Adopted By One Direction

Chapter 18 Calm Down The Blushing

[AN: I think I’ve been watching too many episodes of “Law and Order” lately. You’ll get what I mean once you read the chapter.

[ANNABELLE’S POV]

“Okay Li-Bear,” I cooed into the phone. “I’ll go over to the house and start some dinner. She’ll need something in her stomach before she goes to bed. I’ll make sure her bed is all set up too.”

“Thanks Anna Banana,” he replied over the phone. “Oh, I got to go! It looks like they are releasing her.” I said goodbye and hung up before making my way across the street to their house. I would make some soup for Angie, and then make sure her bed was set up nice and comfy for her return. Maybe I could get her some stuff to entertain her while she recovered. I reached under the flower pot on their porch and retrieved the extra key letting myself into the house. It amazed me that the lads still left their spare key out in the open all day. I was just waiting for the day when some crazy fan found it and appeared in their living room. As I started prepping the ingredients for the soup my phone rang again.

“Hey babe,” I answered assuming it was Liam again. “Is there something else she needs?”

“Umm—is this Annabelle Hunter?” the voice of an older woman nervously chattered out over the phone. The voice was oddly familiar.

“This is her. Can I help you with something?”

“This is Mrs. Post. From the care home? Do you remember me?” Oh I remembered that awful woman.

“I remember. Is there are reason you are calling me Mrs. Post?” It sounded like she was shuffling around an empty room for some reason.

“It’s about Angelica. I—I’m afraid we are going to have to revoke the adoption.” I couldn’t decide if I should drop the phone or throw it across the room.

“The adoption was final two days ago Mrs. Post. You can’t just take her back.”

“Please, let me explain,” she pled into the phone. “It appears that we have found a relative of Angelica’s who wants to claim her. It’s our goal to always place our children with a relative if we can find one so you understand why I have to ask you to return Angelica to the home.”

“No. I don’t understand. You told me her family was gone. And even if there was some family you found she belongs with us now. WE are her family! The adoption is completed!”

“Technically you forged your friend’s signature. The paperwork isn’t legal. I could take it to a court.”

“Do that and I’ll take you to court for accepting bribes and neglect and abuse of your children.” She remained quiet for a long moment, but I could hear her breathing through the phone. “How much are they offering you?”

“I don’t know what you mean?” she sniffed suddenly indignant.

“Oh please. The only reason you would put this much effort into getting Angelica back is if someone offered you money for her. Someone is after her aren’t they?” She didn’t respond. “Who is after Angelica, Mrs. Post? What have they offered you?”