Chapter 5 - THE ADOPTION QUESTION
Six months after the wedding, Glen asked me something privately.
“Would Lily ever want me to adopt her?”
My heart stopped.
Lily’s biological father had abandoned us during pregnancy.
He had made no meaningful contact since.
But adoption was not simply a romantic gesture.
It had legal realities.
Emotional ones.
Most importantly:
Lily’s choice mattered.
I said:
“We don’t ask her like it’s a test.”
Glen nodded.
“I know.”
“We explain what it means.”
“Yes.”
“And if she says no?”
His answer came immediately.
“Then nothing about how I treat her changes.”
Good.
We eventually spoke with an attorney first.
Then, when appropriate, with Lily.
She listened seriously.
“If Glen adopts me, is he really my dad?”
I said:
“He’s already acting as your dad.”
She looked at Glen.
“But legally?”
“Yes.”
She became quiet.
Then:
“Would my last name change?”
“Only if you wanted that and the law allowed it as part of the process.”
“I like my name.”
“Then your name stays yours.”
She nodded.
Then looked at Glen.
“Can I think?”
He smiled.
“Forever, if you need to.”
Three days later, she came into our room carrying the old purple-crayon family drawing.
“I want to.”
Glen cried.
Lily laughed at him.
May you like
Good.
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