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“Are you sure I need to wear this?” Ken asks, as he adjusts his tie again. “I feel like I’m suffocating.” He adds, pretending to choke a little.
Truthfully he feels uncomfortable in a suit. Back when he was Beach Ken he never wore suits. Not even nice sky blue ones like this one.
Barbie looks up from the paperwork in her hands and stares at him with soft eyes. “I think you look handsome.” She tells him sweetly.
Ken blushes. “You think so?” He asks, staring down at the little flower embroidered on his tie. He’d chosen this tie specifically for today.
Barbie nods, smiling fondly at him. Barbie never lied. It was one of the things that made her Barbie.
Ken notices she’s dressed in blue today as well.
Her dress is simple and modern, free from the usual glitter and shimmer of Barbieland. But it’s smart and pretty. Perfect for the occasion.
“You look good too. Beautiful.” He stutters, nervous.
“Thank you.” Barbie smiles and runs a hand down her dress, smoothing the non-existent wrinkles from her pleated skirt.
Ken checks his watch and frowns at the numbers. He’s not stupid but reading a clock is hard when the numbers move.
“It’s just a little longer.” Barbie tells him helpfully, twirling her pen as she completes the last of the paperwork.
“Okay.” Ken nods.
The two of them sit close together in the hallway, on a hard wooden bench, waiting for their turn. Now and again couples of all varieties pass by, clearly in love.
Even now, after everything that has happened, Ken can’t believe this is real. That this is really happening. Back in Barbieland he’d never even dreamed that one day he and Barbie would one day become a family.
It’s almost too much.
Ken turns to Barbie. “Are you sure about this?” He wonders, anxiously biting his lip. “I mean, are we ready for this? It’s a big step. The biggest.”
Barbie smiles back at him. “Of course I’m sure.”
Her smile falters. “Are you sure you want this?” She asks, tilting her head. “This is as much your choice as it is mine.” She reminds him. “If you’re not ready. We can go.” She promises, picking up her bag.
“No!” Ken yells, shaking his head. “I mean. Stay. Please. I want this more than anything.”
Barbie nods understandingly. “I think you’re just nervous. I’m a little nervous too.” Barbie admits, taking his hand in her own.
Ken smiles, her hand is soft and warm. Dainty.
“I don’t know why. But that makes me feel better.” He confesses. “I think I’ve got those uh. What do you call them? Caterpillars in my stomach.”
“Butterflies.”
“Yeah. Those.”
“Don’t worry.” Barbie smiles. “I know it’s going to go wonderfully.” She says, confidently.
Eventually the door opens and a well-dressed administrator lady enters the waiting area. She smiles at them and looks down at her clipboard. The name badge on her jumper reads Sindy.
“Handler?” She calls.
Ken grins. “Yes! That’s us!”
Sindy frowns. “I’m sorry. I’m looking for a Mr and Mrs Handler?”
Ken nods. “I took her last name.” He explains, lifting their joined hands, eagerly showing off their wedding rings.
“No. I don’t think so.” Sindy replies, adjusting her spectacles. “According to my notes, they’re in their sixties.”
Barbie nods and squeezes Ken’s hand. “Yes, Barbara Millicent Handler, and Kenneth Sean Handler. I’ve got our forms here.”
Sindy looks at both of them. “You’re in your sixties?” She asks, her confusion deepening.
“We moisturise.” Ken explains, helpfully.
“Oh. Right. Of course.” Sindy replies, with a confused nod. “I apologise for the delay.”
“Are you British?” Ken asks, looking Sindy over with sudden interest.
Barbie doesn’t say anything, but she shoots Ken one of those looks that say “Not now Ken.”
Catching her look, Ken closes his mouth and smiles at Sindy who leads them into a private office.
“We would like a baby please!” He tells her.
“A human baby.” Barbie adds, handing Sindy the last of their paperwork.
Sindy nods. “Yes. I’m aware, you wish to adopt. This is an orphanage.”
Ken and Barbie sit and wait as Sindy checks the last of their paperwork. To their relief it meets her approval and she stamps it.
“I’m a dad!” Ken yells, excitedly punching the air.
“Not quite. But almost, doll.” Sindy shares a smile with Barbie. “It’s good when the husband is excited. Adoption isn't for everyone, but you seem like people with plenty of love to share. Before I show you about, do you have any preferences?”
“We’d love a little girl. Do you have any three years or older?” Barbie wonders.
Ken nods in agreement. “Twin girls. Triplets if you have any.”
Sindy laughs. “I see you’ve thought about this a lot.”
Barbie nods. “We want a big family.”