After discovering she couldn’t have a baby, Annie’s doctor offered her another option: adoption, which resulted in a girl called Abiona, who couldn’t speak English at first. But when Annie’s new daughter had learned enough, she revealed a truth that changed everything. Annie sat nervously in Dr. Martinez’s office, surrounded by posters of happy families. The doctor, a middle-aged woman with a friendly manner, welcomed her to sit.

Annie smiled and asked, “When can we begin the fertilization procedure?” Dr. Martinez took a big breath and said, “Unfortunately, the tests suggest you are unable to have children. I’m deeply sorry.Annie’s heart fell. Despite considering IVF, the doctor advised against it because of the poor success rate and severe dangers.

But she recommended an alternative — adoption — and handed Annie a brochure containing information and images of children in need of a home.Annie sat at her kitchen table, the peace of her house engulfing her as she read through the pamphlet. She was captivated by a photograph of a newborn, with his innocent, smiling expression.

With shaky hands, she called the adoption agency and scheduled an appointment. A few days later, Annie met Caitlin, a social worker who welcomed her into her humble office. “Sorry you had to wait,” she murmured, shaking her head. “It’s okay, don’t worry,” Annie said, trying to hide her fear.They sat and talked about Annie’s profession, home life, and desire to adopt.

“Can you spend enough time with a child? “It’s not just a few hours per day,” Caitlin inquired.Annie said, “Yes, I understand.” “I am ready to make sacrifices for my child.” “Adoption can be difficult, especially in the beginning,” Caitlin explained, but she eventually approved Annie’s application. “I understand,” Annie replied, her voice steely. “Thank you.” The next morning, Caitlin’s phone call interrupted Annie’s breakfast. “Hello, Annie?” she asked.

“Yes, it’s me,” Annie answered.”We’ve found a child for you,” the social worker said, referring to Abiona, a six-year-old Congolese child who did not speak English. “Would you like to meet her today?”Six years old? No English? “I… I need to think about this,” Annie said, her voice wavering. Of course, take as much time as you need. Caitlin replied, “Have a good day,” but Annie overheard her sigh before hanging up.

Annie spent the rest of the day debating the possibility of adopting a six-year-old. Motherhood usually starts with a baby, so raising an older child seemed unusual. However, this could be her only opportunity. She contacted Caitlin the next day with a hearty yes, and the social worker set up a visit with Abiona, who was living with a foster home.

Annie arrived at the foster home and knocked on the door, her pulse racing. A woman greeted her in an unfriendly tone, saying, “Hello, how’s it going?” “Hello, my name is Annie,” she said, fidgeting slightly. “I came to see Abiona.” The woman led Annie inside, and it was difficult not to observe the chaotic state of her home. The kids were running about, the television was playing in the background, and the living room was crammed with items.

But the woman pointed to a spot where Abiona was sitting, silently painting. “That’s her.” “Good luck because she doesn’t talk to anyone,” she added before leaving to chastise some other children.Annie approached the girl, who momentarily met her glance before returning to her sketching. “Did you sketch these yourself? “They’re imposing,” she said, kneeling to look closer.

Abiona bowed slightly but did not speak. The foster mother intervened. “Do not even try. She doesn’t understand a word of English,” she explained. Annie looked up and saw her with a superior expression. “That’s fine,” Annie answered, concentrating solely on the girl. She sat alongside her and started painting, hoping to communicate through visuals.

She sketched a house and a stick figure with long hair, captioned “This is my house.” I reside here. Would you like to live with me?The girl glanced at the paper for a moment, then at Annie’s face, before sketching a tiny stick figure next to her. Annie grinned as her stomach fluttered.She welcomed Abiona inside her home and showed her to her new comfy bedroom. The girl remained silent and observant as she studied everything.

When she discovered paints and brushes spread out, she instantly began drawing while humming a happy tune. Annie paused for a second, soaking in the scene. I’m finally a mother, she reflected before joining her new daughter.Over the next few months, Annie attempted to teach Abiona English, but the traditional methods overwhelmed her.

As a result, she modified her technique, using drawing sessions to teach her the language in a pleasant, engaging manner.Abiona responded enthusiastically by gradually acquiring words and phrases. One day, while studying the notion of family with a picture book, Annie pointed to an illustration and stated, “See, this is a family,” then pointed to herself, “Mom,” and Abiona, “Daughter.”

Abiona’s reaction, instead of nodding in agreement, was unexpected: she burst into tears. “What’s wrong?” Annie inquired, caressing the girl’s head.Abiona grabbed a few of her drawings. “I have Mom and Dad,” she explained, pointing to the paper. Annie’s eyes widened. She didn’t understand because Caitlin had never discussed Abiona’s relatives.”What are you saying, honey?” she inquired.

