A distraught mother ultimately decides to adopt another kid after losing her five-year-old daughter to cancer. However, she is forced to face a challenging circumstance when a secret that her estranged spouse held comes to light.
Eleanor threw her Chinese take-out box somewhere behind her and yelled in the dim light of her living room, unconcerned. The sound broke the stillness that now characterized her formerly lively home.
Eleanor had lost her passion for everything, including her work in fine art photography, since she separated from her husband, Joseph, a year after losing her daughter, Ava, to leukemia five years prior.
Eleanor’s only desire was to become a mother once more, despite the fact that she and Joseph had talked about trying to reconcile. She had been on adoption websites for hours over the past year.
She exalted herself and gave a little yelp when she found Charlotte, a child who was a perfect representation of Ava.
After a few more minutes, Eleanor reached for her phone and clicked to view more of her Grace Adoption Services pictures.
“Hello, Grace Adoption Services is here. My name is Samantha. How may I help you now? A friendly voice answered the phone.
Eleanor is my name. A little girl on your website has caught my eye, and I’m hoping to adopt her,” she added, scratching her head.
Samantha answered softly. “We will schedule a time for you to visit and meet with us. We should always do this face-to-face.
Eleanor nodded too soon. She said, “I’m prepared to take that step.” “I wish to have an impact on a child’s life.”
With a laugh, Samantha arranged a meeting. For the first time in years, Eleanor hung up with a glimmer of optimism in her chest.
Eleanor found herself anxiously waiting at Samantha’s office on the day of the meeting.
“Meeting you in person is fantastic,” Samantha gave her a cordial greeting. “After reading your application, I’m sure you’d make a fantastic parent.”
The two women talked about Eleanor’s history, her adoption motivations, and her future aspirations. Samantha’s desk had a family photo that Eleanor frequently glanced at.
Samantha noted, “Ah, you’ve been eyeing that for a while,” and introduced her two kids, Macy May and Mary Ellen.
“I want that back,” Eleanor said.
Samantha cleared her throat but nodded. “Can you tell me a little about your husband?” she asked after taking a long breath. Adopting children into a two-parent household is crucial.
Eleanor described their separation as a result of the death of their daughter and her desire for a reconciliation. “I will tell him about my adoption attempt, but I haven’t told him yet,” she disclosed.
Samantha advised Eleanor to speak with Joseph about the adoption and hoped to meet him if he was open to meeting. After agreeing to give it a shot, she requested the girl’s file from the website. Charlotte was her name.
Eleanor wiped away the tears in her eyes and remarked, “She looks like a wonderful girl.” “I relate to her in some way. She seemed to have been destined to be in my life.
An hour later, full of optimism, Eleanor walked out of the agency. In the weeks that followed, she transformed the spare room into a warm and inviting environment as she prepared her house for a kid.
Eleanor kept in touch with Samantha throughout this period, but she was hesitant to speak with Joseph on the adoption. She acknowledged her hesitation when Samantha asked.
“All right,” Samantha assured her, “you remain a very strong contender.” Being single isn’t always a bad thing. After all, these are modern times.
Samantha called a few days later with some wonderful news. They had arranged for Eleanor and Charlotte to meet formally at a park. She bought coloring books and markers for the young girl as a present in order to get ready for the encounter.
Eleanor arrived early on the momentous day and sat down on a bench while holding Charlotte’s gift. She looked for Samantha and Charlotte in the vegetation.
She soon caught sight of them. Charlotte seemed timid and reserved, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. Eleanor gave them a kind greeting. She shook Samantha’s hand and remarked, “It’s nice to see you again.”
“And you. Charlotte is here,” Samantha answered.
Eleanor leaned a little and said, “Hello.”
With a hesitant reply, Charlotte met Eleanor’s eyes for a moment. She was shocked once more by how much the girl resembled Ava.
They strolled around the park and made themselves at home beside the pond. She handed her gift to Charlotte. She proposed, “I thought we could use this to write or draw about our day.”
Charlotte gave a gentle “thank you” as she accepted the present.
A connection started to develop between them as they moved closer. Bits and pieces of the girl’s foster care life were revealed as she gradually opened up. Eleanor was moved by Charlotte’s enthusiasm and inventiveness.
Samantha went into detail about Charlotte’s adoption’s legalities and support networks at a later picnic meal. However, they all departed with the hope that this would be resolved.
In the weeks that followed, she and Charlotte developed a closer bond as Charlotte came to Eleanor’s house, looked around her new bedroom, and shared meals.
