Despite the fact it was now technically her birthday Jade didn't seem in the mood for a party and looked tired, leaning against Carrick as he spoke to people, and Jade didn't speak much, nodding or thanking people who wished her a happy birthday.
Ana was curious still about who Jade's mother was, watching the women at the event with interest and slight suspicion. Whichever woman it was, all Ana really knew was that they had given birth to a daughter and left her on the steps to this very house. It had been the middle of the night and luckily Grace had been on a late shift at the hospital, coming home at 12.30. It meant she wasn't fully asleep when the knock at the front door came at 2 Am, grumpily making her way down the stairs and opening the door. Jade had been wrapped in several blankets against the chill Seattle night, less than a day old. A note was attached to the blanket- typed- 'I cannot raise my daughter, I am sorry. She should be with her father. Christian, I am so sorry'. Blood tests had confirmed the baby was Christian's and he had refused to say who the mother was. Carrick and Grace had initially raised their granddaughter until Christian dropped out of Harvard and he took her on full time, albeit with a nanny. By that point Jade was already four years old.
Ana quickly worked out who was Karima and who was Elaina. Karima was roughly the same age as Christian though she could have passed for a woman in her late 20's than her mid 30's. She was average height, slender, her fairly dark skin was clear and perfect and her hair was jet black in a long side plait. Ana could help but notice just how stunning the woman was, noticing the huge engagement ring and matching wedding ring on her elegant fingers and the long silk dress that Ana could tell probably cost more than anything she'd earned in her life put together. Ana only wooed out who Elaina was when Grace took it upon herself to introduce them, and didn't seem to notice the frosty reception her friend gave. Elaina was far more attractive than Ana wanted to admit, the tanned skin, perfect blonde hair, dazzling smile and tall, willowy frame.
After a few minutes observing both women she came to a realisation. Frankly either woman could be Jade's mother, both had tanned skin, full lips, high cheekbones and a similar frame to the birthday girl. Jade had her fathers eyes, and Ana knew vaguely that brown hair was a dominant gene over blonde, and her naturally copper and dark brown hair didn't exclude the blonde Elaina- especially as Ana suspected it wasn't her natural colour.
Jade was clearly tired, looking exhausted and a little absent minded as various people spoke to her late into the night. At about 1.30 Sawer received a phone call that was clearly important, moving swiftly out onto the balcony, face ashen, muttering something to Jade before he left. She looked sad, sighing and moving over to her Grandmother, who was talking with a large group. 'Grandma?' Grace smiled and inclined her head to listen to Jade. 'Luke's sister is Ill again, she's going into hospital now. Is there any chance we can have my birthday thing at lunch instead of dinner? He'll be at the hospital all day and I'd like to be able to go down and visit'. Grace nodded 'of course dear, she's not responding to treatment?' Jade shook her head slightly and Grace squeezed her shoulder. 'I'll pop in and see her in the morning, check up on her?' Jade had a look of relief and Grace kissed her temple lightly. 'I'll see what I can do'.
Ana went to the bathroom and came out, literally walking into Jade. 'oh-shit-sorry-I-' she held up a hand, stopping Ana's jumble of words 'it's fine. I was off anyway, Luke's just getting the car. Can you tell my Dad that the dinner tomorrow is now a lunch? I would call him but he never listens anyway'. Without another word Jade turned on her heel and walked out to the foyer. Ana frowned, following her out, wanting to wish her a happy birthday. Inside she felt like a High School kid who wanted the popular girl to like her.
No one was out the front of the house, most people had gone or were still inside. Jade was standing at the top of the stairs, waiting patiently for Luke to bring round his car, it was a silver two seated mercedes convertible. He was happy to admit it was a vanity purchase, he rarely drove it as he was always driving Christian around or at Escala, the mercedes was kept in the garage mostly. 'Jade' she turned and saw her mother walking over to her, heels clicking through the foyer. She felt herself torn, half wanting to stay and witness what she had to say, and half wanting to tell her to fuck off and walk away. She stayed rooted to the spot and her mother levelled with her, looking directly into her cold grey eyes. 'Happy birthday', Jade managed a vague guttural noise in response and saw the woman opposite her twist awkwardly 'look, take this. I didn't know how else to... Never mind'. She handed Jade an envelope and awkwardly turned back towards the party, disappearing into the crowd as Luke roared the Mercedes around to the front of the house, beeping to get her attention.
She climbed into the car and opened the envelope, taking out a smallish bit of paper that was inside.
Jade glanced down at the image in her hands, emotions rolling around inside her. It was a sonogram, the image was clearly two decades old, she could tell that without looking at the date. Even without the month and date typed in the top right hand corner she knew it was her, twenty years and a few months ago. In thin spidery handwriting was a simple message 'you have and always will be my daughter, I have and always will love you'. Jade sat back in the car seat, a calm, satisfied smile warming her face as Luke glanced at her, a confused but happy smile on him at seeing her happy and relaxed for once.