"There's a lot we need to talk about. There are rules, and you must promise to follow them." Davis got right to it.
"Okay."
"Number one: We will never physically hurt you and you have to believe that. Number two: You may not leave the house without permission or a grownup by your side. Number three: You must do well in school, and if you're ever struggling with it, you must tell us so we can help you. Number four: If you're having problems of any kind, tell either Lisa or me, or both of us, preferably. And finally Number five: You can never doubt that we love you."
"Okay, I can do that." She sounded so determined as she said that. She really wanted to make it work. I could see it in her eyes. She didn't want to fear Davis.
"Also, we won't rush you, but we want to know about your childhood and your time on the streets. You share with us however much you want at whatever time you want. We just want to help you and we want to understand what you've been through, okay?" I added.
"Okay, Mommy." She smiled at me, melting me with the way she called me mommy. I cried again. "Did I make you happy again?"
"Yes, you did. Very, very happy."
I love her so much already.
"My mommy before was nothing like you. She was nice and she would stand up to daddy for me sometimes, but she didn't take care of me the same way you do. She never brushed my hair while she sang to me, like you do. Also, she wouldn't make me take a bath or give me clean clothes every day. She'd make me food sometimes, but it's not as much as you and this Daddy do." I could see Davis' chest rise with pride as she called him her daddy now. There was no hiding he was angry at the news she was sharing.She had been neglected. "Still, I sometimes miss her. I hope that doesn't make you mad."
"Never," I quickly told her. "She gave you life. I'll never be mad at you for missing her."
Even if she was a shitty mom.
"She was much better than Daddy. Daddy would hit us both if we ever made him mad. He liked to hit me more than Mommy, but Mommy would take care of me after, so it was okay."
The fact she thought that was okay broke me.
"That's not okay, Calliope. No matter what, it's never okay for someone to hit you. You hear me?" Davis used his serious tone, so she knew he meant business. She nodded her head timidly. "Good."
"When Mommy wouldn't wake up one day, Daddy made me get in the car. He drove us far away and then told me to get out. I always listen to Daddy so that he won't hit me as much. He never came back."
I was crying again, making Calliope furrow her brow.
"Are you happy?"
"No, baby. I am sad. I am sad that you had to go through that. But I promise you that will never happen again. You're ours forever."
She nodded her head again. I know it would be awhile before she believed those words, but I would make sure that she does. She would know what real love feels like. There would be no doubt in her mind that she was wanted and cared for by us.
"I stayed there for a few days, but then I got hungry and people kept saying they were going to call the police. I knew Daddy would be mad if the police came to his house. So, I ran and got more lost. I kept walking and sometimes people would give me food or drinks. Some gave me money. The scary part was sleeping. I started sleeping in the treetops to feel better. I fell once, so I made sure not to go too high next time."
We were both listening to her attentively with tears in our eyes. This little girl was strong, so damn strong when she shouldn't have to be. She told us everything right then and there. My heart shattered for her as she told us her story.
Don't worry, Calliope, I'll make sure you never go through something like that again.
We have everything slowly going towards Calliope’s adoption. We were just waiting on the court date now. I didn’t understand why it was so damn hard to adopt a kid. Still, I was trying not to complain, because I had a daughter now. She was mine, my sweet girl.
"Calliope, are you ready to go?" I called up to her in her room.
Calliope’s tastes in fashion have become more bold and girly. She had been coming out of her shell more and more, especially after opening up to us. She still sees her psychologist and therapist once a week, and she was doing brilliantly at school.
"Ready, Mommy."
She stood at the top of the stairs, a picture of utter perfection. She had on a sweet pink floral dress and her favorite pink shoes, that didn't really match the style of the dress. No way I was denying her, her favorite shoes.
"Let's go buy me a wedding dress." I smiled at her, having her grab my hand when she was on the last step.
She jumped with an excited smile. I have been having her help me with the planning of mine and Davis' wedding. We decided it wouldn't be as grand as Lucas and Liv's, but it'd still be beautiful. There was a spot in New York a little ways away that was just perfect. Great views, beautiful reception area, lovely nature feel for the ceremony area too. It was just perfect. We went and looked at it all together and decided it would be the place.
Today we were meeting my mom and Liv to shop for dresses. There was a small boutique with a seamstress that made the loveliest gowns. She wasn't as well known as the name brands, but I fell in love with her dresses years ago. I always pictured her making my dress.
