[Authors note:  Ugh, I hate when my story takes a pause for concerns that keep me from it.  Anyway, here is the next chapter of 'Megan's Mirror'.  Have fun and remember to be back before midnight, if possible, from storming the castle!]

2 weeks or so later, during the flight that changed my life somewhat:

Tries to get comfortable long enough to get some rest.  When I finally manage to, the fun part…. well for now anyways, of the trip starts

My mom:  Megan would you come in here, there is something we need to take care of.  'In here' being the room where she usually went when she needed to have some time away from everyone.  A room I knew all too well, as she used to bring me in here, when I was still a baby, and have some time to sing to me, or something else that made us both feel better. 

Sure mommy, what you want me to do after that?

My mom:  while watching me walk in and stop when I saw that she was holding something on her lap.  Something that looked all too familiar.  Which in a sense it was, to not only me, as it had once been the same baby blanket she wrapped me in from time to time well my dear its time you met someone that has recently been added to the family.

Looks at her slightly confused who you mean mommy?  Haven't been told 'bout anyone else, just that you had to go to the hospital not too long ago 'cause your tummy hurt you.

My mom:  Chuckling slightly at my words Megan sweetie…. when I went to the hospital not too long ago, with 'tummy troubles', it was because of the fact that it was time for your new sister to be born.

Blinks Oh.  That why you do what you do.  Me thought you was just eating too much and needed to go and have something done to correct the problem.

My mom:  Megan…. would you come to where I am sitting?  I think you've stood in the place you are long enough.  She won't hurt you, you know.  And there is nothing that she can 'give' you that will make you sick for more than a day or so, and vice versa.

That not why I doing what I'm doing momma.

My mom:  Oh?  Then what is wrong, by that I mean, why are you avoiding coming close to me, so you can see her?

Me…not sure it a good thing.  Everything that comes close to me seem to have trouble later on.

My mom:  Whatever are you…. oh.  You think that what happened to your mom is going to happen to Molly, don't you?

Don't want it to! 

My mom:  You miss her don't you?  Your real mom. Do you remember her at all from that day, when we adopted you, or before?

Not as much as I used to.  I do remember one thing though.

My mom:  And what do you remember most about her?

She gots to hold me when I was 'fresh from her tummy', and give me my name.

My mom:  And what did she name you?

Named me Megan.  Actually, she named me Margaret.

My mom:  Yes, she did.   Is that the only thing about her you remember?
Yeah. Before our talk could go any further, something drew her attention back to the matter at hand.  The fact that we had accidentally woke my baby sister

My mom:  Well this is strange, she's quiet.  Normally when she gets woke forcibly, she starts crying.  Maybe its because she knows something is different, and she's not sure what is new, when all she has known previously, is my touch, my voice.  She reminds me of you when you were adopted and your brother met you for the first time.  You stared at him for the longest time, and then you smiled at him.

Really?

My mom:  Yes.  That amused your brother when you did it.  The he left after you fell back asleep. Now, would you like to hold her?

I dunno, am I enough of a 'big girl' to?

My mom:  You're almost 4 years old Megan…. I think you can understand what is the right thing to do, and what is not permitted, when you are holding a sibling of yours, or anything else for that matter.

K mommy.  I'll try and hope for the best.

My mom:  Why don't you go and sit in the chair that's over in the corner, that way it will be easier for me, and for you.

K momma.  Walks over to where she indicated would be the best choice to sit and waits as she follows a few moments later

My mom:  Speaking to my sister first Molly baby, there is someone you need to meet.  You've already met big brother, now its time to meet your big sister, Megan.

At which point she paused and looked at me, expecting me to know what to do

Why you stop momma? 

My mom:  Oh, silly me.  You haven't been in this situation before have you?  You need to say her name so she will try to find you.

Oh!   You mean like when I was going to be given to you?
My mom:  Exactly.

