A week later, I resigned. When I came home, Joshua wrapped me in a hug so tight it felt like he might never let go.

We spent evenings on the couch filling out forms, preparing for home studies. He was relentless, focused in a way that felt almost urgent.

One night, he found their profile.

“Four-year-old twins, Matthew and William. Don’t they look like they belong here?”

“They look scared,” I said softly.

He squeezed my hand. “Maybe we could be enough for them.”

“I want to try.”

He emailed the agency that same night.

The first time we met the boys, I kept glancing at Joshua.

He crouched down to Matthew’s level and held out a dinosaur sticker.