Say You Won't Let Go Google(39)

Sure enough, it takes her ten more minutes to emerge.

“Sorry!” She lifts her shoulders and gives me an impish smile.

“It’s fine.” I kiss the side of her head. “We have a half hour.”

“What?” Emily squeaks and slaps my chest. “I have more time?”

I shake my head. “No. We have to go sign the papers.”

Emily sighs and tears fill her blue eyes. “What if—”

“No.” I stop her right there. I know where she’s going with this, and I won’t let her go down this road again. The last three years have been filled with a lot of changes, most good, but this has been the scariest.

Emily and I immediately tried for a family. She wanted a child, but I couldn’t give her one. After three failed pregnancies, we decided to adopt.

I look down at our newborn baby girl in her car seat, and my heart swells. Today, Mia officially becomes our daughter.

“I need to prepare, Cooper. I can’t lose her.” Emily squats and runs gentle fingertips over our daughter’s tiny hand.

“We’re not losing her, darlin’.” I will the words to be true. It’s been five days that we’ve had her, and there’s no way to explain the love I have for this little girl.

She owns me.

Emily looks up with wet lashes. “I love her so much.”

“I love both my girls, and I’m not letting go of either.”

Her eyes go back to Mia and she kisses her chubby cheek. “Did you hear that, princess? Your daddy loves us.”

I crouch down, placing my hand on Emily’s back. “Let’s go make her ours.”

Emily’s lip trembles slightly, but she nods and looks away.

The ride to the courthouse is quiet. I may seem sure of myself, but it’s only for Emily. Inside, I’m terrified. The mere idea of someone taking her away from us makes me want to fall apart. Mia became mine the minute they placed her in my arms. I thought I fell in love with my wife instantly, but it was nothing like holding my little girl.

“Did your mama say she was comin’ by today?” Emily asks.

“Presley and Mama said they’d be there when we got home,” I say as I glance over at her.

“I think Grace and Angie, too.”

I nod. I know no matter which way this goes, we will want our family and friends. She has no idea, but there will be a lot more people than she thinks. Papa always said to prepare for the outcome you want, so I did. When we get home, there will be a big group waiting to celebrate the official adoption of Mia Ryann Townsend.

I take her hand in mine and squeeze. “It’ll be fine, darlin’.”

Emily drops her head to my shoulder. “I just want this over with so I can breathe again.”

There’s nothing either of us can say to ease the other. Instead of trying to sway her, I’m just here with her. I take comfort from her touch and feel her tense when we park.

“No matter what, we’ll fight for her, okay?” I look at Emily and promise to do what I can.

“Okay.”

We grab the baby from the backseat and walk inside. Our lawyer leads us to the bench in the hallway and explains the process again. I don’t hear much that he says. My mind starts to play various possibilities, all of which make my stomach clench.

Emily wraps her arm around mine, and we both stare down at Mia. I can feel the nerves rolling off her and hear her sniff. If I could take this from her, I would. My heart pounds against my chest as I see our lawyer emerge from the conference room where we’ll hopefully sign the papers.

“Come on back,” he says stoically.

The fear in my wife’s eyes stirs my protectiveness. “Coop?”

I grab my lawyer’s arm as he’s walking away. “Russ? Is she going to sign?”

“I don’t know because she has up until the last second to change her mind. The longer we give her to think...” Russ explains, and I nod.

My eyes meet Emily’s, and I force a smile. “I’ll never let go of her, just like I wouldn’t you. Trust me?”

A tear drops. “Yes.”

“I love you.”

“I love you.”

We walk the fifty feet into the room to see the Mia’s birth mother, Darlene, clutching her stomach. Tears fall from her eyes, and I can see the heartbreak across her face. She may only be sixteen, but right now, she looks much older.

The judge explains the details of the adoption and allows a chance for questions. Darlene asks if she can say something, which he allows.

Emily’s hand clenches mine, and her body shakes slightly.

Darlene wipes her face and looks between us. “I know you’ll give her the life she deserves. I wish I could be the mama she needs, but I can’t. I hate the idea of givin’ her up, but I know it’s the right thing—” She sobs and then manages, “If she ever asks about me, will you tell her I loved her and that’s why I let her go?”

Emily is out of her seat and pulling the young girl in her arms. They both cry, holding on to each other. “I’ll tell her how brave you are. I’ll tell her how strong you are. I’ll tell her how her beauty comes from you,” Emily promises. “I’ll love her for the both of us. She’ll have two mamas who will always do what’s right for her.”