Claire saw an abandoned baby one day and took him home, urging her parents to adopt him. Years later, she received a call from a lawyer who had an incredible gift for their family. They had finally found the answers they had been hunting for all along.
Claire had asked her parents for a younger brother or sister for years, but Mark and Cindy were on a tight budget. Adding another family member to their household was not a wise financial decision.
Cindy was determined not to break her daughter’s heart or cause her to worry about money. Therefore, instead of presenting her with the harsh reality, Cindy suggested, “If you pray really hard, you might get a little sibling one day.”
Claire took those words to heart, and every night before bed, she prayed to God for a new addition to their family. She pledged to be the best sister in the world and prayed that God would hear her prayers sooner rather than later.
At the age of 10, she believed it would never happen, but she was satisfied with her family. Mark and Cindy adored her, and despite their financial troubles, they were as content as could be.
Claire was skipping home from school one day, swinging her bookbag back and forth. Her mother decided she was old enough to walk home, and it only took about ten minutes. She stated that walking home would give her more responsibility. Her companion, who lived close by, would occasionally accompany her on walks, but not on this particular day.
Claire’s attention was focused on her sneakers as she skimmed along the sidewalk, oblivious to the stroller in the center. As she slipped, she jostled the stroller and heard a soft scream from inside.
“Oh,” she murmured, bending down to reveal a newborn boy. His large eyes were wide and interested. But then he began to weep.
“Hush,” she cooed, moving the stroller side to side. Fortunately, the baby calmed, enabling Claire to glance up and see his mother. She resided in a pleasant small community of modest houses in Virginia. Mothers frequently strolled with their strollers because it was relatively safe, but no one would risk leaving a baby alone in such a situation.
Claire scowled as she scrutinized the seemingly abandoned pram. She waited a few more minutes, knowing her mother would be worried if she didn’t return home soon.
On the other hand, she couldn’t abandon this infant on the streets. Carrying it home was her only option, and her mother would know.
“Claire, what is that?” Cindy inquired, wiping her hands clean with a hand towel after seeing her daughter enter the house with a stroller.
“Mom! I spotted this abandoned stroller on the street. There is a newborn boy inside, but no one was present! “I could not leave him alone!” Claire explained immediately.
Her mother’s eyes widened with astonishment and uncertainty, but she took up the baby and cuddled him against her bosom. “Jesus, who would do this?” “We’re going to need to call the cops,” she added, rubbing the baby’s back.
Claire pursed her lips and stared at her mother with hope. “Mom, what if he is the sibling I have been longing for all these years? What if he is God’s answer to me?”
“What? Oh, Claire. That isn’t how it works. Not really. Cindy said, gently cradling the infant, “His parents might be worried sick about him.”
Claire said nothing else as she scoured the stroller for any hints. Suddenly, she discovered a piece of paper. “Mom, there’s a letter!”
Cindy took it in one hand and began reading, “To whoever finds him, please care for him.” His name is Gabriel. I cannot. I am 18, and I got booted out. Please. “Thank you.”
“His mom left him?” Claire exclaimed with disbelief.
“I think so, sweetie,” Cindy said, her brow furrowed in concern.
The infant was young and would require formula, so she contacted her husband and explained the situation. He purchased food and inexpensive diapers. When he arrived home, they fed him and phoned the non-emergency number.
A couple cops came over to hear their story. They asked the family to keep the child overnight, with a social worker scheduled to pick him up the following day.
But that night, everything changed for them. Gabriel was fantastic. They enjoyed having a young baby in the house, despite the crying and poopy diapers.
Claire pleaded with her parents one last time before bedtime. “I believe he was assigned to us. He is the fulfillment of my deepest desires. She informed them, “He’s my little brother,” before leaving for her room.
When the CPS lady arrived the next day, Mark and Cindy couldn’t let the baby go with her. They talked to her about keeping him until the authorities finished their investigation. The social worker agreed as long as they obtained foster parent certification, which they did promptly.
The inquiry yielded no results, and Mark and Cindy legally adopted Gabriel some years later. Cindy followed through on her vow to God. She was the finest sister ever. She assisted with feedings and diaper changes, and she spent as much time as possible playing with her younger brothers. She frequently babysat since her parents couldn’t afford to hire someone else.
Despite the severe financial constraints during those years, they maintained their happiness. It seemed as though God, or whoever that sad mother was, had sent Gabriel to them.