Okay.  Looks at my sister Hey Molly…. its me, the one mommy told you about. Big sister Megan.  Can't wait to hold you and see your face.  And what happened next kind of put a damper on things.  Once Molly 'found my voice' she turned and looked at me, then she started to cry.  Almost as if she could sense there was something about me, something that no one else could detect

My mom:  What in the world?  At that she moves Molly back towards her, and when that happens, my baby sister calms down.  Too bad that wasn't how I chose to handle this matter

Why she no like me?  What I do to her?

My mom:  I honestly have no idea Megan.  She might not be used to another female is all I know.

She not scared of you!    She like you!  She hates me!  I wish I were never adopted! At that I ran off and really gave my sister something to cry and fuss about. Which only made things worse for my mom, if I remember correctly

After my sister has been calmed down and gone back to sleep:

My mom:  Megan sweetie, where are you hiding? Luckily for her, she managed to find me by listening to the sounds of my sobbing.  After she has found me, she doesn't scold me, much to my confusion

Why you being so nice to me?  Why you not more worried about Molly, or the rest of your real family?

My mom:  I suppose I could do that, if there wasn't one little thing you overlooked my dear.

What did I not see now momma?

My mom:  You're as much a part of this family as any of the other people you mentioned, both directly and indirectly.

No I'm not!  I'm just someone who was 'given away by her momma because that other mommy didn't love me anymore after her bring me into this world!'

My mom:  You think so do you?  Then lift your head and look at me so you can hear that which I am about to say, if you would be so kind? Which I did.  And when it was a done deal, that's when I learned some truths about myself, my real mother

My mom:  Your birth mother didn't abandon you because she didn't love you.  Quite the opposite.  She had the hardest time getting you to let go of the light sweater she was wearing, so I could hold you for the first time and see your face, much like what you tried to do with Molly not too long ago.

Really?  What did I do when that happened, my having finally let go of her sweater?

My mom:  You stared right at me for the longest time, almost as if you thought I was your momma.  Which in a sense I suppose wasn't your fault, given how close we resemble one another.  After you heard me sing something to you, a small snatch of a nursery rhyme, the same one I sang for your brother…. you cooed like a dove for a moment after the opening bar, then I sang you back to sleep.  I think, when I went to hand you back to your real mom so she could say her goodbye to you, you were still asleep and didn't hear her crying as she told you….'one day I will see you again my baby girl.'  Then she walked away.

After hearing all of this, which I clearly had forgotten Wow.  So that's what you meant?  You feel that maybe Molly was sensing the same kind of vibe that I was picking up from you, just in a different way than I reacted?

My mom:  How did you…?

What you told me kind of made me realize that I was being too hard on my baby sister I suppose.  And myself, if you want to lay the blame somewhere.

My mom:  Oh.  Sorry.

Me too. After that was when the dream started to fade and I found myself waking slightly, as the sounds of the airplane jarred me back to reality, or something like it.  After the flight landed and my aunt and I made our way through the airport, things went from normal to weird again

After the car ride to where we would be staying for the summer:

My aunt:  Well this is different.  Are you as overwhelmed as what I appear to be Megan?

Not really.  The place where I lived before you adopted me was big, remember?

My aunt:  Guess I did.

My uncle:  Well whom do we have here?  Besides the lovely lady that I know to be one Constance that is.

My aunt:  This is Megan.  Your niece that I was entrusted to raise after…. you know all the rest of the story already.

My uncle:  Yes. Terrible that they split the children up and all.  I would've been more than happy to have Megan here, so she could be with her brother and sister.

Blinks, as does my aunt

My uncle:  Oh I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?

My aunt:  No it's just that…. I was unaware of this situation you just spoke of.  Why did her adoptive parents have that stipulation in their will?

My uncle:  That was because it was an older version, one that they hadn't been able to update, is what I was told after Molly and her brother were adopted.

My aunt:  I see.

My uncle: Well we've wasted enough time talking, wouldn't the 2 of you agree?  Time I believe, for the two of you to meet/be reunited with, the relatives that you know/might not know. Which we did.  Both of us.  It was a little easier for me, if I remember correctly

Molly:  after seeing me again I've missed you so much big sister! 

