After getting their food George speaks to Miss Clark whispering a question to her and she shakes her head yes still holding that smile after that Alyssa, George, Anna, and her brother go to the patio to eat.
I leaned over whispering into my wife’s ear, “Would you be willing to add Crystal to our family?”
Before Kathryn can answer I practically see Amanda jumping she’s pressing on Kathryn so hard I can see the outline of both little feet. Giggling Kathryn says, “I think Amanda likes the idea.”
I straighten back up and gently ask Sam, “Sam would you like to have Crystal as a younger sister?”
Sam looks at me and her eyes seemed to be as green as ever as she says, “I think she would make a good little sister. Can I adopt Cindy as my big sister?”
I tell Sam, “We’ll have to ask Ms. Clark if we can. I think Crystal really needs us right now, and we can see if Cindy can come too.” Kathryn has a slight confused expression on her face for second then shakes her head smiling as she does. Kathryn and I would do almost anything for Sam, our love is like that. We both sense that Crystal should be with us. We’re not sure if Cindy should be, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask Ms. Clark. Hopefully taking care of three girls shouldn’t be that much more difficult than taking care of two. Fortunately for us we still have lots of family nearby.
Marshall and Misty along with Ron and Reese show up just then, as the coach and Johnny get in line I realize it’s halftime. Jokingly I say, “I guess Alyssa timed dinner just perfect for halftime.”
Misty giggles at all the little girls before she asks, “Why are all these children here?”
I can’t resist playing with her and say, “Misty if you put your hand on your belly I think you’ll figure out why soon enough.”
Now given me an angry look, but her eyes tell that she really isn’t angry, Misty sticks out her tongue before she says, “JJ you know what I meant.”
Giggling Kathryn says, “JJ got enough ingredients to make four hundred tamales, and was looking for volunteers to help.”
Crystal from Kathryn’s lap says happily, “I’ll help.”
Sam quickly says, “Me too.”
Most of the young girls say as well, “Me too.”
Reese and Misty giggles and says, “Me too.” Marshall and Ron kiss their wives, but shake their head no.
Joking with them I say, “They are going to leave me alone with all these beauties.”
Marshall and Ron chuckle before Marshall says, “Like you would ever cheat on Kathryn. We’ll see the sun moved backwards first.”
Kathryn giggles at that before she looks at me and says, “Probably for a full-day before he would even consider it.”
With a chuckle I say, “Not even then.”
Dinner was fun, and I helped Sam and Crystal get seconds along with myself, when we return Sam set in Kathryn’s lap before she says, “You can sit and Daddy’s lap.” It’s then that I’m sure Sam is fine with adding Crystal to the family. Crystal doesn’t hesitate but comes into my lap easily.
A little after dinner I get the chance to speak to Ms. Clark, it’s then that I ask, “Ms. Clark, Kathryn and I would like to adopt Crystal, when can we start the paperwork? Cindy is she available for adoption too?”
Ms. Clark begins, “About Cindy, she is a special case her parents are still alive. Her father abused and neglected the girl after her mother was imprisoned. Unless the mother gives up her parental rights no adoption is possible. Unfortunately she’s between foster homes; I don’t have anyone to place her with. As for Crystal I’ll speak to the judge, I have a temporary order all he needs to do is sign it after we insert Crystal’s name.”
I shake my head with a large smile before I say, “We definitely don’t need the money that the state will give us as foster parents. How tough is it to become foster parents, Kathryn and I would be happy to care for Cindy until her mother is released.”
Ms. Clark says, “With your recent background checks, and your references no problem at all. Cindy’s mother should be released in about six months.”
With a chuckle I say, “I bet you got the paperwork for that too.”
Ms. Clark says, “Would you blame me if I do?”
Still chuckling I say, “I thought it was the Boy Scouts that are always prepared.”
Ms. Clark returns in a subdued tone, “And social workers who don’t have enough room for the children they have to care for.”
That silenced my chuckle in a heartbeat and I ask, “Is there anything else I can do for the children?”
Ms. Clark has a soft smile as she hugs me stepping back she says, “Bless you JJ, you’re helping with the overcrowding already, you helped stretch our food budget by feeding them tonight, and it looks like three more of the children are getting their adoption started tonight as well. If you or anyone else I wouldn’t ask any more them than you have already done, but we need warm coats and clothing.”
I say, “Is that all? I’ll do that in a heartbeat; after all I have a large family that would love to take the children shopping. We can get them warm clothing for the rest of the winter. If you need any more food, or anything else ask and it is yours.”
Ms. Clark asks, “Just like that, I don’t need to beg?”
