Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 59671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
“Maybe the people who can’t read them are the idiots.” I widen my eyes.
He fakes a smile and then drops his face deadpan.
Patrick holds up the bag of screws as he inspects them.
“Don’t lose those, Tricky.”
I watch from the rocking chair in the corner, the boys are in the nursery attempting to build the pram.
Attempting being the key word.
They built the cradle yesterday and the cot this morning, but this stroller has got them stumped.
“Are there any more instructions?” Tristan asks, distracted. “Surely that can’t be it.”
“When I get a hold of this guy,” Harry fumes, he punches his fist for added effect.
“Maybe we got some in that other envelope, I’ll go look.” I walk down to my bedroom and grab the paperwork and walk back to the nursery. “Here try this.” I pass it to Tristan.
He begins reading and frowns. “What’s this?”
“It’s the court papers.”
“For what?”
“For the adoption hearing.”
His eyes rise to meet mine.
“It’s time,” I whisper.
The boys gasp.
He blinks back tears. “What?”
“I want you to be the boy’s father.” I smile hopefully. “Legally. Before the baby comes.”
I secretly lodged the papers months ago and they have only just been approved.
He reads the papers as if unable to believe it and his face screws up in emotion.
“Look what you did, Harry,” Patrick snaps outraged. “He’s crying now because he has to be your father and you’re so naughty. Harry is going to be good from now on, aren’t you, Harry.”
Tristan pulls Patrick onto his lap. “They’re happy tears, Tricky.” He holds his arms out for the other boys. “Come here.”
“Stacks on,” Harry yells.
The boys all dive on Tristan and they all laugh and hug as they roll around on the floor. “I love you brats.”
“We love you too.”
Tears fill my eyes as I watch them, they are so close.
Wade would want this for his sons, to have a father who loves them with all of his heart. To give them what he no longer can.
The lump in my throat is so big that it hurts.
This is the right thing.
“All rise.” The judge walks into the family law court and the room stands.
We sit in the front row, all five of us.
Tristan is beaming with happiness, the children too. Dressed in their best suits, I think they are all more excited than when we got married.
This is a big deal to them.
And to me.
In my pregnant state I’m feeling overemotional. There have been lots of tears, happy tears. But when I saw Wade’s parents walk in quietly and sit at the back of the courtroom my heart broke a little.
It means a lot that they are here to support me and the kids with this. They adore Tristan and know this is what Wade would have wanted. It’s what’s best for the boys, I know it too, but it’s just all a little real today.
Jameson and Emily, Elliot and Christopher are all here, as are Tristan’s parents, my parents and brother.
It’s a big day for our family.
The judge has gray hair and is wearing a robe, he looks over the top of his gold-rimmed glasses and smiles at us with a kind nod, he then looks down at the paperwork in front of him. “I’m here today to call on the matter of adoption of Fletcher Anderson, Harrison Anderson, and Patrick Anderson.”
The room sits quietly and Tristan squeezes my hand in his.
“Mr. Miles, you have filled out the appropriate paperwork?” he asks as he looks over a pile of papers in front of him.
“Yes, Your Honor.” Tristan squeezes my hand again.
“I have reviewed the file and believe that it is in the best interest of Fletcher, Harrison and Patrick Anderson to be adopted by Tristan Miles.”
The boys all beam with excitement and I smile as I watch them, they are nearly jumping out of their seats and can hardly sit still.
“Firstly we will sign the adoption agreement. Parents are to sign and any child over the age of fourteen will sign for themselves.” He passes the paperwork to the secretary. “You may sign now.” Tristan and I and Fletcher stand and sign where we are told to.
Christopher is snapping away taking photos with his phone.
We sign where we are told and the secretary checks our signatures and hands the papers back to the judge, he reads them over the top of his glasses. “By signing this document I hereby declare that you, Tristan Miles, are now a parent under the eyes of law. You will have all rights and duties of the parent-child relationship but most importantly all of the joys.”
Tristan smiles broadly down at the boys.
“Congratulations, Mr. Miles.” He bangs his hammer. “May you all be a very happy family.”
He gets up and walks out of the room and Tristan and the boys hug.
Everyone shakes his hand and hugs the boys and I glance over to Wade’s parents who are still sitting in the back row.