In My Mother's Footsteps: Chapter Nine
Disclaimer.
I do not own Disney, and therefore do not own any of these characters.
Miley.
"Hello," Lisa said, standing as we approached her front door. She had been sitting outside with two policemen whom I recognized from our first meeting.
"Hi." I said, "this is my fiancé, Noah. Noah, this is Charlotte's step mom, Lisa Nathan."
"Hello," they said simultaneously, and shook hands.
"So what's the news?" I asked. I was anxious because Lisa hadn't told me on the phone.
"We'll explain on the way." One of the policemen answered. "Carl here is going to take you to the station while I make sure we've got the right girl. Alright?"
"Wait," I said, stopping them from leaving, "why can't we go with you?"
"It's our policy ma'am." Answered Carl, who was significantly younger then the other officer. He seemed a bit star struck as well. It was as if he was having trouble saying any words at all. I sighed and followed them out to the second police car while Lisa followed behind in her mini van.
Charlie
I was reading a good book in the backyard hammock when the doorbell rang. I was about to get up and answer it when Aunt Clair called from the house that she would get it. It was unusual for us to have any visitors at the house, so I watched, wondering who it could be. From my seat I could kind of see into the living room, but there wasn't a chance that they could see me. I couldn't count the number of times Clair had looked out here and completely skipped over me when I was lying in the hammock.
It was a man at the door; he looked like he was in his early fifties, strong but kind. As Aunt Clair led him into the living room I got a clearer view of his outfit – a police uniform. They had found me. I was shocked, scared, but I couldn't move. I knew that it would only make it harder if I tried to hide now. What could I say? How could I explain myself? All the times I'd imagined telling the Nathans I was pregnant had been before it had actually been an obvious, visual fact.
I watched as Aunt Clair offered him cookies, but he declined. She seemed to be stalling, and he didn't appear to be amused. A minute later she turned to the porch door. "Dottie." She said. "Dottie you better get in here right now." I sighed and slipped out of the hammock, closed my book, and carried it inside. The officer seemed momentarily shocked to see my protruding stomach, but recovered quickly.
"Hello Charlotte, I'm Officer Hall. I'm here to take you back to the Nathan's." There was no use arguing.
"Can I get my stuff?" I asked. He nodded and followed me upstairs. While Aunt Clair and I packed my bags up he leaned casually against the doorframe and asked us casual questions. I answered him politely as I could. Soon we were all packed and my bags had been forced into the trunk of his cruiser.
"I'll miss you sweet heart." Aunt Clair told me as we hugged. She pulled me so close that I could feel her heart beating. I held her tight, as if I by doing so I could transport myself back in time to when she was still truly my Aunt.
"Bye." I muttered lamely as the Officer gently forced me into the backseat and took the front himself.
Miley.
"So," I said, nervously, breaking the ten-minute silence. "How is this going to work? Does she go back to you, or come home with me?"
Lisa looked up at me for the first time since we'd arrived at the station. "I thought we'd let her choose."
"Yeah, okay." I agreed. We settled back into silence.
The room we were in was so depressing. The ugly mint green wallpaper was faded and torn. A classic chessboard pattern graced the beaten linoleum. The chairs were mismatched, some ugly square brown ones, a few like the ones in every public school, and one or two folding chairs that had seen better days. In the corner was a wilting plastic tree. On the walls were warning posters about smoking, drinking, and criminal activity. The U.S. Justice system was outlined in black and white, literally, across one wall. Another was half a glass window, overlooking a busy desk.
I settled for looking out the parking lot-view window. Outside it was a warm, sunny day. So cheerful in contrast to darkness inside. Suddenly, I started. A cruiser drove in. He walked to the backseat and helped a girl out. Her features were blurry from this distance, but I would bet all my money that it was Charlotte. She had brown hair and was obviously pregnant, like I'd feared. Oh well, it was too late to change that now, I guess. He had his hand on her shoulder, obviously a warning in body language not to try to run, or he would come after her. And while normally a teenage girl would be faster than a fifty-plus guy, she wouldn't be if she were that pregnant.
As they neared the door Lisa turned, followed my gaze and gasped. She stood and ran, meeting Charlotte and the officer at the door. She immediately locked her in a tight hug. Charlotte hugged back, tears running down my face. They talked quietly for a few minutes. Before Lisa took her hand and lead her across the lobby to me. "Charlotte, this is Miley Stewart, your biological mom. Miley, this is Charlotte." I looked up into the face of the girl I'd noticed at Oliver and Lily's wedding.
Author's Note.
Dance competition and youth group elections this weekend, VERY busy might not update for a while but ily guys!
