Adoption Day
Lada’s been living with Grace and Diego for about a month now, and they’ve both been wanting it to be permanent. Grace finishes charging one day and smiles. She goes upstairs and changes clothes. She’s gotten more pairs of pants, she’s found out that she likes them much better than her skirts. She still wears them (some of them have too many memories to let go,) but she likes the pants better and looks better in them.
She goes downstairs and starts on breakfast, Lada told her that pancakes were her favorite, so that’s what she makes, it’s a special day after all. She was able to persuade the social workers easily with a few choice words and a charming smile. She’s experienced in doing that, Reginald made sure of it.
Lada wakes up at 7:12 AM and heads downstairs, rubbing her eyes, “Hi, mom.” She sounds sleepy. Grace looks over her shoulder and smiles, “Good morning, love.” She’s tried a few different nicknames and picked the one she responded to the best, but she was very receptive to pretty much any affection she was shown. Grace finishes breakfast and puts it in front of her, “Eat up, Lada. We have a big day ahead of us.” She smiles. Lada beams up at her, “Thank you, mom.” Diego comes downstairs just as she’s finishing up. Grace noted that she was intimidated by him, and she still hasn’t completely gotten over it.
Diego looks like he’s in a hurry, Grace notes that he woke up late this morning. He eats one dry pancake. He really is in a hurry. Grace thinks. He eats quickly and goes to wash his plate. Grace takes it from him, “I’ll get it, darling. Have a good day.” he nods, “Thanks, mom.” He leaves.
Lada’s taken after Diego in washing her dishes after she eats. Grace stands beside her as she washes the rest of the dishes, “Are you excited?” Lada nods eagerly. Grace smiles and chuckles softly, “Go get dressed, love. We’re on a schedule today.” she dries her plate and hurries upstairs.
The pair takes a bus to the courthouse. Lada’s practically jumping up and down the whole ride there. She has to confirm she wants this, and she’s still questioned afterward, but it’s obvious that she’s 100% on board with this. They have Grace sign a few things, she has a perfectly designed signature that Reginald made for her. It’s about noon when they finish. Lada looks over the moon, “I love you, mom.” It actually means something now. ‘I love you, mom’ is a phrase Grace has heard countless times, and it’s never been different from the first time.