#ove still hasn't figured out why kids run away when seeing them

[lentaska]

Parenthood Part Two - end

Notes: First person POV, OFC. Sorry this chater is little bit long, I wanna finish the story in one time and start the war-setting story. English is my second language, I apologize for any grammar/wording mistake. This is a work of fan fiction using characters from wrestling, I do not claim any ownership over them.

@thecristsandcallihanmadness @monstersmaid

It could be very difficult for Hanna to understand why I adopted her - she might not even understand the definition of “adoption”, so I put it in more mild way, hoping the truth would not push her away from me.

The little girl was upset for a while, then she looked at me in hesitation, “but... are you still my mom?”

“Yes sweetie, you’re always my daughter.”

I was astonished to witness how well she accepted the reality. It’s possibly because she was only two months when I adopted her and had almost no memory of her birth parents.

“Why did another mom leave me? Does she... not like me?”

“Sweetheart, listen, you are her treasure and everything, but she had lots of things to deal with and we both agreed that I should take care of you.”

The next question was trigger to my anger, “do I have a dad? Where is he?”

Of course she would ask. She’s a child who just learned the person she called “mom” was not her birth mother, the next thing to ask about was birth father for sure. I didn’t want to answer it, because anything about Hanna’s birth father was forbidden in this household.

Sensed my emotional change, Sami gasped my hand and took over the conversation, “He’s aboard and won’t be able to come back.”

I eyed him in disapproval, but this was the best lie we could come up now.

“Can I see another mom?” Hanna asked gingerly.

“Sure but not now. It’s late and you have school tomorrow.”

Sami added, “and we will pick you up after school with your favorite uncle David.”

The little girl’s face lightened up.

I was relieved that he didn’t mention “uncle David’s ‘good friend’” this time.

“You wanna come with us tomorrow?” asked Sami in full expectation.

“Absolutely. I’m not getting another call from the teacher asking if a group of tattooed wrestlers have my permission to drive Hanna home.”

“Don’t make it sound bad. You saw how crazy those boys went, they love us.”

By the way, besides to overawe the bullies, Sami and his friends signed for some boys who were wrestling fans. The consequence was, Hanna soon was surrounded by oVe-wanna-be - Sami referred them as “the future of wrestling” - boys who screamed random wrestling techniques.

I warned Sami, “no signing session at school this time.”

Shrugged, he said, “but Hanna liked it. Am I right?”

Hanna nodded with big grin, then she went to her bedroom and returned with a diary, handed to Sami, “can you sign for me too?”

“Everything for the princess.”

What happened next was out of my expectation.

Hanna climbed over on me and whispered to my ears, “is Sami going to be my dad?”

I choked on my drink.

“You ok?” asked the wrestler. Clearly he didn’t hear what Hanna just said.

I prevaricated, “yeh kind of... I think...”

“You are blushing.” pointed out by Sami, smirking.

He figured it out.

“Sweetie, mommy is going to have another serious conversation with Sami. You go to sleep, ok?”

The little girl kissed good night on my cheek.

Gazed after her figure for a while to make sure she went upstairs, Sami turned to me, I could see the cocky smile he tried to hold back.

“Just stop.” I got up from the couch and headed to kitchen, followed by his voice: “I didn’t do anything!”

Filled myself a glass of wine, I leaned against the countertop.

Hanna had close relationship with Sami, despite how often he said “uncle David was her favorite”. Sami spent as much time as he could to be with her and build parenthood. He did countless things for her, even some of them were embarrassing, for example, tea party with Hanna’s imaginary friends when she’s four. I had to admit, it was the most awkward moment in my life to witness a tattooed and muscular badass wrestler sitting among stuff toys with a pink teacup toy between fingers. I was surprised to learn that Sami was the only person Hanna invited to her “tea party”.

The thought of them being father and daughter did occur to me. It was like bud from a seed left behind, burgeoned out and grew strong. It’s difficult to resist, not only because Sami and I had known each other for years, but also that Hanna needed a father figure as fact. But I couldn’t be selfish.

A pair of arm wrapped around my waist, Sami rested his head on my shoulder, “I know how independent you are, but you can use support.”

“It’s not fair. You have no responsibility in this.”

