Chapter 192: Welcome to the family, Aresh!
Knox looked out the window of the car as the landscape of Sunflower Orphanage came into view.
The morning sun was shining brightly that day, unlike the past few days when the clouds were too generous to pour out rain. Some autumn flowers were blooming on the plant boxes, yet some of the trees began shedding their leaves, and the once grassy playground in front of the orphanage was now covered in dried leaves.
It had been a long wait, but the day had finally come. Knox, accompanied by his son, Knoa, and a couple of Azrael’s trusted bodyguards, was on his way to finalize the adoption process.
Azrael was reluctant to send them just by themselves, but Knox insisted that everything would be okay and that he was willing to take even ten of his men if that would put him at ease.
He was dismayed that his alpha husband couldn’t go, as they both wanted to welcome Aresh into the family as a whole, but he understood that there were things he needed to take care of, things unknown to him, so he went with just Knoa instead.
Despite the absence of his partner, Knox was determined to move forward with their plan. Adopting Aresh was something they had both eagerly anticipated, and today marked the next step in expanding their family.
The vehicle came to a gentle stop, and Knox lifted Knoa from his car seat. The little boy clung to his father’s neck, his eyes already scanning the surroundings, searching for his soon-to-be older brother.
Knox smiled down at his son, pinching his chubby cheeks as he mumbled, "Someone’s excited to see his older brother."
Knoa giggled. The words ’older brother’ brought warmth in his chest and he smiled warmly at his father, nodding excitedly.
As they walked toward the entrance of the orphanage, they were greeted by the director with a welcoming demeanor. His presence exuded a calm assurance and a hint of anticipation.
"Mr. Arden...ah, no, I should call you Mr. Del Valle," the director smiled, extending a hand to congratulate Knox on his marriage. "Ms. Althea was a bit shocked after I mentioned to her about your application and the completion of the needed requirements. I almost thought she didn’t know about your marriage, thankfully she seemed aware and told me to help you with the process as soon as possible. Please, follow me to the office, Mr. Del Valle, I have some papers you need to sign."