Charlie spent two weeks with Harper and Benjamin as a trial. They would receive surprise visits from a social worker at any time of day to be sure they would be suitable parents. The social worker found no problems or violations so it looks like they will be getting Charlie.
Teddy had Charlie back for a few more days until the paperwork was finalized. She and her grandmother tried to have fun with Charlie the last few days they have with her. They both know they won't see or hear from Charlie again so they wanted to make memories... memories she won't remember but Teddy will.
Teddy sat at the kitchen table writing a letter.
Dear Charlie,
You don't remember me but I am your mother... your birth mother. I want you to know why I decided to put you up for adoption so you won't hate me. When I was fifteen, I was walking home alone at night and I was approached by a strange man. I'm not going to go into details but he raped and brutally beat me. A few weeks later I discovered I was pregnant with his baby. That baby was you. My parents wouldn't allow me to get an abortion but they claimed you as their own. So when I was sixteen, you were born. When you were about eight months, my parents went to jail because my father was abusing me, leaving you with me. I decided I couldn't care for you and needed a better life with more suitable parents. I hope Benjamin and Harper are both giving you a wonderful life and I made a good choice about this. I just want you to know I love you and I always will. I gave you away out of love. I was only sixteen and had my whole life ahead of me. We both needed a better life. I would get that out of finishing high school and attending college. You got it by getting a new family. Please thank your father and mother for adopting you, for me, and giving you a much better life than you would have with me. Please don't give them so much trouble as a teenager. Behave yourself. I'll never forget you... Forget all of my memories with you. I love you, Charlie.
Love your loving mother, Teddy
Teddy placed a couple of photos in the envelope of her and Charlie and sealed it. She, Linda, and Charlie met the couple for the hand off at the adoption agency.
"Please give this to Charlie when she's a teenager." Teddy said handing the envelope to Harper. "And please take good care of her."
"We will." They both said.
Linda handed Teddy Charlie so she could say one last goodbye to her. Tomorrow would be her first birthday, a year ago she was born. It made Teddy sad to think about.
"Happy Birthday, Charlie, I love you." Teddy gave Charlie a kiss on her cheek and handed her to Harper and Benjamin. She knew she was making a good decision but why did it hurt so much? Teddy never wanted Charlie but she did love her. Love... Love had to be the only answer.
The end!