Chapter 5: A Few Months Later

Lia and Mallory sat against their couch, cuddling and exhausted. They had known that children would be a lot of work, but they were surprised when they had underestimated just how much time they'd be putting into it. How did other couples do it? Mallory hadn't had a good day at work in weeks, and Lia was plagued with writer's block.

"Go to bed babe," Lia told Mallory. "I need to finish up something."

Mallory nodded and walked down the hall into their bedroom. Poor girl was too tired to speak. Lia sat at the computer to finish her article. After a good hour of typing, backspacing, face-desking and re-writing, Lia decided that her article was fine. She sent it in to her work, her boss would see it in the morning. She decided to check on the little ones.

Lia poked her head into Mckennah's room. Mckennah was still partially awake. Not wanting to disturb her, Lia shut the door quietly. She turned and opened Aaron's door. Quiet, steady breathing. Sighing, she went to bed herself.

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In the morning, Lia was having breakfast before work. Mallory brought Mckennah upstairs into the dining room for her breakfast, and Aaron was still asleep. She turned around and kissed Lia on the cheek.

"Have a good day at work sweetheart," Mallory said. The police station had given her a few days off this week. She could spend all day with the kids. She went into the kitchen to put together Mckennah's bowl of cereal. 

"I will," Lia said, smiling. Life was so smooth. So smooth that, for some reason, it seemed too smooth. Something was bound to happen sooner or later... Something she wouldn't like. But that's life, I guess, she thought to herself. She stood and as she was walking down the stairs she called, "I love you, Mallory. Forever!" 

Chapter 4: Responsibility in Great Measures

The social services representative arrived ten minutes early.

Lia and Mallory were surprised that Jean was a man. They had expected a woman who looked a little more professional. Instead, Jean was an older man, with gray hair and a uni brow, wearing clothes that looked ancient.









"Welcome to our home, please come in," Lia greeted him. In his hand was the hand of a little girl. In his other arm was a basket carrying an infant boy.

Lia knelt in front of the little girl. "Hi there," she said, "my name is Lia."

The girl put her arms up, wanting to be held.

"You're not very shy, are you?" Lia said, smiling. "What's your name?"

"Mckennah," she replied. Lia and Mallory both squealed at the sound of Mckennah's adorable voice.

"She's very friendly," Jean told them. "The boy was born yesterday. His mother ran off. He was, by default, given to social services by the hospital. We have no idea where his mother is. He doesn't have a name yet."

"That's so sad," Mallory gasped.

"I have all of the paperwork right here, if you're completely serious about adopting the two," Jean stated.

"That's a little fast for an adoption process, don't you think?" Lia asked.

"Well, I'm just doing my job. Mckennah needs a place to call home. She's been in this foster-care program for too long. I have their papers, social security cards, everything. I just need to see and make a record of yours, too."

Mallory smiled widely, scooped the boy out of his basket, and brought him into the living room. Lia led Jean into the kitchen to sign papers.

"You look like an... Aaron, to me," Mallory told the infant. She knew he wouldn't understand, but that was okay. "You have such a sad story..."

"Mall! Come on! Papers!" Lia called from the kitchen.

Mallory went into the kitchen and set the boy back in the basket. Jean asked the two to get their papers. They went upstairs, and in a couple minutes came back down with their papers. They signed whatever papers Jean pushed at them, and handed over whatever papers he needed. Both were glad they had put in hours of work putting together the kids' bedroom. When it came down to it, the girls had to agree on a name for the boy.

"I like the name Henry," Lia told Mallory.

"I like Aaron better," Mallory replied. When Lia considered this, she saw Mallory's hopeful face and gave in.

"Oh, alright," she said, finally, "you can write it if you like babe."

Mallory grinned and wrote down his name, in fine penmanship, on his birth certificate.

Chapter 3: The eMail Tells All

When Lia and Mallory got back from the grocery store (and put the groceries away, of course), Lia asked if she should check for a reply about their plans for adoption. Mallory excitedly nodded.

"Ms. Gallagher,


Thank you for your interest in adopting. Your kind heart is very much appreciated. At this moment, we do happen to have a couple children that would love to meet you and fit your specifications. I only have a couple spots open to come and speak with you. Those would be tonight at 6:30, and tomorrow at noon. I reccomend a noon visitation, because I would not be able to speak with you very long tonight. I would also be able to bring the kids for you to meet.


Sincerely,


Jean Dorsette"


Lia looked up from the screen at Mallory, who was reading over her shoulder. "Tomorrow at noon?" she asked. Mallory nodded, smiling broadly.

Lia, feeling wonderful to have made Mallory so happy, stood to hug her wife.

"Lia, honey... Did you tell her we're both women?"

Lia frowned. "No, and they shouldn't have a problem with it. Gay people get married. It happens. If she has any issues with it, that's her problem."

Mallory smiled. Lia could be so blunt. Then a thoughtful look came across her face, "Um, sweetie? ...Won't we need some cribs and stuff?"

Lia paused, "Oh. Oops."

The girls got into a long discussion about what they would need, and made a list. Lia happened to still have a lot of her baby stuff packed away in the garage, and they could use the empty room down the hall for the kids, for now. But what about when they got older? They'd need their own space.

Lia looked through her things in the garage. She found a crib and a highchair. They'd have to get everything. So much money. She looked at Mallory, who was beaming with happiness. But so worth it. 

