We’d been seeing them at school, but this was the first time we’d seen them after hours.
“We missed y’all too,” Mateo confessed.
“We missed you so much!” Miley added, hugging me.
“We missed y’all too,” I shared. “We’ve been working on some things for us and for you.”
My eyes locked with Stacy’s, and she smiled and nodded for me to continue. I told the kids to sit down, then we handed them the bags.
“Before y’all open those, be honest with us. How do you feel about moving to Virginia?” Jayla asked.
They both looked at Stacy. “Be honest,” she told them. “It’s okay.”
Miley nudged Mateo, as if she wanted him to speak for them. He huffed.
“Articulate yourself, son,” I directed. “Just like you do in my office. Tell us what your mind and heart tell you. You’re safe here.”
Mateo pulled in a deep breath and nodded slightly, as if he was hyping himself up.
“We like it here with Aunt Stacy and Uncle Mark, but they never have time for us.” Mateo looked at them. “Y’all are always at the hospital just like Dad was always at work. Only difference is, we have a lot of food and a babysitter here.”
“I like when we do stuff with Miss Anderson and Mr. Mathis,” Miley said. “It feels like a family, and I always wanted one of those like my friends have.”
Swallowing back my tears, I wrapped my arm around Jayla to keep her steady when I noticed her body swaying out the corner of my eye.
“And we don’t want to leave our schools and friends,” Mateo continued. “I don’t get bullied anymore because of my clothes and I’ve made some great friends. Plus I really like being in the gaming club.” His eyes shifted in my direction. “If I can stay here, I promise I’ll keep my grades up so I can stay in the club.”
Stacy explained that she was a gynecologist with her own practice, so she was almost always on call. A lot of her obstetrical patients were high risk because that was her specialty, so her hours were demanding. Mark would be medical director at a hospital when they moved, which was the highest level there, and it came with extra work and responsibility. I understood their lack of time and respected that they were even willing to step up the way they did.
“With our schedules, we won’t lie and make it seem like we’ll have all the time in the world for the kids,” Stacy confessed. “There are times we don’t see each other for days straight, and though we know that’s not the best environment for children, we were willing to do whatever we could for my niece and nephew.”
“Their situation here mirrors their home life with their father in a way we aren’t the proudest of,” Mark said. “They want for nothing with us except our presence and time. Right now, our careers require so much that we can’t be there the way we’d like, so . . .”
He motioned for us to speak.
“Okay, kiddos,” Jayla said. “Open your bags.”
They both pulled the wrapping paper out with haste. As they stared at the door hangers with their names on them, I almost spilled over with excitement.
“What are these for?” Mateo asked.
“We were hoping you’d put them on the doorknob of your new rooms . . . with us,” I said. “We got a new house, and we’d love for you to stay with us.”
“Yay!” Miley yelled, tossing the door hanger onto the couch and rushing toward us. She stretched her short arms wide to try and hug us both at the same time.
Mateo’s head hung and shoulders slouched. While Jayla held Miley, I walked over to the couch and sat next to him.
“Wassup, big man?” I asked softly.
“Are y’all for real?” Mateo sniffled. “Because if this isn’t for real?—”
“It is,” I interrupted him to say. “Now it’s up to you guys. Your grandmother can be your legal guardian and you only stay with us. That means she’ll have a say in what we do, and if anything ever comes up as far as school, or your health, or any legal matters, she will have the final say.”
“Or we can adopt you,” Jayla countered. “And you’ll be our little and big nuggets legally.”
“You’ll be my mommy?” Miley asked while Mateo wiped a tear.
“Yep, and Kayne will be your daddy.”
