The threats I mentioned that Daniel had received actually targeted Kara. Daniel did not want to make that open knowledge, so the children did not know. As the days and weeks past, Reese and Ron seem to spend as much time with Kara as they could. Daniel had asked the adults in the family if we could help. Daniel felt having the two former Rangers around made Kara safer. I am sure it certainly did, even Charles Sampson and his wife would watch over Kara if Ron and Reese were not available. Kara and Reese seem to bond, they both have a lot in common.
Ron and Reese’s house was completed, and Kara spent a lot of time there along with a lot of the family. Kara helping Reese ready her home for her parents and her baby. Kara a natural at interior decorating it seemed her skill was choosing the perfect furnishings for any room.
It was not until Reese’s mother and father were due, that we found out they adopted her when she was nearly ten years old. She had come to the state as an infant, and placed in a foster home. Reese had decided to do some digging now that she had the means. She had a lawyer petition the courts for all information about her birth parents, and the early records of her time in the system.
I knew my father had grown up in foster homes, which is actually, where he met Mom. She had lost my grandparents when she was sixteen and she met my father as they were in the same foster home.
As was our tradition at Saturday morning breakfast, we would allow anyone to discuss something important to him or her. Reese finally brought it up, what she was doing. She had asked Mom if she thought her mother would be upset at finding out that she was looking for her birth parents. Mom insured Reese that she should not be too upset, as long as she still knew that Reese loves her.
Reese confesses, “All I really want to do is find out why. I understand about some women not having the means to take care of their child. I do not even know anything about my birth mother, I do not know if she gave me up, or died. I have always wondered. It is not something that I thought I could ever afford to find out. That has changed, now that I can afford it I really want to know.”
Two weeks later, we have all the documentation and found out that Reese is parents died, that was the reason she was in the custody of the state. The amazing thing about it was that Reese have an older brother. He was in the system too, and her lawyer had gotten the records. Her brother’s name is John Joseph Mayfield, and Mom heard that she passed out. It was surreal; she acted the same way the day I told her about my wealth. When she come to, she had a short story to tell us.
Mom begins, “Back when I was sixteen, I lost my parents and was placed in a foster home. That is where I met my Joseph, JJ’s father. We were both placed in the Meyer home, and Joseph had been there for most of his life. John Mayer became my foster father for the two years I lived at the home. When Joseph turned eighteen, the Meyers adopted him. Financially they needed the money the state granted for him, but once he was eighteen that ended. At that point, he took the name Meyer, no longer using his birth name of Mayfield. Reese am very sorry, but I am sure I am your sister-in-law. Joseph told me he had a little sister, the courts would not allow us any information on her. You would have been about eleven when Joseph started his search.”
Reese is shaking as she pulls my mother into a hug. It is only a few seconds before Reese begins to sob. Mom, Ron and I attempt to console her. It must be hard finding out you have a brother only to lose him in ninety-three seconds. That was way too quick to find out you have a brother, and he is dead. Reese actually cried for quite a long time, Sam and Crystal have tears and begin trying to comfort their Aunt Reese. Sam says, “It is okay Aunt Reese, you got us.”
Reese takes a ragged breath; leaning back just a little to look into my Mom’s face. Pleadingly Reese says, “I want to know everything about him. Please tell me about my brother.”
Mom smiles and says, “You want to know what your brother was like, simply look at his son. JJ looks just like he did, they act the same, and he is his father through and through.”
Reese’s reaction was a little bit more than what I expected. She rushes into me so fast that she knocks me over the arm of the couch and lands on top of me. She squeals, “Nephew.” Then she begin to kiss me, on my forehead and my cheeks all the time holding me down. The room feels with laughter at how Reese is treating her nephew. I cannot help myself, I am laughing as Reese plants kiss after kiss on my cheeks or forehead.
Ron is a little bit more practical about the whole situation and he suggest after everyone calms down a little, that we do DNA tests to determine if Reese and I are actually related. Ron insists, and we do have one done. It takes about two weeks and is 1 June Reese’s actual birthday when we get the results back. Reese opens the paperwork and looks through it, I cannot figure out exactly what her expression is saying. Reese finally says, “JJ there is only an 80% chance that you are my nephew by the test.”
I smile and say, “Aunt Reese when you add in that fact, with all the other information we have. The odds that I am not your nephew drops significantly, you have to remember Mom’s DNA accounts for half of mine. I would say without a shadow of a doubt that you are my aunt.”
Reese smiles and hugs me, “Your mother said you would say that, the test actually says there is only a 7% chance that you are not my nephew.”
I smile and shake Ron’s hand saying, “That makes you my Uncle Ron.”
Ron smiles and with the hand, he has a hold of, he pulls me into a hug then says, “I am damn lucky to have you as my nephew.”
Sam giggles and teases Ron by saying, “That is why I could not call you uncle, you are my Great Uncle Ron.” Ron’s face turns red, that starts Reese laughing and her laughter proves contagious.
Ron like Uncle George says, “I think I am a little too young to be called great uncle, and Reese definitely is too young to be called great aunt.”
Sam giggles still teasing she says, “I like great uncle, because it is great that you are my uncle.”
Ron Davis scoops her up, and Sam takes the opportunity before he can stop her gives him a kiss. After a moment Ron recovers from his shock, “I love you Sam. Now I do get to be part of your family for real.”
Reese hugs the two, and Sam takes the opportunity giving her great aunt a kiss too. In a happy tone Reese says, “I love you too Sam. It is great to have you as my niece.”
Crystal tugs on Ron’s leg and he lifts her into their embrace. She quickly gives a kiss to her uncle and aunt.
I cannot help but wonder what is bringing the family together, could it be my great-great-grandfather John J. Thurgood, or perhaps the spirit of my father. My father had wanted to reunite with his sister before his death. Maybe the universe granted that wish.
I know my own wish for a large family came true. First, I added the ten of them, the Edwards become my family as the love Kathryn and I have grew. Marshall become like a brother to me, although he is only my fourth cousin we are closer than many brothers are. Alyssa, the woman my father saved has become like an aunt, a sister to my Mom. George Thurgood, a wise uncle whose advice and counsel I trust. Michael senior, the Coach, Kathryn’s father, my father-in-law is like a second Dad to me. Helen my mother-in-law, like a sister to Mom, and is a second mother to me. Now my father’s lost sister, my Aunt Reese returned to us.
My two adopted daughters, along with Amanda make me a lucky father. My two adopted daughters Samantha and Crystal needed us, and apparently, the family needed them, they are the magnets that pulls the rest of us together.
Author notes: Before you professors, get all upset because the usage of two instead of too early in the story, be aware it is not a mistake. It is part of the joke and indicating that Marshall would have two stains. Although is not rather funny, but I figure the joke really is on those who have OCD about it. I really trying to say is we need to lighten up on a few things. Remember if it is not going to kill you, how serious is it? Is it worth raising your blood pressure over a misused word, especially since the story is free? The story contains 9393 words, and is not an English paper. I hope you can enjoy it even if it has a few errors, because life always has a few errors. If we can get over them, life will be more enjoyable. Thank you for reading I hope you enjoyed it.
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