Meeting Mr Firth

14

The next morning was a complete madness. We were both so nervous that we almost forgot to lock the door when we left. And the drive to the adoption centre was adventurous too. Colin couldn't focus on the road at all, he left his mind wonder and so did I.
Once we arrived, a nurse greeted us and showed the way to the girls' room. Then she asked if we preferred going inside alone and so we did. We agreed we shouldn't adopt a baby because it would've been harder on both of us. And it was the right decision. A little girl, no more than 3 years old, came toward us, smiling. She had black hair and deep brown eyes. Her smile and her eyes resembled Colin's a little. She took his hand, then mine, and asked us to play with her and her puppet friends.
I glanced at Colin but he didn't notice me. He was looking at the little girl, his eyes were shinning. I understood that our choice was made for us. It was she who chose us.
We played with her for a while and we were getting along so well. Colin glanced at me for reassurance and I nodded. He then asked..

-What is your name, sweetheart?
-My parents didn't give me a name. But the people here call me Rose.
What are your names?
-I'm Andrea, but you could call me Andy. And this is Colin.
-Would you ever like to leave this place, Rose?
-If someone would want to adopt me.
-You are such a sweet girl. Tell us, won't you like a second name?
-And a new home. Because we would like you to be our daughter.
-You are nice too. Nobody wanted to play with me before.
-How do you like the name Catherine, little sweetheart?
-I had a friend called Cathy. But she left this centre for another. I like that name.
-Then that should be your name from today, okay? Catherine Rose, but we should call you Cathy. Like your friend.
-Okay.
-Would you excuse us for a second, Cathy?
-Sure.

We walked out of the room as she kept playing with her puppets. Colin took my hand when we were on the corridor and looked straight into my eyes.

-She's perfect. And she kind of chose us before we could even realise what happened.
-I agree entirely. What are we waiting for? Let's find the nurse and sign whatever papers are needed.
***
-So, you want to adopt Rosie?
-We would love to.
-Then complete these papers now and come back tomorrow for a meeting with the director. She is to decide upon all applications.
-What time would the meeting be at?
-3 in the afternoon.
-Thank you!

We filled in the forms and left after we said goodbye to Cathy..

-We would come back tomorrow. Would you like to come with us then?
-Where to?
-To your new home.
-You are adopting me?
-Yes, we are.
-Okay. I'd like to come with you. Can we play again tomorrow?
-We certainly should.
-See you then!
-Bye-bye!

Back home I had to call Viv as I promised I should and told her everything that had happened..

-She seems sweet. I can't wait to meet her. I'm so happy for you both!
-Thank you! We have one more step until then though. The meeting with the director.
-She should be blind if she wouldn't approve of it. You'll be such great parents to Cathy.
-I believe so too. But they might see an impediment.. You know.
-You mean the age difference between you? And you don't want to say it aloud because Colin is next to you?
-Pretty much.
-Well, you got a point. But when the director will actually meet you and talk to you.. You can explain everything and she would understand. She would see that you're the perfect family. No exaggeration!
-You're right. We shall wait and see what happens tomorrow. I will call you after the meeting.
-Okay. Bye!
***
-Colin, babe, what's the matter?
-Huh? Oh..nothing. I'm just thinking about that meeting. You think we'll get the approval?
-Yes. They would see we can provide Cathy a good future and a loving family to grow up with.
-What if they won't?
-Don't even mention that. Because I'm sure they shall.
-Would they see beyond the age difference too? Because I'm not so sure.
-I know what you mean and I worry about that too. But if they bring that up I'm prepared to explain a couple of things. You'd see..you don't have to worry.
-Okay, I trust you to handle that.

He hugged me, holding me tight. That was when my emotions settled in and I started sobbing, burying my face to his chest. He runner one hand through my hair gently, telling me to calm down. I got up and he whipped away my tears slowly.

-What are you crying for now? I thought you said we shouldn't worry.
-It wasn't that.. I.. I just can't believe this is really happening. I'm going to be a mother! This is a huge responsibility.. That I don't..
-Hold on a second! That is a responsibility we are going to share. And it won't seem as huge, perhaps scary, when we'll be together. All three of us. This is exactly what that director should understand too. That we are a family.
-A happy one.

He took me in his arms and we just laid on the bed in silence. A silence that was speaking louder than a thousand words..
***
The time until the following afternoon passed fast and we were driving to the adoption centre once again before we even had time to realise that was it. The hour when our future was to be decided came.. We were both anxious, but we held each other's hand as we walked in confidently.
The nurse said we had to go straight to the director's office and that we had time enough to see Cathy after that. As we walked toward the office Colin stopped for a second. I looked at him reassuringly and held his hand tighter. He gave me a thankful look and we walked in.

-Hello! Come in! I'm Anne Gordon, director of the centre. I read your file and I see you can provide that girl a really great future from the material point of view. But I have doubts on the emotional side of the matter. I mean..
-Sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Gordon, but I know exactly what you meant. We've been thinking about that too. If we haven't thought that we could be a loving family Rose could grow up beautifully in we wouldn't be here. I can assure you I thought things over from the psychological point of view too, and I can assure you that our marriage is based on trust, love and support. Values that our daughter would learn from us. And if you would have seen the way she came to us yesterday before we even had time to look around the girls' room..you would have understood that she chose us, not the other way around. If Rose feels like she wants to be part of our family, then I don't see why you won't allow her.
-I see you got a point there, Mrs. Firth. Well, as far as I can see, you have knowledge of psychology.. You'd make a great mother indeed. And I can also see you are sincere, and your marriage is too. I understand that Rose, or Cathy as I understand you want to call her from now on, has a lot of moral values to learn from you both. And that she could grow up to be an example for other kids of her generation.
-Thank you, Mrs. Gordon! Both of us appreciate your understanding. We know it is not easy for anyone to see beyond appearances and understand that what we have is real.
-Your wife made it clear, Mr. Firth. You should be thanking her. As for the adoption process, consider it finished. You just have to sign here and then fill in the birth certificate.

And so we did. After that we were told we could go to take Cathy home. I took a moment to look at the certificate. Catherine Rose Firth. Our daughter. It all sounded so good.
We helped Cathy pack and took her home. During the drive she looked so happy, her eyes shinning brightly, a wide smile on her little round face.
As we arrived, Cathy has fallen asleep in my arms and we decided we shouldn't wake her. Colin carried her upstairs while I was getting us something to eat. After the little improvised dinner we went upstairs to check up on Cathy. She was sleeping peacefully, hugging one of her stuffed animals.
Colin placed one arm on my shoulder. I turned to see him smiling brightly.

-We should go to bed ourselves. Today was tiresome for us all.
-Tiresome but beautiful. Can I just watch her until the morning.
-She's not going anywhere, honey. Come!

We went to sleep, but woke up to see Cathy trying to get into bed next to us. She said she couldn't sleep alone so we placed her between us. She fell asleep peacefully in a few minutes' notice and we watched her sleep for a while. Then looked at each other, thankful expressions in our eyes. Thankful for the new, perfect life we got a chance to live. Thankful for our luck.
He whispered that I should sleep too because I looked tired and he wanted to watch both of his girls sleeping..