Claire and I tried for a baby for too long. Tiring doctor visits and IVF treatments became our reality, and when we both felt like we were too overwhelmed by everything, we decided to adopt – 4-year-old Sophie was everything we have ever dreamed of.
She was the most beautiful little girl who had spent her life in the foster system since the day she was born.
From day one, she started calling her mom and dad. Finally, life seemed perfect, until I returned home one day and Sophie clung to my leg and said she didn’t want to leave our home.
Her words confused me. “You are not going anywhere,” I assured her.
But then I saw Claire. She had tears in her eyes and looked at me as though she had done something wrong.
“We need to talk,” she said, “I think we should give her back.”
“Claire, what are you talking about. You wanted to adopt, it was your idea in the first place. That little girl calls us mom and dad,” I said, her words feeling like a knife in my chest.
Claire started crying. She said she didn’t think she was good enough of a mother to Sophie.
I assured her she was awesome, the mother every child could ever wish for. And then, she opened up and revealed that it was her mother who planted the seeds of doubt in her.
Her mom said we rushed with the decision to adopt a 4-year-old, that we should have tried harder for a baby, or at least we should have adopted an infant. She said that older children have issues, like the one time Sophie threw a tantrum at the supermarket, but it wasn’t anything big, just a typical 4-year-old child’s behavior.
As we talked, we noticed Sophie at the door of the kitchen. She probably overheard our conversation.
In the days to come, she didn’t come to our bed for a silly story before going to sleep. She just stood at the door of her room as though she waited us to tell her she would no longer be part of our family. Seeing her like that broke my heart into a million pieces.
Eventually, we sought counseling. Claire did her best to overcome her fears of failing as a mother. Day by day, things became better and better.
It took some time, but the family we’ve always dreamed of overcame the obstacles.
Sophie regained our trust. With each passing day, she knew we wouldn’t return her anywhere. She was there to stay.
One day, as we were having lunch, someone knocked on the door. It was Claire’s mother. My heart stopped for a second. I had a feeling that her presence and her words would take us back to the beginning. But I was wrong.
Claire’s mom held a stuffed rabbit in her hands. She approached Sophie and said, “Hey little one, sorry I wasn’t around for so long.”
As expected, Sophie wasn’t sure if she should get any closer. She had only seen her grandmother once or twice, but I told her she should approach closer.
Claire’s mom apologized for everything. For ever doubting in her daughter’s ability to give love to a child she didn’t give birth to.
Things finally fell into place.
The decision to adopt Sophie, the most loving and caring 4-year-old girl there is, was the best we could ever make.
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Bored Daddy
Love and Peace
