Annie had always hated court dates. The boys hadn’t had many—no one was fighting their placement with Annie, and the social worker was fully on board with them staying right where they were—but there had been several in Josie’s case. Her sister had had a slight rebellious phase right after Annie had moved out, that had abated after Annie had moved back in less than a year later. Annie had understood it, even if Josie hadn’t spoken up and said she didn’t want to stay with Annie’s mother. Fear of the unknown was far worse than the fear of the known.
But all that was behind them now. Josie was on her way to a good life, thanks to scholarships and aid available. She would be ok. And in the meantime, her sister was gathering the diaper bag and scooping Seeley into her arms.
Annie’s tightened around Syrus. He’d just fallen asleep, and she wasn’t about to interrupt his nap for anything. Even if he was asleep through the whole thing. He’d missed her last night. Just as she’d missed the boys.
But she wouldn’t trade the night she’d spent in Turner’s arms for anything, either.
Never had a man loved her like that. Like she was his entire world, and him hers. Like she belonged right there next to him. And the way he’d held her that morning…she would always remember that moment pressed close to his heart.
She stood and looked at the boys she had loved from the moment she had first seen them. Hers. They were about to be hers.
This was real. It was finally happening.
She bit back the sob of relief.
It wasn’t over yet. Once it was, once they were really hers…
“Hold on! Wait for us!” a voice called behind her. Annie turned.
And there they were. Her family. Everyone she loved was right there. Caine and Nikkie Jean led the way. Izzie was right behind them, talking to three other women. Lacy, Jillian, and Cherise. Her real family. The people who loved her and the boys and Josie.
Annie fought the tears.
Cherise reached her first. She hugged Annie around the sleeping toddler. “Wanda’s parking the van. She and I are claiming grandmother positions, if you’ll let us.”
“I—” She didn’t know what to say. They’d helped her when she needed it, been there as babysitters and sounding boards for a twenty-two-year-old girl responsible for three little babies and would just listen when she needed to talk. Cherise and Wanda had each been the mother she had always wanted and needed. She’d just gotten lucky enough to get two just when it mattered most. “I’d like that very much.”
Jillian and Lacy each had balloons. Jillian lifted Solomon and hugged him. “Rafe wanted to be here, but he had a meeting with the board he couldn’t escape. We’re claiming aunt and uncle, along with the rest of this crowd.”
The clerk spoke her name again.
Annie pulled in a deep breath and led the way, just as Wanda hurried up.
Her family. The ones that mattered were right there next to her.
They filed into the courtroom. Nikkie Jean and Izzie each took one of the older boys’ hands. They, her two closest friends in the world, were right there with her at the biggest moment of her life. The most important.
The best.
Her mother hadn’t bothered to show.
No surprise. But that didn’t matter.
Once the judge banged the gavel, they were done with her mother forever—and the boys were hers.
She listened to the judge’s words and answered when appropriate. Listened as he read reference letters from the hospital, from Mel Barratt, and even from the governor of the state of Texas.
And the mayor of Finley Creek.
When had they asked Turner to do that? He’d barely had the time. The judge nodded to someone near the back of the courtroom, and Annie turned.
To look into darker blue eyes that stared back at her with more emotion than she could process. She smiled, fighting tears again.
Turner. Even though he had a jam-packed schedule of his own.
The judge spoke to Seeley and Solomon. And even asked the courtroom at large if they promised to help her, to be a family for the boys. The resounding yes would be something she would always remember—and it was loud enough to wake Syrus. She comforted him quickly, snuggling him even closer.
The judge, a pretty woman about ten years older than Annie, smiled when he said, “Yes, my mama…,” and went right back to sleep, clutching his blanket.
Then the judge looked at her. “Congratulations, Ms. Gaines. You are now the legal mother of Solomon, Seeley, and Syrus Gaines. I wish the best to you.”
It was done.
Her boys…they were hers. Annie’s tears overflowed. Somehow, they ended up in the hallway again to make room for the teenage boy who had a preliminary hearing after them. Annie wasn’t certain how they’d gotten out of the courtroom.
Then there was a lot of hugging and passing the boys around.
Turner pulled her closer, and they kissed right in the midst of all of them.
No one seemed to even blink an eye or be the least little bit surprised. It was like he just…fit. Like they had expected him to do just that.
Caine lifted the older two boys in his arms and spun, making them laugh and say, “Uncle Caine rules!” a dozen times.
Since he and Nikkie Jean had gotten together, he was taking the idea of family so seriously. Annie didn’t mind. It slammed into her like a ton of bricks brought down by a storm. They had a family. A real one, even though no biological ties existed between any of them except Rafe and Caine.
Family was who you loved, who you wanted to be with. Not bonds of biology. Her family was surrounding her now.
“Thank you. All of you.”
Jillian met her eyes. “We’re here for you. Whenever you need us. All you have to do is ask.”
Izzie and Nikkie Jean threw their arms around her and just hugged her tight.
Annie hugged them right back. Family.
They were a family now.
Warm, strong arms went around her for another hug seconds after she’d passed Syrus to Jillian. The arms were distinctive.
Annie looked up into dark blue eyes filled with more emotion than she could identify.
“Congratulations, Annie Belle Gaines. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than this moment.”
Annie threw herself against Turner’s chest and cried.
Happy tears.
It was done.
The boys were hers.