Chapter 9 - The Custody Hearing
The ultimate hurdle was the permanent adoption and custody hearing.
CPS had monitored us for an entire year.
They audited my finances.
They inspected our home.
They interviewed our neighbors.
I had taken a second job working remotely.
Grandma had made a full recovery.
Her hair had grown back over the pale scar on her scalp.
The social worker took the stand.
It was the same woman who had tried to take my brother away in the hospital.
She smiled at me.
"Your Honor," she said, reading from her final report.
"The home is immaculate."
"The child is thriving, meeting all developmental milestones."
"Miss Maya has demonstrated extraordinary resilience and unconditional love."
"The department fully endorses permanent sole custody and legal adoption by the sister."
Tears blurred my vision.
Grandma squeezed my hand so tightly her knuckles turned white.
The judge smiled warmly.
She stamped the final document with a loud, echoing thud.
"Congratulations, Mom," the judge said.
May you like
The gavel fell.
We had won.
