"Kortlyn, we need to talk to you," Regina said one afternoon when I walked into the house after school.
Okay, that definitely is not something you want to hear as soon as you walk through the door.
"Whatever happened, I didn't do it," I said.
"You're not in trouble, sweetheart," Wyatt smiled.
"Oh," I sighed as I walked into the living room and sat down with my parents. "So what do you need to talk to me about?"
"Well," Regina began slowly. She looked at my dad.
"You guys aren't getting a divorce, are you?" I asked suddenly.
"Oh, no!" Regina said quickly. "No, it's nothing like that."
"We're not moving, are we?" I asked. Whenever I was in one of those situations where my parents sat me down and told me that we needed to talk, I always seemed to think of the worse things possible for them to tell me.
"Kortlyn, will you just be quiet and let me talk?" Regina said with a little laugh.
Okay, my mom was in a good mood. That had to be a good sign since she was normally grouchy.
"Okay, so just tell me what's going on," I said.
"You're going to be a big sister," Regina smiled proudly.
I simply stared at my mom for a moment. Had I heard her right? Don't get me wrong! I wanted a little brother or sister more than anything in the world, but let's face it, my mom was getting older every day. Her and my dad were nearing the big 50. And she was having a baby?
I finally managed to ask. "You're pregnant?"
"Oh, no," she laughed.
"Korty, you remember when we talked to you about trying to adopt a baby?" Wyatt asked.
"Yeah," I nodded.
"We got in touch with a new adoption agency almost a year ago because the old one wasn't getting us anywhere, and we got a call a couple of months ago and said that there might be a baby for us to adopt, " he explained. "And the lady called today and told us that it's a sure thing."
"Wait! You found out about this a few months ago?" I asked. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Honey, we didn't want to get our hopes up," Regina sad. "So we decided to wait until we were sure about it."
"So, when do we get the baby?" I asked.
"Actually, make that babies," Regina smiled.
"What?" I exclaimed.
"Twins," Wyatt grinned.
I was speechless. I was going to be a big sister of not one but two little babies? I was in shock.
"One thing we think you should know - I'm sure it won't matter, but just so you won't be surprised - the babies are from Cambodia," Regina said.
"Why is their mom giving them up?" I asked.
"Well, her husband was killed in some kind of an accident, and they were very poor anyway. I don't know how much you know about Cambodia, but it one of the poorest countries in the world, so she decided that she wouldn't be able to care for a baby," Regina explained. "And then she found out that there were two of them, and she knew that she definitely couldn't handle that, so she decided to out them up for adoption, but she did request that the babies be adopted by the same parents. She didn't want them split up."
"So, this is for real?" I asked.
"Yes," Regina nodded. "She's signed the adoption papers and everything."
"When do we get them?" I asked.
"Well, they haven't been born yet," Wyatt laughed. "The adoption agency flew her to the United States to give birth, and as soon as she has them, they are ours."
"Oh my god," I smiled. "This so cool!"
I had never been so excited in all of my life. I was finally going to be a big sister!
"Now there is a woman coming from the agency this weekend because she wants to meet with us to go over some things," Regina said. "Think you can get off work?"
"I'll try, and if not, I'll see if there's someone I can trade shifts with," I replied. "Speaking of work, I better go before I'm late."
"Okay, your father and I have some shopping to do," Regina smiled.
"Okay, I'll see you guys later," I replied before I headed out to my car.
I was amazed. I was actually going to be a sister. It was so weird. I had wanted that for so long, but now that it was actually going to happen, I didn't know what to say or do.