***
Claire was 19 years old and still lived at home while studying college at a local university. She also worked part-time and spent a lot of time with her younger brother, who was almost ten.
One day, the landline rang, and she answered.
“Hello?” She waved to her brother and said she’d be there in a second to play Monopoly.
“Hello, am I speaking with Cindy?” A male voice spoke.
“No, it’s Claire. “Cindy is my mother,” she said.
Oh well. You’ll do. I am Mr. Cohen. “I am a lawyer for Suzanne Masters,” the man stated.
Claire frowned. She didn’t know who he was talking about. “Ok. “Who is that?”
“Never mind that. I’m phoning to let you know that Ms. Masters is leaving you and your brother, Gabriel, $2.7 million. “You and your parents should come to my office soon to sign the papers,” Mr. Cohen recommended.
Claire’s mouth fell. “What? This must be an error. Who are you? “How do you know us?”
Mr. Cohen said, “I suggest you call this number,” and began repeating a series of digits, which Claire scribbled down as rapidly as possible. “You will acquire the answers you need. Then come to my office and get everything ready. Goodbye, Miss.
Claire started to speak, but the attorney had already ended the call.
The young woman didn’t know what to do. Her parents’ financial status had improved over the years, but they had no family or friends who could give them money. Their extended family members were also ordinary people. This call did not make sense.
But it could hardly be wrong. The lawyer spoke about her brother. Something was going on, and she needed to know the truth right away, so she dialed the number.
“Hello, Claire,” a feeble female voice said as Claire introduced herself. “I presume you got a call from Mr. Cohen. This is not a lie. You’re getting the money.”
“Are you Suzanne?”
“Yes.”
“Who are you?” “Why are you giving us money?”
“A few years ago, my parents booted me out because I brought home a child. The fact that they were unaware of my pregnancy made them upset. A kid out of wedlock from their 18-year-old daughter would’ve been a disgrace in their group,” Suzanne said, and Claire slumped into the couch, suddenly grasping the predicament.
“Oh my god,” she mumbled, covering her mouth with her palm.
“Yes, that was me. I am Gabriel’s biological mother, and I was hiding behind a tree when you brought the stroller home. I witnessed everything. I was aware of his location at all times.
“All these years, I’ve lived with regret. I should not have abandoned him, but I couldn’t accomplish anything without my parents’ help. They promised that if I handed him up, they would take me back.” I was a coward, so I did it and went home.” Suzanne coughed a few times, interrupting her story.
“Ok, but what’s happening now?” Claire queried, fearful that she was about to take Gabriel back or pay them money for him. Despite the lawyer’s indication that the money was intended for both of them, Claire’s concern and fear were palpable.
“A few years after I left my child on your street, my parents died in a vehicle accident, and I received the full fortune.” I wanted my son back, but I noticed how pleased you were. You were a family. You loved him. I watched from afar, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t take it away. Also, your parents had adopted him at that point, so it would have been a mess, so I remained away.”
“Are you giving us money now?”
“I am not. I’m giving you a portion of my fortune now to speed the process, but your family will receive the remainder later,” Suzanne stated. “I am unwell, Claire. I don’t have much time, so I suppose giving him up was God’s will. He needed to be with you and your family throughout. You will soon receive all of my money.
“No, there has to be something you can do. With all that money, you can afford the greatest physicians,” Claire retorted, unsure what else to say. She didn’t know this lady, but because she was Gabriel’s biological mother, she was considered a member of their family.
“No, Claire.” It’s not feasible. I would appreciate it if your parents could reach out to me, Suzanne said.
They hung up after a few minutes, but Claire vowed to have her parents call.
They did that night. Suzanne thanked Cindy and Mark before explaining herself to them. Later, they told Gabriel everything. He was aware that he was adopted, but the revelation shook the little youngster.
They had planned to see Suzanne, but she died just a few days after the phone conversation, so they never got the chance.
They eventually received the $2.7 million Suzanne promised, but additional money arrived, including a trust fund for Gabriel and a large mansion in the more wealthy area of town.
Their family could finally stop worrying about money, but they worked hard not to allow this new chapter in their lives to disrupt their relationship. They spend time together. Cindy and Mark diligently worked every day, carefully saving the majority of their money for the future.
Claire grew up believing Gabriel was the answer to her childhood prayers, even if others felt it was a coincidence. But after learning about Suzanne, she realized she was correct. It was meant to be. Her little brother was her greatest friend and favorite person.