“Yes.” Her voice was solid.
“State your name for the record, please,” the judge requested.
“My name is Bonnie Abbott,” she replied. She liked the way it sounded as it came off her tongue. She was still getting used to the new name, but it fit her well. She liked being Bonnie Abbott.
“Thank you, Mrs. Abbott,” the lawyer told her. “I’m going to ask you some questions about the adoption. Is the child you are here to adopt named Tyson Moss?”
“Yes.” She grinned at Tyson, and he grinned back. He looked so professional in his dress shirt and tie.
“Are you married to Mr. Dylan Abbott?” the lawyer asked.
“Yes.” Dylan squeezed her hand and smiled.
It had been just a small ceremony at the ranch. She’d worn a simple white dress, and her parents had flown in from Europe. Brett was there, wearing his brand new police uniform. He’d joined the police academy once the murder trial was over. He was happy, and so was Bonnie.
“Do you have secure employment?” the lawyer asked.
“I do. I work at Mountain Hope Ranch as a teacher,” she replied.
“And as you are married to Mr. Abbott, I’m sure you are financially stable,” the judge responded with a chuckle.
“Do you have a place for you and the children to live?”
She grinned. “Yes.”
It was in the town of Silver Springs, just up the road from the ranch. Dylan bought it for her as a wedding gift. It overlooked the city and had mountain views. Plus, there were three bedrooms for future children.
“Would you like to change the child’s name?”
“Yes. We’d like to change his name to Tyson Abbott,” she replied. That was a good name, too. She and Tyson were both Abbotts now. It felt right.
“Mr. Abbott, you will now answer the same que
stions,” the lawyer announced.
Dylan sounded more confident than Bonnie did as he gave his answers. He couldn’t stop smiling at her and Tyson as each question was asked.
“And now, Tyson.” The lawyer smiled at the bubbly little boy bouncing up and down on the seat next to him. “Tyson, do you know why you are here today?”
“Yes. I’m here to be adopted!” He had a smile on his face from end-to-end.
The judge grinned at him.
“What does it mean to you to be adopted?” the lawyer asked.
“It means I get to have them be my real parents,” Tyson replied. He wiggled in his seat with excitement. “It means we’re a forever family.”
“Do you want to be adopted by the Abbotts today and do you want your name to be changed?” the lawyer asked.
“Yes and yes.” Tyson froze. “I mean, yes, sir.”
The lawyer chuckled. “What’s your name going to be?”
“Tyson Abbott.” Tyson beamed as he said it. “I’m going to be Tyson Abbott.”
“Okay, thank you, Tyson.” The lawyer patted Tyson’s shoulder. “I have no further questions, Your Honor.”
The judge sifted through the paperwork on her desk.