‘I think I’m going to get some sleep after lunch’ Shadee announced half through her plate of falafel ‘Swimming really got me tired.’

‘But it’s really fun, isn’t it!’ giggled grandpa Menas ‘I like swimming once in a while too. If only my joints didn’t hurt…’

Shadee smiled bemused. She suddenly felt a wave of soft feelings for her grandparents. They had been the best substitutes for her parents she could have imagined. A weird thought shot through her mind: if her family hadn’t died would she have got to know her grandparents so well and love them so much? All of a sudden, her eyes began to burn and her throat seemed stuck with something huge; she could barely swallow the piece of falafel from her mouth.

‘Grandma, grandpa, I love you so much!’ she burst out crying and looked at both of them tearfully.

A big group hug happened afterwards in which everyone cried, even grandpa Menas. Then awkward silence followed.

‘Let’s just all get some rest.’ Smiled Gypsy and ushered them out of the kitchen.

Shadee went upstairs to her room and prepared her bed for a short, refreshing nap. She didn’t exactly like to sleep at noon, but her head hurt a little from staying too much in the sun and sleeping seemed to be the best thing to do.



And she was right. After resting for about an hour she felt as good as new. Descending into the living room, Shadee found her grandma sitting all alone on the couch.

‘Hey there, honey!’ she smiled and beckoned her to sit next to her’ I was actually waiting for you.’

Eyebrows raised, Shadee headed for the couch. She had a distinct feeling Gypsy hadn’t slept at all. But why was she waiting for her?

‘I’d like to tell you something.’ She began ‘Your grandfather and I have been thinking about this for quite some time now…but we’d like to ask you first. To be sure you’d be okay with this.’



Okay with what?
Gypsy cleared her throat audibly. She seemed to be having a really hard time saying what she wanted to say.

‘You know how much we love children, don’t you, dear?’ she asked, looking Shadee in the eyes ‘We love hearing little footsteps around the house, having a little one to take care of.’

It began to dawn on Shadee what her grandma wanted to tell her, but she kept quiet and listened on.

‘While I was young, the house was full of children. But then they all grew up, one by one, and left the house to have their own families. What me and Menas would like is to adopt a child.’ She beamed at her granddaughter happily.

Shadee immediately jumped to her feet. Gypsy stood worriedly up too.
‘You want to what?!?’



‘Honey, don’t get this wrong! We’re not trying to replace your father! No one’s ever going to do this…we just need to feel useful and…’ her voice trailed off.

Millions of thoughts went through Shadee’s mind. She had clearly not expected this!

‘ But grandma…don’t you think it’s a little too late to adopt?’ Shadee’s voice sounded coarse ‘You know, you’re almost seventy years old. Raising a child takes time and patience and-’



She stopped and looked into her grandmother’s eyes. It was clear she had expected this reaction from her. But wasn’t she right? Even if she hated to even think of this, Shadee’s knew that her grandparents could die any time at that age.

‘I know what you’re thinking, Shadee.’ Gypsy sighed ‘Me and Menas could die any day now. But I’ve got this covered. I’ve already talked to the adoption agency and we are allowed to get a child. If anything bad happens to us in the next few years, the little girl or boy will go live with one of our children. I was thinking about your uncle Zenyth, he says he’s alright with this. If this happens more years from now and you’re alright with this you could…you know…take our place as a parent.’

Shadee looked once again at her grandmother. She seemed so excited and happy about this, that she couldn’t deny her this pleasure.

‘Well, if you’re sure this is what you and grandpa want…I’m totally okay with it!’ she smiled widely.

Her grandparents were ecstatic when they heard this. Just couldn’t believe their ears. They spent the rest of the day talking about it. Were they going to adopt a girl or a boy? How old will the child be? How will they decorate the room? Shadee found her self getting really excited at the thought too. A few days from then a little aunt or uncle was going to roam the house, nibbling on books, making a lot of noise and stuff that small children usually do. But this thought seemed to give her wings!



Hope you liked this…like always, gimme feedback! :D