Six months later….
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Jennifer asked as Riley pulled the car to a stop alongside the local park.
They were on their way to meet Angela, Richard, and Justin for a picnic. So far, Riley had avoided allowing her two worlds to collide. Her relationship with Jennifer was still in its early stages, and so was repairing her bond with her mother, father, and brother. So far, she hadn’t found the right time to have them all meet, and she was nervous about today. The reality of having everything she ever wanted was within her grasp, but she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. She never thought her mother would contact her again, or that Jennifer would finally admit her love for her, so having all of this happen was a bit much for her to take. It was time, though.
Jennifer and Riley had completed the nursery, and Riley spent most of her time at Jennifer’s house. They were even talking of her moving in permanently. They both still felt Kelsey’s absence, but having Emily made them feel as if she were still with them, at least in spirit.
Riley was shocked to learn she had a lot in common with Richard, and gradually their relationship had improved. They were bonding on restoring on an old Ford Cortina together. Justin helped too, and Riley was thrilled she could teach him things about cars.
Yes, it was time they all met.
She turned to Jennifer and laced their fingers together. “I’m sure.” She kissed her sweetly on the mouth. “You all know about each other and I can’t wait to have my family complete.”
“Thank you for not giving up on me.”
“Never. I love you. Even if you’re too stubborn for your own good.” Riley kissed her again and Emily took this opportunity to let out a giggle. “You get Emily and I’ll grab the rest.”
They exited the car, and after gathering everything up, they strolled across the grass to where they could see Justin chasing after Richard.
“They’re here!” Justin cried as he spotted them. He ran up to Riley and hugged her as best he could, considering she was loaded down with blankets, picnic basket, and Emily’s travel bag.
“Hey, kiddo.”
Angela and Richard came over to them, and after Riley dropped all the gear onto the grass, she made introductions. She took Emily from Jennifer and said, “And this little monster is Emily.”
“Aw, she’s so cute.” Angela glanced up at Jennifer. “Is it okay if I hold her?”
“Of course.”
Riley handed her over and was embarrassed to feel tears fill her eyes at the sight of her mother cradling Emily, and Justin reaching up to stroke the soft, fine hairs on her head.
“Are you okay?” Jennifer asked.
“Yes. Happy tears.” And they were. Riley couldn’t believe she’d waited this long to introduce them all to each other. She took a moment to gather herself and set about spreading out the blanket and laying out the food.
Justin came over to her to help. “Riley?”
“Yes, kiddo?”
“Is Emily my niece?”
Wow. How do I answer that? She turned frantic eyes to Jennifer, who had obviously heard the question, because she smothered a smile. She looked to Justin, taking a moment to think about what she would say. How do you explain to a nine-year-old the ins and outs of biology?
Jennifer saved her from floundering by kneeling next to Justin and saying, “Yes, Justin, she is.”
Riley stared at her, dumbfounded. They had never really spoken about who was what to whom. But it didn’t matter. Emily would always know who Kelsey was and who Riley and Jennifer were to her. Yes, they would raise her, but Riley had no thought of calling herself a mother.
Jennifer continued. “Do you know where babies come from?” Justin nodded and pointed to Jennifer’s stomach. “That’s right, except Emily came from my sister’s belly.”
“Where is she?”
“She died,” Jennifer replied in a soft voice.
“Oh.”
“Riley and my sister were best friends, and Riley is my girlfriend. Do you know what that means?”
“Like Mummy and Daddy?”
“Exactly. So, Riley and I will be looking after Emily like your mummy and daddy look after you, so that makes us her two mummies. Understand?”
“Okay.” Seemingly satisfied with the explanation, he ran off to play football with his dad.
Riley blew out a breath. “Thank you.”
Jennifer took her hand, her gaze settling on Angela, who was still cooing over Emily. “You looked a little out of your depth there.”
“I was.” She kissed Jennifer on her cheek. “Is it true, what you said? We’re her mummies?”
Jennifer turned to her and stroked her cheek. “Yes, sweetheart. She is our daughter. It’s not the way I thought this would go, but Kelsey is gone, and we need to bring Emily up as ours. She will always know Kelsey, we’ll make sure of that, but we need to be the best parents we can be to her.”
Riley thought over her words. She thought she should feel guilty for stepping into Kelsey’s shoes, but she didn’t. She felt proud Jennifer trusted her to be a parent to Emily and lucky she had Jennifer’s love. The road ahead would no doubt be difficult, but she knew that it would be worth it. Jennifer and Emily were worth it. She would do her best to be the greatest parent, lover, daughter, and sister she could be.
She leaned back onto her hands, stretching out her legs as she watched Jennifer and Angela play with Emily, and Richard and Justin kicking the ball between them.
Life was good, she decided. There were things she wished she could change, but it would be futile to wish for what she couldn’t have. She had to accept that fate brought her to this day, and she was going to love every minute of it.
Justin’s voice sailed over to her. “Hey, Riley? You want to play?”
“Definitely.”
She stood, and after kissing Jennifer on her head as she passed, she sprinted off to enjoy her family, and the rest of her life.
The End