Page 3 of The Right to Remain

“Can I see him?” asked Helena.

Serena hesitated. “I’m afraid we need to talk about that.”

Helena heard the words, but it was as if they didn’t quite register. They’d received every possible assurance that the adoption would go through. Elle had even asked Helena what name she intended to give the baby, so that Elle could talk to him by name in the womb. If only Helena had been able to make up her mind.

You and your indecision,she told herself.This is your own fault.Again.

“What’s there to talk about?” asked Helena.

“I’m so sorry. Elle says she wants to keep her baby.”

The words hit Helena like a sledgehammer. It was the biological mother’s legal right to change her mind at any time in the process. In fact, according to the Pollards’ lawyer, a mother couldn’t consent to the adoption until forty-eight hours after the birth. Helena knew the rules all too well. She needed to sit, but there was no place. Owen practically had to hold her up.

“Can I speak to Elle?” asked Helena.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea,” said Serena.

“Are you in agreement with this decision?” asked Owen.

Serena breathed in and out. “Honestly, no. I still think the best thing for everyone is for this adoption to happen.”

“Is there anything you can do?” asked Helena.

Serena sighed again. “I’ll talk to her. Let’s see what it would take for Elle to change her mind back. Maybe we can work something out.”

“Thank you,” said Helena, her voice quaking. “Thank you so much.”

Serena turned and headed down the hallway, toward the birthing suites.

“I can’t believe this is happening again,” said Helena.

“It hasn’t happened yet.”

“Her mother just told us she’s changed her mind.”

“She’s a confused teenager who gave birth less than an hour ago. Elle heard the baby cry, watched the nurses clean him up, maybe even looked into his eyes. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but maybe she’llcome back around after some separation time, once the baby’s no longer in the room with her. They probably just took him to the nursery.”

“Let’s go there,” said Helena. “We can see him through the glass.”

“That’s probably not a good idea,” said Owen, but Helena was off before he could finish his sentence.

Helena followed the directional signs around the nursing station to another hallway. On the other side of the window, in two rows of bassinets, lay a baker’s dozen of earth’s newest arrivals wrapped in the familiar striped blanket that every maternity hospital in America seemed to use. A handful of new fathers were standing at the window, recording video on their smartphones.

“That’s him,” Helena said, indicating.

“How can you tell?” asked Owen.

Each bassinet had a name card, but they were too far away to read them. “I just know,” said Helena.

Serena was suddenly standing right behind them. “Good news, all.”

Helena turned. “Please tell me she changed her mind.”

“Elle is willing to go through with the adoption on one condition.”

Helena brought a hand to her mouth to keep from shrieking. “Name it.”

“It seems so silly, I’m almost embarrassed to say.”