Epilogue
EPILOGUE
ROWENA
Five months later
Soleil giggles in my arms as she gnaws on the puffy ear of her stuffed bunny, blissfully unaware of the tense anticipation filling the sunlit courtroom. Adrian and I sit rigidly on the polished wooden bench, hands clasped tightly as if our interlocked fingers could somehow influence the outcome we’ve been praying for these past months. Our lawyer, a reassuring presence in her tailored suit, flips through a folder of documents beside us.
The courtroom door opens and the chatter of waiting families hushes. My heart hammers against my ribcage as the judge strides in, her black robes billowing. She takes her seat at the bench, appraising the room with kind but attentive eyes. Adrian brushes his thumb over my knuckles, capturing my hand with his. I glance up at him, recognizing my anxiety and hope mirrored in his handsome face.
There are a couple of proceedings before ours, and then the judge reaches our case .
“We are here today to finalize the petition of adoption for Soleil Amelia Taylor by Adrian James West,” she begins, her voice echoing in the reverent silence.
I pull Soleil closer, breathing in her sweet baby scent, as the judge reviews the files. Each second seems to stretch into an eternity. Then, the words we’ve been longing to hear:
“Upon review of the petition for adoption and the supporting evidence, it has been determined that the biological father has failed to acknowledge paternity or respond to the court’s summons. Given his lack of involvement and the best interests of the minor, the court hereby grants the adoption request, terminating the parental rights of the biological father and establishing the petitioner as the child’s legal parent. Congratulations.”
My throat is full and heat rushes up the back of my nose as a tsunami of relief and joy crashes over me. Adrian turns to me, his eyes shining with relief and adoration. Soleil coos between us, reaching out a chubby hand to pat her daddy’s stubbly cheek.
“We did it.” Adrian’s voice wavers with emotion. “We’re officially a family.”
He leans in, capturing my lips in a tender kiss as Soleil smooshes herself between our faces, demanding to be part of this celebration. Adrian and I laugh, peppering her rosy cheeks with kisses until she shrieks with delight. In this perfect, golden moment, everything we’ve been through—the heartache, the hurdles, the sleepless nights—it all feels worth it.
We emerge from the courthouse into a bright sunny afternoon, a gentle fall breeze tangling in my hair. Soleil is nestled against my chest, tuckered out from all the excitement. Adrian wraps an arm around my shoulders, and we pause at the top of the steps, just breathing.
It feels surreal, standing here with my husband and daughter, when only months ago I’d been drowning in the depths of postpartum depression, convinced I was signing divorce papers instead of adoption forms. But with a lot of therapy, love, and support, I’ve come out on the other side. I’m not “cured” by any means, I still struggle every day, but now I have the tools to manage my mental health without spiraling into depression. And having a partner like Adrian, who’s been my rock through it all, makes everything feel possible.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Adrian leans in, tucking a windswept lock of hair behind my ear.
“Just feeling grateful,” I reply, leaning into his solid warmth. “For you, for Soleil, for our family. And excited for whatever comes next.”
“Me too. I love you, Sunshine.”
“I love you, too, Bunny.”
I smile up at him, marveling at the journey that brought us here. This blended family we’ve created, with all its beautiful imperfections and boundless love.
Back home, as we step into the penthouse, a chorus of cheers and applause erupts from the living room. “Surprise!” Our friends jump out from behind furniture, their faces alight with joy. Soleil startles in my arms at the sudden noise, but then breaks into a gummy grin, waving her chubby hands excitedly.
A colorful banner dangles from the ceiling with the writing “Welcome home, Soleil Taylor West!” hand-painted with exquisite detail that could only be Nina’s handiwork. Streamers and balloons in soft pastel tones adorn every surface, transforming our usually sleek space into a whimsical wonderland.
The delicious aroma of homemade dishes wafts from the kitchen, mingling with the laughter and chatter of our loved ones. Adrian squeezes my hand, his eyes suspiciously misty. “I know you didn’t want to jinx the hearing by organizing a party before we had the final decision, but I couldn’t help myself. They were all so excited to celebrate with us.”
Emotion swells in my chest as I take in the smiling faces of our friends.
Nina beams with pride. “Congrats, mama bear! And papa bear, of course.” She winks at Adrian, who chuckles.
Hunter, radiant like I’ve never seen her before, pulls me into a warm hug, mindful of Soleil between us. “I’m so happy for you, Winnie.”
Dylan, his arm slung around Hunter’s waist, grins broadly. “Couldn’t have happened to a better couple. Soleil’s one lucky kid.”
