They argued over what color to paint her room, which toys she might like best, how soon they could teach her their favorite games.
Watching her sons plan and dream gave Veronica strength.
And when the time finally came, she and James boarded a flight to Romania. Their hearts pounded with anticipation.
The journey was surreal—a blur of airport gates, foreign signs, and long stretches of anxious silence.
The adoption system in Romania was complicated, and every moment felt like walking a tightrope between hope and heartbreak.
There were court hearings, interviews with social workers, and medical assessments to finalize the adoption. Each step was grueling, but Veronica met every challenge with quiet determination.
And then—finally—Esther reached out, her small hand slipping into Veronica’s for the first time.
That single moment dissolved all the exhaustion, all the frustration. Veronica knew with absolute certainty: everything had been worth it.
The flight back home was quiet and tender. Esther slept curled in James’s arms, her head resting peacefully on his chest, while Veronica watched them both with a contented smile.
As the plane descended, Veronica clutched her daughter’s blanket a little tighter. Her life was about to change forever.
What she didn’t know was that the change wouldn’t be the one she hoped for.
Esther’s arrival was celebrated in grand style.