Chapter 1
~The Beginning~
Jerick leaned down and kissed his newborn baby girl on the forehead, then handed the sleeping baby to her mother, Jessi.
“Jess, I wish I didn’t have to leave you two here alone over night.”
“Hun, we will be fine” Jessi said looking down at her angel then up at her husband.
“I love you, Jess.” Jerick then gave her one last kiss and was off into the stormy night.
“Emalis, I sure hate seeing your daddy head off like this in a storm.”
Emalis briefly opened her eyes and shut them again, going back to sleep.
The next morning Jessi woke up to the ringing of the telephone. She ran to the phone hoping to hear from Jerick.
“Hello? She said into the receiver.
“Hello, is this Jessi, Jerick’s wife? A strange voice asked.
“Um, yeah, what is this all about, sire? Is Rick all right?” she started to sob before the voice on the other like could answer.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry to inform you that Rick got in a car accident and in serious condition at the hospital. He keeps asking where you and your baby is.”
“I-I’ll b-be right down.” Jessi was crying drastically clutching her baby tightly in her arms.
Jessi put Emalis in her car seat, and then she got in the driver’s seat of the care and slowly drove to the hospital.
Carrying the car seat in with her she walked to the counter and asked to see Jerick Sanderz.
“You must be Jessi Sanderz, Rick’s wife.” The secretary asked
“Yes, I am.” Jessi tried to keep her cool.
“Follow me.” The lady went down a hallway and then turned into Room #11. Setting the car seat down, she ran to her husband’s side.
“Rick?” She tried, not getting a response.
She grabbed Rick’s hand to see if he had a pulse. By that touch he opened his eyes.
“Jess?” His voice was weak.
“Yes, Rick! I’m here now.” Jessi wept because of Rick’s sorry body.
“W-W-Waa!” Emalis had awoken by all the tension in the room.
“Em’s crying, I’ll get her and be back by your side.” As soon as Emalis was in Jessi’s arms she stopped crying. Rick reached for his daughter. Jessi placed her in his arms.
“Em,” he started “Be a good girl growing up. I always wanted to be a father and now that I am I don’t get to see my little angel grow into a beautiful lady like her mama.”
“Rick, what are you saying?” Jessi asked not wanting to hear the answer he was about to give.
“Babe’, I’m not going to be around much longer. But please don’t be sad. Go on with life, raising Em, and just know, no matter what I will be with you in your heart. I love you, Jess! Rick then closed his eyes and went limp.
“He’s gone! HE’S GONE!!” Grabbing Emalis out of her father’s arms, she walked out of the room with her head down. When she got home she called Kate, her best friend.
“Kate?” Jessi asked in sobs.
“Jess, what’s wrong.” Kate asked concerned.
“Can you come over?” Jessi pleaded.
“Yeah, I’m on my way. Jessi, I will do anything for you.” The doorbell rang 10 minutes later.
“Come in.” Jessi’s voice was weak from crying all day.
“Jess, you look awful. Why have you been crying?”
Jessi explained everything to Kate as Kate held the baby.
“I’m so sorry, Jess, if there is anything I can do: I will do anything.”
“There is one thing.” Jessi looked at Emalis then Kate.
“What might that be:” Kate wondered.
“I know how you and Mike can’t have any children, Take and adopt Emalis; Raise her as your own daughter.”
“Jess, why?”
“I can’t be a mother alone. Emalis is special, please take her in.” Kate looked at the baby and the answered, “I’ll take hr, raiser her, and call her my own as you pleaded me to do so, but what will happen to you?”
“I don’t really know yet. I haven’t gotten that far, but I think I am going to leave and go far from here.” Kate hugged Jessi and then got Emalis’s things and left. Jessi couldn’t believe what she had just done. Now she felt all alone in the world. She laid on her bed and went to sleep.
~The Beginning~
Jerick leaned down and kissed his newborn baby girl on the forehead, then handed the sleeping baby to her mother, Jessi.
“Jess, I wish I didn’t have to leave you two here alone over night.”
“Hun, we will be fine” Jessi said looking down at her angel then up at her husband.
