Chapter 20

The rest of the weekend was busy for me. I spent about half of it taking care of Sarah. Jenny helped me quite a bit as well.

Friday she spent much of the day with her father. She wanted to get to know him again and I couldn't blame her. She was overjoyed when Jim returned and announced that he had been offered the job. They were going to be moving back to Cleveland. Jenny was as happy as I had ever seen her. Jim, Jenny and Cindy spent the afternoon together getting the utilities turned back on in the old house. Jenny was funny before they left.

"Mark"

"Yes Darling?"

"Do you mind if I help Daddy and Cindy this afternoon?"

"Why would I mind?"

"Hey, after the last time I failed to communicate, I'm not taking any chances. You might accuse me of over communicating from now on. Your opinion matters."

"Well thanks for the thought, but I don't mind. He's your father."

"Thanks," she jumped into my arms and gave me a kiss before they left for the old Parks residence.

"Mom, I'm taking Sarah over to her place for her nap."

"Ok."

"Come on Sarah, let's go over to your house to play."

"Ok Daddy."

We walked out back and entered the annex. Sarah made a beeline for her toys as I took my coat off. Once I had sat down in the living room, I turned the TV on to something that she might like to watch. Like always, she came over and cuddled up to me to watch TV and fell asleep only a few minutes later. After taking her upstairs and putting her to bed, I came back downstairs and turned the TV over to something that I liked. The next thing I remember is Donna waking me up.

"Looks like that little darling of mine got you again."

"Yes she did. How was work?"

"Just as I expected, the place was a madhouse. Could you stick around for a while? I would like to take a nap myself."

"Sure. Jenny is spending the day with her father, so I have nothing better planned."

"Ok, wake me up by 4."

She went upstairs. I fell asleep on the sofa.

That night at dinner Jenny was very happy. I knew why. He dad was going to be a bigger part of her life. I knew how that felt. It wasn't that long ago that my dad was too busy for me. At least I always knew where to find him.

Jan was still giving him the cold shoulder. I could tell that this was going to take time to thaw, if she ever did thaw. I wasn't overly worried. That was between Jim and her.

When Jim and Cindy left to go back home, Jenny was both excited and depressed at the same time. I was glad that I didn't have school the next day since she kept me up all night long.

Donna drove me to school on Monday. Since she had to drop Sarah off at her daycare, it was just easier to drive. Jenny had to stay home, since she was due to be in court with Ryan's trial.

I was surprised when Jenny walked up to me just before lunch.

"Hi Sweetie. What are you doing here?"

"The trial was dismissed."

"Oh, that sucks. How did he manage to make this happen?"

"His mother found him dead this morning."

"What?"

"Yeah. I guess he slit his wrists and bled to death last night. There was more to the story, but they refused to tell me about it other than to admit his guilt."

"Funny how ironic that it."

"What do you mean?"

"He raped you causing you to attempt suicide. You were saved and when he had to face the music, he succeeded using the same method that you attempted."

"I didn't think about that. Still, I would have rather have seen him go to prison."

"Either way, he will never harm another."

"That's the only good part of all this. We stopped in to see his mother. She had to be taken to the hospital."

"Why?"

"Not the medical hospital, but the mental hospital. She totally had a breakdown I guess."

"I'm not surprised. Hey, I'll see you tonight. I have to get to class."

I gave her a kiss and headed off to my next class. It was strange to think that this mess with Ryan was over and the manner at which it ended. I could only pray that his family would get over it soon.

The next few weeks were quite busy. I watched Sarah on the weekends. During the week, we went to school during the day and worked together on homework in the evening. Jim and Cindy had moved back into town, which made Jenny happy. She would always ask me if I minded. I minded her asking me every time she wanted to go. I knew that this was still part of the fallout from the mess at McDonald's.

Christmas was coming up and Dad decided that he would surprise us. It was on a night that Jim and Cindy were over for dinner.

"Well, now that everyone is here, I would like to let you all know that we are going away for Christmas vacation this year."

"Cool, where are we going?"

"I am taking the family to Las Vegas for a few days."

"Ok."

"There is something else. Jim, I will let you do the honors."

"Thanks John. While we are in Vegas, Cindy and I are going to finally tie the knot."

Jenny let out a quick scream of excitement. She jumped out of her seat to give Cindy a hug and congratulations. I noticed that Jan didn't have the same look of joy.

"Oh. When are you leaving," Donna asked.

"We will be leaving the day after Christmas and we expect that you will be joining us."

"Sarah and I are going too?"

"Since we are only staying for a few days in Vegas, the rest of the time we will be in Phoenix."

"Can we visit my parents?"

"That's the plan."

Now it was Donna's turn for jumping out of her seat and shouting for joy. She ran over and gave each of my parents a hug and a thank you.

The remainder of the evening was quite festive. I did notice one person who was not happy. That was Janice. While the rest of the family was celebrating in the living room, I followed Janice down the hall into the library. When I walked in, I noticed her in the dark, crying in the corner. I walked over and sat down beside her.

"Hey Sis, are you ok?"

"I'm not your sister."

"Not yet."

"What's that <sniff> supposed to mean? <sniff>"

"My parents are adopting you, right?"

"Yeah <sniff>"

"Well once that is final, you will legally be my sister. I'm looking forward to that."

