Chapter 13
The social worker had talked to Zoe, Max, and all three of their referees. The couple were now waiting for the result: If they could adopt or not.
"I'm so nervous." Zoe said.
"Listen, we have a reference from the CEO of this hospital, if that doesn't convince them that we're decent human beings then I don't know what will." Max said, dropping a kiss on her lips.
"I know." Zoe exhaled.
He noticed that her hands were shaking, and took them in his. "I love you Mrs Walker"
"I love you too Mr Walker" she smiled.
Jenny, the social worker, came back into the room and sat opposite the couple. They straightened up.
"Well?" Zoe couldn't bear the suspense any longer.
"Good news, you are the adoptive parents of Charlotte and Liam's baby girl. We just need you to sign some papers, I don't have them with me so I'll have to nip back to the office to get them."
Zoe's smile was a mile wide. "That's great!"
"It is, congratulations to you both." Said Jenny, before shaking both of their hands and exiting the room.
"So we're parents..." Zoe said, as their adoptive daughter began to cry. She got up and lifted the little one into her arms.
"A), we should feed her again, and B), we need a name. But I'm over the moon." Smiled Max, wrapping his arms around her waist and laying his head on her shoulder.
"How about Olivia? It seems to fit her, don't you think?"
"Yeah... It does. How about Olivia-Grace Charlotte?"
"After her Mum? Yeah... That's perfect." Zoe beamed.
"I think that we should tell people about both of our babies."
"I'm fine about them knowing about Olivia, but..."
"Zoe, if anything happens during your pregnancy, at least people will know what's going on and they'll be there for you." Max counseled.
Zoe sighed, rocking Olivia gently. "Okay. But first, let's go to maternity and ask if they've got some milk for newborns. I'm sure that they will have."
A while later...
By now, Olivia was sound asleep again.
Zoe wandered back into Resus, Max was still with Olivia, watching over her whilst she slept.
The consultant bumped into Connie.
"Well?" The Clinical Lead enquired.
"Looks like Max and I have two babies on our hands instead of one."
"That's brilliant news! Can I ask if you have anything at all baby wise?"
"Like clothes and things? No..."
"Well, d'you fancy a trip up to Mothercare? I'll take you and that way Max can stay with your daughter. Do you have a name yet?"
"I'd love to go shopping for baby things with you! And yes, Olivia-Grace Charlotte. Before we go, though, Max and I need to sign some papers. " Zoe said.
"Aw, what a lovely name! And okay, I'll meet you outside in a bit? I have some paperwork to go through before I can go."
"I'll text you when I'm ready." Zoe agreed.
A while later...
Zoe signed her name on the adoption certificate, leaving enough room for her husband to do the same.
Jenny smiled at the pair. "You are now officially the adoptive parents of Olivia-Grace Charlotte Walker." She said, before again shaking their hands and leaving.
"We did it." Said Max, gazing at their daughter, who was asleep, her mouth slightly open.
"We did." Zoe said, a wave of love for the little girl washing over her.
Max pulled his wife into his arms. "Are you going to go shopping with Connie now?"
"Yes." Zoe answered. "Call me if anything goes wrong, you promise?"
"Yes, I promise, I'm sure she'll be fine. But aren't we going to make a certain announcement?"
"Yes." Zoe agreed, gently lifting Olivia up and snuggling her against her shoulder.
Zoe and Max walked into the chaos of the ED.
"Everyone! We've got something to tell you!" Max said.
Lofty, Jacob, Rita, Lily, and the rest of the ED staff turned to look at the couple.
"Firstly," Zoe began "This is Olivia, and Max and I have just signed papers to legally adopt her.
"Secondly, Olivia is going to have a little brother or sister in a few months." Max chipped in.
"You don't mean..?" Asked Rita.
"Yep, I'm pregnant." The consultant confirmed.
Congratulations filled their ears, and in that moment, Zoe knew that she had done the right thing.