Devin Zhang was sitting in the living room with his two younger sisters, Ashlie and Katie, and his mother, Mei. They had just celebrated his graduation as Valdictorian in high school, by eating his favorite meal, Chicken Alfredo with soda and now the family was eating chocolate sheet cake with Devin's favorite ice-cream, Mint Chocolate Chip.
Katie was sitting on the floor, next to Devin's right leg. Katie was younger than him by five years, she was smart, sweet, scholarly, socially awkward, and undeniably beautiful.
Ashlie was on the recliner, rocking it back and forth, eating the cake like a pig. Ashlie was younger than him by a year and she was athletic, protective, feisty, strong, and had the physique of a female body builder.
Mei was their mother, she was young because she was married off at the young age of fifteen, she shortly after had Devin, then Ashlie and years after, Katie was born. She was short, pretty, sweet, caring, rational, and motherly. Today, she seemed... off. She seemed happy to see her oldest graduate but she seemed to be hiding something.
Devin licked the melted ice-cream off his plate and looked straight at his mother as she was slowly eating the frosting off the cake.
She then noticed her son staring at her and licking his plate like a dog, "Devin Trevor Zhang, you know better than to eat like that." She scolded, giving his a stern, cold look.
Devin pulled the ceramic plate away from his face, having a green residue around his mouth, "Sorry mom.".
Katie then snickered, elbowing him in his calf, "Ooo, Devin got in trouble!" She teased, giving her older brother a smirk.
He playfully tapped the back of her head, "Shut up. We all know you still sit there and watch cartoons about ponies and friendship." He teased, smirking to her.
Katie laughed and shoved his leg, "Shut up!" She exclaimed, a bright smile covering her face.
Devin pulled his sister to him, embracing her in a warm hug, he absolutely adored his little sister, she was amazing and he would protect and be there for her forever.
Mei took everyone's plates to the sink and she came back with a photo album. She had a small, soft smile on her lips as she sat down and motioned for her kids to come over to her.
Devin scooted Katie closer to their mother so he could see the pictures and Ashlie sat on the other side.
Mei opened the album. It made a soft, crackling sound as it opened to the first page, the three pictures that were inside first were baby pictures of Devin, Ashlie, and Katie.
Devin's was him, swaddled in a yellow blanket, his hair dark, black hair peeking out from under a green beanie.
Ashlie's was her, in a orange, white polka-dot jumpsuit, she was bawling and flailing her tiny little, chubby legs and arms.
Katie's was her, giggling in her sleep, wearing a cute, light pink dress with white, silk baby booties, her thick black hair covering her face.
Mei smiled and began the stories of the pictures, "That was the first time I swaddled you, Devin. I was so scared I didn't do it right and you were going to fall straight out as soon as I picked you up.", "Then I found this cute little jumper for Ashlie, she absolutely hated it. Then as she grew older, I found out she was a major tomboy that hated girly things.", "I remember putting Katie down for a nap and she just began giggling and smiling, it was so adorable.". Mei then turned the page, showing pictures of young Katie, Ashlie, and Devin.
Devin was stuck I'm a t-shirt and had tears filling his eyes because he couldn't get it down onto his body.
Ashlie has a cupcake and it's icing mashed on her face as she had a huge toothy grin called the "Monster smile".
Katie was covered in paint from fingerpainting, having a curious, wide eyed look on her face that highlighted her green irises.
Mei giggled and pointed all the pictures out, telling why she took the picture, "Devin was so upset that he couldn't put his favorite shirt on all by himself and he came crying to me to help him.", "This was Valentines Day, Ashlie, Devin, you remember? I bought you guys cupcakes from that little cupcake place by the supermarket.", "Then, I was showing Katie designs that took her whole hand and she was absolutely surprised.".
Ashlie and Devin nodded in agreement about that Valentines Day, reminiscing about that day and the great, delicate, textured cupcakes.
Devin smiled, "Those cupcakes were so moist." He stated, looking off into his own concious.
Ashlie nodded, rapidly, agreeing whole-heartedly, "Oh yeah. Greatest cupcakes ever!" She exclaimed, smiling at her older brother.
Mei kissed her eldest daughter on the cheek and turned the plastic page, showing off three pictures of all of the kids together. The first one was when Katie was born, Devin holding his baby sister and Ashlie petting Katie's thick, black hair and Katie fast asleep, swaddled in a knitted quilt. The next one was them when Devin was ten, Ashlie was nine, and Katie was five, it was an Easter in the park and Devin was waving to the camera, Ashlie had her plastic green Easter pail on her head, and Katie clinging onto Devin's shirt arm. The last one was Devin's Eighteenth birthday, Devin's face was covered in icing and Katie and Ashlie were laughing with him.
Mei laughed, seeing all her kids getting along, "You guys were so happy when Katie was born, Ashlie was so impressed on how much hair she had. The Easter in the park, Ashlie was having the time of her life, she was Ms. Popular that day, it seemed like everyone knew her. Devin took Katie everywhere and played all the games with her. And do you guys remember the fifteen minutes of cleaning the frosting off the table.".
They all nodded in unison and agreed, "Yeah.", "Yup.", "Oh hell.".
Mei sighed before asking, "We're all a family, no matter what, right?" She asked with her children nodding and agreeing.
"What if I told you that Devin is... adopted?".