Christmas With The Houstons (Acceptance #4) (20 page)

“Both of us together!” Hannah squeals excitedly.

“What’s pre-adopt?” The confusion on Mia’s face is unmistakable.

“Pre-adoption or a pre-adoptive family is a person or couple who wants to take you to their home and get to know you so eventually you can all be a forever family. It takes about a year, sometimes two, before an adoption can become final and that’s why it’s called pre-adoption.”

Mia’s confused features disappear now that she understands a little bit better. It’s hard to explain to a five-year-old.

Since the social worker isn’t here yet, I don’t want to say anything more. I don’t know Mrs. Bass and don’t know how she likes to work her cases. As soon as this was moved to a pending potential adoption, they reassigned Marie because we’re friends.

“That’s really good news, you guys. We’re happy for you.”

Jake follows my lead and keeps his mouth shut.

“Did you come over to say goodbye to us?” Mia asks sweetly.

“Something like that,” Jake answers with a smile.

“I hope our new mommy and daddy will be nice like you. Can you stay and meet them?”

Oh, Hannah, you have no idea how much you just filled my heart with joy.

“We’d love to,” Jake and I answer in unison, and they giggle like it’s the funniest thing in the world.

A woman has just parked her car and is walking toward us. I’m sure this is Mrs. Bass.

“Will we still be able to meet Jaxson?” Hannah asks loudly with her hand on my belly.

“Who’s Jaxson?” Mrs. Bass asks with a knowing smile.

“He’s April and Jake’s new baby,” Mia answers for her.

“I’m sure something can be arranged,” she tells the girls with a wink. I like her; she’s got good vibes oozing from her pores.

“Did you hear that, April? We can still see Jaxson!” Hannah is so excited to meet this baby, it’s almost like she knows he’s going to be a big part of her life.

“Why don’t we all go inside and talk?” Mrs. Bass opens the door and the girls run to the dining table and sit down, grinning ear to ear. Next to the front door are two suitcases, packed and ready to go.

This is really happening.

Jake squeezes my hand under the table and doesn’t let go. The smile on his face hasn’t left since we got the call. Considering how down in the dumps he’s been since last night, I know this was exactly what he needed to be ready to embark on this new part of our lives.

“Mia and Hannah, I know the two of you really enjoy staying with Mrs. Robinson.”

The both nod solemnly. This must be somewhat scary for them.

“We’ve been working hard to find you parents who’d like to give you a pre-adoptive home with hopes of it becoming your forever home. Sometimes the families aren’t a good fit and you have to start over in foster care. In this case, I don’t foresee this happening but I need to tell you it is a possibility. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” they reply softly in unison.

“So we’d come back to Mrs. Robinson?” Hannah asks curiously.

“If Mrs. Robinson had room, then in all likelihood, yes. But if not, you’d go to a different temporary foster home while we looked for new pre-adoptive parents. Does that make sense?”

They both nod their heads but they don’t look as happy as they did a few minutes ago. I don’t blame them; it’s a scary discussion to have, especially when you’re so young and don’t fully grasp the enormity of the situation.

“Good. It’s important you give your new home a chance. Your new parents are very excited to meet you and can’t wait to bring you home. You’ve both made an impression on them and that is why they’ve decided to take both of you.”

Mia scrunches up her nose in confusion.

“Mrs. Bass, we haven’t met anyone to make an impression.”

She’s smart as can be and I’m relieved to know they really didn’t have a clue Jake and I were interested. It means we never got their hopes up.

“Mia, Hannah, you
have
met them. Mr. and Mrs. Houston would like to be your forever parents.
If
the pre-adoptive trial works out,” she cautions sternly, but it falls on deaf ears; they’re already excited.

Hannah jumps up and runs to Jake. He releases my hand to catch her when she jumps in his lap.

“It’s true? You want to be my new daddy?”

“With all my heart,” he answers, and I can’t help it; I’m crying. It’s the most precious thing ever.

Mia stands next to me and reaches her arms out for a hug. She’s so timid but it’s what makes her adorable.

“You’re going to be our new mommy?”

“If you’ll let me, I’d love to try and I know Jaxson would really like some sisters to play with.”

