Chapter 24
Maylee
Work is simple this morning. I’ve gotten completion in two cases, which I’m thrilled about. They were both tricky but have concluded well for both sets of parents.
Annabelle is relaxed now Fabian isn’t around, and she’s more than efficient. She’s a dynamo. I’ve never had an assistant who flows with me as well as Annabelle does.
When Annabelle walks into my office, she hands me a file to check. I take the opportunity to ask her about the Valentine evening. “Are you going to the Valentine thing at The Barn?”
“I’m not sure. I asked my friends about it, but one is going away on a romantic getaway with her fiancé, and the other wasn’t interested since she’s just had a nasty breakup.”
“Oh, well, that doesn’t mean you can’t come to it. You can come with me, Myles, Oren, Clem and Whitney,” I blurt that out and then grin, because honestly that sounds a little desperate.
“I would like to go to it, but I don’t want to step on toes. You know being a third wheel, or fifth, or seventh.”
I laugh at the response, “Give up. We’d love to have you come along with us. The more, the merrier. In fact, I think Cassian and his wife, Ellen, are coming. Oh, Dan and Synthia too, so hey we are going to be a crowd.”
“Okay, I’ll come. It’s this weekend, so I’ll get a new pair of jeans I think, and maybe a new top to wear. Something soft as that’ll make me feel good,” Annabelle is mumbling to herself more than to me, and I smirk because that is exactly how I used to be before I met Myles.
I watch as Annabelle walks out of the office, mumbling to herself. I find that I like Annabelle more and more. The more I get to know her, the more I like her.
My phone rings and I pick it up when I see it is Amanda Voght. “Hello, Mrs. Voght,” I quickly say.
“Hi, Maylee. I have good news. The legalities of the adoption are complete, along with the home check I did, before I had put forward for the adoption to happen. I am thrilled to tell you that the adoption is being heard on Wednesday. Can you make it to court at 11:00 a.m.?”
“I can, and I will. Thank you so much.”
“It was easy for me, Maylee. Now, you are I’m sure going to be a fully legalized Momma come Wednesday.”
Cutting the call, I stare at my desk. This is amazing news, and I can’t wait to tell Myles when I get home. I jump when a voice breaks me out of my stupor.
“Congratulations, Maylee. You’ll be an exceptional mother to Oren.”
I look up, and Dillon is leaning against the door frame, and has obviously overheard my conversation. “Thanks. It’s Wednesday, and I hope I have a good judge.”
“I’ll make sure it happens, and I’ll speak with Griffin,” Dillon walks away.
I’m not sure why he even came to see me. But I’m shocked that Mr. Wallis’ name is Griffin. I thought it was Graham? Geez, just shows you never really know!
I shrug my shoulders and get down to work, because the sooner this day passes the better. I need to get home and tell Myles the good news.
Wednesday comes around, and my nerves are tight as a drum. Myles keeps squeezing my hand, and Oren thinks this is an outing that gets him out of school for the day.
When I told Myles about the adoption court date, he was delighted. We immediately sat Oren down and told him what was happening. Also, the judge may ask him if he wants me to be his mom.
Oren wasn’t bothered by it, and Myles thought it was just the end of the process, and he wasn’t worried at all. In fact, he said, even if it wasn’t granted I was still Oren’s mother in every way that counts. It means such a lot to me that he believes I’m an excellent mother to Oren.
Walking into court, my nerves jangle. Courts are nothing new to me, but usually I’m not the one standing and being scrutinized.
Dillon is here, and I’m surprised, but he points to the seats where he wants us and we take a seat.
Oren, loudly and clearly, asks, “When am I going to say you are my momma?”
Dillon grins, and Myles chuckles. I blush and grab Oren’s hand. “If the judge asks, then you say it.”
“Okay, Mom,” Oren sighs, but he keeps hold of my hand.
We stand when the judge enters, and it is Mrs. Pendleton. I’ve had nothing to do with this judge, but I’ve heard she is strict in her rulings.
Once we are seated again, I watch as the judge reads all the relevant paperwork in front of her. Myles is sitting quietly, not bothered by any of this. I wish Whitney had come, but she had a FaceTime meeting she couldn’t postpone.
My eyes widen when I see Dillon step up to the judge and speak to her quietly. She looks at us, then at Dillon, giving him a small nod before looking once more at the paperwork.
For the first time, I notice Amanda Voght sitting on the opposite side of the room. She looks calm and collected. No sign of worrying that this is going to turn sour.
The judge grabs my attention when she speaks. “Oren Barstow, can you stand up and answer my two questions?”
Oren stands, but keeps hold of my hand. I stand so he’s not worried, but I say nothing. Oren’s voice is clear when he speaks to the judge. “What do you want to ask me?”
“Question one is—do you miss your birth mother?”
Oren, although young, laughs in a way that can only be described as disdain. “No, she’s not a good mother. She never wanted me and never had time. I love my dad, and now my mom is here, holding my hand like any real mom would.”
“Thank you, Oren. Question two is—why do you want Maylee to be your mother?”
Oren puffs up his chest, lets go of my hand and puts his hands on his hips.
Looking as fierce as he can I’m sure. “My mom goes to school and sorts them out when they allow bullying. You know they have a new policy now for that because my mom threatened them. My mom gets me new clothes when my pants get too short, and my toes pinch in my shoes, and she makes sure both me and dad have clean clothes, eat right, and we are a family. I love my mom, and I don’t care what anyone says, she’s mine. ”
“Well, thank you, Oren. You can sit for a moment.” Shuffling the papers in front of her the judge signs something, then looks up with a smile on her face. “Step forward, Oren.”
Oren bravely walks over to the judge, and I notice Dillon is staying close to give a feeling of security. When the judge hands him the decree of adoption. “This says to the world that your mom is yours.”
Oren takes the Decree and looks at it, then at the judge. “Thank you.” It’s all he manages before he runs to me and throws himself into my waiting arms. I have tears running down my cheeks, and I kiss my boy silly.
“Mom, stop; people are watching.”
Of course, that has everyone in the court laughing. But my heart at this moment feels overflowing with love, and I cry a little more when Myles wraps both myself and Oren in his arms. “Come on, let’s go home. You can tell Aunt Whitney you've got a legal momma now, Oren.”
“Yay. I just need a brother or sister now!”
I look at Myles, and he grins, “We’re working on it, Oren. We’re working on it.”