Missed you too Molly.  It goes for your brother.

My cousin:  Well I didn't miss you, and quite frankly…. the fact that you are here worries me.

Blinks at the new person who just spoke while walking into the room and you are?

Scott:  Um yeah, meant to mention him to you sis.  That's Danny, our cousin that we met when we were adopted.  Sorry that I didn't when I wrote to you last.

Laughs we all make mistakes brother of mine.  Nice to meet you Danny.

Danny:  Wish I could say the same.  And my name is Daniel. Try to remember it, would you?

Eyes him warily Okay, can I ask you a question Daniel?

Danny:  If you must.  First one is free; so don't expect me to answer any others you might have for me, right now.

Sighs and closes my eyes, counting to ten before going any further.  When I have I notice that my brother/sister are both watching me, as if they fear I got my temper from my dad

Okay Daniel what is your problem?

Danny: I don't have a problem.  No wait, I take that back.  I do indeed have a problem, and its name happens to be Megan.

Scott:  What did you just say?

Sighs again while turning to my brother Scott please, I am old enough to take care of my own problems?  Turns back towards my cousin a minute or so later

You know what Danny?  I don't care if you like me or if you don't!  Your dad was kind enough to invite me here for the summer, so I could visit with my brother and sister!  End of discussion!

Danny:  Laughing when I am done I'm sorry I had to do that to you cousin, I had to see, for myself, if what I heard from your brother is true.

Quirks one eyebrow Oh?  And what exactly did you hear about me?

Danny:  That you were a tomboy wild child who wasn't about to let anyone tell you what to do, etc.

Laughs I see.  I had no idea that Scott was so kind and considerate when he told you all about me.

Danny:  So no hard feelings?

None whatsoever.

Danny:  Good.  Well I'll leave the three of you alone now, so you can catch up and all that rubbish, before dinner. At which point he left the room we were all in and that was right around the time that the situation I found myself in at present got even weirder

After my brother and sister had shown me their rooms, the latter being the room I would share with her for the summer:

Shifts uncomfortably as the housekeeper keeps an eye on me.  Too close of an eye for my liking, while I am unpacking.  Eventually my curious nature gets the better of my and I notice, by the time I see fit to ask her 'why were you staring at me?' she has left the room she was watching me in, and gone on to another.  When I had tracked her down, things started to make sense again.  Sort of.

Housekeeper:  Well this is a surprise.  All done with your unpacking I take it?

Yeah I am.  Now since you asked me a question, may I ask one of you?

Housekeeper:  Go right ahead.  Just don't ask me anything I can't answer, and we should be all set.

Why were you staring at me while I was unpacking?

Housekeeper:  Wanted to see if you still favored me, I suppose.

Why would you want to know that of a complete stranger?

Housekeeper:    We aren't total strangers.  We've met before, which was why I wanted to make sure you were still my little girl from way back when.

Eyes her warily I've never met you before in my life, so what makes you think I am your 'little girl?'

Housekeeper:  You forgot me I see.  Well I was told that this might happen.  Makes sense, as you were a baby when you were adopted.

Blinks Wait, how do you know that?

Housekeeper:  I was there.

You're the social worker I heard about, aren't you?

Housekeeper:  Close.  Not hitting the target dead center though.

Then who are you?

Housekeeper:  I'm your birth mother.

Stares at her, totally at a loss for words.  After a few minutes she breaks the uneasy silence that her confession triggered

Housekeeper:  Do you need more proof?  Is that why you stopped talking?
Yes, please.

Housekeeper:  Very well then.  What do you remember from the day when you were adopted?

I remember that my momma loved me as much as life itself, yet I was a burden to her, financially…. so she had to give me away to complete strangers, hoping that they would be able to provide where she left off.

Housekeeper:  And I see they are doing a fine job.  You've become so different, its unreal.

