Fulfilling A Dream

Chapter 8

Sarah woke to the sound of her phone buzzing on the night stand. She glanced at the clock before rolling over to get it before it woke Lily. It was only 7:30 and Ryan already knew about Maizie and that she couldn't work today, so she wasn't sure who it would be.

They had had a rough night with Maizie, she kept waking up crying for mummy, it broke Sarah's heart. Lily had offered to stay the night, she could see how much it hurt Sarah to see Maizie in that much pain and she wanted to be there for them both. As Maizie was in the spare room Lily had slept in Sarah's bed. She had done this a million times before but it was different this time, totally comfortable, there was no tension as neither of them were hiding there feelings anymore. They weren't worrying about every little touch, if it was too intimate for friends. Sarah had been so grateful that Lily had offered to stay, she wanted to ask her but she didn't what to put to much pressure on her to soon. Sarah was worried she would scare Lily off. They had snuggled up together and she had slept wrapped safely in Lily's arms, she had never felt more loved.

Sarah picked up her phone and ran down the stairs to the kitchen to answer it away from Lily and Maizie so as to not wake them.

"Hello" she answered.

"Hi, Ms Paulson, it's Bill, Maizie's social worker"

"Oh hi Bill, what can I do for you?" she said with a hint of worry in her voice. What was so urgent he was phoning so early.

"I've got some good news. I've found and adoptive family for Maizie" Sarah's heart sank. She loved this little girl so much. "And they're registered as longterm fosters carers already so they can take her this morning" he said excitedly.

Sarah couldn't think straight, it was all happening so fast. "Ms Paulson?"

"Yes, sorry. What time are you going go pick her up?" she needed to know how long she had left with her baby girl. She needed to stop thinking like that Maizie wasn't hers and now never would be.

Bill broke through her thoughts "About 10:30, then you can enjoy the rest off your day child free" Sarah knew he was only trying to be nice but she didn't want to be child free, she wanted Maizie.

"Ok, see you then" she hung up the phone. Now she had to tell Lily, maybe she should be re leaved, now she could just concentrate on her relationship with Lily after all they were a new couple. Sarah climbed back into bed and snuggled into Lily's side with a sigh. Today was going to be horrible.

An hour or so later Lily woke up turning towards Sarah and smiling. She finally was with the woman she loved and they were going to have a fun day taking Maizie to the park. It already felt so right the three of them, like a perfect little family. Lily kissed Sarah gently on the lips causing her to stir. Sarah frowned slightly and moved away. "What's the matter love, my morning breath can't be that bad" she joked. Sarah smiled slightly.

"No it's not you. I got a phone call from Bill this morning. They've found an adoptive family for Maizie and he's coming to pick her up at 10:30 this morning" she said tears shining in her eyes.

"Oh Sarah I'm so sorry. How can it all be happening so fast?" she said as she pulled Sarah into her embrace. Sarah nuzzled down into her sniffing.

"I'm only an emergency foster carer and they are longterm ones so it makes sense she move in as soon as possible so she can get used to them before they adopted her. I should be pleased for her but I'm not, I don't want to lose her, if I could I would adopt her myself but I haven't been cleared yet and it's not fair on you" Sarah said looking down and burying her face in Lily chest again.

"I know we are new as a couple but we've known each other for years and I know you're the one. We haven't really had much time to talk about all this and I know I freaked out slightly about having her here and her being our responsibility but I think I'm falling in love with her just as much as you have. I always wanted children and maybe this is how it was meant to happen. Crazy and fast, just like our friendship and now relationship happened" she said as she lift Sarah's chin with her finger to get her to look at her. "Maybe we could apply to adopt her as a couple, might be more appealing to them than a single person?"

"I love you so so much for saying all of that, but they've already found her a family. They could be the perfect couple and be able to give her everything she's always wanted and she wouldn't have to move about with us depending on where we are filming. She could live in the same village all her life and have the same friends and live a completely normal life." Sarah said sadly, "maybe it is for the best. We'll just have to make the most of our last few hours all together."

"I can't imagine her not here, she fits in so perfectly. Makes us a family." Lily said the last bit very quietly not wanting to scare Sarah with the idea of her seeing them as her family so soon.

"She really does" Sarah said kissing Lily on the lips and snuggling back into her side.

They got up and had breakfast all together. Maizie bouncing happily in her chair whilst she ate her pancakes. Maizie finished first and got down from the table running towards Sarah grinning. "Sit on your knee, please" she said looking at Sarah with her deep chocolatey eyes, arm reaching up towards her. Sarah couldn't resist picking her up and cuddling her as she finished her pancakes giving the last bite to Maizie, who smiled happily at her. "What do you want to do now honey?"

"Read outside with you and Lily" she said pointing to the swing bench outside. It was a lovely day out and still early enough to not be too hot.

"I like the sound of that" said Lily smiling. "Lets go and get you dressed first and wash loss sticky fingers before you get Mu... Sarah sticky too" she had caught herself just in time. She almost called Sarah Mummy, it just felt so natural. She hoped Sarah hadn't noticed. But she had and it made her smile, but also sad as it would never be true for her and Maizie.