“Congratulations, Maylee. You’ll be an exceptional mother to Oren.”
I look up, and Dillon is leaning against the door frame, and has obviously overheard my conversation. “Thanks. It’s Wednesday, and I hope I have a good judge.”
“I’ll make sure it happens, and I’ll speak with Griffin,” Dillon walks away.
I’m not sure why he even came to see me. But I’m shocked that Mr. Wallis’ name is Griffin. I thought it was Graham? Geez, just shows you never really know!
I shrug my shoulders and get down to work, because the sooner this day passes the better. I need to get home and tell Myles the good news.
Wednesday comes around, and my nerves are tight as a drum. Myles keeps squeezing my hand, and Oren thinks this is an outing that gets him out of school for the day.
When I told Myles about the adoption court date, he was delighted. We immediately sat Oren down and told himwhat was happening. Also, the judge may ask him if he wants me to be his mom.
Oren wasn’t bothered by it, and Myles thought it was just the end of the process, and he wasn’t worried at all. In fact, he said, even if it wasn’t granted I was still Oren’s mother in every way that counts. It means such a lot to me that he believes I’m an excellent mother to Oren.
Walking into court, my nerves jangle. Courts are nothing new to me, but usually I’m not the one standing and being scrutinized.
Dillon is here, and I’m surprised, but he points to the seats where he wants us and we take a seat.
Oren, loudly and clearly, asks, “When am I going to say you are my momma?”
Dillon grins, and Myles chuckles. I blush and grab Oren’s hand. “If the judge asks, then you say it.”
“Okay, Mom,” Oren sighs, but he keeps hold of my hand.
We stand when the judge enters, and it is Mrs. Pendleton. I’ve had nothing to do with this judge, but I’ve heard she is strict in her rulings.
Once we are seated again, I watch as the judge reads all the relevant paperwork in front of her. Myles is sitting quietly, not bothered by any of this. I wish Whitney had come, but she had a FaceTime meeting she couldn’t postpone.
My eyes widen when I see Dillon step up to the judge and speak to her quietly. She looks at us, then at Dillon, giving him a small nod before looking once more at the paperwork.
For the first time, I notice Amanda Voght sitting on the opposite side of the room. She looks calm and collected. No sign of worrying that this is going to turn sour.
The judge grabs my attention when she speaks. “Oren Barstow, can you stand up and answer my two questions?”
Oren stands, but keeps hold of my hand. I stand so he’s not worried, but I say nothing. Oren’s voice is clear when he speaks to the judge. “What do you want to ask me?”
“Question one is—do you miss your birth mother?”
Oren, although young, laughs in a way that can only be described as disdain. “No, she’s not a good mother. She never wanted me and never had time. I love my dad, and now my mom is here, holding my hand like any real mom would.”
“Thank you, Oren. Question two is—why do you want Maylee to be your mother?”
Oren puffs up his chest, lets go of my hand and puts his hands on his hips. Looking as fierce as he can I’m sure. “My mom goes to school and sorts them out when they allow bullying. You know they have a new policy now for that because my mom threatened them. My mom gets me new clothes when my pants get too short, and my toes pinch inmy shoes, and she makes sure both me and dad have clean clothes, eat right, and we are a family. I love my mom, and I don’t care what anyone says, she’s mine.”
“Well, thank you, Oren. You can sit for a moment.” Shuffling the papers in front of her the judge signs something, then looks up with a smile on her face. “Step forward, Oren.”
Oren bravely walks over to the judge, and I notice Dillon is staying close to give a feeling of security. When the judge hands him the decree of adoption. “This says to the world that your mom is yours.”
Oren takes the Decree and looks at it, then at the judge. “Thank you.” It’s all he manages before he runs to me and throws himself into my waiting arms. I have tears running down my cheeks, and I kiss my boy silly.
“Mom, stop; people are watching.”
Of course, that has everyone in the court laughing. But my heart at this moment feels overflowing with love, and I cry a little more when Myles wraps both myself and Oren in his arms. “Come on, let’s go home. You can tell Aunt Whitney you've got a legal momma now, Oren.”
“Yay. I just need a brother or sister now!”
I look at Myles, and he grins, “We’re working on it, Oren. We’re working on it.”
