Mother's day miracle
It was Mother’s Day, and Kierra was taking her five-year-old baby brother, Sebastian, to his soccer game. With his big brown eyes and curly hair, he looked more like her son than her brother.
Sebastian was a miracle baby, born just before the tragic accident that took their biological parents. That’s when Kierra met Alex.
Sebastian needed to bring a “mother” figure to the game for their Mother's Day presentation—and later, they’d unwrap the gifts they made at the school fair two weeks ago.
The kids played their early match, then stayed for dinner while passing around their hand-made presents. Sebastian, though excited, felt a twinge of shame. He didn’t have a mother, and seeing the other kids with theirs made him shrink. But in his heart, he knew Kierra was everything.
It was Sebastian’s first time playing on the field. Kierra cheered louder than anyone when he scored a goal, her voice cutting through the crowd like sunshine.
“I did it, Mom! I did it!”
The words hit her like a freight train. “Mom.” He called her mom.
Kierra stood frozen as Sebastian rushed into her arms. She instinctively rubbed his back, trying to make sense of what just happened. Before she could process it, a deep voice pulled her back to earth.
“Is he yours?”
She blinked and turned toward the voice—broad shoulders, green eyes, six-foot-ten, and caramel skin. He was looking right at her.
“Oh,” she managed.
He smiled and nodded toward the field. “Sebastian, right?”
His smile was so blindingly bright, Kierra had to blink again.
“Yes, I—” she stammered. Then shook her head. “I mean, no.”
Their eyes met, and she realized how incredibly handsome he was.
“We’re family. I’m his sister.”
“But he just called you—”
“Mom,” she cut him off quickly. “I know. It means a lot, especially since our parents passed.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We’re doing just fine.”
“So… which kid is yours?”
“Right there.” He pointed at the goalie on the other team.
“Oh, the other team?”
They both laughed.
“Yeah, I know,” he chuckled. “She’s great.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you from your brother—I’m Alex.” He extended a hand.
“I’m Kierra,” she replied, shaking it. “It’s Mother’s Day. He usually doesn’t need me this much.”
Alex held her hand a little longer than expected. He stepped closer, catching her gaze.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Excuse me?”
“What you do for your brother—it’s beautiful.”
Kierra wasn’t used to men flirting with her, and Alex didn’t seem like the rest. She met his gaze, curious where he was going with this.
“It might be forward, but… what are you doing later?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Our kids are best friends.”
Sebastian had often talked about a little girl he liked. Kierra hadn’t thought much of it—until she heard the girl’s name was also Kierra.
“She’s the other Kierra.”
“I know, right?” he grinned.
“So you weren’t kidding when you said you’d heard a lot about me.”
“Nope. That’s all Sebastian talks about.”
“Well… that makes sense. Maybe he called me ‘Mom’ to impress her.”
“Should I be worried?” he joked.
She laughed. “Ah-ah-ah.”
Her fingers brushed his arm. He was even more muscular than James. Her mind drifted to fantasy—until she cleared her throat.
“He’s a sweetheart. He adores her.”
Alex smiled. “Again, maybe too forward, but… would you like to come with us to a fundraiser later?”
“Us?”
“Me and KC—over there.” He nodded to the goalie.
“K.C., huh?” Kierra said, intrigued.
“Well, yeah. Kierra Leyi Cromwell. I can’t have two Kier(r)as confusing me—how would I know who I’m talking to?”
“That’s good,” she laughed. “You’re funny.”
“So, will you honor me by being my guest?”
She hesitated. She had a prior engagement with James. Still, she didn’t want to say no.
“One thing at a time. Why don’t you give me the address and… we’ll see?”
“Okay. Want my number? Or should I take yours?”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re flirting.”
“Just being friendly.” He gently took her hand again and kissed the back of it.
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing… I suppose.”
Kierra thought to herself: James is going to kill me if I say yes. He’ll probably kill you too—but hey, that’s your funeral.
“What’s your number?” she asked.
Just then, the crowd erupted in cheers. The game was over.
“We missed a lot,” Alex said.
“What?”
“The game—it’s over.” He put his number into her phone. “But here. I’ll see you—”
“Soon.” She smiled. “So… who won?”
“We did, Mom! KC’s not happy. We need to talk.”
Later, after the kids opened their presents, Kierra pulled Sebastian aside and hugged him tight.
“Listen. I love you. You know that, right?”
He nodded.
“So… why did you call me Mom?”
Tears welled in his eyes. “I’m not normal. You do everything KC’s mom and dad do. Why can’t I call you Mom?”
Kierra’s heart ached. She held his cheeks and wiped away the tears.
“You are my everything. And I wish I gave birth to you. But I’m your sister—and you have to tell KC the truth.”
“She’ll hate me. I lied.”
“That’s all this is about?” she asked gently, lifting him into a hug. “Most kids your age don’t get the chance—or the courage—to do the right thing. If she doesn’t like you for your honesty, then KC doesn’t deserve you.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“Don’t be. It’s okay.”
Later, they arrived at the fundraiser. To Kierra’s surprise, it was the same event James was sponsoring. Instead of panicking, she walked in with confidence.
James greeted her first.
“Babe! You made it!” he beamed. “This is Alex.”
“Nice to meet you,” Alex said smoothly, extending his hand like they hadn’t met earlier.
Sebastian moved to hug Alex, but Kierra gently held him back, careful not to raise suspicion.
“Sebastian—behave.”
He stood beside her, disappointed.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “He doesn’t usually do this.”
James’s eyes narrowed. He wasn’t buying it. He knew Sebastian never took to strangers.
“Am I missing something?” James asked sharply. “Do you two know each other?”
Alex answered calmly, “No. We’ve just met.”
James seemed satisfied. He leaned in to kiss Kierra’s cheek and whispered, “He’s vital to my campaign. Keep him entertained, would you?”
Then he turned and excused himself.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have to tend to the other guests.”
Kierra and Alex stood there, left in silence—each with secrets hanging heavy in the air.