Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 25

Allie took a deep breath as she stood next to Michael, and Patricia rang the doorbell. They had driven to an unfamiliar part of town where Rose's foster carer lived. The door swung open and Tracy, a large lady with dark, short hair and colourful clothes appeared with a wide smile. "Hi, you guys, come on in." Patricia smiled back and said, "This is Michael and this is Allie." Tracy nodded, "Come on in and meet Rose." They followed her into the small hallway and she entered the first door on the right. Sitting on a rug, surrounded by pillows and toys was Rose.

She looked up at the newcomers with round eyes and Allie crouched down to talk to her. "Hi Rose, Aren't you beautiful. Look, we've brought you a new teddy." She handed the baby a small, soft teddy bear they had brought along. Michael had crouched down too and as the baby reached to grasp the teddy with her chubby hand she dropped it and he picked it back up and passed it back to her. She stared at him and lifted the toy up and down. Tracy said from behind, "She'll probably let you pick her up if you want." Allie turned smiling and nodded. She held out her hands and said, "Hey Rose would you like to come take a closer look at us." Nervously she put her hands under the baby's arms and lifted her, standing up. Michael took the baby's tiny hand and Patricia said, "Let's get a quick photo, snapping with her phone." Rose didn't cry or fuss so Allie gave her a little cuddle and said to Michael, "Your turn!" He grinned at Allie and she handed him the baby who looked at him curiously as he said "Hi, little Rose. I'm so glad to meet you."

Tracy said, "I'm just about to get her some food if you guys would like to feed her?" Allie nodded eagerly "Yeah, we'd love that Tracy." Patricia added, "I'll go and help Tracy and get us all a drink. Give you guys a chance to play with Rose." A few minutes later Allie took Rose back from Michael and carried her into the kitchen to put her in the highchair. Tracy passed her a plastic bowl of pureed food and explained "We're weening her at the moment and this is just regular dinner I made and blended for her. I've been trying to introduce some more texture, you know not blend it as smooth in the last week." Allie swirled it with the plastic spoon and held it up to Rose's mouth. She opened automatically smelling the food and Allie popped it in, delighted seeing her excitement. Tracy chuckled, "She likes her food for sure. She has three bottles a day, a total of twenty ounces, but don't worry, I've written all this down for you." Allie continued to feed Rose until the bowl was empty. She was relieved she'd eaten it as she couldn't help but feel all eyes were on her watching every reaction. She swapped places with Michael so that he could feed Rose a baby yoghurt.

Allie wiped Rose's tiny pink mouth and removed the tray so she could lift her out. They chatted about her routine whilst Tracy tidied up and Allie bounced Rose on her knee. She passed the baby to Michael so she could drink her coffee and he could have a turn. Patricia proposed they bring the visit to a close for the first day, but Tracy suggested they give Rose her bottle before they left, although she warned Allie Rose wasn't keen on anyone but her giving bottles, and that she might get fussy. Allie felt nervous and glanced at Michael as everyone watched her testing the temperature of the milk before she offered it to the baby. To her relief Rose gazed at her intently as she eased her back against her arm and took the bottle sucking rhythmically. Michael looked entranced and when the milk was almost gone Rose's eyes began to droop and she fell asleep in Allie's arms. Tracy laughed quietly, "Well I wasn't expecting that. She normally fusses with anyone apart from me. She must sense you're mommy Allie." She indicated the door and carrying Rose Allie followed her out into a room along the hallway where she gently kissed and laid the sleeping baby in her crib.

For the following four days they gradually built up the time they spent with Rose, firstly caring for her in her foster home and then at their own house, with Tracy in the background to reassure Rose. On the final day Patricia brought Tracy and Rose to Allie and Michael's house and then took Tracy home. They kept her all day, bathed her in their tub, getting her ready in her tiny sleepsuit and then driving her back to her foster home for the last night. They were completely exhausted with the process and the sense they were under scrutiny, but totally in love with the sweet natured baby. The following day they collected Rose for the last time from her foster home. Tracy was tearful and Allie felt terrible for her, unable to imagine how hard it would be to hand over a baby you had cared for and loved for more than six months. For the first time since they met her Rose scrunched up her little face and began to cry when Allie picked her up, almost as if she sensed the sadness in the room. Patricia ushered them out quickly and Michael carried Rose to her new car seat, carefully strapping her in while Allie jumped in next to her so she could be on hand to soothe the baby if she started to cry.