I walked into the courthouse obviously nervous. My palms were wet and clammy but Bryan didnt seem to care, he held on tight.
On one side of the room was the large group of family and friends I was about to become apart of. On the other side, the small family I was giving up.
It took me a few minutes before I could start to move. I sat down with the lawyer Owen had gotten me. At precisely 5:30, the judge came in. She sat down and looked at a file she had in hand.
"This case is about the adoption of Sadie Lilly? Will the child please stand up?" I quickly got out of my seat. She looked right at me, eyeing me up and down. "Ive read your case but Id like you to tell me a bit about yourself."
"My name is Sadie Arden Lilly. I was found by Anderson and Laura on Christmas day. The doctors believe that Im 17 years old." The judge interrupted me.
"But that was never confirmed was it?" She asked.
"No Ma'am," I replied.
"Please continue."
I looked down at my hands that were wrapped around my stomach in a protective manner.
"Im pregnant with a little girl," I whispered.
"And you filed a case against the father, correct?"
"Yes Ma'am."
There was silence as she read more of the file. She looked up and back at me.
"Why do you wish to be adopted by Dakota and Sang Blackbourne?" She finally asked.
"I have a human being inside of me. One that I will need help raising. I believe that they are the best option for me and my baby."
"You are seventeen. Why choose to get adopted now when you can leave in a year?"
I took a deep breath and tried to talk but no words came out. A tear went down my cheek. A hand grabbed one of mine. I took another deep breath, turning to see Owens hand covering mine.
"Does this have anything to do with the incident on September 5th? When you ended up in the hospital?"
A sob came loudly from my mouth. I turned and put my head on Owens chest. The memories of me in the girl's bathroom, pounding on my stomach. I could feel tears on my cheeks, the pain only visible.
"We will take a five-minute recess." The judge said before standing up and going into the back room.
A rush of people surrounded me as I cried into Owens chest. I took deep breaths to try to calm myself.
"You're doing great sissy." I heard Delilah say, as she tried to calm me down.
"Everyone is right behind you, sissy. Get through this and we go home as a family." David said.
I heard the gravel hit a few times and everyone, but Owen, went to sit.
"If this is about the baby, then why not have this family adopt the baby?" The judge asked. I turned and looked at her.
"This isnt just about my baby. Im suffering from PTSD and I believe being around someone who went through the same thing I did will help."
"So why not go into group therapy?" I was starting to get frustrated.
"Why wouldnt I choose the one option where my child and I get whats best for us without any compromise? It seems like an obvious choice to me!" I quickly shut my mouth, immediately feeling guilty for my outburst.
"Can I please have Sadie, Sang, Dakota, Laura, and Anderson in the back?"
We all stood and headed for the back door. We sat down in the chairs presented to us. I wiped my hands on my dress.
"Mrs. Sang, please tell me about your family."
Sang sat up and began to talk. "My family is large and loving. We believe that we have the support Sadie needs."
"Mrs. Sang, can you please tell me when you realized that you wanted to adopt Sadie."
"I knew that I wanted to help her when I saw her wobbling out of nephews car and into my house. After a brief discussion with my husband I decided I wanted to adopt her."
"And how did you go about all of this."
"My daughter shared her story with Sadie and I asked her to offer a discussion with us, which she took. When she came to my house, we discussed the option."
I started to blink out. I wasnt listening anymore. When the judge asked Laura for her side, I couldnt bear her answer. I had to keep reminding myself that this is what is right. This is whats best for me. For my baby.
My little girl.
My hands went to my stomach when I felt my baby kick a bit. A smile went to my face as I looked down at my bump.
"Here's what I'll do." The judge spoke, taking me out of my head. "Sadie you will get adopted by the Blackbournes. Laura and Anderson will have unrestricted visitation with notice. In six months, you all will come in for a private session to make sure that you and the baby are happy and healthy."
Laura and Anderson seemed happy about the ruling. Before heading back into the courtroom, I grabbed them both into a hug.
"Thank you for everything you have done for me. I'm extremely grateful for where I am now and thats thanks to you." I let them go and walked into the room.
"Blackbourne family. Please welcome your newest family member, Sadie Arden Blackbourne."
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