Page 123 of Shameless

You were right that despite not sharing your DNA, Jenna is your daughter. It’s you she wants if she isn’t feeling well or if she’s scared. It’s you she wants if she’s happy or sad.

There’s no easy way to say what I’m trying to say, so I’ll just get straight to the point.

Jenna was an accident. She was the result of one of my many one night stands and like I told you before, none of the possible candidates would have been even remotely interested in being more than sperm donors.

Despite how young you were when we hooked up, you proved yourself as the best father Jenna could have hoped for.

This takes me to why I’m writing to you. I’m not a maternal person. I’ve always known that and while you took to parenthood so well, I’ve always resented all the sacrifices motherhood required.

Jenna deserves more than I can offer and I deserve more than feeling trapped by my own children.

I know this doesn’t make me a great human being, but at least I’m willing to admit my shortcomings.

You have been fighting me for Jenna’s custody, so after thinking about it long and hard, you win.

In the envelope your lawyer gave you, you’ll find an official document that appoints you as Jenna’s legal guardian. If you want to legally adopt her, I have no objection, my lawyer has everything she needs to help you start the process. I give up my parental rights knowing that you’ll be the parent I’ll never be for our daughter. Your daughter now.

I have just one request.

By now you’ll have met Juliette. She was born two weeks ago.

I don’t want to separate Jenna from her sister—or should I say half-sister—so it would mean a lot to me if you could be Juliette’s daddy too.

No, in case you’re trying to do the math again, you were right the first time. Juliette isn’t yours either.

In the envelope, you’ll find a document that appoints you as Juliette’s legal guardian. If you can’t or don’t want her, let my lawyer know. I’ll hire a couple of live-in nannies until Juliette is old enough for boarding school.

But I hope you’ll have room in your heart and in your family for both my daughters.

Your daughters, if you want them.

I think this is the best solution for everyone and I might not be a good mother, but I know I’m doing my best for my daughters.

They’re going to be loved and cared for and I’ll have the life I’ve always wanted. As you’re reading this, I’ll be on a flight to Milan, Italy.

You won’t believe it, but a very reputable fashion house saw a few of my designs on my social media, and I’ve been offered a full scholarship and a job at the end of my studies.

I’ve always wanted to be in the fashion industry and my lifestyle won’t be compatible with motherhood.

If I don’t hear from my lawyer, I’ll assume you’re happy to raise Juliette as your own.

Maybe one day, when they’re much older, they’ll ask about their birth mom. I hope by then, you’ll be able to tell them I’m a famous fashion designer.

I promise I’m never going to come back asking to be in their lives, unless they want to know me when they’re adults.

Just tell them their mom loved them enough to know she wasn’t cut out for raising them.

Happy birthday, Jules. Be happy. You deserve it.

Jasmine

“Jules,” Lula has been reading the letter over my shoulder. “That’s… amazing. I’m so happy we get to raise Jenna and Juliette. Can I hold her?” She asks, looking at the baby still asleep in her carrier.

“Of course you can hold her. I don’t know what to say. We discussed raising Jenna together, the four of us, but I never thought we’d have another baby. Would you be ok with it?”

Lula’s smile is soft and full of love as she holds Juliette in her arms. “Of course I am. She’s Jenna’s sister. In all her misguided selfishness, Jasmine did the right thing giving you Jenna and deciding not to separate two siblings.”

I wrap my arms around both of them, keeping a now asleep Jenna in my lap. “How can you be so perfect? Thank you.”

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