Matthew and I follow them up to Charlie's room, which we've transformed from a spare bedroom into her sanctuary. The walls are painted her favorite shade of purple, with glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling. Stuffed animals line the shelves, and photos of us together are arranged on the nightstand.
Trenton lays her carefully in bed while I pull back the covers. Matthew plugs in her night-light, a unicorn that projects stars onto the walls.
"Brush your teeth?" I ask.
Charlie nods sleepily. "Already did. After dinner."
I sit on the edge of her bed, brushing hair from her face. "Big day tomorrow."
"I know." Her eyes are serious in the dim light. "Are you nervous?"
"A little," I admit. "But excited too."
She reaches for my hand. "It's okay to be nervous. Dr. Elaine said so."
I smile. "She's right."
Trenton and Matthew stand at the foot of the bed, watching us with expressions I can't quite read in the darkness.
"Story?" Charlie asks hopefully.
"I think we're all a bit tired tonight," I tell her. "But how about we all say what we're grateful for today? It's a nice way to end the day."
Charlie considers this. "I'm grateful for Princess Sparklehoof. And popcorn. And you guys."
My throat tightens with emotion. "I'm grateful for you, sweetheart. And for these two," I nod toward Trenton and Matthew, "for helping me take care of you."
Trenton steps closer. "I'm grateful for this family. All of it."
Matthew moves to stand beside him. "I'm grateful we found each other."
Charlie smiles sleepily. "Can we do this every night?"
"Every night," I promise.
We each kiss her good night, me on her forehead, Trenton and Matthew on her cheeks.
"Sweet dreams, little warrior," Matthew whispers.
"Night, night," Charlie murmurs, already drifting off.
We leave her door slightly ajar, the night-light casting a warm glow into the hallway. The three of us stand there for a moment, absorbing the quiet of the house, the knowledge that Charlie is safe and happy in her bed.
"She's going to be officially ours tomorrow," I say softly.
Trenton's hand finds mine. "She's already ours. Tomorrow just makes it legal."
Matthew nods, his expression thoughtful. "We've come a long way from that night at the cabin."
I think back to those terrifying hours, the uncertainty, the fear. "I was so scared we wouldn't be able to keep her safe."
"We did," Trenton says simply. "We will."
We move to our bedroom, the three of us instinctively drawing together. Tonight, there's no urgency in our touches, just comfort. We change into sleep clothes and climb into bed, our bodies finding the familiar configuration with me in the middle, Trenton's arm around my waist, and Matthew's hand resting on my hip.
"We should get some sleep," Matthew murmurs against my hair. "Tomorrow's important."
I nod, but my mind is racing. "Do you think the judge will ask Charlie questions?"
