Denver’s Cultural Center was packed with people. The auction was going great, more than expected. That was good. The more things we sold more money funds for the orphans.
In a couple of minutes they would finish the auction and I was feeling nervous. That was the time we chose to go inside with the kids and for them to see how adorable they are.
The charity sisters were all present, each one with two of the smaller kids, either carrying them or by the hand if they were older. They were all dressed in their finest clothes. As if they understood what this was about, not one single them was crying, whining or asleep. They were all calm and with eyes wide open.
Ashley was carrying the little guy in her arms; she had dressed him in a sailor’s suit and he looked so cute. He was holding her hair and babbling happily. Ashley however, was not happy at all, I could see that in her face; her lips were so tight that it seemed like a fine line and she was frowning. She was extremely tensed.
“Alison, it’s time.” Noah whispered in my ear.
I looked into his eyes to calm down a little. I took a deep breath and head towards the sister and my family, and I said aloud:
“Sisters and everyone else, remember that most people here are people who can’t have children for many reasons. Our goal tonight is to see for themselves these amazing kids, do whatever you have to do for them to get closer to them.
Everyone was looking attentively and nodded.
I headed towards the doubled door and opened it with Noah’s help. I took little Jennifer’s hand and I went inside. Everything was silent, people seemed to hold their breaths in and they were looking at me, at the sisters and at my family puzzled as we were getting closer.
“Sorry, could you watch Jennifer for a couple of minutes...I have to go over the microphone to say something.”
I pointed at the girl hiding behind me.
The woman took two steps closer.
“Of course, doctor, it will be my pleasure.” She agreed. Se kneeled at the girl’s height and said: “Hello Jennifer, my name is Mary. Would you come with me for a couple of minutes?”
The little girl looked at me as if waiting for my approval, I smiled and I nodded. She let go of my hand and went to Mary’s side that took her in her arms and turned towards her husband with a new spark in her eyes.
I got on stage and realized the microphone was very high and I didn’t know how to lower it down to my height and Noah came to my rescue. To be honest I didn’t like to talk in public, I was actually scared of it. He gave me a twisted smile, my favorite and I relaxed a little. I cleared my throat and raised my head to see the people before me. A light shone on me and I had everyone’s attention. Great, I thought.
“Goodnight everybody and thank you all for participating in the auction, this is to raise funds for the orphanage and I know you were not expecting this but, who better to thank you for this than them?”
People began to relax and started to murmur between them. Noah started to play the piano playing my melody. The beautiful notes mixed perfectly creating a warm feeling full of peace.
They were starting to feel comfortable with the kids and went to them. I went to help introduce some of them and people were delighted to see how well educated they were. Over my shoulder I could see how some of them carried the kids with tenderness. Everything was going perfect according to the plan. Noah kept playing various melodies and I was going back and forth answering the thousands of questions about the kids’ health.
“Doctor Bennet?” A woman called.
I turned to see it was Emily who was calling me and Teo was holding her by the waist. It was weird to find my high school friends here; I hadn’t seen them for years.
I smiled at them.
“Emily, Teo, How long has it been? What brings you here?” I asked curiously.
“He came to you because we want to adopt little Jennifer. You see, she’s my distant cousin’s daughter and we just found out she was here in Denver.” Emily answered.
“I didn’t know you were family. She’s over there.” I said pointing at a nun.
Emily went to look for her while Teo looked at me with a strange expression on his face. I noticed he wanted to tell me something but he didn’t know how.
“Teo, spill it.” I said.
“Alison, don’t get upset, OK? Daniel is waiting for you outside, he wants to talk to you.”
I tensed instantly and my heart was pounding.
“Tell him to leave, he is not welcomed here.” I said harshly and looked annoyed.
“I told him it was not a good idea to come and convinced him not to come in. But you know how he is, if you don’t go, he’ll come.” Teo replied.
I looked at him feeling alarmed. I certainly didn’t want that, not now and especially not on this special night.
“What does he want?” I asked nervously
He shrugged.
“To talk, nothing more.”
I looked around and saw Noah was still playing the piano and everyone else was busy, no one was paying attention.
“Take me with him.”
Instead of taking me to the front door, Teo took me to the back door, the employees’ door. They looked at us as if we were lost, but they kept doing their work.
