X Daughter Reader - Blog Posts

Sidemen x Harrys daughter reader

Summary - little snippets of how the reader has fit into the YouTube world. a mix of first and 3rd pov but it will be stated witch at the start.

warnings - none that I can think of, just a bit of swearing near the end. request - yes/no

a/n: this is for fun, I've had this in my head for ages and considering I will never live a life like this, I may as well put it on Tumblr right?. y/n is 14 - 16 in this; it might get more specific if I write more. She doesn't have any specific descriptions! Except for the fact she has hair, so if you're bald, idk (if you find any descriptors let me know, e.g. size or colour) reader is described as a girl, but you could change it, I don't mind. Again, this is a silly little thing purely for my own enjoyment, but if you like it to please don't be a ghost reader!

First sighting

3rd pov

She gets on really well with the boys and has known them for a while now. When she tells Harry she feels comfortable about the public knowing about it, he posts a picture announcing her adoption.

That night, she sat on the sofa Harry sat next to her. Her leg was bouncing as they watched some show on Netflix, but she was too distracted by the notifications Harry was getting on his phone, making it go off every second.

The small pings could barely be heard over the TV, but it was all she could hear. She had turned her phone off, dreading any messages from her old friends or random people online. She wasn’t stupid; she knew she was going to get some form of hate, but if she could avoid it, she would.

The public had never seen her before. Well, some of them recognised her from her karting victories. A wave of nice congratulation comments, good luck, and compliments for her and Harry was soon followed by hate. The comments section was quickly turned off as soon as Harry caught wind of this, not wanting to make an already difficult time harder.

Harrys stream

first pov

I could hear him from my room in are flat. Harry streaming is a rare phenomenon, but I had seen how much the fans loved it, so I somehow convinced him to do it more.

I stand groggily. The late day sun shining through my half-drawn curtains, splotching colours on my floor from the stained glass window vinyl I put up a week ago. I check myself for food stains before walking towards Harry's room, clad in my way-too-big pyjamas. That consists of baggy trousers and a smosh shirt that Harry had bought me.

nudging the door open and sticking my head through. To check if it was suitable for me to come in. Harry turned around and gave me a slight nod, gesturing for me to come in. " hi chat." I waved at the camera. A little nervous my first time on stream.

I had been briefly in some Sidemen videos, but no one had really seen much of me. The chat exploded with hellos, and his chat moved so fast I couldn't keep up, so I leaned closer to the screen. "What are you doing?" I ask Harry, pulling a chair in frame, to sit next to him. "Some weird game chat suggested," he shrugged. I stayed for a few hours before getting tired and heading back to my room.

Georges stream

first pov

I knock on the door to George's room, shouting his name. We were waiting for him as he was streaming. My dad, Chris, Arthur H, and Batch sat on the sofa in the boys' flat, talking animatedly. I have been tasked with getting George's takeout order. He opens the door, standing in one of those aprons that give you abbs, scratching the back of his head. "I can explain." He sighs.

"I don’t think I want you to." I shake my head, looking him from head to toe, noticing the comically large purple shoes he has on. I let out a giggle at the sight. "Ok, well, if you have come just to make fun of me, you might as well leave."

"There is no need for me to make fun of you anymore than you probably have yourself," he starts closing the door slowly. I glance at the chat in the back of his monitor, trying to explain his actions or asking questions about me.

"No, no, no, I need to ask you what you want for dinner, we are ordering in," I say, using my hand to block the door as his eyebrows raise and a smile appears on his face.

"Pepperoni, please. Oh, and what time are you guys leaving?" George asked, then sat back at his desk, reading through the comments and thanking people.

" You want me gone?" I say, faking a look of sadness, arching my eyebrows, and pouting my bottom lip.

" No chat, just want to talk to you, so I need to know how long you will have once you’ve had dinner." he rolled his eyes at me, facing me now, expecting an answer.

" DAD, WHEN DO WE LEAVE!" I shout down the hall to the men sitting in the living room.

"Come here! Stop shouting, you will wake up everyone in the building," Harry replied as I trudged back to him, putting up a finger in George's direction. Signalling, I will be a sec. The chat is pointing out the fact that I called Harry dad.

