Don't Tell My Heart
Chapter 2: Footprints
[Wow, look how fast I got this part out? I mean, look how quickly I got this part out! So, yeah. In this part all will be revealed- aren't you excited? I know you are. Let me know what ya think. It may be a while for the next part. I'll be at school and busy during the week, but maybe the weekend! And Lucky Stars 3 should be out soon!]
Monica asked, confused. Sorry, I just don't think I'm getting what you're trying to say...
Yeah, I'm sorry, I'll be more clear, Allison said. Well, let me start at the beginning. My husband and I recently separated, and divorced.
Oh, I'm sorry, Monica interrupted.
Thank you, but it's okay, it really is for the best, she said. Anyway, he let me have custody of the kids, we have three, she said. But in order for him to pay child support they needed proof of paternity for all of them. So I took the kids in, had the tests done, rather simple, actually, and didn't think twice about it until we went to court, she said. Then, that's where I found out.
Found out what? Chandler prompted.
Well, they said that he had to pay child support for two of our kids. I was confused, because we had three. I thought maybe they goofed up, or you know, something like that. But before I had a chance to talk to them, they told me that he couldn't pay child support on our third child, because she wasn't his, she sighed. Then the judge asked me to come up to the bench, where he told me that there was only a 23.9% chance that he was the father; and only a 38.2% chance that I was the mother.
Wait, so they were saying you weren't her mother? How did that work? Chandler asked.
I asked the same thing. I was thinking they had gotten the results mixed up or something, she said. You know, someone else's DNA was tested to see if we were that person's parents, she said. So I ordered another test. They called me three days later and the results were the same.
So what happened? Monica asked, confused as to what this had to do with them. She had said something about the hospital over the phone. Maybe she wanted to know if they had had similar mix-ups or problems with this hospital?
Well, I was told that I should talk to the hospital where she was born. I was very upset, at this point. Because basically what everyone was telling me had happened was that I got the wrong baby when I left the hospital, she said. I mean, that turns your whole world upside down.
So you talked to the hospital? Chandler asked, suddenly afraid of where this was going.
she said. They said that right after every baby's birth, you know, when they wipe them down and siphon them out, they take their footprint digitally. You know, like you do with your thumb at the DMV, she said. So they said that if they could digitally take my daughter's current footprint, then they could see if that matched the one from when she was born. So I took her to the hospital the next day and had it done, she looked down. It didn't match, she swallowed the lump in her throat before continuing. So they said they could search through the computer to see who it did match. And..... she trailed off. And your name came up, she said in a whisper.
Monica asked, her stomach tying in knots. What do you mean our name came up?
My daughter, her footprints, they match the footprints that were taken of your daughter just minutes after her birth.
Are you trying to tell me that our daughter is not ours? Monica asked. That she was switched at birth?
I'm sorry, Allison said. I'm so sorry. I know the feeling in your stomach right now, she said. I still feel it. And I debated over and over whether or not I should tell you and come to you, or just live with it as my own secret. But I didn't think it was fair to either of you, or me, or the girls, to not know.
Are you sure? Chandler asked. Are you sure that it's us?
The hospital seems to be, she said. Although how much can we trust them?
This has to be a mistake, Monica said, fighting back tears. Our daughter is OUR daughter.
The hospital said they would talk to you and your husband, she said. Maybe I shouldn't have even told you guys, Allison said, instantly regretting her decision.
No, no, we would need to know, Monica said. I just, I can't believe it.
Are you sure? Chandler asked again. Allison just nodded sadly.
And now that I meet you two, I know it's true, she said. Now I see who Schuyler looks like. Monica studied Allison for a minute, then turned away, tears rolling down her cheeks.
And now I see who Autumn looks like, too, she sobbed.
She looks like me? Allison asked sadly.
Monica said. Very much so.
Well, what do we do about this? Chandler asked. Monica closed her eyes. She was afraid that Allison was going to ask to switch the children.
Allison said. I mean, I'm not suggesting that we switch them! she added. God, no. I love Schuyler and whether or not she's actually my biological daughter won't change that, she said. I just thought you should know.
