The softly lighted living room, which had once been filled with a child’s laughing, reminded Eleanor of her great loss and incapacity to move forward. She and her husband, Joseph, lost their daughter Ava to cancer, and things have never been the same since. The anguish and pain that had settled into Eleanor’s life was incredibly difficult to overcome. Eventually, the loss impacted her relationship with Joseph, and the two separated.
All Eleanor could wish for was to be a mother again.
Five years after Ava passed away, she decided to adopt a kid. Eleanor was browsing adoption websites for hours on end when she came across an image of a young girl named Charlotte. The girl’s similarity to Ava was amazing. They not only had the same hair color, but Eleanor noticed that they had similar facial features.
Without hesitating even a bit, Eleanor called Grace Adoption Services.
“Hello, this is Grace Adoption Services. I’m Samantha. How can I assist you today?” a warm voice came on the other end.
“My name is Eleanor. I’m hoping to adopt, and a little girl on your website has caught my attention,” she said, scratching her head.
“We’ll set up an appointment for you to come in and meet us. It’s always best if we do this in person.”
Eleanor was quick to agree. “I’m ready to take that step,” she said. “I want to make a difference in a child’s life.”
On the day of the meeting, Eleanor waited nervously at Samantha’s office.
“It’s wonderful to meet you in person,” Samantha said. “I’ve read your application and can already tell you’d be an amazing parent.”
Eleanor was questioned about her motivations for wanting to adopt, as well as other aspects of her background. She was also asked about her spouse, and Samantha informed her that a two-parent home had a better chance of adopting a kid.
Eleanor revealed that her relationship with her ex had shattered with the loss of their daughter, but the two were still in contact and working to repair their relationship.
Eleanor then left the agency with high expectations of being able to adopt Charlotte. She was so confident that her wish to become a mother again would be granted that she set up a child’s room and purchased everything Charlotte would require if she became her daughter.
Eleanor and Charlotte then met in the park. When Eleanor saw her in person, she was struck anew by the child’s similarity to the late Ava. She purchased some coloring books and markers, which Charlotte received with a modest “Thank you”.
The day was full with fun and laughter, and Charlotte even informed Eleanor that she would love for her to be her mother since she didn’t want to be in foster care anymore.
In the following weeks, Eleanor and Charlotte developed a stronger bond as Charlotte visited Eleanor’s home, explored her new bedroom, and shared meals with her.
Finally, Eleanor called Joseph. “Ellie,” he greeted warmly. “I’ve been thinking about you.”
“I have some big news to share. Can we meet tomorrow?” she told him.
The following day, Eleanor explained to Joseph that she wanted to adopt. “I can see this means a lot to you. It’s good to see you so alive again,” he responded. “I can’t let grief consume me,” she said. “We can’t let grief consume us.”
In the days to come, Joseph joined Eleanor and Charlotte to dinners and visited them in the house.
Charlotte was happy in what she imagined would be her lifelong home. “I never had a mother like you. “I don’t want to return to foster care,” she said Eleanor. I will be, sweetheart. “I’ll be your mother forever.”
Finally, the adoption day arrived, and Eleanor brought her closest family and friends to witness the wonderful event. Joseph was also present.
Eleanor and Charlotte stood hand in hand before the court, who formalized the adoption. Eleanor’s eyes welled up with happy emotions as she gazed at Charlotte, understanding they were starting a new chapter together.
Charlotte thrived in her new setting, acting as a reminder of the love Eleanor and Joseph had once lost, as well as the bountiful love they now possessed.
Charlotte’s presence in their lives drew Eleanor and Joseph closer together, rekindling their bond.
Eleanor received an unexpected call from Samantha. Her voice sounded weird, and Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat because she knew something was wrong.
“Eleanor, Charlotte’s biological mother has contacted me,” the adoption agency owner revealed. “She claimed that Joseph could be Charlotte’s biological father.”
“What? Charlotte could be Ava’s half-sister?” Eleanor whispered.
“We need to confront Joseph about this,” Samantha advised. “If he denies it, a paternity test may be necessary.”
“Why does it matter if she gave the kid up?”
“She said that the affair was quick, but if the biological dad suddenly wants to be in the picture, she may want to challenge the adoption,” Samantha told me. “I just want to be sure nothing can mess with Charlotte’s happiness.”
Eleanor got up the phone and approached Joseph, who was gardening outside. She told him what Samantha had told her and asked whether he had an affair with anyone. Joseph admitted to having a one-night stand with a lady he met in a support group for grieving parents that he joined following Ava’s death and their separation.
“It was a terrible mistake,” he confessed.
“You mean to say that you might be Charlotte’s father then if this woman gave her up for adoption?” Eleanor inquired, horrified.
“I left the organization shortly after she informed me she was pregnant. “But she might have given the child up for adoption,” Joseph said, nodding.
Eleanor, overwhelmed, inquired about a paternity test, to which Joseph said without hesitation, “I will.” “I’ll take full responsibility for this.”
Eleanor spoke with Samantha regularly while they waited for the results. “In most jurisdictions, once an adoption is complete, it is generally irreversible,” her now-friend stated softly. When the results arrived, Eleanor had difficulty breathing as they opened the envelope that could change their life yet again. She read it slowly: “Joseph is not Charlotte’s father! “Thank God!”
Upon hearing this news, Eleanor saw Charlotte’s resemblance to Ava as a miraculous coincidence and a second chance for her family. Through Charlotte, Ava could forever remain a part of them.
