Mary
When Piper wasn’t in her room, I figured she was in Rachel’s. I lightly knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
I opened the door and walked in. “I had a feeling I’d find Piper here.”
“She was afraid of the storm,” Rachel explained.
I smiled. “I woke up to some great news.”
Rachel looked at me “Is it what I think it is?”
I nodded.
Rachel slipped out of bed without waking up Piper. It was Saturday and she could sleep in as late as she wanted. She put on her robe and followed me into the kitchen.
I poured myself a cup of tea. “Would you like some?”
“Yes, please.”
“So,” I said, “Ralph called this morning. Piper’s dad’s rights have been terminated.”
“This quickly?”
I nodded. “Turns out with all of the evidence we’d compiled against him along with that most recent arrest the courts took everything away from him.”
I punched the air. “Yes!” This was the news I’d been waiting for.
“So, how do you feel about becoming a McAlaster?”
Rachel started to cry. “I’d be honored to take your name, but I need to talk to Piper.”
“Of course. Maybe when I go to the NICU later today you and Piper can talk. And please, Rachel, if she has any questions let me know. I can sit down and talk to both of you.”
“I’m trying to think if I were Piper what I’d want to know. Like how does being adopted change anything.”
“Good point,” I said. “For now, very little will change, other than her name. But as she grows older she’ll have opportunities afforded to her that she might not have had otherwise. Like you.”
“What are you saying, Mary?”
“I’m saying that you’re going to be my daughter and as such you will have money to do the things you want to do.”
“Oh, Mary. I don’t want your money. I never wanted your money. I hope you know that.”
I reached out and patted Rachel’s hand. “I know you don’t want my money, but nevertheless it will be yours and Piper’s to share after I’m gone. There is one thing I’d like you to do, however.”
“Of course, anything.”
“When you’re better I want you to finish college. You’re too close to that degree to quit now. And if you decide to go on, you’ll certainly have money to do that as well.”
Rachel leaped out of her chair and hugged me.