Chapter 2
It was a good sleep despite her day. She was surprised she didn't have any nightmares. It was morning when she felt a finger push open her eye. "Mommy, I wake up." She giggled seeing his eye close to hers. He had probably been awake for a while as she focused on the clock.
She sat up and looked at Lucy still sleeping. She must have been enjoying it, she usually was up early. She wiped her face, looked at her phone to see no calls, and looked at her sweet little boy holding his stuffed elephant named Trunk. "Come on big boy, let's go quietly. Don't wake Lucy." She picked him up and he peered over her shoulder, probably wondering why Lucy was in her bed.
Olivia was surprised he wasn't wet. She had been working a lot and potty training was difficult. He did great during the day, but nights were a struggle. Lucy worked hard on potty training with him. She smiled and was proud of him. "Mommy, I free." He held up 3 fingers while counting. "I a big boy." She smiled, but it also made her a little sad, she missed things working. Maybe these next four weeks would be enjoyable.
She made a big breakfast with blueberry pancakes, eggs, bacon, and fruit. Lucy walked in surprised. "Good morning. Liv, why didn't you wake me?" Noah waved his hands for a hug.
Olivia wasn't going to wake her, "You look like you needed some rest. Sit and eat." Her tone was stern and Lucy asked if she was in trouble. That got Noah's attention, he knew what trouble meant. Olivia sighed, "No, but I know you haven't been taking care of yourself for the last 5 months so that will change. I'm the adult, so you will live with us, listen to me, and I will have rules."
Lucy looked at Noah and he smiled. "Liv, I'm not a kid. I'm 19, I'm an adult too." Noah frowned quickly and held his fork. He was three and he knew better than to challenge his mother.
Olivia turned around to look at her, "Really, you're going to fight me on this. Ok now you're in trouble. Should we replay what you told me last night?" Lucy looked at Noah and he shook his head like a warning. Lucy almost laughed, a three year old was telling her to stop, she was 19, but still a kid.
She looked at Olivia holding a wooden spoon in her hand. She was holding it like a mom who was ready to pop a child who was disobeying. Lucy knew because her mom did that when she was little, but she quickly moved to using other things, the worst being the leather belt. Olivia had never popped Noah though, not even during his worst tantrums. "No ma'am."
Olivia grabbed the pan and used the spoon to put the eggs on the empty plate. She would never discipline like that, it wasn't her style. Her mother did it to her all of her life. "Good, now both of you eat. We have some packing to do."
Lucy and Noah looked at each other, shrugged, and stuffed their faces. Olivia shook her head at both of her babies. What if she didn't figure out Lucy's problem, before something happened to her. They ate and they all helped clean up. "Here Noah, dry the table."
Lucy looked at Olivia packing a suitcase for her and Noah. "Luce, get your stuff and put it in that other suitcase. She looked at the big suitcase and Olivia knew what she was thinking. She told her the plan about the vacation to Atlanta, "Luce, fold what you have and we will shop when we get there. We can't do this. You need to trust me when I say I have you. I really have you."
After packing they relaxed. They heard a knock on the door. Olivia went to open it. It was her lawyer Trevor Langan. Noah kept playing, he didn't know what was going on. "Lucy, come here please." Lucy plopped down saying she packed, but it was basically empty. She smiled at the man in the suit. She was confused. "Luce, this is Mr. Langan, he's my lawyer. I called him this morning to talk about adopting you."
Lucy was shocked. Olivia explained she didn't have health insurance and more importantly, if anything happened to her, she wanted Lucy protected and Noah would legally be her responsibility. "I'd leave you everything. I trust you with everything. I have you."
Lucy began to cry, "Liv, I had no idea you would ever do this for me." She couldn't believe her mother left her with nothing. She couldn't believe Olivia wanted to take care of her like a mom.
Trevor explained the process of adult adoption. "So, if you're interested, you sign this, I do all the leg work, and I will take it to court with you two. The judge will sign off." He explained it should be fairly easy.
Olivia thanked Trevor while Lucy signed the paperwork. "We're going on vacation to Atlanta. We will be gone for 4 weeks, is that a problem?" Trevor shook his head and explained it would take some time, but with her signature he would file for a temporary order. Olivia could add her to insurance and so forth.
The next day they were on their flight and headed to Atlanta. Noah loved the plane ride and of course was trying to sleep now while they grabbed their bags. Olivia held him in her arms, while Lucy grabbed the bags. "No mommy! No mommy!" Olivia sighed, she was trying to pass him to Lucy while she signed for the rental car. He was ready for a nap and was abnormally cranky.
Once they got in the car and riding, Noah was out for the count. Olivia smiled watching Lucy's eyes wide open. When they pulled up to the apartment even Olivia was shocked. It looked even better than the website. Lucy was smiling and it made Olivia smile because she was happy too. They drove by the luxury pool. "Luce, it's open and heated. I thought you and Noah would like swimming."
They walked in the spacious 3 bedroom apartment. Olivia put Noah down on the couch to finish his nap. "Go ahead Luce, check out your room in there. Noah will be sleeping in that one, it's smaller. Lucy ran in the room. Noah started to stir and Olivia held him while he snuggled.
Once he woke up, they unpacked. "Okay, let's go eat some dinner, get you some clothes, and some groceries. Tomorrow the fun starts." They headed out to dinner and when Noah saw the pool, he went nuts. "Tomorrow okay baby."
They were used to New York their whole life, but now they were in the south. The south was known for soul food, comfort food. The brochures in the apartment recommended Mary Mac's Tea Room. Olivia ordered an appetizer while everyone decided, "We'll take deviled eggs and hushpuppies." Noah giggled, repeating hushpuppies and barking.
Dinner was amazing. Olivia and Lucy went with the Southern Special. They got to pick an entrée, 3 sides, and a dessert. Olivia ordered fried chicken, green beans, Mac and cheese, and steamed cabbage. Lucy ordered chicken and dumplings, cheese grits, collards, and sweet potato soufflé. Noah wanted the hot dog with applesauce and green beans. They all shared some of each other's food. Dessert was everyone's favorite. Olivia got the famous peach cobbler, Lucy the banana pudding, and Noah had an ice cream sundae.
They went to the mall and picked up some clothes for Lucy. "Don't ask me, pick what you want." Lucy grabbed a bathing suit and Olivia told her to grab two. She grabbed some shorts and jeans. Then some T-shirts. "Shoes Luce." Olivia pointed to the shoe store.
The last stop was for groceries. Noah was tired after the long day, but he stayed awake when Olivia promised he could pick out some snacks. Lucy gave him a bath and read him a story while Olivia put everything away. "Liv, he's out like a light. Thank you for everything. Goodnight." Olivia said goodnight, took her shower, and fell asleep.
