LITMIR.BIZ

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was in a state of despair? It should have been the other way around. Michael was supposed to take on the responsibilities of an older brother. He thought about it until his eyes closed and he fell asleep.

      The boys dozed off in the back seat. They heard neither the noise of the engine, nor the sound of the wind, nor the conversations of the mercenaries in front. The children's bodies needed at least a small dose of rest after such a difficult day.

      A new addition to the family

      Three months had passed since the incident. It was the end of June. Summer was in full swing. Ounvilshen was overflowing with greenery, which added color to the urban environment. The search for Father Theodore's body during this time had been unsuccessful. Perhaps the ambulance had disposed of his body upon arrival at the scene. And since he had a basic LSC, the remains were not provided to the relatives of the deceased. Theodore didn't want to go home, but never voiced the reason, though it was already clear. As soon as the services discovered that a minor child was living alone, he would quickly be adopted into some family and the house would be listed as a frozen estate. So Ted continued to live unofficially with the Silver family.

      George has now been released from the hospital. He still had a little difficulty in moving, but in general – recovered. Michael returned to his normal life: he was fulfilling orders for his father's company, but now only under the cover of mercenaries, who accompanied him throughout the route. It was lucky that Michael went to practice at this time. After all, George had been out of the work process for quite some time. And if it wasn't for Michael, the family would have had a very difficult time financially. However, something had to be done about Theodore's stay. Even though Michael's parents continued to pay for his bronze status LSC, he was still a child. Without officially registered parents or guardians, he could not continue to live with them. At any moment, the police could come and start asking unnecessary and inconvenient questions, up to and including forcibly taking the un-legalized child away from the Silvers and imposing a huge fine. So it was decided at the family council that Ted would be officially adopted into the Silver family.

      The boy really appreciated how much this family, which supposedly owed him nothing at all, did for him. Now Michael's room was divided into two parts, one of which belonged to the older child and the other to the younger. In the course of communication it became clear that Theodore's childhood was not easy: his mother died of an illness when he was not yet three years old. His father became desperate and started drinking a lot, as well as using medium and heavy drugs to forget himself. In addition, he never had warm feelings for his offspring. The poor child was left to fend for himself. Therefore, periodically in between classes and trainings Ted tried to earn a little money in a neighboring bakery. The owner of the establishment knew his situation, so she paid for the boy's labor with freshly baked pastries in the form of pizzas, bagels and croissants.

      On June 21, an interview was scheduled at the municipal guardianship authority. It was necessary to arrive by 12:00 with personal documents and submit an application for adoption. The inspector will have to review all the documents and assess the living conditions, as well as the financial capacity of the family to support a second child. But this procedure is not solved instantly, but requires some time. Most often, in 85% of cases, the decision of the body is positive, if the family meets all the requirements set out. After all, it would be easier to enroll the child in a family that voluntarily wants to adopt him.

      The day of the interview came. The family headed to the city administration office. Everyone was dressed in formal clothes, as if they were going to some kind of celebration. It was indeed an important event for both the adoptee and the adoptive parents. Literally 10-15 minutes later, the Silvers arrived at their destination.

      George left the car in the service parking lot near the administration office. The Silvers were facing a massive five-story building, which could be entered from the north and south. There were metal detectors at the entrances and there were CCTV cameras throughout the building, constantly monitored by a security guard who sat in his small booth at the entrance. Appointments were made through the administration's website in advance, with the provision of an electronic ticket. The employees worked dynamically: according to strictly allotted time and without delays. Therefore, there was no need to stand in line. There was no elevator in the institution. We had to go up the central two-step staircase with stone handrails on the sides.

      – We need room 203," George said to the others as they went up to the second floor. The family searched for the office and quickly found it. Mariana knocked on the door, opened it and looked inside. The room was a small room with a desk in the right corner with a female receptionist sitting behind it. On her desk was a laptop computer and office supplies. To the left was a black leather two-seater couch and in front of the desk was a chair for visitors.

      Mariana: "Good afternoon, may I come in?"

      Staff member: "Silvers? On the subject of adoption? Come in."

      The whole family entered the room. Since there was not enough seating, George took a seat in front of the desk, Mariana sat in a chair, and the children sat on the couch. The employee pulled a piece of paper from her desk drawer and held it out along with a pen to Mariana.

      Staff member: "Both parents need to fill out an adoption application together and the boy needs to consent to the adoption."

      George: "The child is given the right to vote? I haven't heard of such a thing. Are there any cases of rejection?"

      Staff member: "In a voluntary adoption, consent is required from the adoptee in which they affirm on their own behalf that they are being treated well and are willing to be part of this family."

      George and Mariana began to study the application and took turns filling it out. Then they made room for Theodore. He sat down on Mariana's chair and filled out his consent.

      Staff member: "Good, now we will have an interview. First with the parents and then with the boy. When interviewing the boy, everyone else will have to leave this office."

      The interview with the parents lasted about 20 minutes. Various questions were asked, related to how and under what circumstances the boy came into the family, how he is kept, who and where they work, what the family eats, how the house is kept clean, who the neighbors are, and so on and so forth. Finally, it was Theodore's turn. The Silvers left the office and left the adoptee alone with the municipal worker. He held himself calmly and confidently.

      Staff member: "So, Theodore. Your new family. How do you like them in general?"

      Ted: "Good, loving and caring. I like living with them very much."

      Staff member: "No one is pressuring you? Did you write your consent voluntarily?"

      Ted: "Voluntarily."

      Staff member: "If there's something bothering you or something you want to talk about that you couldn't voice in front of Silver, now is the time to share it with me."

      Ted: "I don't have anything to tell. I have no secrets from my new family. Especially since I'll soon be a part of it too."

      Staff member: "You stopped going to school three months ago. That was due to certain circumstances, of course… but still. Basic education, as you know, is compulsory for everyone, because if you don't complete it, you won't get a profession, you won't get a job anywhere and you can't do anything. Have you thought about going back to school again?"

      Theodore: "I know, I want to and I have thought about it. As Mariana said, together we've already looked at a boxing school in this town. As soon as I'm officially adopted, I'll enroll there right away."

      Staff member: "You can start going to that school now. Why simply waste precious time? Tell me, how is your relationship with your future big brother?"

      Ted: "Good, we don't fight, we live as friends."

      Staff member: "Now for the unpleasant part. Your real parents have passed away, sadly. But their possessions remain in the form of a modest apartment. Also, your daddy had a car, but the present whereabouts of the car are unknown. I am also aware that you have grandparents on both your mom's and dad's side. They have priority custody because they are blood relatives to you. Why don't you want to live with them?"

      Ted: "My grandparents and I have been

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