Epilogue

EPILOGUE

THREE YEARS LATER…

E merson gave Hayley and Mark their mini-pancakes spread with peanut butter, while Ry sliced bananas and strawberries for the twins. She went to Michael's highchair and cooed to the seven-month-old, "Who's going to get an official mommy and daddy today?"

"Michael!" Hayley exclaimed.

Her gaze met her husband's, and Ry beamed at her. Emerson knew she was the luckiest woman in the world. They had been married a little over three years, and their twins had been the light of their lives, healthy and happy. Ry had been insistent, though, that they follow through with Emerson's dream of adopting children, so they had gone through a nineteen-hour program with the National Training and Development Curriculum as part of their required foster parent training. The program gave them specialized knowledge on how to care for children in the child welfare system, including discipline and behavior intervention, the effects of abuse and neglect, and how trauma can affect children.

Once they'd earned their certification in foster care, they were expecting an older child to be placed with them, especially since those children were harder to find homes for and they were willing to take on such a child. Instead, however, a little over seven months ago, Michael had come into their lives. His father had been a firefighter killed in the line of duty. His mother had gone into labor at her husband's funeral. She was rushed to the hospital, where she had given birth to her first child after seventeen hours. Unfortunately, she had suffered an aneurysm and died less than twenty-four hours after Michael was born.

Donna Winters, the Department of Family Protective Services case worker they had been assigned to, had contacted them immediately. Little Michael had no relatives to take him and would leave the hospital and be immediately placed into foster care. Donna, knowing the Blackwoods were eager to adopt a child they fostered, suggested them to her supervisor.

And so, Michael had come home, straight into their loving arms.

The last several months had been hectic, with Emerson and Ry balancing their jobs, two toddlers, and a newborn —but Emerson wouldn't have had it any other way.

Michael had turned out to be an easy baby, much more so than Mark or Hayley. He ate and napped well, and he was hitting all his milestones on time. The twins adored their new little brother and were constantly patting him on the head or kissing him, offering the baby one of their toys. Emerson was glad she had detected no jealousy on their part toward the infant.

Michael had been given a bottle upon awakening. Now, she fed the baby a pouch of zucchini and apple, along with a bowl of oatmeal. Michael had begun on solid foods a month ago, and the only thing he had rejected so far was carrots.

Looking to Ry, Emerson asked, "Are you on twin or baby duty now?"

"Definitely baby," he said, wetting a washcloth and wiping the twins' mouths and hands. "Hayley and Mark are becoming too particular when they pick out their outfits for the day. You're welcome to deal with that drama."

The twins had turned two a few days ago, and so far, they showed no signs of being terrible. Just opinionated. They were vocal when it came to what they ate and wore, especially what color of shoes they donned. Mark insisted on wearing mostly Superman or Iron Man shirts, while Hayley bounced between characters from Frozen and Encanto .

"All right, you two. Let's get dressed so we can go see the judge," she said.

She got them dressed, their shoes on, and their hair brushed, even managing to place a bow in Hayley's hair. By that time, Ry appeared with Michael in his arms. The baby wore a new outfit for this special day, blue pants, a white shirt, suspenders, and a bow tie.

Ry glanced at his watch. "I can't believe we've done this in record time. We might actually make it to the courthouse early."

They went to Emerson's SUV, which held three car seats. She thought if they had more kids, it would mean buying a bigger car, but she would be happy to do so. She had taken to motherhood, and Ry was the perfect partner. He was a man who changed diapers, bathed kids, and was always up for playing or reading to them. She wouldn't want to be on this journey with anyone but Ry Blackwood.

The kids were buckled into their car seats, minus pacifiers for the twins. She was trying to wean them away from sucking one, already concerned about future visits to the orthodontist. Michael never seemed to want a paci. He was, however, drooling like a waterfall since he was teething.

They arrived at the courthouse, and Emerson had Ry raised the tailgate. Each kid received a diaper change before they went inside, with Hayley asking if they could start using their potty when they got home. They had bought a potty chair for each twin, and now that they were two, Emerson was ready to begin that process. Her friends had warned her that Hayley would probably take to toilet training more quickly than Mark, so she and Ry were prepared. They had already shopped and stocked up on pull-ups and would be transitioning into those after today's court date. Harper had suggested they also buy underwear with Disney characters or superheroes on them. She had found that Mark was less like to soil his underwear if they bore Superman or Mickey Mouse's picture on them.

