A Newfound Home - Adopted by Josh Dun

Fifty

V I C T Ø R I A *nine years later*
"No, you can't go have a snicker's, you need to go clean up your mess in the bathroom or I'm gonna throw away all of the snacks!"
I slammed the dishwasher shut and turned around to face one of my several children, Garrett.
"Please?!" He was begging at this point, giving me puppy dog eyes and prayer hands.
"You can have one after you clean up your mess! Now!" He stomped off and I rolled my eyes, praying that Max would be back soon.
"Mommy?" Adrienne, my little girl was tugging on my jeans.
I picked her up and wiped off the smudges on her face.
"What is it, sweet pea?" She pointed towards the living room and Max was standing in the doorway between the kitchen and living room with an amused grin.
"I don't know how you handle them every day." He gave me a quick peck and took Adrienne out of my hands, giving her lots of kisses all over her face.
I smiled to myself knowing that at the end of the day, this is what true happiness is.
We had Garrett halfway into my senior year and had the twins, Adrienne and Grayson nearly four years ago.
We adopted Amaris, a shy thirteen-year-old eight months ago and she's adapting well to the family.
Max and I got married when Garrett was two and had a small wedding with only close friends and immediate family.
From the time Max confessed that he wanted to spend forever with me, to the time we got married, he would constantly mention that he was gonna marry me and spend forever with me.
After we got married, he'd brag to himself how he got married to the love of his life and life couldn't be more perfect.
"Okay, Adri, let's get you and your siblings over to Gram and Pop's house for a playdate so Mommy and I can have a date night." I threw a dishrag at him and he spun around.
That's how he always announced date nights for us; telling me that the kids were either having a special friend (babysitter) over or that they were having a playdate with Gram and Pop (Debby and Josh).
Debby and Josh got married and although I wasn't provided a sibling, we adopted Jim, who instantly replaced Max as my best friend.
Rather than having a ring bearer for our wedding, we had a ring dog, aka, Jim.
"Gram!" Adrienne wanted out of Max's arms and he set her down, letting her run off somewhere else to announce to her siblings about the unexpected play date.
"Why do you spring these on me last minute?" Max made his way over and grabbed my waist to pull me close.
"Because I know for a fact you want a night to relax and not have to clean a house and watch four kids." I smiled and he leaned down, pressing his lips to mine.
His hands wandered up my shirt and I broke the kiss, smacking his hand and shooting him a playful glare.
"No more kids! I have enough responsibilities." He chuckled and kissed my cheek quickly, leaving me to finish cleaning up the kitchen while he got the kids ready to go.

If I could have a conversation with myself before I got adopted, and could tell her all of the things I've been blessed with, she would respond one of two ways.
One, she would tell me to stop lying and that she wouldn't be surprised if she was dead by sixteen.
Or two, she would cry and hardly believe we made it past all of our hurts and trauma.
Granted, I still struggle with those thoughts and contemplate whether or not I should ruin all of my progress, but then I remember three things.
I remember that I have Josh, that he's there for me any hour of the day, any day of the week, and that he'd be at my doorstep as quick as possible if I ever needed anything.
I remember that I have Max and my kids, that they're the main reason I smile every day, that I get to make all those precious memories raising little ones of my own, and giving a second chance to a kid just like me all those years ago.
And I remember that I'm doing everything that fifteen-year-old me never thought would be possible for me.
And that's what makes all of this worth it.

♡