Devastated Mom Wants to Adopt, Spots Girl at Adoption Agency Strikingly Similar to Her Late Daughter

Finally deciding to adopt another child, a grieving mother loses her five-year-old daughter to cancer. However, she is put in a challenging predicament when her husband’s secret comes to light.
Eleanor yelled in the dimly lit living room, tossing her Chinese takeaway box behind her with indifference. Her once lively home was known for its quiet these days, but the sound broke it.

Eleanor lost her passion for everything, including her work in fine art photography, after she lost her daughter Ava to leukaemia five years ago and separated from her husband Joseph a year later.
Eleanor’s true desire was to become a mother once more, despite their discussions about trying to patch things up. She had logged on to adoption websites for hours over the past year.

She let out a tiny yell and was ecstatic to find Charlotte, a young girl who perfectly embodied Ava.
A few more minutes later Eleanor reached for her phone after clicking to view more of her images from Grace Adoption Services.

“Greetings, Grace Adoption Services here. Call me Samantha. In what way may I help you now?” From the other end came a friendly voice.

“I go by Eleanor. “I’m hoping to adopt, and I’m drawn to this little girl on your website,” she added, scowling.
Samantha answered politely. “We’ll arrange for you to visit us and have a meeting. Doing this in person is usually preferable.”

Too soon, Eleanor agreed. “I’m prepared to make that move,” she said. “I want to make a difference in a child’s life.”
Samantha giggled and arranged a rendezvous. After hanging up, Eleanor experienced hope for the first time in a long time.

Eleanor found herself anxiously waiting at Samantha’s office on the day of the meeting.

“It’s great to meet you in person,” Samantha said with a smile. “I’ve read your application and can already tell you’d be an amazing parent.”
The two ladies talked about Eleanor’s past, her motivations for adopting, and her aspirations for the future. A family photo on Samantha’s desk frequently caught Eleanor’s attention.

“Ah, you’ve been eyeing that for a while,” Samantha said, introducing herself and her two kids, Macy May and Maryellen.
It was Eleanor who said, “I want that back.”

While nodding, Samantha cleared her throat. “Could you tell me a little about your husband?” she inquired after taking a long breath. It’s critical that adopted children grow up in two-parent households.”

Eleanor gave an explanation of how their daughter’s passing led to their separation and expressed desire for a reunion. “I haven’t told him yet about trying to adopt, but I will,” she stated.

If Joseph was open to meeting, Samantha advised Eleanor talk to him about the adoption. She asked to see the file of the girl she had seen on the website and agreed to give it a shot. She went by Charlotte.

Eleanor remarked, wiping at the dew in her eyes, “She looks like a wonderful girl.” “I sense a bond between us. She seems like someone who was destined to be in my life.”
An hour later, Eleanor left the agency full of hope. She transformed the spare room into a cosy haven and spent the next few weeks getting her house ready for a child.
Though Eleanor didn’t want to talk to Joseph about the adoption, she continued to communicate with Samantha during this period. She confessed to being reluctant when Samantha asked.

You are still a very strong contender, Samantha comforted her. “Okay,” she said. It’s not always a deal-breaker to be single. After all, we live in modern times.”

After a few days, Samantha called with some exciting news. Eleanor and Charlotte were to meet formally at a park on the scheduled date. She bought colouring pages and markers for the little girl as a present in advance of the meeting.
When the day finally came, Eleanor arrived early and took a seat on a bench with Charlotte’s gift. She looked over the foliage, searching for Samantha and Charlotte.
She quickly caught sight of them. Charlotte seemed reserved and bashful, her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. Eleanor gave them a cordial welcome. “It’s good to see you again,” she shook Samantha’s hand.

“And you too. Samantha answered, “This is Charlotte.

With a slight slant, Eleanor said, “Hello.”

With a hesitant reply, Charlotte met Eleanor’s gaze for a fleeting moment. She was startled again by how much the girl looked like Ava.
After exploring the park, they took a seat next to the pond. She presented her gift to Charlotte. “I thought we could use this to draw or write about our day,” she stated.
With a gentle “Thank you,” Charlotte accepted the present.

A link formed between them as they came closer together. Bit by bit, the youngster opened up, sharing glimpses of her life in foster care. Eleanor was moved by Charlotte’s inventiveness and warmth.

Samantha went over the procedures and networks of support for Charlotte’s adoption later, during a picnic lunch. However, they all dispersed in the hopes that everything would work out.

