Chapter 9

"Wants her back?" Blair asked. "Can she do that?"

"There's a custody hearing on Friday." Jo said. "But you have no say in the matter."

"Why?" Blair asked. "Amanda's lived with us for a year now."

"I know." Jo said. "But it's between Children's Services and the birth mother, you are supposed to show up but you will not be allowed in the court room."

---Friday, May 16, 1997

Blair and Tad nervously waited outside of the courtroom.

"What's taking so long?" Blair asked. "We've been waiting for over two hours."

"I'm sure it will be over soon." Tad said.

"What if we lose her?" Blair asked.

"I don't think we have anything to worry about." Tad said. "She abandoned Amanda and I don't think any judge will give her custody."

A few minutes later the courtroom doors opened, many people came out. Blair and Tad stood up. A social worker from Children's Services walked over to Blair and Tad.

"What happened?" Tad asked.

"She lost." The social worker said. "The judge didn't like that she had abandoned Amanda."

"So she can't get her back?" Blair asked.

"No." the social worker said. "She abandoned her once, she could do it again."

"What happens next?" Tad asked.

"We'll have to get the adoption pushed through." The social worker said. "Have you scheduled your post placement assessment?"

"Yes, it's supposed to be on Monday." Blair said.

---Monday, May 19, 1997

The social worker was on her way out after the post placement assessment.

"Everything's in order." The social worker said. "We'll call you once a court dates been set."

"Thank you." Blair said.

---Wednesday, May 21, 1997

Two days later, the phone rang. Blair picked it up.

"Hello?" Blair said. "OK…thanks for letting us know…you too…bye."

"Tad!" Blair called.

Tad ran down the stairs.

"What?" Tad asked.

"They set the court date." Blair said. "It's on Friday."

---Friday, May 23, 1997

Two days later Blair, Tad, Mrs. G, Jo, Natalie, Tootie, Jeff, Rick, Snake, Annie, Jamie, Tisha, Kelsey and Amanda sat in the courtroom where the judge finalized the adoption and Amanda became a Warner.