World War One

Adoption

THIRTY THREE - ADOPTION

3 weeks later

Rose had found a part time job as a cashier 10-3, 4 days a week, whilst she couldn't wait to start the job and be distracted whilst the kids were at school, she was grateful to have a 5th day to do stuff such as the housework.

Jack was still working 5 days a week at the printers and he and Will would get Harry, Thomas and George together regularly.

—

It was around 9pm and Jack and Rose sat in the living room filling out forms to enrol the kids in school.

"It's asking for their surname...?" Jack said "do we put Dawson or Smith?" "Oh, erm, I mean I guess at the minute it technically is still Smith... we should talk to Grace and see if she wants to change it, so we'll go back to that part of the form" Rose smiled weakly and continued to fill out Poppy's form whilst Jack filled out Grace's.

"Rose, what do we do about custody? Do we adopt them, take guardianship of them? I don't know how any of this works..." Jack said, looking up at her. "Well, I think it makes sense for us to adopt them, I think it would make them - especially Grace - feel apart of a proper family, something they've never really had. But equally that has to be something we agree on, and then they agree on to. I can't imagine the twins saying no, but Grace might be a little more cautious" she shrugged "you think? Even though she calls us Mum and Dad?" Jack asked confused "I don't know... it's one thing calling us that and another us actually being that..." she replied "let's talk to her about it tomorrow. She can decide, then we can see what she says about the twins regardless of her own decision" Jack nodded in response.

—

It was the following morning - a Saturday - and Jack and Rose were downstairs in the living room. Jack was sat drawing and Rose sat reading when Grace walked in, surprising Jack and Rose by being awake earlier than the twins for once. "Morning" she yawned and slumped on the sofa "morning" they responded with a smile.

After letting Grace wake up properly, Rose spoke up. "We were filling out the forms to enrol you in school last night, it's asked for yours and the twins surname. Technically, we have to put Smith, because that's still your surname, but if you'd like, we can change yours and the twins surname to Dawson... only if you want to of course, and we don't have to if you don't want, but we wanted to ask you before we ask the twins" Rose rambled "I'd love us to" Grace nodded and smiled, before her face changed a little "could we maybe hyphenate it? I want us to get rid of any trace of relation to Lucy, but Smith was my Dad's surname, and he meant a lot to us... he did love us" she asked awkwardly "of course we can!" Jack replied "thanks..." she smiled weakly, pleased they were OK about it.

—

"We erm- we wanted to talk to you about something Grace" Jack said as Grace walked back in to the living room after grabbing a drink from the kitchen "yeah?" She asked, sitting on the sofa opposite them "how would you feel about us adopting the 3 of you? It's completely your choice and if you don't think now is the right time but do in the future that's OK, there isn't a time limit on it..." Jack went to continue "I'd love you too... but it would mean you have to keep the twins... even if you get sick of me" she laughed a little "we'd never get sick of you... and we will always keep the twins AND you!" Rose replied seriously. Grace got up from the sofa and walked over to Jack and Rose, hugging them.

—

Harry and Poppy came downstairs and in to the living room not long after the 3 of them had finished their conversation "morning" the 3 of them said in unison to the twins "morning" Harry yawned and he and Poppy climbed on to the sofa beside Grace, holding on to their teddy's.

"Should we make you some breakfast?" Rose asked them "yes please" Poppy answered "what would you like?" She asked "toast please" Harry nodded in agreement.

—

The 5 of them sat at the kitchen table, Grace, Poppy and Harry eating their breakfast whilst Jack and Rose drank their coffee "Harry? Poppy?" Jack said, getting their attention "me and Rose were wondering if you would like us to adopt you..." "what's that?" Harry frowned "it would mean we get to be your real Mummy and Daddy, forever... and no one could ever take you away" "yes" Poppy replied instantly "would you be Grace's mummy and daddy too?" Harry asked carefully, eyeing Jack with a frown. Grace stifled a laugh, appreciating Harry's kindness "yes darling" Rose replied "then yes please" Harry nodded. Jack and Rose looked at one another and smiled "come here" Jack said to the 3 of them, who walked over to them, the 5 of them embracing in a hug.

"Come on, let's all get ready and we can decide what to do today... what would you like to do?" He asked the 3 of them "ooo can we go to the zoo please?!" Harry grinned "the zoo?" Rose asked, surprised at his suggestion but happy to oblige "Dad promised he'd take us to Central Park Zoo before he was drafted... but he never got the chance" Grace smiled at Rose sadly "he's always wanted to go" "oh..." Rose gave her a sympathetic smile "well, of course we can go to the zoo!" She looked at Harry "Thank you!" Poppy grinned up at her and Rose stroked her cheek. "Right! Come on" Jack said, lifting Harry up and running upstairs with him, making him laugh.