Entering the courthouse, they found their designated courtroom, where Dax and Ivy waited outside with Kristina. The two-and-a-half-year-old saw the twins and came running toward the Blackwoods, telling everyone hi.

"Are you ready for the big day?" Dax asked.

"I know people say it's just a piece of paper, but we're really eager to make Michael an official Blackwood," Ry replied.

"He's felt like ours from the day we brought him home," Emerson said. "We've always had the fear, however, of Michael being taken from us. Having the court declare Michael ours will bring peace of mind." She paused. "How are you feeling, Ivy?"

Her friend smiled. "I think yesterday was the turning point as far as morning sickness goes. I felt really good not having to throw up multiple times. Today has been the same. I've kept everything down this morning." She took Emerson's hand. "We just found out that we're having a boy. Kristina is going to be a big sister."

"That's wonderful news," she said, and Ry also congratulated the couple.

Then Mark let out a huge squeal and took off running. Emerson saw Shy and Shelly heading toward them. Hayley yelled, "Grammy!" and toddled after her brother.

Shy caught both of them, swinging them around, and then setting them on their feet. The twins ran back to their parents as Shy and Shelly joined them.

Shelly slipped an arm about Emerson. "I'm so happy for you and Ry. Michael is already loved by so many. Shy and I are thrilled to be grandparents to three children now."

She appreciated that Shelly wouldn't make a distinction between the twins and Michael.

Donna Winters appeared and said, "It's time to go in." She touched her fingers to Michael's cheek. "You, little one, are so lucky. You're getting the best parents in the world."

The social worker escorted them into the courtroom, where Randy Peterson, their attorney sat at a table. Peterson had been recommended by Donna, and Emerson had liked the lawyer from the moment they had met. She and Ry took a seat at the table, with Emerson holding Michael and the twins perching on Ry's knees.

"Call the next case," Judge Jackson said to her clerk.

Donna presented the court with the completed adoptive placement paperwork. Michael had been required to live with them for six months before Child Protective Services would allow for the adoption to become permanent. Their attorney presented the Petition to Adopt document to the clerk, who passed it to Judge Jackson. She read over it, and Emerson's heart pounded in anticipation.

"Everything looks to be in order," the judge said. She smiled at them. "I see that you already have children."

"Yes, Your Honor," Emerson said. "I was in foster care for many years, though, and my husband and I wanted to add Michael to our family permanently."

Ry spoke up. "We'd like to foster again in the future, Your Honor. Hopefully, we'll be back in your courtroom and adopt another child who comes our way."

Judge Jackson nodded. "The State of Texas grants Ryland and Emerson Blackwood's request to adopt the infant Michael, and this adoption is irrevocable. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood. You officially have another son."

Without being prompted, both twins raised their hands and shouted, "Yay!" causing those in the courtroom to chuckle.

Ry shook hands with their attorney, and they both thanked Donna for the role she had played in the fostering and adoption process.

They left the courtroom, the Tennysons and grandparents accompanying them.

"Congratulations, Mom and Dad. Mark, Hayley, and Michael are lucky to have you as parents."

"Will you look to adopt again anytime soon?" Ivy asked.

Ry laughed, holding his new son close to his chest. "I think we have our hands full for the next couple of years. Once we get everyone out of diapers— and maybe the twins in kindergarten —we'll think about fostering again and see where that leads us."

The older children began skipping, each holding one of their grandparents' hands. Emerson slipped her hand through the crook of Ry's arm.

"I couldn't ask for a better man," she told him. "You are a wonderful husband and father, Ry Blackwood."

"I had no idea when I came home to Lost Creek that I would find the love of my life, Emerson. I give thanks every day for you— and our growing family."

They stopped at the top of the courthouse steps, Ry giving her a tender kiss. Then they both kissed Michael's head, and Emerson said, "Welcome to the Blackwood family, my sweet love."