I move past them only to be pulled into another hug by Reese. “Congratulations, we’re so happy for you.”
She and Thomas wear matching grins.
Our work relationship has progressed into more of a friendship, and with the official launch of my console scheduled for next week—to catch the holiday season shopping frenzy—I couldn’t be happier to have them here.
As if on cue, K-2P scurries in from the kitchen, carrying a tray of hard-boiled tiny eggs.
He lifts it up to me. “Quail eggs?”
“No, thanks,” I refuse with a smile.
The droid beeps in approval. “You’re right. I wouldn’t want to eat something that came out of a bird’s ass either. ”
Thomas, Reese, and I all burst into laughter, and K-2P scurries on to delight his next victim. I follow him, wanting to greet everyone.
As I make my way through the room, accepting hugs and well-wishes, a profound sense of peace settles over me. These people, who’ve been by my side through the highest highs and lowest lows, are more than friends—they’re the family I chose. The family that chose me. Like Adrian chose me and Soleil.
I watch my husband move effortlessly through the crowd, Soleil perched on his hip as if she was always meant to be there. The easy rapport he’s developed with my friends— our friends now—fills me with warmth. Two worlds, colliding and intertwining into something beautiful.
“Better get used to being outnumbered, Adrian!” Hunter calls out, eyes twinkling. “You’re officially a minority. Girl power woo-hoo!”
Adrian laughs, bouncing Soleil playfully. “I think I can handle it.”
The room dissolves into good-natured ribbing and shared laughter, the camaraderie palpable. As the celebration continues, stories and memories flow freely, painting a picture of the winding road that led us here.
“Remember when Winnie called in a panic, convinced she was in labor at thirty weeks?” Nina giggles, sipping her champagne. “Turns out, it was just gas.”
“Hey, in my defense, it felt very convincing at the time!” I protest, chuckling.
The tales continue, each one a thread in the tapestry of our shared history. The late-night cravings runs, the nursery decorating debacles, the moments of sheer terror and overwhelming love. And through it all, the unwavering loyalty of the people in this room .
As I lean against Adrian, Soleil back in my arms and dozing contentedly, I’m struck by the incredible journey that brought us to this moment. The path wasn’t always smooth or straightforward, but every twist and turn, every challenge and triumph, led us right where we were meant to be.
Here, surrounded by the love and laughter of our chosen family, I’ve never felt more at peace. More at home.
Later that evening, after our friends are gone and the apartment is quiet again, Adrian and I put Soleil to bed together. The nursery is awash in a soft, golden glow from the crescent moon nightlight, casting playful shadows on the pastel-colored walls.
“Once upon a time, in a land far, far away,” Adrian narrates Soleil’s favorite bedtime story. He takes on the role of the brave knight, his voice deep and heroic, while I play the part of the wise and kind fairy godmother.
Our daughter’s eyes sparkle with delight as Adrian brings the story to life, her tiny hands reaching out to touch the colorful illustrations. When he gets to the part where the knight faces off against the wicked ogre, Adrian’s voice drops to a comical growl, sending Soleil into a fit of giggles.
I watch them, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. The love between them is palpable, a bond that has grown stronger with each passing day—beyond biology and genetics. And now, with the adoption finalized, we’re even more united than before.
As Soleil’s eyelids droop, we tuck her in, placing gentle kisses on her forehead. “Sweet dreams, my little love,” I whisper, marveling at the perfect miracle that is our daughter .
Hand in hand, Adrian and I move to our bedroom, the events of the day still swirling in my mind. The moment the door closes behind us, he pulls me into his arms, his lips finding mine in a kiss that is both tender and passionate. Restless and content.
We make love slowly, savoring each touch, each sigh. In the afterglow, Adrian holds me close, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin. “I love you, Sunshine.” The words are thick with emotion. “I promise to always be there for you and Soleil, to love and support you both, no matter what.”
Unshed tears sting my eyes as I gaze up at him. “I know you will,” I whisper back. “You’ve already proven that, time and time again.”
We talk about the future, about family vacations and holiday traditions, about the adventures we’ll have and the memories we’ll make. We discuss our hopes and dreams for Soleil, imagining her first steps, her first words, her first day of school.
And as we drift off to sleep, our fingers intertwined, a sense of peace and contentment washes over me. Gone are the doubts and fears that once plagued me, replaced by an unshakable faith in the strength of our love and the promise of our future together.
This is where I’m meant to be, with my husband and our daughter. And I know, with absolute certainty, that no matter what challenges may come our way, we’ll face them together, hand in hand, heart to heart.
Always.