They were doing a fine job.  They're gone now.  Just like you were way back when 'mom.'

Housekeeper:  What?  What happened to them?

I think…. before we go any further, if in fact you are my mom? We need to discuss these things in a setting that might be better suited for them to be confronted.

Housekeeper:  Fair enough I suppose.   Name the time, and the place.

What about this weekend?  Or a later date, as I've got all summer?

Housekeeper:  Whatever works best for you my dear.

Okay then.  By no later than next week might be better, and with my aunt and my uncle there as well.

Housekeeper:  Smashing!  Well I better go and see how the dinner preparations are going.  So if you don't mind, I'll take my leave of this room now.  Which she did, with me following shortly afterwards.  Wondering all the while if the whole summer was going to be this crazy

Following weekend:

Walks into the room where my uncle, my aunt and the housekeeper are already seated wondering if this is a good time and a good idea for this whole matter.  Once I have been seated as well, the meeting gets underway

My aunt:  I don't know what to say, given what I have been told by my niece.

My uncle:  Well it's a good thing that I have people who can delve deeper into this whole matter, isn't it?  Took quite a bit of work to track down all the paperwork for this case, but it was worth the effort, and the money spent.  The results of the search are in the file folders that I am holding on my lap.  Shall we proceed further now?

Me/my aunt:  That would be best.

My uncle: Right then.  At which point he opens the file folders and begins reading Well, it seems that my housekeeper is correct.  She is indeed Megan's' birth mother. 

My aunt:  What does this mean about the matter that was placed in my lap?

My uncle: It changes nothing.  Her real mother cannot reclaim Megan.  It could be said as well, for if the father who was presumed dead, showing up alive.  Unless of course there is a way around the law that my lawyers couldn't find.

My mom:  I see.  Well is there anything that prevents me from knowing her, even though she is not my daughter anymore?  You know, talking with her and finding out things about her from when she was absent from my life and all that?

My uncle:  No.

My mom:  Okay then.  Just wanted to make sure I wasn't causing any trouble.

My aunt/uncle: Well if there is nothing further needed from the adults, well those who will be watching Megan for the time being/when summer is over, we need to discuss some other matters. At which point they left, and it was just my mom and me, alone together

Mom:  So what do you want to discuss first my dear?

Nothing right now, if that's okay with you.

Mom:  It is.  Though it bothers me.

Why?

Mom:  Shouldn't you have a million and one questions all stored up for me?
Not really.  I mean sure, there are things I want to ask you and all.  Just don't see why they should be asked now, if they are going to hurt me when I learn these hidden secrets.

Mom:  Fair enough I suppose.  Though it's not all bad things that I have to tell you.

Sighs can't we just wait?  I want to go and spend some time with my sister and my brother.

Mom:  Perfectly okay with me my dear. Which was when I left.  Once I got outside however, things picked up pace again

Outside, the stables:

Wow, this place puts the one I remember back home to shame!

My brother:  I think before you go any further, there is one horse that you need to see again my sister.

Oh?  And which one might….'that be' was what I was hoping to say.  Too bad the sight of 'the horse in question' caused my breath to stop for a second.  Oh my…. no it can't be.

My brother:  Oh I think you know that it is indeed possible.

Stares at him for a second How? I was told he was going to be sold to a riding school!

My brother:  Well he was going to be auctioned off.  Uncle won him though.  Right after Molly told him, uncle, that he was your horse.

Thanks Molly.  I owe you one big time.

Molly:  No you don't.

Okay.

My brother:  So what are you waiting for?  Go and get to know him again why don't you?

Okay okay already!  Sheesh Scott, don't rush me!  You know this is a risky thing, same as me!

Scott:  Sorry.

No need to be.

Scott:  Okay then.

Afterwards, when all that was done, was when things began as they needed to.  From the standpoint that it was time, at long last, for former rider and mount to become connected once again

Approaching TJ slowly, hand outstretched the whole time  Hey you…. yeah you with the four legs and long coat.  Yeah, the one who isn't a dog?  You remember me don't you?  We used to spend many hours together.  Please, don't bite at me like you did in the past?   Much to my surprise, the event that signaled our first meeting those years ago, wasn't duplicated here and now  you do remember me!

