Happy ending for Long Island couple adopting Ukrainian orphan

PORT WASHINGTON (WABC) -- The wait is over for a Long Island family that is finally complete, and back home.

Their journey began in Ukraine with the adoption of a teenage boy. But then paperwork and a missed deadline held it up.

But they're all together back in Port Washington, in time for the holidays.

If it weren't for the Russian rap music blasting on his iPad, Vadim Lacal could pass for any other suburban teenager. But his story is a little different.

"He's our son," said Bill Lacal. "I couldn't have loved him more if I'd given birth to him," said his wife Marianna.

Marianna and Bill had just about everything. An affluent couple who married late, and realized there was something missing.

"And that's a terrible thing to be missing in our life, a family," said Bill.

Inspired by friends, they travelled to Ukraine. And after months of research, settled on an orphanage, and a bright-eyed boy named Vadim.

The adoption process took three years, but got held up in the final days by U.S. immigration officials.

"You're in a hotel room, the skies are gray, and yes, it was a four-day trip that turned into three weeks, but here we are," said Bill.

A happy ending, brokered by their local congressman, Steve Israel.

"We said to them, look, how about a little bit of compassion, how about a little common sense, and they listened. We turned it around within a week," said Israel.

Vadim speaks very little English, but he's learning fast.

"Right now I'm feeling so happy because I have a family now, and I love mom and dad so much, and I seem to have a nice life together," said Vadim.

A happy ending for a childless, middle-aged couple who decided their lives were not complete without a teenager.

"I mean some friends scratched their heads and said what are you doing?" said Bill.

"Waking up to Russian rap after we had this quiet little household. It's part of the package," said Marianne.