A bereaved woman ultimately decides to adopt a new kid after her five-year-old daughter passes away from cancer. But she finds herself in a challenging circumstance when her estranged husband’s secret comes to light.
Eleanor yelled in her living room’s dim light, tossing her Chinese takeout box behind her and not caring. The sound broke the stillness that these days her once-vibrant home was known for.
Eleanor had lost all interest for anything, including her fine art photography profession, after she and her husband Joseph separated a year after Eleanor’s daughter Ava passed away from leukemia five years prior.
Eleanor had talked to Joseph about attempting to patch things up again, but her true desire was to become a mother once more. She’d logged hours upon hours on adoption websites over the previous year.
Her
After a few more minutes, Eleanor reached for her phone and clicked to view more of her images from Grace Adoption Services.
“Greetings, Grace Adoption Services here. My name is Samantha. How may I help you right now? a kind voice answered from the other end.
Eleanor is my name. She scratched her head and continued, “I’m hoping to adopt and a little girl on your website has caught my attention.”
Samantha gave a tactful reply. “We’ll schedule a time for you to visit and get to know us. We should always conduct this in person.
Eleanor nodded far too soon. “I’m prepared to make that move,” she said. “My goal is to positively impact a child’s life.”
With
Eleanor found herself anxiously waiting at Samantha’s office on the day of the meeting.
“It’s great to finally meet you in person,” Samantha gave her a cordial hello. “After reading your application, I can tell you would make a fantastic parent.”
The two ladies talked about Eleanor’s past, her motivations for adopting, and her aspirations for the future. Samantha’s desk had a family photo that Eleanor’s gaze would frequently stray to.
Samantha said, “Ah, you’ve been eyeing that for a while,” and introduced her two kids, Macy May and Mary Ellen.
Eleanor made the statement, “I want that back.”
Samantha cleared her throat but nodded. Following a long gulp, she inquired, “Could you tell me a little about your husband? Adopting children into two-parent households is vital.
Eleanor gave an explanation of their breakup and their wish for a reconciliation following the death of their daughter. She said, “I haven’t told him about trying to adopt yet, but I will.”
Samantha hoped to meet Joseph if he was open to meeting him and that Eleanor spoke to him about the adoption. She requested the girl’s file that she had seen on the internet and consented to give it a try. Charlotte was her name.
“She appears to be an amazing young lady,” Eleanor remarked, wiping away the tears in her eyes. I have a bond with her. She seems to be destined to be in my life.
An hour later, Eleanor emerged from the agency full of optimism. Over the next few weeks, she decorated the extra room to make it a cozy place for a child to live.
Eleanor kept in touch with Samantha throughout this period, but she was hesitant to speak with Joseph on the adoption. She acknowledged her hesitation when Samantha asked.
Samantha comforted her, “Okay, you’re still a really good prospect. Being single doesn’t always have to be a deal breaker. After all, these are modern times.
Samantha called a few days later with some exciting news. Eleanor and Charlotte were to meet in person at a park on a prearranged date. She got the little child some coloring books and markers as a present in advance of the meeting.
When the momentous day finally arrived, Eleanor arrived early and sat down on a bench with Charlotte’s gift. She looked around for Samantha and Charlotte among the foliage.
She soon caught sight of them. Charlotte seemed bashful and protective, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. With warmth, Eleanor greeted them. Shaking hands with Samantha, she said, “It’s good to see you again.”
You as well. Charlotte is this,” Samantha answered.
Eleanor leaned slightly and said, “Hello.”
With a hesitant reply, Charlotte met Eleanor’s gaze momentarily. She noticed the girl’s similarity to Ava once more.
After exploring the park, they made themselves at home beside the pond. She handed her gift to Charlotte. She said, “I thought we could use this to write or draw about our day.”
Charlotte gave a gentle “Thank you” as she accepted the present.
A connection started to grow between them as they became closer. With gradual opening up, the girl shared glimpses of her time in foster care. Eleanor was moved by Charlotte’s enthusiasm and inventiveness.
Samantha spoke into detail about the adoption’s laws and support networks later, during a picnic lunch. But with the expectation that everything would work out, they all parted ways.
Over the next few weeks, Eleanor and Charlotte developed a closer bond as Charlotte paid Eleanor visits, showed her around her new bedroom, and shared meals.
At last, Eleanor gave Joseph a call. “Ellie,” he said with warmth. “You’ve been on my mind.”
