CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
The roar of the C-130 engines faded into the distance as Aussie and his team stepped onto the tarmac. It had been a grueling two weeks of training, but they were finally home. Despite the ache in his muscles and the exhaustion tugging at his every step, Aussie’s thoughts were on his next mission. But this wasn’t just any mission. Ava’s court hearing was scheduled for the following day, a day that could change her life, Christian’s life, and his own.
One month. That’s how long it had been since the chaos unfolded, since the day that Ava had thrown herself in front of Christian to shield him from a bullet that was meant to end his life. The memory still haunted Aussie. The sight of her crumpled on the ground, pale face, and the blood staining his hands as he tried to keep her conscious. She had nearly died, and that moment had shattered him in a way no battlefield ever could.
It had been a stark reminder of how much she meant to him. He couldn’t lose her. She wasn’t just the woman he loved. She was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. And Christian? That boy wasn’t just Ava’s world. He was Aussie’s world as well. He couldn’t stop imagining what life could be like with her and Christian as a family.
Tomorrow, the court would decide. He had been counting down to it for weeks, planning every detail of his support for her and Christian.
As the team approached the hangar, Aussie immediately noticed something was off. Derek stood just outside the building, his arms crossed, his expression tense. He wasn’t the type to linger without good reason, and the way his eyes locked onto them sent a jolt of unease through Aussie.
“Shit, it is never a good sign when he picks us up,” Bear muttered as they picked up their pace.
The team slowed as they reached Derek, who wasted no time. He looked at Aussie.
“Ava’s court date got moved up. It’s happening right now . ”
“What?” Aussie’s voice shot up, his stomach dropping. “Right now?”
Derek nodded, his tone brisk. “It started about fifteen minutes ago. Get in,” he said, motioning toward the van.
Aussie froze, the weight of Derek’s words crashing into him. His pulse thundered in his ears. If the hearing had already started, there was a good chance he’d miss it entirely.
“Move your ass, Aussie!” Derek barked, snapping him out of his daze.
Aussie shook himself from his thoughts and practically threw himself into the van, his teammates following with a mix of confusion and urgency.
“Why would they move the day?” Playboy asked, his tone laced with disbelief.
“I have no idea,” Aussie shot back as Jay Bird slammed the door closed, and the van lurched forward, tires squealing as they sped toward the courthouse.
The van ride was a blur. Every stoplight, every turn, felt like an eternity. Everyone was silent, and the tension was thick in the cramped van. Aussie tapped his foot anxiously against the floor, silently praying that he would get there in time. He had promised Ava that he’d be there.
He had planned to speak on her behalf, to tell the court how fiercely she loved Christian and how much she deserved to be his mother. But he had something else planned as well. It was something he hadn’t shared with anyone, something that might surprise them all.
The courthouse finally came into view, and Aussie was out the door before the van had fully stopped, his team following close behind.
Once they made it through security, the echoes of their boots filled the marble hallways as they searched for the right courtroom.
When he found it, he burst through the doors, his heart pounding. But then he froze at the sight before him.
Inside, near the front of the room, Ava sat at one of the tables, surrounded by Jocelyn, Clover, Hannah, and Gabby. Tears streamed down her face, and her shoulders shook as she hugged Christian tightly.
Aussie’s heart sank. He was too late.
“Ava,” he whispered as he crossed the room in three long strides. She looked up, and the moment their eyes met, she launched herself into his arms. Her sobs wracked her body as he held her close, his own eyes burning with unshed tears.
“I’m so sorry,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I should’ve been here.”
Her sobs softened, and she pulled back just enough to look at him. Her beautiful face was streaked with tears. But there was something else in her expression. It was a spark that he didn’t understand. “Aussie,” she started, but he shook his head, cutting her off.
“No, let me finish.” His voice was thick with emotion. “I love you, Ava. And I love Christian like he’s my own son.
He took a deep breath, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small velvet box. Ava’s eyes widened as Aussie dropped to one knee and opened the box, revealing a sparking diamond ring. Gasps rippled through the courtroom as some clasped their hands to their mouths in shock and delight.
“Ava,” he said, his voice trembling, “you are the strongest, most incredible woman I’ve ever known. You’ve shown me what it means to love without fear, to fight without hesitation. I want to be the man who stands by you every day for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?” He then looked up at Christian, who was wide-eyed, looking between him and Ava. “And Christian. I want to be your dad if you’ll let me.”
For a moment, Ava stared at him, her tears falling faster. Then, to his surprise, her sobs turned into laughter, a sound so unexpected that Aussie blinked in confusion.
What the fuck? He thought to himself.
“Aussie,” she said through her laughter as she reached out and cupped his cheek, “I love you, too. And I’d love nothing more than to marry you. But,” her laughter grew as she wiped her cheeks. “I’m not crying because the court didn’t approve me. I’m crying because they did. Christian is staying with me. He’s my son, officially.”
Aussie’s jaw dropped. “Wait…what?”
Christian grinned, tears glistening in his own eyes. “She’s not lying, Aussie. She’s my mom.”
Laughter echoed through the room as Aussie stood up and rubbed the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed. But relief flooded through him. The vise that was squeezing his heart loosened, letting his heart swell with joy. “Well,” he said, grinning at her, “that still doesn’t change the fact that I want to marry you. And Christian, I still want to be your dad.”
Ava wiped her tears, smiling up at him. “Then yes, Aussie, a thousand times yes. I will marry you!”
Aussie smiled as he slipped the ring onto her finger before pulling her into his arms and kissing her. When they broke apart, he saw Christian standing there, but when Aussie held out an arm, the boy rushed into the hug, burying his face against Aussie’s chest.
“What do you say, Christian?” Aussie whispered. “Can I be your dad?”
Christian nodded, his shoulders shaking as he started to cry. “I want that,” he said, his voice muffled against Aussie’s body.
The moment was broken by a soft cough. When they looked in the direction of the front of the room, Judge Holten was sitting at the bench with an amused smile.
“Well, this was certainly unexpected. But for the record, as soon as you two tie the knot, I’d be honored to approve the paperwork for Mr. Mitchell to adopt Christian officially.
The courtroom erupted in applause and cheers. Ava laughed, wiping her tears as she looked up at Aussie. “I love you.”
He smiled back at her, “I love you, too,” he said, leaning down and kissing her warm lips.
Before the moment could settle, Clover clapped her hands for attention. “Alright! Enough crying and kissing for now. We’ve got a party planned at Bayside tonight to celebrate!
Ava looked at Clover like she had two heads. “You already planned a party?”
Clover grinned and nodded. “Yep.”
“But how did you know what the outcome would be?” Ava asked her.
Her grin grew by the second, and she glanced at Judge Holten. “I might have had a heads up,” she said sheepishly.
Aussie chuckled as Ava’s draw dropped, and she looked at her friend and colleague, Judge Holten, who had just winked before leaving the room.
Aussie pulled Ava close. “I guess tonight we have a lot to celebrate,” he said.
She smiled. “Yeah, I guess we do.”
Aussie pulled her and Christian into another hug, his heart fuller than it had ever been. For the first time in his life, everything felt exactly as it should. They were a family. And nothing would ever change that.