“I love you, Jess.” Jerick then gave her one last kiss and was off into the stormy night.
“Emalis, I sure hate seeing your daddy head off like this in a storm.”
Emalis briefly opened her eyes and shut them again, going back to sleep.
The next morning Jessi woke up to the ringing of the telephone. She ran to the phone hoping to hear from Jerick.
“Hello? She said into the receiver.
“Hello, is this Jessi, Jerick’s wife? A strange voice asked.
“Um, yeah, what is this all about, sire? Is Rick all right?” she started to sob before the voice on the other like could answer.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry to inform you that Rick got in a car accident and in serious condition at the hospital. He keeps asking where you and your baby is.”
“I-I’ll b-be right down.” Jessi was crying drastically clutching her baby tightly in her arms.
Jessi put Emalis in her car seat, and then she got in the driver’s seat of the care and slowly drove to the hospital.
Carrying the car seat in with her she walked to the counter and asked to see Jerick Sanderz.
“You must be Jessi Sanderz, Rick’s wife.” The secretary asked
“Yes, I am.” Jessi tried to keep her cool.
“Follow me.” The lady went down a hallway and then turned into Room #11. Setting the car seat down, she ran to her husband’s side.
“Rick?” She tried, not getting a response.
She grabbed Rick’s hand to see if he had a pulse. By that touch he opened his eyes.
“Jess?” His voice was weak.
“Yes, Rick! I’m here now.” Jessi wept because of Rick’s sorry body.
“W-W-Waa!” Emalis had awoken by all the tension in the room.
“Em’s crying, I’ll get her and be back by your side.” As soon as Emalis was in Jessi’s arms she stopped crying. Rick reached for his daughter. Jessi placed her in his arms.
“Em,” he started “Be a good girl growing up. I always wanted to be a father and now that I am I don’t get to see my little angel grow into a beautiful lady like her mama.”
“Rick, what are you saying?” Jessi asked not wanting to hear the answer he was about to give.
“Babe’, I’m not going to be around much longer. But please don’t be sad. Go on with life, raising Em, and just know, no matter what I will be with you in your heart. I love you, Jess! Rick then closed his eyes and went limp.
“He’s gone! HE’S GONE!!” Grabbing Emalis out of her father’s arms, she walked out of the room with her head down. When she got home she called Kate, her best friend.
“Kate?” Jessi asked in sobs.
“Jess, what’s wrong.” Kate asked concerned.
“Can you come over?” Jessi pleaded.
“Yeah, I’m on my way. Jessi, I will do anything for you.” The doorbell rang 10 minutes later.
“Come in.” Jessi’s voice was weak from crying all day.
“Jess, you look awful. Why have you been crying?”
Jessi explained everything to Kate as Kate held the baby.
“I’m so sorry, Jess, if there is anything I can do: I will do anything.”
“There is one thing.” Jessi looked at Emalis then Kate.
“What might that be:” Kate wondered.
“I know how you and Mike can’t have any children, Take and adopt Emalis; Raise her as your own daughter.”
“Jess, why?”
“I can’t be a mother alone. Emalis is special, please take her in.” Kate looked at the baby and the answered, “I’ll take hr, raiser her, and call her my own as you pleaded me to do so, but what will happen to you?”
“I don’t really know yet. I haven’t gotten that far, but I think I am going to leave and go far from here.” Kate hugged Jessi and then got Emalis’s things and left. Jessi couldn’t believe what she had just done. Now she felt all alone in the world. She laid on her bed and went to sleep.
Chapter 2
~16 years later~
6:00 A.M. already, I thought as my alarm went off. I pulled on my favorite pair of jeans and favorite pink and green stripe shirt. I combed my silky brown hair and put it in a ponytail then ran downstairs to get some breakfast.
“Dear, you look happy today, why such a happy face?” dad questioned.
“Dad, don’t you remember?” I asked
“I have a feeling I forgot something mighty important.” Dad looked bewildered.
“It’s my birthday today! Surely you didn’t forget that.”
“You think your dad would forget about his only daughter’s birthday? Emalis, would I do a thing like that?”
“Well it appears that way.” I shrugged.
