Saying Yes to Eli Chapter 2
Five people entered the judge's office nearly two weeks after the phone call. Sara's mother came as part of the family group and carried Bizzy. The most recent additions had been left with neighbors who were thrilled to have two babies to rock and cuddle until their parents returned.
Eli knew an important event was taking place and seemed to stand taller as they entered the imposing building, holding hands with the two adults he knew as mother and dad. Their somber mood affected the two year old as her blue eyes took in the high ceiling entrance and dozens of people moving in and out. Even her mother appeared different today—solemn and grave instead of her usual quick smile.
"The judge decided to move you to the larger room when your family arrived." The judge's clerk said as she directed them to another area.
Grissom looked at Sara; she looked at him and mouthed "family?" He shrugged and followed the woman. Sara looked back at her mother who was brushing curls away from Bizzy's face. Double doors at the end of the hallway opened to a sun brighten conference room. Grissom glanced at Sara, guarded suspicion across his face. They expected no one else and both were thinking the same thought—Tina Brown had decided to make a last minute appearance.
At the door, the clerk waved her had. "Come in. I think you're in for a surprise."
The room was filled with people—women from the community farm, their neighbors, stood facing the door, six or eight who had lived there for a decade; two were holding Annie and Ava. By some silent and secret signal, the group of women moved aside and Grissom and Sara saw who was hidden behind them—Catherine Willows rose first. Always the first to speak, today she smiled and nodded at the two dumb founded parents. Nick Stokes, dressed in a suit and tie, was next to her, his quick and ready grin already in place. Jim Brass and Greg Sanders flanked them. For a few seconds everyone was quiet as they took in the surprised looks on the faces of Gil and Sara Grissom. Someone laughed, another spoke a greeting, and everyone was talking. Grissom, very formally, introduced Eli to each man as they shook hands, and when Catherine's turn came, she knelt with a two arm hug.
"You are so handsome today, Eli!" She said.
Very seriously, he said, "Today my name is Eli Grissom." Catherine hugged him again, partly to hide the tears in her eyes.
Conversations centered on questions and answers, how did everyone arrive at this place, where were they staying, how had they managed this surprise. Laughter filled the room as everyone talked at once as Sara and Grissom heard details of secret phone calls, hidden arrivals, even an unexpected stop was planned to give everyone time to arrive, and a gathering afterwards. Plans had been made and carried out without their knowledge and everything had worked perfectly.
The judge entered the room, without announcement or fanfare, to find multiple voices swirling around the room, and several minutes passed before anyone realized he had arrived. A quiet comprehension occurred as each person recognized the significance of this event and six of the adults remembered another time they were together with Eli Brown. The judge was introduced to Eli, Bizzy, and the parents who then introduced the others in the room. By the time he had shaken hands with everyone, papers were arranged on a table for signatures.
The dignified man sat at the table and asked for Eli's hand. He asked several questions, delivered in words and terms understood by the four-year old, before asking if he were ready to have Gil and Sara Grissom as his real parents. The boy gave the smile of his father as he turned to look at the couple.
"Yes, and today my name is Eli Grissom."
The judge looked up at the parents. "Are you ready to be parents to Eli?"
"Yes," both said as they smiled at the child.
The judge turned to the assembled group. "And is this group ready to add Eli to the family?" Everyone nodded, saying yes, as the judge signed papers and passed them to his clerk who pointed to places for the parents' signatures.
The judge stood, shaking Eli's hand again, as he announced, "It's official—Eli Brown is now Eli Brown Grissom." The little boy smiled as more than one adult in the room blinked back tears and a few brushed at eyes with a quick swipe of a hand, and at least one person coughed or cleared his throat.
A/N: We wrote this as fiction; not as a real adoption goes, so forgive us if you have been through an actual adoption process! This story is short; two more chapters to tell this story. Thanks for reading.