A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

Finally, Beryl was going to the amusement park.

The nanny that was supposed to be taking care of Beryl that day, had fallen asleep on the couch. A startling noise woke her up and as she opened her eyes she saw Jacob taking Beryl but didn't even try and stop him.

Beryl could sense that something wasn't right, but she was obviously too young to be concerned or feel threatened in any way.

It was overcast outside and the sky was dark with big clouds threatening to rain.

It was a busy weekday and everyone was at work but the amusement park was full of tourists that were visiting for the day.

Beryl was so overwhelmed by her excitement that she burst out laughing and clapping her hands. The excitement was too real. Jacob picked her up before she decided to run into the crowd.

"There are ponies!" shouted Beryl.

Something caught Beryl's eye, and she turned around and screamed with joy, "Look how fast that roller coaster is going!"

She looked down from the roller coaster and spotted a weird spaceship looking like a machine, and then she looked up at Jacob with a big smile on her face and said, "They look like so much fun".

Beryl's happiness made Jacob feel as if he had accomplished something, but immediately a feeling of sadness came upon him. The thought that he had never been there for her as a biological father was supposed to be there for their child.

Beryl had a serious health condition which left her in the hospital most of her life. She never got to play outside or go anywhere like the other kids got to do.

This was Beryl's first time at an amusement park. She had never seen anything as beautiful.

Jacob and Beryl tried most of the rides except for dangerous ones that were meant for adults and older teens. As the sun started to set and fade away, Jacob knew it was time to leave but Beryl was having so much fun that she didn't want to leave.

Jacob quickly took her mind off leaving and said, "Who wants strawberry shortcake?"

to eat strawberry shortcake. She immediately became quiet and looked up at

said with excitement in

to know Beryl a lot better and wished he had gotten to know her a lot sooner. They

the nanny had called Emily and told her that he

on saying, "I'm so sorry Ms. Lu. I couldn't stop him!" Emily couldn't

Immediately the nanny felt terrible for lying, but she didn't want to get into trouble. Emily sat quietly in silence for a bit. When the nanny heard no

said to herself, "How can Jack do this? We had a deal!" Sitting in her office chair she thought to herself, 'Why would he want to take her? What would be

she got with the nanny, maybe it wasn't even her fault. Suddenly it struck Emily that she forgot to tell the nanny Jacob's name. So Zoe only knew Jacob by his surname, and Jack and Jacob had the same surname. "Which Mr. Gu?" Emily calmed down. "That Mr.

her permission. She was going to

few phone calls first and maybe get an idea where her daughter was. She was much relieved after figuring out that it was Jacob who took her daughter.

behind her. Emily tried to relax and stay calm. She couldn't figure out why it made her

wasn't Beryl's biological

place, then it must have been Jack who would

Jacob first and check out

about five missed calls from Jacob. She didn't hear them as she put her phone on silent because she had a meeting

had the same phone number for about 10 years, so Emily

message on her phone from Jacob saying, "I tried calling you a few times, but I figured you were busy. I hope you don't mind, I came to fetch Beryl this

you now? I'm coming to pick up Beryl. I

gave her the address where they were and assured Emily that Beryl was safe. Emily climbed into her car

she knew Jacob for many years, and she knew her daughter was safe

worried about Beryl's health and if Jacob had taken the precautions that were needed. Beryl was

......

Little Beryl sat at the table, holding her gold spoon, getting ready to take a big spoonful of cake. She was so beautiful and innocent with no

across her. He was tall, dark-skinned and handsome, with big broad shoulders. You would think he was