Page 9 of Dreams Do Come True

“Just so you know, as soon as you have a child, you will be on three months paternity leave. I’ve already approved the request you’ve not submitted yet.”

“Again, thank you, Monica.”

“I know the process can be hard, no matter what agency you go through. It was for me and my husband each time we adopted. The getting so close and having your hopes dashed, it can be hard and upsetting.”

I nod in agreement. “Yeah, we found out yesterday that the child we were potentially adopting, the mother decided to keep the baby. That’s the third time it’s fallen through.”

Monica sits forward, resting her arms on the desk. “So many of ours fell through, it felt like forever, even though it was only seven months for our first son, it was nearly three years for our second one. So, I honestly know what the process is like. What I’m trying to say is, if it gets too much and you need to take personal days, take them.”

“Thanks, I will if I need to.”

“Good, that was it, unless you have anything for me?”

I shake my head. “Nope.”

“Don’t forget to send me some dates.”

I stand up. “I won’t, thanks, Monica.”

“And Titus, I meant what I said. You really will be a good father.”

I nod. “Thanks,” and with that, I leave the room and walk back to my office. Of all the things I thought we would be discussing today our adoption dream wasn’t it. It was reassuring that Monica had been through the process herself, so she knows the struggles and heartache.

I check the time and see it’s nearly half five. That went quickly. I see Daniel packing up to leave. “Night, Daniel.”

“Titus,” he stops and grins. “So, your in-person meeting next Friday is now a Zoom meeting.”

“How did that happen? They were dead set against an online meeting when I suggested it,” I ask, confused.

“They found out what happened in the policy meeting.”

I burst out laughing. “Seriously?”

“Oh yeah,” he replies with a chuckle. “They’re of the mind that you can’t magically mute them via the Internet.”

“Idiots. I can mute them from anywhere. Hopefully, all my in-person meetings will be changed now.”

“Don’t say that. I’d still like to see you in person from time to time.”

I laugh again. “I’ll see what I can do.”

He grins. “Right, I'm off. Drive safe.”

“Will do, night, Daniel.”

“Night.”

I get lostin my work, so it’s close to seven when I leave. Hopefully, the road gods will be with me and I’ll be home just after ten.

I message Kean and my brothers, letting them know I’m leaving and get messages straight back telling me to drive safe.

I also see I have a message from Ernest.

Kean told me about your meeting. You’re awesome.

Yeah, I knew Ernest would like that. To be honest, I’m surprised he hasn’t tried something like that before, but then he does have his squirt bottle.

I'm happily driving down the road, my radio blaring out eighties rock anthems, when I see flashing lights up ahead, and all three services are in attendance. I offer up a prayer for those involved. A police officer is slowing traffic down and making people turn around. She makes her way to me, and I lower my window.