She and Charlotte developed a closer bond over the next few weeks as Charlotte went to Eleanor’s house, looked around her new bedroom, and they shared meals.
Eleanor finally gave Joseph a call. “Ellie,” he called out. “I’ve been thinking about you.”
Eleanor answered, “I’d want to share some exciting news. Could we get together tomorrow?”

Joseph heard Eleanor’s explanation of the adoption over coffee the following day. He spoke thoughtfully after listening in silence. You seem to take great pride in this. I’m glad to see you looking so vibrant once more.

His understanding brought her relief. “I refuse to let sorrow overtake me,” she declared. “We can’t let grief consume us.”

Joseph nodded, picking up on her underlying message.

As their friendship grew, Eleanor and Charlotte had sleepovers and even dinners with Joseph, who began visiting frequently.
Charlotte opened up one evening when Eleanor told her a bedtime story. “Never have I had a mother like you. I’m not interested in returning to foster care.”
As she reassured her, Eleanor’s voice became thicker. “Yes, dear, I will be. Your mother will always be me.”

Eleanor and Charlotte reached a major turning point on the day of the formal adoption hearing. Eleanor had gathered Joseph and other close friends and family to celebrate this special day.

As the court concluded the adoption during the hearing, Eleanor and Charlotte stood hand in hand. Eleanor’s eyes welled up with happy emotions as she looked at Charlotte and realised the new chapter they were starting together.
Eleanor called Joseph outside the courthouse to join them for dinner. “Joe, come have supper with us tonight. You’re included in this celebration as well,” she said.
Joseph said, “I’d love to, El.”

In the ensuing weeks, Eleanor, Joseph, and Charlotte started to integrate their lives. In their counselling sessions, they talked about their losses and the difficulties they had encountered.

After just one session, they were having a sincere discussion. With a sense of guilt, Eleanor added, “Joseph, I know this isn’t what we planned, but it’s the path I need to take.”

Joseph cleared his throat and said, “I love you and want to be a real part of this with you.”
With time, Charlotte grew to love her new surroundings. She brought to mind the love they had lost and everything they had to offer.
But one day Eleanor received a call from Samantha, and her tone instantly chilled her.

The proprietor of the adoption agency disclosed, “Eleanor, Charlotte’s biological mother has contacted me.” “She claimed that Joseph was Charlotte’s biological father.”

How come? Could Ava’s half-sister be Charlotte? Eleanor murmured.

Samantha, though, warned her they wanted an answer right away. Samantha suggested, “We should speak with Joseph about this.” “If he denies it, a paternity test may be necessary.”
“Why does it matter if she gave the kid up?”
“She said that the affair was quick, but if the biological dad suddenly wants to be in the picture, she may want to challenge the adoption,” Samantha added with seriousness. “I just want to be sure nothing can mess with Charlotte’s happiness.”

Eleanor ended the call and went outside to Joseph’s garden. She hurriedly blurted out what Samantha had said and demanded him to tell her the truth.

His eyes were wild and bewildered for a moment, but then he bowed his head and confessed to having an affair for a short while with someone he had joined in a grieving parent support group following Ava’s death and their breakup.
He said, “It was a terrible mistake,” and his eyes seemed far away.
“You mean to say that you might be Charlotte’s father then if this woman gave her up for adoption?” With frightened mouth wide open, Eleanor questioned.

“She told me she was pregnant right away, and I quit the group. Joseph squinted his eyes and nodded, “But she might have put the child up for adoption.”

Feeling overpowered, Eleanor merely nodded while placing her hands on her waist. Joseph said, “I will,” without hesitation when asked about a paternity test. I’ll be completely honest about this.”

They would have to wait days for the findings even if they took the exam as quickly as possible. Eleanor considered telling Charlotte, but she decided against it until they had the whole story and the legal issues worked out.

She also talked to Samantha all the time. Her now-friend softly said, “Once an adoption is complete, it is generally irreversible in most jurisdictions.”

A few days later Eleanor received an email with the results, and those were the most nerve-wracking and stressful days of Eleanor’s life since Ava died. In therapy, she had discussed with Joseph all of their options and what that would entail for them.

However, until they learned the truth, nothing could be decided. Eleanor’s inbox held an email that Samantha had been checking out while she was there. “Joseph is…not Charlotte’s father!” she said, slowly reading it. Thank God.

Since Joseph wasn’t Charlotte’s real father, Samantha was able to confirm a few days later that the biological mother had made the decision to give up on the case.
Eleanor perceived Charlotte’s likeness to Ava as a fortunate happenstance and an opportunity for her family to start again after learning of this. They would never truly be without her late daughter, especially now that they understood the value of each and every second.