I slide back into the doorway of George's room. " Around ten. Ethen is picking us up, then dropping me home, and they are going out for drinks," I say as I plop on his bed, still in sight of the stream.

"Do you want to stay here so you don’t have to be alone? The guest room is always open," he said, turning in his chair, eyebrows raised and his hands resting softly on his stomach,

"I'll go ask. thanks!" I slid back out, going to ask my dad. The chat is eating this up. The rare look into their personal life. Making them aww at the interaction.

Sidemen vid

3rd pov

She has known the sidemen for a while; she often hangs out on the set of the vids, and you could sometimes see or hear her in short clips, but she had never been in a video as a contestant or a constant presence.

Until now. Sidemen’s most expensive car challenge. She is on a team with Tobi, and so far, it hasn't been horrible, but now it is starting to get better. The intermediate cars. The ones that were on the more expensive cars, but defo not the most. This was also going to be the largest amount of distance they were going to travel in a car so they really were hoping it wasn’t a shit car. They had got their first. Tobi pulled into the car park surrounded by forest, both giddy to get out of the car and into the next.

Simon stood in front of three cars, rubbing his hands together. "Now I'm excited for this one cuz there is a specific car I want you guys to get," he says, talking excitedly to us and the camera.

"Now I'm nervous." I face Toby as he is getting the present we got for Simon out of the car. A F1 car balloon and a new PS5 controller (idk ok leave me alone it's not relevant) he holds them behind his back, but the balloon bobs above his head, giving it away, laughter settled in the small group. It's not much of a surprise anymore, but Tobi hands him the balloon and controller, and we stand in front of the three cars covered by sheets. Ethan and Josh pull in after us, getting out and waiting till it's their turn.

"I think I know what car it is, but I don’t want to get my hopes up," She said to Toby, hearing Simon giggle and Josh and Ethan laugh once Simon tells them the car he wants us to get.

"Oh mate, shell be gassed!” Ethan says a bit too loudly, meaning we hear. She whips around.

"WHAT! NO! it can't be!!” She faces Simon now.

"Go on, find out, I think you already know what one it is," he laughs out. She looks towards Toby with a questioning glance.

"Go on, I trust you," he says, motioning his hand towards the car.

She ripped the sheet off the car and stood in shock. "No fucking WAY!" a maroon 1960s Chevrolet sat Infront of her. Her hands flying to her mouth and she runs to Simon, rapping him in a hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she squeals.

"No worries", he hugs her back. She goes back to the car, looking at it better. Harry and Vic pull in with their shit car. Harry has the biggest smile on his face as he knew this was coming. It was the only reason he agreed to do the vid, she had been nonstop talking about this car, going on about how it's her dream car.

He got out and slung an arm around her shoulder. "It’s the right colour, right?" He said casually. She turns to him, her arms going around his waist and his over her shoulders, hugging him tight.

"I think we'd better head off then," Tobi said, getting in the driver’s seat. She skips towards the car, earning some chuckles from the boys. She gets in, and Toby starts the engine, rolling down the windows.

"This is incredible", she has the biggest grin on her face as Tobi pulls out everyone, waving. They get on the motorway. A song comes on the radio, possibly the best for the situation, Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas. "OH MY GOD!" she yells, turning up the radio. "This is the best day of my life!" All the windows in the car are down, her hair is blowing like a willow tree in the wind, wild but majestic. She sings her heart out. It might not have been the funniest part of the video, but it definitely was the most enjoyable.

tysm for reading! I have a rough idea of wear I want the reader's story to go, so if you want more parts or have any ideas of vids you want to see her in, let me know!

bye for now! 💗

xoxo Izzy,

Markiplier x Teen!Adopted!Daughter!Reader - I'm Right Here

(Part 2 of “Take Your Time”)

Requested by: daysgobyinhereyes

-------- (Y/n)’s POV)

Looking around, everything was blurry and white. I couldn’t understand where I was or what was happening. Sirens sounded from far away and blue and red colored lights started to appear in the distance. Concerned and muffled voices spoke outside of the white wall that obscured my vision. 

