My Arranged Marriage

Chapter 14

From Zachary's Point of View

I drive us to the adoption center. It is revealed that Charlie and Adora are twins. Their mom would like to have contact with them in the future.

She is just a teenager and she wanted to finish high school and wasn't ready to raise a child let alone two.

After we finalize the paperwork, the social worker tells us she will get them ready for us to pick them up.

Clark and I go buy car seats and another bed to assemble.

We go home and we build the other bed. For now we think it would be best for them to share a room, especial with how protective Charlie is.

We decide that once we pick them up we take them to pick their bed sheets and a few toys.

I drive us back to pick them up. Charlie is holding Adora's hand tight. He must be under the assumption they were adopted separately.

He lays down and makes himself dead weight when the social worker tells them it's time to go.

The social worker brings us in, "Charlie, I promise you two are going together. You are going to go with the Adlers here."

Charlie looks at us and I kneel down.

He stands up, "Zach?"

I smile, "yup."

I motion up to Clark, "and like I said, my husband, Clark. You both are coming home with us because we believe you two should stay together."

Charlie tries to carry both his and Adora's bags but he is struggling.

I kneel down again, "can I help you with those?"

Charlie nods a little and I help carry them to the car.

Clark talks to Adora, "can I help you get in?"

She shyly holds up her arms and he picks her up and buckles her in. I buckle Charlie in.

I get in the driver's seat and smile over at Clark.

He gently takes my hand. I look in the rearview mirror and smile at them.

I look over my shoulder, "I was thinking you two might like to pick some toys and bedsheets for at home. Would you two like that?"

Charlie looks at Adora and she shyly nods.

Charlie answers for the both of them, "yes we would like that."

We go to the store and we get them both a few toys and sheets.

When we get home, I show them around, "Clark and I sleep upstairs. You two will sleep in here for now. I thought you'd like to be together for a while. You are welcome to all the snacks in the kitchen, if you need help getting something just ask."

I slip the sheets on their bed with Charlie's help. He looks at Adora.

She is playing with her new doll.

He smiles a little, "thank you. She never smiles."

I hold out my hand, "I promise you both will be safe here. And I know Clark seems like a mean old guy but I promise he is kind and loving."

He puts his hand in mine. He looks at our hands.

I make us dinner while they watch cartoons. Charlie plays with his cars and Adora plays with him.

I set the table for us and Steff comes in with Ella.

She smiles when she sees the kids.

Charlie moves in front of Adora, "who are you?"

I come in, "it's okay Charlie. These are our friends."

Steff smiles, "I am Steff and this is Ella."

Ella smiles at him, "what's your name?"

He stops standing so protectively, "I am Charlie and this is Adora."

I look at Adora. She is shyly playing with her doll again.

Clark comes in after a bit. He has a bag.

He kneels down by Adora, "okay princess. I got you some more dolls. And I got Charlie some more cars."

Adora smiles and Clark brings out the dolls. She gently takes one of them and looks at him.

He nods, "they are all for you sweetheart."

Charlie comes over and looks at the cars. After they are done and I usher everyone to the table so dinner doesn't get cold.

They eat a lot each but I don't mind at all. I am sure that food is limited where they come from.

After dinner, we hang out in the living room, all of us. Steff leans into Ella affectionately. I am up under one of Clark's arms. Charlie and Adora are playing with their toys on the floor.

It's getting late so I convince them to get into their pajamas and they climb into their beds.

Charlie gets a book from his bag, "can you read this Zach?"

Adora gets out a little stuffed elephant. I sit down and read them the book. Charlie lays awake, watching Adora for a while until she falls asleep and then he slowly gives into the tired feeling.

I slip his book onto the shelf and turn out all the lights except their night light.

I let their door open in case they need us.

I open the paperwork the social worker gave us and read over their history.

Their mom's name and number is listed with instructions to contact her when we are ready. Further into the paperwork is their history in the system.

They were adopted out together but removed because the dad was physically abusing them. More towards Adora.

That explains why Charlie is so protective. I am sure it was traumatic to watch his sister be hurt.

Clark comes down the stairs and kisses my cheek, "it's really late Zachary, you should come to bed."

I turn to look at him, "did you read this stuff yet?"

He shakes his head, "no."

I brush my fingers over the papers, "they were adopted out before to a bad home. And Adora was the target of the abuse. I think that is why Charlie is so protective of her."

Clark looks sad at that, "that's awful."

The soft padding coming towards us. I look down and see Adora with her stuffed elephant under her arm.

I kneel down, "what is it?"

She motions to her cup that she left on the counter earlier.

I hand it to her, "thirsty?"

She drinks her drink and turns to pad back to bed.

Charlie comes in after a few minutes.

He slips his arm through hers, "you can wake me up when you need stuff Adora."

He looks at us, "she gets thirsty in the middle of the night a lot."

I nod, "that's okay. I don't mind."

They go back to bed and then I follow Clark to bed, letting our door open for them in case they might need us.