“You’re taking care of bad people.Saving kids.Sure, your methods are not exactly that of a superhero, but you’re doing it your own way.”Ella looked down at the young girl.“She will be deemed a troublemaker.Possibly even put in a worse place.”
“Or, we can take her,” Mateo said.
“Take her?”
“We can adopt her.”
“That is a lot of paperwork, and they have to dig into your background.”
“Ella, I know a lot of people.She can leave with us today,” he said.
“You’re serious?”
“Yeah, I am.You want to have her, take care of her, look after her.Just ask, and consider it done.”
Ella looked down at the young Terry.There was no way she would allow her to go back into a system like that.Ella had been in that position herself, and it was one of the single worst things she had ever experienced.
“I’m not sending her back there,” Ella said.“I want to adopt her, but only if you’re okay with that.”
“I don’t mind.”Mateo looked toward Terry.“And it appears she is already waking up.”
Terry let out a little sigh.She looked up at Ella, and she smiled down at the little girl.“Hey, Terry,” she said.“You don’t have to be afraid.Do you remember Mateo?”
The little girl turned her attention to Mateo, and she nodded her head.
“Hey, Terry,” he said.
“You rescued me.”
“I did.I’ve got a question for you, Terry.How would you like to come and live with me and my wife?”he said.“We live in a big house, lots of garden to play in.We can get your room ready for you.”
“Do you punish if I’m bad?I am a bad ...person,” Terry said.
This broke Ella’s heart.
“No, you’re not a bad person, Terry.They were bad people.Would you like to come see the house?”he asked.
Terry looked toward her.
“It’s up to you, sweetheart.”
“I don’t want to go back there.”
“You won’t,” Mateo said.
“Can I stay with Ella?”
“Yes,” Mateo said.
Ella smiled at her husband.He liked to paint himself the bad guy, but she knew the truth.He was, in fact, a very good guy.
The doctors were not happy, but she didn’t know what Mateo did or said, as no one stopped them from taking Terry.Ella picked up the little girl in her arms and walked right out of the hospital with her.She held her tightly and promised she would love and protect this girl, for however long Terry wanted her to.No one had been there for her, and she was not going to turn her back on Terry.
There was a car waiting, and Ella climbed inside.She secured Terry in the middle seat so that she was between herself and Mateo.The ride back to his country home was long, and partway there, Terry fell asleep.At first, she leaned up against Ella, then she snuggled toward Mateo.
Ella looked toward her husband, and it was in that moment she knew he was going to be a good father.He might not even realize it, but he had it in him to be great.Between the two of them, they knew hownotto be parents.They had a lot of bad memories, and they could make new ones with Terry.
Arriving at Mateo’s home, they drove up to the main driveway and parked.The two men who had driven them back climbed out and stepped away from the car.Terry was still asleep.She and Mateo stayed silent, giving her some time.
