CHAPTER FOUR- PROBLEMS
While working in her office, Andrea thinks about Philip and Addison in the kitchen.
How they were smiling and laughing together.
He was a parent, she reminds himself. Philip had a daughter who passed away. Penny. Of course he be a natural at taking care of Addison.
You are not doing anything wrong, she reminds herself. You will have to focus more on Addison and bonding with her. Once her workload slowed down, if that ever happens.
Filing some paperwork, she begins focusing on the casework finally. She is almost finished with for the day when her work phone rings interrupting her thought process.
"Andrea," a female voice says over the phone.
She would recognize the voice anywhere. Maggie Greene. Addison's social worker. Before Amy's death, she had planned an open adoption for her daughter. They were a young gay couple named Aaron and Eric.
Andrea had meet them, and agreed they would be great parents for Addison. Not only did they love each other, but there love for Addison was instant.
Still after Amy's death she just could not give up her niece. No matter how much Aaron and Eric longed for a child of their own. She was her last piece of Amy.
"Did they decide to take me court for custody? " she said feeling guilty. She had read Amy's will. They all had. But Aaron and Eric had allowed Andrea to take her niece home. They were understanding to her grief.
Most days Andrea thought she should give Addison to them. They had a more stable home then she could provide. More importantly, it was what Amy wanted.
"No Andrea. I have placed them with another baby. They wished you the best. I know they miss Addison but they understand. They know she is in good hands with you," Maggie responded.
"Great. I am happy for them. What is the trouble then?" she asked sensing something else was wrong by the tone in Maggie's voice.
"The father was contacted when Amy was considering adoption. She asked him to sign over his paternal rights. Andrea, he refused," Maggie said softly.
"Amy said she does not know who Addison's father is. So how did she meet up with him? He can't take her away. Can he?" she said taking a deep breathe.
"You know more about the law then I do. But next Friday I will pick up Addison to have their first visit. I will be there the whole time. There will be other visits too. Maybe he won't pursue custody. Or maybe you two can meet and work out a visitation schedule," Maggie said knowing where this was heading.
Adoption laws almost always favor the biological parents, Andrea thinks furiously.
Amy hadn't filed a police report the night of her attack. There were no witnesses that would speak in Amy's behalf. Her friend Nora was not speaking. And Amy is dead.
So this rapist could just take her niece. And there was nothing she could honestly do to stop him. Still she would not give up. She remembered the bruises on her sister's back, arm, and legs. Whoever this man was could not be trusted with Addison. He is a monster.
Philip could help, Andrea thinks desperately. With all his money and power, he could make anything happen.
Still would it come at a cost? Or would he help her out of the kindness of his heart?
She was not sure. She wanted to believe he would. But the rejection of his marriage proposal had not left them in the best place until last night that is.
If only she said yes, he would be more likely to help his wife. Yet, she did not completely regret turning down the proposal. She was not sure marriage was something she was ready for. However, if it helped her keep Addison safe, she would not rule it out. She would fight for Addison, no matter what.