Trouble in Paradise

Just wanted to say a quick thank you to my friends who helped me with ideas suggestions and information.

 

          Almost three hours later, Rae woke to the sounds of Annabelle crying for attention and most likely her next meal. Rolling out of bed, feeling a bit more rested, Rae quickly got dressed and made her way into the guest bedroom. Bending over the side of the crib, she gently picked up the crying infant and smiled.

          “Hey there, cutey. You hungry?” she cooed at the small girl. “Well, let's get you changed and then Aunty will fix you another bottle. ”

          After a quick change into another makeshift diaper, Rae carried Annabelle into the kitchen and proceeded to make another bottle as well as a bowl of cereal for herself. Once settled at the table, she pulled out her cell and dialed first her lawyer's office and then Alfred Pennyworth – or as she liked to call him, “Uncle Alfred” – before beginning her own breakfast. As she ate, she kept talking to Anna.

          “Well, looks like we have a few hours to kill before we can get in, squirt. That will be the perfect time to pick up some supplies, I think,” Rae said, pulling the bottle away every couple of minutes to burp Anna before giving it back. Once Annabelle was full and free of spit up, she was placed in a high chair with couple wooden spoons and empty plastic containers.

          “These will have to do for entertainment while I get everything ready, kiddo,” Rae said, cleaning up the small mess they made. After a few minutes, Annabelle picked up a spoon and began banging away like it was the most fascinating thing ever. While she was busy entertaining herself, Rae fed Cujo and began packing a diaper bag with necessary items before digging through a closet for a baby sling and car seat.

          “Now where did I put that... aha!” she exclaimed triumphantly. “Found you.”

          Returning once more to the kitchen, Rae made sure she had everything she would need and went over to Annabelle, who was currently mouthing the wooden spoon. Tying her hair back and out of the way, Rae slipped the sling into position and, after checking Annabelle's diaper, placed her inside it. Grabbing the small backpack she used in lieu of a purse, the diaper bag and the car seat, she headed out the door and down to her car with Cujo following alongside.



           After making sure the car seat was hooked in properly, Rae carefully placed Annabelle in it, adjusting the straps to make sure she was securely fastened. Anna began to fuss, making it clear she didn't like this and leading Rae to believe it was her first time riding in one.

          “Sorry, sweetie, you're just going to have to get used to it,” Rae stated before motioning Cujo to get in.

          The large wolf dog quickly hopped into the back seat and began licking at Annabelle's fingers, causing the little girl to begin giggling and reach out for his muzzle. Cujo just sat patiently, allowing the child to touch him.

          Starting up the car, Rae headed to their first stop of the day: the groomers. She dropped off Cujo for his monthly grooming session before heading to Baby World. She wasn't too fond of the store itself, mostly because it was so cheerful and seemed so out of place in a city like Gotham, but it would have everything she needed and at a decent price.

          Having found a parking space, Rae unhooked Annabelle from her car seat and took her out, placing her in the baby sling once more. She slipped her wallet into the diaper bag and slung it over her shoulder, heading in.

          “Welcome to Baby World!” one of the greeter's called out. “Where we have all the things you need to handle that little bundle of joy. ”

          Rae grabbed a cart and paused, raising a brow faintly. “'Handle'? You do not 'handle' a baby. You raise them – and a proper greeting would have been: 'Where we have all the things you need for your little bundle of joy,'” she said, walking past and trying not to smirk. “And for the record, she isn't mine.”

          She loved messing with greeters – so much joy to be had in confusing them – and from the look on his face, he was very confused. After all, why would she have a baby if it wasn't hers?



           Rae looked down at her “little bundle of joy,” chuckling. “People really need to learn to think before opening their mouths, don't they, Anna?” she asked, smiling when the infant smiled up at her and gurgled happily.

          “Let's start with the essentials, shall we?” Rae asked the little girl. Making their way over to one aisle Rae quickly found the proper sized diapers and began loading them into the cart.

          Next came food: more formula, as well as baby rice cereal, oatmeal and barley cereal. “Better start you out slow on the solids. Rice cereal first, then oatmeal, then barley, I think. Though I am not sure why they're considered solids, since its mush,” Rae stated, adding some mushed meat, fruits and veggies to the cart for when after Anna had accepted the cereal.

