didn't think much of it at first, assuming it was just another follow-up call about the paperwork or more questions for us

gency," the woman said, her tone w

mself into the kitchen, stopped when he saw the look on my face. He

" I asked, gripping

ced into the system, and after reviewing your file, we believe you and Daniel would be

thought it might burst out of my chest. I glanced at

d over to me, grabbing my free hand in his. "What... what did

lm. "Sharon, are you saying... there'

s sudden, but we've been looking for a family for him, and when we r

ent, disbelief. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "

hat works for you. I can send over all the details and the informatio

h tears. "She says there's a little bo

een. He nodded furiously, his hand gripping mine even t

he meeting, I hung up the phone, my hands shaking. For a moment, Danie

We're going to meet our son," he sai

ld back my tears any l

-

about what we would say to Lucas when we met him, imagining what he might be like. Was he shy? Outgo

y nerves, reached for my hand as we lay in bed. "It's going to be okay," he whispered,

eady presence. "I know. I just... I

is expression so

at the agency, my heart was pounding so loudly I thought everyone in the building would be a

ding us down a hallway toward a pri

queezing my hand. "As r

r tightly to his chest, was Lucas. He was smaller than I had imagined, with dark hair and big, brown eye

about," Sharon said gently, kneeling b

mine, and I knew he was just as overwhelmed as I was. Finally, I took a

softly. "It's real

t clutched his bear a little tighter. I could see the fear in his eyes, and my heart br

ce gentle. "You don't have to say anythi

slightly, making sure Lucas could see him. "Hi, buddy,"

aking. But I could see a flicker of curiosity in hi

omfortable. He didn't say much, but by the end of the visit, he had warmed up to us just a

-I wanted to take Lucas home with us right then and there. But

poke. His voice was small, barely above

ou come

s," I promised, my voice thick with emotion

-

t, I thought about him-his shy smile, the way he clutched his bear, the soft sound of his vo

ooking at the photos we had taken during our visit, a small smile playing

me with us, we both cried. It felt like a dream-a beautifu

ooks, toys, and a bed that seemed far too big for such a small boy. But when Lucas stepped into our

whispered as I knelt be

t, he didn't say anything, just took in his new surround

ed, his voice so quiet

e boy who had already captured my heart. "You're wel

-

tle by little, he began to open up. He started talking more, asking questions about the house, about us. He followed

el in the living room, his bear on his lap. He g

t?" Lucas as

oesn't hurt. But sometimes it's hard to do thing

rrowed in thought. "But y

"Yeah, I'm still strong.

der this for a moment

llowing him around and asking him to play games or read books together. Watching the two of them bond