"Andrew's on assignment? Oh Tess, does that mean Chrissy-" Monica couldn't bring herself to finish as her and Tess sat on the front porch of Chrissy's house. Chrissy had just run inside to get some juice for the two of them. Monica had come over to her house every day since she started her assignment three days ago. Michelle was under the impression that Monica was from out of town and just visiting, which wasn't a lie, but Michelle had no idea an angel was visiting her foster daughter.
"Baby, you know Andrew doesn't always come when people die. Sometimes he's just here to help. You don't know yet." Tess explained. Monica sighed.
"So this is why I'm here for Chrissy." She said, since Tess had told her all about her meeting with Jessica. "Chrissy doesn't know yet, does she?"
"No baby, but she will soon. From what I heard at the child services office, Chrissy's social worker will be calling today. So brace yourself." Tess replied and with that, she left as Chrissy came back outside with two tall glasses of fruit punch. Snuffy was right on her tail. She handed a glass to Monica.
"Thank you." Monica said, feeling a bit distracted now that she knew what was going to happen. They suddenly heard the phone ringing inside and Monica felt her stomach sink.
Michelle hurried for the phone inside the house as she was just starting dinner. She managed to find the cordless phone under a pile of papers right after the fourth ring.
"Hello." Michelle answered, a little out of breath.
"Hi Michelle, it's Sandra." Sandra, Chrissy's social worker greeted rather glumly.
"Oh hi Sandra. How are you doing? Are you calling to tell me the adoption has finally come through?" Michelle asked hopefully. When she heard silence on the other end, she began to worry.
"Michelle, I'm afraid we have to put a hold on the adoption." Sandra said bluntly. Michelle felt her stomach jolt and she could feel the color drain from her face.
"Why? What's preventing me from adopting her? I thought everything was going smoothly. You told me there wouldn't be any problems since I've already had her for a year." Michelle pointed out worriedly as she gazed out the window at the child who had become her own laughing with Monica.
"I know I told you that, but Michelle, we have a problem now." Sandra paused. "It's about Chrissy's mother."
"So you're 15 years old now, right?" Monica asked as she pet Snuffy.
"Yeah, I actually just had my birthday. Michelle took me and my best friend Brandi to a movie." Chrissy replied.
"Brandi's the one you met at the group home, am I right?" Monica inquired.
"Yeah, she's still there but it's really close to here and we go to the same school." Chrissy explained. Monica nodded as Michelle came outside, looking upset. Chrissy looked up and knew something was very wrong.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but Chrissy, I need to talk to you right now." Michelle said seriously. Chrissy looked at Monica, who nodded at her. Chrissy followed Michelle into their house and sat down in the living room on the couch.
"Michelle, what's the matter?" Chrissy asked worriedly. Michelle sighed.
"Chrissy, Sandra just called me." She started. Chrissy knew right away it was about the adoption.
"You aren't adopting me, are you? Something went wrong didn't it?" She asked, feeling tears forming.
"Chrissy, they're putting a hold on the adoption. There's something you need to know." Michelle paused, knowing how much this would hurt her. "Your mother was just released from rehab and she…she wants custody. She wants to take you back." Michelle watched as Chrissy's face paled.
"They-they can't let that happen. After what she did, how could they let her?" Chrissy asked through angry tears.
"It's going to court Chrissy; we don't know what's going to happen yet." Michelle replied slowly.
"I can't go back there Michelle, I can't!" Chrissy cried. Michelle grabbed Chrissy's arms and held her steady.
"Listen to me; I'm not going to let her take you back if I can help it Chrissy! I'm going to fight this. You've become my daughter; I don't care that it's not biological, but I'm going to get the very best lawyer so I can fight this." She said strongly as she embraced the crying girl.
Tess and Monica watched, unseen by Michelle and Chrissy.
"Ah Tess, there's no way they would let Jessica have Chrissy back, is there?" Monica asked worriedly. Tess sighed.
"I don't know baby. It's up to God now." She said quietly. "We just have to trust that He knows best.
