Part 2- Alison
"Come on Ali, it'll be fun." Kim had teased her, "You need to get your mind off this adoption thing."
She hadn't lasted through the whole class, her mother had called and saved her a little more than half-way through. Even that stupid shavastana thing. Lying on the floor breathing. What a waste of time. And how humiliating, having the instructor try to coach her through not clenching her buttocks. How could she even tell anyways?
Sitting outside her first and last yoga class Alison Hendrix took a long swig from her water bottle, "I hate yoga." She said to no one in particular.
She made her way to her car, she'd been waiting months for a call. Well, they'd. Donnie was in on this one too. They both wanted kids. They'd bought the right house in the right area. The baby room was ready, painted a cheerful yellow. The crib empty, everything perfect for a baby. Assuming they ever got one. Even through foster-to-adopt infants took time. And they were still young - it wasn't always counting in their favour.
Her phone rang again, this time she picked up, "Hello?"
The cheerful voice on the other end was known to her, "Hello Alison, we've got some good news for you."
"Hello Kyla, what is it?" Alison knew the voice of the social worker well. Please be a baby, please be a baby she prayed silently to herself fingering her crucifix with her fingers.
"We have a match for you! A baby!" The social worker finished with a delighted flourish.
"Finally!" She said it before she realized, "When? Where?"
Kyla continued in her absolutely delighted tone, "Congrats mommy! It's a little girl. Three days old."
"A girl! Gemma. We're going to call her Gemma." Alison squeals into the phone, "When can I go get her? Where do I go get her?"
"You can come and get her this afternoon, she's at Toronto East. I'm going to tell them you're coming - they'll know to expect you. Anyways, 3 days old, girl, mixed race, mom is already in the middle of termination of parental rights for her son. So it's almost a sure thing. You're going to be able to adopt her."
Alison pauses, her mind spinning, "My baby has a brother?"
"Yes. You don't have to take him strictly speaking. They've never met - he's been in and out of fostercare since -"
A boy and a girl, how perfect would that be? She knows now what she should do. Insta-family. And they'll never have to have this rollercoaster of paperwork and waiting again. Alison asks again, "Is he going to be adopted by his foster parents?"
"No. But he'll be adoptable soon - he's two and a half. His name is Jax." Kyla responds, "Why? Are you and Donnie interested?"
"We want him too." Alison said firmly, she glanced back at the infant carseat that has been in her car for the last month. She could fit another one in this car easy. Double stroller. A bed. Clothes. Formula. Diapers. So much to get. And they'll have to change that name.
"Wow, is Donnie there too? Congrats Daddy!" Kyla says cheerfully unaware of Alison's car bound solitude.
"Yes. He's thrilled. And we're sure. I'll pick up some baby things and then swing by and pick her up. Let them know, her name is Gemma - they should call her by her name." Alison runs through her shopping list in her head, she should have enough time to pick up formula and diapers before getting Gemma and then a little more stuff. Gemma. Her baby girl. She felt joy bubbling up from inside her. She was a mother. Soon to be a mother of two. Siblings.
"Will do! Congrats Hendrixes! I'll call the hospital and fax your info. And I'll look into the boy for you." Alison shuts her cellphone.
An hour later Alison shows up at the maternal-newborn unit of Toronto East Hospital, an infant bucket seat hanging from one arm. She stands awkwardly around,
"Mrs Hendrix?" A nurse ask curiously, "Where's Mr. Hendrix?"
"Yes. That's me. He's working I'm afraid. Saving up his leave for after." She breathes a sigh of relief, she's led back to the nursery and a small bundle is placed into her arms. She sees the wispy brown curls on her daughter's head, her light brown skin, her perfect rosy lips and tiny fingers.
"Hi Gemma." She whispers, stroking one of the little girl's cheeks.
When Donnie arrives home at 5:30 pm he notices three things. One; there are a collection of 4 ounce bottles being sterilized in his kitchen. Two; the baby swing is out in the living room. And three; a collection of unpacked bags litter the area near the stairs.
Upstairs, Alison is in the rockingchair, gently rocking a sleeping Gemma, a half-finished bottle left on the dresser.
"There's a baby!" Those are the only words to come out of Donnie's mouth.
Alison grins, "Surprise. Our baby came home today. Gemma. I got the call a few hours ago after yoga. I had to go get her right away. She was still at the hospital only 3 days old." She'd never allowed herself to hope she'd get a baby this young. Especially through foster to adopt.
He repeats her name softly, as Alison gently hands him their new daughter, fast asleep, "Why didn't you tell me? I would have left work immediately for this. Hello Gemma."
"I had to buy a few things, pick up Gemma, buy a few more things and rush home to feed her. You have to boil the water, it has to be hot otherwise-"
"Yeah I know. Bacteria. You told me when we bought the sterilizing thing." Donnie shrugs it off.
"So there's one more thing." Alison motions for Donnie to hand Gemma back to her waiting arms, which he does readily.
"Is there more stuff I should put together? The exersaucer? The baby gym? Do we need more ...anything?" Donnie asked.
"Well. I need you to help install the new carseat. Or watch Gemma so I can do it."
"She's not going to outgrow that one for months, she's tiny. So tiny." Donnie let himself admire the baby.
Alison shook her head, "It's not for her. Our baby has a brother."
"What? But... not like twins or something." Donnie seems stunned for a moment.
"No, a two and a half year old brother in fostercare. I already told Kyla we're adopting him too. We need to get the other room ready. I bought the new carseat today but we need to paint, buy a bed, bedding, toys..." Alison continues her list.
"What?" Donnie stares at her blankly, a lack of comprehension showing on his face.
"Listen Donnie. Just listen." Alison launches into her story again.