Inside, the courtroom was less intimidating than I had feared. The judge, a woman with silver-streaked dark hair and kind eyes, smiled as we entered. The proceedings moved with surprising swiftness. Questions answered, documents signed, promises made.
When the judge asked Holly if this adoption was what she wanted, her voice rang out clear and steady: "More than anything."
And then it was happening. The judge was speaking the words that would make official what their hearts had known for months.
"By the power vested in me by the State of Florida, I hereby declare Holly Rachel Bennett the legal daughter of Elyse andAndrew Bennett, with all the rights, responsibilities, and joys that entails."
The gavel came down with a crack that seemed to reverberate through my entire being. Just like that, I had a child. We were a family. Not just in our hearts and home, but in the eyes of the law.
Holly turned to us, tears streaming down her face but smiling so broadly it must have hurt. "We did it," she whispered. "It's real."
Drew wrapped his arms around both of us, his own eyes suspiciously bright. "It's been real all along, kiddo. This just makes it official."
As we all emerged from the courtroom into the bright Florida sunshine, our friends and family surrounded us with cheers and more tears. My mother was already talking about the celebration lunch she'd prepared, while Grace was sneaking Holly what looked suspiciously like a gift card to her favorite photography store.
Amidst the commotion, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to find Cat standing there, an unusual solemnity in her expression.
"Congratulations, mama," Cat said, pulling me into a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you three."
"Thank you for everything," I replied, meaning it from the bottom of her heart. Without Cat and the rest of their friends, this day might never have happened.
Cat pulled back slightly, lowering her voice. "I hate to bring this up today of all days, but I need to talk to you about Allison when you have a moment. Those notes on her car have started again, and this time they're... concerning."
A chill ran through me despite the warm day. I glanced over at Holly, now laughing with Sarah's kids, her face alight with joy.
"Not today," I said. "But let's talk about this tomorrow."
Cat nodded quickly. "Of course. This is your day. Enjoy every second of it."
As Cat moved away to join the others, I felt Drew's arm slide around my waist.
"Everything okay?" he asked, following my gaze to where Holly was now showing off her new adoption certificate to her grandparents.
"Everything is perfect," I said, and meant it.
Whatever was happening with Allison, whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. As a family. Because that's what families did, showed up for each other, stood by each other, loved each other through it all.
Holly looked up and caught my eye across the crowd, her smile radiant. I smiled back, a wordless exchange that said everything:
We're home. We're family. We belong to each other now.
And unlike the beach reads that lined my bookstore shelves, this wasn't an ending. It was a beginning. Messy, unpredictable, and infinitely more beautiful than fiction could ever be.
34
HOLLY
It was weird how a single piece of paper could change your whole life. One month before, a judge signed an official document that turned Holly Bennett from a temporary arrangement into a permanent reality. Sometimes I still caught myself staring at the framed adoption certificate on my bedroom wall, right next to my first prize ribbon from the school photography contest and the staff photo from Jenna's Bakery.
The first day of school at Clearwater High was terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure. I stood frozen at the entrance, my new camera bag (a gift from Mom and Dad) clutched to my chest like armor, certain everyone would stare at the new girl with purple-pink hair. Instead, Zoe from my photography class at the college spotted me and waved me over to her friends, and just like that, I wasn't alone anymore.
Four weeks later, I had a regular lunch table, a spot on the photography club, and people who texted me about homework and weekend plans. Normal teenage stuff that I always watched other people have from the outside.
"Earth to Holly!"
I blinked, realizing I was staring into space while absently stirring the same bowl of macaron batter for probably way too long. Jenna watched me with amusement from her spot at the industrial mixer.
"Sorry," I said, feeling my cheeks warm. "Got distracted."
