked my cheeks.
I glanced at the room. The walls were painted with blue, the ceiling has lighter blue color and the furniture was all in baby blue. The bed however, was white with gold head board and bedposts. There were gold swirls on the walls, stretching like vines with gold leaves. There was a lamp near the bed and it is shaped like an apple. Near the bed is a big crib with white and gold color. I assumed it was to be my bed. There were toys inside the crib, toys similar to that one’s my biological mother bought for me.
I wanted to touch my new toys so I stretched out my arms towards it. Ellen noticed my actions and strode towards the crib. She let me inside and I proceeded to touching everything, familiarizing my new sanctuary.
“It looks like she likes it, love.” Stefan murmured as he wrapped his arms around his wife’s waist, pulling her close.
Ellen laid her head against his chest and sighed. “Hmm—it’s seems so. Let’s become good parents to our new daughter, alright, darling?”
It wasn’t a question but Stefan still nodded. “Yes. We will make sure of that.”
Smiling to each other, they kissed and lingered for a bit.
It seems like forever since the last time I’ve seen a couple kiss. I haven’t seen my father and mother kiss on the lips. It was always on the cheek after I was born. There were pictures of them kissing on the lips. But it looked like it was all taken during their courtship, their engagement, their wedding and their honeymoon. Right after I was conceived, it has stopped.
This couple however has gained a child and yet they are still passionate with each other. I knew then that these two will give me the home that I need.
I looked their way and giggled. “Ma-ma. Pa-pa.” I stretched my arms, motioning for them to carry me.
There were tears in their eyes as they looked at each other.
“Did you hear that, darling? She called us Mama and Papa.” Ellen smiled.
“Yes, darling. She called us Mama and Papa.” Stefan grinned with his pearly-white teeth.
I called them again and Ellen immediately got me out of the crib and embraced me in her arms.
I giggled feeling tickled by her fingers on my sides. “Ma-ma. Pa-pa.” I repeated again and Ellen squealed as Stephan chuckled and pinched my cheek softly.
Her smile looked like that of Joanne’s when she found out that she is to become a mother with her boyfriend, Kenneth. Every time she looks after me, I would take a peek at the progress of the beings inside of her. Her excitement was expected when she found out that she was having twins. Kenneth proposed to her right away after she told him the news. A small wedding took place, two months later with all of kids in the orphanage invited. Clement carried me the whole time since Alyssa held Christianna close to her.
On the 22ndth of May, Stefan and Ellen held my first birthday. It was actually close to my real birthday which is the 26th of May. My new parents decided to celebrate my birthday on that day since it is the day of their engagement.
My new grandma Eleanora baked a cake decorated with blue pearls and gold icings while my new grandpa Glenn grilled some steak, hotdogs and other stuff. They’re both from my Mama Ellen’s side. My new grandparents from my father’s side were able to attend as well. Grandpa Steven was busy with the beverages while grandma Fanny was arranging the loot bags for the kids who will attend. They invited almost all of the neighborhood kids and also the children of their friends.
Claire Andrews, Stefan and Ellen’s best friend brought her husband, Rafael and their son, Kristoffer who was a few months older than me.
“Happy Birthday, baby Zia!” Claire greeted me, giving me a kiss on my cheek.
“Happy birthday, princess!” Rafael took me in his arms.
“Daddy!!” Kristoffer complained. He doesn’t like it much when other kids get the attention of his parents. Like usual, he is squirming from his mother’s arms and wanting to get to his father.
“Tof, go ahead kiss Zia a happy birthday.” Claire told him.
I’d rather he didn’t but it looks like I don’t have a choice. Kristoffer is already leaning in and puckering his lips. The adults are even taking out their cameras to make a souvenir out of it. Rafael moved closer so Kristoffer would be able to reach my cheek easier. And there it goes. A big, wet, sloppy kiss from Kristoffer.
“Daddy!” Kristoffer complained once again, stretching his arms out, motioning for his dad to carry him instead of me.
“Okay—okay, son. Princess, I’m going to bring you to your mama now. Enjoy the party.” Rafael kissed me on my cheek before giving me back to Ellen. Kristoffer squealed in laughter as Rafael finally brought him to his arms.
I placed my arms around Ellen as I felt my eyes become a little heavy. The excitement of the day was making me tired already and I really wish to go to my bed.
“Darling, Zia is a bit sleepy. I’ll take her to her room. She might wake up after a few hours though. Can you take care of the guests while I stay with her?” Ellen asked Stefan.
“Sure, love.” Stefan nodded and kissed my forehead before Ellen took me to my room. We both lay down on my bed and I was fast asleep.
Even in my sleep I could still hear the giggles from Kristoffer. He is a happy kid, a bit on the whiny side, but still a good, sweet kid. Though he is two months older than me, I still think I’m more mature than him. He got his eyes from his mother, which is chocolate brown, and his dark hair is the same as his father. At one year old and two months, Kristoffer is tall. I’m sure that he would be as tall as his dad when he will become a full-grown man.
I heard one last giggle from Kristoffer and then I was in dreamland.
