Page 90 of Breathing Her Fire

“I promise, he’s going to be just fine. I’ve talked to him about you many times and showed him pictures. He’s excited to meet you.”

“Okay, I’m just nervous he’s not going to like me.”

“If he likes me, babe, he’s definitely going to like you.”

Natalie’s eyes roll as she looks at me like I’m ridiculous. I just laugh at her expression as I drive towards Noah’s foster home.

We’re taking him out for the day so he and Natalie can get to know each other. We’re also going to talk to him about the potential for us to adopt him and see if it’s something he’d want.

Natalie and I got the paperwork submitted along with completing the required home visits. The social workers did a walkthrough of my house to make sure it would be a safe place for Noah. Now, we just have to wait for the final approval. I’m worried they’re going to deny us. It might kill me if they do.

I park on the street in front of Noah’s foster family’s house. They’re decent people who have a biological kid, but they’ve already told me they’re not going to be permanent. They’re the in-between family until they can find a more permanent place like the group home he was in before.

I hold Natalie’s hand as we walk up the steps and knock on the door. It opens quickly and Noah flies out of the doorway and into my arms. I manage to catch him and give him a squeeze.

“Hi, buddy.”

“Hi, Tucker.”

“Noah, this is Natalie. Do you remember me telling you about her?”

He nods his head and shyly looks at Natalie. “You’re pretty,” he says, and Natalie laughs.

“Thank you. You’re pretty handsome yourself.” Her smile is wide and loving, and Noah immediately reacts to her warmth.

He shimmies out of my arms and walks over to Natalie and gives her a hug, his little arms wrapping around her waist. I watch her eyes close as this little boy steals her heart with just one move.

I can feel the emotions welling up in me, and I cough, trying to make my chest stop aching.

Noah steps back and smiles, his blue eyes shining with happiness. I hope I can make the look on his face permanent.

“Why don’t we go inside and tell Tim and Jessica goodbye, and then we can head out,” I suggest. Noah nods his head in agreement and leads us into the small bungalow-style house.

We follow Noah into the kitchen and see them making lunch at the stove.

“Hey, guys,” I say as they turn around at the sound of us walking in.

“Hey, Tucker. It’s good to see you!”

“This is my fiancée, Natalie. Natalie, this is Tim and Jessica.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Natalie says, shaking their hands.

“We’re going to take Noah to get some lunch and then to the park. Do you guys need anything while we’re out?”

“Nope, we’re good. Have fun,” Jessica says. She runs her hand over Noah’s head. “Have fun, bud. We’ll see you later.”

“Bye!” Noah says and races back to the front door.

We say our goodbyes and hurry to follow Noah out the door.

After I get Noah into his booster seat, we head to Jones’s Diner. It’s his favorite because he gets a milkshake anytime we come here. We’re quiet as we drive, nerves over the coming conversation keeping me and Natalie silent.

There are so many ways this could go. I know Noah likes me, and Natalie by extension, so I’m not worried about him not wanting to live with us. It’s all of the unknowns that I’m struggling with the most. With the potential denial of our application hanging over our heads, I can’t let my excitement build. If we’re denied, it’ll crush me. I can’t imagine what it would do to Noah.

I hope I can explain things well enough for him to understand the situation. I know he’s only five, but I swear, the kid has the maturity level of a ten-year-old.

Once we’re parked, I help Noah out of his seat, and he grabs mine and Natalie's hand as we walk into the diner. Natalie sits by Noah in the booth, so I sit across from the two of them.

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