What about the hospital? Monica asked. Can't we sue them or something?
Most likely, yes, Allison said. Although then all this might become publicized.
But they owe us something, Chandler said.
They do, Allison agreed. If you two want to take action against them, I'm with you. If you don't, I'm with you, too.
We'll just need to think about it, Monica said, wiping tears from her cheeks.
Allison said. I guess I should be going, she added. She handed them a business card. My phone number and e-mail are on there, she said.
Thank you for coming, Monica said.
Allison said. And I really am sorry all this happened. I'd like you to meet Schuyler, she added.
Oh, I don't know, she said. That might make it worse.
Well, if you decide you do, she pointed at the business card, then slipped out the door.
Monica looked to Chandler, who just looked back at her.
Do you think this is true? she asked him.
Did you not see that woman's face? Chandler asked. That's Autumn's face.
Oh, God! Monica moaned. Maybe this is just one really bad dream, she said. I mean, this kind of stuff isn't supposed to happen in real life.
You remember the day Autumn was born? Chandler asked. And when you held her for the first time?
Monica said.
And then later when they brought her back to you you said you thought she had had more hair before?
Monica said. I guess she really did, huh?
Life is cruel, he said.
I don't know what to do now, Monica said. I mean, if we meet Schuyler, then we're gonna see how she looks like us and how she's really supposed to be ours, and then it will make this real. If we don't, we can keep on pretending.
No we can't, he said. We know now. We know that biologically, Autumn isn't ours. But she's still ours, and always will be. But if we don't meet Schuyler just once, we're gonna wonder forever, and that's not fair to Autumn. Maybe this way we get closure.
I guess, Monica mumbled.
Autumn called. Aren't you coming back to play with me? Chandler smiled.
I'll be right there, he called to her. Monica looked at him. I still can't believe it, he said before leaving the room to join Autumn and her birthday toys.
Monica peeked into Autumn's room to make sure she was covered up and asleep, but she found Chandler already there. He was watching her sleep, her hair tousled around her head, and her stuffed bunny clutched in her arms.
Monica said when she appeared in the room.
he replied.
What are you thinking about? she asked, although she knew the answer.
The same thing you're thinking about, he told her. She kissed sleeping Autumn on the cheek and straightened up the covers around her.
Well, how could I think about anything else? she wondered.
What do we do now, Mon? Do we just keep on living like this? Do we take action against the hospital? Do we meet Schuyler?
I honestly don't know if I could handle meeting Schuyler, she said. That really will just make it harder, she thought about that. But not meeting her would be awfully hard, too.
We have a while to think about it.
I can't believe this happened to us. I mean, this kind of thing is the makings for a movie or something you read about in a magazine, or something that some fan of a TV show applies to that show and posts on the internet, (*wink wink*) she said.
I wonder how it happened, Chandler thought. I mean, didn't they put a hospital bracelet on her right after she was born?
I really don't know, Monica said. I was drugged and tired and crying, she remembered. Y'know, I say tomorrow we check this out for ourselves. We're just taking Allison's word for it. Maybe she's some crazy mental patient. Or maybe we're on a TV show.
As much as I'd like that to be true, he said, rising from beside his daughter's bed, I don't think it is.
*~*~*
Hi, yes, I'm Monica Bing, Monica said into the phone. She was speaking with a representative from Beth Israel Hospital.
Hi, Mrs. Bing, what may we do for you?
Well, four years ago I gave birth in your hospital, she said. And now we have reason to believe that we were given the wrong baby when we left your facility.
I'm looking your records up, and it says that you're the mother to Autumn Marie Bing, is that correct?
Monica said. But what I want to know is if the Autumn I have now is really the Autumn I gave birth to.
The only way we can check that is by taking her footprint, the man said.
Well, can I bring her in to do that?
he said. Anytime today. Just come to the sixth floor, room 103.
I can just get in like that, today? she asked, surprised.
he said. We don't have many parents requesting this, you see, he said.
Well then it's too bad I had to be one of the few, huh? she asked. I'll be there later, she added before hanging up.
