Fire in Her Eyes

Truth

“There’s no need, son.” Mr. Miller said gently, holding up a hand to stop him. “Your mother and I tried hard to make a good home for Val. But it seems we may have unintentionally put too much pressure on you when we made her a part of this family. I know you love your sister with all your heart. And I think she knows it. But she does come with some unique challenges. It’s ok to have some hard feelings about that. Your mother and I have had our fair share of frustrated conversations. Maybe we should have been more open with those rather than trying to keep that from you and Val.”

“You… really?”

Mr. Miller put a hand on his shoulder. “Son, parenting is always a hard job. Parenting someone with severe trauma is a whole new level of hard. I guess we put so much of our energy into raising her and helping her heal that you took a backseat. That wasn’t fair to you, and I’m sorry.”

Marshall looked at his father for a moment, stunned. Mr. Miller had always been a humble man. Strong and courageous, but humble. It was no surprise that he would apologize when he believed he had wronged someone. What was shocking to Marsh was that his father seemed to be validating the feelings he had worked so hard to suppress for nearly a decade.

“You don’t think I’m being selfish about this?”

“I think you’re being human about this. You’ve always been a fairly selfless person, from a very young age. Marsh, from the time you were twelve, you’ve made sacrifices for your sister that most kids, honestly, most adults, would never even have to consider making. And not once did you hesitate. From the moment you realized what was happening to her, you made it your mission to make sure she was safe and loved. You were the first person to ever fight for her. Your mother and I have always been incredibly proud of you for that. But no kid should have to shoulder that. And I’m sure I have no idea how many times you talked her down from doing something stupid. She would listen to you when she just dug her heels in with everyone else. And we both know that you took a lot of flack for defending her when she needed it. Your mother and I were the ones to take foster care classes and sign the adoption papers, but you also took on a big role as her brother. A role no twelve year old is truly equipped for. I just wish we had realized sooner that you needed more support from us. We never meant for your needs to be pushed aside just because you seemed to be doing ok.”

“Dad…” Marshall refused to let the tears fall that threatened to come forward, but his voice choked a little. “Thank you.” He finally said.

“Let’s get back to the house. The ladies should be getting home soon and I’m sure we are all anxious for an update.” Mr. Miller said with a nod. The three of them piled into the truck and headed back towards the house.

Val and Elaine pulled in soon after the men got cleaned up.They all crowded anxiously around the front door as the pair stepped inside.

“Oh, move back, you three, shoo!” Mrs. Miller chided as they entered. “Give her a little breathing room.”

They complied, but as soon as Val sat down on the sofa, they began peppering her with questions.

“How are you feeling?”

“How’s the baby?”

“Did they say how far along you are?”

“When do you find out if it’s a boy or a girl?”

“Wait, does somebody need to grab some pickles?”

Val smiled at their questions. “You guys need to chill, one question at a time!” She said with a laugh, already regaining some of her confidence. “The baby’s fine. He’s measuring at seven weeks, which is about what I thought. And whoever suggested pickles is my new best friend.”

Mark, having been the one to think of likely cravings, beamed and Mr. Miller chuckled.

“You know where they are?” Mrs. Miller asked Mark.

“Yes ma’am!” He said, going to get a jar of pickles from the fridge and a fork from the drawer.

“Thanks.” Val said shyly, accepting the offering.

“Principessa, did I hear correctly that you said ‘he’?” Mark asked.

“Well… it’s too early to say for sure. They’ll order some labs at ten weeks that will tell us. I just have a feeling.”

“A mother’s intuition.” Mrs. Miller said with a knowing smile. “I knew with Marshall that I was having a boy. Of course, we didn’t have it confirmed until the ultrasound at twenty weeks.”

“Seven weeks.” Marshall mused. “Does that mean you heard the heartbeat?”

“We did.” Val answered, smiling wide. “It’s so fast right now! They said his heartbeat will slow down some as pregnancy progresses. And we saw his tiny body on the screen. He’s already got tiny arms and legs! No fingers or toes for a bit, yet, though.”

“How long before you feel movement?” Mark asked.

“The doctor said that mostly depends on where the placenta is. She said that any time in the second trimester is very normal.”

“Have you thought of names yet?” Marshall asked.

Val looked at her brother with a sweet smile. “I was thinking Morgyn with a ‘y’.” She said.

“A ‘y’?” Marshall asked, trying to mask his confused and slightly appalled state.

“Like… where the a usually is?” Mark asked carefully.

Val burst out laughing. “You should see the look on your faces. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t do that to a kid. I like Aiden or Arthur. Maybe Adrian.”

“On an ‘A’ kick, I see!” Mr. Miller said with a chuckle. “Those are all great names, Val.”

“Thanks.” She responded, feeling suddenly shy and completely exhausted. She yawned.

“Go get some rest. Making a whole human is hard on your body.” Mrs. Miller instructed gently.

“We’d better say goodbye in case we’re gone before you’re up.” Marshall said.

“You’re going back to Wichita already?” She said, barely keeping à disappointed whine out of her voice.

“Sorry, Valerie. That’s on me. I’m on duty again tonight.” Mark said apologetically. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you. I’ll see you again soon, I hope.” He added, bringing her knuckles up for another kiss as he had done that morning.

“I-it was nice meeting you, too.” She responded, flustered once more.

Marshall rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything this time. When his friend reluctantly pulled sway, Marshall gave his sister a hug. “Talk to you again soon, sis.” He promised. “Love you.”

“I love you, too, Marsh. I missed you.”