I Adopted Twin Baby Girls I Found Wrapped in Towels in a Beach Changing Cubicle – On Their 18th Birthday, They Handed Me the Same Towels and Whispered, 'Dad... We Owe You the Truth'

"Where will they go?"

"Somewhere safe while we figure out the next steps."

I nodded, but my feet stayed planted.

"Are they going to be okay?"

But I went to the  hospital to see them all the same. The nurses had started calling them Emily and Grace until paperwork caught up.

I kept the names.

At first, I told myself it was because they had no one.

Then I stopped lying.

I wanted them.

I kept the names.

Weeks later, I sat across from Andrea with my hands locked beneath the table.

I didn't need comfort. I needed her to tell me what to do.

"Trent," she said, tapping the file, "finding those babies doesn't give you a shortcut."

"I know."

"This process will be long. Checks. Visits. References. Questions you won't enjoy."

I didn't need comfort.

"I'll answer them."

"You just buried your fiancée and baby."