The surrounding air is betraying me. I can't process anything. But I can't stop. I am walking involuntary without realising that everyone is watching me. My only focus was James Carter. He stood at the end of the aisle with all his glory. His grey hairs and little visible wrinkle around his eyes doesn't degrade his charisma. He looks perfect. He is perfect.

“Mom, you look beautiful.” Jace, the best man, was loud, which caused us to laugh.

“You are so slow,” Annie whined and pulled towards James. My flower girls are amazing. I don't regret having her and Jupiter as my flower girls.

“Annie…” Cherish called her sister with a stern voice. “Be careful.” But Annie ignored her sister and placed me in front of James.

“Hurt her and that will be your last day,” George warned, but James chuckled as if it was a joke.

“He didn't mean it.” I was embarrassed. George will never change. He has had the habit of embarrassing me since we became friends. I don't understand why we became friends. We were so young that I forgot what was life before I met my best friend.

“I meant every word.” George glared at James.

“I don't wike you,” James said.

What!!!!

“I don't like you.” I heard this time… It's Jamie.

I opened my eyes and found myself on the couch of the living area with Jamie and Annie arguing. I concentrated a little and realized, they were fighting to sleep in my arms. They both are territorial but Jamie… Sometimes is too much. We have to always warn him about it. He prefers not to share his mommy, his Dada, his Aani, his Ja, his Che and his Zippy, not even his Joe, Jupi, Ry, uncki Geo, Tina, Dan, Nana, Pop, Davi, Sue… This list includes his Eva. Everyone belongs to Jamie.

Occasionally, we have noticed him getting worried when Annie and Cherish fight. This assures us that he knows the Family and whatever he does is nothing but his way of assuring that they are his family. We are still waiting for him to start socializing so that we understand if his behaviour is normal, or he needs a talk from us.

“Jamie… Is everything fine?” I cooed to him, but he didn't remove his glaring eyes from Annie.

“He says you are his mommy.” Annie was pissed.

“I am.” I pulled him in my arms.

“And you are my mommy. He is my brother, so we share EVERYTHING.” Annie said loud. I understand she wants Jamie to accept that he has to share his family with other members of the family.

“Of course.”

“Mine.” He hugged me and stick his tongue out to tease Annie.

She shrieked with annoyance and run towards the kitchen, calling for her daddy. Seeing her steps, Jamie out of my arms and run after her, calling his Aani and sowry.

I was relieved that he knows he needs to be sorry.

“You are doing an outstanding job.” James laughed and walked with the try of food.

“But they fight a lot.” Getting out of the couch, I took the tray. It has juice and potato chips.

“They are siblings, different from each other. It's normal.” He passed me the tray and focused on T.V. “the problem is when they don't chase each other apologizing for their mistake, that was hurtful. And, Jamie, he is young. He looks having Annie's attention.”

“But it is too much sometimes.” I placed the tray on the tea table and waited for James to join me.

“But he apologizes every time.”

I nodded, knowing that I am overthinking. I want to avoid repeating the same mistakes from Cherish. I want the little one to have the best life.

Even though the past 6 months has been fantastic, I am scared for our future. Cherish is behaving better, but the past is what that build her. I am praying that our past doesn't bite us.

We sat and watched kids playing on the floor with Zippy. We planned to have dinner once Cherish arrived from the orphanage.

James wasn't happy learning about Cherish decided to take a part-time job at my father's orphanage, but she loved that job…. Teaching music to kids. She loved it there. When she joined the orphanage, she wasn't aware of my parents. Mother cried so loud that it scare everyone. Later, she arrived to meet me, causing a problem for us.

No one in the neighbourhood knows us being a Carter. They know us as Kepner. James wants us to have privacy. And, the land behind us is completely secure. James brought the land for me to have my garden. He named it Anastasia's garden. We get our supplies there and a little staff.

When Mother asked neighbours about the Carter home, no one knew about us. Eventually, she went back to her misery. But she didn't give up. She passed a letter to me through Cherish about how sorry she was. And, she is still waiting for me.

Mother's condition worsened when she learned that James and I remarried without her or Father. George was next to me and everyone was with us except the members of the side of my family.

Well, I don't have anyone.

Cherish is weird in this matter. She is open to a conversation. She learned from Mother that I have an elder sister who moved away after her undying love died and her marriage failed. Amy wanted a new life…. And, here, I was worried about her.

“You are not listening.” James was calm.

“What?”

“I asked, would you mind if I invite your parents to the graduation party? Can't wait to celebrate.” He smiled.

“You are more excited than us.” I laughed at him.

“Of course, I am. After her, I'll be free. This house will be free from horny teenage boys chasing my young daughter. I had to chase them away every time.” James relaxed and pulled me closer.

We watched kids while Cherish just arrived and directly run into her room.

“I got the food.” Joe didn't wait for the invitation and directly rush to the kitchen. We are lucky to have him. He is the best brother-in-law. I know, Joe doesn't share blood with James, but he shares love for kids with us. Joe was looking for a family, and he found one.

“We are coming,” James yelled.

He was about to leave when I stopped him.

This is the time.

“I have to tell you something,” I said.

He frowned and looked at the kids. He is confused. But I know, he will be happier.

“After Cherish, you will be busy,” I added. “There is another Carter on the way.” I finished.

Blinking his eyes, James looked panicked.

I assumed he would be happy.

“Are you pregnant?” He asked.

I nodded with fear.

“But we used protection.” He mumbled.

I pulled my hands from him and stood up. “If you don't want this baby, then I don't need you. I am keeping it because I can, and I will take care of….”

Interrupting me with a kiss, James hugged me. “I promise I'll be the best father.” He said.

“You are happy?” I heard my voice. I am crying.

“Of course, I am just scared. What if I start drinking again? What if I see Dean and run to him? He is my son, it doesn't matter whether it's blood or not. What if I see my best friend? Anna had been my rock when Adrian failed me. But you are my priority. But I miss her." He is about to cry.

“I think, it's better for Dean that you keep your distance. You said, his father needs him. And you can meet Dr Harrington.” I decided to trust him.

“I miss her. But she understands.”

“I am sorry for taking your best friend away.”

“Anything that makes you or our kids uncomfortable is out of our life.” He promised. “And, thank you for this baby.”

“I love you.” All of a sudden, I said.

Cupping my cheeks, “I love you.” He said, looking right into my eyes. That was the moment, I knew, my chance to him is our chance to have this family. And, everything will be fine. Perfect.

.