Chapter 9 - The Adoption Day
The family court judge’s chambers were filled with sunflowers—Lizzy’s favorite.
Lizzy sat between Adam and me in a small yellow dress, her hair neatly braided with white ribbons. She was holding her teddy bear, who was now wearing a matching tiny yellow ribbon around its neck.
Judge Morales, a warm woman with gentle eyes, looked down from her bench and smiled at Lizzy.
"Elizabeth," Judge Morales said softly. "Do you know why we are here today?"
Lizzy nodded, stepping up to the bench on her tiptoes. "Because Aunt Nat and Uncle Adam are officially becoming my Mommy and Daddy."
My heart swelled so much it felt like it would burst. We had never forced her to call us Mom and Dad; we wanted her to take that step whenever she felt ready. Hearing those words come naturally from her lips brought tears to both my eyes and Adam’s.
"That’s exactly right," Judge Morales said. She picked up her gavel and held it out to Lizzy. "Would you like to help me make it official?"
Lizzy’s eyes lit up. She reached out, held the wooden handle alongside the judge’s hand, and brought it down with a resounding CLACK on the wooden block.
"By the power vested in me by the state, I hereby declare Elizabeth Vance to be the legally adopted daughter of Natalie and Adam Vance!" Judge Morales announced.
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The small room erupted into applause. Detective Miller, who had come to support us, was clapping loudly from the back row, wiping a tear from her cheek.
I scooped Lizzy up into my arms, holding her tight, kissing her cheeks while Adam wrapped his arms around both of us. The dark midnight call from months ago, the rain, the broken glass, and the fear were all in the past now. We were a family, forged in love and unbroken resolve.
