Cracks Within

Chapter 17

Friday 5th February 2027.

I've never felt love like this. Sam is beside me, crying as we welcome our son into the world. His eyes were green like mine, his hair a deep brown.

"He looks so much like us. It's amazing how his eyes are the same colour as yours, Anna." Sam kisses me and then Michael, not wanting to let go of his little hand.

"I know, it's amazing that he's not biologically ours. He's your double!"

I reach for him and he nuzzles against my arm. Waves of love radiate from me as I pull him tighter, never wanting to let him go.

"You're the most amazing thing in my life," I whisper in his little ears. "I will never let anyone hurt you. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't be who you want to be. I will always be here for you, no matter what. You are MY son Mikey. Mine."

Mike moves in his sleep, twitching when he hears something. Cuddling up to Sam, I can't think of anything better that could happen to me. After telling Sam about my infertility, I assumed that it would be a deal breaker. He was so supportive, telling me that we could get through anything.

"Sweetie, don't forget that we have our meeting with the adoption lawyer tomorrow morning. Maybe we should get some sleep."

I silently agree by yawning. We say our goodbyes to Michael's birth mother and thank her for blessing us with Mike. I walk to the hotel sluggishly, my body giving up on me after being awake for nearly fifty-one hours. As soon as Sam and I walk through the door to our room, I notice the brilliantly white bed calling my name. I walk towards it and collapse, falling asleep instantly.

Saturday 6th February 2027.

"I hope everything goes smoothly. I love him already." Sam says, desperately trying to flatten his hair.

I zip up my boot. "Same. I can't imagine him not being in my life." I stand up and straighten my dress, eliminating the creases.

Sam walks over to me and kisses me, laughing when he stops. "We're parents."

I giggle. "I know. It's mental."

Sam laughs, holding me tight. Sun glistens off the mirror and shines over us, bathing us in light.

Driving in the car, I can't help but smile. We've done it. We have a baby, I think to myself. I look over at Sam to see him smiling too, happiness enveloping him. He pulls up outside the lawyer's office and turns to me before we get out of the car.

"I love you. I can't believe this has finally happened. We finally have a little family." He beams as he talks. "We did it baby." He kisses me and holds me tightly.

We exit the car and make our way to the large oak doors, hearing the creak as we push them open. Bryan Haliwell looks at us over his desk, beaming.

"Sam, Anna! Congratulations!" He stands up, laughing as he walks over to us, arms spread apart. Grinning, I jump into them and embrace him.

"Seriously, Bryan, I can't believe that we're parents now! Thank you so much!"

"It was all yours and Sam's doing, Anna!" He laughs again and hugs Sam. "Now, we gotta do the final paperwork and that's it! Mikey is yours!"

We walk over and sit down opposite Bryan.

"Okay, so, if you get divorced, what happens with Michael Lee Mason?"

Sam speaks. "He will go to me, my parents Louisa and Hugh Mason, and my brothers Darren and Luke."

Bryan nods. "And why will he go to you and your family?"