Beautiful Ties (33 page)

“No problem.” Diane waved her hand at me as I strode over to Pearl. “I’m late, and I need to get to work anyway.”

Ignoring Diane now, I knelt down at Pearl’s side. Her big emerald eyes that were normally so bright were pink, puffy, and gloomy.

It took everything I had to hold myself together and be strong—for her.

“Pearl, would you mind coming with me, so we can talk? Just the two of us?” I asked her in a gentle tone, wanting her to make the decision and not feel forced.

Something was bothering her. I needed to know that she was okay and that living with Jason and me was what she wanted. I wouldn’t force her hand.

“Yes,” she said as she twined her tiny fingers with mine and slid forward on the couch.

We both rose together. As Pearl and I walked toward the hallway, I saw Jason leading Diane to the front door. After we reached the spare room, Pearl hopped on the bed, and I took a seat next to her. I shifted my left leg to the side. Pearl mirrored my position, so we faced each other.

“Pearl, sweetie, are you okay?” I asked. I was at a loss for words while trying to gather my scattered thoughts.

Pearl’s bottom lip trembled, and she nodded her head up and down with succession. I knew I had to open up to Pearl first to show her that it was okay to tell me her feelings, no matter what she felt inside.

“Over the last six months I’ve known you, you and I have become very dear friends, huh?”

Pearl nodded again, and I could see her eyes brimming with tears.

I kept talking before I broke down myself, “When you aren’t here with me, I miss you terribly. I love spending time with you—watching movies together, listening to you tell me about your day at school, doing your homework together, or just having our girl time.” I set my hand on top of hers. “But somewhere along the way, things changed for me, Pearl. My friendship toward you turned into something deeper. It blossomed into love. I think of you as my family, and I want—”

I choked off as Pearl threw herself into my arms, hugging me. I gathered my arms around her and let my tears fall.

God, I love this little girl so, so much.

“I love you, Pearl,” I whispered against the top of her head, repeating what I felt inside. I realized I would never tire of saying that to her, so she would always know how I felt inside.

“I love you, too,” she murmured between sobs.

I drew back, so I could see her face. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Jason leaning against the doorframe, silently watching the two of us.

“But, sweetie, I need to know this is what you want in your heart and that you’ll be happy here. I don’t want you to feel like you’re being forced to live with me.”

“I know I’ll be happy here,” she said quickly. “I’ve always wanted to be here with you, and now, Jason, too, than over there with Diane. But I didn’t know if you wanted me or if you were only taking me because you had to, like Diane did,” she trailed off.

I bit back a frown at her thoughts, knowing I would never think such a thing. I was doing this because I loved her. I lifted one hand to gently cup her cheek. “Of course I want you, Pearl.” I shook my head. “I want nothing more than for the three of us to be a family—a family that you deserve.” I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re a beautiful young girl with so much life ahead of you, and I’m honored to be a part of it with you.”

Jason strode over to us. Pearl immediately looked over at him, and I heard her breath catch in her throat. He knelt on the floor in front of us with his eyes on Pearl. I glanced at Pearl and noticed she was nervously biting her lip.

“So, you’re going to be my family now, too?” she asked Jason shyly.

“Yes, Pearl,” Jason agreed affectionately.

My heart swelled at the emotions reflecting in his eyes as he spoke to her.

“I want nothing more than to be a part of your life, to take care of you and Abbey.” He released a soft smile. “If you’ll have me…”

Pearl leaped off the bed, and her arms found their way around Jason’s neck. She hugged him tightly. “I love you, Jason,” she whispered, still embraced in his arms.

Jason’s eyes lifted to mine, and I could barely see him through my thick tears. His own eyes were glistening with moisture.

“I love you, too, Pearl,” he said, dropping his head and tightening his hold on her. “You and Abbey are my world.”

Jason tilted his head up and locked eyes with me, and he extended his right arm outward. I lowered myself to the floor and joined their embrace. As the three of us held each other, I felt every piece of me overflowing with love and a sense of belonging. I thanked the heavens for giving me these two beautiful people.

I had been blessed with falling in love with not only the man of my dreams, but also with a beautiful young girl who captured my heart at the same time. My life suddenly felt like a full circle. It was complete and whole.

Three Weeks Later

With all of Pearl’s adoption legalities finalized at last, tonight would be her first official night of living with Jason and me.

Jason had taken Pearl out for lunch and a trip to the local library, so Gail and I could rock out cleaning every room inside the condo.

The two of us cleaned every corner from floor-to-ceiling, so everything would be perfect for Pearl’s arrival this evening. A shiny banner that read,
Welcome Home, Pearl
, was carefully hanging from the living room ceiling. Pink and purple balloons were scattered throughout the condo. Catered food and cupcake trays covered nearly every inch of the kitchen counter.

Pleased with the outcome, I walked down the hallway to the old spare room that would now be Pearl’s bedroom. Leaning against the doorjamb, my gaze scanned over the new changes. All the walls had been painted a pastel pink. Jason and I had chosen a white bedroom set, including an armoire filled with princess dresses I’d ordered online. The matching bookshelf had storybooks of every Disney princess that I knew Pearl enjoyed to read.

My whole face glowed with happiness, trying to envision Pearl’s smile when she would see her new room for the first time. My eyes caught sight on a picture frame on her nightstand. I ambled over to pick up the frame, and I ran my fingers across the glass, smiling. The photograph was of Pearl, Jason, and me, all dog-piling on the couch before one of our regular Sunday movie nights during her visits. Happy tears spilled down my cheeks while thinking how much I looked forward to creating so many more memories with both of them.

