89, The big question

Ayya smiled at Tenac. She could see how nervous he was. She still couldn’t believe how perfect he was, and she didn’t know what she had done to deserve his love. But she was grateful to have it. She took his hand as they walked into sister Loise’s office. The nun greeted them with a smile and asked them to sit down.

“I am sorry we constantly seem to come here unannounced and interrupt your day,” Ayya said.

“I don’t mind. My life has become far more interesting since you returned,” the sister said and laughed. Ayya smiled. 

“It’s time for us to start preparing for the journey home. We have done what we can. Others will take over after us and do the last parts,” Ayya told her, and the sister nodded. “I’m sure it isn’t a surprise when I say that Tenac and I have become quite attached to Jason. We have been talking about it and we were wondering if it’s possible for us to adopt him?” Ayya asked. She held her breath as she waited for a reply. Sister Loise smiled at them.

“It doesn’t come as a surprise, and if I’m honest, I was hoping something like this would happen. You have a unique understanding of what these children go through. But, before I say something, I do have some questions. If you don’t mind?”

“Not at all. Please ask anything,” Tenac told her. He had relaxed, Ayya noticed. 

“Well, first the big one. I haven’t asked, but I have been presuming you two are courting? Would the adoption be with the two of you?”

“Yes. We are getting married when we go home,” Tenac reassured her. 

“Until then, Jason and myself can stay with my parents,” Ayya added. 

“They won’t mind?” the nun asked.

“Not at all. My mother loves children, she is a midwife, and my dad will understand, as this is what he did when he met me,” Ayya told her. She smiled and nodded. 

“That means you will have a support system?” she asked.

“Yes, besides my parents, we have Tenac’s mother and his extended family, as well as our friends,” Ayya said. 

“I’m not even going to ask if you can relate to his situation. Neither, if you have anyone that can vouch for you character. If I did, I’m guessing there would be recommendations both from the church and the royal family. To be honest, I think this is the best for Jason. He seems to have grown attached to you as well. I’m assuming you would like him to have a say in it?” Sister Loise asked. 

“Of course, would it even be possible if he said no?” Tenac asked. 

“Technically, he is a ward of the state. He doesn’t have a say. We don’t work like that here, but there are places that do,” the sister told them. Ayya felt horrible, and Tenac looked mortified. “How about I go and get him and you can borrow my office to have a talk,” she said. Ayya thanked her, and she left. Ayya reached for Tenac’s hand. She was getting more nervous and was trying to prepare for getting rejected by Jason. He had been through so much in such a short time. Sister Loise came back with Jason.

“Hi,” he said when he saw them. 

“Hello,” Tenac and Ayya said at the same time. 

“I’ll leave you to it,” Sister Loise said, closing the door. 

“Have you had a good day?” Ayya asked Jason as Tenac lifted him up so he could sit on the desk, facing them. 

“Yes, Sister Jean was teaching today, and it’s fun. She always has us singing a lot,” he said. 

“Do you like singing?” Tenac asked. Jason shrugged.

“It’s more fun than maths,” he said. Ayya smiled.

“We need to talk to you for a bit. It’s important you know that whatever happens, or whatever we say, you need to always tell us how you feel, okay? You will not hurt our feelings or make us not care for you. Do you understand?” Ayya asked, unconsciously using what her father had told her. 

“I think so,” Jason said. 

“Good. Tenac and I need to go home. We aren’t leaving yet, but in a couple of days,” Ayya started. Jason looked down at his hands and nodded. 

“We know we haven’t known each other for long, but both Ayya and I have come to care for you, Jason,” Tenac said. The boy looked at him and smiled a faint smile. 

“That’s why we would like you to come home with us,” Ayya said, and watched as Jason’s eyes grew big. 

“You want me to go with you?” he asked. 

“We would. It would make us very happy,” Tenac said. 

“Where do you live?” Jason then asked. Ayya realised they had never talked about it. She explained where they lived, that it was another country far away. She told him about the city and that they used another language and that it would take them about a week to get there. 

“So if I go with you, can I come back?” he asked. 

“I think you could. I believe our countries will be on a better footing. But it won’t be often,” Ayya said. 

“And I would live with you?” he wanted to know. 

