Chapter Text
Lucy was still frozen, unable to believe she had actually found the courage to call the social worker.
For the past three days, she had been preparing to welcome a little girl into her home — practically a baby, with a past full of trauma. Sometimes, she caught herself wondering if she was doing the right thing, if she was truly capable of meeting all the needs of such a hurt little soul.
Celina said that having someone trying was much better than having no one at all. And Tamara had already faced too much rejection; at least with Lucy, she would have dedication, care, and soon, love. Lucy was sure she would love Tamara — maybe not instantly, even though she already felt a deep affection for her — but she would love her with all her heart.
During those three days, she bought things a child might need: clothes, shoes, bedding, hygiene products, a teddy bear, and a rag doll. She was sure Tamara would love going out to choose anything else she needed. Besides that, there were also some pieces of furniture she still had to assemble: the white princess-style bed and a matching dresser. But since the social worker had said Lucy had at least two weeks before the girl arrived, she hadn’t been worrying about putting them together yet.
Lucy took one more look inside the bedroom: the furniture boxes and the bags of clothes waiting to be washed and put away. Knowing she was doing the right thing, she closed the door.
[…]
Near the end of her shift, Lucy urgently needed to finish that day’s reports, which were a bit more complicated because of an idiot who had decided to resist arrest.
Exhaustion was written all over her face, but in half an hour she would be done and heading home.
“Hey!” Lucy heard Celina’s voice behind her and turned around. “Ready to go home?”
“I still have at least half an hour here. See you there?”
“Of course. I’ll order pizza for us — don’t worry about dinner.”
Lucy smiled gratefully and said goodbye to her friend. Celina left, and Lucy was alone with her work.
Less than fifteen minutes later, Lucy’s phone vibrated on the desk. Her heart froze — it was Tamara’s social worker.
Her voice trembling, because Tamara was supposed to come home soon and it seemed impossible that something could go wrong now, Lucy answered.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Officer Chen, this is Susanna, Tamara’s social worker.”
“Yes, I know… what else could she possibly say?”
“I’m sorry to call this late, but we’re having some issues with Tamara. She hasn’t been adapting well at the group home. She’s not sleeping, barely eating, has been resistant to help, and when she does sleep, she wakes up from nightmares. We believe it would be best to move up her placement into a stable home. The judge has already signed the order, and you can pick her up tomorrow morning. Is that okay for you?”
It was too much information. When she answered the phone, Lucy’s heart had already been racing — now, for a different reason, it was beating even faster. But there was only one possible answer.
“Of course. I can pick her up immediately if needed.”
“That won’t be necessary. She’s already in bed, but she knows she’ll see you tomorrow, so she’s calmer. I’ll send you all the details by message.”
Lucy thanked her, her voice slightly choked, and hung up.
Her mind racing, Lucy thought about the countless things she still had to do to properly welcome Tamara — starting with the bedroom furniture.
Still shaky, she went to find Nolan, who luckily was nearby.
“Hey, I know you’re almost heading home and probably dying for a shower. I don’t want to be inconvenient, but I really need help. Maybe I shouldn’t even be asking, but it’s urgent, and I think you’re the only person I know who can…”
Lucy stopped to catch her breath and noticed Nolan’s completely stunned expression.
“…help me.”
She stopped talking to give him space.
“Lucy… are you okay?”
The situation was so unbelievably absurd that she let out a nervous laugh.
“I’m fine… you’re kind of going to be shocked, but the truth is I adopted a child, and I need help assembling at least her bed, because she arrives tomorrow.”
Nolan’s perfectly round open mouth said everything.
“Surprise.”
[…]
“Let me get this straight: you responded to a domestic violence call and decided to adopt the child involved? A child who arrives tomorrow?”
The expression on Nolan’s face, if it weren’t comical, would be tragic. But Lucy had to admit that, despite being stunned, in less than two hours he had already assembled the bed and was finishing the dresser.
“That’s right. You think I’m crazy?”
“To say the least!” he replied. But looking into Lucy’s tense eyes, he added, “You have the biggest heart I’ve ever seen on this earth, and that little girl is very lucky to have crossed paths with you. You’re going to do great, Lucy. I have no doubt about that.”
Lucy smiled, grateful not only for the words but for Nolan’s help.
“I know spending the end of your night assembling furniture wasn’t in your plans, so here.” She placed a glass of wine in his hand.
It was a light night, despite everything, and in some moments — who was she kidding, in all of them — she found herself imagining Tim there with them. Would he support her? Yes, he would think it was crazy at first, but he would support her. Maybe he’d even try to assemble the bed; it would be a disaster, and they’d have to call Nolan anyway.