At last, Eleanor gave Joseph a call. “Ellie,” he said kindly. “You have been on my mind.”
“I have some big news to share,” Eleanor retorted. Is it possible for us to meet tomorrow?
Joseph and Eleanor discussed the adoption over coffee the following day. After listening intently, he spoke introspectively. “I realize how important this is to you. It’s nice to see you looking so vibrant once more.
His comprehension brought her relief. She remarked, “I can’t allow grief to control me.” “We must not allow grief to control us.”
Recognizing her deeper meaning, Joseph nodded.
With sleepovers and even dinners with Joseph, who began to visit frequently, Eleanor and Charlotte continued to grow closer.
Charlotte opened up one evening while Eleanor read her a story before bed. “You are the best mother I have ever had. I have no desire to return to foster care.
As Eleanor comforted her, her voice became heavy. “My dear, you won’t have to. I will always be your mother.
For Eleanor and Charlotte, the day of the formal adoption hearing marked a major turning point. Joseph was one of the close friends and family members whom Eleanor had asked to celebrate this important event.
Eleanor and Charlotte stood hand in hand before the court at the hearing as he completed the adoption; she looked at Charlotte and shed happy tears as she realized the new chapter they were starting together.
Eleanor invited Joseph to join them for dinner outside the courtroom. “Joe, join us for dinner this evening. “You’re also a part of this celebration,” she said.
Joseph said, “I’d love to, El.”
Over the next two weeks, Eleanor, Joseph, and Charlotte began to combine their lives. They attended counseling sessions, expressing their sadness and the obstacles they faced.
After one session, they found themselves in a deep conversation. “Joseph, I know this isn’t what we planned, but it’s the path I need to take,” Eleanor said, feeling like she was confessing a crime.
“I love you and want to be a real part of this with you,” Joseph said, clearing his voice.
Charlotte flourished in her new surroundings over time. She reminded them of everything they had to offer and the love they had lost.
However, Eleanor was instantly chilled by Samantha’s tone when she called one day.
The proprietor of the adoption business disclosed, “Eleanor, Charlotte’s biological mother has gotten in touch with me.” “She asserted that Charlotte’s biological father was Joseph.”
“What? Could Charlotte be Ava’s half-sister? Eleanor muttered.
Samantha, however, informed her that they urgently needed confirmation. Samantha suggested, “We need to confront Joseph about this.” “A paternity test might be required if he denies it.”
“Why is it important that she gave up the child?”
Samantha gave a serious explanation, saying, “She stated that the affair was brief, but she might want to contest the adoption if the biological father suddenly wants to be involved.” “I just want to make sure that Charlotte’s happiness won’t be affected by anything.”
Eleanor hung up and went out to the garden where Joseph was working. She hastily shouted out Samantha’s words and demanded the truth from him.
His eyes were wild and bewildered at first, but then he hung his head and confessed to having a brief romance with a member of a bereaved parent support group he had joined following Ava’s passing and their split.
“It was a terrible mistake,” he said, his eyes becoming distant.
“You mean that if this woman placed Charlotte for adoption, you might be her father?” With a horrified expression on her face, Eleanor asked.
Shortly after she revealed her pregnancy to me, I left the group. However, she may have placed the child for adoption. Joseph squinted his eyes and nodded.
Overwhelmed, Eleanor just put her hands on her waist and nodded. Joseph said without hesitation, “I will,” in response to a question concerning a paternity test. I will fully accept responsibility for this.
Although they took the test as quickly as they could, the results would not be available for days. Eleanor considered telling Charlotte, but she held off until they learned the truth and the legal issues were settled.
And she talked to Samantha all the time. Her now-friend gently clarified, “Once an adoption is finalized, it is usually irrevocable in most jurisdictions.”
A few days later, during the most tense and nervous days of Eleanor’s life since Ava’s death, the results were sent to her by email. During treatment, she and Joseph had discussed all of their options and the implications of this for them.
But until they learned the truth, they couldn’t make a decision. When the email showed up in Eleanor’s inbox, Samantha was there to visit them. Slowly, she read, “Joseph isn’t Charlotte’s father! God be praised!
Since Joseph wasn’t Charlotte’s real father, Samantha was able to verify a few days later that the biological mother had made the decision to end the relationship.
Eleanor viewed Charlotte’s similarity to Ava as a fortunate coincidence and a second opportunity for her family after learning this information. Because they now understood the value of every moment, her late daughter will always be a part of them.
