Switched: The Complete Series

Chapter Fourteen- Should we move?

~~Charity's point of view~~

My name is Charity Givens. My life has been crazy. I have to go back to go forward. Bear with me. It's confusing.

Twenty-Five years ago, my friend and I were switched at birth. Yes, you heard that correctly. We were switched at birth.

On February 4, 1995, there were four babies born. In order Reeva, Luna, Me, then Natalie. All delivered by the same doctor, at the same hospital, within forty minutes of each other. Somehow something got mixed up. Natalie and I were switched and sent home to the wrong families.

The hospital still can't tell us what happened. We will probably never know; We chose not to sue; Natalie and I have both been through a lot. Natalie's dad, who raised me as his own, was very abusive. Physically and sexually. He robbed the bank Natalie, and our friend Luna worked at. He hurt them both and then was in a shootout with the police. He didn't survive his ordeal.

He raped me six months ago. It was the last time he did because of River and Natalie. I am currently pregnant with identical twin boys. They belong to my rapist; I found out too late to abort; I wouldn't have anyway. I have a great support system, and we will raise the babies the best we know how.

Ironically, my babies are Natalie's siblings. They will be her half-brothers.

Speaking of brothers, River is amazing. He and Natalie took in Cherish and I six months ago. It's a very long story. The day Ronald robbed the bank, we found out River was my biological brother. Cherish, who I thought was my sister, is actually Natalie's little sister. Natalie is now my sister-in-law. She and River were married two months ago. I understand it's all confusing; you may want to read Natalie's story first. I know there's one out there.

Anyway, when River and Natalie took Cherish and me in, our lives changed forever. It was the first time we were able to live without fear of being punished. We've not gone hungry or without water. It was a huge step for Cherish and me.

Cherish: "I swear if one of my nephews kicks me one more time...."

I laugh.

Cherish, and I still share a bed. We've shared a bed since we first moved in with Natalie and River.

They share a room now, but Devon and Luna share the other. Devon came first and then Luna; her mother passed; she didn't want to stay in her home. Don't get any ideas. They redid the room and put two separate beds in River's room. We are all very close, and this was the best scenario.

Charity: "Why is it when you're annoyed, they're your nephews? When you want to touch my belly or feel them move, they're your brothers?"

Cherish: "It's not my fault our family is all fucked up. I have brophews. They're my brothers and my nephews."

Charity: "Please don't call my children, brophews."

She laughs.

Cherish: "It's our little secret."

Cherish knows I struggle. Ronald is the only man that I had ever been with, and that wasn't willingly. There isn't a man out there that's going to want a woman who has identical twins. Especially ones that are fathered by a rapist. I'm confident that people see me as damaged. I have help with the babies. I don't worry about the babies. I don't want to be alone.

A tear slides down my face as I think about it.

Cherish: "Charity, don't go there."