That night, upon Robert’s return from his job, Linda recounted the incident. «I warned you against initiating this pretense.» «Robert, drop it! We’ve gone over this already. I hate the idea of folks murmuring that we claimed another person’s offspring. Better they believe it’s genuinely ours, that I delivered it personally.»
«Your delivery time is nearing, and if no suitable child appears for adoption, how will you explain it to everyone?» «This makes the slip even more advantageous since Aunt Margaret witnessed it. We can claim a tragedy befell the baby.» Robert remained silent, merely shaking his head.
He thoroughly disapproved of the facade Linda had orchestrated. Fourteen days later, an agency proposed a newborn female with fair hair, precisely as desired. «A female? We settled on a male,» Linda remarked.
«Don’t you mind adopting a girl?» «I’m fine with a girl. What’s vital is her health,» Robert answered. «Plus, the schedule aligns perfectly. Your supposed term is close. No telling how extended the wait for a boy might be. You’d need to parade with fabrics and cushions once more.»
Robert adored his spouse and would endure anything to alleviate her pain from childlessness. He could envision a content life solely with his cherished partner, child-free. Nevertheless, including a youngster would enhance it further.
They traveled to an adjacent state, Indiana, to retrieve the infant from Chicago, their home in Illinois. They remained for four days, encountered their prospective child, and finalized the documents. The administrative process proceeded without hitches.
Naturally, payments were required, but operations concluded swiftly. The pair came back on day five. To observers, it appeared authentic, as though Robert had escorted Linda and their new baby from the facility.
Right before the holiday season, an elated Linda pushed a pram along the wintry paths of Chicago, gazing confidently at onlookers. Previously, encountering mothers with kids prompted her to avert her eyes, sensing inadequacy due to her barrenness. Everything had transformed now.
She strode with pride. It was irrelevant that she hadn’t birthed young Sophia. She was a parent, plain and simple.
Sophia proved an enchanting infant. Linda enjoyed observing her features. Those minuscule limbs and digits… The child’s strands were exceptionally pale, nearly colorless.
«Our girl will resemble me. Nobody will question it. I was a fair-haired child myself,» Linda confided her delight to her spouse. The guardians lavished affection on their adopted offspring. Young Sophia mastered supporting her head.
Young Sophia achieved flipping to her stomach. Sophia sprouted her initial tooth. These ordinary milestones became major celebrations for Linda and Robert.
When Sophia reached one year and began tentative steps, an unforeseen development occurred. Linda observed the child’s bluish-gray eyes shifting tone. «Robert, notice those emerging dark flecks,» Linda fretted.
«I detect nothing. Probably your imagination,» Robert grinned, lifting Sophia and eliciting a wide grin from her. «I’m certain they’re present. I’ve scrutinized her eyes throughout the day. Oh, Robert, I dread our Sophia becoming brown-eyed. A acquaintance’s boy experienced eye color change. His were azure initially as well.»
«What difference does it make?» Robert beamed. «Would we cherish a brown-eyed girl any less?» «I’m unsure, I’m unsure,» Linda murmured, shaking her head…
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