It had always been our dream to have more children. She couldn’t have kids, so there were just the two of us—her, me, and my wonderful five-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, whom we both loved.
We thought about it for months before deciding to take the big step and adopt. We wished to offer another child a safe and loving home.
When we got to the shelter on the day of our visit, we talked with Mrs. Garcia, the director, for about an hour. She is a nice woman with gray hair and warm eyes. She took us to the playroom, where kids were laughing and having fun, after telling us about the adoption process.
A lot of them let us talk and play with them. It would have been great to bring all of them home if we could. But we were looking forward to that special link.
As we helped some kids with a game, I felt a light tap on the back of my head. I looked around and saw a little girl who looked interested.
“ARE YOU MY NEW DAD?” I think you are.
I went cold. It looked like my wife was going to pass out. The girl in front of me looked just like my daughter, who was at home with the babysitter.
I saw the scar when she put out her little hand. It was the same as my daughter’s.
My heart beat fast. I forced a hard swallow and asked with a shaking voice:
“What’s your name?”
The little girl gave a shy smile. She said in a sweet voice, “My name is Angel.”
I felt that name like lightning. Lisa, my ex-wife, wanted the name Angel for our next daughter if we had one.
I got up right away and called her. As I waited for her to pick up, my heart was beating fast.
“David?” Lisa replied in a worried way.
“Lisa, Emily and I are at an orphanage.” There is a little girl here who seems to be Sophia. She was born with the same mark. Lisa, would you like to explain this to me?”
There was a heavy silence on the other end. I finally heard her weak breath.
“David… I… I didn’t think you’d find out.
When she told me the truth, my world fell apart: she was pregnant with twins when we got split. She felt like she couldn’t raise two babies without any help or money, so she chose to keep one and give the other to someone else to adopt.
“Angel is my daughter, Lisa, and she deserves to be with her family.”
On the other end, she sighed. “I understand. David, watch out for her. She should get everything.
Angel still had the puzzle piece in her hand when I hung up the phone. I got down on my knees next to her and grabbed her little hand.
“Yes, Angel.” “I’m your dad.”
With tears in her eyes, my wife hugged her. It’s been our pleasure to have you.
Angel laughed and gave us both a hug. “I knew it.” I knew it all along.
Sophia was waiting for us at the door with her pet bear when we got home. She was shocked when she saw Angel.
“Daddy, who is she?”
I got down on my knees next to them. “Hi Sophia, this is Angel…” “Your twin sister.”
Sophia’s eyes lit up, and she ran over to give her a hug right away. From that point on, they couldn’t be apart.
After five years, our house is full of love and happiness. Our girls talk about their travels and secrets in a way that only twins can.
I realized something at that moment: love doesn’t just find a way, it makes magic happen. This was ours.
