Emily chuckled. “Yeah. I guess that’s right. But you’ll have to compete with Brad to be the best uncle.”
“No problem. I’ll beat him, hands down. Let’s look online for cool baby stuff...”
JOSH WAS NERVOUS. THE meeting with the ad litem was critical for him to gain custody of his niece and nephew. But he was great at hiding his emotions. He’d done it all of his life. This was simply one more time he couldn’t afford to let down his guard.
“Thanks again for doing this,” he said to Olivia as they walked toward the office. “It would probably be best if you said as little as possible. That way, if I show up in February married to someone else, he hopefully won’t even notice.”
“Okay.” Her voice trembled. “I’m so afraid I’m going to mess this up for you.”
“One more thing. Will you wear the ring? Just while we’re in here?” He saw warring emotions flit across her face.
“Sure. Why not?” She slipped the ring on her finger without looking at it. She fidgeted nervously with the huge solitaire until he grabbed her hand.
“I promise not to kiss you, but we do need to look like we’re in love. So holding hands is all right, isn’t it?”
“Of course.” Her answering smile was stiff.
“Here goes nothing.” He opened the door and pulled her inside.
After a short wait, the secretary led them into a conference room. The ad litem entered, thumbing through a file. He introduced himself as Drew Warner and continued in a let’s-not-waste-any-time voice.
“Let me explain how this works,” he said. “I’ve been assigned to represent the children. My job is to study the situation and recommend what I feel is in the best interest of the children. I plan to meet with the grandparents, Ron and Kay Hampton, who want to adopt Chloe. But today, I want to get to know you and find out what you have to offer the children. I understand you want to adopt both Jace and Chloe. Is that right, Dr. Branson?”
“Yes. Please, call me Josh.” He took a deep breath. “But you’re correct. I want Jace and Chloe to grow up together as brother and sister. And I think I can give them a stable home and every opportunity they deserve.”
Warner sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “What concerns me, Dr. Branson... I mean, Josh... What concerns me is you don’t have a relationship with the children. After all these years, why now? There was a life insurance policy, but it wasn’t large enough to cover the expense of raising both children.”
Josh stiffened at his words. “I’m not interested in the money, if that’s what you think.”
“I wasn’t implying anything. I simply want you to understand the financial commitment you’d be making.”
“I have a substantial income, more than enough to support Jace and Chloe and send them to the best schools.”
“Okay, as long as we’re clear on the issue. But the question still remains. Why do you want to adopt them now, when you haven’t made an effort to have a relationship with either child in the past?”
He took a deep breath. “My sister and I were separated as children. She was adopted, and I grew up in foster care. I only reconnected with her last year. Look, I may not know them, but I know what a travesty it would be to have the same thing happen to them that happened to me and my sister. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to let them grow up together in a stable home.”
Drew nodded. “And what about you, Olivia?”
Her smile was shaky. “Uhmm, me?”
“Yes. How do you feel about having an instant family? Are you disappointed to lose your time alone as newlyweds? And this is a lot of responsibility for someone your age, isn’t it?”
“Uhmm... well...”
“We’ve known each other for two years,” Josh said. “It’s not like we haven’t had opportunities to spend time alone. Right, sweetheart?”
“Right.” She twisted her hands together in her lap.
Drew pursed his lips. “But you still haven’t told me how you feel about suddenly being a mother of a nine-year-old and a two-year-old you haven’t even met yet.”
“She’s fine with it.” Josh drummed the fingers of his left hand on his leg. “And I’m willing to shoulder most of the responsibility at the beginning.”
Warner shook his head. “I’m sorry, but it just doesn’t work that way. I can’t recommend the two of you as adoptive parents for the children unless I’m certain your marriage can stand up to the stress of the adoption. If your marriage failed, Chloe would probably be better off with the Parsons.”
“I see.” Josh felt his anger bubbling just below the surface. “And what about Jace? He doesn’t matter at all?”
“Dr. Branson, we want what’s best for both children. Ideally, both children would be in a stable home with two parents. I