SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 306
306 The Adoption (Winona)
As we walk back down the aisle, hand in hand, I feel a sense of calm wash over me. Everything feels perfect-the ceremony, Jayden, the kids. This is exactly how I imagined it should be.
But as we step into the side room, away from the guests, there's still one more moment that I've been waiting for. Jayden squeezes my hand, and we both turn to face Bobby, Sarah, and Abby, who are waiting with wide eyes. This isn't just about the two of us-it's about all of us.
The adoption paperwork is laid out on a small table, and the judge stands nearby, ready for the next part of the ceremony. I catch Bobby's eye, and he gives me a small, almost nervous smile.
Sarah's fidgeting with the hem of her dress, clearly excited but trying to stay
calm.
This is the moment we've all been waiting for-the one that makes us an official family.
Jayden steps forward, his voice soft but firm.
"Bobby, Sarah," he says, looking at them both with a serious expression, "you two have been through so much, and I want you to know that no matter what happens, you will always have a home with us. This is your family. And today, we make it official."
I nod, stepping up beside him. "We're not just signing papers. We're making a promise to you both. A promise that we'll always be here. No matter what." My voice catches for a moment, emotion tightening my throat. "You're ours now. Always."
Sarah is the first to step forward, her eyes wide as she glances at the papers on the table. Jayden kneels down to her level, offering her a pen. "You ready, kiddo?"
She nods quickly, her little fingers wrapping around the pen with determination. "I'm ready."
As she scribbles her name across the line, I can see the pride in her face, the sense of belonging that she's been searching for finally settling in.
When she finishes, she beams up at us, and I pull her into a tight hug. "I love you, Sarah," I whisper into her ear, feeling her arms squeeze me back.
"I love you too," she whispers, her voice small but sure. "Can I call you Mommy?"
"You sure can, Sweetie." Tears roll down my face.
Next, Bobby steps up, a little more hesitant. Jayden stands beside him, giving him a gentle pat on the back. "You good?"
Bobby nods, though I can see the emotion in his eyes. He takes the pen, his hand shaking just a bit as he signs his name next to ours.
Then Jayden and I sigh below their names.
When we finish, Bobby looks at me, his eyes full of questions. "Does this mean... we're really a family now?"
306 The Adoption
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I cup his face in my hands. "We've always been a family, Bobby. This just makes it official. You're stuck with us now." I grin, trying to lighten the moment, but the tears are already welling up in my eyes. He nods, his face softening. 1 like that."
I pull him into a hug. Bobby's been through so much, more than any kid should have to deal with, and now, finally, we can give him the stability he deserves.
When I pull away, Jayden wraps his arms around both of us, Sarah joining in as we all hold on tight. This is our moment. This is the family we've fought for.
The judge steps forward with a warm smile, gathering up the papers. "Congratulations."
Abby rushes forward. "Yay you are my real brother and sister now!"
Bobby gives her a forced hug as Abby launches at him. Then Sarah is dancing around with her giggling and smiling.
Abby stops and looks serious. I'm starving, can we go eat?"
I laugh, wiping the tears from my face. "Yes, sweet girl, we can go eat."
Jayden chuckles beside me, his arm slipping around my waist as we all start to move toward the ballroom for the reception.
But just before we go, he stops, turning to face Bobby and Sarah again. "I know we just signed a bunch of papers," he says, his voice thick with emotion, "but I want to make a vow to both of you. I pause, w
watching as Jayden kneels down to their level, his hands on their shoulders.
"I vow to always be there for you. To protect you. To make sure you never have to go through anything like you've been through again." His voice breaks slightly, but he keeps going, his eyes never leaving theirs. "You're my kids now. Forever. And nothing will ever change that."
Bobby nods, tears glistening in his eyes, and Sarah throws her arms around Jayden's neck, hugging him. tight. "We love you, Daddy."
Bobby fist bumps him. "Thanks, Dad."
My heart swells at the sound of those words. It's the first time they've called him that, and I can see the
emotion wash over Jayden.
"I love you guys too," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion.
We all stand there for a moment, just soaking it in, and then, finally, we head toward the ballroom for the reception. The music is already playing, and the guests are waiting, their glasses raised as we enter the room as a family.
The decorations are breathtaking-elegant chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, tables draped in white linens, and soft, golden lights casting a warm glow over everything.
There's a sense of magic in the air, the kind of magic that only comes from knowing that everything, for once, is exactly as it should be.
As we move through the room, greeting guests and taking our seats, I glance over at Jayden. He catches
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306 The Adoption
my eye, and for a moment, it's just the two of us, the world fading away.
He leans in, his voice low. "We did it."
I smile, my hand resting on his. "Yeah. We really did."
The rest of the night is perfect-laughter, dancing, the kids twirling around the room in their fancy clothes. It's everything I dreamed of and more.
And at the end of it all, as we prepare to leave for the night, I know one thing for certain: this is exactly where we're meant to be.
Together, as a family.
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