Unexpected Family

They Want To Know If I'm Worhty

Billie's POV

The meeting room smelled like printer ink and weak coffee.

It was cold. Not temperature cold the kind of cold that lives in the corners of government buildings. Too clean. Too quiet. Nothing soft or kid-like about it.

Skylar and Mackenzie weren't with me. They were back home with my mom,

who offered to come over the second I mentioned the word meeting. I hadn't wanted to drag the girls into this. Not yet.

It was just me. Alone. Sitting across a long wooden table from two strangers and Nina, who at least smiled like she wasn't judging me.

"We're glad you're here," Nina said, folding her hands on the table.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

One of the other women Janice, I think opened a folder. "So, Billie, before we get started... I want to be clear. This isn't about whether or not you care for the girls. We know you do. That's obvious."

Relief hit me for half a second.

Then came the other half.

"But wanting to adopt and being approved to adopt are two different things," she added gently. "We need to know what kind of support system you have. Your schedule. Your home stability. Your emotional readiness."

I nodded again. "Okay."

"And... your public life."

There it was.

I looked down at the table.

"We're not saying being famous disqualifies you," Nina said, her voice soft.

"But it changes things. The level of attention. The travel. The potential risk. It's our job to make sure these girls will be safe and grounded."

"I get that," I said, finally speaking. My voice sounded smaller than I meant it to.

"But I'm not trying to bring them into my spotlight. I'm trying to give them a place out of it."

That got them to pause.

Janice scribbled something down. "You're willing to change your schedule?"

"Yes."

"You understand this could limit your career?"

"Yes."

"You're willing to put their needs before any press, any tour, any studio session?"

"Every time."

The room went quiet again.

For a second, I felt like I was fifteen again, standing in front of some adult, trying to prove I was enough for something I didn't even understand.

But I understood this.

Skylar's sleepy "Can I have juice, Mommy?"

Mackenzie whispering, "I don't wanna leave again."

I understood them.

And I wasn't going to lose them without a fight.

"I know I'm not perfect," I said quietly. "I know I didn't plan this. I'm probably the weirdest person who's ever walked into this room asking to adopt kids.

But they feel like mine. And I'll do whatever it takes to make that true."

Nina smiled softly.

Janice didn't. But she gave a slow nod, like maybe just maybe she was listening.

The meeting wasn't over when I left, but I knew something had started.

And I wasn't backing down.