Jack’s life changed completely when his son Toby drowned. After the boy died, his wife divorced him and took his other son away from him, and Jack said nothing.
The pilot never fought for custody of his other son because he blamed himself for everything. While his wife was visiting her parents, he had taken his children to the beach. He had left them alone for a few minutes to bring them hot dogs. If he hadn’t, his son would still be alive. He had tried to save Toby, but it was too late.
Alone and without the love of a family, Jack has become a machine. He was only working, eating and sleeping. He had no idea how his life would change when he came across an abandoned baby at the airport.
That day, Jack was passing the VIP lounge at the airport when he heard a loud scream and stopped. When he looked around he was surprised to see a crying baby alone in a stroller.
Jack approached the boy and said, «Hey champ, it’s okay. Everything will be fine for you.
But the baby wouldn’t stop crying. Jack still had a few hours before his flight, so he decided to stay with the little guy until someone came to pick him up. But after waiting almost 30 minutes, he became concerned.
The boy had stopped crying. Jack bought him a toy from one of the shops at the airport to entertain him, but he was worried if the guard or the person accompanying him was safe.
So Jack informed the airport authorities of the situation, but hours passed and no one came to pick up the baby.
» It’s crazy. Inform the police,” Jack finally told airport staff. Then, as he bent down to say goodbye to the child before leaving for his flight, he saw a note come out of the little boy’s pocket.
“Just a second, mate, looks like you have something in there. Jack pulled out the note and read it.
» I am sorry. I feel bad for doing this as his mother, but I can’t give him a good life. I hope you can. Please love it.
Jack realized what was happening. The boy had been abandoned by his mother at the airport.
Even Jack couldn’t explain why, but the boy reminded him of Toby. He felt like God had given him another chance to be with his late son. Maybe they needed each other.
So six months later, after the boy’s family could not be located, Jack adopted the boy and named him Terry. The little boy learned to love Jack as a father.
Having Terry in his life allowed Jack to break free from his loneliness and find meaning in his life. He never tried to hide from Terry that he was adopted after being abandoned at the airport.
“You gave me a home full of love, dad,” he always said. “You are my family. I don’t care if you’re my biological father or not.
Twenty years later, an adult Terry has followed in Jack’s footsteps and become a pilot. Father and son had the incredible opportunity to fly the plane together on Terry’s birthday, and they couldn’t have been happier.
“This is the best day of my life, dad! exclaimed Terry as the plane was thousands of feet above sea level. «I’m doing what I love and I have the best person of my life with me!» «.
At that moment, Jack and Terry could never have imagined what awaited them. As the flight landed, a woman in dirty clothes burst into the cabin despite the crew’s efforts to stop her.
«I’ve been waiting for you for 20 years! the woman shouted, her eyes fixed on Terry. She walked up to him and whispered in his ear:
“I know you have a birthmark on your back. Only a mother would know, darling, I AM YOUR MOTHER! «.
«Ma’am, please, you can’t come in here!» cried the stewardess. » Go away please! «.
But Terry stopped him. «No, wait,» he told her. “Please be careful of other passengers getting off. I’m going to talk to him.
When the woman, Terry and Jack were left alone in the cabin, Terry looked at Jack and said:
«Dad, I think it’s my mother. »
“I am your mother, yes,” said the woman. “I left you that note, remember? «.
«Then why are you here?» Jack asked. “I hope you are not here for the drama of returning my son to you! «.
«I don’t care why she’s here, dad,» Terry said. “She hurt me enough. I don’t want to be tied to her in any way. So let me be very clear. I don’t care why you’re here, he says to the woman, but this man standing next to me is my only family. He’s my dad and I’m not leaving him to anyone! «.
The woman’s eyes misted up.
«I’m sorry,» she whispered. “Regret is what I have. I’m Edith, by the way. I just want you to know that I was not a bad mother. I was forced to do what I did, son. I was really…” she said as she began to tell her story.
“You were the brightest star in my dark sky when I had you, sweetheart. Your father didn’t want you and left me to my fate when I got pregnant. I was determined to give birth to you, and I did. But life doesn’t always turn out the way we planned, does it? »
“I couldn’t find a job, even though I tried again and again. I didn’t want you to suffer, so I had to leave you. I’m glad you didn’t miss the love. Now, I’m not saying this because I want you to feel bad or anything, but I only have a few months to live. Brain tumor, the doctors said. I wanted to apologize to my son before I died.
«I’m sorry for what I did, honey,» she continued. » I am really sorry. I hope you forgive your mother. I was always by your side, watching you from afar. I’m sorry that I didn’t have the courage to come to you and kiss you. I am sorry. »
Edith was crying like a little girl when she felt a warm hug around her shoulder. It was Terri.
“Parents are more than people who want the best for their children. They are really present in the life of their children, to make it better. So I can’t say it’s all easy for me,” he said. «But I’m glad to know you don’t hate me.» We can do it, mom. We’ll take care of you, okay? Even though I need time to process everything, I want you to know that I forgive you.
Jack couldn’t have been prouder. He admired what Terry was doing. He even helped with Edith’s treatment, but sadly, a few months later, Edith passed away.
Terry held her hands when she died, and the last thing she said to him was, “I always loved you, son. I really have. But the man who raised you is a better father than me.
