Chapter Eight: Prediction Out in the Open (Part 1)
The following week Jason and Kat headed to San Antonio for Liam's upcoming karate tournament. Kat had a dance competition down there too at the same time. It was difficult to find a babysitter for Keira, Darren and Lulu because with their competitions going on it would be difficult for the two of them to look after the kids. Reluctantly, the only option they had was to have Tommy and Kimberly look after the kids while they were away. Ever since the fallout with Tommy and Kim, Jason and Kat haven't talked to them and focused on trying to legally adopt Lulu. Kat was thrilled than ever to welcome her permanently into the family.
"Mommy, daddy I'm nervous," Liam said as he was preparing for his match, "I don't know who I'm facing."
"C'mon sport keep your chin up," Kat smiled, "No matter what happens we'll always be here for you. We want you to know Liam is that we're very proud of you."
"Your mother is right son," Jason replied, "It's not all about winning. What matters is that you do your best out there and bringing honor to yourself and to us."
"Thank you," Liam smiled, "I'll do my best."
"You're up now son," Jason called, "Good luck Liam."
"Up next is our match in the boys' division between Liam Scott presenting the Kasei Kin Karate Dojo in Reefside, California and Spencer Park of the Mokusei-Ki Karate Dojo of Angel Grove, California," the announcer said, "Could both participants please come to the center ring."
"Spencer Park!" Jason and Kat replied, "Oh my gosh…could Liam's opponent be Adam's son?"
Kat and Jason were surprised to see their old friend Adam Park on the other side of the arena with a little about the same age as Liam. He had black hair, black eyes and was wearing a green karate outfit. The two boys walked to the center of the ring and listened as the referee explained the instructions of the match. Jason and Kat watched as the match began and studied that both boys were pretty much evenly matched one point.
"Your son is pretty amazing out there," Adam said as he came over to them, "I was actually surprised to see you two here…and to actually believe that Spencer's opponent is Liam. It's been a long while since we last saw each other."
"It's good seeing you again Adam," Kat smiled, "So how are you and Tanya doing?"
"Tanya's in San Francisco for the next two weeks recording," Adam replied, "Besides raising our kids and all, it's been pretty amazing. I've been working with Spencer and the other students for a while preparing for the tournament. How about you two? Besides the tournament what brings you guys here to San Antonio?"
"Kat just finished a dance competition for her students here and came in 1st place in the state finals," Jason added, "The other reason why we're down here is because we're planning to legally adopt the foster girl that was living with us after her parents died. Currently we've moved to Reefside with the kids because the new dojo that I opened up and the dance school Kat started there."
"It seems like you two are pretty well settled down," Adam added, "I guess you guys been in contact with Tommy and Kim. Those two live down in Reefside with Courtney and Ben."
"Yeah we're aware of that," Kat said, "Jason and I also have a pair of twins named Keira and Darren and Lulu, the foster kid that's living with us. Jason and I are going to head to the adoption agency to finalize the adoption of Lulu. We're really excited about having a new daughter in the family."
"I'm happy for the two of you," Adam said watching the match, "Just as I'm proud of my little boy out there. It doesn't matter who win or loses. What matters is that they both do their best out there and bring honor to themselves."
"That's what counts is that they do their best out there," Jason replied as the match finally finished, "Hey the match is over."
"Participants bound to each other and face me," the referee called, "Judges ruled both combatants 4 points each. The match ends in draw game meaning both participants tie. You are dismissed."
"It was tied dad," Liam said, "But at least two people won today."
"Daddy are you proud of me?" Spencer asked Adam.
"Of course I am buddy you did me proud son," Adam smiled hugging his son, "So I assume that this must be Liam Scott?"
"Hi you must be Adam," Liam smiled shaking his hand, "And my opponent must be your son Spencer Park I assume? You're pretty good out there. Maybe we should work together on our moves sometime."
"I like that and besides you make a worthy adversary Liam," Spencer smiled, "But let's hope we can be friends. It was nice meeting you."
"Our sons are becoming fast friends I see," Kat smiled, "Oh Jas look at the time. We got to head to the Adoption Agency before it closes."
"You're right are you ready?" Jason asked, "Well Adam it was nice seeing you again. Tell Tanya that we said hello okay? Give her our best wishes with the recording demo."
"I'll tell her that and I hope everything turns our alright for the two of you," Adam said as they all left, "Good luck with adopting your foster kid."
