Rosa was exhausted, so when we exited the plane, Luke walked with EJ and I had Rosa on my back and Matty in my arms. Because we sent everything ahead, all we had on the plane was diaper bags. My truck arrived yesterday and it was dropped off at the airport today; the car seats were even there too. Luke ran to my truck with EJ. He strapped her in and came back for Matty. He wobbled to the truck because Matty was heavier than EJ. I slipped Rosa into the passenger seat and strapped her in. The kids were all strapped in and Luke was falling asleep. He was being really good because he helped me with his siblings. We drove for about an hour, until we got to our new house. I always wanted a house someplace where my closest neighbors were far away. Close enough where if everything is on fire they can notice, but far away enough so that crying babies and loud television won't affect them.
"Rosa, wake up!" I poked her arms, kind of hard, and she shot up.
"What?"
"We're at our new home."
"Really?"
"Yeah, look love," I said pointing to the house.
"Is that our house Mama?"
"Yes Luke,"
"Luke, honey, will you help me with the twins?" Rosa said getting out of the car.
"Yes Mommy," Rosa helped Luke out of the car, and then she grabbed Matty. Luke picked up EJ and they headed toward the front door. I quickly grabbed the diaper bags and unlocked the front door so we could walk inside.
"Where's my room Mommy?" Luke said to Rosa.
"I don't know sweetie, why don't you ask Mama."
"Mama?"
"Why don't we take Matty and EJ upstairs to get settled and then I will show you your room, does that sound okay?"
"Yes Mama," we actually ran up the stairs and Luke started to open all of the doors. The first room was a big room with a purple and grey bed in it --- that was Rosa and I's bedroom. The next room was a semi-big room with a dark red crib on one side and a deep blue one of the other. I walked to the red one and placed down EJ. Rosa slowly put down Matty in the blue one.
"Rosa, we'll paint their rooms tomorrow if you want," I whispered in her ear as I walked up behind her.
"Really!?" She half-shouted exuberantly.
"Of course. We'll get everything tomorrow morning after we've unpacked," I held her close to me.
"I'm so excited for our new life!" She smiled. I bent down to Luke's level and held his hand.
"I promise you we won't forget our previous life, we'll just add this life to it Luke."
"So two lives Mama?"
"I guess so, then."
"Can we got to my room now?"
"Sure," I started picking him up, but he sprinted down the hall opening all the doors. He came to a room at the end of the hall that was almost as big as ours.
"Mama! Is this my room!?" Luke screamed spinning around in the center of his room. I wanted to play with him and say no, but I guessed that would be mean.
"Of course Luke!"
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." He continuously said jumping around. He had a big boat bed.
"No problem Luke. Should Mommy and I leave you to love your new room?"
"Yes please."
"Can you do us a favor?"
"Yes, because you are Mama."
"Well, thank you. Can you make a list of things you want in your room? I mean like posters, toys, stuff like that."
"Okay Ma-"
"OH! Also, write down what color you want your room to be. There's paper and pencils in your drawer over there," I said as Rosa and I turned to leave.
"Okay Mama. I love you guys," He said running to his drawers.
"We love you more Luke," Rosa and I said creepily simultaneously. We closed his door and stepped into the hallway.
..........
"What color do you want the room?" I shouted to Rosa who --- was showering as I was putting our clothes in drawers.
"I was thinking blue, pale grey or lavender," She shouted from the tub. We had already picked the twins' room's colors --- the whole room will be light grey and on EJ's side there's gonna be pink and red flowers and big lavender letters --- her initials "E-JAJ". Matty's side will have blue and green dots and his initials too --- "MAJ" in green. The downstairs bathroom and the upstairs bathroom are going to be pale blue. The kitchen is going to be teal and the dining room will be cool grey. Rosa and I's bathroom will be purple. Most of the house was already furnished --- a reason I chose it. In the kitchen there was already a small eating table but I like eating in the dining room for big family meals. The twins would probably eat there with Rosa during the day, while I'm at work and Luke is at school. The living room had cool neutral tones as well.
"I like the lavender."
"IT"LL MATCH THE BATHROOM!"
"This is true."
"Lyric, how many other bedrooms are in here?"
"There is one downstairs which is already painted red, and two more up here that are already painted light grey." I wanted to make sure there was another room for our new child we are going to adopt and I really want it to be a girl. Luke wanted his room to be blue and green --- sea themed with creatures at the bottom. And he wanted a bunch of books too.
