I grab hold of the big brown envelope and take out the document inside before placing it next to her on the couch. She looks down, and her eyes widen when she sees the adoption papers.
Her eyes meet mine. “Are you sure?” I nod while sinking to the floor in front of her. Cupping her cheeks in my hands, I kiss her softly, murmuring against her lips, “Open her cardigan…”
She looks down at our little girl and unfastens the buttons, a gasp ripping from her lips.
Underneath her cardigan, Peanut’s wearing a pink vest, personalised with the words:
‘Will You Marry My Daddy?’
I take out the box that I’ve had since the day I found out she was planning to do this alone and place it in her palm.
“There is no pressure in any of this. If you decide this isn’t what you want or you don’t want to get married, I will still be here. There is no world where I do not love you. I will never leave you, either of you. Even if you decide that you want to be friends again, I’d…” I don’t get to finish my speech because she yanks the back of my head towards her and kisses me fiercely.
“Yes, always yes.”
I place the ring on her finger and kiss her softly before kissing our little girl’s forehead.
A loud bang has us jumping apart, and we see the front door slam into the stopper just as Archie falls face-first. He groans, turning on his back and covering his eyes.
“Serves you right for eavesdropping at an unlocked door!” Ethan steps over Archie's groaning body, and the rest of our family files in.
I stand, throwing my hands in the air, completely exasperated with their antics. “What would you have done if she said no?”
Rafe shrugs. “Then we’d be consoling you both.” He says it like it’s the most straightforward answer in the world.
Cas clips the back of his head as he walks back. “Obviously, but Cole, that was never going to happen.”
My mum, Dad, and Don make their way over to us, pulling us into hugs, back slaps, and handshakes. My mum claps her hands together. “Have you decided on a name for her yet?”
Lacey looks at me, and we both nod. “We’re going to call her Penelope May Peterson, Penny for short.”
Don chokes out a sob, as does my mum, when they realise our little Peanut is named after Lacey’s mum and mine.
Our little Penny.
**********
Three months later. Baby size = Small Elephant.
I look around the courtroom again, my knee bouncing wildly, so much so that I think I’m going to go through the floor. That is, until a delicate hand with a beautiful sapphire ring glinting in the courtroom lights lands on my knee. I look at my fiancée, and she gives me a soft smile. “Calm down, baby, everything is going to be okay.”
Today is the final custody hearing. As long as Ted keeps his word and doesn’t show up, custody will be granted to Lacey, and we can finally file those adoption papers with Clive. Terror winds through me as my mind goes wild, conjuring up scenarios of Ted banging his way through the courtroom doors, demanding access to his biological daughter.
She isn’t his. She’s mine and Lacey’s.
I jump out of my skin when the door to the courtroom bangs open, and I almost throw up before I notice that it’s Nate trying and failing to sneak in. He makes his way over to us and winces. “Sorry, I was finding a parking space.”
Lacey glares at him. “Sit down and be quiet.”
Before I can say anything to him, we’re asked to stand, and the judge reviewing our case today enters the courtroom and takes a seat. He goes through the usual speech and asks if Tedis present. His mouth twists in disgust when there’s no answer but silence. It isn’t long before he turns his gaze on us, his eyes softening as he says the words we have been waiting months to hear.
“Sole custody has been granted to Miss Lacey Fullman.”
Light, that’s the only way to describe how I am right now. I feel free, and I know Lacey does too, because she throws her arms around me and kisses me like there aren’t twenty people in this room watching.
“Can we please file those adoption papers now?”
I nod furiously and pick her up, kissing her again, happy in the knowledge that I officially have both my girls, Lacey and Penelope May Peterson.
