Off The Record
Heartbroken Mother Wants To Adopt, Notices Girl At Adoption Agency Remarkably Similar To Her Late Daughter
A bereaved woman ultimately decides to adopt a new kid after her five-year-old daughter passes away from cancer. But she finds herself in a challenging circumstance when her estranged husband’s secret comes to light.
With thick curtains blocking the daylight outside, Eleanor was sitting by herself in her living room. Her surroundings served as a testament to the state of disarray she had fallen into. The coffee table was covered in strewn takeout food wrappings, half-empty glasses, and unopened bills, all of which were symbols of the years-long emotional upheaval that had raged both inside and around her.
Eleanor’s life had become a cracked mosaic due to grief, with each piece representing a piece of her previous self. Her house was cold and cold today, where a young family had once laughed and shared warmth.
Her late daughter Ava and her late husband Joseph’s framed photos gazed back at her from the walls. Ava’s infectious smile and brilliant eyes served as a sad reminder of what was gone.
With tears welling up as they usually did when Eleanor allowed herself to think about Ava, she grabbed a torn tissue. Her daughter’s illness from birth had taken her life a little more than five years ago. Eleanor’s wound from the loss remained open and unhealed, causing her immense grief.
She wiped her eyes and inhaled deeply, trembling, forcing herself to be resilient. The main source of her anguish had been her marriage, and the distance between her and Joseph had gotten too great.
They had become estranged from one another, engulfed in their own grief and unable to heal the rift that had arisen between them. Eleanor had lost the motivation and enthusiasm that had formerly spurred her creativity, which had a negative impact on her profession as a fine art photographer.
Eleanor was aware that she had to escape the chasm that had become her life. She yearned for a goal, something to look forward to when she woke up. Above all, she want to be a mother once more, to feel the happiness and accountability that come with raising a kid. This unrealized desire had become ingrained in her, a slender glimmer of optimism amidst the gloom of her loss.
Eleanor had been researching adoption agencies for months, bookmarking their webpages on her computer. She had read case reports and flipped through photos of kids in need of adoptive families for countless hours.
Though every optimistic face she saw made her heart ache, none had touched her as deeply as Charlotte’s, a four-year-old girl.
There was a startling similarity between Charlotte and Ava in her image. Her face, with its striking resemblance to Eleanor’s daughter gone, was framed by her dark hair.
Charlotte described on her web profile an unstable and neglected life. It was as though the cosmos had brought Eleanor to this child, and she couldn’t help but be pulled to him.
And as the sun set on this particular day, Eleanor made her choice. She took a phone and dialed the adoption agency’s number. The sound of the ringing on the other end made her fingers twitch nervously.
“Hello, this is Grace Adoption Services,” a friendly voice said. “How can I assist you today?”
“Hello,” Eleanor murmured timidly. “My name is Eleanor. I’m hoping to adopt, and a little girl on your website has caught my attention.”
The woman’s voice on the other end, Samantha, was sympathetic and understanding. “Hello, Eleanor! Lovely to hear from you. You’ve come to the right place,” she said. “How about we set up an appointment for you to come in and meet us, and we can take it from there? It’s always best if we do this in person as much as possible.”
Elenor said, “Okay, that sounds really good.”
“Lovely. In the meantime,” Samantha replied, “I’ll walk you through the application process; it begins with you filling in a form online, capturing all your details, and we take it from there, getting to know you and ensuring we find a perfect fit for our children.”
They continued by talking about the drawn-out procedure, the exacting assessments, and the difficulties that remained.
With increasing strength in her voice, Eleanor declared, “I’m ready to take that step.” “I want to make a difference in a child’s life and give them a loving home and a chance for a better future.”
Eleanor received encouragement from Samantha, who reassured her that her compassion and tenacity would be great assets during the adoption process. To talk through the details, they set up an introductory meeting for the following week.
Eleanor hung up the phone, feeling both happy and nervous about the adoption process. She realized that this was just the start of a lengthy road, but she was proud of herself for having finally taken the first step.
She felt a flicker of hope for the first time in years. She felt purposeful at the thought of giving a child the love and security they sorely needed. And she felt indescribably lifted when she caught a glimpse of this kid, who bore striking similarities to her late daughter Ava.
