Chapter 35: Resolution

Later in the afternoon, Kristin was sitting across from Michelle, waiting for her to start talking. She'd asked her to come in a little early to talk to her about something. She didn't know what this was about, but she hoped it wasn't bad news.

"Thank you for coming in Mrs. Mercer," Michelle said, sitting down, "I want to speak with you about Emma. Now I spent all yesterday trying to find her a good home and I thought I found one, but it didn't seem right to place her with anyone but you and your husband. I spoke with my boss and we might be able to bend the rules if you're willing to do it."

"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that if you are willing and able, I might be able to place Emma in your care. I spoke with your husband this morning and he said that he would be willing to file for Emma's adoption if you agreed as well."

"You spoke to him…without me."

"He came to me. After we talked I tried to get you to come in and discuss this, but you weren't home. He had to go to work, so I figured I'd speak with you before Emma came in."

"I don't understand," Kristin explained, "I thought you said there was no way she could stay with us for another 4 to 6 months."

"We do try and give kids as much familiarity as possible. That's why we usually start with family. Sutton is Emma's only available family so it only makes sense to leave her in the same home as her sister. I just need to know if you are okay with that."

"What would we have to do?"

"It's not a simple process. You don't get to sign a piece of paper and be done with it. You will have to file all of the correct paperwork, which your husband already has. You will be subject to several home studies over the next few months to make sure Emma is in fact in a safe, stable home. You basically have to go through all of the same steps as any other adopting family. Are you ready for that?"

Emma hobbled down the hallway toward Michelle's desk. Her stomach was in knots. She didn't know what was going to happen to her, not that she ever really did. This time it felt different. She didn't want to leave the Mercer home. She liked living with Sutton and Laurel and Ted and Kristen. It was the first time in 14 years that she'd felt at home. She didn't want that to end.

She spotted Michelle and Kristin waiting for her. Emma paused for a moment and took a deep breath. Everything was about to change. She forced herself forward. When she reached Michelle's desk, she took a seat next to Kristin.

"Hello Emma," Michelle said, "how was your first day of school?"

"Can you just get to the point? I'd rather not prolong the agony."

"Okay," Michelle said, "Mrs. Mercer I think you should be the one to tell her."

"Tell me what?"

Kristin turned to look at Emma. She took Emma's hand and began, "Emma, how would you like to stay with us?"

"But I thought that couldn't happen?"

"I convinced my supervisor to bend the rules a little bit. I don't want to take you away from your only family. I've spoken to both Mr. and Mrs. Mercer and they have agreed to file for your adoption. They'll go through the same process, you'll just live with them during the process. Are you okay with that?"

"Of course I'm okay with that," Emma responded. Why wouldn't she be okay with that? She'd spent her whole life trying to find somewhere she belonged. Now that she'd found it, she hadn't wanted it to change. She didn't know how Michelle had managed to pull it off, and she really didn't care at this point. She was finally getting her happy ending. She was finally getting a home.

Ted stepped into his house after rounds, feeling drained. Annie had exposed his biggest secret, but she'd done it to save their daughter. He could only hope that Michelle would keep her promise and not tell anyone the real reason Emma was being placed with him.

He walked into the kitchen and noticed a note in Kristin's handwriting sitting on the counter.

Ted,

Hope you got my message about Sutton. Will explain in more detail when I get

back from Emma's meeting. She should be in her room sleeping. Try not to

disturb her. She needs the rest.

Kristin

He'd gotten her message. She'd explained that Sutton had gotten sick at school and she was taking her home. Ted had been confused, because she'd looked fine this morning and the night before. He decided not to question it though. When he'd gotten the message he had just spent his morning trying to sort out Emma's "adoption." He really didn't have the power right now to question it either. He folded up the note and shoved it into his back pocket.

"Dad," he heard a voice say.

He looked up to see Sutton standing in the doorway. She looked exhausted, "Hey sport, how you feeling?"

"Okay," she responded, "when did you get home?"

"About five minutes ago," he explained, "Do you need anything from me?"

"No, I just came to get some water."

Sutton grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled with water from the tap. Then she started back to her bedroom, "Sutton wait," Ted called.

She turned back, "Yeah Dad."

"I want you to know that I never meant to hurt you in all of this. I really was just trying to protect you from getting hurt."

"I know," Sutton responded, "Dad I know my behavior over the past few months has not made it easy on you and Mom. I was acting like a spoiled brat and I didn't realize how much I had to lose until I almost did. I understand why you lied to me and I just want you to know that I'm done trying to find the truth. I don't care what about my past anymore. I just want to focus on what I have right now."

"Well that's a complete turnaround," Ted observed, "I'm not complaining, but what made you change your mind?"

"Let's just say I know how much I have to lose now and I don't want to lose any of it."

"Well I'm glad, Sutton. It's nice to have that daughter back."

"Dad," Sutton started.

"Yes Sutton."

"Am I too old for one of your hugs?"

"Never," he said, wrapping his arms around her. She squeezed back and buried her head in his chest.

"I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Sutton," he responding squeezing her tighter. He needed to protect her from this final secret. If any secret needed to stay buried it was this one. He had made a mistake seventeen years ago. He never planned to have history repeat itself and he never wanted anyone to know about his indiscretion. It was in the past and he wanted it to remain there.