“In the beginning, you would live with me and my parents. Tenac and I need to find a house. But then we would all live together, all three of us, we would be a family,” she told him. Ayya watched him as he was thinking. “Jason, we want to adopt you. That means that we would be your parents. But if you don’t feel right calling us mother and father, that is okay. We can still be Ayya and Tenac. And it doesn’t mean we want you to forget your parents or your sister. We would love to know all about them,” she reassured him.

“Both Ayya and me have lost parents. We know that you never stop loving them. But there is enough love to go around for a new family as well,” Tenac explained. Jason nodded, looking a little relieved. 

“I know it is a lot to take in, and you don’t have to decide now. If you need to think about it, that is fine. We have a couple of days. You can ask us questions and we will try to answer them.” Ayya said. Jason shook his head. Ayya was sure he meant he didn’t want to come with them, and her heart sank. 

“I don’t want you to leave me. I would like to come with you,” Jason said in almost a whisper. Ayya had to stand up and hug him. He put his arms around her neck and she pulled him closer. 

“It’s okay, Jason. We won’t leave you, we will always be there for you,” Tenac reassured him as Ayya felt him put a hand on Jason’s back and an arm around her waist. 

“Do I need to change my name?” Jason asked. Ayya laughed. 

“No, honey, you don’t need to change your name. If you would like, you can take the same last name as Tenac and I when we marry, but that is up to you,” she said. 

“Okay,” Jason agreed. Tenac placed a kiss on Ayya’s hair and then took a step back. Ayya let go of Jason so she could get a look at him and make sure he was alright. He looked fine, a little surprised, but happy and excited as well. 

“How about Ayya and me hang around for a while, and then you can stay here today to say goodbye to your friends and the sisters? Then Ayya and I will come and get you tomorrow morning and you can stay with us in the castle for the last days. Does that sound okay?” Tenac asked. 

“In the castle? Wow, that sounds fun,” Jason said. 

“I’m taking that as a yes,” Tenac chuckled. Ayya was enjoying to see this side of Tenac. She had seen it before, but not often. They stayed the entire morning and Jason didn’t leave their sides. Ayya felt hesitant to leave him when they got ready to head back. “He will be fine. It’s good for him to get a chance to say goodbye and we will come back tomorrow,” Tenac reassured her. She nodded and let him lead her to the horses. When they got back to the castle and were walking to the tower, Ayya saw Zerden standing outside the door. As he saw them come walking, he walked towards them.

“You are leaving.” It wasn’t a question, but Ayya still replied.

“Yes, in about three days,” she said. 

“Here,” he said, handing her a note, and then he walked away. 

“Want me to take care of it?” Tenac asked. 

“No, it’s okay,” Ayya told him as they walked into the common room. “Firlea, Hinat, may we have a word?” she then asked and led everyone into her room. “Tenac and I have been to the orphanage,” she told her friends. They both smiled and nodded. “We have decided to adopt Jason and take him back home,” Ayya said.

“I think that is an excellent idea,” Hinat said.

“That is great,” Firlea agreed. 

“Why don’t you seem surprised?” Ayya asked.

“Oh, come on, Ayya. It’s been obvious from the second day you knew him where this was heading. The only question was when you would decide to do it. I guessed that we would have to almost leave until you made up your mind,” Hinat told her.

“I had faith in you. I knew you wouldn’t wait that long,” Firlea added. 

“Well, okay then. I need to write home to my mother and father to let them know to expect a houseguest,” Ayya said.

“Want me to deliver it for you?” Hinat asked.

“If you wouldn’t mind?” Ayya asked. 

“Not at all. Just let me know when you are done.” Ayya sat down and wrote a letter to her mother explaining she would be bringing a young boy home with her and he would be staying with her. She asked if her parents would mind if the two of them came to stay with them for a while. Her own letter reminded her of the note Zerden had given her. She opened and read it and sighed. 

“What did he do?” Tenac asked. Ayya handed him the note. It was a brief note asking Ayya to meet him at their old spot after the evening meal. “Your not going,” Tenac said.

“I think I need to,” Ayya said. 

“Why?”

“He obviously needs closure. If I can, I will give it to him,” she said. Tenac studied her and then nodded. “And I know you are coming as well. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she added and Tenac nodded again.