As this Tree Grows (revised and edited)

by beess

Revised & edited. When Callie's adoption is denied for a second time, she makes the decision to run away but soon she gets kidnapped. When she's found, the trauma she endured leads to a disturbing discover. Will this is discovery hurt her even more or will it end up saving her? TRIGGER WARNING

1. Prologue

Author's note: I posted this story a few years ago and took it down. I'm reposting it with revised and edited chapters. Some chapters will be completely rewritten and some will just have minor fixes.

2021

"And they all lived happily ever after." Closing the book, Callie looked down at the little girl that, to her surprise, was still awake. "It's time for bed, Emmy."

"But I'm not tired!"

Callie sighed at Emily's protest. Brushing some of the child's hair back, she said, "You need to get well rested for tomorrow. The first day of school is always a big day."

"But I don't want to go to school!" Emily pouted and was close to crying.

Callie reached over and grabbed her glasses case, opening it up for Emily to place her glasses in. "It will be just like kindergarten and first grade. Second grade is easy." However, Callie could see her words were doing no help.

She stood from the bed and lifted up the covers. Emily reluctantly scooted down and when Callie reached down to give her a goodnight kiss, she turned her head so that Callie could only kiss the top of her head. Her arms were crossed against her chest and her lips were tightly pressed together in a pout. Callie could see how upset she was but still made her way out of the room. She knew Emily would eventually fall asleep and tomorrow after school she would forget she was even upset about going.

When she heard the ding of her phone, she opened it up to see a text from Mariana.

My flight just landed. I'll see you in the morning and to see Emmy off to her first day of school. I can't believe she's already in second grade!

A smile spread on Callie's face. She, too, couldn't believe it. Her baby was growing too fast for her liking. These last seven years had really flown by. Sitting down on her bed, her stomach flipped. She felt a little sick. A fact that she was reminded of, and would always stay with her. She reached over to grab the photo of Emily that sat on her nightstand. In the photo, Emily was four and she was holding Brandon's golden retriever, who was a puppy at the time. Looking at the innocent smile on her daughter's face, the sick feeling was replaced with happiness.

There was nothing that would make her stop loving her daughter.