I couldn’t understand them, but I could tell they were just as afraid as I was, though I didn’t know why.

Three blurry figures rose beside me, their voices concerned but inaudible to me. They turned to me, seemingly wondering what I thought of the situation. I didn’t reply and only stared at them, wondering who they were. They were small childlike beings with no discernible traits other than different sizes of hair that blended in with their figures. From what I could somewhat see, I assumed there were two boys and one girl in this place with me.

The white wall suddenly opened, the sound of a zipper present as a new figure appeared in my sight. “We need to go.” The figure spoke, her voice echoey and muffled. I was finally able to recognize her as female. She motioned for us to follow her, and we all got up and left the room, now revealed to be a tent. The blurry woman urged us forward and I struggled to keep up with her and the others. 

I heard shouts behind us and I looked back in time to see a blinding light overwhelm my eyesight. I tripped over something in front of me and I was quickly grabbed by someone who ran behind me. Upon hearing my cry of alarm, the blurry woman halted, and her eyes widened, seemingly not knowing what to do. Then with a soft, “I’m sorry”, she disappeared into the woods with the other three. I cried out for her with my own inaudible voice before I was quickly dragged backward, the light once again overtaking my vision. 

I awoke with a start, a small yelp of alarm escaping my mouth. I was back in my room at Mark’s house. I put a hand over my racing heart but was shocked to see it shaking. ‘A nightmare..’ I thought, my breathing slowing down to an appropriate pace. ‘I can’t accurately remember the last time I had one of those.’ 

I heard footsteps coming down the hallway and my door opened to reveal a panicked Markiplier standing in the entrance. “(Y/n), are you okay? I heard you yell.” I blushed in embarrassment. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just.. had a nightmare, that’s all.” Mark came closer and sat on the edge of my bed. “Do you want to talk about it, kiddo?” 

I looked at him, the dark circles under his eyes noticeable even in the dark room we were in. “If I’m being honest, I’m not entirely sure what it was about, so talking about it probably wouldn’t help. Sorry..”  As I said this, I looked over at the clock. I frowned, realizing it read one in the morning.

Mark nodded, covering his mouth as he yawned, “Alright. Remember that I’m here if you want to talk.” I nodded and he leaned over, giving me a warm hug. I returned the gesture after a moment of hesitation and he left the room, closing the door behind him.

I looked down again, the guilt of bothering him sending an uncomfortable chill down my spine. Mark had been so busy these past few days, and I felt awful that I just seemed to be another problem interrupting his work. That new interactive adventure he was working on, as exciting as the concept was, it took a toll on him, whether he acknowledged it or not. Laying down and closing my eyes once more, I prayed that there wouldn’t be any more nightmares waiting for me in the dreamscape.

(Time skip a few weeks later)

There hadn’t been any nightmares since that night, but the memory still remained. I tried not to let it bother me, but the unanswered questions in my mind were driving me nuts. Who were those other people? Why did the police show up? What grabbed me in the darkness? Why did the woman leave? Why did they look familiar? Unfortunately, I didn’t have and could find the answers to any of these queries. 

Mark, by this point, had finally finished the script for “In Space With Markiplier” and was able to focus on regaining a normal sleep schedule and making up for lost time with Chica and I. It was fun to see him outside of his office after such a long time, but even so, I felt bad about all the times I had interrupted him during the writing process of his big project. He probably would’ve been out quicker if it wasn’t for me. 

I shook my head, trying to get those kinds of words out. “Stop being so stupid, you don’t know what would or wouldn’t have happened so stop blaming yourself.” I thought, my eyes rolling in annoyance at the sheer (Y/n)-ness my thoughts had turned into for a second. Mark had told me before that he didn’t mind taking small breaks, even if it was to check up on me. He had even said that if I hadn’t woken up from the nightmare, he might’ve pulled an all-nighter and forgotten to sleep at all. It turns out that he had realized how tired he was and had gone to bed soon after making sure I was okay.

