Page 144 of Made for Mayhem

Daisy’s thumb brushed once over my knuckles.

And for the first time in months, I believed it.

Finally, I slept.

35

The courthouse smelled the same as it had six weeks ago: lemon oil, old paper, and the faint metallic tang of nerves. But everything else had changed.

I stepped through the heavy oak doors in a pale blue dress, the color of perfect afternoon skies. The fabric skimmed my hips and stopped just above the knee, far more respectable than the jeans and dirty tee I’d worn the last time I was here.

Ty walked half a step behind me, close enough that the sleeve of his suit jacket brushed my arm. He looked like a man who had his shit together, not the same man who’d sat on the hallway floor, elbows on his knees, crying into my lap because he was terrified of losing her.

Junie sat in the very back row with Emmy, legs swinging above the floor, wearing the navy-blue dress with tiny white flowers we’d picked out together last weekend. She’d thought about wearing the shoes we bought to match, but the pink rain boots were still on her feet, and that was fine by me. Every time our eyes met, she gave me a small, brave smile that cracked my heart clean open.

We took our seats in the front. Ty’s knee bounced twice before he caught it, pressed his palm flat against his thigh like he could still the tremor that lived under his skin now. I reached over without looking and covered his hand with mine.

A lot had happened since our last hearing. Not fixed. Not healed. But we were here, together.

Sandra stood. “Your Honor, CPS has completed its review. Home visits were successful; Ms. Winslow has refurbished her sister’s house and secured a steady job. For all intents and purposes, Juniper’s care has remained stable. With these findings, we recommend granting Ms. Winslow full physical and legal custody of her niece, Juniper Winslow.”

Ty’s hand tightened around mine until I felt the bones grind. He stared straight ahead, jaw locked, waiting for the blow he was certain was coming.

The judge turned his attention to me. “Ms. Winslow, before I rule, do you have questions?”

I stood, then smoothed my dress down over my legs.

“Yes, Your Honor,” I said. “I have a question.”

Ty went still beside me.

I turned to face him as I spoke, wanting him to see my eyes when I did what Violet told me to and followed my gut. “Can we honor my sister’s wishes and make Mr. Hudson’s and my temporary joint arrangement permanent?”

The judge blinked. “Ms. Winslow… are you requesting an adoption?”

Ty’s head snapped toward me so fast I was surprised his neck didn’t crack. His eyes were wide and glassy and absolutely wrecked. His lips parted, but no sound came out.

I nodded, not looking away from him. “I’m asking if Ty would like to adopt her with me.”

From the back, Junie scrambled to her feet on the bench, clutching Emmy’s sleeve like it was a lifeline. “YES!” she shrieked, loud enough to echo off the vaulted ceiling. “I mean, yes, please!”

The judge’s eyebrows climbed toward his hairline. He cleared his throat but didn’t hide his smile. “Young lady, we try to maintain some decorum.”

Ty twisted in his seat, looking at her like she’d just handed him the moon.

The judge cleared his throat and looked down at the documents in front of him. “Well,” he said, adjusting his glasses, “it appears Mr. Hudson already has a completed background check, home study, and foster certification on file with this county.”

Ty’s breath stuttered, and I reached across to lace my fingers with his.

The judge continued, “These were conducted when he was approved as Juniper’s kinship foster parent. All requirements for adoptive placement are therefore already satisfied.”

Sandra nodded behind the table. “CPS has no objections.”

The judge looked back at Ty. “Mr. Hudson, do you understand that adoption is permanent? You would be Juniper’s legal father. This is not temporary or easily undone.”

My fingers tightened in his grip, doing my best to ease the tremor gripping him.

“Yes,” he said, voice raw. “I understand.”