I apologize for the delay in updating! I'm in the process of writing a second original novel.
Chapter Ten
An answer to an important question finally came in regards to six-month-old Jorja. Jorja's biological father had indeed forfeited his rights and now he was identified. He wasn't named to her foster parents. He wasn't deaf, but his older brother and mother were. Jorja's biological father or his family were not trying to reclaim those rights. The cause of their hearing impairment was also undetermined. Looking at this history though a team of specialists thought there was some sort of unknown genetic factor was involved. Jorja's uncle had tried cochlear implants several years ago as a ten. He had become frustrated with adjusting to sound and learning to speak. He had ceased the use of his sound transmitters after a year. His niece. Jorja's age was a huge advantage he had missed. There weren't any other known illnesses in the family. They debated in asking to meeting Jorja but decided not to, Rick told Drew. Jorja's birth family did inquire about her chances of being adopted.
They said they hoped that if she was in a long-term placement with parents who wanted to adopt her. Her paternal family hadn't known Jorja had a half-sister. Hearing this and that Jorja and her sister were living in the same foster home Jorja's biological father expressed hope that two would be adopted together. He wasn't the only one.
Both men were told what they were getting into with foster parenting through the required training. The possibility of having to let go of Brianna and Jorja-at a moment's notice, not knowing where the girls were going, or if they would be together still lingered. A patient came in after suffering a heart attack. The cause was a mystery being the fifty-four year man didn't have a history of heart problems. His wife told Drew that the couple had recently been forced to give up custody of their foster sons, after four years. They had been fighting the decision for close to a year before losing. Further tests were going to have be run after the husband was admitted but Drew was betting that trauma and stress was the cause.
"I'm so sorry to hear that," Drew said. "But I assure you we'll take care of your husband. The nurse will tell you when he's settled in."
Filling out the patient's file at the nurses' station Drew could see why the man seemed to "have given up" when he was taken in to the hospital. He hated to say it but Drew couldn't blame him. His heart was broken. After only three months, life without the two girls in his and Rick's care was unimaginable. He and Rick had decided that if their efforts to adopt their foster children was a success, fostering in the future wasn't an option. Brianna and Jorja were worth every tear but going through this again would be too much to take. The girls were going to get an extra hug when Drew got home.
As always Brianna was happy to see him.
"Hey bug," he said hugging her tightly. "I missed you. How was your night?"
"Good. I helped daddy give Jorja a bath. I think she thought it was fun."
Drew chuckled.
Brianna sat down with Drew while he ate breakfast. "Can we go for ice cream after your nap?"
"What nap?"
"Daddy says 'cause you worked all night you have to take a nap before you do anything," she answered.
"Oh really, did he now?"
And I'm the mother hen? Drew thought.