Eleanor devoted the next few days on getting ready for the adoption agency meeting. She gathered bank records, completed paperwork, and cleaned her house. She felt as though her daughter’s soul was directing her along this new route, as evidenced by the picture of Ava on the mantelpiece.
On the day of the meeting, Eleanor found herself seated in Grace Adoption Services’ modest, dimly lit office. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her hands wet with expectation. The door opened, and Samantha—the person whose gentle voice she had heard on the phone—came inside.
Samantha grinned broadly and added, “Eleanor, it’s great to meet you in person.” “I’ve read your application and can already tell you’d be an amazing parent.”
Eleanor blushed in appreciation. For the next hour, the two ladies talked about Eleanor’s past, her reasons for wanting to adopt a kid, and the kind of child she thought she could raise in the greatest environment.
Eleanor’s eyes kept straying to a family photo on Samantha’s desk, showing a happy couple holding a pair of girls in their arms, as they conversed.
At last, the topic of adoptionable children came up, and Samantha started out by going over a few cases. As Eleanor listened carefully, she couldn’t help but question if she was doing morally.
Samantha saw in the picture on Eleanor’s desk her inquisitiveness. She remarked, her eyes sparkling, “Ah, you’ve been eyeing that photo.” “Those are our two daughters, Mary Ellen and Macy May. We love them so much.”
Eleanor remarked, “I long for a happy family like that again.”
Samantha answered, “Yes, I’m very grateful for all the love in my life.” Eleanor, that brings us to your situation and something we need to talk about. From our own experience—and shared wisdom on the subject backs it up—we’ve found that children placed in a stable two-parent household tend to fare better than those placed with single parents. My wife is a wonderful woman and partner in life. We adopted the girls, and they are very happy, bright children.
“Could you just tell me a little bit about your husband, Joseph?” I see from your application that he no longer lives with you,” she said. Although it might not be a big deal, we still need to talk about it. We only want what’s best for our adopted children.”
“Thanks for bringing that up,” Eleanor nodded. It has been causing me concern. Yes, Joseph and I are no longer together, but I still adore this wonderful man. We were broken by the stress of losing our daughter. But we still have conversations. Each of us is growing more powerful. I believe there’s a big possibility we can end up together. I will tell him about my attempt to adopt, even if I haven’t yet. Though I’m not sure how he’ll react, I’m hopeful.”
Samantha expressed her happiness at hearing it. “Maybe we could give you some time so you could talk to him about it? If he’s open to it, it would be fantastic if I could see the two of you at some point.”
After briefly losing her voice at the prospect of Joseph rejecting the adoption plan, Eleanor responded, “Okay, I’ll try,” but she quickly recovered her voice again. “Could I view her file? If it’s alright with you, Charlotte, the young child I saw on your website.”
Samantha nodded, reached into a nearby cabinet for Charlotte’s file, and handed it to Eleanor, who turned page after page, taking in every aspect of the girl’s existence.
Eleanor soon saw that Charlotte had been through a great deal. She had bounced between foster homes often, been neglected and experiencing instability. Reading about Charlotte’s tenacity and her desire for a loving family broke her heart.
“She looks like a wonderful girl,” Eleanor observed, looking up at Samantha with tears sparkling in her eyes. “I don’t know why, but I feel a connection to her.” She seemed to have been destined to be in my life.”
“It’s not uncommon for adoptive parents to feel that way,” Samantha replied with a smile, aware of Eleanor’s intense feelings. “Also, the resemblance to your late daughter Ava is uncanny.” Life has an odd way of pointing us in the right direction sometimes.”
Eleanor’s heart was heavy with both hope and fear; she knew that the journey ahead would not be easy, but she was prepared to face the difficulties head-on and to welcome Charlotte into her heart—a girl who, for some reason, felt like a mother to her again.
A feeling of purpose filled Eleanor as she left the adoption agency that day; the road to adoption had begun, and it also contained the possibility of healing a little girl named Charlotte.
After that first meeting with Samantha, Eleanor’s house, which had been a refuge of sorrow and isolation, began to hum with a new purpose. She spent weeks getting ready.
