When I finally got up the courage to answer the door, Alice came with me. Rebecca looked happy to see us, and seemed to be in a really good mood. She told us to relax right away, and for the most part we did, although it was difficult. We showed her the nursery, which she seemed to love, and she also liked all the supplies we had scattered throughout the house. I was feeling the tiniest bit better as we all sat down in the living room again, but not by much.

“My department has looked over your application and the results from the first interview,” Rebecca told us. “Health wise, everything looks good, and you seem to be a very stable and loving couple with a home that would be perfect for a child to grow up in. I can’t tell you with absolute certainty that the baby will be able to come home with you, but after what I’ve seen today and the evidence I already have, I’m going to endorse this fully.”

Alice and I sat there in shock, unable to say or do anything. I was elated, but had no idea how to act. Al seemed just as confused as I was, and we just sat there staring at each other until Rebecca started to laugh. “It’s good news. I’d say by this time tomorrow, you should hear a definite confirmation. Then there will be some required paperwork at City Hall and the County Records office, but it’s all pretty basic and shouldn’t be an issue.” We must have grinned at her like complete idiots, because she laughed for a few seconds before she stood to go. “Please take some time to celebrate this. The Department will be checking with you on a regular basis, but I don’t foresee any problems. I’ll get back to you as soon as I possibly can.”

She was gone before we really realized it. When it finally dawned on me, I grabbed Alice and spun her around to face me so I could kiss her properly. She let me, and then she just held me for a little bit. By the time we got around to calling anyone, it was well after three in the afternoon. They asked us to Bette and Tina’s to celebrate, but all we wanted to do was to go see the baby. We were both exhausted, anyway. Still, we felt bad and asked them to come over later on if they wanted to, and we could just hang out.