What Makes A Family

Chapter 18

What Makes A Family

Chapter 18

As the weeks passed, everyone seemed to be adjusting to the fact that Paul and Torrey were going to adopt Carrie. Julia had made all of them dinner to celebrate Carrie becoming a part of their family. She too loved Carrie, and she loved seeing her brother and Torrey with Carrie. It felt as if Carrie had always been a part of the family since she had arrived.

Paul and Torrey decided to talk to Carrie and see if she'd feel comfortable going to visit Mary. Agnieshka and Thomas didn't like the idea of them adopting. They told them that if they would be blessed with a child, they would get pregnant. Paul and Julia had talked about how their father still didn't agree with Julia's career choice. And now both of their parents didn't agree with what Paul and Torrey were doing. Julia had never thought that their parents wouldn't agree with her brother and his wife adopting. She loved Carrie as well.

Julia then told Paul that she was starting to look at apartments. He was immediately concerned about her moving out. "I just want to make sure you are going to be living somewhere safe."

Julia smiled at her brother. She loved that he was always so worried about Her. "Would it make you happy to help me look for an apartment?"

Paul smiled back at his sister. "I love you, and I just want to make sure you're going to be living somewhere safe. And for my sanity that you'll find a place close."

"I will, I promise. Thank you for letting me stay with you, Torrey and your daughter. I love being here with you guys."

Paul was quiet for a long moment. "Then don't move out quite yet. You know that we don't mind you staying with us."

"You know I love you, Paul." I can't tell you how much I appreciate all that you and Torrey have done for me, but you have a family that you need to take care of. You and Torrey don't need me hear. You need to focus on your daughter. I can't even tell you how much she needs you and Torrey. And you know that you can't get rid of me that easily. I'll be just like Maryelle and invite myself over whenever I want to eat. And you're here if I were to need anything."

Paul knew that Julia was right. He didn't have to worry about that too much. If she'd would ever need anything, Julia would let he and Torrey know. "We canreally start looking for apartments for you this weekend."

Torrey came in to talk to them a short time later. She had gotten a call from her mom, saying that she was going to come and visit them. "When is your mom coming, Paul asked.

Torrey sat down on the couch beside her husband. "In a few days. She sounds so excited to meet Carrie."

He didn't say it, but Paul was extremely grateful that at least Torrey's parents and sisters had been happy for them. Liberty said that he would come visit as soon as he could. "Great. Did you talk to Carrie about it?"

Torrey smiled. "Yes, and I think she's excited to meet my mom too."

Paul was relieved that things were alright with Mary. He loved seeing her just as much as her girls did. Mary arrived to see them a few days later. Carrie was extremely worried that Mary wouldn't like her. She knew how Paul's parents felt, and she didn't want them to have that issue with Torrey's parents.

When Mary got there, Torrey was waiting for her. Mary embraced her daughter. "Well, it's quiet.."

"Yeah. Paul and Carrie went to pick up dinner. Carrie is so excited to meet you, Mom."

Marry was nervous about meeting Carrie as well. She wanted her daughter to have a family. She knew that Torrey and Paul we're going to be wonderful parents.

When Paul and Carrie returned, Mary cried. Carrie was such a beautiful girl. Mary went up to her and embraced her. "Hi, sweetheart."

"Hi, Mary. It's nice to meet you.

Carrie and Mary talked all threw dinner. Julia didn't get home until 8 that night. She was glad that everything went well that night. She tried to do her best to reassure all of them that things would be fine.

That weekend, Paul and Torrey started to help Julia find an apartment. It didn't' take her long to find one that she loved. Torrey was just as worried about Julia moving out.

A few weeks later, Julia moved into her new apartment. Mary stayed until Julia got settled. She too was excited for Julia, but she also knew how hard it was when a child first left home. Julia wasn't their daughter, but they had been treating her as if she were.

After Julia moved out, it was so quiet. Even though she was only a few miles away, they couldn't help but miss her.

Everything was falling into place for all of them. Carrie was doing quite well in therapy, and work was going well for Julia.