Chapter 32: Chapter 32
"You're completely sure your Dad is okay with me moving in?" Tobias says, popping his head round the stack of moving boxes he's holding. I nod my head and stop forward to take hold of the top box.
"He's always away on business and he's happy for me to have some company." I tell him, placing the box down inside my room. It looks strange sat amongst my things but the feeling of excitement inside my stomach begins to grow.
"This is actually happening, isn't it?" I smile, turning around to look at Tobias. He places the boxes down in the corner of the room before walking over to me, a smile lighting up his face. His arms automatically wrap around my waist and I sigh, resting my head on his chest.
"Yes, this is happening. I want to spend the rest of my life with you Trish so it makes sense to start now. Why wait?" He murmurs, his hand stroking over the strands of my hair. I hold onto him tightly, closing my eyes as I breathe him in. With Tobias moving in, I've never felt safer. I know if Leroy was watching, he'd be so excited for me.
"Leroy would have loved you." I say quietly, my voice muffled by Tobias' shirt. I feel him breathe in sharply and he pulls me closer which I didn't think could be possible. Warmth immediately spreads right through me, filling that cold empty feeling that takes over my body every now and then.
"He'd be so proud of you Sugar. You're moving on and finally doing something for you. I know one day you're going to make the best Mum." Tobias tells me firmly, his voice a smooth rumble down my ear. I smile and blink back the tears, wanting to enjoy the day and make it a memorable one. I pull back and reach up, tucking my hair behind my ears as I pull myself together.
"Let's get you moved in Tobias Melvin." I say to him. His brown eyes flicker between both of mine before he smiles, his entire face beaming back at me.
"Let's do it, Trisha Lockwood."
I step around him and head back down the stairs to gather the rest of his belongings with Tobias directly behind me.
"It'll be Trisha Louise Melvin soon enough." I tease him, a wide grin on my face as I look at him over my shoulder. His laughter fills the air and he nods before lunging for me. I squeal and step out of the way but his arms are already around my waist, hauling me off the floor.
"Tobias!" I screech as he parades around the house with me on his back. He continues to chuckle, his body vibrating underneath me.
"I'm carrying you bridal style, this is how they do it, right?" He laughs before bending down and dropping me on the soft rug underneath me. My laughter dies down and I look up at him as he leans over me, watching me.
"That is so not how they do it." I tell him, reaching up to cup his face. He closes his eyes and leans into my palm before turning and placing a soft kiss on the inside of my hand. Butterflies flutter inside my stomach and I can't stop the smile from stretching across my face. I tell myself that this moment i'm feeling with him is exactly what love feels like. I've never felt it before but now that I have, I never want it to disappear.
"I love you," I murmur, watching as his eyes flicker open. He leans forward, placing his body over mine before dipping down and kissing me. I immediately sink into his kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him further towards me. His scent that constantly surrounds me wraps me up in an invisible blanket, keeping me close to him. I sigh against him, feeling completely at home.
"I love you Trish and yes, I can't wait for you to be Mrs Trisha Melvin one day." He tells me huskily, his warm breath fanning across my jawline and neck. I arch my body into him and sigh again, eyes voluntarily fluttering closed. We spend the next hour in our own little bubble, lost within a sea of kisses.
*****
"I'm delighted to have you both on board, you're both great with the children. They all adore you."
The manager of the children's adoption centre smiles at Tobias and I, her smile growing as she notices the happiness on my face. I'm grinning from ear to ear, pleased that I've been accepted and can finally move on to the next stage. I know there's a hole in my life and nobody can replace the ache for Leroy, he's irreplaceable. I also know that I can make a difference to a child and provide them with love, comfort and safety.
Becoming a parent is a challenging job in itself. I've always known from a young age that I would love to be a mother one day. Lately it's all I can seem to think about. Adoption wasn't my first option but meeting all of the children that day in the shopping centre made me rethink my decision. Millions of children are without a loving home and the thought of that breaks my heart.
I turn to face Tobias and give his hand a small squeeze. When he turns to smile at me, his face is the picture of joy and I know he's nothing but excited and happy for me. He leans in, placing a quick kiss on my temple.
"Now I want you to know that the process is lengthy and you'll be scrutinised for a long time. As you can imagine we have to make sure you're the perfect fit to adopt a child." She tells us, her voice firm as she shuffles around paperwork. I nod my head eagerly, giving her a reassuring smile.
"I'm here to answer any questions you have, that won't be a problem." I tell her. She stands up and motions towards the door —
"Why don't we go and see the boys first? It's playtime in five minutes and I'm sure they'd love to see you."
I nod my head, standing to my feet with Tobias right beside me.
"That sounds great, we love playing with them, don't we?" I say, turning to Tobias. He nods instantly, stepping around the chairs with his hand in mine.
"Yeah, they're all amazing. Last time we were here, I was roped into playing hide and seek and it was the highlight of my week." Tobias smiles, his eyes lighting up with warmth. I laugh softly, unable to believe how supportive and enthusiastic he is about a life changing decision. He barely hesitated and even though I know it will be a long time before the adoption is complete, the idea doesn't seem to be scaring him off at all.
"I'm so thankful to have you." I murmur to him as we both make our way down the corridors, heading for the playroom at the back of the building. Tobias wraps an arm around my shoulder, looking down at me with nothing but love in his eyes.
"Ditto Sugar. I'm excited for the future."
We both know exactly what we want and despite being young, the timing feels right. When you're destined to do something and the opportunity practically falls into your lap, I've learnt to not ignore that. As the door of the playroom is pushed open and thirty sets of eyes light up at the sight of us, I know i'm making the right decision.
"Trish! Tobias!" The kids yell in unison, dropping toys to the floor and standing to their feet. They all run right towards us, arms outstretched and excitement lighting up their little faces. I laugh loudly as my hand is pried away from Tobias' and we're both dragged to the middle of the room, ready to play a game of their choice.
As I'm placing toy trucks in a line to eventually race with them, I glance up and catch eye contact with Tobias who's dressed up as a pirate, a toy parrot balancing on his shoulder. He gives me a wink and the sparkle in his brown eyes deepens.
The sight of him surrounded by laughing children creates warmth inside my stomach that spreads straight up and into my heart. Since the death of Leroy, the hole in my heart can never be replaced. However Tobias does a pretty damn good job at bringing me nothing but joy.