She completed paperwork, went to parenting classes, and prepared her house for a child; her spare bedroom, which had been a place to store an exercise bike and dusty memories, was now painted, furnished with toys, and had a comfortable bed ready for a future child.
Eleanor communicated with Samantha, who helped her through the process, during this time, and they talked about Eleanor’s goals, Charlotte’s history, and the actions needed to bring the adoption to fruition.
Have you had a chance to discuss everything with Joseph yet?” Samantha asked.
With all of her preparations, Eleanor’s heart fell like a stone when she told Samantha that she was unable to contact her estranged husband.
Samantha comforted her, saying, “Okay, don’t worry. You remain a really formidable candidate. While Joseph’s support will undoubtedly boost your cause, this is not necessary a deal-breaker.”
Samantha finally called Eleanor to let her know that everything was set up. “Eleanor, I have some exciting news for you,” Samantha said, “We’ve scheduled a meeting with Charlotte, and it’s going to be an important step in getting to know each other better.”
Eleanor’s pulse pounded with excitement. “Samsapatana, that’s fantastic news! I am very excited to meet her.”
Eleanor was given the meeting’s specifics by Samantha, which included meeting at a nearby park. After deciding on a date, Eleanor’s days were filled with planning and excitement.
Eleanor believed that this would be a wonderful way for them to connect and express themselves, so she got Charlotte a tiny gift: a vibrant journal with matching markers.
Eleanor was both nervous and excited on the morning of the meeting. She had carefully styled her hair and dressed in her favorite dress in the hopes of making a good impression. Her heart ached from the loss of Ava and the uncertainty of her future with Charlotte, but she also felt hopeful as she drove to the park.
Warm sunlight streamed into the park, a little wind rustled the leaves on the trees, and contented people sat in various spots while others strolled or played.
With her gift for Charlotte clenched in her fists, Eleanor came early and settled herself on a quiet bench as she looked around the playground for any indication of Samantha and Charlotte.
Eleanor saw them a little time later; Samantha was strolling with a small child, her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, her eyes lowered; Charlotte was reserved, and Eleanor could feel the weakness in her gait.
Eleanor got up to greet them as they got closer. “Samantha, it’s good to see you again,” she remarked, holding out her hand.
“And you, Eleanor,” smiled back at her, as Samantha shook her hand. “This is Charlotte,” the small girl was introduced by her.
“Hi, Charlotte,” Eleanor replied in a soft voice. “My name is Eleanor.” I’m very happy to have met you.”
Eleanor was shocked to see that Charlotte looked exactly like Ava in person—the same dark hair and expressive eyes that had drawn Eleanor to the girl’s photo. Charlotte glanced up, her eyes briefly meeting Eleanor’s, and she mumbled a bashful greeting in reply.
“I thought we could use this to draw or write about our day,” Eleanor suggested to Charlotte, trying to defuse the tension as they settled on a grassy area near a serene pond. Samantha suggested they find a comfortable spot in the park where they could sit and talk.
With a cautious smile, Charlotte accepted the present and whispered, “Thank you,” in a quiet voice.
Eleanor felt a connection with Charlotte growing as the two drew together, sharing quiet moments of companionship while drawing in the journal. Charlotte, though shy at first, gradually revealed small details about her life and her experiences in foster care.
Their talk progressed over the hours, and Eleanor was struck by Charlotte’s vivid imagination as seen in her drawings. Charlotte was a lively little child, and Eleanor felt more and more that she had made the correct decision.
During their picnic lunch, Samantha subtly steered the conversation toward more formal topics, including the required home visits, the legal process, and the support mechanisms that would help Charlotte settle into Eleanor’s house.
Eleanor listened intently, her pulse pounding with eagerness; she was aware that there would be difficulties along the way, but she was prepared to take on the obstacles head-on since she was adamant about giving Charlotte a stable, loving home and the family she had never known.
When the day finally drew to a conclusion and they were saying their goodbyes, Eleanor was filled with a deep sense of hope, certain that Charlotte was destined to be in her life and that their paths had met for a purpose.
