CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sawyer
I can’t believe it’s finally over. And in a week, I won’t have to look over my shoulder for the next five years. I can’t say I’m not worried about what will happen when they all get out…but that’s a problem for another day. Right now we need to celebrate our win and tell River about the adoption.
Before we put the paperwork in, we asked River what he wanted. I’m not sure he fully understood what we were telling him. But I know that he’ll be really excited when we tell him that Emerson’s now his da.
When we get back to the property, the first thing we do is find River. Emerson’s so excited to talk to him. I think it’s the cutest thing. He hasn’t stopped smiling since we left the courtroom.
“Mama!” River giggles as I scoop him up.
“Are you being a good boy?”
“Yes. Da, otter hugged me.”
“Aww that means they like you.” Emerson smiles as River reaches out for him.
“Can we go see dem together later?”
“How about we make it a picnic tomorrow? We can take them some snacks.”
“Yay!”
We take River into the house to talk to him. We sit together in the living room with Emerson’s family. On the drive back home, we decided that we wanted everyone there when we told River. And his parents don’t know yet, so we want to surprise them with it too.
“We have something important to talk to you about,” I say to him.
“Am I in trouble?” he frowns.
“No not at all.” I chuckle.
River nods and sits down.
“You remember how Mama and Emerson asked you if you’d like Emerson to be your da?”
“Yes. And I said yessss.” He giggles.
“Well, today the judge said yes too. He said that Emerson is now your da.”
We hear Élodie gasp as she smiles and wipes her tears.
“Weally? I can call you ‘da’ now?” he asks as he looks at Emerson.
“If that’s what you want to call me, yes. But if you want to wait, that’s okay too.”
“Antín Eden! I have a da now!” River screams at her.
Everyone in the room is wiping their tears. Emerson and I hug River together. He’s giggling the whole time.
“Is squishy in here,” he says as I look down at him.
I laugh and kiss his little face. He might not understand how important today is. But later on he will. I reach over and kiss Emerson. Today has been the best day.
Emerson
Waking up today feels different. I’m a da now, I have a son. My next step is to ask Sawyer to marry me. My whole family knows I plan to do it today. I thought our picnic would be the perfect time to do it. We get up and head down for breakfast.
“Morning, Mama,” I say as I kiss her cheek.
