This is my favorite picture of Patrick.
I twirl my straw through the drink sat in front of me, trying to take in what I've just been told. Pete and Patrick sit on the opposite side of the booth and looks down at me, eagerly awaiting my response.
"So... Let me get this straight." I decide to start off easy. "You want to a-adopt me?" I stutter out the words, still unable to believe them.
"Or we can foster you. Whatever you're more comfortable with." Patrick gives me a warm smile and I can't help my own lips slowly curling up on my face.
"And we'll live in... California?"
"We looked at a couple of places in LA but we can rent out somewhere here for the next month if you aren't ready to leave." Pete bites his lip. Waiting for me to make a decision. Some kind of indication that I like the idea.
"Ok. Let's do it." I grin and feel my eyes begin to tear up. They want to adopt me. That's just... Crazy.
"Yeah?" Patrick asks, his own smile now widening.
"Yeah. Let's adopt me." I feel a tear roll down my cheek and Pete comes over to my side of the booth. He wraps his arm around me, pulling me to his side. "This... This is insane." I chuckle into his jacket and I feel him shake with laughter as well.
"Yes, but it's awesome. We don't even have to be your 'dads'. We can be like big brothers or fun uncles or something." I look up slightly to see both of them smiling.
"Ok... Ok," I pull away form Pete, taking a deep breath and slowly regain my composure. "Thank you. This is the best thing that could happen to me." Pete pulls me back to his side.
"And you bet your ass that we're gonna spoil you rotten. Anything you want." I shake my head. Never in a million years did I think someone would say that to me. "Now let's eat up before the paperwork." He makes a face and I giggle. The really are the best dads/uncles/brothers I could ask for.
===
I don't really have anything to do while Pete and Patrick discuss the legal stuff with Ms. Newbury and a man in a suit. Instead of just sitting in the back of the room and picking at my cuticles, Pete called one of their friends who was in the area to take me to do something fun. Ashley/Halsey or whatever her name is, told Pete that we could have a 'girl's day'. At least that's how she put it in her text.
After about fifteen minutes someone honks outside the home and I peer out Ms. Newbury's office window. Patrick appears at my side and looks with me. Down below is a shiny silver car that I can't quite see in to.
"That's Ash. Have fun, Lucy." He smiles at me and holds his arms open for a hug. I gladly hug Patrick, it's the least I can do after today.
"Thanks, Patrick, for everything." He nods and we pull away.
"No problem, kid. We like you. We want to be part of your life. Now, go on and let Ashley buy you crap. God knows what she has planned." He rubs his forehead and I laugh a little before turning to Pete at the other side of the room.
"Bye Pete." He looks up from his papers and quickly sets them aside.
"No, I want one of those." He gestures over to Patrick and holds his arms open, nodding a little. "C'mon kiddo."
I mock irritation and make a face when he squeezes me. "Happy?" I ask sarcastically.
"Extremely." He grins at me and I let a smile slip through before turning to the door.
YOU ARE READING
I Promise || Adopted by Peterick
أدب الهواة*Completed Lucy Ann Crowley was left on the highway at age seven. Her mother said she'd be right back. She said she promises. After daddy left mama promised she'd never leave. But one day she did. Eight years later she's fifteen and still without pa...