Eleanor kept meeting with Charlotte and Samantha over the next few weeks, establishing a connection and trust. She started by having Charlotte visit her home and let the girl to look around her new bedroom. They also had meals together and spent quality time together.
Eleanor’s visits gave her a closer look at Charlotte’s personality and a preview of what life would be like if she became her legal mother.
When Eleanor finally made the call she had been dreading, Joseph answered right away and exclaimed, “Ellie,” in a kind manner. “Amazing, I’ve been thinking so much about you lately.” I’ve wanted to give you a call.”
“Well done, Joe. I want to tell you about some exciting news. Is there any way we could get together tomorrow?”
The next afternoon, over cappuccinos at their favorite cafe, Eleanor told Joseph all about Charlotte and the adoption arrangements; Joseph listened calmly and said nothing.
Joseph replied, “Eleanor, I can see how much this means to you, how much you’ve changed since you started this journey,” breaking the long pause that had been between them. It’s amazing to see that you have life in you again.”
“I know this has been difficult for both of us,” Eleanor said, “but I believe it’s the right thing to do.” With gratitude, she turned to face her husband. She had been longing for his support and understanding. Now it seemed like he was giving it to her. I have to stop letting my sadness control me.”
“I don’t want to lose you too, Eleanor. I miss Ava too,” Joseph said, nodding and softening his demeanor. For the benefit of the two of us, I will help you with this.”
Eleanor’s heart became larger; she had been afraid that Joseph would reject her completely or just grudgingly, but his readiness to support her had given their broken marriage a newfound sense of oneness; it was a tiny strand of healing that she clung to.
As the days stretched into weeks, Eleanor’s relationship with Charlotte grew stronger. The little child’s barriers gradually came down, and she started to accept Eleanor as a mother figure. They laughed, told stories, and even shed a few tears together, creating a kinship that went beyond the suffering of their pasts.
Charlotte suddenly opened up to Eleanor one evening as she was reading her a bedtime story: “Eleanor, I’ve never had a mom like you.” Although that scares me a little, I truly want you to remain my mother forever.”
Eleanor reached out and took Charlotte’s hand, her eyes welling with tears. “I will be, sweetheart. I’ll be your mom forever,” Eleanor replied.
On the day of the formal adoption hearing, which was going to be a huge deal for Eleanor, Charlotte, and their path together, Joseph was there at the modest gathering Eleanor had organized with her close friends and family.
“Come over for dinner with us tonight, Joe,” urged Eleanor. “You can meet Charlie properly and start to get to know her.”
“El, I would really like to,” Joseph said.
With their hands clasped tightly together, Eleanor and Charlotte stood before the judge. The courtroom had a sense of both solemnity and celebration, a place where the suffering of the past was being converted into a promise of hope for the future.
With tears of happiness running down Charlotte’s cheeks as the court completed the adoption, Eleanor realized that this was just another chapter in their journey together, one that would be paved with hardships, love, suffering, and eventual healing.
With a brighter future ahead of her, Eleanor felt ready to embrace it all, start a new family, write a new chapter, and seize her second opportunity at motherhood. The weight of the past was gone.
The aroma of a home-cooked meal filled the air that evening, welcoming Joseph and his wife back to the place they had once called home. It had been so long since they had left.
It had been a long time since they had stood together like this, but Eleanor brought her husband through to the kitchen, poured him a glass of his favorite Cabernet, and moved to the stove to stir a pot of simmering tomato sauce.
Eleanor remarked, “Excuse me a minute, I’ll go get Charlie; she’s drawing in her room,” and went upstairs.
“Sweetheart,” Eleanor murmured, taking little Charlotte gently by the hand, “I’d like you to meet my husband, Joe.” Do you recall what I said about him? He’s joining us for dinner this evening.”
With her gaze fixated on Joseph, Charlotte moved nearer, smiling shyly and holding out her hand to say, “Hello, my name is Charlotte. Good to meet you, “said the woman.
Joseph shifted his attention from Eleanor to the young girl, grinning broadly as he knelt down and said, “Charlotte, you have such good manners! It’s great to meet you, too,” he murmured, taking her hand in his and holding it tenderly. The two of them fixed one other with intense gaze for a while.