TJ: Of course I remember you Megan.  How could I forget someone who has been with me, well the 'pause' being beside the point, my entire life?

Feels my eyes open wide  you you…. what just happened? When nothing further from my mount pops into my head, I shrug and simply think it was just a trick of the mind, or my hearing

Day or so later:

My mom:  Megan I don't want you going near your horse again and that's the end of the discussion!

Forget you 'mom'!  You aren't in charge of me and you know it!  I don't have to listen to you!

My mom:  We'll just see about that when I go to your aunt and your uncle!

Go right ahead!  My aunt doesn't care and I bet my uncle wouldn't either!          

My mom:  You know what, I believe I will take that bet and I know you will lose!  Which she did, if memory serves correctly.  Too bad she didn't exactly get what she wanted when we had both tracked down the uncle/employer

My uncle, after hearing both sides of the discussion from both of us:

Okay first of all Jerrica, while you might be right in thinking something bad will happen, should Megan go anywhere near her horse, there is one thing which you are overlooking in this matter.  The same holding true for your 'lost girl'.

Jerrica:  And what is that sir?
My uncle:  Megan's' point of view.  At which point he turned to look at me Well niece of mine, is she right?  Does 'TJ' pose any threat to you?

Looks right at him, then my mother a second later, then back to him No sir, he does not.  We know one another.  Have known one another from when he was brought into this world by his mother.  So yes, I trust him as much as I trust myself.

My uncle:  Well that's all I need to know.  However, there is one thing which you are overlooking my dear.

I know sir.  My former mother feels it is too dangerous.  As is her right.

My uncle:  Actually, that's close, yet not quite what the situation is that you are overlooking.

Oh? 

My uncle:  Yes.  She is going to be keeping an eye on you this summer, in addition to keeping an eye on your brother, sister, and cousin.  When you go home, your aunt will watch you, as she has before the summer vacation.

I see.  Well is there any chance at all that I will get to ride TJ again sir?

My uncle:  Don't see how you can, in those old clothes.  And you'll need a sidesaddle.

Blinks You mean to tell me you are going to pay for me to once again be back in the saddle?

My uncle:  Not quite my dear.  I don't 'give anything away to anyone with any strings attached.' Meaning?  You want me to do all these things for you?  At that he leans close to me so I can see his honesty and that he is not trying to be mean Then I ask something of you in return, at a later date.  When you are old enough to have an 'after school job' and one in the summer?  Come see me about a job, and you can repay me from the money you earn.

Looks at him, stunned into silence for a second. Then I smile Well I was hoping you would want me to repay you for your kindness.  I would've felt funny just taking things from someone I just met a day and a half ago!  You have yourself a deal uncle.

My uncle:  Excellent.  I'll have Jerrica take you shopping tomorrow.  And someone else will tend to the other side of the coin.

Yeah that's how things went the second day I was with my family.  And the third day, well it was weird again.  Guess this kind of pops in and out like the tide, huh?

Following day:

Jerrica:  Megan please!  Its only one….

NO!  I won't I won't I won't!  I'm not going to allow you to dress me!  I can pick out my own clothes!  My aunt trusts me, why can't you?

Jerrica:  Sighing slightly your aunt has gotten to know you since you lost your parents.  I have been absent from your entire life after I brought you into this world.   WHY can't you see that?

I'm…. sorry.  I guess I thought you were trying to replace someone, my lost stepmother I would imagine.   She used to love me most, when I was all 'dolled up'.  And she loved me when I wasn't wearing a dress.  You do feel the same as her, don't you?  No matter what I have on, you'll like me, just as my aunt does?

Jerrica:  Of course.  So what do you say, care to try again?

Okay.

