Chapter 9 - The Signatures
Four months later, the spring sun shone brightly through the tall windows of the county courthouse.
Rachel stood in a tailored floral dress, looking healthy and glowing, though she still moved with a slight, lingering stiffness. In her arms was four-month-old Lily, cooing quietly and gnawing on her own fist. Mark stood beside them in a sharp suit.
But the center of attention was Ethan.
He sat in the heavy wooden chair before the judge’s bench. The judge, a kindly woman with silver hair, looked down at the paperwork in front of her.
“Ethan Cole,” she said warmly. “I have a petition here from Rachel Cole, asking to legally adopt you as her son. Do you understand what this means?”
“Yes, your honor,” Ethan said clearly.
“And is this what you want?”
Ethan turned and looked at Rachel. He thought of his biological mother, whose photos now sat proudly on the mantle in the living room, placed there by Rachel herself. He thought of the blue bag, the letter, and the way Rachel looked at him with nothing but unconditional love.
“Yes,” Ethan said. “She’s already my mom. This just makes it a rule.”
The courtroom erupted in soft laughter. The judge smiled brightly and brought her wooden gavel down with a sharp clack.
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“Congratulations, young man. The petition is granted.”
Rachel handed Lily to Mark, knelt down in her dress, and pulled Ethan into a massive hug.