Looking at the little child, Joseph’s heart bled; he recognized at once the startling likeness to Ava, which stunned him; he also saw the anguish and desire in Charlotte’s eyes, and he knew without a doubt that Eleanor was on the right track.
Eleanor worked hard over the following few weeks to mend the strained tie that their shared loss had caused between her and Joseph, and the three of them started the delicate process of integrating their lives together.
Together, they went to counseling sessions where they talked about their personal experiences with bereavement and the difficulties they had encountered.
Joseph had been silent for most of the evening, lost in his thoughts, until one evening, following an especially painful counseling session, he and Eleanor found themselves sitting in the living room, the weight of their past and the optimism for their future hanging in the air.
“Joseph, I know this is not what we had planned for our lives, but it’s the path that I need to take,” a vulnerable Eleanor said at the end of the quiet. “I want to heal, and I believe that by giving Charlotte a loving home, we can do that together.”
With unsaid feelings shimmering in his eyes, Joseph turned to face his wife. “Eleanor, I love you and want to be a part of this with you,” he said.
“I love you too, Joe,” Eleanor’s tear-filled eyes declared as she reached out and grasped Joseph’s hand. “I want us to find a way to heal together, to build a future that honors Ava’s memory and gives Charlotte the family she deserves.”
“I’m willing to try, Eleanor,” Joseph said with a nod. For our family, for you, and for Charlotte.”
The walls that had divided Eleanor and Joseph began to come down as the days stretched into months, and their mutual dedication to Charlotte’s welfare served as a link for them to reunite.
Counseling sessions, honest communication, and the unwavering support of friends and family all contributed to the progressive healing process.
After being a largely silent observer at first, Charlotte flourished in her new family, adding laughter, joy, and a new perspective to their life. She served as both a deep receptacle for the love they still had to give and a continuous reminder of the love they had lost.
Eleanor thought to herself one evening as the three of them sat down to supper and exchanged stories and laughs, “You know, we’ve been through so much and come so far.”
“We have,” Joseph answered, beaming, his eyes lighting up Eleanor’s with a fresh warmth. “And I’m thankful for the second chance we’ve been given.”
Charlotte said, beaming at her new foster parents, “I’m grateful for my new family as well!” She spoke up.
Reaching for one other’s hands, their fingers intertwining, Eleanor and Joseph realized that although their history had been shaped by grief and loss, their future contained the possibility of love, recovery, and the happiness that comes with starting a family again.
For Eleanor, Joseph, and Charlotte, life had returned to something approaching normal; the awkwardness and tension of the beginning had passed, replaced by the love and laughter of a family coming to terms with its healing process. But the universe had more surprises in store for them, ones that would test their newfound stability.
Eleanor got a call from Samantha at the adoption agency one crisp, early fall morning. “I have something important to discuss with you,” Samantha began gravely.
Fear filled Eleanor’s chest. “Samantha, is anything wrong?”
After a brief pause, Samantha said, “It’s about Charlotte. We think it’s vital for you to know that we’ve learned some new details regarding her past.”
“Tell me,” Eleanor pushed, feeling a knot of fear form in her stomach.
“Are you able to visit the agency shortly? I would prefer not to talk about it over the phone,” Samantha said.
Once again, Eleanor was sat across from Samantha, but this time there was a noticeable unease.
Eleanor, we’ve never dealt with anything like this before, so it could take some time to handle everything. This is a rather delicate case. Samantha said, “Charlotte’s biological mother contacted us and inquired about her adoption.
“Oh no!” Panicked, Eleanor cried out, “Does she want to take her back? Is it really possible to do that?”
Samantha comforted him, saying, “Don’t worry, sweetheart, everything will work out. The courts are handling this with great care and only want what’s best for the child.” However, there is something unique about this instance. Charlotte’s likeness to Ava could have a useful reason.”
Eleanor’s eyes widened in disbelief; she had always taken the resemblance to be some kind of metaphysical and supernatural intervention, but she had never considered a rational explanation.
“Charlotte’s birth mother claims that Joseph is, in fact, Charlotte’s biological father,” Samantha disclosed.
