Meeting Her New Uncle

Waking up Sarah was at a disadvantage trying to make sense of the room she was in. She had always suppressed bad memories but for some reason she could make out everything last night and it left her dazed and confused. 'Why can't I suppress these few memories? Do I have to suppress the whole day for it to work?' Slowly she started remembering everything.

It all started around noon when her older brother and sister called daddy. Samantha and Greg didn't mean to start the madness in their stepmother. It was a prank gone wrong. Unfortunately for Sarah she was home at the time since Franklin was sick. School was not important to her stepmother and she was forced to stay home nine times out of ten to tend to her younger siblings.

Franklin was three and always sick. He had been born two months early underweight with a problem in his left lung. The technical terms confused Sarah to no end but she still knew her baby brother was seriously sick. Her daddy preferred his sons over her since she was his only daughter she could feel it more than anyone. Her elder sisters came from her momma and even they were treated better then she was.

Samantha especially now that her and Greg were married to each other.

Yesterday's prank was to tell her stepmother that their daddy was at a motel with a prostitute. Chelsea was enraged immediately and rushed to Franklin's room. Snatching Sarah by her hair she had dragged her into the living room and started lashing her with a thick leather belt. Chelsea had even went as far as to let the huge belt buckle hit her multiple times. That was what her daddy walked in on went he got home.

Instead of protecting Sarah he accused her of making Chelsea mad and even helped her to beat Sarah. Samantha and Greg walked in a few minutes later seeing Sarah passed out in the middle of the floor with her back bloody and distorted Samantha called the cops. While Greg told his dad the truth Chelsea ignored them and snatched Sarah off the ground. Running to the basement she blocked them in to continue beating her.

A few hours later the police finally arrive during that time her daddy had managed to get in the basement. He was huddled over Sarah protecting her even though he didn't like his daughter he still refused to be responsible for her death. When the police finally break the door down to get to her they see the scene and immediately call child protection services. When Shelia had arrived the EMT had already managed to get Sarah conscious.

Her younger brothers were taken in by Greg but he refused Sarah saying he had no room for girls in his home. He blamed her for Samantha calling the cops on their daddy. Thinking of how her daddy protected her Sarah for the first time felt like she was loved. A good night's rest made her see clearly though. 'Daddy just didn't want to be responsible for my death. He even said as much to the police when he was cuffed.'

A knock on her bedroom door disrupted her. "Sarah sweetie are you up? We need to get ready we leave here in an hour to meet your mother."

"Yes ma'am let me fix my bed then I will come down."

"Alright I am going to finish cooking your clothes are in the closet."

Walking back downstairs Shelia kept thinking about the marks her precious angel had on her. She knew it would take Sarah time to get adjusted to her new life, but she hoped John could help her get used to it. He had went on vacation a month ago and was due back tonight. They had shared this house since their grandparents passed away five years ago.

John worked as the towns veterinarian and had an office close to the school. Shelia figured once Sarah started back at school she could go to John's office afterwards to wait the one hour for Shelia to get off work. Sighing to herself on everything she had to sort out she heard Sarah's footsteps on the steps.

"I made pancakes sweetie. Do you want milk, orange juice, or apple juice."

"Orange juice please. When she signs me over can I call you mom Ms. Shelia?"

Hearing that how could she not get emotional. "Yes sweetie if you want you can. Why do you call me Ms. Shelia though? I meant to ask you last night but I didn't want you to be too tired."

"I never learned your last name ma'am. Will my last name change to yours?"

"Yes it will. At that time your name will be Sarah Elizabeth Bell. Does that sound good to you?"

Grinning her head off Sarah kept nodding her head. She was getting a new name a new life and best of all a new mom. From their conversation last night she was also gaining an uncle. It made her curious about him which was a foreign feeling for her. "When will I meet Uncle? Will he like me?"

As she was asking that John had walked through the door hearing her little voice his heart ached. He had never met the little girl but her voice contained the pain she had endured in her past. "I'm home Shelia now where is this adorable little niece you told me about on the phone? I think as her Uncle I deserve to meet this little princess."

"Johnathon Bell I would like to introduce you to miss Sarah Bell your niece. Would you like to accompany us to meet her biological mom in a few minutes?"

"Why yes I would. Hello Sarah I am your Uncle John if there is anything you need you come straight to me. Even if it's your new mom bullying you come straight to Uncle John. I will straighten her out for you anytime."

"OK thank you Uncle. Will you really go with us later?"

Scooping the little girl into his arms he hugged her close and started tickling her. "Are you doubting your Uncle's words princess? Huh? I never say anything I don't mean now hurry and finish these delicious pancakes. your mom here hardly ever cooks I am going to look forward to tasting her food again."

Watching John with Sarah Shelia's heart melted this was far from what she expected. John had never liked kids but Sarah had her under his spell from her few words. She knew why John had succumbed so easily, the pain, he could hear it in her voice the way she had. John caught Shelia's eyes as he brought the dishes over to wash them. "I will help you raise her to be a happy little girl. She won't suffer anymore this I can promise you." Nodding her thanks they both looked towards Sarah with a light in their eyes remembering their own troubled childhood.