“Bad men took me from Mom and Dad,” the girl explained. “Okay, okay,” Annie murmured, her voice lowering and calming. “Tell me more.” Abiona recounted in shaky English that the terrible men had taken her, but she was now with the police. She showed Annie a handcrafted toy, her lone recollection of her birth mother.”I’m small. I don’t know Mom’s face. But Mom smells honey. She gave me this,” Abiona continued, biting her bottom lip and wiping away a tear.

Annie was struggling to keep her emotions under control. A six-year-old shouldn’t have to be this strong on her own. She hugged the tiny girl, who began to sob into her bosom. Revealing that secret strengthened their friendship significantly.Months later, Abiona had a violent coughing episode at night. Annie hurried her to the hospital as soon as possible. “I need help! “My daughter, she can’t breathe!” she cried to the emergency department workers.

The medical team promptly attended to her daughter, leaving Annie anxiously waiting outside the examination room. She was quickly stabilized, but she was surrounded by beeping devices, which made things much terrifying. However, the absolute tragedy occurred a few hours later, after the team had completed various tests.One doctor stepped into the room, took a deep breath, and began.

“I’m sorry to tell you this. But Abiona is terminally ill. She just has a few days remaining.”His words were well chosen, but they pierced through Annie like a knife. “What?” she muttered, barely audible. “What’s wrong with her?” The doctor described her situation. It had a convoluted name that Annie couldn’t understand since her head was clouded with the ramifications.

Should I have noticed sooner? She looked so healthy. I adopted her a few months ago. Nobody told me anything. “You couldn’t have done much if you’d observed anything. This is a hereditary condition that emerges unexpectedly. “This is not your fault,” the doctor said, touching her shoulder and leaving.Abiona awoke one hour later.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Annie said softly, squeezing the girl’s hand. “Is there anything you want? What can I buy for you?” Abiona’s voice was weak but clear. “I want to see my mom,” she said with a wistful look in her eyes. Annie nodded and, eager to fulfill her request, left the hospital with Abiona’s handmade toy, thinking it would lead her to her biological mother. She went to the police station, and they agreed to test the toy for DNA.

They miraculously found a match and provided Annie with her birth mother’s contact information. Her name was Tendey. Despite the fact that the phone went unanswered, Annie was determined to find Abiona’s mother, even if it meant traveling to her in person.She drove to Tendey’s address, summoned her courage, and knocked on the door. When a woman approached, Annie introduced herself and said, “Tendey?”

The woman answered swiftly and impatiently. “Yes. That is me, but I do not wish to join your god. I don’t require any services, and I don’t wish to purchase anything,” she remarked, practically closing the door. But Annie threw her arm up to stop her. “This is about Abiona,” she exclaimed. “She’s currently in the hospital. The doctor stated that she had a dangerous hereditary condition and only has a few days to live.”

Annie expected Tendey to be upset, but the woman crossed her arms instead. “I gave her away.” Voluntarily. I gave up parental rights. So what’s going on right now isn’t my problem,” Tendey said coldly.”Please. She is your daughter. Annie implored, “She is dying and wants to see you.” Tendey shakes her head. “Listen. I do not want to see her. Deal with it.

Annie sighed as she looked beyond Tendey and into her house. “Do you sell perfume?” Do you have any honey-scented ones?” “Ugh, yes,” Tendey murmured, staring behind her with confusion. “How much?” Annie asked. At home, Annie searched on her computer, typing away as her idea came together. She looked for an actress who resembled Tendey and found Sarah. Annie contacted to explain the problem.Sarah was touched

“I will do it.” “It’s a strange request, but I can tell it comes from a place of love,” she explained. Annie shared every information she knew about Abiona and her mother. The next day, Annie and the actress planned to grant Abiona’s final wish. Sarah reached the girl’s bedside, sprayed with honey-scented perfume and held her tiny hand with tenderness.

“Abiona, this is your mother,” Annie softly introduced. Abiona, whose condition had deteriorated so rapidly in a single day, readily accepted Annie’s remarks. “You smell like Mom,” the girl said softly, opening her arms for a hug.Sarah agreed, explaining, “It’s because I am Mom.”Abiona turned to face Annie. “Thank you,” she mumbled before going back asleep. Sarah left as it became evident that the girl was unlikely to wake up soon.

Annie watched over her daughter as the sun sank. Her breathing was excessively deep, but that had been the case for several hours. She whispered to her, bringing comfort and assurance in the quiet room filled with faint beeping equipment. She touched the girl’s head at some point and felt an overwhelming warmth. In her debilitated state, Abiona weakly mumbled “Mom” before passing out.

Annie raced to fetch her doctor, who entered, performed a brief inspection, exhaled, and lowered his head. “I’m afraid this may be it,” he remarked. “I’m sorry.” “No!” Annie wept as she hugged her child.Abiona slept a little better in Annie’s arms, but affection was not always sufficient. She died after midnight, with a final small puff of air. As the tears began to fall freely, Annie said, “You were loved. So loved. I’ll love you forever.