I say, “Just like that, anything you need for the children make a list and I’ll see that you have it as soon as I can get it. Anything that is needed urgently for the star beside it, I’ll do whatever I have to; to make sure you have that right away.”
Kathryn slides underneath my arm still holding to Crystal as she holds to her bear; she’s not clinging to it like before. They both smile up at me before I say, “Crystal would it be all right if you came and stayed with us?”
Crystal looks from me to Kathryn, who smiles brightly and says, “Please Crystal would you stay with us?”
Crystal reaction isn’t exactly what I thought it would be, she just throws her arms around Kathryn but she begins to cry as she clutches to Kathryn. Ms. Clark says in a very soft voice, “Crystal has not grieved yet, this is actually good.”
Kathryn holds Crystal as she cries and I gently caress Crystal’s back. I whisper, yet loud enough for both Kathryn and Ms. Clark to hear, “You’re safe now Crystal, you’re with your new family we’re going to take good care of you.”
Ms. Clark says, “JJ can you take care of Crystal starting tonight. I think it would be best for her if she stayed with her new parents. I’m sure the judge will approve it.”
It almost sounds like Crystals holding her breath waiting for my answer so I don’t hesitate. Feeling Kathryn’s agreement I say, “I can’t think of a better place for Crystal than with her new Mommy and Daddy and her big sister.”
Crystals head pops up and she looks into Kathryn’s eyes and asks, “Really?”
Kathryn smiles back gently saying lovingly, “Really Crystal, if it’s all right with you.”
Crystal buries her head against Kathryn again and begins to cry once more I can sense a difference in her tears they’re mixed between relief and joy. Ms. Clark has a confused look, like she can sense the difference too but doesn’t understand quite yet. I tell Ms. Clark, “They are joyful tears; Crystal is relieved of the fear of being alone.”
Ms. Clark is smiling brightly as Sam runs to me seeing Crystal is upset and crying Sam holds her teddy bear from Santa and it looks remarkably the same as Crystal’s teddy bear. Sam says, “Daddy, catch me.”
I hold my arms open as Sam jumps into me hard with a thump as our chests meet. My arms wrap around Sam keeping her from sliding down as her legs wrapped around me. After taking a breath Sam leans over and begins to hug Crystal and Kathryn now that she’s at the same level. Sam says, “It’s okay Crystal, our Mommy and Daddy really love us.”
Crystal turning her shoulders and head and looks in Sam’s face before she asks, “Are you going to be my sister?”
Giggling Sam replies, “I sure am, look even Santa got is the same type bears to let us know we’re going to be family.”
Ms. Clark sucks in her breath hearing that. Crystal giggles and says, “That’s what my note from Santa said, when I found a bear like mine I would know I’m home.”
Ms. Clark says, “Oh God I wish I had not thrown the note away.”
Crystal reaches into her pocket and pulls out a tattered folded piece of parchment, she unfolds it and it reads. To my Princess Crystal: This bear will show you your new home when you find one like it. Love Santa Claus.
Smiling at Ms. Clark I say, “Doesn’t that make you feel like your nine again, and still believe in Santa.”
Laughing Ms. Clark replies, “I don’t know about being nine, but I do believe.”
Ms. Clark excuses herself going for her briefcase and her prepared paperwork still in the van she came in. When she returns Ms. Clark uses a pen to fill in Crystal’s name onto a form for temporary custody and a second to start adoption procedures. Before Kathryn and I sign them Ms. Clark asks Crystal, “You sure this is where you want to stay?”
Without a moment’s hesitation Crystal shakes her head yes before she says, “This is the family Santa chose for me.”
Ms. Clark smiling says, “I don’t think anyone would be better for you than JJ and Kathryn Meyer.”
Sam says, “What about me, I’m going to be her big sister.”
Giggling Ms. Clark says, “No one has forgotten about you Sam, you’re going to be a great big sister.” Sam and Crystal giggle and hug each other.
Fortunately for us, Uncle George signs the orders and Crystal was ours starting that night, although another judge would have to confirmed the orders in a few days, Ms. Clark was happy to leave her with us due to the overcrowding she was currently dealing with. Uncle George and Alyssa also took Anna and her little brother Alan in that night.
Ms. Clark started the adoption paperwork for MC that night as well, but some issues prevented MC from taking the little girl home that night. Within a week she will have the paperwork accomplished and her young friend Rosy will become her daughter. Mrs. Clark supervisor wasn’t available, to approve us taking Cindy so reluctantly she returned to the orphanage that night as well. Both girls would be coming with us shopping tomorrow.
Hopefully MC can get the necessary furniture for her new daughter tomorrow, and delivered on short notice. Although I think MC in a pinch would get camping gear, MC and her daughter could have an adventure camping in a bedroom.
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