GAIN 

By Tessa Harvey

    Angela woke first. She glanced at the wall clock, sighed and quietly edged from the bed. Resisting the urge to leap down the stairs, instead she headed to clean up the kitchen. Task accomplished, she had a quick wash and combed back her long dark hair.

    The lounge looked reasonable. The youngster tidied up scattered cushions, moved some books and lego and tucked Timmy's toy zebra in his small chair.

    Just then the doorbell chimed. Without thinking, Angela walked on her hands to the door, trying to open it with her bare foot. She found herself gazing up at a tall boy, the perfect image of her dad, looking also like Robert, Paul and Timothy.

    Astounded, she stumbled and an elderly lady caught her.

    "Hi lass," she said, cheerfully. "Any chance of a cuppa?" Will, Jack and I will help if that's alright?" She smiled brightly.  There was a thunderous tumble of pounding feet on the stairs and three tousled boys flanked their sister, staring curiously at the strangers.

    Then "hello brother,"  boldly spoke Paul. He had a cheeky face. Robert gave his name. He was a little overwhelmed.

    Timmy said nothing. He reached out a small hand to the big grown ups and asked, "will you be my gran and granps?" "Sure," Will said, looking up to see Thomas, who had hastily dressed and was coming down to them all also.

    The sun came up, lighting up all the people. Later, Jack thought what a great day it had been. It was sad not to have met his stepmother, but cancer had recently claimed her.

    Sometimes his brothers stayed at Will and Jean's. He visited his dad often and they grew close over time. He felt accepted and thanked God.

    One day Jack met a stunningly lovely young girl and her mother, friends of Thomas' wife......