Bella came next. She was Hope's best friend at the orphanage. Their birthdays were only six days apart. One weekend Hope asked if Bella could come over for the weekend. There was nothing unusual about that. Bella came over every weekend. Trudy and Adrian of course gave their approval. They were going to the amusement park that weekend. Hope and Bella loved that.
That weekend they both seemed as animated as cartoons. Adrian took note of the fact that Bella was extra polite that weekend even more then she normally was. Friday night, when they were supposed to be asleep they were talking.
"I know," Bella said, "That would be totally awesome!"
"I know right?" Hope laughed.
"We'll talk to them tomorrow after Disney." Bella said.
"I wonder what they're talking about," Trudy asked.
Adrian laughed.
"With those two it could be anything."
The next day the girls were up extra early. They got themselves dressed and went and cleaned up the playroom.
"Girls," Adrian called out, "Breakfast."
He had made them both their favorite. Hope loved blueberry pancakes. Bella's favorite was Cream of Wheat with just a teaspoon of butter.
"Should we ask them now," Hope whispered to Bella.
"I think that's a good idea," Bella said, "Mr. Hope's daddy and Mrs. Hope's mommy… can Hope and I ask you something?"
"Of course," Adrian said.
He and Trudy gave them their full attention.
Bella fiddled nervously with her hands.
"So Bella and I have been friends since we were in diapers," Hope began.
"Yes," Trudy said smiling, "You two are great friends."
Hope ran her hands through her hair nervously.
"I love Bella," she said, "She's become like a sister to me."
"Right," Bella said, "Our bifdays are only six days apart too. So that means that six days after Hope turns four for example I'll be four also."
Hope and Bella had just turned three.
"That is what it means," Adrian said smiling.
"I know I'm not as perfect as Hope is," Bella continued, "But I'm pretty good at a lot of things and I do the best I can at everything I do."
"I'm not perfect," Hope interrupted, "Nobody is."
Adrian and Trudy had always told that to Hope.
"Anyway," Bella said, forcing herself not to look down no matter how nervous she was, "Hope and I were talking and we were wondering… could you 'dopt me too?"
Adrian and Trudy looked at each other.
It was not a difficult decision to say yes.
The court process took time. The day they had signed the papers it was winter. Bella wanted to have a skating party. Adrian hadn't been sure of that at first. "Are you sure it's safe?"
"I'm sure it is. I just… I never learned." Trudy admitted.
"Me neither. But Karen was a skating instructor. Maybe she'll help."
Trudy called Karen. They chatted and then Trudy said, "There's something that I need to ask."
"Sure."
"So you know how we have the date to sign Bella's adoption papers."
"Leland told me. That's wonderful."
"The thing is she has asked for a skating party. Adrian and I know nothing but it seems like through the Child and Family services Bella had started to learn and really took to it. So she really wants that to be her celebration."
Karen agreed to help gladly.
They rented the local arena with ice time on one of the rinks and a party room. They were decorated with streamers and balloons. Everything was Sleeping Beauty themed.
They invited Karen's kids and some of Bella's friends from the orphanage and her school. There were about ten kids in total. Jennifer and Jared helped their mother to make sure all the younger kids had their skates laced up and tied and helmets were secured.
Some of the kids were tentative at first but soon took off, not minding if they fell. Others stayed at the side and hung on carefully. But everyone enjoyed themselves and being together.
Karen and Jennifer showed some figure skating moves.
After an hour they went to the party room. There was pizza, popcorn and hot chocolate.
Coming home Bella said sleepily from the back of the car "This has been the best day ever."