Chica walked over to me, her tail wagging happily as I gently scratched behind her floppy ear. “I know that you missed dad too, didn’t you, Chica-Beeka? Aren’t you glad he’s done writing that long video script?” I said in a goofy voice and as I knelt down, she started to lick my face in reply. “Ack! No!! Stop!! Back you foul beast!!” Chica knocked me over as she continued her merciless assault. I played dead but instead of just stopping or finding Mark, she just plopped down on top of me with a tired huff. 

Mark, who had just entered the room, got to witness this interaction and started laughing his butt off. “FATHER!!” I cried, my voice muffled from underneath the floof. “HELP ME!” 

“What?”

“HELP ME!”

“Sorry, I can’t understand you. What?”

“I said, help me!”

“Stinky feet? You dare insult our dearest Chica by saying that she has stinky feet? For shame, (Y/n). For shame. As punishment you shall have to stay under your furry prison until it decides to move.” 

“TRAITOR!!!”

“Fare thee well, daughter. I goeth to play the things known as “Video Games”.” Mark said dramatically and I managed to get my head out from underneath Chica, watching him start to leave the room. “Beeka? You want a treat?” The golden retriever stood up immediately and bounded off toward the kitchen. Mark looked back at me with a playful pout. “You’re no fun.” 

“You’re the one who left me to die.” I said with an equally playful yet sassy tone. “That’s it, young lady, you’re in trouble now.” said my dad, who ran toward me as I tried to follow our dog. “NOOOOO!!!” He caught me in his arms and we tumbled to the floor as he started ferociously tickling me. I could hardly breathe as I laughed, and his own goofy laughter only added to the hilarity. 

When Mark finally stopped, I started to catch my breath and I looked up at him, seeing his smiling face. “I am so glad I adopted you.” He murmured softly, helping me up and giving me a warm hug. Chica came back from the kitchen, curious about the commotion and bothered by her lack of treats. Upon seeing the family cuddles, she jumped in between us, wagging her tail and effectively hitting Mark and I in the face a bunch of times. 

“Agh no! She’s too good! Chica! You’re too good!” Mark cried out, coughing to get rid of the stray dog hairs that had invaded his mouth. I had begun laughing again, my mind blissfully distracted for a bit as I watched Chica begin her lick assault on my father. Quickly getting up from my position on the floor, I entered the kitchen and retrieved a dog treat. Chica, upon hearing the container open, came running to receive the long awaited goods. 

Mark followed a few seconds after, first looking over at his dog munching away at the treat then at the stove top clock. “Ahh that was fun. Too bad It’s getting late. You ought to get to bed.” He commented, shifting his gaze back over to me. I nodded, recognizing that he was right. He gave me a hug and a pat on the back. “Sleep well, kiddo. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.” With that, I retired to my room. 

- Start of Dream -

I once again opened my eyes to a blurry scene. It was slightly dark, but I could make out some shapes nearby. They were the same figures from before! They were gathered around what looked like a table, with me at the head. I heard two voices coming closer, singing a familiar tune. I looked over to see a slightly blurry cake with what looked like five candles being brought in by the two blurry adults. 

“Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, Dear (Y/n)! Happy Birthday to you!” They all sang, placing the cake in front of me. I had begun to smile, their faces becoming a bit clearer once I blew out the candles and some lights flipped on. The woman had black hair and pretty (e/c), the same eye color as mine. The man had tanish-gray hair and looked a bit older than the woman. He had bluish-gray eyes.

The younger figures were a bit closer so I looked at them next. The tallest looked to potentially be the oldest with dark brown hair and brown eyes. The second tallest had strawberry blonde hair and had a lot of freckles. His eyes were the same color as the woman’s. The last of the figures was quite a few inches smaller than the previous one. He had tanish-brown hair and the man’s blue-gray eyes which seemed to have a glow of mischief in them. But before I could fully process their faces, a loud noise sounded and I woke up. 

- End of Dream -

I looked around my room, wondering what the cause of the disturbance was. Looking over toward my dresser, I noticed that a picture frame that had admittedly been in an unstable position had fallen over, thus making the loud noise. With an annoyed sigh, I looked over at my alarm clock, checking the time. “12:04 AM.” I thought, turning away from the device and closing my eyes.

“Happy Birthday to me..”

