The closer I got to the playroom where the girls were, the more nervous I became. Although I had given up on being a father, I now have two young girls to care for. It was still proving to be challenging for me to reconcile the Jane I knew four years ago with the woman whose parental rights had been terminated. I concluded that I didn't know the true Jane Mason. I must focus on these girls and make them my top priority. Fortunately, my commanding officer agreed to the emergency leave so that I could sort everything out.

Before I realized it, Ms. Schmidt entered the playroom, and I heard her quietly conversing with someone in the room. As I stood at the door, I observed the girls who seemed to be between two and four years old, but after discovering their age, I realized they were just barely four years old. Their eyes were devoid of life and dull as they huddled together across the room. Their faces carrying a wary expression brought tears to my eyes. It looked like they were anticipating that someone would yell at them or hit them for a perceived misdeed.

Upon entering the door, my heart broke even more as the girls hunched in on themselves as they sat closer together. Despite being sad, I was also angry at how their mother had treated them. Children shouldn't have to worry about where their next meal will come from or be subjected to abuse.

I walked over to where Ms. Schmidt was accompanied by an older couple who had to be the foster parents of the girls. Something about them caused me to be on edge. The woman observed me as if I were something that was attached to the bottom of her shoe. The man turned his head and glared at me.

“Jack and Lisa, this is Ken Lawson. He is the biological father of the girls. Julie and Jessica are in his custody as of today.

“What is the reason for his absence from their lives, given that he is their father? Besides, he is not married. The girls require a mother and father to maintain stability.”

“Ma’am, I do not know why you are being hostile with me. I was not aware of the girls. Their mother did not inform me of their existence.”

“Was she aware of your proclivities? That is probably why she never told you about them.”

“Jane and I broke up in a positive manner. Since I'm a Marine, she didn't know where I'd been deployed or stationed.”

“People who have unnatural tendencies should not be allowed to be around children, let alone raise them.”

“Jack, that was completely inappropriate. You know we do rigorous background checks before releasing any child. Mr. Lawson is a Marine with a distinguished record who has a clean background. There is no reason to be concerned about him having custody of his daughters. I'm confident that you didn't mean that if he's gay, raising his children shouldn't be allowed. It is possible to argue that individuals with such a bias should not be allowed to foster children. I am appreciative that you and Lisa took the girls in as quickly as you did, but the fact is that he is the father of the girls. When all the paperwork is signed, they will be going back to California with him.”

“Ms. Schmidt, we may have only had the girls for a few days, but is it wise to change their environment so soon? The constant upheaval cannot be good for them,” Lisa questioned.

“Ken is their biological father, who has been denied the chance to know his children until now. The decision has been made. I would appreciate it if you could follow me out so that they can have more privacy and get to know each other.” She gestured towards the door and waited for Jack and Lisa to leave ahead of her.

I glanced at the girls and pondered for the hundredth time what I was committing to. Finding a skilled children's therapist to collaborate with me and the girls was a top priority.

“Good morning, Jessica and Julie. My name is Ken. I cannot comprehend what you have endured, but I want you to know that I am here for you. Let's start by getting to know each other.”

The girls looked at each other, then looked back at me, and slowly nodded their agreement. I sat on the floor crossed-legged with a groan, which brought a small soft giggle out of the girls.

“I don't know how I'm going to get up from here. I'm old,” I grumbled. The reaction I was hoping for was achieved when they giggled a bit more. Furthermore, I was aware that it would take some time for them to become familiar with me and understand that I would not harm them.

***

We spent most of the morning getting to know each other. I am astonished by the ability of anyone to harm these two precious souls. I will make sure that their eyes are bright again, whether it's the last thing I do or not.

“Ken, how’s it going?” Ms. Schmidt asked.

I wasn't aware that she had walked over and stood by my shoulder while I was preoccupied with the girls. I observed the sad expression on her face when she glanced at my daughters. It was strange to imagine them as mine, but after looking at them, I realized that they had traces of me in their faces. Julie and I both shared the same eye shape. Jessica possessed my nose.

“Although it won't be easy, I believe that the girls will appreciate the change in scenery. Give the three of us a chance to get to know each other.”

“That is very true. When are you planning to fly back to California?

“This afternoon, I'll be taking the girls to get a few things, but we'll fly out the day after tomorrow.”

