me with them, that would be wonderful,” I state. “Cat has a lot on her plate. She can only give me some advice. I would rather find someone who can help me every step of the way.”
Grace grabs her phone and taps it. After a little back and forth, my phone buzzes.
Grace: This is Leyla. She’ll call you tomorrow. Thank you! :purple heart emoji:
“Thank you,” I tell her, saving the contact information she forwards right after the text.
“I have the feeling you’re well connected, and that you’re holding back,” Sophia tells Grace.
Grace grins and shakes her head. Something tells me Sophia is right, but this girl would never admit it.
The next morning, I call Thea, Grace’s aunt. I shouldn’t be surprised when I learn that she knows all about us. She’s known Beacon since he was a kid. Also, Grace’s mom is her best friend, and they know almost everything about us. I hope that if I have a daughter, we get along just like Grace and her mother. I’m comfortable enough to tell her about my past and how I’d love to give options to teenagers who need a safe place.
She explains to me how she founded and runs different shelters, including one for pregnant teenagers.
“Some of them give their kids up for adoption. Others go to the housing we provide for families.”
“I want to be like you when I grow up,” I tell her.
She laughs. “Do you have children?”
Talking to her is like catching up with an old friend. I give her a summary about my failed marriage.
“I want to have a big family,” I conclude.
“Big families are great,” she agrees. “If you ever want to apply to adopt a baby, let me know. We like to provide good options for our teenagers who are looking for a loving parent. They wouldn’t care if you’re divorced as long as you’re willing to give their babies the love and security they can’t.”
My heart races fast, and I become a little more excited than I should. “Are you sure?”
“I’ll email you the information you need to start setting up the shelter,” she says. “As I mentioned, it takes time to get everything together. My biggest advice is: Don’t start it until you have a goal.”
“Thank you. I’ll research once the veterinary office is open,” I promise. “About the adoption application…”
I want to submit it now because I’d love to get on the waiting list even if it takes years to welcome the baby.
“I’ll attach the link to our website so you can learn more. Also, there’s a portal where you can fill out and submit the application,” she says. “Just a warning, we do a background check and put your name on the queue. The expectant moms go through all the applications, and they pick whoever they like. It’s not about your place on the list. It’s about who they feel will be right for them.”
“That’s good to know in advance,” I mumble. “How long does it take to process my information?”
“You’ll get the call within a week with our decision,” she promises.
Everything sounds too good to be true, and because I don’t want to take any risks, I set Arden in the stroller and we head to Pierce’s office. Beacon is there, and they are arguing about something when I knock and enter the room.
“See, that’s how it’s done. You knock on the door,” Pierce growls at Beacon.
“I brought you some news. I thought you’d appreciate it. Who knew you’d be giving yourself a little massage,” Beacon scrunches his nose. “What site was it? Hot-mamas-dot-com.”
He glares at him. “I was on the phone with Henry.”
“Sure, we’ll keep it our secret,” Beacon whispers.
“Rent me the office of your new house,” Pierce requests. “I’ll pay you whatever you want as long as I can have some privacy.”
I should mention that my house is almost across the street from Henry’s office in Sophia’s house. He’ll have him barging in more often than he does now. That’s a discussion for another day.
“I emailed you some information about an adoption agency,” I announce. “They run a shelter for pregnant teenagers. Some of them want to give their babies up for adoption. They facilitate the process.”
“You talked to Mrs. Thea?” Beacon asks.
“Yeah?”
“What do you want to know about them?”
I talk through my entire conversation, and when I’m done Beacon says, “They are the most legit people in the world. The background process takes almost no time because they have efficient people. Unless you’re a terrorist,