- timeskip - 

It was in fact a big day and I had a blast. Mark, Amy, Ethan, Tyler, and I went to an amusement park and went to my favorite restaurant for dinner. When we got home, Mark and Amy surprised me with a delicious looking cake with the number 15 on it via two big number candles. They sang so nicely and I watched the flames on the candles burn. As they finished the song, I hesitantly blew out the candles as my vision suddenly went blurry. Mark placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Hey, are you okay? Why are you crying? Do you not like it?” 

Tears? Is that what was obscuring my vision? I wiped them away but more kept coming. “I don’t understand.. I’m so happy, so why am I crying?” 

The Happy Birthday song rang in my ears, the voices of the people in my dream singing along. I let out a small laugh. How silly of me to get so emotional over a little thing like this. “Thank you both so much for this. I can’t even begin to tell you how much it means to me.” I didn’t lie. I didn’t know how to tell them, and I didn’t even understand why.

Mark and Amy gave me a big hug and I relished in the affection. I don’t know if they knew this, but it was exactly what I needed at that moment. I already saw Amy as my mother-figure and Mark was my dad, so in that moment it was like we were a real family. “I love you guys..” I murmured softly and they smiled, Amy wiping away one of my stray tears. “We love you too.” 

Later that night, Amy had gone home and Mark came to check up on me when I was already in bed. “Hey, kiddo. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.” I nodded and smiled at him, sitting up in bed. “Yeah, I’m fine.” He frowned slightly. “Are you sure? I mean, it’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just that I’m a bit worried because you started crying earlier.” I realized what was bothering him and I climbed out of bed and quickly hugged him. 

“Dad! I promise I’m okay! I just got a bit emotional. That’s all.” Mark nodded and hugged me back. “D-do you want to talk about it?” I frowned a little and I looked down, but knew that it might help to talk it out. It usually does. “I.. have been having dreams lately..” Mark led me to my bed and sat next to me. “What are they about?” 

“I keep dreaming of some family I don’t think I’ve ever met before..” Mark’s eyes widened slightly and he looked at me. His eyes looked a bit worried though his face looked curious. “What.. What do you dream about them?” I frowned and looked down. “The first time, it was them being chased down by the police and I got taken away from them.. The next time, this morning actually, they were celebrating my birthday and singing to me. I don’t know if that’s why I got emotional when you and Amy sang, but.. It’s what happened..” Mark hugged me close and I could hear his heartbeat. It was faster than normal. “I’m so sorry. Do these dreams bother you at all?” I nodded slightly. “A little bit.. I don’t remember these people at all, but they feel so familiar to me. I don’t know how to feel when I have one of these dreams.” Mark gently rubbed my back and his voice was slightly hesitant as he spoke. “Is it possible.. Um.. is it possible these dreams aren’t actually dreams?”

I looked up at him, “What?” Mark looked away, almost seeming nervous. “I’ve read, and have heard, that sometimes dreams can actually be suppressed memories.. So.. that family..” My eyes widened, “They might be, like, my biological family?” Mark nodded, but his eyes looked sad. “Yeah.” He looked at me again. “Do you remember anything before you were put in the orphanage? Any people or events?” I shook my head. “No.. I don’t really remember much if anything from before my time as an orphan. I don’t even know how I got there.” 

Mark nodded and took a deep breath. “If.. if it wouldn’t bother you, could you tell me about that first dream of yours? The one about the police?” I frowned and looked away and he panicked. “It’s okay if you don’t want to! I don’t want to force you into anything!” I shook my head and smiled at him reassuringly. “No no! It’s not that. I do want to tell you, it’s just that.. It was a weird dream and I’m still processing this theory of ours.” 

Mark nodded and I took a deep breath before starting to talk again. “We were in a forest. It was night time and I assume we were in a tent. There were three other kids in the tent with me. Red and Blue lights came and all of us kids were forced to run into the woods with a woman. I tripped and the woman left me behind, taking the other three with her while I was suddenly dragged backwards. That’s when I woke up.”

