Chapter 17

Hey you guys, this chapter is about to drop a very large bomb on a couple of people. It was jus something I came up with the other day, I know that the years don't really match up but please just go with it.

Nine years earlier…

A blond woman hurried up to the adoption agency. She was carrying a toddler about three years of age. The owner of the place greeted her at the door.

"Ah Miss Ericsson, we've been expecting you. Is this the girl?"

"Yes." the blond woman said. "My sister's child. Sadly my sister died two years ago. I was told it was suicide. I tried to care for the child but I can't afford it anymore. So I'll leave her here."

"Of course." said the owner. "She'll be perfectly fine here."

The blond put the girl down. "Now Ana you have to stay here with these people, okay?"

The child called Ana was crying. "But why can't I stay with you Aunt Liz?" she whined.

"Because it will be better for you to be here Anastasia." her aunt said. "I promise I'll come back though Ana. When you're older, I'll come back and explain everything to you. I promise." And then she was gone. Leaving the young Anastasia alone at the orphanage.

The years passed and eventually Ana forgot all about her old family and relished in her new life at Adam Anthony. Then on the day after her tenth birthday her aunt returned as promised.

"Ana." she said. "I have come back to tell you why you have to stay here." she took a deep breath and began her story.

Your mother was so young when she had you Ana. Too young, and too foolish. She thought she was in love with this man, your father, when she was only sixteen. He was so charming and cute she said. Soon she was pregnant with you and he left her. Two days after giving birth to you she started disappearing for days on end. But she would always come back to check on you. I found out later that she had found another boyfriend in the city and had started using drugs when she was leaving. Then when you were a year old I got a letter saying she was dead. That she had committed suicide after learning that she had AIDS. I tried to raise you as best I could, but I didn't have the money. That's why I left you here.

The now ten year old Ana looked up at her aunt. "Can you tell me the names of my parents at least?" she asked.

Her aunt shook her head. "It wouldn't matter if I did. They're both gone. No, I won't tell you because they aren't your real parents. You'll find those once someone adopts you. You will have a real family then."

And that was the last time Anastasia ever saw her.

Back in the present, Ana looked up after telling the story. Mark was had his eyes closed, no doubt processing what he'd just been told. Roger however, was staring at her. His green eyes seeing through her.

He just kept hearing this words in his head. She committed suicide after learning she had AIDS. It all made sense to him now. "April." he whispered. Mark's eyes flew open.

"What?" he asked.

"Ana's mom." Roger said. "April is Ana's mom. I can't believe I didn't see it before. They have the same eyes, and April's hair was redder than yours Ana but it's the same texture and everything."

"So you're Ana's father?" Mark asked in disbelief.

Roger shook his head. "No, I'm the other boyfriend from the city. April killed herself a year after met her remember." He grew excited then. "And we met her sister that one time. Her name was Elizabeth."

"That's right." Mark said then. "I remember her. Wow this is so unreal."

Ana was just staring at them. She was having a hard time understanding what was going on. This was a lot to dump on a twelve year old at one time. Her eyes filled with tears and she jumped up and ran to her bedroom.

Mark and Roger exchanged a look. "And she did that why?" Roger wanted to know.

Mark hit him on the arm. "Come on Rog, that was a lot to dump on a twelve year old. She's trying to forget about her old family like her aunt told her to, and she finally thought she could, with us. But now it turns out that even her new family has connections to her old one, who didn't care about her." he explained.

"Oh, that sucks." Roger said. "I didn't want to upset her. I was just excited about this connection we have."

"I know." Mark replied. "You should go tell Ana that, we still have a couple of hours until we have to see Mimi."

Roger nodded and went down the hall and into Ana's room. She was lying on her bed staring at the wall and humming the first song she played for him. He carefully stepped into the room. "Ana?" he asked. "Anastasia please talk to me." She turned her tear stained face to his, so he continued. "I didn't mean to upset you Ana. I was just excited that we had a connection. It seemed like maybe we were meant to have you or something."

"I'm sorry I'm being a brat." Ana said softly. "I just really always hated my mother, and now I find out she's the reason this family might not last that long."

Roger went and sat on the bed beside her. "Hey, this family isn't going anywhere for a long time. Besides that wasn't April's fault. I was stupid and let the drugs take over my life. I don't blame your mother for anything." He leaned over and hugged Ana. "You don't have to worry that this family isn't going to make it Ana. Mark and I love each other and we're going to grow to love you too, so don't worry about it. Don't let April get you down. That's what Mark used to tell me all those years ago."

After a moment Ana hugged him back. "Okay." she said. "Consider it forgotten."

Roger chuckled lightly. "You know this parenting thing is too easy. I have a feeling that when you get older it's going to get a lot harder."

They went back into the living room and told Mark that all was well. Then they all got ready to go to Mimi's house and see her. When they arrived they saw that Maureen, Joanne, and Sara were already there. Collins was coming soon and Jaylah was at a friend's house. Mimi and Darren were making wedding preparations.

"Jeez, you're out of the hospital for a few hours and you're already getting down to business." Maureen commented. "If it were me, I'd be milking it for at least a week."

"Well not everyone is as lazy as you Mo." Mark said. "So anyway Meems, tell us about the wedding."

Mimi smiled. "It's going to be in two months on July 24. I want Maureen to be my maid of honor and Joanne and Sara to be bridesmaids."

Darren looked up then. "I don't have many friends so I was wondering if you'd be my best man Roger." he said shyly. "And I want Mark and Collins to be groomsmen."

Collins came in just in time to hear that. "I'd be honored." he said with a grin.

Roger and Mark looked at each other. "Us too." they said in unison.

"Oh and Roger?" Mimi asked quietly. "I'd like you to be the one who gives me away as well."

Roger grinned at her. "I would love to Mimi." he said.