“I will do anything and everything I can for you, for the rest of our lives.”
We spend the rest of the day with River at the animal sanctuary. We’re with some of the family, but we still haven’t left the property. Enea was concerned about us going to the campgrounds. But he said if we stay in the sanctuary, we should be okay. No one outside of the family is allowed in there. The people that come to the campgrounds can see the animals from the outside. But they’re not allowed inside.
I’m nervous about tomorrow. But I told myself it can’t be worse than the first hearing. At least this time we’ll have a fair shot at this whole mess. And I pray that we get the decision that we want.
Emerson
The drive to the courthouse feels different than the last time. Maybe that’s a sign that this one will come out in our favor. Because this is a redo of the first hearing, Palmer and his group of assholes will go first again. But that’s fine. Let them dig their hole, I hope this time they fall into it with all their fucking lies.
We listen to Palmer and the assholes spout the same exact stories. Again, I watch the judge’s face. This time, I can see him watching all the assholes. Every so often, he looks at Sawyer and me. Finally it’s Sawyer’s turn to get on the stand and tell her story.
Lorenzo gives the judge the papers that prove her story. The judge nods as he takes the papers. Sawyer is stronger than she thinks. The whole time she’s up there, she’s sitting up straight and she glances at Palmer and never shows fear.
After Sawyer leaves the stand, the judge asks me to come up. This is something different. I stand up and take my seat. I’m sworn in, and I turn to face the judge.
“I see that you have petitioned the court to adopt River Hamilton.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Was that done so that Mr. Beaumont couldn’t claim him?”
“No, Your Honor. I love Sawyer and River. I want to adopt River because to me, he’s my son. And I want to make it official, I want him to have my name.”
“I do see that you put in for his adoption before Mr. Beaumont filed his?—”
“Excuse me, Your Honor. I don’t understand why this matters. Mr. O’Connor isn’t River’s biological father.”
“It matters because Mr. O’Connor has shown that he wants to be River’s father. That’s important when I’m looking at what’s in the best interest of the child.”
I hear someone snort. I look over and our guys are all sitting there with smiles on their faces.
“Being with his biological father is what’s best for River. He’s been trying to be in his son’s life from the start.”
The judge stares at Palmer’s lawyer and doesn’t say one word to him. Then he turns to me.
“One last question for you, Mr. O’Connor. You do realize that if you’re granted the adoption of River Hamilton, that’s a lifelong commitment to him. You can’t just change your mind later on.”
“I understand that, Your Honor. My da adopted me when I was three years old. He showed me that biology isn’t what makes us father and son. His love for me is unconditional. If I called him right now, he would come down here just to support me. That’s what I want to be to River. Someone he can rely on no matter what happens in his life.”
The judge keeps looking at me and finally nods. “Thank you, Mr. O’Connor. You may step down.”
He waits for me to sit back down at our table.
“I’m going to take a minute to look at all the evidence that has been submitted. You can all stay here in the courtroom. I won’t be long.”
The judge bangs his gavel and we all stand up as he leaves the courtroom. Palmer and the assholes are glaring at me and Sawyer. It’s the funniest thing I’ve seen in a while. Even Sawyer’s trying not to laugh.
“If looks could kill,” Ares whispers to us.
“Right?” I smile.
We all talk quietly among ourselves, trying our best to ignore the death stares coming from the other side of the courtroom.
“I like that this judge listened when we talked. And it felt like he’s suspicious of Palmer and the assholes.”
“The assholes?” Lorenzo asks.
“Yeah the ex-family.”
