Epilogue

EPILOGUE

T heir trip to Scotland became an extended trip, and then they extended it once again, and then they decided that it might be for the best to simply buy a home there.

It had been a year since Beth had spoken to her parents, as they had not wished to see her since that Christmas. Theodore, however, had written to her many times, and he tried to give Beth an explanation as to how they all were. She learned of her mother’s failing health, but she was unsure of how to feel.

Adam, of course, knew all too well how she was feeling.

“You need not feel any one way,” he explained, “You may mourn that you never knew her well, or you may find peace that she will no longer be unkind to you, or you may feel both or even neither of them. That is perfectly fine.”

“Do you suppose that I should write to them?”

“Do you wish to be a good daughter or your own self?”

“My own self.”

“In which case, why would you even try? They made it clear that they did not wish to hear from us, and so we ought to do as they asked. They would be able to find us if they wanted to.”

“I simply feel incredibly guilty about it,” she sighed, “I am their only child, after all.”

“Then they should have considered that before making you feel the way that they did for years. Now, we have a more pressing matter to consider, but if you no longer feel ready for all of this–”

“No, no, I certainly am. It is time to do this. You and I are ready to take this step, and it is something I should have allowed myself to consider long ago.”

“I know, but if you need more time to think of your mother, then we can allow you to do that. We need not rush into things.”

“I do not believe we are rushing,” she smiled, “As for my mother, she is more than welcome to write to us, as you say, and who knows? Perhaps she might like to discover that we had a child after all.”

“Do you suppose she would like to know about this?”

Beth sighed, her smile fading.

“No. If anything, it is yet another reason not to tell her a thing about it. My mother and father would never see this child as an heir, no matter what we do. It is best for the child that we do not allow them to meet.”

“Then that is what we shall do. Should you ever change your mind, we can discuss it again.”

Beth nodded, and their carriage arrived at their destination. It was a worn down, yet respectable, house on the outskirts of Glasgow. Beth steadied herself, knowing that her life would inevitably change from the moment she set foot inside.

The sound of children’s laughter could be heard from within, softening the otherwise daunting exterior. Beth’s gloved hand tightened around Adam’s arm as he walked toward the building with her.

“This is it,” she murmured.

Despite her nerves, a flicker of excitement settled within her. They approached the door, and it swung open to reveal a woman in a neat, dark dress.

“Welcome,” said the matron, “I understand yer here to meet the children.”

Beth nodded, and the matron stepped aside, leading them in.

The common room was modest but tidy. Around the room, children sat in small groups, playing with carved wooden toys or reading. It hadn’t been anything like Beth had expected. She thought they would be faced with misery, and desperate children, but they seemed almost content.

“These are the younger ones,” the matron said, leading Beth and Adam closer.

Beth’s eyes roamed over the children. A boy with dark curls was building a tower of wooden blocks, and two girls were seated nearby, giggling as they played with dolls. They were all at play, just as children should have been, and Beth was pleased that they at least lived in suitable conditions.

Then, a little girl sitting by herself near the window drew Beth’s attention. She was no older than eight, her long auburn hair catching the sunlight. She cradled a small cloth rabbit, her fingers tracing its seams. When she noticed Beth’s gaze, her hazel eyes lit up, a shy smile spreading across her face.

Beth’s breath caught in her throat.

“What’s her name?” Beth asked softly.

“That’s Isla,” the matron replied, “A quiet girl, but incredible curiosity once she dares speak.”

Beth exchanged a look with Adam, an unspoken agreement passing between them. He smiled and nodded, stepping forward.

“Hello, Isla,” he said gently, “It’s nice to meet ye.”

The girl hesitated for a moment before standing, clutching her rabbit tightly. She was frightened, Beth could see as much, but she was sweet, and after a moment she began to speak.

“Hello,” she said, her voice soft but steady.

Beth knelt down to meet her gaze. The little girl seemed quite intimidated by the size of Adam, and Beth wanted to calm her down.

“I’m Beth, and this is Adam. We were wondering if you’d like to spend some time with us today?”

Isla’s smile grew, tentative but hopeful, as she gave a small nod, giggling softly.

“Your voice is strange,” she remarked, which made Adam laugh heartily.

“It is your turn to have the strange voice now,” he gested, and Beth couldn’t help but be equally as amused.

She was the odd one in Scotland, seen as very proper, but she had begun to adapt. If she remembered, she could use the right words and try to mimic her husband’s accent. She had varying degrees of success, but it was always appreciated. Even, it appeared, by small children.

“What about spending some time out in the garden?” The matron suggested, pointing toward a wrought-iron gate at the back of the orphanage.

Isla nodded, following the matron. Beth and Adam also did, leaving the building and entering the garden. The three of them walked outside together, the chill air brushing their faces. Isla clutched her rabbit tightly.

“D’ye reckon we’ll spot any birds out here?” Adam asked.

Isla hesitated, then gave a small shrug, her voice barely audible.

“Maybe.”

She truly was a shy little girl, but Beth knew that she was a bright child. She was alert, and eager, and that was more than she could ask for.

Beth watched as Adam pointed toward a nearby hedge. There was a little brown bird perched on it, a red breast standing out proudly among the greens.

“Look there. Is that a sparrow or something else?” He asked.

Isla stepped closer, her gaze sharpening as she studied the little brown bird.

“It isnae a sparrow.”

“Ah, then what is it?”

“A robin,” she said after a moment, her voice a little louder this time, “Ye can tell because of its red chest. It’s very cute.”

“A robin! Of course. Ye’re very clever to know that.”

Isla glanced at him, a faint blush creeping over her cheeks. Beth joined them, crouching beside her.

