Angelica Porter…

Part2

Bette was still going through the possibility of a child in her life, when Mrs. Thorndike pulled her out of her thoughts.

“Ms. Porter, are you alright?” She asked, worried, Bette’s look of pure shock was worrying her now.

Bette cleared her throat and blinked several times when she heard her name. She stood up and began pacing the room. “Yes, yes I’m fine, but I can’t possibly take care of a child. Why would cousin Jane give me custody of her baby? That’s just not possible”

“That’s something I’m sorry I can’t explain, but you’ll have to talk about this to other members of your family. Maybe they can provide more answers”

“So what happens to Angelica? If I can’t take care of her, I mean”

“Well, Jane’s parents died a couple of years ago, so she’d go to foster care”

Bette cringed. This baby wasn’t going to foster care; she had heard horror stories about kids in foster care. And more importantly, she was a Porter.

Angelica Porter.

She grabbed her temple, where were her migraine pills? “Is there a father?”

“We have no information about a second parent.”

“So where is she?”

“She’s in the company daycare now. We’re expecting your answer to begin with the procedure of legal guardianship”

“Look, my house isn’t a safe environment for a baby, and I- I just can’t take her”

“It’s your decision Ms. Porter, but you do understand that if you don’t take her, she’ll go to foster care, right?”

“Yes. Yes, I do understand” Bette paced the room.

Damn it Jane, why are you doing this to me, Bette thought. What was she going to do? She needed to turn the guestroom into a nursery. What about a nanny? Daycare, is she a newborn or a toddler?

“How old is she?” she tried to buy more time to go over this unexpected turn of events.

“She just turned ten months last week” Mrs. Thorndike replied, excited to talk about Angelica Porter. “She’s such a sweetheart”

Angelica Porter.

Bette took a deep breath. Well, it’ll be what it’ll be. “OK, I’ll be her legal guardian”

“Excellent. I’ll have my people pull out the paperwork” Rita Thorndike said, very excited. “Let me take you where she is”

“What? Do I take her now?”

“Yes, Ms. Porter, Angelica goes back to LA with you now.” Rita Thorndike explained. “Ms. Porter” she stopped to make her point “I hope you understand how serious it is to take care of a child, especially at such short age”

“I understand. Ms. Thorndike”

“Very well. Follow me, please” They went to the first floor where the lawfirm daycare was. A woman was taking care of a baby Bette assumed was Angelica.

Rita Thorndike called out for the woman “Meg, this is Bette Porter, she’ll be taking care of Angie.”

Meg walked to the pair with Angelica in her arms “Oh that’s terrific!” She balanced Angelica on her left arm, extending the other. “Meg Lewis, pleased to meet you”

“Likewise” Bette smiled. Then she looked at Angelica.

“This is Angelica Porter”

Angelica Porter.

Bette was mesmerized. The baby was just absolutely adorable. Big brown eyes, olive skin, curly hair, dressed in overalls with the image of 2 ducklings.

“Hi, Angelica” Bette softly said.

“Hi” Angie replied.

“Very good, Angie!” Meg said. “Can you wave hi?” she said, as she moved back and forth Angie’s hand in a waving motion

“Hi!” Angie repeated, a little more enthusiastic.

“You were right” Bette said “She’s just gorgeous”

Angelica Porter.

TBC…