Cynthia: Hi, you must be Tina. I’m Cindy, Sam’s mother.

Tina: Nice to meet you and congratulations.

Cynthia: Thank you, I’m still getting used to it, but I can’t believe I’ve found such a wonderful man, for the second time.

Tina: I can’t believe I’ve got the same wonderful woman again.

Cynthia: Bette told me you have the home visit for tomorrow.

Tina: Yes, we are very excited as well as nervous.

Cynthia: Gerald is going to have to do the same thing with Sam so we are really hoping the process is smooth for you.

The children have a blast and play non stop for about an hour before the separation ritual takes place. Cindy and Sam take a taxi home to Gerald’s and Bette and Tina head back to the apartment. Tina gives Angelica her bath while Bette fixes a light dinner: grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup for the grown ups and applesauce for Angelica. They eat quickly, read to the baby and put her to bed as she falls asleep in Tina’s arms.

Bette: T, take some time and read the email from the advisor.

Tina: I will, but before I forget I have the name and contact information for Angelica’s New York pediatrician. It’s the same doctor Helena uses for the children.

Bette: Oh, good thinking as that is a reasonable question for the evaluator to ask. I feel good about our chances, but I’m still a bit nervous.

Tina: We both are baby, but this is our time. We are her parents, we set up a nice home for her and we are both in a good place. It will happen for us this time. Hopefully next month we are both crying tears of joy when the judge finalizes the adoption.

Bette: Do you want to take her to school again tomorrow? I’ll pick her up around 1:30 or so when naps are finished. We’ll take a taxi back so we should be here by 2pm a bit later if she’s not quite awake.

Tina: I definitely want to do that and make my run back here. I’ll do some laundry, get her all unpacked. I brought the rest of her clothes. She only has toys left in LA.