#12 ACCEPTING AND ADJUSTING

Kevin: What about adopting? You know how Lorena always wanted a baby brother or sister, well what about adopting. I know that you can't have another baby because it will hurt you and remind you of Lorena strongly. But as in memory of Lorena lets adopt. We can always consider of another baby later when we are emotionally stronger.

Lucy: *in confused tone*Adoption?

Looks in disbelief at Kevin

Kevin: *excited* Yes!

Throwing his arms into the air with excitement

Lucy: *in doubtful voice*I don't think I am ready to have another child

Looks at Kevin with doubtful face

Kevin: Its no rush but something we can think about it.

Lucy: I guess so

Lucy walks around Lorena room touching everything with memories flying through her mind.

Kevin understanding Lucy goes to her and swallows her in big comforting hug

Kevin: *kissing Lucy* Please just think about it.

Lucy: *gives Kevin slight smile* I will

Two days later

*Lucy is in Lorena's room packing

Kevin: *climbing the stairs and yelling at the same time* Where are you? Lucy! Lucy!

Lucy: *stepping out of Lorena's room* I am in here.

*Kevin runs to Lucy and swings her around*

Lucy: *looking surprised* Something exciting happened?

Kevin: *laughing* Yes!

Lucy: *looking even more surprised* You are laughing?!?!? You haven't laughed since Lorena got hospitalized.

Kevin: I know and now it is your turn to laugh.

Lucy: *looking very sad* I don't think I can laugh any more.

*Kevin pulls Lucy into Lorena's room and sits down with Lucy on his lap.

Kevin: I miss your smile, laughter, and sparkle in your eyes. Even the children notice the change.

Lucy: I lost my baby. How am I suppose to smile or laugh?

Kevin: Lorena will be unhappy to see her mother so sad.

Lucy: *sighs and changes the subject* What is the good news?

Kevin: The job offer is still available!

Lucy: *in a dead tone* Great.

*one minute of silent

Kevin: *in a hurt voice* What's wrong? I thought you didn't mind.

Lucy: *looking around the room then tears came* I never thought how much it will hurt to leave.

Kevin: *gives Lucy a comforting hug and back rub* But we are not leaving, remember? We are keeping the house as our summer house. I can never ever leave this place.

Lucy: *sighing* I am glad.

*Lucy kisses Kevin

*Kevin responds before Lucy can pull away

*After a full minute of kissing Kevin lifts up Lucy and carries her away to their room.

NEXT DAY

*The whole family is gathered in the living room*

Kevin: *in a excited voice* Kids, we are moving.

Mercy and Mark looks scared and confused.

Mercy: To new house?

Mark: I don't want to leave.

Lucy: We are moving to Florida. But no we are not selling the house.

Mercy: *giving a relief sigh* Oh.

Kevin: If you kids don't want to move it is ok.

Mercy: *in a serious voice* I am ok but can I bring my friends?

Kevin: *smiling at Mercy* No, sweetie but you can call and visit them.

Mercy: *smiling* ok.

Lucy walks to Mark

Lucy: *rubbing Mark's back* Are you ok?

Mark: NO!

*Mark runs out of the house

Lucy: Poor kid. He is really taking Lorena's death hard.

Kevin: I know. Give him time then I will head on out.

Lucy: OK.

Lucy turns to Mercy

Lucy: Lets start making dinner.

Mercy: OK

Lucy grabs Mercy's hand and they skip away to kitchen.

TWO MINUTES LATER

*Kevin walks outside toward Mark

Kevin: Hey my little buddy.

Mark: *sniffling* Hi

Kevin: *pulling his son on to his lap* Tell your daddy everything.

Mark: I miss Lorena.

Kevin: *knowing what is wrong* Oh, I know. I miss her too.

Mark: Remember when she tried to play football with me because I didn't have anybody else to play with?

Kevin: *laughing* Yes, and she thought football was a patty cake game.

Mark: *laughing* And they she started to run when I gently tossed the ball to her

Kevin: And also remember when she kept imaginary farm animals in her room and nobody was allowed in her room…

Mark: *finishing the story* …because they might run away.

Kevin laughs and reminds himself more stories about his deceased daughter

Kevin and Mark sits in silent for few minutes reflecting on their thoughts

Mark: *in thoughtful voice* We had so much fun time.

Kevin: *hugging his son tightly* Yes, we did have fun time and we will always remember these fun times because she lives in our heart.

Mark: *confused look on his face* But we are leaving this house.

Kevin: It doesn't matter where we go because we always carry our heart.

Mark: *his face lighting up* Right daddy.

Kevin: So you ok with the move?

Mark: *hugging his dad* Yes. Thank you daddy

Kevin: Anytime buddy. Anytime

Mark: I love you daddy

Kevin: I love you Mark

Meanwhile back in the kitchen

Lucy: *rummaging through the refrigerator* Can you please get the placemats from the cupboard

Mercy: Okie dokie

Mercy grabs the personalized placemats

Then suddenly Mercy starts crying

Lucy: *running to Mercy* Are you ok?

Mercy: *still crying* I miss Lorena.

Lucy notices that Mercy is holding onto Lorena's placemat.

Lucy:*in understanding tone* Oh baby I miss her too.

Lucy and Mercy embrace.

Lucy: *stroking Mercy's hair* Remember the day we made these placemats.

Mercy: *staring at the placemat* Yes! Lorena wouldn't allow anybody else to touch her placemat until she was done.

Lucy: *smiling proudly* That was the first time she wrote her name.

Mercy: *touches the mat smiling* Lorena's placemat was the best. Look at the family portrait.

Lucy: *gently stroking the mat as she remembers that day* She was so proud of this.

Mercy: I know and she wanted to hang it up.

Lucy: *a slow smile appeared on her face as memories of Lorena flooded her* I know.

*after a thoughtful minute

Mercy: *as the though strikes* Can we hang it up?

Lucy: *exclaims* What a great idea!

Mercy: She will be so proud.

Lucy: Yes she will be proud.

Mercy: I love Lorena. I love and miss her so much I sleep with her favorite dolly.

Lucy: *smiling and crying as she hugged Mercy* I love Lorena and I love you Mercy.

Mercy: *also crying hugs Lucy back* I love you too Mommy.

Just then the Kevin and Mark walk in.

Lucy: *smiling and wiping her tears* Is everything ok?

Kevin: Yes. *in a happy and excited tone as he notice Lucy's smile* You are smiling!

Lucy: I will tell you everything later.

Kevin: Ok. Do you think we should tell the kids the next part of our surprise?

Lucy: We should.

Kevin and Lucy: *turns to the kids with questioning smile* Kids…

Up next: What are Kevin and Lucy telling the kids? How will they adjust to their new lives in Florida?