“I didn’t forget! Happy 16th birthday honey!” He handed me a tiny box that was wrapped. Mom walked in the room and told me I could open it. Tarring off the paper I found a locket with my name on it, and a piece of paper at the bottom of the box.
“Em?” mom tried with a concerned tone in her voice.
“Yeah mom?” I inquired.
“Before you open that note or the locket, your father and I have something to tell you.”
“We aren’t your real parents.”
As they continued their story about Jerick and Jessi my ‘real parents,’ I started to cry. Strangely as it seems, I remember this story. But I thought all it was, was a dream A dream I have had for the past 16 years and always the same one.
“Now that you know the truth, you can open the locket.” Mom said.
I opened it and inside was a picture of a lady and a man on one side and my parents now on the other side.
“Those people on the one side are you mom and dad.” Dad nodded to the locket.
I reached for the box and took out the note, unfolded it, then read the writing quietly to myself.
Emalis,
Today is your 16th birthday, and you have just found out about me, your lousy mother.
I’m sorry, Em, Please forgive me. At the time I did what I thought was right. I do believe that you were able to be raised better than I would have been able to do, alone without your father. Don’t forget that I still love you. I hope you can come live with me, but it is your choice.
Love your mom’s friend,
Jessi.
I read and then reread the note.
“So am I going to go down to her house this summer?” I asked not knowing what else to say.
“We were thinking on having you go down for the summer yes but also the school year. Then you can come down to visit. We believe that you should go live with Jessi, now that she is ready to take care of you.” Dad answered.
“Who knows, you might like it there.” Mom added.
“I don’t want to leave you two, and my friends to live with some stranger. “ I yelled stomping up to my bedroom.
Lying on my bed I remembered I still had the locket in my hand. Opening it I examined the two pictures again. First I looked at the one of my parents now, then the one of my birth parents. Yeah, I can tell that they are my birth parents compared to the ones I grew up knowing. I look like them. I guess I will go see Jessi. I pulled out my suitcase and started stuffing everything I could inside it. I walked into my parent’s bedroom where I saw my mom crying.
“What’s the matter, mom?” I asked.
“I have decided that you don’t have to go. It’s your choice.” Mom wiped the tears away from her eyes.
“I decided I am going to go, in fact, I’m already packed, so all I need is a way to get there.”
“Your dad is going to take you to Jessi’s house. She lives in Idaho Falls. I think that you will like it there.
“uh, thanks mom.” I gave her a hug.
“Oh, and don’t forget to e-mail me and keep me updated on what’s going on, okay?” She got serious again.
“I promise I will write, but I’m not going to write every day so don’t get worried if I don’t reply very fast.” I smiled and then went to get my things to put them in the truck.
Chapter 3
~Meeting Jessi and Jason~
The car ride was long and uneventful. It was good to have time with my father though. Dad drove into this fancy neighborhood. That had huge houses. As we were driving into the driveway of a beautiful blue house with white trim, I saw a lady coming out of the house.
Jessi had light brown had light brown wavy hair that was past her shoulders, shiny hazel eyes and a smile that would brighten anybodies day. I am definitely her daughter. At first I thought I was looking into the eyes of future me.
“Emalis, this is Jessi.” Dad introduced.
“Hello, Jessi?” I said not knowing what else to say.
“My dear Emalis, is that really you? Oh you are so beautiful. You remind me of me when I was your age. It’s a pleasure to finally see my girl after 15 years.” Jessi chimed excitedly. “Please come in and make yourself at home, after all it will be your home for awhile.”
She led me into the house. As soon as I walked inside I noticed that it was as beautiful as it was on the outside.
“Go upstairs and your room is the first one to the right.” She told me.
“Bye daddy.” I ran and gave him a hug then ran upstairs to check out my room.
“Jessi, I love it! Thank you.” I hollered down the stairs.
My room was huge. It was painted pink and green, which I don’t know how she knew my two favorite colors. I went to the window in time to see my dad drive off in his green truck. After he left I saw a boy probably around the age of 16-17, on the sidewalk just standing there looking at the house. This boy had short silky light brown hair that was spiked. He was skinny and was wearing a nice polo shirt that showed off some muscle in his arms with neat dark blue jeans on for bottoms.
