Chapter 1: Meeting a Homeless Woman and her Infant Son.
In the bustling early morning of New York City, as people commuted to work and children eagerly awaited the school bus, Graham Calloway embarked on his invigorating morning jog. Accompanied by his radiant wife, Lisa Calloway, the couple had recently relocated from sunny Sydney, Australia to the vibrant city of New York. Despite being a native New Yorker, Lisa felt a sense of joy and nostalgia being back in the city where she was raised. Her roots in New York ran deep, having lived there since infancy, albeit marred by the tragic loss of her parents; Elizabeth and Henry. The fatal car accident that claimed their lives, caused by a drunk driver on a stormy night, left Lisa orphaned at a tender age. Shuffled between foster homes through her formative years, she eventually fled the system at seventeen, navigating the unforgiving streets of New York until finding solace in Sydney. There, she thrived as a Production Director, orchestrating the intricacies of sets and the talents of actors and actresses. It was in the vibrant backdrop of Sydney that she crossed paths with Graham, a skilled electrician who captured her heart. Their courtship blossomed with each enchanting date, culminating in a heartfelt proposal by a glistening water fountain on their one-year anniversary. Amidst a chorus of cascading water, Graham knelt before Lisa, professing his love and devotion. Overwhelmingly, she embraced his proposal, marking the beginning of their forever. A year later, they exchanged vows. Now settled in the serene neighborhood of Queens, their cozy apartment nestled amidst shading trees and secure gates, providing a tranquil haven for their love story to unfold.
As Graham reached the midpoint of his invigorating Early Morning Jog, a scene of serenity suddenly caught his eye. There, nestled against a backdrop of the sturdy building's wall, sat a radiant Woman cradling her precious infant son in a tender embrace. The little one was snugly bundled in a cozy baby blanket, exuding an aura of pure innocence and tranquility. Intrigued by the heartwarming sight, Graham began to approach the Woman with measured steps.
Graham persistently inquired, 'Excuse me Miss, are you all right?' until the woman finally lifted her gaze to meet his concerned eyes.
The woman gazed affectionately at her slumbering infant son and replied, 'Oh, yes, I'm fine. Thank you for asking.'
Admiringly, Graham remarked, 'What a darling baby you have, Miss,' while gazing at the infant boy.
Grateful for the concern, the woman expressed, "Oh, Thank You. His name is Oscar. You see, my husband tragically lost his life in a devastating fire at our home. I was able to escape with our baby, but, unfortunately, my husband did not survive," she shared.
Graham expressed his sympathy with compassionate eyes, "I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences."
"Oh, thank you. Also, I have this friend of mine," she began, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "She told me that she knows someone who manages an apartment complex, but there's a catch to it," the woman said, her voice filled with intrigue.
Curiosity piqued, Graham inquired, 'Oh, what's the catch?'
In a hushed tone, the woman revealed, 'It's an adults-only apartment complex - children are strictly forbidden here. A friend advised me to either surrender my baby boy to the authorities or hand him over to social services.'
Graham pondered on ways he could assist. The thought of sending a newborn baby boy to a foster home was unbearable for him to consider. With a deep understanding, he remembered the love his mother showered upon him. Despite never knowing his father's identity, all he was ever told was that his father was merely a teenager when he initially crossed paths with his mother, who was also a teenager at the time. When his mother became pregnant with him, his father chose to depart from their lives. In a sudden burst of inspiration, an idea sparked in Graham's mind.
Graham gazed at the woman with hopeful eyes and proposed, 'What if my wife and I took in the newborn baby boy? That would give you the opportunity to find a more suitable place to live in.'
Excitedly, the woman responded, "Oh, yes, I like that idea!"
Graham eagerly began drafting an agreement note to dispel any notion of kidnapping the precious newborn baby boy. The idea of having a newborn in their apartment filled him with joy. For quite some time, he and Lisa had dreamt of starting a family. Sadly, their journey had been fraught with heartbreak, as Lisa had experienced three heartbreaking miscarriages. They even contemplated adoption, only to discover the daunting prospect of a lengthy waiting period. Graham signed the agreement note and allowed the woman to savor her final moments with her newborn son. Tears streamed down her cheek as she tenderly hugged her baby, then passed him to Graham, who cradled the infant Oscar with care.
Graham reassured the woman, "You're doing the right thing, I'm certain he'll recognize your actions." His gaze fixed on her with understanding and support.
