Poor girl in a wheelchair is ignored at the orphanage — until a billionaire arrives…
Shared Dreams and the Promise of Family
She walked away throwing worried glances over her shoulder. Daniel turned back to Alice with a rueful smile.
“sorry about that shall we take a walk or would you prefer to stay here?”
“we could go to the garden,” Alice said shyly. “it’s quiet there.”
“lead the way.” Alice pushed herself along the paved path.
It led to the small garden behind the main building. Daniel walked beside her matching his pace to hers.
His hands were in his pockets. He didn’t offer to push her wheelchair which Alice appreciated.
Adults always wanted to push as if she couldn’t manage on her own. The garden was Alice’s favorite place at Metobrook.
Someone had planted roses years ago. Though they weren’t carefully maintained they still bloomed every summer.
There was a small bench and a bird bath. The sound of traffic was muted here.
They settled into a companionable silence. Finally Daniel spoke.
“can I ask you a question Alice what do you dream about when you think about the future what do you see?”
No one had ever asked her that before. The adults at Metobrook focused on her limitations and on managing expectations.
They prepared her for a life in the system since adoption seemed unlikely. But dreams were personal things she kept tucked away in her heart.
“i want to help animals,” she said after a moment. “like a veterinarian.”
“animals don’t care if you’re in a wheelchair they just care if you’re kind to them.”
Daniel smiled. “that’s a beautiful dream you know I think you’d be an excellent veterinarian.”
“mrs henderson says I should be realistic,” Alice said quietly.
“she says I need to think about jobs I can do from a wheelchair.”
“mrs henderson with all due respect doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
“do you know how many people with disabilities are doctors and scientists and teachers and artists?”
“being in a wheelchair doesn’t limit what you can become.”
“it just means you might have to work harder or find different ways of doing things.”
“but if you want to be a veterinarian Alice you absolutely can be.”
Alice felt tears prickling her eyes. She’d almost forgotten what it felt like to have someone believe in her.
They talked for over an hour. They spoke about animals and books and Alice’s life before the fire.
Daniel told her about his work. He was CEO of a tech company though Alice didn’t fully understand what that meant.
He told her about his large house that felt too empty. He spoke about how he’d been thinking about adoption for years but had kept putting it off.
“why did you finally decide to come?” Alice asked.
Daniel was quiet for a long moment. “i lost someone very important to me,” he said finally.
“my wife Sarah she died 2 years ago from cancer.”
“we’d always planned to have children but we kept waiting for the right time.”
“and then she got sick and suddenly there was no more time.”
“before she died she made me promise that I wouldn’t let grief stop me from living.”
“that I’d still build the family we dreamed about even if she couldn’t be here to see it.”
“i’m sorry,” Alice said softly. “about your wife.”
“thank you i think she would have liked you very much.”
“she always said the best people were the ones who’d been through hard things and came out still able to be kind.”
As the sun began to set Mrs. Henderson came to find them. She reminded Daniel that visiting hours were ending.
He stood reluctantly. “alice I’d like to come back and visit you again if that would be okay with you.”
Alice nodded not trusting herself to speak. She’d learned not to hope too much.
Something in Daniel’s eyes made it impossible not to feel a tiny spark of possibility.
Over the next month Daniel visited every weekend. He brought books about veterinary medicine and animals.
He told her stories about his childhood and about the dog he’d had named Chester.
He spoke about the time he’d tried to bring home a stray cat and his mother had made him return it.
He also started bringing specialists. These were doctors who examined Alice’s legs and spine.
Physical therapists assessed her mobility. Alice didn’t understand why at first until Daniel sat down with her one afternoon and explained.
“Alice I know this might seem sudden but I’ve been thinking a lot over the past month.”
“i came to Metobrook looking to adopt a child and I found exactly who I was looking for you.”
“i’d like you to come live with me to be my daughter if you’d want that.”
Alice felt her world tilt. “but the wheelchair I need so much help.”
“i need physical therapy and special equipment.”
“and I know I’ve been consulting with doctors to understand exactly what you need.”
“my house can be modified for accessibility i can hire a physical therapist to come work with you.”
“i can make sure you get to all your doctor’s appointments none of that is a problem Alice.”
“the only question that matters is whether you’d want me to be your father.”
“why me,” alice whispered. “all the other children are easier.”
“they can run and play and don’t need special things.”
Daniel reached out and gently took her hand. “alice I’m not looking for easy i’m looking for you.”
“from the moment I saw you sitting under that tree with George something just felt right.”
“and every conversation we’ve had since then has only confirmed it.”
“you’re smart and brave and honest and kind.”
“you see the world differently than other people and I think that’s wonderful.”
“the wheelchair isn’t who you are Alice it’s just how you get around.”
“and yes it will mean making some accommodations but so what every child needs something different.”
“you need ramps and physical therapy another child might need help with reading or managing anxiety.”
“or learning a second language we all need different things.”
“that doesn’t make you less worthy of a family.” He squeezed her hand gently.
“i want you Alice not despite the wheelchair and not because of some savior complex.”
“i want you because you’re you because I think we could be good for each other.”
“because I have a big empty house and you have a big heart and maybe together we could build something special.”
“what do you say?” Alice looked into his eyes and saw only sincerity.
There was no pity, no reluctance, and no fear. Just love.
It was the kind of love she’d thought she’d lost forever in the fire that took her parents.
“yes,” she whispered. “i’d like that very much.”
