The chemical smell was overpowering and the young girl Kaylin was training could not handle it. Tessa ducked out the door and emptied her stomach onto the lawn. Kaylin took a deep breath and powered on. To this day the smell sent a shudder down her spine. She was forever haunted by the memories of her childhood. Nearly two decades had passed since she was freed from that life but the memories never faded. She still hurt every day but she had learned to power through the pain. It took six years but she graduated Harvard with a double major in Social Work and Child Psychology. She devoted her life to helping children like herself children who had been hurt by those the trusted most.
Today's case was so much like her story. It was a girl of thirteen. She had been abused by her adoptive "parents" and suffered in silence for years. Until her parents were finally busted for their meth lab and CPS finally took them seriously. It made Kaylin sick. Especially given all the kids who were removed from their home over simple misunderstanding. Tessa composed herself and joined Kaylin in the home. The girl was locked in her room and the officers could not get her to come out. Kaylin forced her way past the officers and knocked on the young girl's door.
"Laura?" Kaylin called.
"I'm not coming out! I've been through this before!" Laura shot back.
"Laura, my name is Kaylin Donahue and I am an agent with child protective services. Your parents have been arrested." Kaylin explained.
"They are gone!" Tessa cried just a little too loud.
"Tessa go wait outside." Kaylin instructed.
"They are locked up? For good?" Laura asked.
"Yes and you don't have to come out. I will come in." Kaylin replied.
Laura's room was small and cramped. There were holes in the walls and everything was torn or broken. Laura sat on the bed in her torn dress and hole filled sneakers. Her hair was tangled and frayed. It seemed as if she had not slept in days or even weeks. It was just like Kaylin had been before going to the DiNozzo's.
"I don't want to go to a foster family. I know they will treat me bad." Laura replied.
"Not all foster and adoptive families are bad." Kaylin assured.
"All mine have been." Laura sniffed.
"This time will be different." Kaylin replied.
After another long and disheartening day, Kaylin returned to her home. Her husband and four year old step-son Darryl sat on the couch watching the latest Cinderella movie. Kaylin never dreamed that she would be happily married with her child. Darryl was not hers genetically but she had been in his life since he was three months old. Chris' now ex-wife had run off with her former boss and left Chris high and dry with a newborn. Kaylin met Chris when they were both speaking at a career day at a local high school. They were friends at first but before long they became exclusive and Kaylin met Darryl. They were married just after Darryl's second birthday. Not to say there life was perfect. They were married less than six months when Darryl's ex came back into his life. There was a falling out and Kaylin ended up moving back in with Tony and Avery. Avery gave her three months to live with them and decide what she wanted to do. At the end of the trial separation, Kaylin realized that she did still love Chris. They had been going strong ever since. With only one struggle. They had been trying to get pregnant for over a year. No luck and finally the fertility specialist told them that Kaylin's uterus was malformed and the odds of her getting pregnant was horribly slim. They had been in the adoption process ever since. They wanted a baby but were open to adopting an older child as well. Today Kaylin knew that she had met her daughter.
"Darryl go finish your movie upstairs. Just put the remote back after you are done and don't get to close to the shelf." Kaylin instructed.
"OK!" Darryl cried.
"Sending Darryl upstairs. Are you ovulating?" Chris asked, after Darryl was out of ear shot.
"No but I think I met our daughter." Kaylin replied.
"What do you mean?" Chris asked.
"There was this girl today. She reminded me so much of my story. I want to do for her what my parents did for me." Kaylin explained.
"I'll call our lawyer." Chris announced.
The room was plain only basic furniture and plain white sheets. Kaylin and Chris did what Tony and Avery had done for Kaylin. They left the room a canvas. Laura could do what she wanted with it. For now Laura just stood in the center her body trembled as she cried.
"Welcome to your new home." Kaylin told her daughter.
"This is my room?" Laura asked.
"Yes but don't worry you can do whatever you want. We just left it plain rather than assume your style." Kaylin explained.
"No it's just. This is the nicest room I have ever seen. At least outside of television." Laura sobbed.
It was an adjustment period but before long Laura had painted the walls purple and decorated the room with flowers and animal posters. It took most of a year for her to introduce Kaylin and Chris as her parents but Darryl was always her brother. Laura was just like her adoptive mother. She was shy and smart. She had a big heart and Kaylin could not be prouder. The family grew and bonded over the course of that first year but there was still something missing. They wanted a baby and after Laura adjusted. Kaylin and Chris got back into the adoption process. They had no luck but that all changed on the two year anniversary of Laura joining the family.
Kaylin groaned in pain. She had been feeling horrible for the past few weeks. She could not keep anything down and she was constantly exhausted. Her partner Tess looked at her and cocked her eyebrow.
"Are you OK?" Tessa asked.
"I am sick again." Kaylin replied.
"You need to got to the hospital." Tessa replied.
"Not today. It is Laura's anniversary with us and we need to celebrate." Kaylin explained.
"Do you think it will help the celebration if you are sick or collapse?" Tessa asked.
"Good point take me to the ER." Kaylin instructed.
It was a surprise to the Donahue family. Kaylin had nearly passed out when she received the results and Chris had gone into shock. Laura cried but Darryl was too young to understand. The coming months were full of so many emotions and tears. Finally ending in the early afternoon in the middle of July. After seven hours of labor and twenty minutes of pushing. Kaylin gave birth to her miracle child. Her family filled the room and showered the mom and newborn with love. Chris and Laura stood on the left side of Kaylin's bed. Darryl curled up in his father's arms. Tony and Avery were on the right side of Kaylin's bed and Chris' mom stood beside them. The DiNozzo siblings were scattered throughout the room. Tali was drenched in sweat after rushing over from a dance recital. Stood beside Tali in his cop uniform. Harry leaned over the counter, his buddy stood beside him. Christina and Jackson stood together they were still in school and still best friend.
"Everybody this is Antony Avery Donahue." Kaylin introduced proudly cradling her newborn son. Her family and life were finally complete.
A/N: Well that's it. What do you think? Thanks to all who read, followed, favorited, and reviewed. Please drop one last review.