"Thank you, both of you will take good care of him, won't you?" inquired the woman.
Graham vowed, "I promise that my wife and I will cherish and care for your son as if he were our very own."
Excitedly, the woman exclaimed, "Oh, good! Oh, by the way, here's the phone number and address of the apartment where I'll be living". She handed Graham a card displaying the name, phone number, and address of the apartment complex.
"Oh, thank you, and best of luck," Graham expressed gratefully as he accepted the card from the woman's hand.
Expressing gratitude, the woman said, "Thank you, I should head off now as I wouldn't want to miss the subway train."
Graham stood still, observing the woman as she began to walk away. He felt a sense of hope that she would be alright. As he glanced down at Baby Oscar, peacefully asleep in his tender embrace, a smile spread across Graham's face. With a heart filled with love, he started his journey back to the apartment. Graham couldn't contain his excitement as he walked, still casting glances at the peacefully sleeping Baby Oscar. The bubbling anticipation within him propelled his steps, eager to reveal his precious discovery to Lisa. With a hopeful heart, he yearned for her agreement to embrace and care for their newfound companion.
About an hour later, Graham arrived at the apartment with Baby Oscar cradled in his arms. He ascended the front staircase, his footsteps echoing in the hallway. With one hand gently supporting Baby Oscar, he reached for the front doorknob. As he turned the cool metal handle, he pushed the door open and stepped into the welcoming embrace of the foyer. With a soft click, he closed the door behind him, enveloping the space in a sense of security and warmth.
Graham called out, 'Lisa, I'm home honey!' His words echoed through the house until he heard the pitter-patter of little feet rushing towards him.
Graham realized with delight that his two beloved Pug Dogs, named Puck and Strife, were joyfully yipping at him. They were ecstatic to see their Master return home.
"Hey You Two, keeping an eye on the house?", Graham asked as he was looking at the two pugs.
An hour passed, and Graham's wife, Lisa Calloway, strode over to them. Her astonishment was palpable as she beheld what he cradled in his arms.
Lisa asked Graham Calloway, "What in the world is that?" as she gazed at him, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and exasperation. "If you brought another stray pet here, I'm going to scream."
As Graham spoke, he teased, “If you had known, would you have whispered or risked awakening the sleeping baby?”
Lisa asked Graham in bewilderment, "Graham, what in God's name are you talking about? What baby?"
Graham sighed as he delicately began to unwrap the baby blanket. Lisa stepped closer, peering inside with interest, while their two pet pug dogs, Puck and Strife, gazed up at their beloved owners with curious expressions on their adorable faces. Lisa was astonished when she laid eyes on a peacefully slumbering newborn baby boy. She glanced up at Graham, who was reciprocating her gaze with a warm smile gracing his face.
Lisa admirably questioned, "Oh Gray, where did you find such a cute little guy?"
Graham eagerly shared with Lisa the story of discovering a homeless woman who happened to be the baby's mother. He explained how the woman had entrusted her baby boy to them, as she was moving to an adults-only apartment where children were not permitted. Lisa attentively listened to Graham, absorbing his every word without interruption.
Lisa expressed, "Oh, that's wonderful! I believe we would make great parents for him."
Graham replied enthusiastically, saying, 'Oh, fantastic! And just so you know, his name is Oscar.'
Lisa inquired, "Oh, Good! I find the name Oscar quite charming. Oh, Gray, may I have the pleasure of holding him?".
Graham cautioned, 'All right, here be careful,' before passing the slumbering Baby Oscar into Lisa's arms.
Lisa tenderly cradled the sleeping Baby Oscar in her arms. Suddenly, Baby Oscar stirred, his eyes fluttering open. Upon seeing Graham and Lisa, a radiant smile graced his tiny face as he began to babble happily. Graham and Lisa exchanged glances, only to comprehend that Baby Oscar's gaze was fixated on them.
Lisa commented, "I believe he enjoys our company."
Graham replied, agreeing with a nod, "I think so too".