“Jaxson would be our baby brother. We’d get to see him all the time, Mia!”

“We really get to come home to your house today?” She’s taking her time processing all of this information. She’s been here such a short time compared to Hannah and the only home she’s ever known is right across the street.

“You would, and as soon as we leave here we were going to take you shopping so you can pick out what you want for your rooms… or room, if you want to share,” Jake says, trying to get her excited. Hannah is still clutching on to him for dear life. I don’t think I could pry her off if I tried.

She nods and a smile finally breaks out across her face. “Can we come back and visit Mrs. Robinson?”

“Of course we will. She’s taken really good care of you both and we know she’d like to see you two grow up.”

“I’d like visits very much. I always like to keep in touch with my kids once they find their forever families.”

“Alright, girls, why don’t you go with Mrs. Robinson and take a look around, make sure you didn’t forget anything. I’ve got a few things to go over with your new parents.”

Hannah kisses Jake on the cheek and hops down and Mia follows them into the other room.

“Do you have booster seats in the car?” Mrs. Bass directs her question at Jake, almost as if testing his knowledge.

“Yes, ma’am, they are in the trunk just waiting to be snapped in.”

“Good answer. You’ll have some home visits coming up over the next few months. Some will be scheduled and some will be surprise visits. The girls’ progress at school will be monitored and we’ll keep an eye out for anything we might consider a red flag.”

Jake looks nervous and this time I squeeze his hand under the table.

“This is all precautionary, Mr. Houston. We have to do this with all families. My first impression is rarely wrong and considering your strong community ties, along with the fact your wife was a social worker until just recently, I’m sure none of this will be more than a formality.”

We spend the next few minutes going over documents and signing a few forms before she stands and shakes our hands.

“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Houston, you’re starting the beginning of a beautiful family today. Good luck.”

“Thank you,” we reply as she excuses herself to talk to the girls and Denise.

“This is happening, Jake, it’s really happening.” My tears are falling freely but I don’t even care. Most women cry when they have children, but today I’m getting two. Even Jake’s eyes are misting. He’s wanted this for so long and it’s finally a reality.

He holds out his hand and helps me up from my chair then pulls me close, whispering in my ear, “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

The girls come running back out, excited to be going home. Mia is holding Tank and Denise is beaming. I’m sure she said something to them to make this easier for them. I don’t know how she does it, taking in kids and letting them go all the time. I’d never be able to let them go.

“I’ll see both of you soon,” she says and wraps them in a huge goodbye hug. Jake takes their suitcases to the car while I hug Denise.

“Thank you for taking care of them,” I whisper in her ear.

“It was my pleasure, April. I’m sure I’ll see you again real soon.”

By the time I waddle my way to the car, Jake already has the booster seats in and ready to go.

“Are you girls ready to go do some shopping?” he asks as he snaps each one of them in.

“Yes!” they reply excitedly.

My heart has never been this full.

A few hours later—after many stores, many bribes, and many phone calls—our shopping is complete. Jake paid ridiculous amounts of money to get furniture delivered and set up today. Connor and Mike supervised everything at the house while Daniel met up with us and took home all the clothes so we’d have room to bring home all the toys Jake was determined to buy.

Then once we had all the toys, Daniel came and met us once again and took them all home in his truck so we could go on a hunt for pies. Jake was right; the girls were thrilled to go place to place and pick out different pies. He let them go crazy. Thankfully, we have an empty refrigerator in the garage because we now have thirty pies.

At least there won’t be a dessert shortage tomorrow. First thing Friday, we’re going to have to take the girls food shopping. I know a few things they like but this is going to be a learning process.

When we walk in the house, everyone is waiting and there’s a big ‘Welcome Home’ banner up on the wall. They all shout out “Welcome Home Mia and Hannah!” while clapping and whistling. The girls are so excited, they are about to burst at the seams.

Hailey grabs Lucas and runs up to the girls. “My daddy says we’re cousins now!”

“Yup,” Lucas says, nodding his head stoically. “Cousins.”

