Harper couldn’t process everything Fin was telling her. He put his arm around her, pulling her closer. “It seems thatyou just might have an older sister if I’m understanding this information right.”
“What?” Harper looked from Fin to Elsie and back to Fin before she started to sway where she stood. “You’re kidding right?”How could this be? Mom and dad would have told me something like that wouldn’t they?
Fin handed the court papers to Elsie and grabbed ahold of Harper. “Okay, come on, let’s get you to a chair before you pass out on us.” The sofa was closest, and he propped her up with some pillows behind her.
“Is that better?” When she focused on him long enough to nod, he turned to the kitchen. “Don’t go anywhere, I’m going to get you a drink.”
When Fin returned, Harper felt as though she was breathing more calmly and sipped from the glass. She looked up when Elsie spoke. “Seems there’s something else in this priority pack.” She extended a red envelope to Harper. She tried to focus her eyes.
“To my sister Harper,” she read on the label. Somehow, finding new energy at the thought of having family, she ripped it open revealing a hand-written letter on lined notebook paper.
To my dearest sister Harper,
I know this news must come as a shock to you and I dearly hope it doesn’t ruin your holiday festivities. I think I was in as much shock when I received the news as you may be feeling right now. First, I should say my name is Chloe Summerfield. I was put up for adoption when I was two days old. I grew up with a wonderful family who made sure I knew at an early age about being adopted. By the time I was old enough to start asking questions, ourparents had already passed away. I’m sorry that you had to go throughthat alone.
She looked up to Fin, smiling. “She says that adoption records are automatically sealed to protect all parties, so she never thought twice about trying to look any further once she found out our parents were dead. Then she went to law school and eventually figured out that since theyweredead, she was able to petition the court for all the information. That’s when she found out she had a sister, me.”
Harper was so overjoyed she could hardly keep the tears at bay. She continued to read.
I have two brothers that I grew up with, but I would be forever grateful for the chance to meet you in person, even if only just once and…
“Oh my god, she says she’s coming to Holly to meet me.”
“Harper, that’s fantastic.” Fin squeezed her in a tight hug.
“I totally agree and I have Santa to thank for this because this has been the best Christmas ever and I’ve gotten everything I wrote to him about.” She looked over to see Elsie smiling back at her. Fin broke into her thoughts.
“Does she mention when she’s coming?”
Harper scanned the paper, speed reading to find the information. She looked up at Fin and Elsie in disbelief. “She’ll be here in five days.”
The End