We got out and I could feel the cold breeze in my face and it caused a chill run through my body. It was dark and my eyes had to adjust, I looked where Teo told me to. Daniel was leaning on a car with a calm posture; he had his arms crossed on his chest and Teo left saying that he had to go with Emily.
I looked at his face and his nose wasn’t as swollen anymore. But he was still bruised and there was a fine pink line underneath his eye. I did hit him hard and I had cut him with my engagement ring. I thought feeling satisfied and I smiled a little.
“I see that you’re happy to see me!” Dan said feeling hopeful.
“Actually no. I’m not happy to see you. I smiled because I’m glad I hit you hard enough that you’re still bruised and I can see that I cut you with my engagement ring.”
Daniel tensed at my words and he clenched his hands. I could see he was in pain. I closed his eyes a little and took a deep breath...several times, trying to calm himself.”
“Now tell me what you want.” I asked impatiently.
He relaxed and slowly looked into my eyes, his eyes were very sad and my heart shrunk.
“Alison, I came to ask you to let me see Ayleen, tomorrow.”
“That’s decision is not all up to me, I have to talk to Noah first...”
“What?! That’s crap...You know I can force you to let me see her, right?” He burst the words out. His attitude really hurt me.
“Yes. I know. And you’re still...immature as before! Now what? Blackmail again Dan? Or maybe...more threats? You’re not going to get anything from it! Ayleen is my daughter and Noah is her father and he decides whether you could see her or not. Do I make myself clear?”
We stared at each other for a couple of minutes. I could see that Daniel didn’t know how to get what he wanted anymore. He was suffering, I had no doubt, but so was I and I was not going to play along anymore.
“Please, you know better than anyone how much I love Ayleen. She is the light that lights up my miserable existence. The first time I saw her when she was born, I couldn’t imagine loving someone so much. Please let me see her, spend an afternoon with her at least, is she is happy, I am happy...it’s something a lot stronger than me...I really don’t understand it...but it’s true.”
He said it with distress and tears were streaming down his face and I couldn’t stand to see him like this.
“Daniel.” I swallowed hard.
Without even thinking about it I went to him and hugged him. He was a little surprised, but he didn’t hesitate and hugged me tightly. I didn’t want to see him in pain, to see him cry.
After all he did to me, in some way I still cared about him.
I got away from him and gave two steps back.
“I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll try.”
“Thank you, Alison, I will be waiting in the same place was always.”
I nodded. Daniel turned around and left. I stayed there staring into space, submerged in my thoughts.
A small part of me understood Dan perfectly. How was he supposed to be fine? He had always been there. First my arrival at Denver, he was the first friend I had. Then weekends at his beach house, where my father took me.
And after a little while as if it was something that was supposed to happen, we dated. It was a teenage type of love; two good friends together. No one was surprised when we came holding hands and with a silly smile on our faces.
Everything was so easy back then. Then he started hanging out with the wrong crowed and changed. I was so stubborn and was obsessed with the idea that they were not good people and forced him to do stuff he didn’t want to do. The day I saw him get arrested, was the day I made him choose between them or me. He chose them.
It was a low hit for me.
Time went by and I got into medical school. When I came back as a doctor and I saw him again I realized that it wasn’t real love I felt for him and I was relieved. He apologized and asked for a second chance. I refused of course and I offered my friendship which was the only thing I could give him. He continued our friendship as if nothing had ever happened. I thought he was my friends, how stupid of me.
“Alison, finally!” Someone said alarmed.
I turned to see Ann at the door, she looked at me cautiously.
“Yes, I’m here. You were looking for me?”
“Well of course! You’ve been missing for about an hour.”
An hour? I hadn’t noticed the time. I was so lost in my thoughts. I finally noticed my surrounding and realized I was frozen.
“Come on, don’t stay there, you’ll catch a cold.”
I did what she told me to and I went in with her. Immediately, I felt the heat and I shivered. I would be lucky if I didn’t catch a cold.
“Ashley left the little guy with Thomas a while ago to play piano as planned.”
“Was Noah looking for me?” I asked stopping in the hallway.
God, please no, I thought to myself. What if he saw me talking to Daniel? Even worse, what if he saw me hugging him? No...No...No! I had to see him before anything, explain. Fear over whelmed and my heart was pounding.