Mark was silent for a minute as he processed the information I had given him. He then frowned. “I think, if that was actually a memory of yours, that was how you were taken away from your parents. I suspect that’s also why you start panicking when you think you’ve been left behind. You were traumatized by that woman, your mother, abandoning you when you were younger.” I blinked. He was right. There was no other real explanation for my fear that made sense for me. I looked at Mark. “But then why did she abandon me? I assume the red and blue lights were police lights, but if that was the case, why did she run? Was she a criminal or something?” 

Both of us said nothing before he spoke up. “I.. don’t have a solid answer for you. I’d hate to think that was the real reason police would show up to a campsite like that, but.. It’s a possibility.” I sighed softly but then smiled at him. “Well then, I guess I got an upgrade parental wise.” Mark couldn’t help but smile and he hugged me. “I love you, kiddo.” 

“I love you too.” I murmured, hugging him back with a smile. Mark looked at the clock and sighed. “Alright. As much as I love talking to you, it’s gotten a bit late and I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit tired from all the fun we had today.” Right on cue, I yawned and Mark laughed. “I knew it!” I couldn’t help but giggle when he said that. “Alright.. Do you feel better now?” 

I nodded and he gave my hand three squeezes. I Love You.

I squeezed back four times. I Love You Too.

Smiling, he got up off of the bed. “Alright then. Have a good night. Sleep well, (Y/n).” I smiled up at him. “You too, dad.” She smiled and nodded, walking out of the room with a final look back, speaking once more before leaving. “Happy Birthday.” When he was finally gone I frowned and looked down. The conversation we just had weighed slightly on my mind. What Mark said made sense, but it was a little difficult for me to wrap my head around. The logic was there, but I wanted more answers. I didn’t want “what ifs”, I’d prefer to have the entire story. 

But I couldn’t.

I didn’t know where my biological family was. I didn’t know why they left nor why the police were there. It shouldn’t concern me as much as it was, but I understood that maybe there were some things that would have to remain unknown. With a sigh, I tucked myself in and closed my eyes, falling into a dreamless sleep.

(timeskip)

It had been three months since my birthday, and that was the last time I had one of those dreams. Life had been very good, and the concepts Mark and I talked about that night didn’t really bother me anymore. Right now, I was laughing with him about the stupidity that ensued during his latest charity live-stream. He and the other guys had made a ton of meals that were to be donated to a charity food pantry. We were there now, dropping it off. 

“I got so worried when Ethan almost dropped that whole bowl of dough, but did you see the way it flipped??” I laughed as Mark recounted a hilarious moment when Ethan ended up flipping a bowl of pasta dough and catching it after he almost dropped it to the floor. “I know right? The chat was going crazy!” We continued talking as we finished placing the food in the pantry and my laughter died down as I looked to my side and I spotted a man and a woman receiving some food from the pantry workers.

No.. It couldn’t be. Could it?

It was them, albeit a bit older, but I’d recognize them anywhere. They were the man and woman from my dream memories. Mark noticed my distractedness and followed my gaze, his eyes found the man and woman and he looked back at me. “Do you know them?” I frowned but didn’t take my eyes off of them. “From my dream.. It’s them.” Mark’s eyes widened and he looked back at the man and woman. 

The woman suddenly looked in our direction and her eyes widened. I nervously looked away, fearing that I had creeped her out. Mark asked if I wanted to talk to her and I wasn’t sure what to say. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder and when I looked in it’s direction, I saw the woman. “Excuse me,” she spoke, her voice tender and gentle, as if talking to a child, which in a way, she was. “What’s your name?” 

I took a shaky breath and looked toward Mark who just nodded and looked away. He wouldn’t look at me. “I’m.. My name is (Y/n). What’s yours?” The woman’s eyes widened again and they began to brim with tears. “It’s you.. It’s really you, isn’t it?” I felt myself getting emotional as well, but tried to hide it. “Do I know you? I feel as though I do, but I’m not entirely sure.” 

“(F/n), come here! She’s here! We’ve found our (Y/n)!” The man came over and his eyes widened. “My dear, are you sure?” I looked back over at Mark to see him busy himself on his phone, his foot tapping against the ground slightly. I didn’t know what to do. “I’ve been having dreams.. About you two and three other kids. Or at least, people who looked like you.” The man and woman smiled kindly. “Your brothers and sister. Yes.. they are real.”