Back inside the area of the store she wanted to see me in most:

Jerrica:  Well why don't you see anything you like?  Honestly Megan…. did your aunt, and your stepmother before her, have this much trouble?

Sighs Its been awhile since I wore a dress okay?  I'm sorry.  It's just that I  'don't see one that makes me feel like I want to wear one again' is what I wanted to say.  Too bad the next thing I happened to get to look at changed my mind.

After finding a dress that was unlike any of the other ones in the store Oh wow…. this looks too good to be true!  And it's in my size?  I want this one! Which was when I plucked it off the rack and took it over to where Jerrica was sitting.  The minute she saw it, she liked it.  Sort of

Jerrica:  fifteen hundred pounds for this thing?  Not including the shoes?  Megan I don't know if your uncle wants to spend that much money on one item of clothing!

Shopkeeper:  after hearing her outburst what was that?  I thought I told someone to mark the item that the girl is holding, down!  Let me have it now would you girlchild, so I can do just that?  And then you can see the correct price.  Which I did.  And when he was done, it was quite a shock for both me, and the housekeeper

Jerrica:  Well that's a little more in the price range that he, your uncle, might be willing to pay.  And it's a good thing that the new, lower price includes the shoes and all the rest of what is set aside for the dress.

So I can buy it?
Jerrica:  Yes.

Hugs her and then goes to try it on.  Once I have, and she sees me in it, well that's around the time that I really knew it was mine

Later, at home:

Molly:  Wow, you clean up real nice sis!

Oh stop…. its not that big of a deal.

Scott:  Not that big of a deal she says.  Sis the last time you wore one of those items you are wearing now…. well you remember when it was.

And I wish you hadn't reminded me either Scott please…. its bad enough when Molly reminds me how much I look like her, do you have to add to it?

Scott:  Wasn't trying to sis, sorry.

Molly:  Me too.

Oh you guys…. I can't stay mad at either one of you for very long.  You know that right?

Scott/Molly:  Of course.

Later, my aunts' room:

Well you look nice.

Thanks.

My aunt:  Not a problem Megan.  So are you looking forward to getting back in the saddle soon?

Yep!

My aunt: Well that's nice.  At that she starts to cough.  When it doesn't stop right away, I make for the door, running for the room I am sharing with my sister, crying the whole time.   Which is exactly where someone finds me.  Too bad it wasn't who I wanted to see.

My uncle:  Megan?  What's wrong, why are you crying?

It's my aunt, Constance.  I think she's sick and she was keeping it from me!

My uncle:  You're right.  There is something that your aunt isn't telling you.  And not because she wants to hurt you, far from it my dear.   She wants you to have some of what you remember.  Stability in an uncertain world.

Just tell me this honestly and upfront if you would?  Is she going to leave me, like so many others have?

My uncle:  I'm afraid so Megan.

No!  You have to tell me the exact opposite of that!  I want to hear that she isn't going to leave me!

My uncle:  Megan, please.  Don't blame yourself for this.

Why not?  I'm cursed!  No one who knows me gets to stay around me forever, like they say they will!

My uncle:  It's not your fault!  You can't control things that aren't your fault!  Why do you feel the way that you do?

It's all I know how to feel!  Ever since momma, your housekeeper gave me away…. its like a part of me has been missing!  And when I lost my stepparents…. it got worse! Now I have to lose the only person who has managed to help me see that any of what happened isn't my fault!  And you think that makes me feel good?  It doesn't!  It reminds me of how much I have lost, to get where I am!

My uncle:  And you know what you will gain, when she is gone?

No…. what?

My uncle:  You will be reunited with your brother and sister, for good.  I'm already making the arrangements to adopt you, so you can have what you are missing out on, yet again.  When your aunt is no longer alive, it becomes permanent and final.

Blinks, taken aback you would do that for me?  Let me be with Molly and my brother again, when you don't have to?

My uncle:  Yes.  Will you allow it?

Grins you better believe it.

My uncle:  Well then I guess it's a done deal.  I'll leave you alone now.  Which he did