Grow Old Without You (A Camren Story)

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Grow Old Without You (Chapter 66)

CAMILA

ADOPT? What the hell is Lauren talking about?

"Well, that would take longer than getting temporary custody." Sandy said, running his hand through his shaggy hair. Everyone's still looking at Lauren. I am still appalled. We haven't talked about this, and I know this is a big step for us, for the family. We aren't married anymore, what names would the kids get? Will the court approve of us being the parents?

"We haven't talked about it yet, but I'd want to adopt them. Knowing Camila, I know it was also in her mind. These kids, they only have Camila." Lauren said as I looked down at Amin. He was looking at me, trying to understand what's going on around him.

"We still have to get their identification, some papers to prove they were from Syria? Anything to prove their existence." Sandy said.

"I think I have some important things from Abia's bag. I haven't really checked everything she has given me when we were in the rubble." I said as Sandy looked at me expectedly.

"Could you give it to me, so we could get everything we need for these kids. I know you'd want to bring them home as soon as we can. I'll do my best to get things done as soon as we can." Sandy said looking at me.

"Camila and I are actually going back to the hotel to pack everyone's bags. Please come with us to get all that you need." Lauren said politely.

--

"Lo, are you sure about this? I mean, are you in this too?" I asked Lauren. We were already situated in the hotel room, getting everything ready for the flight back home.

"Well, yes. You're not doing this alone, Camz. I'm not letting you do this alone."

"But this is a big step. It's two lives. I'm gonna need a stable job, but not a job that requires to be out of their lives. I don't have a house. Do I have a house--" Lauren interrupted me by kissing me, like she's always done.

"Stop rambling." Lauren said pulling away from my lips.

"Am I making the right decision?" I sighed, sitting down the bed. Amin and Asha are taking a nap. I was reminded to tone down our voices when I saw Asha move in her sleep.

"Camz, you make good choices. Often times, you think you do the wrong decisions, but it ends up being the best decision you made." She sat down beside me, pulling my hands on her lap. "The doubts you have in your head? It just means you want it to be perfect, because you want it more than you know."

I nodded my head, knowing Lauren's putting some sense in my head.

"What were the papers from Abia?" Lauren asked.

"I didn't know it was their birth certificates. Abia gave them to me when we were about to leave the rubble. She had her backpack, full of their files, and important things. She gave me folded papers, wanting them safe in my bag when we traveled to the hospital. I didn't know--"

"Camila, you are rambling again." Lauren held my face in her hands, looking straight into my eyes. "You came here to help others. Maybe this was what God has planned for you and for Amin and Asha. This was his hands in work, making you the caretakers of the kids. Even though the kids would grow old without their real mom, they have you. They've had you for weeks, trained by Abia herself. Don't doubt it."

"Okay." I whispered nodding my head.

Sandy came in the room holding up a paper, showing it to the both of us.