Sharon watched Lacey staring out of the condo balcony. The air outside was chilly, and she decided to wrap a throw blanket around the young woman's shoulders, to make sure that she doesn't catch a cold. It's been two weeks since Lacey's first emergency visit to the hospital, where fluids were drained from her lungs. The doctors explained that she would need a nasal cannula and fixed her with medications that would relief her nausea and help her eat. The oxygen tank now accompanied her everywhere, but Sharon was glad to see that the girl was eating and breathing with more ease than before. Jack had visited her several times but did not feel ready to spend time alone with her. Sharon thought it was for the better for both of them.

"You seem a little down," Sharon started.

"I've been thinking," Lacey replied. "About something my father said last week." Sharon looked at her, waiting for her to elaborate. "About giving the baby up for adoption."

"I see," Sharon said.

"It's clear that I probably won't have more than a couple of months to live," Lacey's eyes filled with tears as she spoke. "And I love my baby too much to just sit here and keep hoping that Jack will take it once it's born. I have to make a different plan. And I read online about open adoption, so I was wondering if you could look into that with me."

"Open adoption is a great option, Lacey. It will give you a chance to choose your child's adoptive family and stay in contact with it for as long as you live."

"It sounds more appealing than just regular adoption," Lacey noted.

"I agree," Sharon said. "I think the first step for you is to think what kind of family you would like your child to grow up with," she suggested.

"I just want it to be a loving family that will accept and respect the child no matter what," Lacey explained. "I don't care about their political affiliation, or their sexual orientation, or how old they are. I just want my child to be loved." Sharon nodded slowly and took Lacey's hand.

"You look like you have an idea," Lacey said. "Do you know anyone who's looking to adopt?"

"Maybe," Sharon responded and squeezed Lacey's hand affectionately. "I'll need to ask, and if it works out we can arrange a meeting."

It seemed that Sharon's promise to help her look for a potential adopting family for her baby had put Lacey's mind at ease, and as happened to her more often since she returned from the hospital, she fell asleep on the lounge chair in the balcony. Andy had carried her into the house and put her down on the couch.

"She looks peaceful," he said to Sharon who adjusted Lacey's cannula around her face. She smiled at him. She knew that the condo was too crowded for all of them, but Andy never complained about their newest addition. In fact, he treated her as if she was his daughter, and Sharon knew that he was pained to see her suffer the horrible manifestations of her disease as it progressed.

"That's because there's a possible solution for the situation with her baby," Sharon explained. Andy looked at her curiously. "She decided on open adoption."

"It may be a good idea. It's not as scary and uncertain as closed adoption," Andy commented.

"I think so too," Sharon replied. "And all she cares about in regards to the family is that they will love the baby and treat it well. I had someone in mind who might be interested in giving this baby a loving home."

"Don't tell me you mean…" Andy started, and Sharon nodded at him. "Really?"

"Why not?" Sharon arched her eyebrows.

"I didn't say it wasn't a good idea, just that it's… well, I guess it could work."

"I think it will, Andy," Sharon offered him a cryptic smile. He loved how her mind worked sometimes, and when he thought about it, Sharon's idea would give the baby a great start, unlike the ones that Rusty and Lacey got. And it would also give Lacey a chance to be a part of the child's life until her time on earth comes to an untimely end. The only thing Andy knew for sure was that if Sharon's suggestion worked out, this adoption was going to be an interesting ride. He was almost shivering with anticipation.

- To Be Continued -

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