The nurse smiled faintly.
“She’s doing very well.”
That was when I finally understood what James was afraid to ask.
This wasn’t about Anna.
Anna was gone.
It was about the little girl.
James looked directly at me.
“She has nobody.”
I said nothing.
“Her biological father has already been contacted. He doesn’t want custody.”
My anger came instantly.
“He said that?”
“He left months ago. Social services spoke with him.”
James paused.
“They’re trying to locate relatives, but there may not be anyone.”
“What happens to her?”
“Temporary placement,” he said. “Foster care while everything is investigated.”
Then came the sentence I knew was coming and still wasn’t prepared to hear.
“I want us to ask to be considered.”
My eyes filled.
“James…”
“I know this is enormous.”
“For what exactly?”
“For her.”
He looked through the glass.
“Foster placement. Guardianship. Adoption someday, if that becomes possible. Whatever the process is.”
He turned back to me.
“I want us to bring her home.”
I couldn’t speak.
James continued quickly.
“I already told the social worker that I’m married and that I cannot promise anything without you. I told them you didn’t even know I was here.”
That mattered.
He hadn’t decided.
He had asked.
“If you say no,” he whispered, “I’ll never hold it against you.”
I stared through the glass.
Tiny face.
Dark hair.
Eyes closed.
A little hand curled beside her cheek.
Then I looked back at James.
“You thought I’d be jealous.”
He didn’t answer.
“You thought hearing Anna’s name would make me think this was about her.”
“I didn’t know what you would think.”
