November 13th 2020
- Karlie -
"It's too cold, angel, we've gotta stay in today," Rosie doesn't quite like the idea of winter. She hates not being able to run in and out of the garden all day, and she really hates not being able to get in the pool whenever she wants. She's definitely a summer baby, she would love it if we moved out to LA.
Life has been quiet lately, we're just getting by with our little family and making memories. Selena has had a really hard time during her pregnancy and she settled on the fact that she was going to be really struggling if she stayed in LA for the end of her pregnancy and after the baby arrives. Her family haven't exactly been open to the idea of her having this kid, so when she spoke to Taylor about how unhappy she was - the blonde immediately told her to come out here.
The plan was for Taylor to go and be with her when she has the little one anyway, and this way she has the family support around before and after as well - so she's been a welcomed addition to our everyday lives.
"Li, can you come and sit with your brother for a second?" Taylor is at an appointment with Sel this afternoon so I'm at home with the three kids. Lilah comes into the kitchen with her phone in hand, "you wanna say hi, Auggie?" She sits in front of the baby as he babbles and plays with his food - some kind of mushed veg that Taylor left for him in the fridge. "Are you ever off that phone?" I laugh as I pass her, she has an airpod in her ear and I already know she's on FaceTime with Antonia.
Lilah mumbles a sarcastic response as I leave the kitchen to go and switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer and I just shake my head, Lilah and Antonia are obsessed with each other and I remember what it's like at that age - we're trying to just let her be.
I empty the dryer and then fill it again, leaving the clean laundry on top of the counter so that I can iron and fold it later. "Turn the TV down, honey," I duck into the living room on my way past and Rosie protests but does as she's told anyway.
"Thank you, sweetheart," Lilah is wiping the baby's face and I kiss her forehead as I pass her again but she's not on FaceTime anymore, "can I ask you something?" She looks up to me, staying beside Auggie as I unload the dishwasher, "of course you can."
She hesitates for a second, "do you think my social worker will let you and Taylor adopt me?" I'm surprised she's even bringing this up. Lilah knows we've been looking into it because you need the child's consent officially after a certain point and we didn't wanna open up that process if it isn't something she wants.
"It's complicated, honey, but we're staying hopeful," I sit down opposite her as I give her my attention, "we have to wait for CPS to declare your aunt unfit to care for you and wait for the legal proceedings to play out, then we will hopefully be able to adopt you."
We've been as open with both girls as we can, leaving bits out for Ro since she's still little, but we want them to understand what's happening so they have a sense of control over the situation.
"What if they still say no? What happens to me then?" She's trying to hide her nerves about the situation, but I just give her a warm smile, "honey, this is going to be your home regardless. We'll still be your family either way and we'll keep fighting until that becomes official."
She will continue to be our girl whether we get to adopt her or not, but we're doing everything in our power to become her parents and make sure she never has to worry about anything.
- Taylor -
"Taylor?" I smile as Lilah walks into the living room, a tone in her voice like she wants to ask a question, "Lilah?" I raise an eyebrow as I look over to her, sitting on the floor with Auggie as she takes a seat on the armchair opposite me. "Can I go over to Antonia's tonight?" I sigh as I pick up the baby, giving her an apologetic look.
