Safe Haven

Let Her Go

"Did you seriously look for her?" Charlie marveled while her father nodded.

"She lives in Seattle, but she would want to meet you," said Jay.

"How did you find her?" Charlie asked curiously.

"Through an advanced DNA search, we found your mom," said Jay, looking at the glowing child's eyes.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Charlie rejoiced and fell around her dad's neck.

"You have to thank Antonio and Hank. They had the idea," Jay said.

"When can I meet her?" Charlie asked enthusiastically.

"That's why we're here. She should be there in the next 20 minutes," he explained. She looked at her father in horror. Is he joking? She can't meet her mom. Not here and now. She was wearing only black leggings, broken chucks, and a burgundy t-shirt. The first meeting should be something very special.

"I have to do my hair and change," she stammered nervously.

"Charlie, you look perfect," Jay smiled.

"What if she doesn't like me or we don't like each other or..." Charlie considered different scenarios.

"Stay calm sweetheart. It's just a meeting," Jay said.

Charlie nodded in agreement, took a few deep breaths, and tried to calm down. She had thousands of questions for her mom. But the most important of all was -why have you abandoned me?

She restlessly fidgeted with her leg while looking for her potential mother. Jay noticed the child's nervousness. And if he was honest, he was nervous too. So far, he has only spoke go the woman on the phone.

Ultimately, Charlie saw a woman from afar - long blond hair, slim, young.

Jay watched the situation curiously. Charlie sat speechless next to him, watching every step of the woman. The woman, however, came slowly towards her. She also had a hard time introducing herself first.

"Hi, uh, you're Charlotte, aren't you?" She asked hesitantly, holding out her hand in greeting, "I'm Amanda Jackson."

Charlie looked uncertainly at her father, who nodded encouragingly. Her voice was still missing. She was unable to speak, but eyed the strange woman. She was her mom and now she knew the name and appearance.

"I think I'll leave you two alone." Jay said, "Call me when to pick you up."

"You're not staying?" Charlie asked indignantly.

"No." Jay breathed out, "I think you have a lot to talk about."

He leaned back in the driver's seat. He secretly knew that one day the day will come when Charlie would like to meet her birth mother. Despite his lie. Sooner or later, Charlie would have found out that she was adopted anyway. But now he regretted finding her birth mother. What if Charlie wanted to move in with her mother? What if it breaks their relationship? What if Charlie meets her birth father and he's no longer her dad? Why had he just contacted this woman? He could only hope that Charlie wouldn't forget who raised and protected her over the years.

CPDCPDCPD

"You have a little sister. We live in a house with a garden. We have a cat," the woman said.

"Sounds good," said Charlie. She liked the idea - a real family. Even if she already had a family here in Chicago. She now had the chance to get to know her family with whom she shared the same DNA.

"Why did you abandon me back then?" Charlie asked curiously. She had been concerned with this question since the day she found out.

"I was too young for a baby. I was just 17 years old. I didn't feel ready to be a mother," she said, "Please tell the policeman that I am grateful to him for taking care of you so well."

Charlie didn't understand. Even if Amanda Jackson was still young, why was she abandoned and not brought to the youth welfare office or competent authority? Why was she left in the cold?

"You are welcome to visit me and meet your family," she smiled.

CPDCPDCPD

She was standing in the door frame and had been watching her father for some time. He was sitting in the kitchen with a bottle of beer next to him, his head heavy in his hands. Usually she would sneak back into her room because his posture told her he needed time for himself. She often watched him like this. He often thought about his work or made parallels between Charlie and the victims. If she went to him now, he would hastily wipe away his tears and assure everything would be all right. At the same time she noticed that he was not fine. And this time it has nothing to do with the work, but with her. Otherwise he would not stare at a picture of them.

"How long have you been standing there?" Jay asked without looking up. Charlie sighed. Actually, she wanted to sneak quietly into her room because she didn't want to bother her father.

"A few minutes," she replied. She watched him take a sip from the beer bottle and then lean back in the chair.

"Can't you sleep?" He asked without turning his eyes to his daughter. It still made him uncomfortable after so many years when Charlie saw him like that.

"I haven't slept at all," she replied, "I've been thinking about some things."

"So you've been thinking," he repeated. Charlie nodded gently and slowly approached her father. She sat across from him because so he couldn't avoid her eyes. Then he had to look at her.

"So much has happened in the past few weeks," said Charlie, reaching for her father's hand, "I want you to know that you are my dad. Forever. No matter what else happens."

Jay nodded gently.

"I actually wanted to ask you if it would be okay if I moved to Seattle. I would love to get to know my mom and family better," she explained.

He looked at his daughter in shock. His eyes were wide, his mouth half open. She had only known this woman for a week and now she wants to leave him. Another person who leaves him in his life. Another person he has to let go with a heavy heart. His daughter. After all the years he spent with her. He laughed and cried with her. He helped her with homework or played with her. He drove her to friends, supported her with her hobbies. He stayed by her bed when she wasn't feeling well.

"When?" Jay asked.

"It's summer vacation. I'd like to go to school in Seattle for the new school year," Charlie replied.

"Are you sure? I mean here are your friends. You can also spend the vacation with them and come back to Chicago after 2 weeks."

"Dad? I know you have a hard time letting go, but I'm 12 years old. I can make some decisions myself. I want to move in with my mom. I want to know what life I might have had."

"All right," Jay nodded. He didn't like the idea at all, but he didn't want to start an argument with his daughter. She had the right to meet her biological family. He didn't understand why she had to move to them right away, but he will try to accept it. For Charlie's welfare.

"Thank you, dad!" Charlie smiled and stood up. She hesitated a moment longer, but decided to kiss her father's cheek, "You're the best." Speechlessly, he watched his daughter go into her room.