Later on during the day, Jason and Kat arrived at the San Antonio Adoption Agency. It has been over eight months since they have last dealt with either social services or the adoption agency. The agreement was that if the two of them took Lulu in as a foster child they would be considered candidates to adopt the girl. The two went into the office of one of the social worker they dealt with about eight months back. While Kat was talking about the prospect of having a new daughter with Liam, Jason couldn't help but think there was a chance that something wasn't right about this. Suddenly he felt his mind take him back six weeks ago.
(FLASHBACK: Six Weeks Ago- Oliver Residence)
"Tommy? Hey bro are you home?" Jason called out, "He probably might be in the basement tending to some Ranger business I assume."
He headed downstairs to find Hayley doing some research on the computer. She turned around and noticed Jason's presence. Hayley abandoned her post at the computer as Jason asked about Tommy's whereabouts.
"Jason what are you doing here?" Hayley asked.
"Well I came by to see if Tommy's around," Jason added, "Is Kim around too?"
"Actually Tommy is upstairs on an important phone call and Kim's out grocery shopping with Ben and Courtney," Hayley replied, "I guess you let yourself in I assume. No need to worry once in awhile at least some privileged person is rewarded a spare key to the Oliver Residence just in case."
"I can see that I dropped by to pick up some martial arts equipment that I left here while sparring with Tommy the other night," Jason replied, "Do you know where he put it?"
"It should be in the corner next to the bookcase," Hayley replied as her cellphone began to ring, "If you don't mind I got to take this call outside. Tommy should be down at any moment."
While Hayley stepped out the room to deal with her call, Jason gathered the equipment. A minute later he started noticing that the computer was downloading a file. Once it was already completed, it replied that it needed to be open. He was stunned that the file that he opened on Tommy's computer was Lulu's profile with Social Services in San Antonio and her earlier profile from Miami.
"What…the heck is he doing trying to get into Lulu's profile?" Jason thought to himself as he didn't notice Tommy coming down.
"Jason what's going on?" Tommy asked.
"You tell me and explain to me what the meaning of all of this is? Why are you hacking into state confidential files with the San Antonio Social Services? Have you lost your mind Tommy Oliver?"
"This is not what it looks like Jason if you let me explain," Tommy pleaded.
"The infatuation that you and Kimberly have with Lulu is beginning to strain in building a relationship with our foster child,' Jason replied, "She's been through a lot in the last couple of months with the loss of her parents and moving! Lulu's at a point where she's able to move on! Kat and I are on the verge of finally giving her a proper home she can live in…that's why we're planning to adopt her."
"You plan on adopting that little girl than there will be some serious consequences to pay," Tommy said, "You…don't know what the two of you are getting into. How long have you really known Jefferson and Melanie Healy? There are some things people don't tend to tell you? What were they like? How well do know them as parents? That profile says something about that girl! Lulu is not what she seems to be okay?"
"She's a six year old girl and you talk about like as if she was your daughter," Jason snapped, "You're probably doing this because you're wondering what it would have been like if Kim haven't given up your first born daughter! I guess you two have been trying to fill that guilt and regret by spending time with Lulu isn't it? Let me tell you this okay? Lulu is not your first born daughter! Don't use that girl as a means to fill that void of not having your kid around! You made that decision six years ago now live with it! Just answer me this one question…what makes Lulu so special that you suddenly suggest that Kat and I don't adopt her?"
"If I told you in my heart…I may believe that Lulu is my daughter than that is why I'm doing what I'm doing," Tommy replied, "I believe your foster kid…maybe my daughter Louise. I'm doing this for my family and for Kimberly."
END OF FLASHBACK
"Mr. and Mrs. Scott welcome," the social worker replied, "How are you doing? It's been awhile since we last met. I assume everything is going well with Louise."
"Pretty much," Kat said, "Everything is well with Louise…in fact my husband and I was talking about considering adopting Louise. We know that the terms of us taking her into foster care after the death of her parents, there was a chance of considering adoption with the consent of social services. We want to do what is best for her."
"I see and I am fully aware that you two are considering adopting Louise," the social worker added, "We are fully supportive of the decision at the moment. If you want we can begin to process the adoption papers and within a few weeks you two will be granted full custody. Is there anything else you want to discuss?"
"Actually…there is one more thing," Jason said, "I was wondering if you would happen to have Louise's profile. I'm just curious to know if that is a problem."
"Well technically this is confidential but is there something you wanted to know?" the social worker asked.
"I thought that Jefferson and Melanie never dealt with social services," Jason said.
"You two weren't probably aware of the fact that Louise was originally adopted," the social worker answered, "Jefferson and Melanie Healy adopted her six years ago in Miami. They were on a waiting list for adopting her weeks before she was born."
