May 9, 1990

Charlotte held the baby close, she'd given birth just a week before. Her daughter, Abigail she called her, was asleep. She had just nursed and was content and warm in the soft blanket. Her downy hair smelled of lavender, her skin was smooth and unblemished. She was perfect, and Charlotte loved her more than she'd ever loved anything.

Charlotte steeled herself, taking a deep breath and pushing her shoulders back. She had to do this because she loved her daughter. The family in the house in front of her wanted a baby more than anything, they'd tried for years. Charlotte knew this because she had scoured social media looking for couples that wanted children as soon as she'd found out she was pregnant. She couldn't go through the proper channels, she wanted no trace back to herself. Charlotte kissed Abigail one last time and rang the bell.

December 23, 2021

Abigail picked at the string hanging from the bottom of her shirt nervously. She was going to meet her biological mother. She sat in the coffee shop, trembling from nerves, her hands wrapped around a white chocolate mocha. She was early, she'd wanted to get here before Charlotte, so she wouldn't be the one that had to look around searching. She'd done all the searching so far.

December 25, 2020

Christmas was always Abigail's favorite holiday. Spending time with her family and friends, good food, games and laughter. Ryan, her boyfriend of 3 years handed her a present. It was expertly wrapped, which showed he'd paid extra for gift wrapping.

"I hope you like it, it's something you said you might be interested in." She smiled at him, she knew by the shape it wasn't what she wanted, after 3 years she wanted an engagement ring. There went her secret hopes he would be proposing today. He watched eagerly as she unwrapped the gift. Inside was a DNA test, she vaguely remembered saying she might do one some day. Back when Ryan had been telling her about his results and how interesting they were.

"What is that?" Her mother asked, frowning.

"It's a DNA test mom, so now I can find out if I really am yours!" She joked, it had been something as a teenager she had often harassed her mom about, when she was mad at her she'd say things like I don't even look like you, I bet I'm adopted. She had never truly believed it, but as a teenager she had seen how much it bothered her mother and so it was ammo in her arsenal when she was angry.

Her mother paled, "I don't think those things are a good idea, you know, your DNA will be out there for everyone to see. What kind of weirdos might find you?"

"Mom, it's fine I know so many people who have done them. I'm really excited about it." She looked quizzically at her mother, she wasn't normally rude, and she couldn't believe she had just insulted Ryan's gift in front of him.

Later that night, when she was spitting in the tube, to send off for results her mother told her the truth. She wasn't their daughter, she wasn't adopted either.

The DNA was sent off and it linked strongly with a few people. She'd reached out and eventually found someone who pointed her in the direction of their sister, Charlotte Peterson.

Charlotte had been evasive for months, finally she responded to Abigail's attempts at contact. Abigail had told her she'd found a person named Bryan Anders who was a strong match and she was planning on meeting with him the following week. Charlotte had called Abigail immediately. "You can't meet him, it isn't safe!" Those were the first words her mother had spoken to her since she was a newborn.

"If you won't meet with me, then I'm meeting with him."

There was a long pause, and finally Charlotte agreed to meet.

December 23, 2021

Charlotte walked into the coffee shop. She knew instantly which person was her daughter, Abigail had sent her a recent picture, but she hadn't needed too. She looked exactly like her father.

She sat down across from her daughter, tears in her eyes.

"Why?" Abigail said angrily. "Why didn't you want me? Why dump me with strangers? My mom said she had never even seen you before! You had no idea if they were good people."

"They kept your name. I told your mom I called you Abigail, but she could change it if she wanted. I'm glad she didn't. You're so beautiful, just as perfect as you were then. I can't explain it all to you. Just know that I love you more than anything, and I left you with your parents because that was how you'd be safe and have a normal childhood. Don't contact Bryan, he's a dangerous man. This meeting could put you in danger, don't contact me again. I love you, I love you too much to be selfish. We can't have a relationship. Charlotte got up and left.