Long Lost Dreams
The longing wife stared at the framed photograph on the mantel—a picture of her and her husband from their wedding day three years ago.
Back then, everything had seemed so perfect, so full of hope. She finally thought that all her dreams would come true. But now, at 48, hope was beginning to feel like a luxury she could no longer afford. She had wanted a child more than anything, but her body simply wasn’t cooperating.
Another Chance
Christy Thoman sat at the kitchen table, staring at the ultrasound picture in her hands. The lines and shapes blurred as her eyes filled with tears. Another failed attempt.
The doctor had warned her about the risks of trying to conceive at her age, but she had clung to hope, believing that she could still become a mother. Now, in her late forties, that hope seemed to be slipping away with every passing day. She was starting to lose faith that she would ever have her own child.
It’s A No
Her husband, John, entered the room, his face clouded with concern as he saw Christy’s expression. “How did it go?” he asked gently, already knowing the answer from the sorrow etched on her face.
Christy wiped her tears and forced a smile. “It didn’t work, John. The doctor said the chances are getting slimmer.” John knelt beside her, taking her hands in his. “We’ve tried everything, Christy. Maybe… maybe it’s time to accept that it’s not going to happen.”
Trying Harder
Christy shook her head, her heart heavy with disappointment. “I can’t just give up, John. I’ve always wanted a child. I can’t imagine my life without one.”
John sighed, struggling to find the right words. “I know, but what more can we do? We’ve been through so much already. I don’t want to see you hurt anymore.” But Christy was angry at him for being so accepting of the outcome. “Don’t you want to have a baby with me?” she sobbed.
Enough Is Enough
John, ever the optimist, had stood by her through every doctor’s visit and fertility treatment, but even he was starting to lose his patience.
“Maybe it’s just not in the cards for us, Christy,” he’d said one evening after yet another failed attempt. “I can’t accept that,” she replied, her voice trembling with emotion. “I need to be a mother, John. I feel it in my bones.” But would her husband support her?
I’m Tired
The desperate woman was willing to do anything to be a mother. That’s when the idea of adoption first crept into her mind.
At first, she hesitated to bring it up, knowing how strongly John felt about raising his own flesh and blood. But as weeks passed and the ache in her heart grew stronger, she could no longer keep silent. How would she break it to him?
Other Ways
Christy looked at him, her eyes filled with determination. “What about adoption? There are so many children out there who need a loving home.”
John’s expression hardened slightly. “Adoption? Christy, that’s not the same. Raising a child that isn’t ours… I don’t think I can do that.” “Why not?” Christy’s voice rose in frustration. “Why can’t we give a child a chance at a better life? Why does it have to be our own flesh and blood?”
My Own
John stood up, running a hand through his hair. “It’s just different. I want a child of our own. I’m not ready to bring someone else’s child into our lives.”
Christy felt a surge of anger and disappointment. She had hoped John would be open to the idea, but his resistance was like a wall she couldn’t break through. “This isn’t just about you, John. It’s about us. It’s about having a family.” “I know that, Christy,” John replied, his tone softening. “But adoption… it’s a big step. I need time to think about it.”
A Tough Talk
Her husband poured himself a glass of whiskey and sat down in the lounge. He stared into the darkness, deep in thought. “John,” she said as they sat together on the couch, the television droning on in the background. “I’ve been thinking… what if we adopted?”
John stiffened, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her. “Adopt? Christy, we’ve talked about this. I’m just not comfortable with the idea of raising another man’s child.”
We Are Different
Christy wasn’t going to give up on her dreams of being a mother. She was determined to change his mind. “But it would be our child,” she insisted, her voice pleading. “A child who needs a home, a family. We could give that to them.”
“I don’t know, Christy,” John muttered, turning away from her. “It’s just… it’s not the same.” But he didn’t know then what his wife was up to behind his back.
Finding Out
The days passed in silence, with Christy retreating into herself, her mind racing with possibilities. She couldn’t let go of the idea of adoption. The thought of giving up on her dream of motherhood was unbearable. She didn’t talk to John about it again, but she kept the idea alive in her mind.
While John was at work, Christy began researching adoption agencies. She clicked through profiles of children, each one tugging at her heart.
Not Today
She tried to bring the conversation up again but John shut her down. The conversation ended there, with a heavy silence settling between them.
Christy didn’t push the issue again, but the thought of adoption stayed with her, gnawing at her every day. She continued to secretly research adoption agencies, looking at profiles of children who needed homes. That’s when she found Timmy.
Can’t Give Up
Christy was heartbroken, she felt something stir inside her when she looked at the children’s pictures. She liked all of them, but one stood out. That’s when she saw him—a little boy with dark hair and big brown eyes, smiling shyly at the camera. His name was Timmy, and he was five years old.
The description said he was from Texas and had been in foster care for most of his life. Christy felt an instant connection as if something deep within her recognized him.
Let Him See
Without thinking, she printed out the information and set it on the kitchen table. She couldn’t wait to show John.
She set all the information on the table in a folder and made sure she got her facts in order. Her husband was a harsh man but surely, once he saw Timmy’s face, he would understand. This was their chance.
Just For You
The excited wife had prepared a special dinner for her husband. Roast chicken and vegetables with gravy, just the way he liked it.
John walked in and threw his car keys on the table. He grunted at his wife. She knew what all his sounds meant. When John came home that evening, Christy was waiting anxiously. “John, I found him. I found the child we could adopt.”
Please Don’t
John paused near the doorway; his expression wary. “Christy, I thought we agreed to give this some time.” “Just look,” Christy insisted, pushing the papers toward him. “His name is Timmy. He’s five years old, and he’s been waiting for a family. I know he’s the one, John. I can feel it.”
She tried to show her husband the papers but he turned away. He kicked his shoes off and walked away from her.
A Special Child
The first time she saw his picture, something inside her stirred. She wished that she could make her husband feel the same way. Timmy was five years old, with big brown eyes and a shy smile that tugged at her heartstrings. Something about him drew her to him.
The more she read about him, the more she felt an unexplainable connection to him. She knew she had to meet him. But how could she convince her husband?
Being Moody
Christy decided to show John that she was serious. She didn’t dish out his plate for him and just sat in the kitchen staring at the documents. When John came back downstairs, he found her sitting at the kitchen table, a stack of papers in front of her.
He could see that Christy was in a bad mood. He felt sorry for her and decided to play along. “What’s all this?” he asked, eyeing the documents with suspicion.
Listen To Me
Christy looked at her husband with hopeful eyes and she knew immediately that she wanted to give it her all.
“I found him, John,” Christy said softly, her voice trembling with excitement. “I found the child I want us to adopt.” John’s face darkened as he picked up the papers, flipping through them. “Christy, I thought we agreed—”
In My Opinion
John reluctantly took the papers and glanced at the photo. Timmy’s innocent smile stared back at him, but John’s face remained unreadable. He placed the papers back on the table and sighed. “Christy, we talked about this.”
“Please, John,” Christy pleaded. “Just consider it. He needs a home, and we could give him one. We could be his parents.” John shook his head, his voice firm. “I’m sorry, Christy. I just can’t do it. It doesn’t feel right to me. He’s not our child.”
We Are All The Same
Christy felt her heart drop. “What do you mean he’s not our child? He could be if you’d just open your heart.”
John’s face tightened with frustration. “I have opened my heart, Christy. But adoption isn’t what I want. I’m sorry if that hurts you, but it’s the truth.” Christy’s voice quivered with emotion. “You’re not just hurting me, John. You’re denying us the chance to have a family. To be parents.”
A Big Ask
John turned away, unable to meet her eyes. “I’m trying to protect us, Christy. What if it doesn’t work out? What if we can’t give him what he needs?”
Christy’s anger flared. “You’re just scared, John. Scared of something new, something different. But we could do this together. We could be a family.” John remained silent; his back turned to her. The tension in the room was suffocating, neither of them willing to break the stalemate.
Breaking Down
Days passed, and the distance between Christy and John grew. Christy found herself crying alone more often, unable to cope with the overwhelming sadness.
Every time she tried to bring up adoption again, John would shut her down with the same firm yet indifferent response. She had never felt so helpless before. One evening, Christy broke down in tears in front of him. "John, please... I can't keep doing this. I need this. We need this."
A Harsh Reply
John sighed deeply, his face hardening. "Christy, you think I don’t see what this is doing to you? But we can’t force something that isn’t meant to be. It’s time to let this go." His words, though calm, felt like daggers to Christy.
"But I can’t!" she sobbed. "I can't give up on being a mother, John. Why can't you understand that?"
Hope Fading
John shook his head, his eyes filled with a mixture of pity and frustration. "I do understand, Christy. But there has to be a point where we accept reality. You’re torturing yourself by holding onto this dream."
Christy looked at him through tear-filled eyes. "It’s not just a dream. It's my life. It's all I’ve ever wanted."
Silent Nights
That night, they slept on opposite sides of the bed, the silence between them louder than any argument. Christy lay awake, her mind racing.
She couldn’t let go of the image of Timmy's face. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he was meant to be part of their family. But John had built a wall she didn’t know how to break through.
Another Plea
A week later, Christy tried again. "John, I’ve thought about what you said, but I can’t ignore the way I feel about Timmy. I just know that he’s the one for us. Please, John, can’t we at least meet him? Just meet him?"
They were the DNA results of his, Christy’s, and Timmy's. “This… this can’t be right,” he whispered, his voice hollow. “What is it?” Christy asked concern etched on her face. “John, what does it say?”
Tears Again
His words hit her like a punch in the gut, and once again, Christy’s tears flowed. She turned away from him, her shoulders shaking with sobs. She felt like she was falling apart, her dream slipping further out of reach with every passing day.
John watched her silently, but his heart had hardened, and he didn’t reach out to comfort her.
A Final Push
The next morning, Christy tried one more time. "John, please. I’m begging you. Just one meeting with Timmy. That’s all I’m asking. If you don’t feel anything after that, I’ll drop it."
John's expression didn’t change. "Christy, I don’t want to meet him. I don’t want to get involved with this. You need to stop."
Losing Herself
Christy felt herself crumbling inside. She had always been strong, always pushed forward, but John’s refusal was breaking her in ways she hadn’t expected. She felt herself growing distant from him as if a part of her was slipping away.
"I don’t know how much longer I can live like this," she whispered one night, her voice barely audible.
Unspoken Words
John said nothing in response. He didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t give her what she wanted, but watching her suffer was becoming unbearable. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to change his mind.
Christy lay awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering if she was losing her marriage along with her dream of being a mother.
A Stubborn Heart
Days turned into weeks, and nothing changed. Christy continued to cry, to plead, but John remained steadfast in his decision. Every attempt to sway him only pushed him further away, and Christy was beginning to feel the weight of his stubbornness.
She didn’t know how much longer she could keep this up. The more she fought for her dream, the more distant John seemed to become. However, Christy wasn’t going to give up that easily. She resolved to sit John down once more to look at Timmy and the adoption documents. Would he concede this time?
Being Human
“Just look at him,” she interrupted, pushing a photograph of Timmy toward him. “Look at his face, John. He needs us.”
John glanced at the photo, his brow furrowing. Something about the boy looked… familiar. But he shook his head, dismissing the thought. “Christy, this isn’t what I want. I can’t just—” “I need this, John,” she said, her voice breaking. “Please. If you love me, you’ll do this for me.”
An Unexpected Connection
Reluctantly, John picked up the papers and started reading through Timmy’s story. The more he read, the harder it became to put the papers down. Timmy had been through so much for a child his age—bouncing between foster homes, feeling abandoned.
John's mind wandered back to his own childhood, growing up without much stability. He suddenly felt a pang of guilt for being so resistant. Maybe that’s why Timmy’s face seemed familiar—it reminded him of his younger self, lost and searching for a family.
Lingering Thoughts
That night, John couldn’t sleep. Timmy’s shy smile kept flashing in his mind. The connection he had initially tried to ignore was now gnawing at him. Could it be possible that he was drawn to this child for a reason?
John glanced over at Christy, who was fast asleep, her face still stained with dried tears. She had fought so hard for this, and now, he, too, felt a small tug toward the boy.
A Change of Heart?
The next morning, John picked up the adoption papers again. As he read about Timmy’s favorite activities—building model airplanes and playing soccer—he couldn’t help but smile. It was uncanny how much he saw a reflection of himself in the little boy.
For the first time, he felt a crack in the wall he had built around himself. Maybe, just maybe, adopting Timmy wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
Lingering Doubts
Even though John had read Timmy's story and felt something stir inside him, he couldn’t shake the lingering doubts. The idea of adopting still felt foreign, like something he wasn’t fully prepared for. The thought of raising a child that wasn’t biologically theirs gnawed at him, challenging his deep-rooted beliefs.
Yet, the more he thought about it, the more that strange, unexplainable connection to Timmy grew. It confused him, frustrated him. He had spent weeks shutting down Christy’s pleas, but now, something was shifting within him. He couldn’t ignore it, even if he still wasn’t ready to admit it aloud.
A Quiet Struggle
John sat in his office that evening, staring at the photo of Timmy on his desk. His mind was at war—his logical side telling him to walk away, to keep things as they were, but his heart tugged in the opposite direction.
What if this boy was meant to be part of their lives? What if, by resisting, he was denying them the chance to build the family Christy so desperately wanted? For the first time, John wasn’t sure what to do. But one thing was clear—Timmy had found a way into his thoughts, and now, he couldn’t just push him out. He wanted Christy to be happy. That night they sat down to have a serious conversation.
Giving In
John stared at her, seeing the desperation in her eyes. He knew how much this meant to her, how much she was hurting. He asked her a series of questions and she had the answers to them all. It was time that he trusted her and stepped up to the plate.
With a heavy sigh, he nodded. “Fine. We’ll go through with it. But I’m doing this for you, Christy.” But he didn’t know then how bad things were going to get.
The Backstory
A few days later, Christy couldn’t resist contacting the adoption agency. She needed to know more about Timmy.
The social worker was kind and understanding, sharing more details about the boy’s background and how he had been moved from one foster home to another. Each story made Christy’s resolve stronger—she had to bring Timmy home. She didn’t know how to explain it, but it was like there was a higher calling.
The Test Results
A few weeks later, they began the adoption process. The legalities were complex, and as part of the procedure, a DNA test was required. Christy thought nothing of it—it was just another step to bring Timmy home. But when the results came back, everything changed.
A week later, John came home to find Christy sitting at the table, tears streaming down her face. She looked up at him, clutching a photograph. “John, you need to see this,” she whispered.
A Surprise
John was the first to open the envelope. His hands trembled as he read the results, the words on the page blurring as his mind struggled to comprehend what he was seeing.
They were the DNA results of his, Christy’s, and Timmy's. “This… this can’t be right,” he whispered, his voice hollow. “What is it?” Christy asked, concern etched on her face. “John, what does it say?”
Is This A Joke
He handed her the paper, unable to speak. Christy’s eyes scanned the document, and she felt the blood drain from her face as the truth hit her like a sledgehammer.
She stared at her husband as though she had seen a ghost. The DNA test confirmed it—Timmy and John were related. She waved the papers in the air, looking up at the sky. “How… how is this possible?” Christy stammered, her mind racing. “John, how could this be?”
Who Could It Be
John sank into a chair, his head in his hands. “I don’t know,” he said, his voice shaking. “Timmy is my family.” He was in shock. Christy’s eyes widened in shock. What if this had something to do with one of John’s ex-girlfriends, she didn’t know how many women he had dated before they met.
“Well, what have you been doing in the last six years, John?” Christy said, trying to make sense of it all. “You never said anything… you never knew?”
You Chose Him
He took the photo from her and stared at it in disbelief. It was a picture of a little boy with sandy brown hair and bright brown eyes—eyes that looked hauntingly familiar.
“I knew he looked familiar. I just couldn’t place my finger on it,” he said, his voice barely audible. “It’s strange,” Christy said, her voice trembling. “But he is the boy I want to adopt. And, John… I think there’s a greater reason here.” John’s heart stopped. “What? How can this be?” But the man had no idea how much worse things were going to get for them.
How Did You Know
John shook his head, his eyes filling with tears. “Nobody told me, Christy. Maybe my family lied… or maybe they just didn’t want to tell me. I have no idea.”
“What about his mother? The orphanage told me her story. ” Christy explained, her voice shaking with emotion. “She passed away six months ago. The agency sent me her records. John… Timmy was born around the time we met.”
A Sign
Suddenly John's face went pale. It was as though a ghost had come back to haunt him. He rubbed his head.
Christy felt her world tilting, her heart torn between anger and confusion. “So, Timmy… he’s your family, John. Your flesh and blood.” John looked up at her, his eyes filled with guilt and sorrow. “I didn’t know, Christy. I swear, I didn’t know.”
His Past Life
John told Christy about his ex-wife Stacy. They were married for three years and separated due to irreconcilable differences. John felt the ground shift beneath him. He hadn’t heard from Stacy in years. They had parted ways long before he met Christy, and he never knew she had a child.
“This… this can’t be,” he stammered, his mind racing. “Why wouldn’t she tell me?” “I don’t know,” Christy whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. “But I think we need to find out.”
Timmy’s Mother
Despite his shock, John agreed to proceed with the adoption process, though he remained skeptical. The adoption agency confirmed that Stacy had passed away six months ago. The idea that Timmy could be his son seemed too far-fetched to believe.
