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Tim knows it’s bound to happen, Emma is older and she understands more. She knows Tim is not her biological dad. She has known that for awhile, she remembers when he adopted her and made it official.
They were official.
He always considered her his daughter no matter what. Blood or not. He would always considered her his daughter.
No matter what.
But she’s six now, she is in a new class with new classmates. Her teacher knew about their situation and family dynamic.
He’s sure that she has some classmates who parents also know and are aware of everything but he never thought that a child would bring it up. He never thought that someone would hurt his little girl so much.
Emma comes out of her classroom, her shoulders are slumped and her face is tear stained. Tim bends down in front of her. “Bug, what’s wrong?” He asks softly. “Are you hurt?”
Emma shakes her head.
“Do you feel okay?” He asks. Emma hesitates likes she’s thinking about that answer and then nods.
“I feel fine.” She says but her voice is unsteady. “Where’s mama?”
“She’s picking your sister up from daycare Bug.” Tim says. Emma’s lip trembles a little and he’s not sure if it’s because she wants Lucy or something else.
This is not like her, she’s usually so happy and bubbly after school. He feels her forehead but she doesn’t feel particularly warm.
“I want mama.” Emma says and a tear finally slips down her cheek. Tim stands up and then picks Emma up. She sighs and rests her head on his shoulder. He feels like she’s just a little baby again.
They get to his truck and he puts Emma in her car seat, he pauses because she usually buckles herself up.
She actually insists on it.
But she doesn’t move so he does it for her. “Emma, you can talk to me baby. What’s wrong?” Tim asks but Emma shakes her head.
“I wanna go home.” She whispers. Tim sighs and presses a kiss to her forehead.
“Okay Bug.” He says. “Let’s go home.”
***
“I’m worried about her.” Lucy says looking over at Emma who is playing with Sophie. She has been oddly quiet since they got home. She went straight for Lucy and then took Sophie’s hand and led her over to play.
“Me too.” Tim says keeping his eyes on the girls. Emma is just watching Sophie play at this point. She’s not really joining in.
“Did she say anything?” Lucy asks and she’s frowning now. Tim knows she hates when Emma is upset and she just wants what is best for her little girl.
“No.” Tim says. “She wanted you and she wanted to go home.” Lucy hums softly and then leans forward a little.
“Emma come here for a moment baby.” Lucy says. Emma turns to look at her and then pushes herself up and walks over.
“Yes mama?”
“Daddy and I are worried about you Bug.” Lucy says softly. “What’s wrong?”
Emma swallows and then turns to look at Tim. “Sophie isn’t my real sister.” She says and a tear falls down her cheek. “Because daddy isn’t my daddy. He adopted me.”
“Yes he did Bug.” Lucy says slowly and she gives Tim a worried look. “But he is your daddy Emma. And Sophie is your sister.”
Emma shakes her head. “She doesn’t look like me. I don’t look like daddy so—” Emma trails off and Tim’s heart breaks a little. He has no doubt some little kid said something to her. Maybe it wasn’t on purpose. Maybe it was just curiosity but—
“No,” Lucy says. “But that doesn’t mean anything sweetheart. Your daddy loves you. Your sister loves you.” She gestures over to Sophie who toddles over to them with a big smile on her face.
Emma just looks at Tim with tears in her brown eyes that are so similar to Lucy. She was in fact a little Lucy and Tim wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Just because we—just because you don’t share my blood doesn’t mean you aren’t my daughter.” Tim says gently. “And your sister is your sister, she is your half sister but that’s just—” He stops and he’s not exactly sure how to explain this to a six year old.
“I don’t know.” Emma says looking down at her feet. “I wish daddy was my daddy from the beginning.”
“So do I.” Lucy says looking over at Tim. “But I wouldn’t have you.” Emma looks at her a little confused.
“That’s a conversation for another time.” Tim says. “The point is Bug, you are my daughter and so is Sophie. And Sophie is most certainly your sister. She loves you.” Emma looks down at Sophie who is looking at her with big blue eyes.
Eyes exactly like Tim’s.
“I love her too daddy.” Emma says and Tim pulls Emma closer to him. “I love you too.”
“I know baby.”
“Emma who told you that Sophie isn’t your real sister?” Lucy asks curiously.
“I brought a picture of Sophie for show and tell. And someone said she wasn’t my real sister because she didn’t look like me and their siblings looked like them.” Lucy exchanges a look with Tim. Emma and Sophie were opposites in ways but they did have similar features. Like their noses, lips and cheeks which they both got from Lucy.
“Honey, not all siblings look a like.” Lucy says gently. “Your dad and aunt Genny—”
“They kinda of do.” Emma says bitting her lip. Lucy blows out a breath, and they might have to have this conversation again. Emma was young, and probably a little confused.
Lucy told him that sometimes it felt like Chris was always following them around. She had to look over her shoulder.
He was in prison and he wasn’t going to hurt them but it didn’t help that she felt like it was always going to be that way.
“Emma, it doesn’t matter what some random kid tells you. Sophie is your real sister okay? And daddy is your daddy.” Lucy says. “Kids are going to say mean things sometimes.”
“I don’t like it.” Emma says. Sophie makes a noise and pushes herself up and then attaches herself to Emma.
“Sissy.” She says in her tiny baby voice. “Sissy.”
“See?” Lucy says and she looks over at Tim. “Your sissy loved you and that’s all that matters Emma.”
Emma nods although Tim can still see she’s upset. He doesn’t blame her, it’s a lot for a six year old to take in.
“Emma, you know your daddy loved you since you were a baby.” Lucy says. “And that’s never going to stop. And Sophie—” They all look at the baby. “Sophie is your real sister. Half sister or full blooded sister okay?”
“Okay.” Emma says and she takes Sophie’s hand leading her to the corner again.
“I’m going to talk to her teacher.” Lucy says. “I know they are just kids.”
“But words hurt.” Tim says. Lucy nods in agreement, and Tim thinks Emma will understand everything once she’s older.
Blood doesn’t always make a family.
“She’s still young but she remembers her dad.” Lucy says. “She knows he’s not a good guy.”
“Yeah.” Tim says and he hates thinking about Chris. He hates thinking of the hell both Lucy and Emma went through with him.
“But she also knows her daddy and his unconditional love for her.” Lucy says turning to face him. She wraps her arms around his neck. “That’s you.”
“That’s me.” He repeats because she’s right. Emma is his girl, his baby girl that made him a dad in the most unexpected way. Lucy was right, he did love Emma when he met her.
“You know I wish I was there for you at the beginning too.” He says. “I could have done something.”
“We met you at the right time.” She says and he leans down to kiss her. “You came into our lives when we needed it. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Me neither.” Tim says and he smiles at her and then turns to look at the girls. Emma is actually playing this time.
They may have become a family in a unconventional way but he wouldn’t trade it for anything.
He wouldn’t trade this wonderful little life of his for anything.
Because it was all he would ever need.