“I have some big news to share,” Eleanor retorted. Could we arrange to meet tomorrow?
Over coffee the following day, Eleanor gave Joseph an explanation of the adoption. After giving a silent listen, he spoke thoughtfully. “I realize how important this is to you. I’m glad to see you looking so vibrant once more.
His comprehension eased her concerns. She murmured, “I can’t let grief consume me.” “We cannot allow grief to overcome us.”
Recognizing her underlying meaning, Joseph nodded.
Eleanor and Charlotte continued to grow closer, having dinners and sleepovers with Joseph, who began visiting frequently.
Charlotte opened up to Eleanor one evening while she was reading her a bedtime tale. “My mother has never been like you. I’m not interested in returning to foster care.
Eleanor comforted her, her voice growing thicker. “I promise, my love. I will always be your mother.
For Eleanor and Charlotte, the day of the formal adoption hearing marked a critical turning point. Joseph was among the close friends and relatives whom Eleanor had invited to celebrate this important day.
Eleanor’s eyes lit up with happy tears as she looked at Charlotte and realized the new chapter they were starting together at the hearing. Eleanor and Charlotte stood hand in hand before the judge as he completed the adoption.
Eleanor invited Joseph to supper with them outside the courtroom. Joe, please join us for supper this evening. You too are a part of this celebration,” she said.
“El, I’d really like to,” Joseph answered.
Eleanor, Joseph, and Charlotte’s lives gradually blended together over the following few weeks. They talked about their loss and the difficulties they were facing in counseling sessions.
They ended up having an emotional talk after just one session. With a sense of guilt, Eleanor added, “Joseph, I know this isn’t what we planned, but it’s the path I need to take.”
Joseph cleared his throat and said, “I want to be a real part of this with you because I love you.”
Charlotte flourished in her new surroundings over time. She brought to their attention all that they had to offer and the love they had lost.
But when Samantha called one day, Eleanor instantly got goosebumps from her tone.
“Eleanor, Charlotte’s biological mother has reached out to me,” disclosed the proprietor of the adoption agency. “She asserted that Charlotte’s biological father was Joseph.”
How come? Could Charlotte be Ava’s biological sister? In a whisper, Eleanor said.
But Samantha informed her that they required prompt confirmation. Samantha suggested that “we need to confront Joseph about this.” “It might be necessary to do a paternity test if he denies it.”
“What is the significance of her giving up the child?”
Samantha added gravely, “She said the affair was quick, but if the biological dad wants to be in the picture suddenly, she may want to challenge the adoption.” “I simply want to make sure that nothing will jeopardize Charlotte’s happiness.”
Eleanor ended the call and went outside to where Joseph was tending to his garden. She asked him for the truth, hastily blurting out what Samantha had said.
His eyes were initially wide and bewildered, but then he hung his head and confessed to having a brief romance with a member of a bereaved parent support group he had joined following Ava’s passing.
With distant-looking eyes, he admitted, “It was a terrible mistake.”
“You mean to say that if this woman gave Charlotte up for adoption, you might be her father then?” With fear wracking her teeth, Eleanor questioned.
“As soon as she told me she was pregnant, I quit the group. However, it’s possible that she placed the child for adoption. Joseph nodded, narrowing his eyes.
Overwhelmed, Eleanor only nodded and placed her hands on her waist. Joseph said without hesitation, “I will,” in response to a question regarding a paternity test. I’ll take full responsibility for this.
Although they did the test as soon as possible, the results would not come in for days. Though Eleanor considered telling Charlotte, she ultimately opted not to until they had the whole story and the legal issues were cleared up.
She also conversed with Samantha nonstop. Her now-friend softly said, “Once an adoption is complete, it is generally irreversible in most jurisdictions.”
A few days later, Eleanor received the results via email. These were the most tense and nervous days of Eleanor’s life since Ava died away. During therapy, she and Joseph had discussed all of their options and what it would mean for them.
However, they couldn’t make any decisions until they learned the truth. When Samantha noticed the email in Eleanor’s inbox, she was spending time with them. Slowly, she read it, “Joseph isn’t Charlotte’s father! Thank heaven for that!
Samantha was able to establish a few days later that since Joseph was not Charlotte’s biological father, the biological mother had made the decision to end the relationship.
Eleanor interpreted Charlotte’s likeness to Ava as a fortunate happenstance and a chance for her family to start again after learning this information. They would always have her late daughter with them, especially now that they understood the value of each and every moment.
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