Disclaimer: I own NOTHING! Well, actually, I do! I own AnneMarie! YAY ME!!!!!! LOL =)
Summary: This may be out of order in whatever way, but hey, its my story, I get to decide how it goes. ;-) Sorry if it takes a
while for me to get it posted, but I've been writing it in whatever time I get between classes and stuff and I'm laptop less so
its all scribbled down on paper and I've actually gotta find time to type it all up. But hopefully I'll find enough time
somewhere. =) Happy Reading!
Note: This is a really short chapter, but I have a good reason for it. More is on its way! =)
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Family Meeting
"Dad says he'll be here soon. Either in 10 or 15 minutes."
"Ok. Tell you what, would you like Kimberly to join us? She's part of the family too."
"Depends. She's with Trini, and I'm sure she has a lot to do. Should she join us?"
"Its up to you. Its not important or anything, but its going to affect you, which means it will affect her too. But you can always tell her later."
"So it has nothing to do with her, except through me?"
"Exactly."
"I don't' want to bother her, I'm sure she's already stressing out. I'll just tell her later."
"Its your choice."
"You're scaring me."
"Don't worry, it's a good thing!"
"Yeah, that's what you said about moving."
"But you said yourself; just a few minutes ago, that turn out good and you're glad we moved."
"But only because of Kimberly!"
"I know . . . Table for three please?" Mrs. Oliver asked as they walked into Nemo's.
""Right this way!" the hostess answered cheerfully.
"Hi Honey!" Mr. Oliver said walking in to join his family a few minutes later.
"Hi Sweetie! I thought it was a good time to get Tommy's opinion on what we've been discussing."
"I figured as much. Actually, Diana called as I was leaving. I told her I would have you call her when you got home."
"Oh, good!" Mrs. Oliver said as her husband took a seat next to her.
"Ok? So what is so important that it involves both me and Diana? Are we in some kind of trouble?"
"No, not at all! Diana called a few weeks ago with some news that actually affects you."
"Interesting. I haven't done anything to make myself need a lawyer, unless I'm suddenly being sued."
"You're not being sued. Diana is the attorney that helped us with your adoption."
"So you've told me."
"Well, Diana actually told me that there's this little girl out in Arizona who's mother is dying, and only has one family member left. So that is why she was calling."
"Interesting."
"Apparently your mother had another baby that we didn't know about before she died. You have a seven year old sister named AnneMarie. So since we've got you, Diana called to see if we would like to adopt her.
"I thought Rose died when I was a baby?" Tommy asked.
"So did we. Diana thought so too, but apparently what happened is that Rose disappeared for a long time, and had another baby that on one knew about until just recently. AnneMarie's mother found out about you right after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she's been looking for you for about five years, but hadn't had any luck. But she found Diana a few weeks ago, and through it would be best for AnneMarie to be with her brother."
"Am I ever allowed to adopt her?"
"Actually, you are!" Mr. Oliver told him. "As long as you're ten years older than the child, she's yours. But Tommy, we weren't going to have you adopt her. Your mother and I were going to."
"She's my sister, she shouldn't be your responsibility. I'll adopt her if they'll let me. I'm sure Kimberly will be ok with it."
"Sweetie, she's your sister, not your daughter." Mrs. Oliver told him.
"I know. But can't I at least get custody of her?"
"Yes, you can. But your father and I thought it would be easier on you with school and everything, if we adopted AnneMarie. She'll still be your sister, and you can have all the responsibility and time with her that you want. But ultimately, if anything should happen to her, your dad and I will be responsible."
"I understand . . . But let me talk to Kimberly about it. You and Dad have already raised one kid, and you're both getting ready for an early retirement. I think it would be easier on you if I take my sister, that way you don't' have to start all over raising a child. I'd really hate to put that on you. I have enough money that I can afford to raise AnneMarie by myself without any problems. And if I need anything, I have you guys to fall back on. But I don't want you to not be able to retire or anything else, because you have a kid to raise. She's my little sister, so if anyone should be responsible for raising her, it should be me."
"I don't know Tommy." Mrs. Oliver started. "Taking care of a child is a big responsibility."
"I know, but I can do it. Just consider it. I want to at least talk to Kimberly about it, and maybe AnneMarie. See how they feel about it."
"Why don't we go to Arizona next weekend, and meet AnneMarie. We can all meet her and talk to her mom. If AnneMarie, her mom and Kimberly are all ok with it, then I guess we'll let you take AnneMarie. But Tommy, it's a huge responsibility."
"I know. But I'm ready for it, as long as Kimberly is."
"Well, then I guess the question is, is Kimberly ready?"
"I don't know. But something is telling me she'll be ok with it."
To Be Continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .