It can be difficult when you are living a life that is different than most others. The unfortunate reality for many families is that they have to live without her mother, and this can be difficult on the children from a very young age. It is also something that never stops being difficult.
Andrew is a father who had two daughters, and they were twins. Their late mother had written letters and he wanted to share them with the girls on their graduation day. Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out quite as expected.
It was a bittersweet moment that started many years earlier. Their mother should’ve been there to see the graduation but the father ended up trying to hold things together in the end.
The day started with me brewing coffee while memories of Laura’s laugh, and the way her eyes sparkled, came flooding back. Those were the days, right? When we thought we had all the time in the world.
She was all I could think about as I finished decorating the house. In my mind and my heart, there was Laura, pregnant and glowing as we left the church on our wedding day, and Laura, lying back after giving birth to our girls.
.
“We’re going to have the best life together,” she’d whispered.And we did, until a drunk driver smashed into her car eight years ago.
I sighed, trying to push away the sadness. Today was about Chloe and Nora.
The ceremony was a blur of speeches, applause, and camera flashes. Chloe and Nora looked beautiful and grown-up, and I could see glimpses of Laura in them—her determination in Chloe’s eyes, her kindness in Nora’s smile.
We got home, and the party kicked off. Music, chatter, and the clinking of glasses filled the air until early evening. Once everyone had left, I pulled the girls aside.
“I have something special for you both,” I said, my heart pounding.
I handed them each a letter, sealed and yellowed with time.
“What’s this?” Nora asked, her brow furrowing.
“A letter from your mom. She wrote these for you right after you were born.”
They looked at me, then at each other, curiosity and hesitation mingling on their faces. I watched as they sat down in the living room, tearing open the envelopes.
Chloe’s eyes widened first, her face going pale. Nora’s hands shook as she read. I realized something was wrong, but I never could’ve imagined the earth-shattering revelation that was about to hit me.
“What the heck?” Chloe’s voice broke the silence. “Dad, did you know about this?”
“Know about what?” I asked.
Chloe leaped from her seat and passed her letter to me without a word. I started reading and nearly tore the page in two when I reached the third paragraph.
There is something important you need to know. When I met your father, Andrew, I was already pregnant. He is not your biological father, but he is the best father you could ever have, and I hope you never doubt his love for you.
My heart sank, and tears stung at my eyes. “I-I had no idea,” I muttered.
“She says she kept it secret because she thought it was best.” Nora’s voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t understand…”
“It’s simple,” Chloe snapped, staring at me as she paced the floor. “Mom tricked you into thinking we’re your real daughters so she could—”
“You are my real daughters,” I cut in. “Blood doesn’t change that.”
Chloe wasn’t having it. “You expect us to believe that? All these years, and we didn’t even know who we are!”
Nora just sat there, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t know what to think, Dad. Everything feels like a lie.”
