In a dramatic turn of events on this week’s episode of '22 Kids and Counting', Millie Radford faced a terrifying ordeal when her husband, Harley Passmore, was rushed to the hospital with a suspected stroke. The health scare unfolded amidst a period of significant stress for the couple, primarily stemming from Harley’s fervent desire to legally adopt Millie’s four-year-old daughter, Ophelia, and Millie’s deep-seated reservations about the process.

Harley has been a paternal figure in Ophelia’s life since she was just six months old, having started dating Millie when she was pregnant. Despite not being Ophelia’s biological father – a fact the family has yet to reveal to the young girl – Harley has raised her as his own, alongside their two children, Chester, three, and Elodie, one. His motivation for adoption is rooted in a desire for legal recognition and familial completeness. Harley expresses his wish for Ophelia to share the family name and for their bond to be officially recognized, fearing that the difference in surname could cause confusion and distress for Ophelia as she grows older.

However, Millie, 23, harbored significant concerns about the adoption. Her primary worry revolved around Ophelia’s young age and the emotional impact of revealing that Harley is not her biological father. She also expressed a fear that the revelation could lead to 'hatred' towards Harley from Ophelia. Furthermore, pursuing legal adoption meant contacting Ophelia’s biological father, who had previously shown no interest but whose re-entry into their lives could complicate matters significantly or even lead to him refusing the adoption.

The simmering tensions between Millie and Harley escalated into a blazing row, immediately followed by Harley’s alarming health emergency. A panicked Millie made a frantic call to her mother, Sue Radford, describing Harley’s symptoms: one side of his face had gone lopsided, his words were slurred, and he was in clear distress. He was swiftly transported to the hospital by ambulance, leading Millie to believe he was suffering a stroke. Sue and Noel Radford took charge of the three children, bringing them to their Morecambe home while Millie remained by Harley’s side in the stroke ward.

Millie candidly admitted her shock and guilt during the ordeal, questioning if their recent arguments had contributed to Harley’s condition. The thought of life without Harley, who has been integral to her motherhood journey, was profoundly unsettling. After a tense night of waiting, the couple received a diagnosis that, while relieving, still carried implications: Harley had not suffered a stroke but was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a neurological disorder causing temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the face. His MRI results were clear, ruling out a stroke.

This frightening experience served as a turning point for Millie. The fear of what might have happened to Harley, and the potential impact on their family, prompted her to re-evaluate her stance on Ophelia’s adoption. Realizing how much Ophelia loved Harley and how important it was for him to be legally recognized as her father, Millie decided to proceed with the adoption process, stating, “If anything was to happen to Harley, I know that Ophelia would have loved Harley to be her dad, so that is what I'm going to make happen.”

However, the legal route proved more complicated than anticipated. Despite the biological father’s name not being on Ophelia’s birth certificate due to his lack of involvement, the adoption process still required contact, presenting the risk of refusal or his sudden desire to be involved. Faced with these hurdles, the couple opted for a step parental responsibility agreement. This legal arrangement would grant Harley the same rights as Millie in decision-making regarding Ophelia’s welfare, including her surname, schooling, and consent for medical procedures.

Initially, Harley was overjoyed, celebrating this step forward with the Radford family. Yet, at the episode’s conclusion, a lingering desire for full adoption remained. In a surprising move, Harley revealed he had messaged Ophelia’s biological father behind Millie’s back, expressing his deep-seated conviction: “Even though I have the rights, I do want it on Ophelia’s birth certificate to say I’m her father.” This decision hints at ongoing complexities and Harley’s unwavering commitment to solidifying his legal bond with Ophelia, despite the family’s previous agreement.