"We…were never aware of the fact Jeff and Mel adopted Louise," Kat replied shock, "I thought she…was actually their daughter when we first met. What…were Louise's real parents like?"
"According to Social Services in Miami the biological parents of Louise didn't want to disclosure any information about their whereabouts or identity. The only time they disclosure their identity was when they signed the adoption forms to put their daughter up. What we only know about Louise's biological parents was that her mother must have been seventeen at the time when she gave birth. Her mother was one of the gymnast on the Pan Global Team, but the mother didn't want to disclose any information about the father. All we know about the father was he was an old boyfriend of hers back in California. Louise's father doesn't even know about her or the fact that her mother was pregnant with her. The mother couldn't financially and emotionally provide for her daughter…so she had no choice but to give up Louise."
"Louise's mother must have been devastated," Kat said, "She was young and it must have been hard for her to do that. But why would they have wanted to give up such a beautiful little girl?"
"They wanted to give her up so they can give her a better future," the social worker said, "The biological parents loved their daughter that it was hard for the mother to put her up for adoption. It was sad…but they were guarantee that one day they would get to see their daughter and regain custody."
"I got a question," Jason added, "If Louise's biological parents somehow reappeared and wanted to regain custody back…would they have a chance to get her back?"
"Well now that the adoptive parents are gone…there is a high probability of Louise's biological parents getting custody back," the social worker said, "Once Louise's biological parents regain custody it can overturn any chances of adoption. If at any case they come back…they will automatically reclaim Louise."
"They…can actually reclaim Louise as their child again?" Kat asked in shock, "If these biological parents showed up and wanted to reclaim Louise I wouldn't allow it! Despite the fact they are her parents they weren't there for her for six years! They missed out on a lot of her life! We can provide for her so please don't tell me that there is a chance they can get her!"
"Kat wait!" Jason replied as Kat left the room upset, "Listen…I was wondering if you knew by any chance the name of the biological parents."
"According to the adoption record here," the social worker said, "The full name listed here is Louise Isabelle Oliver. The mother was listed as one Kimberly Ann Hart and the father was listed as one Thomas James Oliver. Her mother must have wanted to give her father's last name as part of remembering her."
Jason was shocked at the revelation he just heard. Louise wasn't Jefferson and Melanie Healy's daughter…but she was actually Tommy and Kimberly's first born daughter they were trying to find in Florida. "Louise…is Tommy and Kimberly's daughter?" Jason thought to himself, "Now I know why we can't adopt her because she was never ours to begin with."
"Mr. Scott is everything alright?" the social worker asked.
"I believe…we made a mistake coming here," Jason sighed as he left, "May I be excused for a minute. I think there must have been a misunderstanding."
Kat was outside watching Liam play. Jason came out with a look of disappointment. She would have assumed that everything must have worked out perfectly and they were clear to adopt Louise. Unfortunately for Jason, just a few moments ago he discovered that the girl that they were raising for over eight months happened to be his best friends' first born daughter. The hard part now was telling Kat the truth.
"So how did everything go?" Kat asked with a smiled, "Are we clear to go?"
"Katherine we need to talk for a minute," Jason sighed as he took her hand, "There…is something you need to know. I believe…there has been a big misunderstanding. What the social worker was saying about the biological parents reclaiming custody of Louise…I believe they are right. Kat…there is a chance that we cannot adopt Louise."
"Jason Lee Scott what are you talking about?" Kat asked in tears, "Louise's biological parents aren't here! They can't reclaim her because they gave her up! They maybe her parents but the two of us and the Healys were there for her within the six years of her life! Do you think her biological parents would give a damn about her?"
"Kat we cannot adopt Louise because she was never ours nor the Healys to begin with! Lou's biological parents missed her everyday of her life and regretted giving her up for adoption! They have the right to reclaim their daughter and overturn the adoption if we attempted at it! I know it sounds harsh but if we even fight for custody…we'll lose."
"I don't get it Jason tell me why? I want to know from my own husband's lip as to why the hell we cannot adopt Louise? What is stopping us from adopting her?"
"Because the prediction I found out six years ago came true," Jason said, "Kat…Louise's biological parents are in Reefside and they are looking for her. We can't adopt Louise because we can't take her away from her parents. They already hurt enough giving her up we'll be even…causing them more pain."
"What are you talking about Jason?" Kat replied confused, "How do you we know Louise's biological parents?"
"Because there are our best friends," Jason said, "We can't adopt Louise because…she is actually Louise Isabelle Oliver. She was the baby they gave up six years ago and the daughter they were searching for was right in front of them the whole time. Louise is…Tommy and Kimberly's daughter."