Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(52)

Elise nodded. She kept reading the couple’s profile. Lucy was a nurse in a maternity ward. Elise smiled. The woman would definitely be great with babies. And Aaron was an administrator at the same hospital. Right here in town.

A thought hit Elise. Maybe she had seen them before, during her time volunteering at Bloomington Hospital. Maybe that’s why they looked familiar.

She kept reading. The couple had been trying to have a baby for ten years. Praying and trusting God that one day a child would come. They were foster parents and had lost several babies who were almost theirs. And Lucy had given birth too early to a baby girl who didn’t survive.

Tears stung Elise’s eyes. Why, God? Why do I get pregnant from a guy like Randy? And here this poor couple has been trying forever to have a child? Nothing about that was fair. She looked at their picture again and ran her finger lightly over their faces. These two would take care of her baby. Elise had no doubt.

She studied their photo, their eyes. What sort of life would her baby have with them? In the side notes Lucy was quoted saying she would stop working if they had a baby. She believed in being a full-time mom—at least at first. Elise smiled. That meant the baby inside her would be loved and doted on. The best kinds of private schools and . . . Suddenly she remembered Cole’s declaration the other day. The main thing her baby needed was parents who loved Jesus. At the time he’d been thinking he would be the dad. Tears blurred her eyes. But she smiled despite the sadness. She would never forget the outlandish offer of Cole Blake.

And even though he wasn’t going to be her baby’s father, he was right about Jesus. Her mom had raised her to know faith in Christ, to memorize Bible verses and sing songs about God. Yes, she had walked away. But she was on her way back.

Which reminded her. Later today she would call her mama and come clean about the baby. They would talk about Elise’s decision to place the baby for adoption and after that her mama would cry and Elise would apologize. Then finally she would tell her the good news. She was going to Easter Sunday church with Cole’s family. She was coming home to Jesus, home to what was true and right and good.

She certainly wanted the same for her baby.

Again she looked over Aaron and Lucy’s profile. They wrote about their faith and trust in God. There was a quote from Aaron that read: Sometimes it’s hard to believe the Lord really hears us, that He cares if we have a baby. But even now I believe He does care. He sees us and He has a plan for us.

He has a plan. Yes. Elise wiped the tears from her cheeks. Peace flooded her heart. She didn’t need to look at the other profiles. She had found the parents for her baby. And as she made the decision, she felt the fluttering in her belly one more time. She gasped. She was actually feeling her baby move!

Helen set her paperwork aside and turned to her. “Is everything okay, dear?”

“Yes.” Elise stood just as Mr. Green entered the room again. She turned to him and felt a smile fill her face. “You were right about that couple.” She handed the book to the attorney. “They’re the ones. Aaron and Lucy Williams.”

An expression that was more joy than surprise came over the man. “This will mean a great deal to them.” He seemed to force a more serious look. “Now, one thing we haven’t discussed. The father.”

“We’re not together. I don’t want him involved.” She shook her head. “He doesn’t want to be a father.”

Mr. Green hesitated. “You’re sure?”

“Yes. He . . . he was abusive. He should never be near this baby.” Her resolve couldn’t have been stronger. “This child is my concern.”

“Very well.” Mr. Green nodded. “You’ll give me his contact information and I’ll call him. He’ll need to sign something terminating his rights before we can move forward.” The man crossed his arms. “Once he does terminate his rights, you do not have to identify him on the paperwork.”

Relief flooded Elise. The attorney was going to handle Randy. Perfect. She couldn’t answer fast enough. “Yes, please. You can call him. That’s how I want it. The father not identified.”

“That’s fine.” Mr. Green looked through a stack of papers. “Now about Aaron and Lucy. If you decide to place your baby with them, there’s something you should know. The choice is yours, even after the child is born.”

Elise blinked a few times. “After? What do you mean?” She’d always thought adoption was permanent. From the first day. “For how long?”

“Two weeks.” He took a slow breath. “Every state is different, but the goal is to give you time to change your mind. In case you regret your decision.”

An ache took up residence in her soul. “Wouldn’t that be hard for Aaron and Lucy?”

“It would.” Mr. Green looked straight at her. As if he wanted her to really understand this next part. “But it’s part of the adoption process. Some birth moms make an adoption plan and think they’re certain about it.” He paused. “But once they hold their baby, they can’t go through with it. The court allows two weeks. After that the adoption is final.”

The idea of waiting those two weeks, knowing she was allowed to change her mind and that her baby’s future would hang in the balance was more than Elise could imagine. She clenched her jaw and shook her head. “I won’t change my mind.” The baby fluttered again even as she pushed ahead. “I’m sure, Mr. Green.”