The Past Within - Mialotte - TNN

Jemma

The days that followed were filled with anxiety as they gathered every piece of evidence they could to show how much Jemma was loved and cared for in their home. They printed photos of family outings, birthdays, and moments that captured the bond they had with her. Mia started a scrapbook, writing down little memories of things Jemma had said or done that showed how deeply she was connected to them. Charlotte helped as much as she could, but every time she looked at the photos, her chest tightened with fear.

Saturday came, and with it, the visit from the social worker. The tension in the house was palpable as Charlotte and Mia waited nervously for her arrival. Jemma was in her room playing, unaware of the significance of the day, and Charlotte found herself pacing the living room, unable to sit still.

When the doorbell finally rang, Mia placed a calming hand on Charlotte's arm. "It's going to be okay," she whispered, before going to answer the door.

The social worker, a kind-looking woman in her mid-40s, greeted them warmly and stepped inside. Charlotte and Mia tried to stay calm as they walked her through their home, showing her the space they had created for Jemma. They talked about the routines they had built, the care they took in making Jemma feel safe and loved, and how much she had grown since coming to live with them.

The social worker listened intently, taking notes as they spoke. She asked questions about Jemma's emotional well-being, her development, and how they had handled her grief over losing her parents. Charlotte did her best to answer each question carefully, her heart racing the entire time.

When the visit was over, the social worker smiled at them kindly. "You two have created a wonderful home for Jemma," she said, putting away her notebook. "I'll take everything into account when we review her case, but I can already tell how much love you have for her."

Charlotte felt a small flicker of hope ignite in her chest as she thanked the woman, her hands still trembling slightly.

That night, after Jemma had been tucked into bed, Charlotte and Mia sat on the couch together, wrapped in a quiet kind of exhaustion. They had done everything they could, and now they just had to wait.

"You were amazing today," Mia said softly, her head resting on Charlotte's shoulder.

"So were you," Charlotte replied, pressing a kiss to Mia's forehead.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the weight of the day finally starting to lift. "No matter what happens," Mia said after a while, "we'll figure it out. Together."

Charlotte nodded, her hand finding Mia's in the dark. "Together."

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A few days after the home visit, the social worker returned to speak with Jemma privately. Charlotte and Mia waited anxiously in the kitchen, trying to distract themselves with small tasks, but their nerves were palpable. They couldn't hear the exact conversation taking place in the living room, but every now and then, Jemma's sweet voice floated into the kitchen, and Charlotte felt her heart tighten.

Mia squeezed Charlotte's hand, whispering, "She'll be fine. She knows how much we love her."

Charlotte nodded, though the worry still gnawed at her. They wanted nothing more than for Jemma to feel safe and secure, but the thought of someone else deciding their fate was overwhelming.

In the living room, the social worker, sitting at Jemma's eye level, smiled warmly as she spoke to the little girl. "Hi, Jemma. How are you feeling today?"

Jemma looked up from the doll she was playing with and smiled shyly. "I'm good," she said softly.

"That's wonderful to hear." The social worker's voice was gentle, and she leaned in slightly. "I wanted to ask you a few things if that's okay. Do you like living here with Charlotte and Mia?"