𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐋 || 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇

11 | KATIE

【 ELEVEN 】
➤ KATIE

❝but day and night
cannot dwell together.❞

oOo

"I want a baby," was the first thing she said as I picked up the call. 

I doubled over instantly, almost regurgitating my coffee all over my case reports. Colleagues flashed me apprehensive glances as they passed by my table, and I hurried to swipe away the small droplets that had escaped my cup and fallen onto the fresh papers.

"I beg your pardon?" I replied in disbelief.

"I said, I want a baby, [y/n]," I could not help but smile as my wife's melodious laughter echoed in my ear. 

"Are you serious, [c/n]?" I questioned again, and upon receiving her gleaming affirmation, began to giggle. "That's not how you break such important news to me, you silly bunny!" 

"I'm sorry, my love," I could imagine her lovely, bright smile stretching across her lips as she slid out a gorgeously delicious cake from the oven, placing it upon the counter as the smell of euphoria filled our house. My mouth was already watering. 

"Well, don't stop there, Mrs [y/l/n]!" I chuckled, signalling to my colleagues that I was taking a five-minute break. Easing my reports closed, I bounded off the table and outside the courthouse, quivering in excitement. "Go on!"

"As you wish, Mrs [c/l/n]," she beamed. "I was thinking about it for a really long time, and I even researched things a little. At first, I was all for IVF or insemination, but the more I thought about it, the more certain I got. [y/n], I want to adopt a child."

"That's all I needed to hear," I exhaled, now unable to contain my joy. [c/n] and I had been married for just over a year now, and we had talked often about the prospect of a family. The objections were mostly from her side; [c/n] said a baby at this time would interfere with the peak of my career. [c/n] had supported me from the very beginning; the lawyer I was today would not be if it wasn't for her. 

 "Now it's my turn to break some important news," I smiled. [c/n] hummed, letting me know that her attention was only for me. I heard the knife slash as she sliced through the cake on the other end. 

"I've been going to an orphanage for the past few days," I said, but before she could interrupt, continued hurriedly. "Just from the start of the week. I met this beautiful little girl. Three years old, looks and speaks like an angel. She's quite taken to calling me, 'Mommy.' I'm sure, [c/n], she'd love to do the same to you."

After a moment's silence, [c/n] spoke. "What's her name?" 

I let out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding. 

"Katie. Her name is Katie."

"Katie [y/l/n]-[c/l/n]," mused [c/n]. "That sounds beautiful."

"Isn't it?" I babbled on excitedly. "We can go this Saturday, [c/n], she's an absolute darling. You'll adore her."

"I'm sure I will, my queen." 

. . .

"Is Mommy here yet?" 

My heart swelled at the hopeful tone that Katie's voice carried as she stared up at her matron. My hand was tucked safely into [c/n]'s, and I assumed she could sense my tension, because she gave my fingers a reassuring squeeze, as if telling me that she would love the child no matter what. Ducking through some curtains, we were greeted with the sight of Katie and Miss Snowflake, the head matron. 

"Mommy?" Katie spoke again, her large periwinkle-blue doe eyes turning to assess my wife and I as we entered. Upon sighting me, she broke into a large grin, leaping forwards and into my waiting arms. 

"Mrs [y/l/n]-[c/l/n]!" Mrs Snowflake greeted warmly. "I see you've brought someone along, today?"

"Indeed I have, Edlynne," I beamed, unable to contain my joy. "This is my wife, [c/n]. [c/n], Edlynne Snowflake. Edlynne, after a long night of discussion, my wife and I have decided that we would like to adopt Katie." 

"Hi there, little one," [c/n] approached the little girl in my arms cautiously, reaching for her gleaming cocoa-skinned fingers. "Do you know me?"

"You're my other mommy!" Katie claimed instantly. "Aren't you? Mommy's told me all about you––about your pretty [c/e/c] eyes, and your pinky-pinky cheeks!"

"Has she, now?" [c/n]'s sideways gaze found me, and as we locked eyes, I saw nothing but love in her deep, crystal irises. She loved this girl perhaps even more than I did, and that was indeed saying something.

"That's wonderful, Mrs [y/l/n]-[c/l/n]!" Edlynne grinned. "I am terribly happy for the both of you! Katie will be delighted."

"You hear that, Katie?" [c/n] was whispering. "We're going to be your mommies! You get to come home with us, and have your own toys and friends, and we will love you forever."

"Really?" Katie's bluebell eyes widened in surprise. "Miss Snow, do I really?"

Edlynne nodded slowly, a small smile spreading across her aged face. 

Katie squealed, flinging her little arms around my neck. As I returned the tearful hug, [c/n] wound her arms around Katie and I together, enfolding us in the first of many family embraces to come. 

"Katie [y/l/n]-[c/l/n]," [c/n] laughed, tears of joy glittering like diamonds in her eyes. "It really is perfect, isn't it?"

"Just as perfect as you are, my queen."

oOo