“Alison, what’s wrong? You’re so pale all of the sudden...” Ann said.
I explained what had happened and the fear I was having knowing I had such back luck that Noah had seen me. He could’ve misunderstood things.
“If you put it that way...But well...don’t worry about it, with a little luck he probably didn’t see you and you could explain everything first. After all nothing happened.” Ann answered with certainty.
“Ann, thank you for understanding.” I said.
She looked and smiled at me.
“Now! Let’s go before Ashley has a heart attack, it’s almost time.”
I looked at her suspiciously.
“A heart attack? What have I missed?”
“It’s part of my plan, to update you: When Ashely left to play the piano, she left the little guy with her husband to take care of him. Well, everything good up to that point. I saw Mrs. Butterfly look at the boy with her I want that kid look, all night.”
She giggled, I didn’t follow.
“So? Ann, what did you do? Tell me.” I asked eagerly.
“I went to tell her that the boy was an orphan and without a doubt would be the perfect boy for her since they both had the same eye color.”
She kept giggling.
“Ann, when Ashley realizes that they want to adopt the little guy, she wil...”
“Exactly! She will go crazy, just like a lion protecting her cub.” She replied finishing my sentence somewhat with the same words as I was thinking.
I took her by the arm and headed towards the hall where everybody was waiting, still giggling.
I looked around for Thomas and found him in the other side. Quickly I went to him trying to avoid people around me. He looked confused with his arms extended to Mrs. Butterfly. She was carrying the little one in her arms, actually checking every angle as if checking if he was missing something.
“Mrs. Butterlfy...Don’t do that, he’s not a puppet!” He complained worriedly.
He seemed like he was about to cry.
“10...9...8...” Ann was counting in a low voice by my side.
I looked at her puzzled. She was counting backwards.
“Alison!” Thomas was helpless.
I looked at him and went over.
“Thomas, why did you let her take the baby from you?” I murmured so only he could hear me.
“7...6...5...” Ann was still counting, it was frustrating.
“I didn’t let her! She grabbed him from me...” He was still complaining feeling completely helpless.
“Actually, I didn’t even see her coming. One moment he was in my arms and the next he was with her. Oh, look! She will choke him with those huge...melons!”
I turned and saw the woman squeezing the little guy with a lot of excitement against her chest, the little guy was turning his head to get some air. He didn’t seem happy and was going to cry any moment now. The woman didn’t stop touching him and telling him how cute he was and how much he looked like her...apparently she needed glasses.
“4...3...2...” Ann was still counting backwards and when she got to 1, the little guy screamed so loudly that everyone turned around to see what was happening.
At the same moment, it sounded as if someone who has never played piano before, pressed a whole bunch of keys at the same time. Ashley literally jumped out from the stage and just like Ann said, she was coming to the little guy’s rescue. He face was scary; she was frowning and she gave the woman a disgusted look, if looks could kill, she’d be dead by now.
I gave two steps back to give her space and I bumped into someone.
I turned to apologize and noticed it was Noah. I got closer and searched for his hand with my good hand, I squeezed it to get his attention. He looked down and I could see he was very upset. I tensed. He looked fixedly at me as if searching for a secret I might be hiding from him.
I knew right there that he had seen me and Daniel. I stared back because I wanted him to see I had nothing to hide, that I was his. Always.
I let go of his hand, grabbed him by the suit to force him to look into my eyes, and when he did I said:
“I love you and what happened before was nothing, I’ll explain everything later.” I looked at his beautiful eyes.
“Fine. You’ll explain later, but know that I almost killed him when I saw he hugged you.” He said the last words angrily.
“Are you jealous?” I replied.
I couldn’t believe he was jealous.
“Well...yeah.” He said looking away.
It was the first time I saw him like that. I pushed him closer and whispered in his ear with a lovely voice:
“I love seeing you jealous, love. You have no idea what that provokes in me right now...”
And I kissed his cheek. I felt him shake, he took me by the waist and pressed his lips against mine. He answered with a rough voice:
“Don’t tempt me or I’ll kidnap you right now.”
He gave me a quick kiss on the lips, I could see in his yes he wanted me, the night was going to be long and passionate.