*~*~*
Mommy, why are we going to the hospital? Autumn asked.
I told you, Sweetie, they just need to get your footprints.
Why, again?
Just something they need, Monica said.
Autumn said with a shrug. They got off the elevator on the sixth floor and walked towards the room she had been told to go to on the phone. It turned out to be a small office.
she said, poking her head in. I'm Monica Bing?
Oh, yeah, come in, the young woman said. And is this Autumn?
Yes, yes it is, Monica said You knew we were coming, I take it?
Yeah, my supervisor mentioned it, she turned to Autumn. Hi there, Autumn. How are you?
she replied, holding onto her mother's hand and looking at the floor.
Good, glad to hear it. Happy Birthday, the supervisor added. Autumn lit up.
How'd you know? she asked.
We here at the hospital know everything. You know you were born here, she added.
I know, my mommy told me that, she said.
Well, all we need you to do today is give us your footprint. Is that okay?
Yeah, it's okay, Autumn said.
Okay, so take your shoe and sock off on either foot, the woman instructed. Then have a seat in that chair right there. She did as she was asked, and handed her sock to Monica. The woman came up to her foot and placed it on the scanner. (Okay, y'all know the thing I'm talking about? Like where they take your thumb print at the DMV and it goes right into the computer? One of those.) Just hold your foot still for a moment and that will be it, the woman said. A second later she released Autumn's foot. That's all.
Really, that's all? It wasn't even messy! she exclaimed.
Yeah, sorry, the woman joked. Okay, you can go ahead and put your shoe and sock back on, the woman added as she went to the computer. She turned to Monica. I'm sorry, she said.
This footprint, she said in a whisper so Autumn wouldn't hear. Belongs to a Schuyler Grace Madison Williams.
Are you sure? Monica asked in a barely audible whisper.
I'm sorry, was all the woman said before walking to the door and leaving quietly.
That was fun, Mommy! Autumn said. I want to do my other foot and my hands, too!
Monica said to herself. That was real fun.
*~*~*
How'd it go? Chandler asked when they got home.
It was so fun, Daddy! Autumn said. I want to get more footprints and hand prints, and maybe head prints, too.
Head prints? he asked her.
Yeah. Like Emma does at Aunt Rachel's work on the copy machine.
I think those are exclusive to a copy machine, Chandler said with a laugh. Autumn shrugged and ran to the stairs.
So....what happened?
Well, Allison is right, Monica said with a sigh. Autumn's footprints belong to Schuyler.
Are they sure? Chandler asked.
Monica said with a sigh. Yeah, it's true, they switched them.
I can't believe it, he said.
Neither can I, she said. It makes me so mad! I mean, not mad that I got the wrong baby, because I love Autumn. But mad that she's not mine, I guess. Which isn't really their fault, she added. But if they had given me the right one I wouldn't be mad that Autumn isn't mine, because I never would've thought she was.... she said.
I think I actually got that, Chandler joked. Monica smiled.
What, what do we do now? she asked.
What do you want to do? he asked her, pulling her into a hug.
Well, first, I want to sue that stupid hospital for all this! she said.
Are you sure you wanna do that, Mon?
We have to. They can't get away with it. What if they do it to more parents? If they know we're upset maybe they'll be more careful, and make new procedures for newborns.
Chandler said. What about Schuyler?
I don't know what to do about her! she said. I want to see her, just once, but I don't know if I can, she said.
But if you don't, aren't you gonna spend your life wondering? I know I would.
You really want to meet her, don't you?
I think we need to, Monica. I think it's part of getting through this.
She paused for a long moment. she said.
What, okay, you want to meet her, too?
she said. I have to know what she looks like and see that she's okay, and just, see the baby that I carried for nine months again.
I'll call Allison, he said, heading to the phone.
And I'll call a shrink, because I'm gonna need a good one after this, she said to herself.
To be continued!
So, what do you think?
Review please!
School tomorrow, aaah! No, really, I usually don't mind school, but I'm not in the mood for it tomorrow. So until next weekend........