          After food it was teething rings, oral gel, ointments for rashes, baby Tylenol and other medicines for if she got sick, a soft brush, moisturizers and more baby shampoo. It was at this point that Annabelle started to get fussy.

          “Aw, what's wrong, sweetie?” Rae asked, lifting her out of the sling. Almost instantly, the baby calmed and looked around happily. “Oh I see. You were getting bored huh? Not enough to see and stimulate that little mind of yours? Okay, let's place you in the cart then so you can sit up a bit more and look around. ”

          Glad she had grabbed a cart with one of the little baby seats, Rae took out a baby wipe and wiped everything down quickly before setting Anna in it and buckling her in. “There you go,” she cooed in a happy voice, earning a delighted squeal from the child.

          Now that Annabelle was settled again, Rae resumed her shopping. They had already grabbed all the main essentials, and now it was time for some clothes, toys and a stroller. Every time Rae found an item she thought suitable, she held it up for Anna to see, watching carefully to see which items she reacted the most too. She wasn't too surprised when most the items that got the most reaction were red or blue; she'd read – and witnessed – that babies seem to have a preference for those over other colors.

          After checking out and making a quick stop at the bathroom to change her small charges diaper, this time using one of the regular ones, Rae returned to her car and began loading her purchases into the trunk with the help of a greeter. Placing Annabelle back into her car seat, a quick check of the time revealed it to be almost time for their appointment with George Serene, Rae's lawyer.

          Annabelle began to cry soon after leaving the parking lot. Glancing up in the rear view mirror, Rae checked to make sure she was all right before speaking softly. “I know, you're probably hungry. We managed to kill quite a bit of time in there. Don't worry, when we get to the office, I'll ask Marcy if we can use the microwave to fix you another bottle, and then we'll see if we can't get you down for a nap. That will make things easier during the appointment. ”

          Though she didn't stop crying, Annabelle did quiet a bit, the soothing tone Rae was using seeming to calm and reassure her a bit and the ride was fairly short. Making sure to park in a well-lit area near the security booth in the parking garage attached to her lawyers office, Rae quickly got out and re-packed the diaper bag, adding some of the new items to it before picking up the baby and heading inside.

          Marcy, the receptionist at Serene and Spooner Law Offices, smiled warmly as the two came in. “Good morning, Miss Sanrio. Mr. Serene is expecting you; please go right in,” she chirped happily.



           “Thank you, Marcy,” Rae said, smiling at the small, plump woman behind the oversized desk. Taking out a small bottle of formula, she handed it over to the receptionist. “Would you mind heating that for me?” she asked.

          Marcy took the bottle and beamed at the small child, not seeming to mind her wails of hunger. “Of course not dear. I'll bring it right in. ”



           Rae nodded, and after knocking politely on the door, entered her lawyer's office. Mr. Serene stood as soon as she entered and came around his desk to shake her hand.

          “Good morning Miss Sanrio,” he said, smiling widely before looking down at the crying infant in her arms. “And this must be the little one we discussed over the phone. She certainly is adorable. May I?” he asked, holding his arms out hopefully, not seeming to mind the child's cries either.

          Rae smiled and passed him Annabelle. Despite his tall, imposing figure and reputation as a fierce opponent in the courtroom, George Serene was a very sweet old man with a soft spot for children. His desk was covered with pictures of his own kids and grand-kids. When Marcy came in with the now-warm bottle, Mr. Serene took it and proceeded to feed Annabelle himself.

          “I have already started the paperwork for the adoption as you requested, and with Mr. Wayne's help, I was able to get you temporary custody of the child as a foster parent. ” Mr. Serene stated. “Though I must say, he didn't seem to pleased about it. ”



           Rae snorted, arms crossed as she watched Annabelle fall asleep. “Of course he wasn't. He doesn't approve of anything I do. Hasn't ever since I came into his care. You know that, George,” she said, dropping the formalities.

          George nodded, handing Annabelle to Marcy when she came in with some files. “That's true; you two do have a hard time seeing eye to eye. To be perfectly honest, you remind me of siblings,” he chuckled.

          Rae blanched and shuddered. “Gods forbid,” she mumbled, smiling in thanks as Marcy took Annabelle for the duration of the appointment.

          George laughed, sitting down behind his desk once more. “Well, anyway, let's get down to it shall we? First off, here is the necessary paperwork for you to fill out to start the process of adoption, as well as the terms and conditions for you fostering the child,” he said, suddenly all business.

