Tuesday morning. The day was going great for everyone else apart for Emilie. Tears rolled down her face as she was held back by two policemen watching her two young sons being taken away from her. Earlier when social services had arrived escorted by the police Emilie was shocked to see them at her front door. But, what even shocked her the most was the revelation of why they were at her home. Apparently, someone had phone social services with a complaint about neglect. They were told by the anonymous phone caller Emilie was 'unfit' to look after her own children and they were worried about their welfare. So that morning her two sons were taken away from her. She struggled against the hold the two policemen had on her as she screamed out her sons' names. Her heart broke as she saw her youngest trying to get away from the people who were taking him and his brother into a car. The social worker tried to calm the crying boy down, but it wasn't working. He kept breaking free and the social worker had to lead him back towards the car. Though her eldest was upset he too, he remained strong for his little brother as he held his hand in his and led him into the back seat of the car that was going to take them away. Peering from the back of the car window her youngest son cried out as the car began to pull away. It was only then when the car had driven down the road that the policemen allowed Emilie to be released. Once free from their hold on her, Emilie didn't run after the car. She couldn't. Her legs were frozen to the spot and she couldn't move. She collapsed onto the road sobbing as she thought about the loss of her sons.
In the back seat of the car Michael, her youngest was inconsolable. He kept screaming and tears were fast running down his cheeks. Next to him sat his 4 year old big brother. He too had tears running down his cheeks, but he knew he couldn't show his tears in front of his baby brother. He needed to be strong for both of them, needed to be strong for Michael.
"Mum. I want mum, Stephen." 2 year old Michael stuttered.
"I know, Mickey."Stephen said. "I want her too."
Michael continued to sob as his breaths come out in short bursts. Not liking the fact that his brother was upset, Stephen wrapped his arms around him and brought him into his chest. Michael snuggled up to him and placed his tiny hands on his brother's chest. Stephen began to stroke Michael's blond curls as the car carried on with the journey. The two of them had no idea where they were going, but the thought that they had each other was a comfort.
"What happens if we get split up?" Michael mumbled against Stephen's chest.
"Don't worry, I won't let that happen." Stephen replied.
"Promise?"
"I promise, little brother. I'll protect you."
Stephen placed a kiss upon his brother's head as the two of them drifted off in each other's arms. And Stephen would be right. The next few years would change their lives. Their lives would change for the better and all the memories of their existing life would be forgotten. Emilie would be forgotten. It would be a new start where two boys will grow up in a home surrounded by love and happiness. A story where a woman would get to have the family she'd always wanted and where another would live with pain of knowing her boys were growing up without her. A life where she would have no idea where they were and if they were happy. Yet, a part of her thought it was best her two sons knew nothing about her and the condition she was living with. All she wanted was for them to have a happy childhood where they could be themselves without having to worry about her. For how was she supposed to care for them if she couldn't care for herself? Her sons were better off without her. And she knew if she loved them then she could let them go and be happy. Even though she knew her sons were not with her it didn't mean she would ever stop thinking about them or loving them.
