“Well, we’d better do it soon.”
“How romantic,” I say dryly.
She smirks and turns her head toward me, smiling. “Anywhere by your side is romantic, Nathaniel. It’s in your DNA.”
The door opens, and Anne walks back in, interrupting us. “I’m sorry about that. However, I’m glad I took the call.” She sits behind her desk, and a genuine smile pulls at her lips.
My eyes shift toward Maddie’s when Anne doesn’t elaborate. She types something on her computer and begins printing out papers.
Maddie shrugs her shoulders, just as lost as I am.
Anne collects the papers and puts them in a folder, placing them in front of her, her hands resting on top of it.
“If we find a child who seems like they are the right fit for you, we will gradually introduce you to your adopted child. First, under the guidance of our therapist, and then slowly on your own.”
“We are prepared to take this as slowly as needed. We understand and appreciate the depths of recovery you take to ensure each and every child is set up for a successful, healthy future.”
She nods sadly. “I knew you would.”
Anne knows all about my past.
Maddie and I agreed that being upfront with my story was the right way to start our process on the right foot.
“Well then.” She pushes the folder toward us, her hands still firmly holding it now. “I didn’t want to mention it until I knew you were okay with a non-American child, or before I received the okay from our European counterpart. But, if the two of you are truly open to adopting a child overseas, I think this may be a good fit.” I reach forward to take the folder, too anxious to wait. Anne doesn’t budge. “I want to be completely transparent. This is not a guarantee; we suggest matches all the time that don’t fit, and we will never hold that against you.”
“We understand,” Maddie replies, her leg beginning to bounce nervously.
She finally releases her grip on the folder, and I take it quickly.
Angling my body toward Maddie, I hand her the folder. “You open it, Mads.”
She looks at Anne, tears beginning to brim in her eyes, confirming. “There is a child’s profile in here that we can potentially match with?”
She nods, smiling.
Maddie looks up at me, and all I see is hope and happiness.
Everything that’s happened over the last week is long gone.
This is what’s important right now.
I don’t care who’s in the room with us. I lean forward and press my lips to her forehead. “Go ahead, Goddess, open it.”
She lets out a deep breath, and with shaky hands, she slowly opens the folder.
She lets out a strangled cry, and when her hands begin to shake, I take the folder from her. “Nate, are you seeing this?”
I nod, lost for words, then wrap her with my other arm and pull her close into my body.
“Are the two of you okay?” Anne’s voice cuts through Maddie’s sobs.
“Can you give us a moment?”
When Anne’s out of the room, I lean back, swiping Maddie’s hair away from her face. “Are you okay?”
She nods and picks up the folder that fell out of my hands.
Origin: Spain