But as the legal proceedings began, they were required to do a DNA test. The results left John speechless. Timmy was, without a doubt, his biological son.
Meant To Be
A silence fell between them, heavy with the weight of the revelation. Christy didn’t know what to think, what to feel. This child, the one she had fallen in love with through a photograph, was John’s son. The son he never knew he had. “What are we going to do?” Christy whispered, her voice trembling.
John stood up, his face pale but determined. “We’re going to adopt him,” he said firmly. “He’s my son, Christy. And if you still want to, we’ll raise him together. As a family.”
Suspecting Foul Play
Christy looked at him, her emotions a whirlwind of confusion and hope. “Are you sure, John? This is a lot to take in…”
“I’m sure,” John said, his voice steady. “I owe it to Timmy. And I owe it to you.” He tried his best to be strong. John sat down heavily, staring at the results in disbelief. “She lied to me,” he whispered, his voice trembling with anger and betrayal. “All these years… she never said a word.”
A Long Time Ago
Christy placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her own emotions a mix of sorrow and relief. “I’m so sorry, John. But now… now we have a chance to do right by him.”
John’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He felt anger at Stacy for hiding the truth but also guilt for not being there for Timmy. “Why didn’t she tell me?” he repeated, his voice breaking. “Maybe she was scared or ashamed. Maybe she didn’t want to complicate your life,” Christy suggested gently. “But whatever her reasons, she’s gone now. And Timmy needs us.”
His New Family
The legal process continued, but this time, with a new sense of purpose. Odds were in their favor after John proved that he indeed had a relationship with Stacy six years ago.
John began to bond with Timmy, slowly but surely, while Christy tried to come to terms with the sudden change in their lives. The boy didn’t really understand what was happening. It wasn’t easy, but they took it one day at a time.
Tough To Take In
As the adoption process moved forward, John struggled with the reality of his new role as a father. Every time he looked at Timmy, he saw pieces of himself—the way the boy smiled, the way he furrowed his brow when he was thinking. It was undeniable: Timmy was his son
When the day finally came to bring Timmy home, Christy watched as John knelt down in front of the little boy, looking into his eyes. “Hey, buddy,” John said softly. “How would you like to come home with us?”
A Hard Story
Timmy nodded, his eyes wide with trust and innocence. Christy felt a lump in her throat as she watched them, her heart swelling with love for both of them.
They might not have been the family she had envisioned, but they were a family nonetheless. As they drove home together, Christy reached over and squeezed John’s hand. “We’ll make this work,” she said, her voice filled with determination. John looked at her, his eyes softening. “We will,” he agreed. “For Timmy.”
A Higher Purpose
That evening, as Christy was tucking Timmy into bed, John stood in the doorway, watching
them. “How’s my little guy?” he asked, his voice soft.
Timmy looked up at him with wide, curious eyes. “Are you, my daddy?” It was the first time he spoke to him directly. John felt a lump in his throat. “Yes, Timmy. I’m your daddy.” He walked over to him and kissed him on his forehead.
Your Real Dad
Timmy smiled a shy, uncertain smile that melted John’s heart. “Okay, Daddy. Goodnight.” He squeezed John’s hand in a way that made him tear.
“Goodnight, buddy,” John whispered, his voice choked with emotion. He closed the door softly, leaning against it as tears filled his eyes. Christy came to stand beside him, slipping her hand into his. “He’s yours, John. In every way that matters.”
So Fast
John nodded, unable to speak. The shock of what Stacy had done still lingered, but as he looked at Christy, he realized something else. They had been given a second chance—not just at parenthood, but at being a family.
The odds had been slim, the journey filled with heartbreak and uncertainty, but now, as they stood together outside Timmy’s room, John felt a sense of peace he hadn’t known in years.
Together
The new mother felt her heart full of love for the first time in years. “We’re going to be okay,” Christy said softly, squeezing his hand.
John looked at her, his heart swelling with gratitude and love. “Yes,” he agreed, pulling her close. “We’re going to be just fine.” And for the first time in a long time, John believed it. He was finally a father, and he was ready to take on the responsibility.
It Works Out
Timmy understood that John was his real father and that this was finally his forever family. They became a blended family, their lives forever changed by a secret that had come to light. It wasn’t the path they had expected, but it was the one they were meant to take.
Together, they would build a new life, one filled with love, hope, and the promise of a future they could now face as a family.