Selena's eyes scanned the computer screen, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she tracked her stocks and others with A.A.'s guidance. The artificial intelligence system's historical records were still accurate as Selena made investment decisions. She knew the changes she made could end up causing bigger changes. But she would be wealthy by that time and able to grow her businesses.
As she worked, Selena's mind wandered to the business's finances. She had spent the morning reconciling the accounts and printing out reports for James to review. "Ugh, accounting is so boring," she thought, "but someone's got to do it." The stack of papers on the desk included a shopping list for the monthly supply boxes and regular supplies, as well as a pile of coupons for the grocery store and the card for the cash and carry store where they bought bulk supplies.
Selena looked down at her nightshirt and laughed. "I'm still in my PJs, and it's almost 3 pm," she thought. "I guess that's what happens when you're a boss and you work from home." She stretched lazily and looked at the time displayed at the corner of her screen. She knotted her hair lazily and pulled on some bottoms to head downstairs to quell her hunger again.
Selena caught a glimpse of the snow outside through the window. "Oh wow, it's coming down," she thought. "I love snow. It's so magical." She smiled to herself, feeling a sense of excitement and wonder. It had been a long time since she had seen snow, and she was looking forward to enjoying it over the Christmas holidays.
Selena heard the sound of footsteps climbing up the stairs. The creaking wood in the hallway. Probably to get changed, they left pretty early. Just as Selena was about to go downstairs, she heard a knock at the door. "Come in!" she called out, expecting it to be James or Molly with a question about the business.
But to her surprise, Molly and James walked in together, their faces somber. Molly was dressed in her court clothes and James in a nice suit. "Selena, we need to talk to you about something," Molly said, her voice trembling.
They had been acting odd for the past few weeks. Today, they had left for a meeting. Why were they dressed so nicely? Was she dying?
Selena's heart skipped a beat as she sensed something was wrong. "What is it?" she asked, her voice caught in her throat and croaking. Did a dryer fucking die? Were they in trouble with the bank or a trademark Lawyer? She registered when she could afford it.
Molly took a deep breath before speaking. "Selena." Molly paused to get through it, " You already know that I didn't have custody of you after you were born. I was a junkie and when you were born you needed care from the neonatal critical care unit as I gave birth prematurely. A set of twins were also born early, and the nurses mixed you both up. You both were tiny and wrinkly with dark hair. It turns out you were accidentally switched at birth with one of them." Molly reminisced mentally.
Selena's fingers tightened around the AA chips in the pocket of her sweatpants, the familiar feel of them a comforting reminder of her mission to help Molly. She had been so focused on keeping Molly sober, on making sure she didn't succumb to the same addiction that had taken her life in the past.
Molly had given her these chips. She had apologized with the white chip for her alcoholism. With her silver one, Molly cried inexplicably and told her she was the one thing she did right, the red one she received last night. Molly thanked her for being her daughter. She had timed it back a month ago. After the last seizure, something must have been found during her upgrade. Tonight's meeting was with them.
"So that's why I don't look like a goddess," Selena joked. Humor was her way of dealing with the harsh realities of life. "Talk about a swan raising a duckling."
Molly snorted. Molly cupped her daughter's face and stared deeply into her eyes and said, "Selena, you know, I have always wondered how I gave birth to a peacock. Now I know. You are spectacular, Baby Girl." Tears ran down both of their faces.
With this revelation, Selena's world was spinning out of control. She felt like she was in a dream, unable to process the information. Her eyes locked onto James', and she saw the tears welling up in his eyes.
"I want to call you Daddy first, James. Before I met him. You've always been my Daddy. I'm sorry it took me this long." Selena choked. "72 years! it took her 72 years." She sobbed as she thought.
"You have nothing to apologize for, kiddo, I know. I knew." James sobbed.
It was the second time in two lifetimes that she had seen him cry. The first time was at her mother's funeral in the future/past, and now, as he struggled to come to terms with the news that Selena's biological parents were the Lowries and the emotional outpouring of the words he longed to hear.
Fat tears rolled down Selena's face as she looked at the two humans who had put their souls into raising her. Selena whimpered, "You will always be my parents."
Molly collided with Selena in a hard embrace. James squeezed the two as they all cried. The room was a cacophony of sobbing.
Selena's heart went out to them, and she felt a surge of loyalty to her parents. She would get through this, for James, for Molly, and herself. She would make sure that Molly stayed sober and that they all came out of this ordeal stronger and more resilient than ever.
As she pulled back from Molly, Selena's eyes were red-rimmed from crying, and her face was pale with fear. She looked up at James, full of panic and sadness. "Do we have to go to dinner tonight? I don't know if I can face them now."
James's expression was sympathetic but firm. "I'm afraid we do, Selena. We need to talk to them to figure out what this means for you and our family." James felt a shudder go through his body. These were the types of people that could not be offended.
Jonathan had his old commander call him with a General. They strongly suggested working with the family. James felt completely defeated. They had spent the majority of the afternoon crying and at a meeting. But they could not open up to their sponsors about what was happening to their family. It was such a mess.
Selena's eyes widened as her mother stood up abruptly. "Mom?" Selena asked as Molly stood up and went to the closet, flinging the doors open with determination. Her daughter had filled it with quality thrift store clothing in which she tailored herself or with her.
Her eyes watered thinking about her daughter learning as she created skimpy costumes for work, but in the months, they had come so far. Molly pulled out a reserved and coordinated outfit. Her daughter had spent her time with their sewing machine. They both could alter clothes.
Molly started draping the clothes on the chair. "I cannot have MY daughter be looked down upon by anyone," Molly said as she bit her lip. "You will have so many more opportunities, Selena. You can follow your dreams, go to school, and you will want for nothing. If they do not love you enough, you have me and your Daddy. You will ALWAYS have us, Baby." Molly said as she thought it out. Like Molly, Selena wanted to be a fashion designer. Until she was forced to grow up. She would not have her daughter looked down upon by those people or have her show up dressed shoddily.
She taught Selena to find clothes with 'good bones', The silk top was beautifully crafted and designed with cap sleeves and the upcycled lace from dress slips. It is tied up with a corset effect at the back to accentuate her bust line. The fabric flowed below the bust line.
She pulled out a cashmere white cardigan that had a stained sleeve, which she had converted into a ¾ sleeve with lace collars, and a pair of hand-tailored pants she had sewn for Selena. They were a duplicate of a pair Victoria Beckham had worn. They fit her perfectly, of course. It was the only thing she could give her, other than a commitment to stay sober, support her, and improve herself.