This boy happened to glance up at the window and then started walking up the pathway to the front door. Then I heard the doorbell ring. Oh crap, what does this boy want with me? I’m the new girl and he is the perfect guy that any girl would fall for. I know I already have.
“Hi, Jessi.” I heard this voice that sent an odd sensation into my body. The voice was so melodious and it sounded as if an orchestra was playing.
“Oh, Jason. You made super timing. My Daughter, Emalis is here to stay for a while. Do you remember me talking about her?”
“Yes, I was wondering if I could meet her.” He smiled.
“Emalis, I have somebody I would like you to meet.”
I walked slowly down the stairs into the living room where the other two were. AS I walked in, Jason stood up and bowed. When he did that I figured that this was all a dream because this Jason person is exactly what I pictured as my prince charming. Another thing that hit me funny was that boys now days aren’t this polite? He took my hand and kissed it.
“Emalis, this is Jason Rose. He lives down the street from me. He does housework and other stuff for me. He actually has been quite eager to meet you.” Jessi explained.
“That is quite true actually. I’m glad I could finally meet you.” He smiled showing his small dimples which made his smile even cuter. And his eyes that were blue green sparkled.
“Em, why don’t you take Jason to your room and you can unpack while you get acquainted. I need to get dinner ready.” Jessi walked into the kitchen leaving the two of us in awkward silence.
“Jessi’s right, I do need to unpack.” I got up and started heading for the stairs.
“Emalis, May I come with you?” Jason pleaded.
“Yeah, you can if you want to come.” I answered shyly. When we got to the room I went right to work so I didn’t stare at Jason.
“So, why don’t you call Jessi, mom, she is your mother. And why don’t you live with her? Do you live with your dad?” questions were coming from his mouth before I could even answer one of them.
“Oh, Wow, slow down, one question at a time. Okay, first of all, yes she is my birth mother, but I just met her today and the first time I even heard of her was yesterday, on my 16th birthday. I don’t know what to call her. No, I live with the two people that I thought were my parents all these years. That is a story you are going to have to ask Jessi, she could do a better job at telling it than I can. I actually have pictures of both sets of parents. ” I reached for the locket around my neck, and then opened it to show him.
“Ah…I see.”
“Hey Jason, Are you staying for dinner?” I asked him.
“It depends.”
“Depends on what?” I questioned.
“…If you want me to or not.” He replies.
“Sure put all the pressure on me.” I folded my arms. “Are you sure I’m the person that it depends on? If it were up to me I would definitely say yes. But shouldn’t you talk to Jessi about that though; after all this is her house.”
“No, it is up to YOU, she said that I could if YOU said it was ok.”
“That’s settled then, you are eating dinner here.” I commented then sat on the bed next to him.
“You know? There isn’t anybody quite like you.”
“Of course there’s not; everybody’s unique you know.” He smirked.
“That’s not what I meant.” I glared at him and he just chuckled.
This boy has a sense of humor and is very polite! I really like him. I thought to myself.
“Dinner is ready.” Jessi called up the stairs.
Jason jumped right to his feet and then asked me:
“May I lead you to the kitchen?” He reached out his hand to grab mine. Blushing I took his hand. He hoisted me up off the bed and we headed down stairs. When I saw Jessi I let go of his hand.
During dinner, Jessi told us the story of how she gave me to my parents. Jason and I listened very intently.
“Oh, the sun is going down, I better be going. Thanks for dinner, Jessi. And I’m glad that your daughter is here now.”
Turning to me he then told me he was certainly coming tomorrow. He then kissed me on the cheek and left. My expression went from a big smile to a frown.
“What’s wrong?” Jessi asked
“He had to leave.” I answered still in a daze.
“He’ll be back tomorrow.” Jessi said in a chuckle.
~16 years later~
6:00 A.M. already, I thought as my alarm went off. I pulled on my favorite pair of jeans and favorite pink and green stripe shirt. I combed my silky brown hair and put it in a ponytail then ran downstairs to get some breakfast.
“Dear, you look happy today, why such a happy face?” dad questioned.
