Mr.Knight
I drop my phone. Lucca has family after him? At least we're signing the papers tomorrow. Ethan looks over as he hears the phone hit the ground. "What's wrong love?" I stare at the wall ahead, my face blank. "Lucca has family after him." I hear a buzz. His social worker texted me. "She wants to rush the papers. She says she can be here in an hour...it's already 11:30..." I say, turning to him. I know Lucca would need to be awake and he's already so tired. "What are you going to tell her? We should be safe until 9:30, right?" I shrug. I don't know. I guess we have no choice. "Go get Lucca in bedtime clothes, I'll call her and tell her to bring the papers." He nods, getting the point that we might not have our baby if we don't sign the papers to make him OUR baby.
Lucca
I slept, I had moved myself into my fluffy soft play corner. However I feel two big hands grabbing me, without opening my eyes I KNOW it's Ethan. He takes me to my crib, laying me in it and dressing me in another outfit. Thankfully I can still sleep in it. A onesie with footie pieces and gloves to go over my hands that are still connected to the onesie. My paci is popped into my mouth and I watched Mr.Knight grab my well heated teddy and carry me downstairs. We go right into the kitchen and he heats up a hot water bottle. I look to the livingroom and Ethan's setting up my playpen my the couch, building it up like a nest. He comes over and takes me away from Mr.Knight, setting me in his lap and brushing through my hair lightly. I smile, I love my hair being brushed. I watch Mr.Knight come over a few moments later with a two bottles. One he leaves in the warmer and the other he sits on the table as he opens the door...Ms.Lee? She's not supposed to be here until tomorrow. Either way I don't care. She sits down with us and Ethan just gives me my bottle. They talk about boring adult stuff.
Ethan
I adjust Lucca slightly as I feed him, making sure he's nice and cozy. "Does he need to be awake for this or is it okay to put him to sleep?" Alex asks. "I'm going to have to ask him questions so it's up to you but it'd probably be easier for me to ask him now." I nod, I look down and see he's almost asleep already, a few small drops of milk spilling from his mouth. I remove it from his mouth and clean up his face. I pat his back for a moment and we start with the questions.
Ms.Lee
I grab my clipboard and a pen. "Okay Lucca, I know you feel tiny so we're gonna keep this short and sweet, okay bubs?" I watch him nod, he looks so very sleepy. "Okay, question number one, do you feel safe here?" He nods, he almost looks offended I asked. "Now little one, what's that face for?" I try not to laugh or giggle at his face. He just turn away, pouting. "Do you have access to food whenever you want?" He nods and hugs Ethan, reaching for the rest of the bottle on the table. "Lucca, just a few more minutes buddy." He whines but was turned back to me by Alex who also plopped him into his own lap. "Okay Lucca, do you have cleam clothes? Are those clean?" He nods sleepily. He snuggles up to Alex. "Has anyone put there hands on you?" This time he looks extremely offended and just lets out a bunch of little baby squeaks and squeals. "I know, I know, I'm sorry but I have to ask you Lucca."Â We continue on, I just ask Alex and Ethan about Lucca's regression, if he's shown any interest in questionable objects such as knives and scissors. "You know, now that you mention it," Alex begins. "He has had a small interest in my pocket knives and stuff like scissors..." I nod. "Can he access them?" Alex shakes his head. "No, all cabinets with chemicals and sharp objects have locks on them. Plus he's always supervised never alone." I nod. "Have you noticed any marks on him?" I look at Lucca in his playpen, curled up in his little nest. "No, just old scars." I smile. "So he's been doing better, that's good." I write that down. "Well, I just need to do a quick walkthrough, get the papers sent in and you'll have a court date. But you'll have the foster agreement that won't let his bio family anywhere near him."Â They nod, I can see the relief in their faces as Ethan rubs Lucca's back. I let Alex take me in the walkthrough. "So, has he called you guys anything?" He smiles. "He was super out of it and he's called me daddy once or twice... however I have a feeling I won't stop being Mr.Knight any time soon." I nod. "Give it time, he'll get there eventually."
By the end of it everything is approved and I let them sign the papers. I keep the papers on record and let them have a secondary copy of them. We all look down to Lucca as he kicks up a small fuss-tornado while asleep. "He really doesn't sleep in a still position, does he?" Alex objects. "He's usually not an active sleeper... probably the milk I gave him RIGHT before bedtime, it's also way past his bedtime. By hours." We look at the clock, 1:08 am..."This took longer than expected." We all said our goodbyes, I congratulate them on their new, sweet baby boy and walk out of the house, hoping Lucca's family won't get to him, EVER.
Alex: He's ours baby, all ours...