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This wasn’t where he had envisioned he’d be, but then again, it might be where he was needed to be most.
“What the hell. Let’s do this,” he said.
It was the first time he saw the others begin to relax. He got it. This wasn’t just a secret they were asking him to keep. This was their lives, their families and the upcoming next generation. He needed to make sure nothing happened to them. It wasn’t about just the Henderson and Lawson families any longer. He and his sister are also now linked.
Looks like my security job just went up to the next level. And not one I can walk away from.
Krista closed her eyes, trying to comprehend what she was being told. Maybe the person hadn’t translated it correctly.
“I’m not sure I understand. Are you sure this is what Miss Twanda wrote? I mean, exactly,” Krista asked.
Mr. Clearborn, the attorney said, “Yes it is, Dr. Chinto. She has granted you temporary custody of her daughter Nia, pending your agreement and approval of adoption.”
“I…I’m…” speechless. She had no idea this was coming. Actually how could she? “Does she say why me?”
“Yes. It appears that she believes you were sent to her, like an angel. She mentioned how you brought Nia into this world. And then sought her out and made sure she and her Nia had everything they could possibility need during this time.”
“I was just doing what needed to be done,” she said. “I’m not an angel.”
“You were to Miss Twanda. And I guess that is all that matters. I will inform you that you do have the right to decline and relinquish the custody. No one is going to force you to take a child which you do not want,” Mr. Clearborn stated.
“But then she’d end up…”
“In the system. Yes,” he replied.
Krista wasn’t prepared to be a mother. She had nothing at her home to even care for a newborn. But this was Miss Twanda’s dying wish and honestly, Krista couldn’t imagine letting Nia go to a foster home. Not when she had plenty of room at her house.
She looked down at Nia, who was sound asleep in her arms. There was no way could she hand her over to someone else. Like Miss Twanda had needed her, and now, so does Nia.
“I don’t know what to do. I mean, paperwork. So this is all legal.”
Mr. Clearborn said, “I have it all drawn up. All you need to do is sign for the temporary custody and you and I can work on the adoption paperwork on a later date.”
“And I’m able to take Nia back to Montpelier with me? I mean, no issue leaving the state?” she asked.
“Because this was the wish of Miss Twanda, then no. You are free to travel with Nia as you wish. And I understand that it might be easier for me to come to you going forward with any more paperwork. Of course the final adoption would be handled here in New York.”
“Okay. I understand.”
Mr. Clearborn slid the papers in front of her again and showed her all the spots she needed to sign. Then provided her a copy.
“Is there anything else I can do for you while you’re here,” he asked.
“I know this is going to seem like a silly question, but I don’t have anything to care for Nia. I need clothes and a car seat and formula and diapers. If I gave you a list, do you think your secretary would be able to pick up these things for me? I mean, I don’t want to be running all over New York with a newborn, especially when I have no idea where to go.”
Mr. Clearborn smiled. “I have a better idea. My wife and I have a one-year old baby girl. She will know everything you will need. I’d prefer to have her handle this, as Ms. Watson, my secretary, is almost sixty. It might have been a few years since she’s done that sort of shopping.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” Krista prided herself on never needing help. But that changed with one call. Now her entire life flipped upside down. Not in a bad way, just in a way that she sure in hell wasn’t ready for.
“And if I’m not overstepping, you’d be welcome to spend the night at our home as well, so you’re not traveling back in the dark.”
“Mr. Clearborn, I don’t think I’m the only angel who walked into Miss Twanda’s life. From what I understand, you did all this pro bono.”
“I just wished there was something more I could’ve done.”
You and me both.
“I guess we are doing what we’re meant to do,” she said. “And yes, I’ll be happy to take you up on your offer, as long as it’s no imposition.”
