"Well, what's the reason?" David asked as he took Mary Margret's hand. He heard Kelly sigh on the other end of the line and he held his breath.
"The reason that the adoption didn't go through could be because of Emma's biological parents coming into the picture when the adoption was being processed."
"Her parents? Why wasn't I notified about her parents coming back?"
"I only learned of this now. Apparently, they went to the judge first. They want Emma back."
"No, they tossed her aside when she barely 12 hours old. I will fight like hell for her."
"That's what I wanted to hear. Unfortunately, you're going to have bring Emma so her parents can meet her."
"Do I have to bring her to them?"
"Not now. Tomorrow, I've set up a meeting at 10am here at the office. I told them that's the only way they can meet her; here with you and I present."
"Emma's not going to understand."
"I know, believe me the last thing I want is to hurt her. We just have to follow protocol this time."
"I hate this." David said hanging up. He turned to Mary Margret. "Her biological parents came back. They want her back."
"How can they toss her aside, and then decide they want her back almost five years later?"
"I don't know but I have to bring Emma for a meeting tomorrow."
"Tomorrow's my day off, do you want me to come?"
"I want to say yes, but if you want to sleep in I understand. The meeting is at 10am so we would have to leave at about 9:30."
"I'll come. She's my daughter too." Mary Margret said with her eyes full of love. David kissed her.
"I'll grab Emma and we'll let you work. I'll see you at home. I love you."
"I love you too." David walked out of the room and told Emma it was time to go home. The whole drive home, David tried to think of a way to tell Emma about meeting her biological parents. When they got home, David took Emma into her room.
"Emma, there's something I need to tell you." Emma looked at him. "You know that for some reason the adoption didn't go through this time and Kelly was going to find out why. She did."
"Why can't you adopt me?" Emma asked.
"That's the hard part to tell you. Emma, your biological parents came back into the picture. They talked to the judge and they want to meet you. Kelly told me that I have to bring you to meet them tomorrow."
"You're giving me back?" Emma asked with tears welling up in her eyes. David pulled Emma into his lap.
"No, I'm never you giving you back Emma. You're my daughter now. I'm only doing this because Kelly told me I had to. She told me I have to bring you to meet you to meet them but you won't be alone. Kelly told them they can only meet you at her office, with either me and/or her there. We're not letting you be alone with them."
"And after that I come home with you?"
"Yes, you are not going back with them. I will fight for you with everything I have." Emma hugged David. She never had anyone fight for her before. It felt nice. The next morning, David dressed Emma in a nice dress after giving her a bath. He blow dried her hair and styled it half up half down. Mary Margret was waiting for them in the living room.
"Are you ready Emma?"
"No I don't want to see them. They didn't want me."
"I'm sure they had a reason. Let's go before we're late to see Kelly." The trio got in the truck and David drove to Kelly's office. When they pulled up, David picked up Emma and carried her into the office. Emma clung to David's neck and buried her face in his shoulder. Kelly met them outside the meeting room.
"Hi Emma."
"She's upset."
"I figured. Since this is the first meeting and she's clearly not going to go anywhere without you David, you can come in." David nodded and started to follow Kelly. He felt a tug behind him, Emma had clutched on to Mary Margret's hand when they walked into the building and didn't let go.
"Mary come too." David looked at Kelly. She nodded. The four walked into the meeting room.
"David, Mary Margret, this is Noah and Sarah Swan, Emma's biological parents. Noah, Sarah, this is David Nolan and Mary Margret Blanchard, Emma's foster parents."
"It's nice to meet you, thank you for taking care of our little girl." Noah said. It took everything in him not punch Noah in the face.
"She was your daughter until you abandoned her on the side of the road mere hours after her birth." David told him. He felt Emma tighten her grip around his neck. He gently rubbed her back. "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at them." He whispered into her ear.
"Can we see her face?" Sarah asked.
"That's up to her." David said. "Emma, can you look at them?" It took a few moments but slowly Emma pulled her face away from David's neck. Noah and Sarah just looked at her for a few moments.
"Emma, you're beautiful." Sarah said walking closer. She reached her hands out and Emma stiffly went to her. "Oh sweetie, you look just like your grandmother. You'll meet her someday."
"Sarah, let me see her." Noah said. Emma seemed to sense something was off because she refused to go to Noah. She clutched Sarah's arms simply because she was the one holding Emma. "Sarah, let go of her."
"She's holding onto me." Sarah defended. Noah grabbed Emma and right away Emma started to scream,
"Daddy! Daddy, I want my daddy!"
"Then come to me you brat!" Noah yelled. David was beside them in less than a second. He pushed Noah out of the way and took Emma from Sarah. Emma clutched on him and cried into his shoulder. David and Mary Margret rubbed her back softly. "You're not her father. I am."
"You are lucky I'm busy consoling her or you'd be on the floor nursing a broken nose."
"You're going to let him talk like that to me and keep my kid?" Noah angrily asked Kelly.
"After you called this sweet little girl and brat and traumatized her, yes I am." Kelly said as calmly as she could. "I think this meeting is over, I'll be sure to tell the judge what went on here today." David and Mary Margret couldn't get out the room fast enough. They took Emma to a family bathroom.
"It's okay Emma, breathe."
"I don't want to go to them. I want to stay with you and Mommy." Emma said with tears flowing down her cheeks. David rubbed Emma's back.
"You're not going with them. I told you that you were coming home with us and you are." David told her. Emma looked at him.
"I don't want that man to be my daddy."
"He's not."
"He said he was and so did Kelly. Kelly also the other girl was my real mommy. I don't want her I want Mary."
"You don't have to worry. After what happened back there I'm sure Kelly is not going to make you go with them." David kissed her head. He picked her up and they left the bathroom. They went to see Kelly before leaving. "So what happens now?"
"I tell the judge what happened during the meeting and he makes his ruling. Unfortunately, he may have Emma meet them without the two of you. He may give them supervised visits."
"I'm not comfortable with that or Noah. You heard how he talked to Sarah and Emma."
"And I'll be mentioning that to the judge. Right now, it's just a waiting game. You are free to take Emma home though."
"So what happens with us if they get supervised visits?"
"In some cases unsupervised visits are granted if there doesn't seem to be any problems."
"And if there are problems?"
"Then the visits could cease but you still wouldn't be able to adopt her until the parental rights are terminated." David sighed.
"Fine, just keep us posted." The trio walked out of the office building and drove home. Mary Margret carried Emma and put her to bed for a late nap. After she was sure Emma was sleeping, she went back to see David. "What are we going to do?"
"Nothing, we just wait for this to run its course. Hopefully, nothing bad will happen but also we don't want the meetings to go well. We just have to hope the judge doesn't side with Noah and Sarah." Mary Margret said. David hugged her.
"I'm so glad you're here. I don't know if I could get through this alone." Mary Margret squeezed him back. They had a long way to go but together, they would get through it.