Prologue
ONE YEAR EARLIER
Saturday, the 14th of July 2019
5:45 AM
I looked at the clock once more, and it had only ticked over by a minute from when I last checked. A grunt of frustration left my lips before throwing my covers off and marching into the bathroom.
I couldn't take the anticipation any longer. I needed to keep busy.
After nearly three years of waiting, today was the day Ivy would officially come home. I met her at the nursery where I work as an art therapist, helping children with disabilities express themselves through art and play.
Ivy was so tiny; she looked like a doll, with raven-colored hair in pigtails and bright green eyes staring up at me. She looks like Boo from Monsters, Inc., sitting in her royal throne, also known as her electric wheelchair, Baloo, named after the bear in The Jungle Book.
A few days have passed since I worked with Miss. Ivy, I noticed she was quite the artist at the age of three. I had already fallen in love with her.
It wasn't long before I learned that she was in foster care from birth, as her birth family couldn't handle a potentially sick child, due to her being born at 33 weeks. Ivy was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at a year and a half.
This for Ivy means she is unable to walk unaided and requires a wheelchair to get around, her fine motor skills are also affected so this makes tasks like writing and getting dressed difficult.
I filed to adopt Ivy later that week. However, after speaking to her social worker, I was informed that due to my age, I was only 18 at the time, I couldn't adopt until I turned 21, as that is the law in the UK.
This brings us to today, after filing all the paperwork and the social worker conducting all the necessary checks to ensure my home is adapted for Ivy's needs, Ivy is finally coming home to me.
Ivy's room is painted in dark blue-grey with a gold star garland on the wall above her bed, as she loves stars. The bed features white bedding and a cushion adorned with a blue shooting star. Next to the bed, I had placed a chalkboard for her to draw on as well as a white chest of drawers and a grey rug.
She also has an en-suite bathroom that is fully equipped with bars, as well as a walk-in shower and a chair. The bathroom is grey with lime-green accents.
Ivy and her foster parents, Kelly and Jude, along with her social worker, Helen, will be here at 10:30 AM.
Jude and Kelly have been super supportive of my adoption of Ivy. They have been Ivy's foster parents since birth. We are close now. I have had regular visits since she left the nursery last year to go to primary school.
I can imagine that today will be hard for Jude and Kelly, but we have all decided that Ivy will still have visits with them, as she has a bond with them. I will be forever grateful to them for caring for Ivy as if she were their own until I could adopt her.
Most people wonder why a 21-year-old would want to adopt a child, let alone a child with a disability. The answer is that every child deserves a loving home. I earn a stable income at my job and have a supportive family.
Even though my mum and dad moved to Scotland when I left for university, we still speak often, and they can't wait to meet Ivy in person during the summer holidays in a few weeks.
I certainly didn't think I was going to adopt an almost 6-year-old, but she stole my heart.
Ivy and I are wearing matching outfits today. She was so sweet on the phone yesterday, making Kelly promise to help her get her outfit ready.
The outfit consisted of a dusty green, oversized jumper with the wording "a little bit dramatic," black leggings, and black Timberland boots, allowing Ivy to wear her AFOs (ankle-foot orthotics) still. These are splints that help support the foot and ankle, offering strength and proper foot alignment while walking. The AFO is made to be worn with trainers or boots.
After my shower, I made a pot of fresh coffee, although I was too excited to be tired. I know that today will be a long day, and I'm sure Kelly will want a coffee. Ivy will be up early this morning.
By the time I had finished everything, I looked at the time again, it was now 7:30 AM, so I decided to make Ivy's favourite red velvet cookies with a cream cheese middle.
While thinking back to the first time we made these cookies together, Ivy and her chair were covered in flour from head to toe. We were dancing around, giggling while Panic at the Disco was playing through the speakers. Ever since then, they have been our favourite thing to make. So, it only feels right to make them today.
By the time the cookies are baked and cooled, I place them on a plate before leaving them on the coffee table, so that Ivy can reach them.
It wasn't long before there was a knock at my door.
This is the day my life will change forever.
Taking a deep breath before I opened it, a smile erupted on my face as I saw Ivy's excited face. She barely let me move out of the way from the door before busting through, making a beeline for the cookies before turning to me with a mouth full.
"Hi mummy," This made everyone at the door laugh. Turning my attention to the adults at the door, I gave Kelly and Jude a hug. Helen, the social worker, was the first to speak as we sat on the sofa.
"Miss. McConnell, here is all of Ivy's paperwork and documents. You will receive her new birth certificate after your court date." I nodded, then thanked her and took the envelope.
"You are welcome. I will call you in a few days to find out how everything is going and discuss court," She says, shaking my hand before turning to Ivy to say goodbye as well as Jude and Kelly, and then heads to the door.
This is when it gets emotional. I offer Kelly and Jude a coffee. "Yasss, please, girl," Kelly replied. Jude, however, was no longer in the room.
Kelly informed me that he was in Ivy's room, helping to arrange her belongings. These people melt my heart.
Kelly turned to me with a mug now in hand, smiling kindly at me, "Indie, Jude, and I know that Ivy is in the best hands, believe me. I wouldn't have let her leave my house if not. I love her with my heart. But, she belongs here."
I couldn't stop the tears from flowing anymore. Not knowing how to reply, I just hugged her before finally muttering a thank you.
"You're welcome, girl. You got this, we will always be here for you both, now let's go and see what they are up to, shall we?"
After three hours, we had finally managed to get all of Ivy's belongings moved into the house. For someone so small, she had a lot of stuff.
Next came the teary goodbye, but saying everyone was emotional was an understatement. However, we have made plans to have dinner together on Sunday.
It was now 8:30 PM, and I was helping Ivy put on her PJs and get into bed when she asked me a question.
"Mummy, when will I get a daddy?" I was shocked, I wasn't expecting that question. I wasn't sure how to reply right away, so I answered with the truth, "I'm not sure, baby." She nods, accepting my reply as I kiss her on the head. I whisper to her.
"Goodnight, sweet girl," I shut her bedroom door and heard her shout, "I love you, mummy!" My heart melted.
Little did I know that Ivy's question would be answered sooner than I thought.
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