When Daniel and I were married, I thought we were beginning a whole new chapter for the three of us.
I never thought that the unspoken disagreements between my ex and me would make my daughter, Lucy, feel excluded and not at home with us.
Daniel and I live with three children in our family. Being a blended family, our daughters are different. John and Mark are ours together, but Lucy is from a previous marriage I had.
She didn’t have Daniel as a biological parent, but she was always viewed as a family member.
When I came into the kitchen on Friday morning, Daniel was packing a heavy backpack very fast. It seemed like he was getting ready for a relaxing weekend, since he had sunscreen, sunglasses, and chargers with him.
“We need to leave in a hurry,” he added without looking away.
“Where to?” I wiped my hands on the towel, just thinking about what I did.
Tanaka seemed to be talking about anything else when he said, “Disneyland.” We decided to go on a short weekend trip with the family.
I could not move as I sat there in shock. “The family?”
He gave a short nod as he closed the bag. “Yeah. Just Mark and John are mentioned. My mother will be there also.
“And Lucy?” I felt something was wrong and asked right away.
As Lucy stepped into the kitchen in her pajamas carrying the book she’d been reading, Adam had not yet answered my question.
“Where are we heading to? Where are we going today?”
Daniel was right on his game. “No, Lucy. This journey should only be attended by family members.
A look of sadness came across her face. She managed to say, “But I am part of the family.”
He did not seem to care one way or the other. “I’m not shelling out large amounts to adopt.”
I froze. What was that you just said?
He gave me a look that showed he was annoyed. “She’s not my girl, Abby.”
There was a sudden lump in my throat when I heard it.
Lucy listened to everything Danny said, her face becoming serious.
“But I wish we could go together, Mommy,” she almost whispered.
I got down on my knees close to her. You must, sweetheart. Please go to the living room for now, as I have to talk to Daddy first.”
When she left, I was really mad at Daniel. “How come you mentioned that when she was there with us?”
“I never said she was my daughter,” he said again.
What happens to her happens to all of us,” I answered fiercely.
“Not legally.”
It was unbelievable how cold the man was, after he used to comfort Lucy with a kiss and be so eager at her school plays.
John and Mark came running when they heard Mark’s father calling for them.
Linda walked in at the very moment and did not say a word; her silent reaction was louder than any apology.
Once they were gone, it seemed like the heart of the house was not there any longer.
There was Lucy on my bed with her eyes fixed on the ceiling. “Mom, am I not accepted in this family?”
I held her very close. “You are the center of my world. Don’t set aside these ideas in your mind. Daddy is a bit lost right now.
I came up with an idea to lift her mood. How about we get away for a girls’ weekend just the two of us?
A look of pleasure came across her face. Is the Cheesecake Factory an option for lunch or dinner?
“You bet.”
The following day, Lucy dressed up in her beloved sunflower dress and we went out.
We ended up with lots of food, laughed a lot, and discussed her goal of being a marine biologist. Her smile brought me joy and sadness at the same time when I looked at her.
Next, we spent some time at a spa where she giggled as someone put cucumbers on her eyes. After that, we went shopping in the mall.
She wasn’t sure what to choose, so she kept looking at the prices many times. I gave her some new clothes and shoes, and seeing the bag made her so happy she hugged it tightly.
The next thing we found was Build-A-Bear Workshop. I just had to say yes because her eyes were so full of excitement.
Mom got me a bear with a ‘I love you, Mom’ recording, and the bear I got her whispered, “I’m proud of you, Lucy.”
To finish off our weekend, we had pancakes at a nearby diner. She hugged her bear close and smiled a little bit.
Daniel and the boys came back that night and Lucy rushed over to hear what happened.
But he did not look well at all, as hives had formed on his skin and he was unable to stop sneezing.
“Can you guess what we got up to today?” Lucy was so happy as she told me all about our weekend.
Daniel’s face showed nothing but scowling anger. Is that all money you spent on that?
I answered, “Yes, I did.” All the expenses were totally worth it.
Treating her that way teaches her to anticipate being treated differently.
I said boldly, “No.” I am finding ways to make up for what you did to me.
“She is not my kid!” he complained.
She moved a few steps back and held the bear closer.
Daniel went for the tool, but I got in the way.
“If you handle either that bear or Danielle, we won’t have fun,” I told them.
He got upset and slammed the door on his way out. Lucy stared at me, clearly quite disturbed. Is there a problem I have caused?
“No, sweetie,” I answered and held her close. You did all the right things during your pregnancy.
Daniel whimpered for two days and never wanted to spend time with us. Then a week later, Robert’s dad, Carter, appeared.
Carter smiled and looked at his son. I see that you got stung by a bunch of bees.
Daniel said, “It’s an allergic reaction.”
Carter put his luggage into the cab and sat down. You should know that your brother was already born before your mom and I got married. I decided he was my pet on the first day I met him.”
Daniel didn’t say anything.
Carter said in a soft voice, “That little girl thinks of you as her dad.” You cast her away like it was of no importance. Continuing in this direction will mean losing more than her. You’ll also lose Abby during the adventure.
In the end, Daniel arrived in the living room. As Lucy put down her puzzle, she looked around and looked nervous.
He bent down, trying his best to be humble. I want to apologize to you, Lucy. It was a mistake to not tell you about this. We consider you part of this family. That has been true about you from the beginning.
She didn’t say anything, but just hugged her bear.
Daniel cast his eyes in my direction. “I want to resolve the issues.”
I slowly shook my head. You should expect that things will not change quickly.
“I understand.”
She glanced at the heavens. How about choosing Build-A-Bear for the next time we go out?
Daniel smiled. That would be great fun.
I held on to her hand. She gathered the lumps of cork back into a nice soft square.
After all these years, Daniel might be realizing what it means to be part of a family.
