DNA or Nurture

Picnic in the park

On Friday afternoon after Addison picks up Harvey and Harper from school and gets off work, she calls Amelia.

"Hey Addie, what's up?" Amelia asked when she answered her phone

"Hi Amy." Addison said "So tomorrow, the twins and I are going to the park for a picnic. Would you like to come?"

Amelia smiled, "Yeah that sounds fun, Addie. Thanks."

"You're welcome, Amy. See you tomorrow." Addison told her

"See you tomorrow, Addie." Amelia replied

The next morning when Addison is packing the picnic basket with lunch food for the picnic. A few minutes later, she hears Harvey and Harper running down the stairs.

"Morning mama Addie." The twins said as they smiled once they reached the kitchen

Addison smiled back, "Morning kiddos." Her heart swelled in the chest every time the kids called her mama Addie. Then she added, "So your mom is going to join us on our picnic."

Harper smiled excitedly, "Yay! We get to see our other mama."

"Aw I kind of wanted it to just be the three of us." Harvey said with a frown "We'll see mommy tomorrow."

"Well Harv, buddy, I already asked her to come. I'm not going to uninvite her." Addison told him

Harvey sighed and nodded, "Okay mama." He didn't realize that he had dropped the 'Addie' part.

Addison smiled but on the inside she was a little shocked.

Harper was shocked and confused. She didn't know if her brother had meant to only say 'mama' instead of 'mama Addie' or if he had even noticed.

Later when the were at the park, Harper saw Amelia because they were meeting her there, she left go of Addison's hand, and ran to hug her mom. Harvey is walking with Addison while holding her hand.

"Hi mommy." Harper said

Amelia smiled and hugged her daughter, "Hi baby girl." Then she looked at Addison and Harvey, "Hi baby boy. Hi Addie."

"Hi Amy." Addison replied. Then she looked down at Harvey, "Say hi to mommy, little man."

"Hi mommy." Harvey said half-heartedly

A little later, when they are eating, talking, and laughing.

"Mommy, guess what?" Harper stated "Yesterday after school, mama took us for ice cream before dinner because both Bubba and I got an A+ on our math test."

Amelia smiled, "Good job, my babies."

"And mama also made us our favorite dinner, mommy." Harvey added

"Oh well aren't you lucky." Amelia replied with a smile

Addison smiled. She's happy that Harper and Harvey are so happy and excited to tell their mom everything. She loved those two kids like they were her own and since she knew Amelia so well she loved her too.

A man, Ronan walks by them with his nine month old son, Benaiah and overhears Harper and Harvey calling both the women mom.

"I'm Ronan, and I'm sorry I know this is really personal but are you two like a couple?" The man, Ronan asked

"Um, no, why would you think that?" Addison asked confused

"Because I overheard those kids call both of you mom." Ronan stated

Amelia goes wide eyed, "Oh! No, um I'm their biological mom and this is Addison, she's...um...she's..." Then she looked at Addison wanting her to finish the sentence.

"I'm the kids...um...I'm their...um." Addison started to say

Harvey sighed in frustration. He pointed to Amelia and said, "That's our birth mom." Then he pointed to Addison, "And that's our foster mom, but she's still our mom too because she's taking care of us and loving us like a mother."

"Oh okay." Ronan replied. He looked at Addison, "I think what you are doing is a wonderful thing. Kids can never have too many people to love and care for them." Then he looked at the kids, "You two are really lucky kids."

Harper smiled and draped an arm around her brother's shoulders, "Yeah I know. Thanks."

Addison smiled at the man, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Ronan replied to both the Addison and the kids. Then he walked away while carrying his son.

Amelia looks at Addison, "Well that was interesting."

"Yeah it was." Addison said with a nod

Harvey smiled, "That was cool. He thought we were a family."

Harper nodded in agreement with her brother, "But you two really got to work on your communication skills."

"Oh really?" Amelia asked with a smile and a raised eyebrow. She started to tickle her daughter.

"Mommy! Stop!" Harper screamed as she laughed "Mommy! Please stop!"

Amelia stopped and just smiled at her daughter.

"Mommy, are you feeling better?" Harper asked looking at her mom's smile

Amelia nodded, "Yes, baby. Much better." She hugged Harper, who hugged her back.

"Group hug." Harvey announced as he and Addison joined in on the hug.