“Hanna was not your responsibility too at very first place, but you took her in. ”

“You can call it destiny. The moment I saw her swaddled in fabric, I knew that I’d be part of her life. Besides, her grandparents wanted nothing to do with her, which I understand.” I said bitterly, forcing myself to make allowances for Hanna’s grandparents.

No parents could accept a grandchild who was the result of their own daughter being abducted and raped at age of 16. My best friend - Hanna’s birth mother - had overcome hardship to give birth of her, I would never give up on her.

“I’ve made up my mind, and it’s not because I feel pity or try to be nice. I love this child, to be part of her life is not only your destiny, it’s mine too.” Sami looked right into my eyes, it’s rare to see him so determined.

To make a decision was difficult, I felt like being stuck between two walls and didn’t know to which direction to move, I was glad to hear Sami’s words, but the positive emotion was soon muffled by an uprush of guilt. “Give me a break.” I said, “Let’s talk about this tomorrow.”

Nodded, he pressed a kiss on me, “good night.”

 When oVe showed up, I felt a twitch in stomach.

Kids went wild - for different reasons - the moment they saw the four wrestlers, some pointed at Sami and his “Callihan cult” with shock in eyes, some immediately walked towards different direction, there were even few kids almost cried out when Fulton looked at them.

“Why did they run away?” asked the over-two-meter giant, confused. Clearly he had no idea how overwhelming his aura was to primary school kids.

Shrugged, David Crist answered, “they’re probably late for dinner.”

“I think they just wanna go home to do schoolwork.” another Crist, Jake, joined the topic of “why kids run away when seeing us” and didn’t give any contributory answer.

“No they are running home for TV shows.” said Sami in “I’ve been through this” tone, “the Power Ranger is on...”

I had to turned my focus to something out before I let the cruel fact of “kids were scared of you guys” out. We waited for another five minutes and finally saw Hanna walking out of the building. I wave at her, but what happened next froze my blood.

A boy pulled her hair from behind and pushed her so hard that she almost fell to ground. “Weirdo with no dad!” the boy laughed.

Before I ran to Hanna, Sami already took the move. He rushed out and blocked in front of Hanna like a shield, gnashed ferociously, “What the fuck did you call her?! Were you one of them who put nails in her shoes? Tell your fucking friends, do it again and you’re all in trouble, you hear me?!”

“Hey it’s enough.” I grabbed his hand, “I don’t want you to get trouble.”

The boy ran like a hare in hunting game and didn’t dare to look back. I was pretty sure that he’d never bully Hanna again.

“You ok?” Sami asked Hanna.

The little girl nodded and beamed at him. When she got a glimpse of the other three wrestlers, all unpleasantness was left behind, she ran to them, “Uncle David!” David picked Hanna up and zoom her like an airplane, which caused her giggling. She hugged Jake and Fulton as tight as she could, then held David’s hand, announced proudly, “I got full score in math quiz today!”

Looking at the three tattooed wrestler applauded and shouted for joy for Hanna’s achievement, I couldn’t help feeling so blessed to have them in her life as family and friends.

“Told you her favorite is David.” Sami sighed.

“Are you jealous?”

“Kind of... I’m learning to be her parent, of course I wanna be the favorite. Speaking of which, what do you think?”

Took a deep breath, I decided to share my worries with him, “I feel guilty to think about you being her father, I don’t want you to sacrifice your life and career...”

Sami cut me off, “no need to be guilty, because I think it’s one of the best decisions in my life. For career, c’mon, I ain’t gonna be the only wrestle with child. You made sacrifice, I can do the same.”

“Sami, it’s not for five or ten years, it’s life-long decision,”

“I know it’s a permanent thing and I mean it, you won’t know the result unless you go for it, right? I just need to learn more but guess what, I bought books already.”

My eyes widened, “did you buy parenting books on Amazon?”

The black-haired wrestler looked so proud of himself, “they’ll be here tomorrow.”

I chuckled, “it’s gonna take you a while to finish all.”

“So?” he grasped my hand, asked.

“I still have worries, it’s not going to disappear unless I make move like you said.” I looked into his eyes, “let’s try it.”

Smile grew on his face, “we will work this out together.”