For Fiona

40. News

Rachel gripped the steering wheel tightly as she whizzed through the busy Los Angeles streets in her haste to reach the Bradford house as quickly as possible. She had not expected Tamara to be the one answering the door when she arrived, but she could only look at her for a fraction of a second before her eyes settled on Tim and Lucy holding each other. Lucy had stubborn tears in her eyes. Taken aback, she asked, "How did you already hear the news?"

"What news?" Tim replied and returned his attention to Lucy, who was still crying. He wiped at her face gently to soothe her, because she thought she was failing as a mother over not taking a first day of school picture when he knew for a fact that she was the greatest mother he had ever known.

Lucy blinked at him, silently grateful for his silent support and love.

Rachel responded with, "About the decision on Fiona's adoption application."

Lucy gasped and thanks to her proximity to Tim, she felt how he was holding in a breathe, too.

"Decision?" Tamara's voice came out strangled and high, since no one else was speaking.

Rachel's eyes darted between the three of them, perplexed. She had assumed they knew, but since they did not, she shared, "Your adoption application for Fiona was approved."

Tamara's eyebrows shot up. "Approved?"

New tears sprung from Lucy's eyes, happy ones, and she beamed at Tim, utterly speechless.

"Approved," Tim whispered in awe.

"Approved," Lucy whimpered, releasing a breath she had been holding in for months. She threw her arms around him with a renewed tightness and let out a silent sob of joy.

Tamara whooped and spun around in celebration. There was something so amazing about a child in the foster system being officially adopted and permanently placed in a loving home with her absolute favorite family. She saw so much of herself in Fiona, and with Fiona's new official placement, Tamara felt like the little girl version of herself that had grown up alone was healing.

Fiona heard commotion and wiped her tired eyes before climbing out of bed and padding into the hallway. From the top of the stairs, she saw her Aunt Tamara dancing and her parents hugging. "What's gong on?" She called down to the main floor.

Rachel grinned. "I think your parents should tell you."

Her parents. Her favorite people in the world, who were hugging without her. She rushed down the stairs and tugged on her mom's pant leg. "Mommy? What's happening?"

Lucy looked between Tim and their daughter as she struggled to speak. After dreaming of the moment for months, she finally heard the decision she had been waiting for, and she was too overwhelmed to really say anything.

Tim kept one arm around Lucy while he used the other to pick up Fiona. He thought he could find the words, but when he opened his mouth, not even a sound came out, because all his mouth could do was grin.

"Fi, honey," Lucy choked out, emotion catching in her throat. She lovingly smoothed a hand through her daughter's hair. Her daughter. Officially. Her child not only in her heart but according to the state of California, too. She sniffled and gave her daughter a watery smile.

"Why are you crying, Mommy? Are you sad? Do you need another hug?" Fiona offered.

"I'm not sad, sweetheart. I'm not sad at all," Lucy answered as her lips curled. She swallowed back more tears and evenly explained, "Remember how we told you that you would live with us forever because I'm your mommy?"

Fiona nodded.

"Rachel just said we get to sign papers so it's official. Isn't that great?"

Fiona furrowed her brow. "Sign what? A drawing?"