With a sigh, Lucy shook her head and returned to the present. Her friends were there, supporting her, and that was more than enough — at least for now.
She grabbed another slice of pizza while watching John finish the last drawer.
“And there we go! Your little girl already has her space almost ready.”
Her little girl. That was huge. Lucy smiled gratefully.
“You’re unbelievable! Apologize to Bailey for me for keeping you out so late.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m off tomorrow.”
Nolan left shortly after, leaving Lucy and Celina folding the few clothes Lucy had bought for Tamara — clothes Lucy had washed and dried that same night while the furniture was being assembled.
“I bought some colorful wall stickers for the room. I’ll put them up tomorrow before we leave.”
“You didn’t have to do that, Celina. That’s really thoughtful of you.”
“You’re family, Lucy. So your little girl is too.”
[…]
When the alarm went off, Lucy had already been awake for a long time. Realistically, she had tossed and turned all night; aside from brief naps, she had been anxious, not knowing what to expect from the new routine starting that day.
She got up, took a shower, and made breakfast. As soon as she sat down, she gave up after the first bite.
Lucy decided to organize Tamara’s room. She opened the door carefully and let out a happy sigh at all the cute things. Celina had kept her promise and put little flower stickers on the white walls, making the room even more charming.
The delicate princess bed with its light pink bedding, full of pillows and colorful cushions; nearby, the white dresser with the teddy bear on top.
Lucy opened the drawers to organize them, but they were already arranged. She sighed, frustrated — there was nothing she could do there.
The room still needed some details: more toys, a soft rug, maybe shelves for the countless books she planned to buy. But they would have time. Today required calm.
Her heart pounding, Lucy closed the bedroom door and got dressed to pick up the little girl who would change her life.
[…]
The group home wasn’t far from Lucy’s house; on a good day, the drive would take about thirty minutes. With anxiety running through every inch of her, she left so early that the roads were practically empty.
Moments later, after parking in front of the group home, Lucy took a deep breath and got out of the car.
She wore a simple but serious outfit. She needed to show responsibility to the staff, but nothing that might scare Tamara. She chose loose jeans, a dark blue blouse, and discreet boots. Her hair was tied back as she walked confidently into the office.
Lucy introduced herself at the front desk and was soon directed to an office where Susanna was waiting.
“Officer Chen, it’s very good to see you.”
“Good morning, Susanna. Just Lucy, please.”
Susanna smiled warmly and gestured for Lucy to sit. Lucy took the chair in front of her.
“Lucy, as I explained on the phone, Tamara has been having adaptation difficulties. Her process only depended on the judge’s signature and the home visit. The judge’s signature is already done, and we can schedule the home visit in the next few days, given the urgency of the case. Do you have any questions?”
Lucy took a deep breath.
“Tamara will need therapy, school… Do I have full authority to take her to those appointments?”
“Yes. The moment you sign this document,” Susanna said, pointing to the papers in front of Lucy, “she is under your temporary guardianship until a hearing determines otherwise. Feel free to read everything.”
Lucy nodded and took the time to read the documents granting her temporary guardianship of the minor, Tamara Collins. She read her obligations and rights, as well as some of Tamara’s information.
“Are these documents mine to present at school?”
“Yes, everything here is yours.”
With a trembling hand, Lucy took the pen Susanna offered and signed her name on every page where her signature was required.
In the end, Susanna asked someone to bring Tamara, and within minutes, the door was opening.
Lucy felt as if she were turning her head in slow motion.
Her body didn’t seem to obey her, and awkwardly, she stood up.
Tamara had the same sad, frightened look she’d had when they first met, just days ago. She was wearing a white princess-print shirt and pink shorts, both pieces visibly worn with time. Her long hair was brushed, with a colorful headband as an accessory. Sneakers on her feet, a small backpack on her back.
“Hi, Tamara. I’m Lucy. Do you remember me?”
The girl nodded lightly, still a little unsure. Lucy knelt down to her height.
“I came to pick you up and take you home. What do you think about coming with me?”
That seemed to spark curiosity in Tamara. She frowned, and for the first time, she spoke:
“Are you going to take me to your house?”
“Yes, and we’re going to have a lot of fun.”
Suddenly brave, Tamara let go of the woman who was accompanying her and offered her own hand to Lucy.
Without hesitating, Lucy wrapped her hand around the small one, feeling that this was the first vote of trust Tamara was placing in her. And suddenly, Lucy filled with courage and certainty too, and for the first time in days, she knew she had done the right thing.