Eleanor was astounded to learn that the records raised the possibility that Charlotte was Ava’s long-lost half-sister, possibly fathered by Joseph and conceived by a different woman shortly after their daughter’s death and his separation from Eleanor.
Samantha clarified, “We don’t conceal anything from biological parents; it’s our policy to be upfront and honest with them about the results for their children. It’s critical that they understand how well-cared for their child is. However, this is unexpected. The birth mother of Charlotte informed us that she may contest the adoption and is speaking with a lawyer.”
Eleanor uttered a rough voice, “Oh, please, God, no. I can’t face the possibility of losing another child.” Samantha, please, deny this. I’m going to break over this. Charlie is someone I can’t lose.”
Samantha gave a heartfelt nod, understanding just how you must be feeling at the moment. But rest assured that we will make every effort to stop this from happening. We have access to two of this city’s top custody attorneys. However, there are steps we can do to prevent a legal case from starting, so hopefully that won’t happen.”
“How do we proceed?” Eleanor begged, “Please answer.
“You should first discuss this with Joseph. Ask him the truth and confront him directly. “If it’s not true, ask if he’ll take a paternity test; if not, we can schedule a meeting and discuss this together, the three of us,” Eleanor proposed.
“Okay,” Eleanor said in a disappointed tone, not knowing how Joseph would respond. Their route had taken many unexpected turns, but this discovery may completely change their relationship and the dynamics of their family.
With a heavy heart, she left the adoption agency, not sure how she would handle the feelings if it came out that Joseph was Charlotte’s biological father.
A week ago, Joseph had returned to the house and started putting everything back in order. Eleanor discovered him in the backyard, taking care of the garden.
Eleanor approached him gingerly, her weight unbundling, her hands drenched in dirt from planting fresh flowers, trees, and bushes, frequently with Charlotte’s assistance—a healing and uniting project for both of them.
“Joseph,” she replied, “I need to talk to you about something.”
He felt the gravity of the situation as he looked up, met Eleanor’s gaze, and wiped his hands on his jeans before approaching her. “What is it, Eleanor?”
“Eleanor, this can’t be true,” muttered Joseph, his face going pale as he processed the information and staggered back a step as if the ground beneath him had moved. Eleanor took a deep breath and dropped the bombshell she had gotten from the adoption agency.
The discovery had uncovered a secret past he had concealed from Eleanor for years, and he closed his eyes, his emotions in disarray. “I never wanted to tell you this, Eleanor,” he said regretfully. “I thought it was something that could stay in the past.”
Eleanor stepped up to say, “Joseph, what are you talking about?”
“I joined a support group for grieving parents soon after Ava died and I moved out,” he said, hesitating before disclosing a painful reality. There, he said, his voice heaving with remorse, “I was involved with someone there. It was a short relationship, and I never thought it would have any lasting consequences.” We were both so helpless and exposed. It simply took place. El, I apologize beyond words. It was a grave mistake.”
As Eleanor started piecing the puzzle together, her eyes grew wide. “You mean to say that if this woman gave Charlotte up for adoption, you might actually be her father then?”
With a shamed expression on his face, Joseph agreed. “That’s a possibility. She told me she was pregnant, and to my shame, I promptly quit the organization. She was never seen by me again. However, it’s possible that she placed the child for adoption. That would provide an explanation.
“I don’t know what to say, Joseph.”
“You’re not required to speak. I’m going now. If you would prefer not to see me again, I get it. But be aware that Charlie has won my heart. I’ll do every effort to be a decent husband and father to her. I adore you two very much.”
Eleanor turned around and said, “Oh,” “Would you agree to a paternity test?” as Joseph gently went by and took his leave. “May I ask?” she inquired.
Without hesitation, Joseph answered, “I will. I’ll own up to this all the way.”
Eleanor gave a nod. “I’ll ask Samantha from the agency to contact you and make the arrangements.”
Eleanor’s mind raced, weighing the consequences of this news, the nearly overpowering shock and confusion, but also the knowledge that they had to face this delicately and honestly.
She told herself, “I need to talk to Charlotte. She deserves to know the truth.”
