Olivia sat impatiently in the waiting room of the adoption agency, absently pushing Noah's stroller back and forth. It had been five weeks since she had started the adoption process and six since the the kidnapping. The room was painted a stark white, probably the colour it had been when the building went up. Random paintings covered the walls and magazines sat scattered on the sole table that sat in the middle of the room. One corner of the room had been dedicated to the children who frequent this room. Toy cars and dolls carelessly left on the floor. A small girl of maybe eight sat cross legged on the floor playing with a rainbow coloured toy that Olivia always saw in waiting rooms. The toy was made up of wires that looped and zigzagged. Olivia watched as the little girl moved the stack of blocks along the wired path from one side to the other then back again.
She was startled when she felt a hand on her own.
"You alright?" Murphy asked.
"Never better…a little nervous"
"Don't be. There's no way they won't let you adopt Noah."
"I hope so..."
"Miss Benson" Olivia turned her head to the sound of her name. A plump woman filling the doorway smiled brightly, "we're ready for you."
Olivia got up from her chair and looked down to Murphy who gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"You'll be fine" he said softly. Olivia leaned down to give him a quick kiss before following the woman.
Forty Minutes Later
Olivia emerged from the office, a wide smile plastered on her face. As soon as Murphy saw her he got up and went to her.
"So?" he asked eagerly.
"They let me adopt Noah. He's officially my son" Olivia said, hardly able to contain her excitement. Murphy smiled widely and pulled Olivia into a hug.
"Congratulations Liv"
Back at Olivia's apartment
Olivia came out from Noah's room and plopped down on the couch beside Murphy. He put his arm around her and pulled her close so she was leaning against him. He stroked her hair softly and she let out a sigh of content.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Olivia snuggled in closer to him. "I'm just thinking about how happy I am"
"Oh?"
"I just never thought I'd have this you know?"
"Have what?"
"A family"
"That reminds me. I got you something." Murphy reached into his pocket and pulled out a long velvet box.
"What is it?" she asked as Murphy placed it in her hands.
"Open it."
Olivia opened the box slowly and smiled when she saw what was inside. Inside was a silver necklace of a mother holding her child close and giving him a kiss on the forehead, the two of them altered in a way that they formed a heart. A small stone set to the side by the mother.
"It's beautiful" Olivia said taking it out of the box. She handed it to Murphy who helped her put it on. She kissed him deeply "I love it thank you."
"That's Noah's birth stone" Murphy said picking the necklace up from her chest and thumbed the stone.
"Think you could add another stone?"
Murphy frowned his eyebrows in confusion "why would you add another stone?"
"Well….there's something I have to tell you"
