This Is Me Trying

Chapter Twenty-One

Betty

"Wake up! It's adoption day!" I heard before I felt someone jump on me.
"What the hell!" I shouted as I felt someone else jump on me.
"It's adoption day kiddo!" Danielle jumped up and down on the bed.
"Good morning to you guys too." I groaned and pulled the cover over my face.
"Nooo come on bambina! It's time to get up!" Stefania pulled the cover off of me.
"Fine, fine. You two are in too good of a mood this morning. It's too early for all this." I muttered as I sat up.

"Come on. Let's go eat breakfast. We have to be online in an hour to be in virtual court." Stefania pulled me out of the bed and we walked into the kitchen.
"Morning mija! Happy adoption day." Jaina kissed the top of my head as I poured a cup of coffee.
"Thanks Tía." I said with a yawn.
"Get excited! You're getting adopted today." Barrett shook my shoulders playfully.
"I am excited. I'm just sleepy. I couldn't sleep last night." I glared at her and Jaina.
"Why not bambina?" Stefania asked.

"Jaina and Barrett were up all night watching scary movies. I kept hearing them scream." I smirked as I saw Barrett and Jaina put their heads down and start eating.

"Do you want to eat before or after the video call?"
"After. My nerves are too bad right now."
"Okay. Go get dressed kiddo." Danielle smiled softly at me and I walked off to get dressed.

Danielle

*An hour later*

"Are you ready kid?" I asked Betty as sat between Stefania and I on the couch.
She nodded and reached over, grabbing both mine and Stefania's hands.

The video call rang on the laptop, and I reached over and answered it.
"Hello Miss Spampinato, and Miss Savre." The judge said through the computer.
"Good morning your honor." I gave her a small smile.

"I understand that you two want to adopt the child in question?"
"Yes your honor. Betty has been a blessing in our lives, and we want to make it official." Stefania said.
"I have a few concerns about this. One of my biggest ones, is that the two of you are not married. Is that correct?"
"Yes your honor. But we are engaged, and we plan to get married soon." I quickly said.

"Another issue is, the grandparents of Betty."
"What? I don't have grandparents your honor." Betty said.
"Your father's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Vitale?" The judge flipped through some papers.
"I've never met them your honor. They're basically strangers to me." Betty said with a shaky voice. I squeezed her hand tighter.

"I understand that Betty. But they are blood related. I understand that your mom signed over her rights to you to Miss Spampinato and Miss Savre, but your Dad had primary guardianship before he passed. And he put in his will that if anything was to happen to him, that you should go to your grandparents."
"Where was this will, your honor? Why is this the first time we've heard about it?" I asked.
"It was turned in by Mr. Vitale's lawyer a week ago."

"Your honor, please. We have loved and cared for Betty for over a year now. She's our child. We love her more than anything in this entire world. And we'll do anything to keep her." Stefania begged.
"I'm sorry. But I am going to have to grant temporary custody to Betty's grandparents. Betty will live with them for two weeks, and then we will meet again and I will decide what is best for her. I will email you both a packet stating when and where to drop her off for her time with her grandparents." The judge leaned forward and turned off the video call.

We sat there in silence, as we all took in the news.
Betty put her face in her hands and started sobbing.
"Hey, kid. It's okay. It'll all be okay." I rubbed her back, trying to hold my tears in.
"How can you say that! They're sending me to live with these strangers that I don't even know!" She cried out.
"We'll get you back. We'll never give up on you Betty. Never." Stefania wrapped her arms around Betty and pulled her close.
Betty sobbed into Stefania's arms, and I stepped out of the living room, and walked out to the back yard.

I took a deep breath and looked up towards the sky, trying to not let the tears fall.
"Danielle? What's wrong? What happened?" Jaina stepped outside and closed the door behind her.

I shook my head and took a shaky breath. Still trying to hold my tears in.
"Danielle? What happened?" Jaina walked over to me and grabbed my hands.
"We didn't get her." I felt the hot tears running down my face.
"What? Why?" Jaina asked angrily.
"She has grandparents that want her." I shook my head and wiped my tears away.
"Let's talk about it later. I have to go inside and convince Betty that everything is going to be okay." I squeezed Jaina's hand and walked back inside.

"How can they do this? I've been living with you two for over a year, my Mom signed over her rights to me!" Betty cried into Stefania's chest.
"I know bambina. I know. Danielle and I will get you back. We promise. We won't stop until we do. We'll never stop fighting for you." Stefania kissed the top of Betty's head, and held her tighter.
"Hey, kid. Stefania is right. We'll never stop fighting for you. You're our kid. We'll do whatever we have to do." I sat next to Betty and rubbed her back.

I heard my phone ding, and I opened my email.
"I got the email from the judge." I sighed.
"What does it say?" Stefania asked me.
"We have to drop her off at nine o'clock tonight at her grandparents house." I looked up at the ceiling, trying to fight my tears.

"At nine? That's only ten hours from now." Stefania argued.
"I know Stef. I can't change anything. If we don't take her, we'll go to jail." I put my head in my hands.
"Let's go home and pack." Betty whispered as she stood up.

Betty

I walked into the kitchen, and found Jaina. I quickly wrapped my arms around her waist, and hugged her tightly.
"I love you Mija." Jaina whispered.
"I love you too Tía. Tell Aunt Vic I love her. Hopefully I'll see you guys at work." I sniffled.

I pulled away, and walked outside with Stefania and Danielle.