I looked down, not sure where to begin. The woman, my mother, moved to hug me but I instinctively took a step back. “H-hold on a second. Then if those dreams were actually memories, then I have questions that need answered.” The woman stopped and the man put his arm around her, nodding. I took a deep breath and began.

“I-In the forest.. We were in a tent, and the police showed up. Why? Are you two..” I trailed off for a moment, worried about continuing this train of thought. “Criminals?” My father looked away and frowned and my mother shook her head. “No. We weren’t… not really.” She trailed off looking a bit guilty. “Then why were the police showing up at the campsite?”

“We were.. Behind on a lot of payments and we had already gotten a notice.. We struggled to get enough money to pay our debt off, but it wasn’t enough and the IRS sent the police after us. They were sent to bring you and your siblings to the orphanage that you no doubt were sent to after you were taken.” My father spoke up and I frowned. “Which brings up another question. Why was I the only one left behind to be taken away?” 

My mother looked incredibly sad as she voiced the reason. “You tripped and fell. If I stopped to pick you up, then your brothers and sister would be taken too. I couldn’t risk it so, regretfully, I had to leave you behind. I didn’t want to, I promise you that. My heart broke when the officer caught you and I was forced to run.” My eyes filled with tears and I nodded in understanding. As much as it hurt to know the truth that I had to be “sacrificed” for the good of the majority, I also was glad it happened. After all, if I wasn’t taken away, I likely wouldn’t have met Mark.

“As much as I hate that it happened that way, mainly because it gave me some.. issues, I’m happy to know the full story. I’m glad I finally got to meet you two.” The smiles that graced their faces brought an amazing amount of joy to my heart and I couldn’t help but smile back. I didn’t lie either. I really was happy to meet my biological parents. Then their next words made my smile vanish and my heart nearly stop. 

“Do you.. Want to live with us again?” My eyes went wide. “W-what?” My father spoke up. “We’re better off now. We’re not the most wealthy people out there, but we’re able to stand on our own two feet so that’s good enough. We can finally support our family and we’d like you to join us.” My head was spinning with the force of this question. They looked so hopeful that I would say yes. I looked back at Mark, wondering how he was reacting to this. He was still on his phone, but I could see that something was wrong with him. 

He was upset, but was trying not to show it.

I turned back to my parents and spoke up. “Listen.. You both are so sweet and I’m happy to have met you, but..” I looked away, trailing off. My mother looked a little upset by my answer but smiled in understanding. “That man over there.. He’s your guardian, isn’t he?” She guessed correctly and I smiled a little, nodding. “I only just met you two.. I can’t just abandon him for people who are essentially strangers to me.” I could hear a slight gasp from behind me and I knew that Mark heard me. “But hey,” I continued, taking out my phone. “Let’s keep in touch.”

That brought a smile to my mother’s face and we exchanged numbers. “I’ll see you both around, right?” They nodded and upon seeing their anxious looks, I gave them both hugs. “Until we meet again.” I murmured, smiling at them before turning and quickly going to Mark’s side. “Are you ready to go?” He nodded and as we started walking back to the car, he spoke up again. 

“Are.. are you sure about your decision? I mean, they’re your real family.” His eyes were slightly filled with tears as I looked at him and I wrapped my arm around his torso in a side hug, smiling up at him. “What are you talking about? Yeah, they were my first family, but you’re my new family. You saved me from the orphanage and you helped me overcome a lot of my social anxieties. Do you hear me right now? I don’t stutter now. I can talk to people normally, and that’s thanks to you. You’re my dad, Mark, and I love you.” 

Mark couldn’t stop the tears from falling as he hugged me and I hugged him back. “I love you too.. So much.. Is it selfish to say that I was scared that you would go with them?” I shook my head and grinned at him. “No, not at all. But you don’t need to worry anymore.” I gently squeezed his hand three times. “I’m right here.” Mark smiles, tears rolling down his cheeks as I led him to the car, both of us finally ready to go home, together.