***In The Nursery***
"Dear Mr./Mrs. Littrell,
We regret to inform you that the situation with Nicola McKenzie and her mother did not work out. She will be put into foster care until a family is found for her. Since she is up for adoption, you may apply for full custody of the child. Thank you for your time.
Your Truly,
Megan Torus Social Worker
P.s. I Hope this works out for you Mr. Littrell. " He read silently from the paper. He couldn't believe what he'd just read. He never opened it thinking it was bad news…He put it off so much that he forgot it was there. He picked up a picture of him and Nicola and studied it carefully. She had always looked just like Nina, *Could it really be her? Why would she go by Marie, instead of Nicola? I have to talk to someone about this!* he thought to himself. He slowly walked out of the room carrying the letter and the picture. He picked up the phone and called Kevin.
"hello?"
"Kev, this is Brian."
"Hey Brian, what's up?"
"I need to ask you something."
"Ok, shoot."
"How long have you known Shawn's girlfriend?"
"Oh Shawn met her in 3rd grade. Don't worry she is a real good kid. She and Shawn were best friends long before they started dating. So she is like a daughter to me."
"Do you know anything else about her?"
"Like what?" he asked curiously.
"Like was she adopted?"
"Yeah, she was in foster care when she was little and finally found a family when she was 4 1/2 years old."
"Do you know anything about her biological parents?"
"No, she doesn't talk about them, I don't think she ever meet them. Why all the questions cous?"
"Because I think it's Nicola."
"No, Brian… you can't let yourself start thinking about all that stuff again, you've got a wonderful wife and great kids, let go of the past."
"Kevin I am fine. But I really think it's her."
"Brian, her mother has her! Megan McKenize, don't you remember?"
"I got a letter that said her mother put her up for adoption. I never read it until now, I was scared of what it might say."
"Why didn't you tell me before? I would have read the letter for you. I don't know how you are going to find out, but you should look into it. And if Marie isn't the one, maybe there is some way that we can find out more about how Nicola is now." Kevin said wishing Brian would have shown him the letter years ago. But he didn't want to bring up the fact that if Brian had opened that letter he would have gotten to raise Nicola just like he wanted to.
"Has she ever told you if Marie was just a nickname or maybe her middle name or something?"
"No, I think she has always gone by Marie. Try contacting the lady that sent you that letter."
"Kevin, I have to know this and I can't be waiting around to contact anyone. I am going to ask her."
"Yeah Bri, that will go over real well. 'Hi Nicola I'm your father.'"
"That's not what I am going to say! I will ask her if that is her name. Then I'll try to explain it to her."
"Good luck man. Listen I have to go, Alyssa is trying to ask me a question. So I'll talk to you tomorrow ok Bri?"
"Yeah, later Kev."
***In Devon's Room***
"Man, Dev your dad was weird tonight. He like totally lost it when he saw Marie. Who is Nina any ways?" Hazel asked puzzled.
"I don't know, maybe the old man has finally lost his mind completely."
"Maybe, Well I'm going to go to my room now." She said as she hopped off his bed where she had been sitting talking to him for the past hour.
***The Next Day***
"Hey Shawn before you go, I just wanted you to know, there's going to be a big BBQ here tonight and your family is all coming. You are welcome to bring a guest as well. I am almost positive Dev will bring Hazel."
"Ok, Thanks Brian. See you later on tonight." He said as he and Marie walked out of the house.
Once Marie and Shawn had gotten about half way to Shawn's, Marie said, "I don't think Brian likes me." She sounded as if she had thought about it for a while.
"Why wouldn't he babe?" he asked briefly looking away from the road and resting his hand on her hand.
"I don't know, I just get that feeling."
"I think he is just getting older and being up late makes him a little weird. He is not the type of person to just dislike some one for no reason. Trust me, I've been around him all my life."
"Ok, well maybe you are right. But maybe I shouldn't go to the BBQ."
"No way! You have to come, please Marie! I'll love you forever if you do come."
"Oh and you won't if I don't?" she replied teasingly.
"I will, but it's supposed to make you want to come. Please? You wouldn't make me go to a family function without you, would you???"
"Of course not Shawn! Where are we going babe?"
"My house."
"Um nope, wrong answer hon."
"Why??"
"Cause I need to go to my house. I am not wearing this outfit again! That's gross!"
"Call your mom and tell her you are still with me and we'll go buy you another outfit."
"No way Shawn. I'll go home and shower and change then you can pick me up in time for that party or whatever tonight."
"Ok, ok. Fine." He said pouting.
When they got to Marie's house she leaned over and kissed his cheek then said "See ya later babe."
"Wait, c'mere." He said leaning towards her. She leaned back in wondering what he wanted. "I love you." He whispered softly. It was the very first time he had ever told her that.
She smiled and said "I love you too Shawn."
"See you tonight."
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