“Dad, don’t you remember?” I asked
“I have a feeling I forgot something mighty important.” Dad looked bewildered.
“It’s my birthday today! Surely you didn’t forget that.”
“You think your dad would forget about his only daughter’s birthday? Emalis, would I do a thing like that?”
“Well it appears that way.” I shrugged.
“I didn’t forget! Happy 16th birthday honey!” He handed me a tiny box that was wrapped. Mom walked in the room and told me I could open it. Tarring off the paper I found a locket with my name on it, and a piece of paper at the bottom of the box.
“Em?” mom tried with a concerned tone in her voice.
“Yeah mom?” I inquired.
“Before you open that note or the locket, your father and I have something to tell you.”
“We aren’t your real parents.”
As they continued their story about Jerick and Jessi my ‘real parents,’ I started to cry. Strangely as it seems, I remember this story. But I thought all it was, was a dream A dream I have had for the past 16 years and always the same one.
“Now that you know the truth, you can open the locket.” Mom said.
I opened it and inside was a picture of a lady and a man on one side and my parents now on the other side.
“Those people on the one side are you mom and dad.” Dad nodded to the locket.
I reached for the box and took out the note, unfolded it, then read the writing quietly to myself.
Emalis,
Today is your 16th birthday, and you have just found out about me, your lousy mother.
I’m sorry, Em, Please forgive me. At the time I did what I thought was right. I do believe that you were able to be raised better than I would have been able to do, alone without your father. Don’t forget that I still love you. I hope you can come live with me, but it is your choice.
Love your mom’s friend,
Jessi.
I read and then reread the note.
“So am I going to go down to her house this summer?” I asked not knowing what else to say.
“We were thinking on having you go down for the summer yes but also the school year. Then you can come down to visit. We believe that you should go live with Jessi, now that she is ready to take care of you.” Dad answered.
“Who knows, you might like it there.” Mom added.
“I don’t want to leave you two, and my friends to live with some stranger. “ I yelled stomping up to my bedroom.
Lying on my bed I remembered I still had the locket in my hand. Opening it I examined the two pictures again. First I looked at the one of my parents now, then the one of my birth parents. Yeah, I can tell that they are my birth parents compared to the ones I grew up knowing. I look like them. I guess I will go see Jessi. I pulled out my suitcase and started stuffing everything I could inside it. I walked into my parent’s bedroom where I saw my mom crying.
“What’s the matter, mom?” I asked.
“I have decided that you don’t have to go. It’s your choice.” Mom wiped the tears away from her eyes.
“I decided I am going to go, in fact, I’m already packed, so all I need is a way to get there.”
“Your dad is going to take you to Jessi’s house. She lives in Idaho Falls. I think that you will like it there.
“uh, thanks mom.” I gave her a hug.
“Oh, and don’t forget to e-mail me and keep me updated on what’s going on, okay?” She got serious again.
“I promise I will write, but I’m not going to write every day so don’t get worried if I don’t reply very fast.” I smiled and then went to get my things to put them in the truck.
Chapter 3
~Meeting Jessi and Jason~
The car ride was long and uneventful. It was good to have time with my father though. Dad drove into this fancy neighborhood. That had huge houses. As we were driving into the driveway of a beautiful blue house with white trim, I saw a lady coming out of the house.
Jessi had light brown had light brown wavy hair that was past her shoulders, shiny hazel eyes and a smile that would brighten anybodies day. I am definitely her daughter. At first I thought I was looking into the eyes of future me.
“Emalis, this is Jessi.” Dad introduced.
“Hello, Jessi?” I said not knowing what else to say.
“My dear Emalis, is that really you? Oh you are so beautiful. You remind me of me when I was your age. It’s a pleasure to finally see my girl after 15 years.” Jessi chimed excitedly. “Please come in and make yourself at home, after all it will be your home for awhile.”
She led me into the house. As soon as I walked inside I noticed that it was as beautiful as it was on the outside.
“Go upstairs and your room is the first one to the right.” She told me.
“Bye daddy.” I ran and gave him a hug then ran upstairs to check out my room.
“Jessi, I love it! Thank you.” I hollered down the stairs.