With a tinge of concern in her eyes, Eleanor discovered Charlotte painting in her bedroom. “Is everything okay?” she inquired.
“Charlie, baby, there’s something important I need to talk to you about,” Eleanor said as she settled down on the bed next to her. “We’ve got new information about your past, and it may be that Joseph is your father.”
Charlotte gazed at Eleanor, her eyes widening. “My father?” She muttered.
Eleanor nodded. “How do you feel about that? We’re going to find out for sure.”
The thought of Joseph being her biological father was too much for Charlotte to handle, and tears filled her eyes as the information registered. “I’ve never had a proper dad before,” Charlotte remarked, her small mind astonished by the possibility. “Will he be a genuine dad to me?” She questioned in astonishment.
“He will, Charlie,” Eleanor told her, taking both of Charlotte’s hands in hers. “I know he will, no matter what.”
“Alright,” replied Charlotte, “I’ll be content if he’s my biological father.”
“Charlie, you have our support. No matter where this goes, we’ll figure it out together,” Eleanor remarked.
As the entire family dealt with the complicated reality of their circumstances over the next few days, Eleanor called Samantha to let her know that she had spoken with Joseph and that he had not denied it, adding that he had also consented to a paternity test.
“Good,” Samantha answered, “this is a positive result. I’ll arrange it with him. The attorney for Charlotte’s birth mother has sent us a letter asking that we contest the adoption. However, allow me to calm your concerns a little.”
She continued, “Once an adoption is finalized in most countries, it is usually permanent, meaning that the biological parents usually cannot go to court to retrieve the kid. The best interests of the child are given priority during the legally binding process of adoption, which also gives the adoptive family stability and permanence.”
“An adoption case may, nonetheless, occasionally be reopened due to particular circumstances or legal challenges; however, these instances are uncommon and frequently call either strong proof or exceptional conditions. This could be one of such cases. However, our attorneys will review the case to determine our chances.”
Eleanor signed off after giving it great thought. “Okay, Samantha, I really appreciate everything you’ve done for us. Thank you so much.” After Samantha promised to call as soon as she had something to report, they bid each other farewell.
A tense few days ensued for everyone involved. Joseph did his share and sent in a DNA sample, which, along with a sample from Charlotte, vanished into “the system” for days.
Now, Joseph saw a new meaning in Ava’s memory: Did he have another daughter that he was unaware of? How would he carry the burden of his past deeds and their consequences into a future with Eleanor, should she permit it? And how would this change the dynamic between him and Charlotte?
They both continued therapy and counseling to help them navigate their changing relationships as they grappled with the impending changes. The emotional terrain was full of challenges, but if they could get the legalities straightened out, there was also hope for healing and the possibility of starting a new, blended family.
And then came the day that would decide their fate, when Eleanor’s phone rang and the caller ID excited her as much as worried her.
“Hello, Eleanor, it’s Samantha,” said Eleanor as she answered the phone.
Eleanor said, “Hello, Sam,” to this woman she had come to greatly admire, and then she held her breath.
“Eleanor, the evidence is clear; Joseph is not Charlotte’s father! It comes out that the mother lied in an attempt to win back her daughter. I regret to inform you that she is receiving mental care and does not have a case. The court’s decision is upheld. Life can move on now that the other attorney has dropped his objection to the adoption.”
“I’m grateful. Oh, Samantha, I’m so grateful!” Even though Eleanor had already made the decision to forgive Joseph for his adultery and accept him as the father of her adoptive daughter, she overflowed and burst into tears at the news.
“Should I tell Joseph, or do you want to?” Samantha inquired.
“No, Sam, I’ll let him know. I’m pleased. We can probably sort things out. Eleanor declared, “I’m going to stay married to him, and we’re going to raise Charlie like she’s our own.”
Eleanor saw Charlotte’s similarity to Ava as a miracle once more, an indication from the cosmos that she had made the correct choice, and she realized that this small child was special and different in her own right.
Though their new life together was just getting started, the family had gone a long way since Eleanor first made the decision to adopt Charlotte; the revelation of Joseph’s long-kept secret had made it less painful, and the couple was resolved to put their broken mosaic aside and face the future together.
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