Mark's P.O.V
The moment she gripped her little hand around my finger. I knew she's mine to protect. She's mine to raise.
I left Mia with our baby and stopped a worker as she walked past. "Hi, yeah, who do i need to talk to about adoption papers?"
The woman looked at me surprised then gave me a toothy smile. "You find your baby to take home?"
I nodded. Then she pointed at a woman in a suit. "She help you. Go to her." She said.
I thanked her for her help and walked right up to the woman.
"Hi there, i would like to speak to you about international adoption. See, my wife and i fell in love with this baby girl, and we're looking to adopt her and raise her overseas. Um what are the standard procedures and policies for adopting children here?"
"How long are you in Italy for?" She asked.
"As long as you need me to fill in some paperwork." I answered.
"Well, if you're lucky it might take a few weeks to get some paper work done. If not, then you're looking at least up to 6 months to process an application. Judging by your accent, i'd say you're not from America.?"
"Nope! From 'Straya." I replied.
She looked at me confused. "Where?"
"Australia!
"Great! Here are the forms that you and your wife need to fill. I do have to warn you though. For security measures, we will have to do a background checks on both of you but in the meantime, i suggest that you find somewhere to settle in."
I stared at her without blinking only because i'm afraid to. What if i blink then i accidently miss something important.
"As i mentioned earlier, the process could take a month or more depending on your application. I will give you today to go home, think it through with your wife and when you are ready, meet me here so we can start the process." She concluded.
"I want him to adopt her!" An unknown voice interrupted.
The lady, whom i still don't know the name of, tensed up and shakily stood up.
"We- well, sir, that's not how everything works. We need to ensure that people who adopt children are thoroughly checked and-"
"I said he can adopt her!" The man interrupted.
"Bu-but s-sir!?"
"Who runs this centre?" The man questioned.
The woman bowed her head and silently sat down.
"I would like you to take her! Is today alright? You don't have to worry about the application. I can easily put in a good word for you." The man concluded.
Now as a man who's been married to the woman of his dream, this is like another good opportunity to grasp while i have the chance. But as a veteran who served in the army, this is a dangerous situation. There is something fishy going and i intend to not find out until i get my wife and future daughter out of here before finding out what to do next.
"First of all, what's your name?" I asked calmly.
"My name isn't that important. Will you take the honour of adopting her?" He said.
"I do!" I replied with confidence.
"Good! If you want you can take her now! Like i said, you don't have to worry about the application. I can take care of that." He added nonchalantly.
"I will be taking her with us! Does she have any belongings or anything?" I asked.
"No! She was dropped off with nothing."
"Right! Well, i'm gonna get going and take our baby home." I responded.
I took one step forward and then another followed by a few more steps until i made to where my wife is.
"So, how did it go?" My wife asked with a hopeful glint in her beautifuj eyes.
"We can take her with us-"
"What?!" She quetioned.
"Somethings not right. I'll explain later. But for now lets take our baby home"
She agreed and picked up our daughter and cautiously walked towards the exit. None of the staff didn't even stop us as we exited the building. I looked down at my new baby girl and made a promise right then and there.
"One day, you will return! Before that day comes, you are mine to protect and raise to be a strong woman."
"Australian style!" My wife responded.
I stared at my beautiful wife and grinned. "Bit of both Oz and American!" I added then looked at our baby. "Uncle Jace has a lot of marine skills he's willing to pass on."
"Oh God! My baby is going to be a badass! Can't wait!" My wife declared.
"Can't wait either!" I concluded and kissed my wife before hailing for a taxi.
Now we just need to worry about the paperwork to arrive.
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Hey all,
Apologies for taking so long, i just don't have the motivation to write but i'll try my best!
Enjoy! As always, please leave a comment and a heart if you like, if you don't, still leave a comment of what you think should be done.
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The Lost Daughter!
Action"We found her!" Inspector Halls announced. I stood up straight away i couldn't stop the happiness that made a 100 degrees turn in my heart. They found her. They found my baby girl. It took me 20 years to find her. Finally! "Where? Where is she?" "Do...