The basement was going to be the family room slash my art studio. After my mom died, I took up painting as a way to express how I'm feeling and it's been helping. The bigger part will be the family room --- which we are gonna love. I really want to splatter paint the wall in my art studio. And Rosa doesn't know yet but she is gonna have a special room in the house just for her. I'm going to call it her songwriting room. That's the first room I did. I flew out here to close the deal and made the room special. It has a piano, a guitar and wood floors for her to sing and dance around. And I haven't even told you about the living room and the backyard. OH! And the attic is amazing. It's like a little study. And we have a pantry room too. This house is a dream come true.
..........
We been in New Mexico for about a month and I really like it here. I've been looking on the adoption center website for a child to adopt. I shook Rosa awake at about six a.m. I really want to get there early.
"Why are you waking me up Lyric?"
"It's adoption day!"
"It's adoption day!!!" She screamed throwing the covers off and running to the bathroom. I went to the twins' room to see if either of them were up. EJ stood in her crib trying to climb out, so I remind myself to lift the bars. Matty is already out of the crib and crawling around on the floor. I scoop him up and swing him in the air.
"What are you doing out of bed?" He began to giggle. It reminded me of Rosa --- his curly black hair was everywhere. I carried him over to their closet and peered inside. "Hmmm. What should you two wear today?" I decided for Matty to wear a blue onesie that said 'sorry guys, my mommy is taken' and black sneakers and for EJ, a light pink onesie that said 'i'm not allowed to date...ever' and purple glittery sneakers.
"Mama!" Luke walked into the room wearing a little suit.
"Luke, you are so dressed up."
"I want to make an a good impression."
"For you new sister?"
"Yes." Then Rosa walked in wearing a beautiful floral sundress and matching heels.
"I see I'm not too dressy," She said picking up Luke and kissing him all over his face.
"Rosa, you look beautiful."
"Thank you baby, but shouldn't you be getting dressed soon?"
"Why don't I do that right now?"
"I'm gonna make breakfast babe."
"Can I help Mommy?"
"Of course!" Rosa said giving him a big hug. Rosa and Luke each took a twin downstairs. I sat on Rosa and I's bed and rummaged through our closet. I settled on blue jeans, a plain black t-shirt, and my black and white converse. I looked at myself once more in the mirror and headed downstairs . Rosa and Luke were in the kitchen eating --- they were almost finished. The twins sat on the floor drinking from their bottles.
"How long was I upstairs?"
"Forty minutes."
"Really!" What was I even doing in there? I probably zoned out.
"It's okay love."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Lyric," She said laughing. "Are you gonna eat?" She dropped her fork on her plate indicating she was finished.
"I'm too excited. I'll eat once we get our daughter."
"You're really happy right now, I see."
"Of course."
"Okay, Luke are you finished?" She asked turning to him.
"Yes Mommy," he mumbled licking his plate. She stood, took his plate, and walked over to the sink.
"Lyric, I'm gonna wash these really quick --- you know how the syrup can stick. I-"
"Don't worry about anything Rosy. I'll get the kids in the car."
"Thank you so much. I love you."
"I love you too," She flipped on the faucet.
"Come on Luke, grab your sister."
"Okay, Mama," he jumped down from his chair and walked to his sister. "Come on, EJ. Let's go get you a big sister, huh?" He's so good with the twins. We were worried that he would resent them and think we love them more, but he doesn't and that makes me so proud.
..........
I walked up to a dark haired woman with piercing blue eyes. Rosa and the children stood close but behind me.
"Hello, I'm Hope Diaz. I am the adoption center director here. This is my assistant Cali Rodrigo. How may we help you today?" She motioned to a woman with dark brown hair
"Hi, I'm Lyric Johnson, I called about adopting a little girl."
"Ah, yes! Ms. Johnson. You and your wife's background check was successful. A little concerning with the recent violence against you lately. I am glad you have relocated now, though. Now anyone specifically?"
"I was looking on the website and there was a little girl named Laelia --- is she still here?"
"Yes, she is. Did you find yourself quite fond of her?"
"She's perfect."
"Ms. Rodrigo, will you go retrieve Laelia for us?" Retrieve? She isn't a dog.
"Yes, ma'am." Ms. Rodrigo stood and headed for the staircase.
"Rosa, go sit with the kids, okay?"
"Okay Lyric."
"Ms. Johnson, I just need you and your wife to sign these forms," she handed me a clipboard with a few forms on it.
"Mrs. Diaz?" Ms. Rodrigo called.We all turned facing her. A little girl was next to her, almost hiding behind her even. She clung to Ms. Rodrigo's leg. I walked over to her and kneeled in front of her.
"Laelia?"
"Yes?" She asked in a small voice that made me know she has been through a lot. The sad look in her eye broke my heart. I just wanted to hold her and make her feel loved. I turned and beckoned for Rosa to come next to me.
"We want to be your parents."