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"Dave, are you sure you're ready to commit to another one?" Angie posed the question cautiously to her husband.

"Honey, we've been over this too many times than I can remember. We both decided that this was what we wanted. You know that, are you having second thoughts?" Dave rubbed her arm gently to reassure his wife.

They sat eagerly awaiting the notion from their counsellor that the little boy had arrived. Angie hadn't been able to sleep a wink last night, she wasn't sure whether it was anticipation or concern.

Dave was oozing with confidence about their abilities to be good parents. He knew they'd struggle and make the wrong decisions on occasions. But he also knew that he loved his wife very much and couldn't imagine embarking this journey with another woman.

"It's not that, I don't know. I guess my Mother's words have finally gotten to me, what if he doesn't except us as his parents? What if he just runs away to search for his birth parents?" She panted in realisation.

Angie's lip began to wobble slightly  at the thought of losing a child she'd already developed maternal feelings for. Everything was beginning to work out for them.

Although their financial position was usually a big all over the place, they'd been saving up for this moment. They'd finally gotten their business at a stable position and profits were beginning to stabilise.

"Honey, the agency suggested that is always possible but in most circumstances: the children are very understanding. And hey, the kid has a right to do whatever he wants. All we can do is try to provide him with a life that hopefully he'll thank us for one day."

Dave always knew how to calm Angie's anxiety; he knew otherwise it would chew up her insides and drive her to a state of insomnia. Six years of marriage had taught him how to anchor his, on occasion manic wife.

Dave and Angie sat in the office of the Adoption Agency, 'Salutations'. Although they'd been planning to adopt for over just a year, Angie was still nervous about the whole procedure.

Today was the day that the little boy would become a component of their family tree.

His mother had abandoned him at a petrol station near Lisbon. That was all the had been informed about. His father didn't seem to be in the picture and if he was, he was very good at looking non-existent.

Angie was eager to know about his background and submerge herself in his ethical culture. She wanted to contact his relatives in order to do so. But Dave had tried to convince her that maybe they should have more of a calm and welcoming approach. Dave was a bundle of common sense that Angie had always lacked.

The boy was named Aidan, he was three years old and had only been at the orphanage for less than three months. He seemed pretty content and oblivious to his abanondement.

He looked like all babies; adorable, perky cheeks and a certain mischievous grin that wavered across his face when they first met two month ago. Something about him just felt right. He always wore a smile on his face when they were together.

Originally the couple had planned to adopt a beautiful baby girl from Barcelona, but it turned out that her grandparents had decided to adopt her, after tracking her down.

Although Angie had already developed a strong bond she'd developed for the little girl, they agreed to return her to her real family.

She'd lived with them for half a year; being in the presence of that little infant for a couple of hours was enough to convince the couple that they were destined to acquire a larger family.

Unfortunately,  both Angie and Dave had discovered after numerous attempts that they both were infertile. Neither of them were willing to let that fact stop them from creating the family they'd always wanted.

They'd been trying to conceive for a period of time, which made them both question whether their relationship would crumble at the though of not being able to recreate.

Although the idea of adoption first frightened Angie and her mother. That the maternal and paternal instincts might not kick in for either of them. That they child might reject being inviting into an unfamiliar environment. They'd both agreed that it was an appropriate alternative to develop their future family.

"I'm so nervous Dave," Angie whispered as she squeezed his hand underneath the desk.

"Ang, this is one of the happiest days of my life. Let's make the most of it." He returned her gesture and planted a peck on her rouged cheeks.

There was a light knock on the door, Sarah their adoption counsellor poked her head round the door and snapped her head in their direction, as her eyes landed on the couple.

"Hey you too, holding up alright?" She grinned at them both,"Your little lad has finally arrived with his carers, Linda and Sean. We thought we could have some tea and coffee to chat about the handover?"

They both nodded their heads in agreement. "Sounds like a good idea."

Dave pulled Angie's hand guiding her towards the foyer. He knew that she was shaking ever so slightly, that he could feel her vibrations transfer through her skin onto his palm. He was a figure of calamity.

At the sight of the little boy, Angie's worries fluttered away and disappeared completely.

She was filled with this glowing sensation that pricked her skin with bumps. This moment felt so right and engulfed any pre-misconceptions that this was a bad idea.

Dave squeezed her hand as he felt her confident ambience radiate across the room. "I love you so much." He whispered almost inaudibly.

Aidan was consumed in a game with his teddy bear; he hadn't even noticed the two new figures intrude on his play time. They could tell he was relaxed, which would make the change over that much easier.

"He's not always this chilled, but he sure is a happy kid." Sean broke the ice, although they'd spoken on the phone and a couple times in person; he still felt the need to keep the conversation upbeat.

"There's something special about him, I mean I'm sure all parents think that and even carers, but I think you won the lottery with this little guy." Linda posed her thoughts towards Angie.

"We're just happy to finally be able to call ourselves a family. We both understand that all kids are a handful, but I guess I can agree with you that he seems so able and capable even at this young age." Angie hummed.

"So have you thought about what school you want to send him to?" Sarah raised her eyes brows as she asked this standard question.

"Well, we're thinking about nursery and preschool and then definitely want him in education till he's an adult." Dave sounded quite authoritative, but it was a good sign. 

"We're pleased that you are willing to provide for a child which isn't of your own flesh and blood." Sarah recited the agency's slogan.

"We'll always be just a phone call away, don't ever hesitate to come round for a cup of tea or just send me an email." Sarah voiced.

Sarah realised after initially meeting the couple that they were the exact type of people that deserved to adopt. Sometimes life is cruel to the nicest souls.

"You can always get in contact with either of us aswell, don't feel like you're in this on your own." Linda smiles knowingly to the young parents that sat across from her.

"Thank you all so much for your support and we'll definitely contact you if we need advice." Dave brushes his hand across Angie's knee.

"Aidan, do you want to do something for me." Sean rubbed his hand across the toddlers back; to grab his attention.

"Yessss Seeeuun." He replied giddily.

"Do you want to say hello to some of my friends, I'm sure you remember them."

The little boy aligned his eyes with Angie's and exposed his little teeth in excitement.

Over the passed few months, Angie and Dave had been encouraged to visit Aidan regularly to ensure that they were familiar faces to the young child's mind.

"Helloooo Annggggg." He trotted towards Angi, who swooped him up into a hug.

"Hello, little man," She tickled his stomach and welcomed a tiny giggle that escaped his mouth. " Do you want to go on an adventure?" She bounced him gently on her knee.

She was ready to try again.

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