“And that makes us all your aunts and uncles. Just remember, Uncle Connor… that’s me,” he says pointing to himself, “is the best uncle out of all the uncles ever to be uncles.” Mia and Hannah giggle uncontrollably and Connor looks pretty damn proud of himself for eliciting laughs from them.

“Don’t listen to him, girls.
I’m
the best uncle ever to uncle. Uncle Mike at your service. I’m Hailey’s dad.”

“We met you guys at Halloween,” Mia answers thoughtfully.

“Yes, you did,” Daniel answers, “but on Halloween I was just boring old Daniel, now I’m super awesome Uncle Daniel. I’m also husband of your super amazing Aunt Kate and dad to your awesome cousins Lucas and Haven.”

“Don’t listen to the boys. We’re all equally amazing but since almost everyone has been covered, I’m your Auntie Jess and this is your Auntie Misty. These are also your cousins Hope, Zayden, and Grant.” She’s pointing to the playpen we have set up in the living room where all the babies are sleeping.

“You guys are funny,” Hannah says with a giggle and Connor high-fives her.

“We sure are, sugar plum.”

His silly nickname makes her giggle even more, even Mia laughs with that one.

“We’re not going to stay,” Misty says turning to me. “We just wanted to welcome you home. We made dinner for you. It’s in the oven on warm and there’s a celebration cake on the counter.”

Everyone scatters quickly once Misty says they aren’t staying. With hugs all around, they gather their things and go with promises to see us tomorrow. As the door closes behind them, I turn around and take in the sight before me.

My family

As soon as I’m about to ask if they’re hungry, Luvbug begins to bark.

“You have a dog? Can we see him? Please?” Mia asks happily.

“Sure, but he’ll probably be really excited to meet you. We’re trying to teach him not to jump on people but he’s just a puppy and he doesn’t always listen yet.” 

Jake opens the door to the den and our rambunctious puppy runs out with his stuffed bone in his mouth.

“He’s so cute and he wants to play! Mia, we have a dog now, just like we wanted!”

Luvbug looks so happy to be around them; maybe he needed a playmate other than us.

“What’s his name?” Hannah asks as he licks her face.

“It was supposed to be Tank,” Jake says pointedly at me.

“Like my bear,” Mia answers thoughtfully.

“Yes, Mia, just like your bear, but he wouldn’t come when we called him that. I called him Luvbug as a joke but he liked it and so it became his name.”

“It’s cute,” Hannah says sweetly.

“Just like him,” Mia concurs.

“Well, it’s obvious you girls think it’s a good name so I guess it was meant to be. Do you guys want to see your room now?” Jake asks them and they clap excitedly. The girls decided for now they want to share a room.

“Can Luvbug come, too?” Hannah asks so sweetly. Even though Jake worries about him getting hurt because of the stairs, I think it’s a lost cause.

“Please?” they plead in unison.

“Of course he can.”

As we head upstairs to the room we told Connor was theirs, I have to pause to take a breather. I’m exhausted and these stairs are mountainous right now.

“April, are you okay?” Jakes concerned voice pulls my attention to him.

“I’m fine, just climbing for two.”

Once we reach their room, Jake opens the door and the girls squeal in delight. Luvbug runs in and immediately makes himself at home on the beanbag next to Mia’s bed, which excites her to no end.

The room is beautiful. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect, but it seems our friends have been busy. All their clothes are hung up and in their dressers and from the smell of them and the absence of tags, they’ve even been washed.

The beds are made, each decorated with the sheets and blankets the girls picked for themselves. It looks like a picture straight out of
Pottery Barn Kids
in here. I’ll never be able to repay them for this, but extra Christmas gifts might be a good start.

“It’s so pretty!” Mia squeals and runs to her bed, snuggling up with her new pillows.

Hannah, on the other hand, is pensive as she looks back and forth from me to Jake.

Jake gets down on his knees so he’s eye level with her. “Is everything okay, Hannah?”

“Yeah, I just…” Her sentence trails off and she clams up.

“It’s okay, Hannah. You can say or ask anything and we won’t be mad. This is
your
home now and we want you to feel comfortable to say whatever is on your mind,” I tell her softly, praying on the inside she doesn’t want to go back to Denise’s already.

She nods slowly but looks terrified. “What do we call you now?”