The Current Between Us

“Hunter, it’s okay, we’re all here with her,” Rhonny said, tucking his shirt back into his pants. “Em’s just excited.”

“We’re going on a honeymoon tomorrow for my birthday,” Em told the lady next to her, sticking her tongue out at Hunter after she said it which got an immediate snap of the fingers from Rhonny.

“Emalynn, you know better than…” Rhonny started but got interrupted.

“Em, it’s not just for you, it’s for Daddy and Gage and me, too,” Hunter said, scolding Em, again.

“Daddy said it was for my birthday, and for the adoption, and for the celebration. That’s why we’re going to Disney World!” Em said angrily to Hunter, forgetting all about the woman next to her. She turned five tomorrow and no longer put up with anything Hunter dished out.

“Guys, stop! No fighting here,” Rhonny said quietly, but firmly.

“Hunter, come sit by me,” Gary said from beside Rhonny. “It won’t be too much longer and they’ll let us back in there to watch them sign the papers.”

Hunter did what Gary asked, and they all scooted down a little to make room on the bench for Hunter at the other end. Gage’s parents sat on the other side of the hall along with all of Gage’s other brothers and sisters and their spouses. Sophia was there, typing away on her smart phone, updating Facebook with the events of the day. It started with Trent and Gage getting married in a civil ceremony, and now they were waiting for the judge to finish with them, and the adoption to be finalized. The door opened to the judge’s office, and Gage stood there, pretty much looking like a Prada male model, smiling big. He looked so happy, as though he could barely contain it.

****

“Come on in, we’re ready,” Gage said, and he walked across the hall to pick Em up, and took Hunter’s hand in his. “You guys ready?”

“Yep,” Em said, hooking her little arm around his neck, in what had become her signature move with Gage.

“Yes,” Hunter said, still working at the knot at his neck. “You tied this tight, Gage.”

“It’s supposed to be tight, son. Come on, just a few more minutes and I’ll untie it, okay?”

“Okay,” Hunter said with a little whine as they walked back into the judge’s office. Gage went to his seat across from Trent, but kept the kids in his lap. He helped Hunter onto one knee, and placed Em on another. His family stood back in the back along with Rhonny and Sophia who already snapped photos.

“Okay, guys, it’s time for your dad and I to sign the papers. You still want me to be your father, right?” Gage asked, and both the children nodded, their eyes big with excitement.

“Do we need to sign it? I’ve been practicing writing my name just in case,” Em whispered loudly into Gage’s ear. Everyone chuckled and smiled at her sweet thought.

“I do believe we will need your signature Emalynn,” the judge said. “And you, Hunter, are you ready to sign?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Hunter said, taking it all very seriously. The judge met his agreement with a nod and started the formal process of signing all the paperwork. Trent signed everything first, and encouraged the kids over to him so Gage could sign it, but Gage would have none of it. He kept the kids in his arms, where he wanted them, and signed the paperwork with them right there. The judge opened a back page of the document and drew two lines across the bottom.

The judge smiled at both kids and took on an official tone as she asked, “Now, you understand, this means Gage becomes your father? Are you sure you are both good with everything this means?”

They both nodded enthusiastically, and Em confirmed her nod by tightening the hook of her arm around his neck. Hunter leaned over the desk and signed his name first, and then Em wrote her first name out letter by letter. When she was done, she turned back to Gage’s mother with a giant smile on her face. “Now you’re my gammie, for real!”

“I’m so glad I am, honey” his mother said, tears finally spilling over.

“All right then, let me sign it, and it’s official.” The judge signed the paperwork. When she closed the file, the room erupted in applause and congratulations.

Gage held on to the kids, and Trent moved in, hugging and kissing them all. They stayed together several moments before they turned to their family. Gage’s family came over, hugging the children. Em and Hunter were long past calling his family gammie, grandpa, aunt, and uncle. Rhonny hugged them both too. Sophia stood to the side, waiting her turn, tears rolling down her face.

Trent came to her first, hugging her tightly. Gage’s mom and dad took ahold of Em and Hunter, while Gage went to Trent, wrapping Sophia and Trent in his arms.

“Lynn would be so proud right now. I know she’s here. I know it! And she would just be so proud,” Sophia said, hugging Gage’s neck tightly.

“I want her to be proud, she has two incredible children and a brother I can’t live without,” Gage whispered, tears clogging his throat as he released Sophia to step back.

“You two are the incredible ones,” she said. Gage stayed quiet, holding Trent close. Rhonny came in for a hug, and the kids bounded forward, getting in the middle of it. After a minute, Hunter finally broke free, tapped Gage’s arm to get his undivided attention, and asked the biggest question on his mind.

“Can we take my tie off now?”

The End