As the evening descended, they savored a delightful dinner, relaxed in front of the TV, and eventually retired to bed. The following morning, Graham and Lisa rose from their slumber, freshened up, dressed, and enjoyed a hearty breakfast. Their plans for the day included taking Baby Oscar to the nearby Clinic for a checkup. After an hour, they reached the clinic where the doctor began the examination of Baby Oscar. To their relief, the doctor declared that Baby Oscar was perfectly healthy. Exiting the clinic, they made their way to the courthouse to formalize the adoption. With eager anticipation, they inscribed their names on the adoption document, officially becoming Baby Oscar's Legal Guardians. With the arrival of Baby Oscar, Graham and Lisa officially stepped into their roles as parents. They joyfully embarked on a shopping spree, gathering an array of baby essentials to care for their precious newly adopted son. Brimming with excitement, they made their way back to the apartment, now transformed into a cozy haven for their growing family of three.
An hour passed before they made their way back to their apartment. Stepping inside, they entered the cozy Baby Bedroom of their newborn son, Oscar. Graham shut the door gently behind them. On the other side, their two loyal pet Pugs, Puck and Strife, eagerly awaited, anxious to meet their new master. Upon receiving advice from Baby Oscar's pediatrician, Graham and Lisa were instructed to keep their dogs out of the baby room for the next few weeks. The pediatrician warned that the dogs could potentially carry harmful germs that may pose a risk to Baby Oscar.
Carefully, Lisa tucked a sleeping Baby Oscar into his cozy crib, snugly wrapping him in a soft blue blanket. The room was filled with essentials for the baby, including diapers, wipes, powder, toys, and a dresser. A rocking chair sat beside the window, offering a view of the painted seaside walls: an ocean scene with a sailboat, a playful dolphin leaping from the waves, fluffy white clouds, and a smiling sun. On the sandy beach depicted on the walls, there was a beach chair, an umbrella, a sand bucket with a shovel, sea shells, a cheerful crab, a beach ball, and even Baby Oscar's mobile featuring sea creatures like a seahorse, dolphin, crab, and starfish. Graham stood beside his wife, gently placing his hand on her arm, the two of them admiring their precious newborn son.
"He's peacefully asleep," Lisa whispered softly.
Graham answered in a hushed tone, "He definitely has had quite a long day."
As they moved away from the crib, Graham took the lead, opening the door for Lisa to pass through first. Walking closely behind her, he gently closed the door behind them. Lisa kept the Baby Monitor handy, prepared for any cries from Baby Oscar. Together, they strolled down the hallway, descended the stairs, and settled onto the cozy couch in the living room, ready to unwind with some TV.
In the following years, they nurtured a strong bond with Baby Oscar, including him in all their activities. One memorable day, they strolled through Central Park with Lisa pushing the Baby Carriage, while Graham skillfully handled Puck and Strife's energetic Dog Leashes. The trio embarked on a leisurely walk, with Puck and Strife joyfully barking at every sight - from mischievous squirrels to flittering pigeons to passing dogs. It was evident that Puck and Strife were fiercely protective of their newfound friend, Baby Oscar.
Graham and Lisa eagerly brought their newly adopted son to St. Patrick's Cathedral, a place close to their hearts where they faithfully attended services every Sunday and celebrated special occasions like Easter and Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. They were preparing for Baby Oscar's Baptism and opted for a private ceremony to mark this significant moment in their lives. As Baby Oscar peacefully slumbered through the Baptism ceremony, the Priest, known as Father Jonathan, gracefully commenced the Private Baptism ritual. With heartfelt prayers, he sought the blessings of the angels for the sweet baby boy and for his parents. Father Jonathan carefully poured the Holy Water over Baby Oscar's head, as Lisa lovingly cradled him above the Baptism Bowl. Lisa looked radiant in a stunning tea rose pink sundress and white low-heel shoes, contrasting beautifully with Graham, who looked dapper in a sophisticated dark Navy-Blue Suit paired with a matching Dark Navy-Blue Tie.
Following the Private Baptism, Lisa and Graham returned with their Infant Son to the cozy apartment. An hour later, Lisa found herself in Baby Oscar's room. She settled onto the plush rocker next to the window, gently swaying back and forth as she tried to lull Baby Oscar to sleep. His little face was scrunched up in a fussy expression, but Lisa continued to rock him soothingly, hoping to ease his restlessness, while Graham was out for the day. As Graham returned home, he quietly walked into his infant son's room, concealing something mysterious behind his back.
Lisa inquired, "Gray, what are you concealing behind your back?"
Graham exclaimed, "It's a surprise for our little boy, Ta-Da! Behold, a delightful Music Box! Allow me to demonstrate its enchanting melody to both of you."
Graham wound up the Music Box, and as it started playing its soothing melody, Baby Oscar began to settle down. He started listening to music.