I heard Gail’s footsteps followed by her voice from behind me. “All right, lady, every square foot of your home is sparkling!”

I blinked rapidly, hoping she hadn’t caught me crying, before I rotated to face her. She was smiling as she shook a bottle of Pledge in her hand.

“Thank you.” I kindly smiled over at her.

Her eyes were warm while she stopped alongside me. She glanced at the picture and then me. “Abbey, I’m so happy for you. I know how grueling the last two months were for you and Jason with Pearl’s adoption, but you made it. The three of you will always be together from this day forward.”

She shook her head, pondering briefly, as though gathering her words before she continued, “I’ll be honest. When you first told me you wanted to adopt Pearl, I thought it seemed like an unattainable goal. I was so worried for you. Thinking of the fight you’d have on your hands with Diane and the court system, you finding a happy ending seemed so far away.” She placed her hand on my shoulder and smiled at me affectionately. “But you reminded me that all good things, especially the people we love, are worth fighting for.”

I could barely see her tears because my own were overflowing down my face for the second time in only minutes.

“Thank you for that, Abbey.”

“No, thank you.
I could have never pulled this party off without your help.” I closed the space between us and hugged her.

She responded, “Anytime, Abbey. That’s what friends are for.”

I stepped back, still looking at my best friend. “Gosh, Gail, I love you, girl.”

“Love you, too, hon.” She sniffled and exhaled a shaky breath at the exact same time as me. Then, she waved her hand in the air. “All right, not another mushy word, or I’ll attack you with my Pledge if my eyes are all pink and puffy for tonight,” she teased, raising her brow and the bottle in her hand.

“Puffy eyes definitely don’t go well with makeup.” I laughed in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“Well, I better go home and get ready before everyone arrives.”

I gazed up at the pink clock next to Pearl’s bedroom door. “Yes, we better start getting ready. Guests will be arriving soon.”

After seeing Gail out, I took a quick shower, selected my favorite plum dress from my closet, and curled my hair, all the while counting down the minutes until my family and friends would be here for Jason’s and Pearl’s arrival.

Jason’s family was flying in from Colorado to meet Pearl, and my parents were beyond thrilled to welcome another grandchild into the family. Everyone had been extremely happy and supportive of our decision to adopt Pearl.

Just as I finished getting ready, the doorbell rang. I barely contained my shrieks of excitement as I hurried to open the door.

My mom and dad were standing on the other side.

“Where’s my eldest new granddaughter?” my dad said, looking around.

“It’s a surprise, Dad. She’ll be here soon.” I laughed and stepped forward to hug both of my parents.

Ryan and Kate arrived with a sleeping Annabel all nestled in her car seat. Kyle, Lily, and Gail came in next. Everyone exchanged hellos before congregating in the living room to wait.

When the doorbell rang again, I opened it to see Damon on the other side. Briefly meeting him at Kyle’s wedding had been busy and chaotic, so it seemed like this was really the first opportunity to get a good peep at him.

“Hello,” I said, offering Damon a kind smile.

I noticed right away that he was nearly as tall as Jason. They shared many similar traits, including their blue eyes, except Damon’s hair was chocolate brown. His broad figure filled out his white dress shirt.

Damon stepped forward, outstretching his hand to me. “Hi, Abbey. I’m Damon Johnson, Jason’s younger brother. We met at Lily’s wedding.”

His voice was much deeper than I remembered, but his tone was extremely friendly. I shook his hand and replied, “Yes, of course.”

An older couple ambled up behind him, and I assumed they were Damon and Jason’s parents.

Damon gestured to his mom and dad. “And these are our parents, Lucie and Dan.”

I smiled at the two of them and shook both of their hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

Dan said, “Hello.”

Lucie smiled at me. “Delighted to finally meet you, too, dear. We’ve heard so many wonderful things about you from Jason.” She glanced around and then back at me. “I hope we aren’t too late for the surprise yet?” she asked.

“You’re just in time.” I gestured everyone inside.

I quickly introduced Jason’s family to my own. Everyone shook hands and greeted one another.

When my eyes landed on Gail, I noticed hers were lingering on Damon. When she finally realized I was looking at her, I quirked an eyebrow at her in a secret-girl-code kind of way.

Gail blushed in response as she shook her head, and then she turned her attention to my mom and completely ignored me. I had to stifle my laughter.

She and I will definitely be talking about
that
later on.

I glanced at the wall clock to see that it was nearly time for Jason to arrive with Pearl, so everyone formed a line in the living room. Gail started handing out whistles and streamers to every individual.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed in the front mini pocket of my dress. I slid my finger across the screen to see a text from Jason.

In the parking lot! Be ready!

“They’re almost here!” I said, typing a quick response.

We’re ready!

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and walked over to stand next to my mom and dad with the rest of our family surrounding us. I heard the doorknob jingle, and I held my breath.

The front door slowly opened, revealing Pearl first with Jason at her side, holding her hand.

The sounds of whistles and streamers popping noisily reverberated throughout the condo. Pearl’s eyes widened, and her mouth gaped open as she skimmed the room. Then, her gaze darted between Jason and me. Her expression shifted into a loving huge smile.

Tears filled my eyes as I took a step forward. When I reached Pearl, I lowered down to her, as did Jason.

I took her free slender hand in mine. “Each of our families is now your family, too, and they’ll always be here for you, just like Jason and me.”

Pearl’s eyes beamed. “So, now, I get to stay with you…forever?”

“Forever,” Jason and I both said at the same time.

“Your home will always be with us.” I gently squeezed her hand. “We love you, Pearl.”

Pearl let go of both of our hands and threw her arms around Jason and me.