It was getting pretty late now. They'd have to do more shopping in the morning. This shopping trip wouldn't be their usual grocery list. This would be their first shopping trip for baby stuff. Diapers, and bottles, and wipes, and formula, and toys, and clothes and...

It was already beginning to be so much work.

Chapter 2: A Foretelling

"Thank you so much for rescheduling," Mallory said into the phone. She had an appointment for an interview on a news station, but her day with Lia was more important. Besides, the public didn't need to know about the current case just yet anyway.

She happily walked downstairs to see Lia Googling things about adoption. Mallory kissed her on the cheek and went into the kitchen for breakfast.

"How's the search going?" she called, her head in the freezer.

"Apparently, when adopting, a representative has to come and see our home, and talk to us for awhile. And we can't choose which kids they bring," Lia replied.

"That's weird. Do we at least get to specify?"

"Yeah. We can choose what age, and gender, at least."

"I don't see how it's a bad idea. Makes it kind of fair to the other kids, really."


"I suppose. Should I set up an appointment?"

"Yeah. Definitely."

Lia set to sending the agency a quick email. She quickly realized that not everything had been talked about. "Two?"

"Two what?"

"Kids."

"Uh... Maybe."

"Think about it. Single children are always spoiled and bratty. Triple children leaves the middle child helpless. Two would be perfect."

Mallory gave it some thought. "Now that I think about it, yeah, that sounds pretty logical. Two, then. But I get to choose the genders!"

Lia started typing again, giggling. "Okay. What'll it be, ma'am?" she said with a teasing tone.

"The older is a girl, the younger a boy." Mallory heard more typing, and then some clicking, and soon Lia was in the kitchen with her.

"And kids we shall have. How about we do some grocery shopping? Maybe they'll have responded by the time we get back," Lia said, grinning.

Mallory smiled back.

Chapter 1: A Glowstick Wedding

Mallory walked in and took her cap off. It was just another long day at work, with no promotion in sight. She took a moment to sigh and look around, noticing the lights were off and the house silent.

"Lia?" she called. No answer.

Slowly, Mallory took to climbing the spiral stairs leading to their bedroom. Light was coming from under the door. She turned the knob, a little afraid of what she might find.

She saw Lia standing there, in her best suit, and candles lit on the dresser.

"What is this?"

"Our private wedding. Just for you, babe." Lia took Mallory's hands. "You got to propose, so I decided to make this special."

Mallory hugged Lia tightly.

"Go change into something pretty." Lia urged.

Grinning, Mallory grabbed her prettiest, and shortest, dress.

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As Lia looked into Mallory's eyes, she knew that this would be the happiest day of her life. Ever since she was little, her family couldn't settle anywhere. They were constant nomads. It's not like her parents were bad role models or anything, they were actually pretty nice. Lia just couldn't take being around them anymore, and, when she met Mallory, she had the perfect opportunity to leave their grip, and have her own place in the world. All she could think of was making Mallory happy. Now that this day was finally happening, she saw nothin' but clear skies and Mallory's eyes ahead.

"I vow to always protect you, to always be here for you, to always listen, to be the best wife I can be," Mallory said, as she slipped the wedding band onto Lia's finger.

"I vow to you that I will always make you happy, and take care of you the best I can," Lia said. She fumbled with the ring for a second, and put it on Mallory's finger, kissing it afterwards.

___________________________________________________________

The next morning, Lia and Mallory were cuddling. Mallory rolled over and looked at the time. Her eyes widened.

"Oh, shit!" she said, a little too loud.

Lia jumped. "What is it babe?"

"I'm going to be late if I don't get a move on." Mallory climbed out of bed and walked towards the bathroom to change. When Lia looked up she could see her new wife was sitting on the chair crying.

"Sweetie? What's up?" She crossed the room and sat next to her.

"I just... My parents wouldn't approve of us," Mallory said.

Lia bit her lip. She'd never met Mallory's parents, and from what Mallory had told her, Lia figured she wouldn't like them much anyway.

"Hey," Lia put her hands around Mallory's face, "it's okay. I thought you didn't care what your parents think?"

"I know. But they raised me."

"Then they should love you no matter what. They wouldn't be very good parents if they didn't, right?"

"Yeah... They'll be really worried about kids though. They want grandbabies, and I'm their only child."

"Well, we could adopt."

Mallory was surprised with Lia's random comment. Was she serious?

"Really?"

"Yeah, why not? And hey, since we have today off, we could look into it. Together. Like married couples are supposed to."

"Thank you, baby... That would mean the world to me."

Prologue

"Fame is a fickle food upon a shifting plate."

Life is a roller coaster. It always has been, but lately, it's been quite smooth for Lia.

Since she was born, her family moved everywhere. She could only dream of settling somewhere. From Kilarney, Ireland to about every different state in the US, Lia finally stopped in Sunset Valley after meeting Mallory Black.

Her parents, of course, moved on to higher places. Lia being 24 now, could stay wherever she wanted, instead of being dragged around by her family. She was okay with that, as long as she got to stay with Mallory.
Since the day that Lia fell in love with Mallory, her roller coaster was a straight line as far as the eye could see. It was a strange relationship, with Lia being a reporter and Mallory a cop (and aspiring blood analyst), but the two were inseparable.