“I have asked you nicely to hand him over before!” Thomas said and sounded upset.
We turned to see what was happening, apparently they were arguing.
Thomas had Ashley by the waist holding her back. She had her eyes fixed on the little guy with her arms open, ready to get him on the first opportunity she’d get. She was gasping aguishly.
Mrs. Butterfly looked at them confused by their attitude, she responded:
“I’m not giving you anything! Leave me alone, I have the right to spend a while with this little boy.”
“Please...at least carry him properly. Don’t squeeze him too hard.” Ashley begged desperately.
A little circle formed around them. Margaret, Cedric and Jeffrey went by their side. Everyone gathered to watch the scene.
“Are you trying to imply that I don’t know how to hold a baby?” The lady asked upset.
The boy started crying louder, he was leaning back and began to bubble and between sobbing, he was holding his arms out for Ashley. The word mama sounded so clearly that everyone stared astonished.
At that moment it was Thomas who growled like a papa bear and everyone stared at him.
There was only silence.
“Mrs. Butterfly. Let my son go if you don’t want to go flying out the window!” He threatened, his blue eyes shining with violence.
Right after he said that Ashley threw herself around his neck. Thomas put his arms around her and whispered something in her ear. We didn’t know what it was, but her eyes had a new spark to it. Ashley let go of Thomas and walked towards the lady and stood in front of her.
“Mrs. Butterfly. Give me my son before I take off your...filthy wig!”
Ashley said harshly, everyone knew she would do it. The lady’s face was beat red and began sweating.
“You wouldn’t dare...you are so rude.” Her voice was breaking.
I jumped in to clear things up.
“Mrs. Butterfly, I apologize for the confusion, but my sister-in-law already has the adoption papers, it’s just a matter of signing them and the truth is, this little boy shouldn’t be here tonight. I don’t know what happened, so I insist to give the baby to my sister-in-law if you don’t want to experience a very embarrassing moment.”
“Oh! What a wild family. Doctor I thought you’d be different, but I see that you’re the same.” She replied.
She gave me the baby harshly and turned around.
“Did she just call us wild? I can’t stand it anymore!” Ashley replied furiously chasing her and she took her wig off leaving her white and sweaty bald head for everyone to see.
The lady was screaming embarrassed and got out of there in a flash.
Everyone laughed and the mood relaxed instantly. Ashley came back to our side with a huge smile on her face. Thomas was looking at her, admiring her really.
“Baby, I’m in shock, I love to see you wild side...”
“No one messes with my family.” She replied.
Then she turned to me and lowered her head to look at the little guy, she looked at him tenderly.
The boy wasn’t crying anymore, he was a lot more relaxed.
“Come on, take you son into your arms.” I told her excitedly.
She looked at me thankful and excitedly as well.
With gentleness she took the little guy into her arms. The baby instantly cuddled with her putting his head against her neck. She gave him a kiss on the forehead and Thomas gave Ashley a kiss on the cheek. They looked extremely happy.
Later on, the sisters took the kids back to the orphanage as it was way too late for them. I told the Mother Superior not to worry about the little guy; that he had definitely found the perfect parents. She left feeling delighted. Noah, Jeffrey and my parents-in-law went to help them out. I stayed to dismiss everyone at the door.
My nose itched and I sneezed. I chill ran down my body and I was starting to feel cold.
“Shit...I caught a cold.” I murmured to myself.
Just my luck. Going out to the cold without a jacket on with this cold weather was really stupid of me, I nagged myself.
“Alison, everyone left already.” Noah told me when he came by my side.
“Let’s tell everyone to go home.”
At the end, the family was gathered around the entrance. Thomas cleared his throat loudly to get everyone’s attention.
“Family, let me introduce the new member of our family, our son: Christopher Aaron.”
“Oh!! I said with my eyes wide open at my surprise.
Ashley and Thomas were smiling, with the little guy in their arms. My sister-in-law looked radiant.
“I had been thinking about this hours before the event...of course it would be an honor if my son’s second name is the same one as yours. If that’s OK with you, of course.”
I felt tears in my eyes. I nodded incapable of saying anything. I had a huge knot in my throat due to the happiness I was feeling. When I was sure I could talk a little, I took a deep breath and said happily.
“Welcome to the family, Christopher Aaron!”