I woke up in a cold sweat, tired as one can be.

I glanced over at my wife, she was sleeping beautifully.

Her blonde hair across her face, she wasn’t perfect, she was realistic.

As I swept her face off her face, I planted a kiss onto her temple.

She sleepily murmured, I smiled.

Her eyes slowly opened, boring into mine.

”Good morning, sweetheart.” I cooed.

Her lips curled into a smile, letting out a giggle.

A sudden horror ran across her face, I turned around, there was a person in our house.

I leapt up, grabbing a nearby lamp before approaching the opposing figure.

As I got closer, it was a child’s figure.

The innocent eyes turned around to meet mine, dirt marks across its figure.

I put the lamp down and slowly lowered the hood of the child’s cloak, it was a little girl, about five years old.

She looked terrified and hungry.

I waved at her, her tiny hand waved back, slowly relaxing.

My wife came over, she picked up the girl, soothing her.

”Poor girl, she’s alone and seems to be homeless.” My wife, Kellie, muttered solemnly.

Kellie and I have wanted a child since forever, adoption was a tacky process, and none of us wanted to hurt our financial status nor bodies with giving birth.

This little girl, was a miracle.

Kellie left with the girl to the bathroom, to clean the poor scuffs on her.

I dressed in the bedroom.

Kellie and the girl emerged from the bathroom about 20 minutes later, the tiny frame was put in clothes Kellie had kept from childhood.

The girl’s eyes were a beautiful blue, along with strawberry blonde hair that was hidden beneath the prior dirt.

“Sky. Sky is your name, your eyes are as blue as it.” I smiled as I announced the name.

Kellie saw Sky’s eyes light up as she ran into my arms and giggled.

”Come on, Garrison. Let’s go to the mall with Sky.” Kellie suggested.

I nodded and headed for the door, Sky ran past me to the car.

Kellie followed Sky in a similar fashion.

I was finishing buttoning my shirt when I heard Kellie’s voice.

”Sky, you can get anything you want with Garrison’s money!” Kellie yelled out.

I froze.

”What! No! Sky, don’t listen to her!” I yelped as I bolted outside, slamming the door behind me and locking it messily.

This whole family thing is going to drive me crazy, isn’t it?

As we drove toward the mall, Sky sat in Kellie’s lap the entire time.

I felt her little hand hold onto my leather jacket with every turn the car made.

We left the car after parking, walking toward the mall.

Sky ran into a children’s play place, it was $30 for one child.

I felt a pang of annoyance, but paid it nonetheless.

Store by store, Sky had gotten everything she wanted.

My wallet cried tears each time I reached for it.

As the day ended, we ended up spending a little bit over $1,000.

Kellie and Sky were overjoyed, but a deep fear boiled in my stomach.

We drove home, Kellie and Sky placed today’s purchases in the guest bedroom.

I went to my office, sitting down and counting the expenses.

Money was tight, I didn’t have the heart to tell either of them.

My laptop’s screen lit up the room, I hadn’t bothered the turn on the lights.

Tired tears filled my eyes as I signed up for extra shifts.

I glanced up at beyond the door, the two girls in the living room, playing whole heartedly.

A smile cast over my grimace.

I’d do anything for them, even if it meant sacrificing my well being.