“Yeah, you don’t want to get too much now. Most items will be easier to acquire upon your return to California.

My team is acquiring the furniture for the house and putting everything in place. I am planning to take the girls with me when we go shopping for clothes and toys to give them a say in what they receive.

“It may seem odd, but are they going to be in different rooms?”

“I contemplated that, and I think that for now, they will be sharing a room. I understand that they have gone through many experiences in a short amount of time. They will have the confidence that they are together by doing this.”

“That is a very insightful observation. That is something that only a few would consider. They have endured a lot and undergone many changes recently. I’m sure they are feeling lost, and it would likely put their recovery back to split them up, even if it’s only into separate bedrooms.”

“Yeah, I figure they will let me know when they are comfortable, and if or when they are ready to have their own rooms. Thankfully, I was given a three-bedroom house on base so that when the time is right, they can each have their own room. I know I would have hated having to share a room with a sibling when I got older, especially when I hit my teenage years. I want to make this transition as easy on them as possible.”

“That is a very admirable and mature way to look at the situation.”

“I know for a while I will be flying by the seat of my pants. In the beginning, while I'm getting my bearings, I intend to consider their perspective to determine my next steps forward. They need to feel secure in their new living situation and that they are safe.”

“I think you are going to do a great job with Jessica and Julie. I can tell that they are already feeling a bond with you. Their eyes haven’t left you since I came over to talk with you.”

“Yeah, right now I am just letting them feel comfortable around me. I know that meeting my team back in California will probably be overwhelming for them.”

Ms. Schmidt looked back to where the girls were quietly talking to each other. When I looked over, I noticed they kept looking over at where Jack and Lisa still stood glaring at me. Something about how the girls looked at the couple made me uncomfortable. If being in the Marines had taught me anything it was to trust my instincts.

I looked at my watch and decided it was time for me and the girls to head out to the mall to get them some new clothes and any other essentials that they needed before we left back to California.

***

The girls and I spent the next couple of hours at the mall getting them some clothes and other things needed for the trip to California. I could tell they were nervous with all the changes that they have been through recently; heck I was nervous too. I was now responsible for two young girls when I had only had myself to worry about. I knew I would have to think long and hard about my service to my country. I needed to put them and their wellbeing, which includes their emotional stability as well as their physical. I made the decision to talk with Chase to get some advice both about raising a family and my military service.

Before I knew it, it was time to pack up and head to the airport.

“Come on girls, let’s get packed. It’s almost time to go home to California.”

“Yes, Sir,” Julie replied.

I knew it would take time for them to feel comfortable with calling me ‘Dad’ or any version of it, but it broke my heart that they felt they needed to be so formal when talking to me. The fact that they never initiated any conversation also cut deep.

I wouldn’t typically say that I hated anyone, but what was done to these beautiful little girls has made me absolutely hate Jane and her actions against them. I will probably never get an answer as to why she didn’t put them up for adoption if she didn’t want to take care of them.

The girls and I were quickly packed up to head to the airport where I returned my rental car. We checked in and made our way to the gate we would be leaving from. I looked at my watch and saw that we had about twenty minutes before they would start calling for boarding.

“Let’s have a seat. They will be starting to board soon.”

“Yes, Sir,” said Jessica and Julie as they took a seat by the window. The look on their faces wasn’t one of wonder of going on a plane for the first time but was instead one of fear.

I sighed as I dropped into a seat of my own. I was emotionally drained but knew I needed to present a strong front for the girls.

“Attention please. Please have your boarding pass ready. Flight 249 to San Diego is now boarding,” came the voice over the loudspeakers.

I looked at the girls as I stood. “Alright girls, it’s time to board.”

They quietly stood and walked with me to show the stewardess our boarding passes.

She looked at them and then at us. She smiled as she handed them back to me and stepped to the side to allow us to pass by her to get on the plane.

I took the aisle seat so the girls could look out the window as the plane took off. However, once they were buckled in, they huddled as close as they could to each other and clung together. After awhile they both fell asleep. The stewardess brought me a couple of pillows and blankets for them. I slid a pillow under each of their heads and was able to cover them with just a single blanket that I tucked around them. I sat back to read a book on my tablet and also to let the guys know that we were in the air and would be there in a few hours.