          “From the information you were able to provide us about the parents, specifically in regards to the mother, the judge has decided that it is imperative Annabelle see a doctor immediately to ensure everything is all right. It has already been determined that she has no living relatives, save for her mother who is currently missing, and older brother Jonathan Crane who is, at this point, on the run and not an option as a caregiver anyway. Does that sound accurate to you?”



           Rae nodded as she began the task of filling out what looked to be a small mountain of paperwork. “Yes, even if Jonathan did want her, we both know the courts wouldn’t allow it. Not with his current reputation as the Scarecrow.” She sighed at the mention of Jonathan. Mr. Serene already knew about their relationship, so she didn't bother to try and hide that she knew him.

          George nodded as well. “I believe you are right. Now, as you know, this will not be easy. Your young age, as well as your marital status as an unmarried female, will have most judges doubting your ability to raise a child. Plus, once it becomes public knowledge that there is an abandoned baby in need of a home, many couples will come forward – and as you are Bruce Wayne's ward, it will become public knowledge very quickly. Are you sure you're up for this?” he asked, looking over his glasses at her.

          Rae didn't even bother glancing up. “Of course. I want this little girl. Money is not a problem and I can give her everything she could ever hope to want or need.”

          “That's exactly the kind of conviction I was hoping to hear,” Mr. Serene smiled. “Alright, here is what is going to happen: A financial expert is going to go over your finances with a fine toothed comb. We know they are not going to find anything, but this will establish that you have more than enough money to care for both of you and that, due to your inheritance from your parents, as well as your adopted parents, if you chose, you could even quit working to care for her full time. There will be several home inspections to make sure everything is safe as well as someone interviewing your close friends and associates. I recommend getting letters of recommendation from them for the judge later on.”

          Finishing up the first half of the paper work, Rae pushed it aside and began on the second, making notes on a side piece of paper as she went.

          Leaning forward, arms on his desk and hands forward, Mr. Serene continued. “Also, you will need to prove that you have a stable support system should you need it, knowledge of child rearing, I would suggest a couple parenting classes, and of course a stable job and transportation. We should also get your work history reports as well.”

          He hesitated a bit. “Rae, you do realize that before you can adopt her, the courts are going to want to locate the mother to determine that Annabelle was indeed abandoned and that her mother is unfit enough to justify terminating her parental rights.”

          Rae sat back and handed him the final papers, most of which had been filled out for her and only required a quick overview and signature. Making a list of her contacts, she also handed that over so that he could get started on those letters of recommendation. “I will talk to everyone later tonight, but those are the numbers you will need. I will get to work on the rest as soon as possible. Also, I would like to set up a trust for Annabelle. Even if she does go to someone else, I want to do this for her.”

          Mr. Serene nodded. “I figured you would do something like that and have already started the paperwork. How much did you want to set aside?” he asked.

          “$500,000,” Rae stated, smiling at George having been able to anticipate what she would want ahead of time.

          They had developed a friendship in the six years he worked for her, and he was often able to anticipate what she would want or need done – though this recent one had thrown him a bit, if only for how sudden it was. He knew she wanted children but was thought to be unable to have any of her own. This was perfect for her. She was a very loving young woman, and it was no secret that her parents as well as her adopted parents had left her a lot of money when they passed.

          Once all the official business was complete, the two sat and talked a while, taking a short break in order to allow Rae time to set up an appointment with a pediatrician later that afternoon. After saying their goodbyes for the time being, Rae retrieved Annabelle from Marcy, who looked a little sad to see her go. It was no surprise as Marcy loved children, her and Mr. Serene having had several together.

          After placing the still sleeping baby in her car seat, Rae returned to her home, stopping along the way to pick up Cujo and pay for his grooming. It took several trips, but with the help of a friendly neighbor, Rae was able to get all the items she had purchased up to her penthouse apartment.

          Thinking back on it, she was glad to have the whole floor to herself, even though she missed her remodeled warehouse home. Had she shared the floor with someone else, they surely would have woken what with all the noise her and Jonathan were making earlier that morning – and that certainly would have caused problems.

          Placing Annabelle in the foldout play pen for the the living room that she had bought, Rae sighed and began to unpack her purchases. She really hoped Jonathan would forgive her.