'Shelagh. We need to talk.'

'Patrick?' With 3 long strides he pulled her into a deep kiss.
'Yes.'
'Yes?'
'Lets do it. Let's adopt Carole.' He said resolutely as Shelagh gasped.
'Really? You mean it.'
'I mean it darling. Ever since you told me I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. About lazy days in the garden, about holidays to the beach, cricket matches, dances, girl scouts. Our family. Me, my gorgeous wife, our incredible son and our 2 beautiful daughters. Our 3 children. Our babies. Yes it's an extra mouth to feed and house but it's another child to love, another child to love us, another way of showing the world how much we love each other. Can't you just imagine our girls walking down the street hand in hand or playing dolls together or getting into mischief together? Can't you just imagine them at mum and dad's house and tag teaming Leonard, pining him to the floor and putting tufts of his fur into bunches. ' He grinned as tears of joy began to roll down Shelagh's face.
'Oh Patrick I can. I can see all of that. I want all of that. With you. And our 3 beautiful children. I love you so much my darling husband.'
'And I you my darling wife.' He said as she pulled him back into a deep kiss.
'I can't wait to ask Tim what he thinks. I can only imagine his face. He has no idea about this. He could tell something was up earlier but I managed to persuade him all was well. He was worried my TB might have returned.'
'Perish the thought. I don't even want to think about it. You're here to stay Shelagh Turner.'
'Just try and stop me.' She laughed gleefully as she wrapped her arms around his waist and leant up to kiss the father of her three children.

'I'm back.' Tim called softly as he entered the house once more. 'Mum? Dad?'
'In here Tim.' He walked in to find his parents sat together nervously on the sofa, backs ramrod straight, hands clasped tightly together between them, watching him. He panicked. They only looked like this when they needed to talk to him or tell him off. He frantically tried to remember everything he had done in the past week, searching for the event he was inevitably to be scolded for but nothing of prominence came to mind. Confused he sat opposite them.
'Whatever it is I didn't do it.'
'You're not in trouble sweetheart. Far from it. Your father and I just have to talk to you about something rather important. Something that may well change our lives, our family again.'
'I knew it! I knew there was something going on! You are ill arent you! I knew it! Please don't die Mum. You promised to tell me if there was something wrong.'
'And I am keeping to that. There is nothing wrong I assure you.'
'We just want your opinion on something.'
'Riiiigght.'
'How would you feel if we adopted Carole?' Shelagh asked delicately.
'...Carole? As in baby Carole? Carole who stayed with us last year? Carole who I gave Cuthbert to?'
'The very same. Her parents decided they could no longer look after her and Mrs Ellaby got in contact with us to ask if we wished to adopt her seeing as we got in so well with her when she stayed. You're such a great big brother to Angela that we wondered if it would be alright if you could see it in your heart to be the same with another little girl.'
'I'd have another baby sister?' Timothy asked slowly, mulling over the implications and potential fallout of such an event occurring.
'Well she's not so much of a baby now. She's nearly one now. And absolutely gorgeous if Mrs Ellaby is to be believed. Not that she could be anything but considering what a beautiful baby she was.'
'But she'll know she's adopted.'
'Yes. We'll have to tell Angela she is too. It wouldn't be fair to either of them to only let Carole know.'
'Oh.'
'What is it Tim?'
'What if...'
'What if what Timothy?'
'What if they won't love me as much if they know we're not biologically related?'
'Oh Tim.' Shelagh pulled Timothy down between them and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, gently encouraging him to lean against her. She dropped a kiss into his hair. 'You and I aren't biologically related but that doesn't mean I love you any less does it? I could not possibly love you more if I had given birth to you myself. You love Angela so much and you know you don't share blood with her. They are going to adore you no matter how you are their brother. Angela already loves you so much.'
'Just keep on being the amazing brother you already are to Angela and love Carole the same and they can't help but dote on you.'
'Carole Turner. My little sister.' Tim smiled as his parents words flowed over him. 'Timothy, Angela and Carole. The Turner brats.' He grinned.
'Can we take that as a sign to go ahead? We won't do anything if you don't want this.'
'I want this. I wanted to keep her originally remember.'
'We remember.'
'Carole's lucky really. She's getting the best parents she could ever hope for. You're such a great mum, mum. You deserve a second child.'
'A third child. This in no way makes you less my son. You're not getting rid of me that easily. You're stuck with me for the rest of our lives.'
'Good. When can we get her?'
'I don't know. I guess we phone Mrs Ellaby and see what happens from there.' Shelagh beamed, excitement bubbling in her core.
'Do it now. It's lucky really that the Ashton's moved away. It wouldn't be nice for them watching Carole as a Turner.'
'You're right. But Carole is where God wants her to be. I hope Mrs Ashton can take some solace in that. And Angela's birth mother. We should be eternally grateful to them and Him for the gifts they have given us.'
'Indeed.'
'Well I'll go phone Mrs Ellaby then.'

'Hello Church of England Children's Society,Peggy speaking.'
'Oh hello, I was hoping to speak with Mrs Ellaby. Is she there?'
'I believe so Mrs...'
'Turner. Mrs Turner.'
'Ah yes, you adopted baby Jones didn't you. Angela now isn't she? Oh I've heard such wonderful things about you. And you're involved in the Carole Peterson case as well?'
'Yes. That's what I'm hoping to speak with Mrs Ellaby about.'
' Oh how lovely. I'll just put you through now.'

'Mrs Turner?'

'Mrs Ellaby hello. I'm calling about the offer you made earlier today.'
'Young Carole. I take it you have made a decision?'
'We have. If it is alright with you we would like to proceed with the proposed adoption. We would love to adopt Carole into our family.' Shelagh announced unable to stop the excitement seeping into her voice.
'Wonderful thank you. I suspected this would be a fast decision. Would you like to come to the office now or tomorrow morning? You can collect her as soon as the paperwork is signed. When her former parents returned her to us they brought along some provisions so you do not need to worry about that.'
'Now please. I speak for my entire family when I say we cannot wait for her to be a Turner.'
'Lovely. I'll see you in a little while then. Main reception may be closed by then so try the side entrance.'
'Duly noted.'
'Thank you Mrs Ellaby.'
'My pleasure Mrs Turner. If it wouldn't disrupt you too much could you bring Angela with you and not leave her with a sitter? I haven't seen her since you adopted her and I'd love to see her again.'
'I'm sure that can be arranged.'
'Thank you.' She hung up.
'Well then Turners. Let's go expand our clan.'

Only a chapter or two left of this now.

Reviews appreciated xx