Page 101 of Ruthless Possession
"That's exactly right," I tell her, kissing the top of her head.
"Then why does the judge need to decide? We're already a family."
The simple wisdom in her question takes my breath away. "The judge just needs to make it official on paper. Like when you get a certificate for finishing something important."
"Like when I finished my art project and got the blue ribbon?"
"Exactly like that," Matthew says.
We lie there in silence, the four of us together in our bed. Charlie's breathing gradually evens out, her body relaxing into sleep. But I remain awake, watching over her, overwhelmed by the enormity of what we're about to do.
"Tomorrow, we become a legal family," I whisper, not expecting a response.
"We've been a family since that first night," Trenton replies quietly. "This just makes it real on paper."
"Real in all the ways that matter," Matthew adds.
I think about the journey that brought us here, finding Charlie at that gas station, the danger we faced from Evan, the nights spent watching over her while she slept. Now we're hours away from making it permanent.
"What if it goes wrong?" The fear I've been holding back finally surfaces.
Trenton reaches across Charlie to take my hand. "Then we fix it. Together."
"Always together," Matthew echoes.
Charlie stirs between us, mumbling something incoherent in her sleep. I stroke her hair, feeling the soft strands between my fingers. This child, this brave, resilient little girl, has brought us together in ways I never expected.
"I can't imagine our lives without her now," I admit.
"We won't have to," Trenton says simply.
The weight of his certainty anchors me. Whatever happens tomorrow, we'll face it as we've faced everything else together.
"Try to get some sleep," Matthew murmurs. "Charlie needs you rested tomorrow."
I close my eyes, letting their presence wash over me. The last thing I remember before sleep claims me is Trenton's hand still holding mine, and Matthew's arm draped protectively over both me and Charlie.
In my dreams, we're in a courtroom, but instead of the cold, formal setting I've been dreading, it's filled with light. Charlie stands between us, wearing the purple dress she loves so much. The judge smiles as she signs the papers, and when she hands them to us, they've transformed into a single word written in gold.
Family.
chapter eighteen
Morgan
The morning arrives with a clarity that makes everything sharp and real. Sunlight streams through our bedroom windows, catching dust motes that dance in the golden beams. Charlie sits at the kitchen counter, swinging her legs as she eats her toast with extra strawberry jam, her purple dress already on and her hair neatly braided.
"You look beautiful," I tell her, fastening a small butterfly clip in her hair.
"Morgan did my hair special," she informs Trenton and Matthew as they enter the kitchen, dressed in their best button-down shirts and slacks instead of their usual club cuts and jeans.
"Very special," Trenton agrees, his eyes meeting mine over her head. The warmth in his gaze makes my heart skip a beat.
Matthew pours himself a cup of coffee, his hand remarkably steady for someone who slept as little as I did. "Ready for today, little warrior?"
Charlie nods solemnly. "Dr. Elaine said to be brave and honest."
"She's right," I say, kissing the top of her head. "That's all anyone can ask."
