“That book you gave me.”
Epilogue
Christian “Tinker” Knight stood in the courtroom, feet braced apart, waiting for the judge to continue.
“I now pronounce you man and wife,” Judge Atwel said.
Tinker grinned as Sue and Graham Senior kissed to the cheers around them. Graham slapped his dad on the back, jarring him and earning him a glare.
Tinker didn’t miss the tear Abby wiped away. She might have griped that it was ridiculous for her mom to get remarried so quickly after meeting Senior, but she couldn’t hide how happy she was for her.
Sue and Graham Senior had elected for a courthouse wedding and had reached out to ask Judge Atwel to officiate since she’d been responsible for keeping their family intact. At least, that’s what Sue told him.
Will spun on his heel, bored with all the adults. Olivia shushed him and he stuck his tongue out at her. They’d settled into a typical sibling relationship. There’d been a lot of adjustment in the last six months.
Tinker had moved in a month after Abby was officially granted custody of Olivia. Abby had not lied—she was a bed hog. But that worked out fine for him.
She’d also received approval to foster Melanie. That transition hadn’t been easy, but they’d settled into a routine quickly. The hardest part had been Melanie’s supervised visits with her mom. Becky had been required to go through three months of parenting classes before the visits began. By that time, Tinker had been living with Abby. Awkward was an understatement.
“I believe there’s one more order of business before we call it a day,” Judge Atwel said.
There was another reason they’d asked Judge Atwel to officiate the wedding.
“Olivia, Abby and Will have a very important question to ask you,” Judge Atwel said.
Olivia’s eyes widened as everyone’s attention turned to her. Will covered his mouth with his hands and giggled.
“Will?” Abby prompted.
“Livie, will you be my big sister?” Will looked at his mom and sagged as only a little kid could. “Really forever?”
“Yes, really forever,” Abby said.
“Ugh. Will you be my sister forever?” Will asked, begrudgingly.
Olivia burst into tears and covered her face with her small bouquet.
“Ah, shit,” Tinker said.
“Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry,” Abby rushed forward to hug Olivia. “We don’t have to.” Her voice was low and reassuring.
Olivia shook her head and mumbled something into her hands.
“What did she say?” Sue asked.
Abby smiled. “She said yes. She just wasn’t expecting it and is very happy.”
They gave Olivia time to dry her eyes before they signed the adoption paperwork. Judge Atwel’s clerk circumvented a major Will melt down when he found out there was nowhere for him to sign by quickly drawing up “sibling” adoption papers.
They’d adjourned to a small anteroom for cake, champagne, and apple juice when Will threw a grenade into the middle of the group.
During a lull in conversation he all but shouted, “How come Tinker’s not my dad?”
All eyes turned to Abby and Tinker.
Abby stared at him wide-eyed, silently begging him to say something.
Tinker placed his head on Will’s head. “You know, buddy. That’s a good question.”
