Alex, lets put Ellie in the childrens home!
Have you lost your mind? How can we put her there? Alex looks at his wife, stunned.
Exactly, put her there! Jane tosses her curly hair. Our own baby is on the way, why keep someone else?
Jane! Thats why Im saying thisGod is rewarding us for helping that little orphan find a family! You were the one who pushed for adopting her!
I never thought wed have our own child, thats why I insisted. Whats a family without children?
Fiveyearold Ellie stands in the doorway of her parents bedroom, unable to believe what shes hearing. She isnt their own? They want to send her back to the childrens home? Tears spring from her eyes. She had been thrilled about the soontoarrive brother or sister and now, because of that, she will lose her parents!
Sensing something, Alex gets up from the bed and walks toward the door. Behind it, Ellie sobs.
Dad, am I not your real daughter? her big eyes plead at Alex.
Of course not, sunshine! Alex scoops her up. Youre my daughter!
But you said you wanted to send me back to the home! So Im not yours? Ellie sniffles, wiping her cheeks.
Yes, we took you in, but that doesnt mean you arent ours. We love you dearly! Mum is just hormonal from the pregnancy Let me put you to bed.
Ill leave you and youll never see the baby! Jane shouts. I want a proper family, no strangers!
Jane, calm down! There are no strangers here! Alex tries to soothe her. Ellie is our daughter too!
I didnt give birth to her! Shes not my child! Janes anger grows. Choose: me or her!
Alex helps Ellie pack her things.
Youll stay with Grandma for a while so Mum can relax, he tells his daughter. The baby will be born, Mum will feel better, and well take you back, okay?
Ellie nods. Shed do anything to avoid the childrens home. Besides, she loves Grandma. Grandma Margaret is kind and always offers Ellie a treat.
Grandma, if Mum tries to send me to the home, can I stay with you instead? Ellie asks as she steps inside.
Margaret looks at her son, who smiles helplessly. Janes hormones are acting up!
Of course, my dear! Margaret helps Ellie change. Mum wont really hand you over youre her daughter! Shes just saying that out of stress.
Two months pass and Ellie lives with Grandma. Alex visits less often, torn between his job at the hospital and caring for Jane, who is still in bed.
One morning, while Margaret prepares breakfast, Ellie watches from the window. She spots her fathers car and cries out,
Daddy! Youre here!
That early? Margaret frowns. Alex never arrives before noon. Sensing something wrong, she tells Ellie to stay in the kitchen and goes to meet him.
Jane passed away last night. She went into labour and couldnt make it the baby didnt survive either, Alex says, dropping onto the hallway bench, exhausted.
The three of them sit at the kitchen table, the tea long gone cold.
Mum, Im taking Ellie back home. Its time she returns, Alex says.
If you need a place to stay, I can put you up, Margaret asks, looking at her son.
Thanks, Mum Alex replies.
Ellie looks at the new school uniform ribbons with excitement. Soon shell be a proper pupil, with a crisp blazer and a bright backpack waiting for her.
A door creaks open. Alex arrives, but he isnt alone. A petite, slender woman stands beside him.
Ellie, meet Lily. Shell be living with us, Alex announces with forced cheer.
Hello, Ellie! Lily smiles gently, extending a small bouquet. Its for you on the first day of school.
Hi Ellie grunts, ignoring the flowers and marching to her room.
Dont be upset, Alexs voice follows, addressing Lily. Shes actually a very sweet girl.
Im sure well become friends, Lily replies.
Ellie slams her bedroom door shut, thinking, Right, good luck!
Alex and Lily soon marry. A promotion soon pulls Alex away on endless trips, leaving most of Ellies care to Lilys frail shoulders. Lily does everything she can: helps with homework, attends parentteacher meetings, takes Ellie to the cinema and cafés. Gradually, Ellie warms to her stepmother, and the house settles into a calm routine.
The school year ends with another happy surpriseLily is pregnant. The news hits Ellie like a blow. She locks herself in her room and cries for hours. Lily stands at the door, pleading,
Ellie! Please stop crying! I love you and Ill never give you away! Well always be together! Youre my favourite girl!
Really? Ellie emerges, eyes still red.
Of course! Lily embraces her. Youre my own child now! Ill never let anyone take you!
Months later, Ellie holds her baby brother, amazed at how tiny he is.
Mum! Look how funny he is! Ellie accidentally calls Lily Mum. Lily, hiding tears of joy, hugs her.
Two more years pass. Ellie is in Year4 when tragedy strikesAlex dies in a car crash. Ellie and Lily fall into a silent routine, caring for baby Colin and barely speaking, their grief spilling into tears at the slightest sound. Colin, too young to understand, whines and throws tantrums.
One night, after Colin falls asleep, Lily sits beside Ellie and says,
Ellie, this cant go on forever. We have to keep living. We cant bring Dad back, but life moves on. Lets stop hurting ourselves, okay?
Okay, Ellie agrees, realizing Lily is right.
Just as they decide to move forward, a knock sounds at the door. A stern woman introduces herself as a childservices inspector, demanding that Ellie be placed in a childrens home because she has no parents.
How? Me? Lily protests.
Show us the adoption papers! the inspector demands. No papers exist. Thats the problem. Grandmother is too old to support her, and youre not her legal guardians! Pack your things, Elena!
Unlike Lily, Ellie doesnt cry. She feels numb; her worst nightmare has come trueshes alone.
Ill get you out of there! Lily shouts, but Ellie doesnt believe her. Who needs an orphan? When Dad was alive she was loved. Now hes gone, Lily has her own child, and no one seems to care for her.
Lily visits the childrens home regularly, but Ellie shuts the door. She watches Lily sit on a bench waiting, never approaching. Over time Lilys visits become rarer, then she disappears altogether.
Thats it! Ive played mother enough! Ellie thinks with a bitter smile.
Two months later, a boisterous boy named Vinnie, the local troublemaker, peers into her room.
Ellie! The headmistress wants to see you! he announces. What does she want? I didnt do anything wrong!
Congratulations, Elena, youve been placed with a family! the headmistress declares, though its hardly a family.
I dont want any family! Ellie declares gloomily. Im unlucky with families!
Luck or not, youll sort it out later. Now pack your things and go meet your new parents!
Ellie obediently walks away, again indifferent to what lies ahead.
Outside the childrens home stands Lily.
What are you doing here? Ellie asks flatly.
Im here for you
Ive already been adopted
Thats me.
You? Ellie cant hide a flicker of hope.
Yes! I told you Im your real mother and I wont give you away! Its just that single mothers rarely get adoption help, but Ive managed to secure a decent life for you, and, thank goodness, bribes still work So were a proper family now! Lets go home, Colin misses you!
Lets go Mum.