“Thank ye, Sir.”

“Ye need not thank me. Are ye always this polite?”

“I suppose, aye. It is the right thing tae do.”

“Ye’re a lot like me wife.”

Beth smirked. This was certainly true.

“Do you like birds, Isla?” She asked.

“Aye, I like all animals,” Isla said softly, “I read about them in the books inside. There’s one about animals from faraway places, like tigers and elephants. Some of the other’s think they are nae real, but they are.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Beth said, “Maybe you can teach us about them? We do love to learn.”

“I donae think there is much I can teach ye. I’m only a girl.”

“On the contrary, you could teach the two of us a lot.”

“Do ye think so?”

Adam looked at Beth, and she gave him a nod of approval. Her nerves settled in once more. This was the child for her, she was certain of it, but what if the little girl did not want her?

“Isla,” Adam began, speaking very gently, “Me wife and I are looking for a wee child of our own. We were wondering if ye might like tae come home with us? I know I’m quite scary, and me wife has a funny little voice, but we would love tae take care of ye. What dae ye think?”

“I think…” She replied quietly, “I think that would be perfect! Are ye sure ye want me? Me maither didnae, that’s why I’m here.”

“I can be your mother, if that is what you wish,” Beth suggested, “Though I will not ask that you call me that now. Not until you are ready.”

The little girl looked between the two of them, clearly unsure whether or not she could trust them. Beth wondered just how many people had walked through the building and disregarded her, but she knew that they would be different. It was strange, but she already felt an innate protective instinct for her.

“In that case,” Isal said, “Yes, please. I would love tae be your daughter.”

Beth managed not to cry, but her husband was not so strong. Isla looked up at him, seemingly less afraid than she had been before. She looked at her rabbit and then back to Adam, before taking his hand and pressing the toy into it.

“His name is John,” she explained, “He always helps me when I am scared. Perhaps he will help ye?”

Beth wanted to say that he was not afraid, but he certainly seemed that way. She smiled at him, noting that he was gripping the little rabbit tightly. At last, they had the child they had dreamed of, and when Beth looked into her eyes, she no longer cared whether she had had her from the start or now that she was eight years old. She was theirs, and she was the greatest gift of all.

Their new life became normal quickly, Isla reading to them each day and playing by herself happily. They had already discussed finding a sibling for her, as Adam was hesitant to only have one given his own upbringing, one that Beth understood all too well, but they wished to give her time to adapt to her new home before then. It was a conversation that they were preparing to have, but it wasn’t the right time.

However, they did have to take a trip.

Isla was young, but she would be able to handle the journey to London, Beth was certain of it. She was fiercely independent, even if she was quietly so, and she had no doubt that the child would be fine in the carriage however long it took.

What she was uncertain of, however, was how Diana and Samantha would react to her. They knew that they were looking to adopt a child, but they hadn’t told them that it was a little girl, nor anything else about her.

“Will they like me, do ye think?” She asked, as they made their way down.

“They will love ye,” Adam nodded, “Though they might be a wee bit surprised. They know nothing about ye.”

“Why?”

“We thought it would be best for them to meet you themselves,” Beth explained, “For there is no better way to know you than seeing you in person, do you not agree?”

Isla nodded, swinging her legs a little.

Adam carried Isla in his arms when they finally reached Samantha’s home. Beth was the first to enter, greeting her sister-in-law and pulling her attention away for a moment. Diana joined them, and Beth knew that she had to prepare them.

“So,” she began, “As you know, we have found the perfect child, and since then, everything has been wonderful. I will warn you, our little one is quite timid, but she will be alright soon enough, isn’t that right, Dear?”

The sisters turned, Samantha immediately grabbing Diana’s arm.

“Di!” She gasped, “It’s- It’s a little girl!”

“Hello,” Isla said softly, “It is nice tae meet ye.”

“This is Isla,” Adam grinned, “Our greatest decision.”

Diana did not hesitate to scoop the little girl in her arms and scurry away, Isla giggling as they left. Beth turned to Samantha, who had tears streaming down her face, her eyes not leaving Adam’s.

“You chose a girl,” she whispered.

“I did, indeed. Is there something strange about that?”

“No! No, I only… Father never would have done that, would he? I mean, I thought that if you had… I thought that if you had children of your own, and you had a girl, you would have been happy enough, but to have chosen one specifically, I– Oh, Adam, this is the most wonderful news!”

She embraced him, and Beth looked on until Samantha reached out to her and pulled her close too. They had grown up with a father who had only ever cared to have a son, an heir, and that had been the last thing on Adam’s mind. Beth knew as much, because he had not once mentioned it.

They joined Diana a short while later, who was sitting beside Isla as they read together.

“She is rather intelligent, isn’t she?” She noted.

“Very much so,” Adam smiled, “She shall attend university, I believe, just like her aunt.”

Isla’s eyes widened.

“Can that happen?”

“It happened to me,” Samantha smiled, “I am quite certain that we could find a way, if that is what you want. Then again, perhaps you may simply enter society and decide you want to be a wife?”

“Enter society? Like a lady?”

“Of course! This is your life now, Dear. I suppose that might be quite daunting to hear.”

“No!” She gasped, “It sounds lovely. I cannae wait.”

“Oh, God,” Adam groaned.

“What is it?” Diana asked, “Are you finally realizing that you will have to find a husband for your daughter?”

“No, I am realizing that I will have to teach her how to speak like one of you.”

Isla giggled at that, and each of the ladies followed. She was a precious gift, and Beth adored her. Just as she had found a real family with them all, her little one had too, and she was the happiest that she had ever seen her.

It was no surprise to Beth, of course, for she felt exactly the same.

The End?