The caseworker verified everything. She passed all background checks. She lived in a stable neighborhood. No red flags. And most importantly—she was family.

Micah overheard one of our conversations. “Is she going to take him away?”

I didn’t know how to answer. Because legally, she had a strong claim.

We sat Zayden down and explained. His hands trembled. “Do I have to go?”

“No,” I told him. “But we think it’s good to meet her. Just to see.”

The visit was scheduled for the following week. I was nervous. Micah barely ate. Zayden didn’t sleep.

Then she arrived.

Helena. Late thirties. Kind eyes. She brought a scrapbook filled with pictures of Zayden’s mom as a teenager. She brought a box of his dad’s old CDs. She didn’t push. She simply sat across from Zayden and said, “I didn’t know about you until recently. But I’m so glad I do now.”