My room was huge. It was painted pink and green, which I don’t know how she knew my two favorite colors. I went to the window in time to see my dad drive off in his green truck. After he left I saw a boy probably around the age of 16-17, on the sidewalk just standing there looking at the house. This boy had short silky light brown hair that was spiked. He was skinny and was wearing a nice polo shirt that showed off some muscle in his arms with neat dark blue jeans on for bottoms.
This boy happened to glance up at the window and then started walking up the pathway to the front door. Then I heard the doorbell ring. Oh crap, what does this boy want with me? I’m the new girl and he is the perfect guy that any girl would fall for. I know I already have.
“Hi, Jessi.” I heard this voice that sent an odd sensation into my body. The voice was so melodious and it sounded as if an orchestra was playing.
“Oh, Jason. You made super timing. My Daughter, Emalis is here to stay for a while. Do you remember me talking about her?”
“Yes, I was wondering if I could meet her.” He smiled.
“Emalis, I have somebody I would like you to meet.”
I walked slowly down the stairs into the living room where the other two were. AS I walked in, Jason stood up and bowed. When he did that I figured that this was all a dream because this Jason person is exactly what I pictured as my prince charming. Another thing that hit me funny was that boys now days aren’t this polite? He took my hand and kissed it.
“Emalis, this is Jason Rose. He lives down the street from me. He does housework and other stuff for me. He actually has been quite eager to meet you.” Jessi explained.
“That is quite true actually. I’m glad I could finally meet you.” He smiled showing his small dimples which made his smile even cuter. And his eyes that were blue green sparkled.
“Em, why don’t you take Jason to your room and you can unpack while you get acquainted. I need to get dinner ready.” Jessi walked into the kitchen leaving the two of us in awkward silence.
“Jessi’s right, I do need to unpack.” I got up and started heading for the stairs.
“Emalis, May I come with you?” Jason pleaded.
“Yeah, you can if you want to come.” I answered shyly. When we got to the room I went right to work so I didn’t stare at Jason.
“So, why don’t you call Jessi, mom, she is your mother. And why don’t you live with her? Do you live with your dad?” questions were coming from his mouth before I could even answer one of them.
“Oh, Wow, slow down, one question at a time. Okay, first of all, yes she is my birth mother, but I just met her today and the first time I even heard of her was yesterday, on my 16th birthday. I don’t know what to call her. No, I live with the two people that I thought were my parents all these years. That is a story you are going to have to ask Jessi, she could do a better job at telling it than I can. I actually have pictures of both sets of parents. ” I reached for the locket around my neck, and then opened it to show him.
“Ah…I see.”
“Hey Jason, Are you staying for dinner?” I asked him.
“It depends.”
“Depends on what?” I questioned.
“…If you want me to or not.” He replies.
“Sure put all the pressure on me.” I folded my arms. “Are you sure I’m the person that it depends on? If it were up to me I would definitely say yes. But shouldn’t you talk to Jessi about that though; after all this is her house.”
“No, it is up to YOU, she said that I could if YOU said it was ok.”
“That’s settled then, you are eating dinner here.” I commented then sat on the bed next to him.
“You know? There isn’t anybody quite like you.”
“Of course there’s not; everybody’s unique you know.” He smirked.
“That’s not what I meant.” I glared at him and he just chuckled.
This boy has a sense of humor and is very polite! I really like him. I thought to myself.
“Dinner is ready.” Jessi called up the stairs.
Jason jumped right to his feet and then asked me:
“May I lead you to the kitchen?” He reached out his hand to grab mine. Blushing I took his hand. He hoisted me up off the bed and we headed down stairs. When I saw Jessi I let go of his hand.
During dinner, Jessi told us the story of how she gave me to my parents. Jason and I listened very intently.
“Oh, the sun is going down, I better be going. Thanks for dinner, Jessi. And I’m glad that your daughter is here now.”
Turning to me he then told me he was certainly coming tomorrow. He then kissed me on the cheek and left. My expression went from a big smile to a frown.
“What’s wrong?” Jessi asked
“He had to leave.” I answered still in a daze.
“He’ll be back tomorrow.” Jessi said in a chuckle.
