May 21st 2020
- Taylor -
Rosie was super clingy after Karlie left but we talk to the model a lot and I don't mind the extra cuddles and attention she needs. Today the social worker is coming over to the house to check in and I have undeniable nerves in the pit of my stomach.
"Can I go and get Avie?" Rosie looks up to me and I nod as I lift her off of the counter, "I think she's on my bed, honey." We named the little one's giraffe on a call with Karlie the first night she was gone and Rosie always has it by her side.
I finish cleaning up the kitchen from earlier on and by the time I'm done Ro hasn't reappeared, so I go off in search of the little girl. I stop by the living room door, a smile gently playing on my lips as I spot the little one on the floor playing with her tea set. It's been about a week now and Rosie is way more settled than I could've anticipated she would be but it's an incredible relief that Ro feels safe with me.
I pull myself from my thoughts as my phone pings, letting me know that the social worker has come through the gate. I spoke to Rosie about Ms Murray coming for a visit this morning but I still can't help the nerves bubbling in my stomach.
"Taylor, its nice to see you again," the social worker smiles as I greet her at the door, "I appreciate that, it's nice to see you again too." We share quick greetings and then I lead her to the living room with a soft smile. "Hey Ro, can you come and say hello to Ms Murray?" The little girl looks up with a nervous smile as she says hello and I make a silly face, trying to reassure the little one.
"We're going to be in the kitchen, honey, alright?" Rosie nods as she cuddles Avie and I smile as we leave the room, the five year old content with her toys and Sofia the First playing on the television. "She seems to have settled well here," Ms Murray comments as we walk into the kitchen and I nod, "we have our rough moments but she's such a gentle little soul, she's finally starting to relax and settle down."
I offer refreshments and bring two glasses of water over as I sit down in front of the woman. "So, first things first, I was contacted about your enquiry into adoption?" My attention is immediately peaked as I nod, "I know it's still early, but I wanted to know where I stand and where Rosie stands when her parents are found." The social worker observes me for a minute as I speak and then pulls her notes from her purse, "Rosie's case is classed as child abandonment due to her age and under these circumstances it means that we give the birth parents a three month window to re-enter her life and if there is no contact made within that time frame then Rosie is fully in the custody of the state and can be adopted."
I nod as I run over the new information in my head. Rosie is safe and loved and happy here, I want to be able to give her that for the rest of her life if I can. "What happens if they try to make contact with her?" I frown, the thought is terrifying to me, Rosie has already been through so much at their hands, I don't want anything to be able to hurt her anymore. "We can approach that subject if it ever happens but it would probably end up in a lengthy legal process unless they agreed to sign away their parental rights."
I sigh, knowing that all I can really do is hope it doesn't get that far. They abandoned Ro and all I want is to give her a home and a family and if they stand in the way of that then it's just pure evil. "I also wanted to ask about my partner. I was wondering what would happen if we tried to adopt Ro together since we're not married?" Karlie and I have talked extensively about where we see our future going, and one thing we resoundingly agree on is that we want Rosie to be a permanent part of it.
"Unfortunately as of this point in time unmarried couples cannot adopt. Either you would need to wait until you were married or only one of you could legally adopt her and assume parental responsibility." The research that I've done pretty much told me as much, but I wanted to be absolutely sure. "Thank you, you've been incredibly helpful."