"You're too busy with Jenny."

"Jenny and I will probably be married some day. I can't deny that. Even if that doesn't happen, you'll be my sister. She will also be your sister. I care about you Jan. I know Jenny does too."

"Then why is she so insistent about me getting to know our father?"

"She got to know him a little when she was young. She has some memories to fall back on. You don't. You feel like you were abandoned. You really were. You have good reason to feel that way. When you and Jenny are fighting over this, I have been telling Jenny to lay off."

"You have?"

"Yes. You can ask her if you like."

"Why did you do that?"

"Because you are going to be my sister and I stick up for my sisters."

"Thanks Mark." She wrapped her arms around me, "I needed this."

"You can talk to me anytime, even if you need to bitch about Jenny."

"Are you sure?"

"Hey, what are big brothers for?"

"How should I feel about him getting married?"

"Just treat it like a friend of the family is getting married. Not that it's your father. Let Jenny gush all over it. Try to treat it like Erin is. Does she seem concerned?"

"Not much. Actually, she told me that she doesn't really care."

"Exactly, you don't know this man. Don't try to act like you do. Don't feel like you have to. One day you might get close to him, but don't try to feel like you have to."

"Are you sure?"

"You are closer to my parents than you have ever had the chance to be with your own father. I think Jim understands as well. That's why he is working with Mom and Dad on the adoption."

"Yeah, he is. Thanks Mark. I guess you're right."

"Now, let's get back to the living room and enjoy ourselves."

"Ok."

We walked back into the living room. I was holding Jan's hand as we went in. Jenny noticed and gave me a curious look. I let go of Jan and walked over to her.

"What was that all about?"

"My sister needed someone to talk to. She was feeling down about something. I perked her spirits up."

"Why does she hate Daddy so much?"

"He left her before she was old enough to get to know him. Her life with your mother was just as miserable for her as it was for you. She resents him for it. Don't push her. I can't guarantee that she will come around, but if you push her she never will."

"Ok."

The last week before Christmas, I was going out of my way to spend time with Jan. This also meant that I was spending more time with Erin as well since they were always together. Off and on during that week, Jenny would either be with her father or with us when we were playing board games or anything else we decided to do.

It was near the end of the week when Mom came to me to talk about something.

"Mark, do you have a moment?"

"I have quite a few. What do you need?"

"I have been told that we have to be down at the courthouse on Friday. I need you and Jenny to be ready to go."

"Why are we going down there?"

"This is a surprise for Janice, so you need to keep it quiet."

"Ok, what is it?"

"The adoption will be finalized."

"I think that she will consider this the best Christmas present that she could ever ask for."

"I do too. Don't let her know. I want this to be a surprise."

"Ok, no problem."

I told Jenny about the surprise and she started to get all bubbly again. I was finally able to calm her down and keep her that way until we went to bed.

Friday finally rolled around and Janice was stumped. Jenny and I had been riding to school with Donna, so seeing us riding with Mom shocked her.

"Why are you two riding with us?"

"Donna had another stop to make this morning."

"Oh."

That kept her until we started to make wrong turns. I could tell she was wondering what was going on. Jenny and I sat back and talked with each other. Once we had pulled up outside the courthouse, she started to ask questions.

"Mom, what are we doing here?"

"I have something that I have to do. Let's go you four."

I noticed Dad's car already in the lot as well as Jim's. Once we were inside, she was fidgeting in her seat. She was the only one who didn't know what was going on. Once we were taken in, Mom finally told her what was going on.

"You mean the adoption will be final today?"

"Yes."

"Awesome."

Jenny suddenly started feeling down. She didn't say anything, but I could see it in her eyes and the way she carried herself. I decided to wait until later to talk to her about it.

Erin, Jenny and I sat and watched as the lawyers and the judge talked some legal jargon that I still don't fully know. Janice understood enough that she was elated when the judged turned to everyone and introduced her as Janice Leeann Andrews.

Everyone congratulated her on the adoption. Everyone knew that this was what she wanted. On our way out, we were told that we were going out for lunch to celebrate. I grabbed Jenny and we headed toward Dad's car.

"Why are we riding with Dad?"

"I want to talk without my sisters being around. What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Ok. You know that you are a poor liar?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Let me guess, you feel like you lost your baby sister."

"How'd you guess?"

"Jan told me the same thing a week ago. You two will always be sisters. That is biology. I can't change that and neither can you. Anyway, you could have been adopted too. You chose to stop pursuing it."

"Yeah I know."

"Did I ever tell you that I liked the reason that you chose not to?"

"No."

"I consider it an honor that you felt that way about me, even if we were teetering on the edge of a breakup at the time. You'll have that last name soon. Just remember though, by not getting adopted, your father is still your daddy. Jan has stepped away from that."

"I didn't think about that. Thanks Mark."

"Ok you two get a room," Dad laughed from the front seat.

"This car is almost as big as a room."

"If you are going to make out in the back seat, you should wait until you are at lover's lane. Not while I am still driving the car."

"We get the point."

The rest of the day, Jan was on cloud nine. Jenny felt better after the talk I gave her. That night, she attacked me with a vengeance. We made love for what seemed like hours. I don't know what time we finally went to sleep, but I was happy when we did.