Because that’s where their story began.
As easy as it was to get here after Rick was out of the picture, the waiting game was what almost killed Benji. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t scared, freaked out that, at any moment, Rick could change his mind, come back, and ruin everything. But they hadn’t heard a peep out of him. Hadn’t seen him or anything. It was like he fell off the face of the earth. It was ridiculous, but in a way, he didn’t care. He’d wanted Rick gone, and he was gone. Now he just wanted to adopt his Angie.
And he was.
“Now, Angela, who is this man that is standing beside you?”
Angela beamed up at him as she swung their hands back and forth. “He’s my dad.”
Everyone aww’d behind them as Benji’s eyes started to cloud with tears.
“Good, so you know that this man is your father. That it will be as if you are his flesh and blood?”
She nodded. “Yup. He’s my dad.”
Benji swallowed hard as the judge nodded, “That’s right. Now, Mrs. Paxton, do you agree to this adoption?”
Before Lucy could answer, though, Benji heard Autumn in the back. “Did he say Mrs. Paxton to Lucy? Are they married?”
But Lucy just grinned, nodding her head as she swallowed. “Yes, sir, I do.”
“And, Mr. Paxton, it is your wish to adopt Angela Hart?”
He almost couldn’t speak his throat was so tight, but then she glanced up at him and grinned. A tear rolled down his face as he nodded, his voice hoarse as he said, “I want nothing more than to do that, your honor.”
Angie giggled as she bounced on her heels, and when Benji met Lucy’s love-filled gaze, his heart ached. They had all been so excited for this day. It was the big event of the year, especially since the Assassins had lost in first round of the play-offs to the Blackhawks. This was something to look forward to. While he was disappointed that he didn’t have a run at the Cup, he was happy to have time with his girls.
The whole summer off while Lucy worked.
She was designing like crazy, and they had already decided she would need a bigger place before the New Year. As much as he hated to see her go from the backyard, he understood and was excited for her. Angie had done great in school, excelling in her classes, and she was awesome on the ice. She was the next Baylor, he decided, and just thinking of Baylor made him smile. She had announced her retirement the month before, and while he was bummed to see her go, he couldn’t wait to meet the little bundle of joy she was carrying. Autumn was convinced it was a miracle baby, and everyone else agreed. They were all excited.
The way a family should be.
His family.
As Benji looked from Angie’s profile to Lucy, he couldn’t help but think of Ava and Leary. How he was going to make them proud by loving these two women with all the fierceness in the world. The guilt was still there in the background at being so happy, but he decided that was something he’d have to live with because he wasn’t living without his girls.
As they signed the paperwork the judge had given Mark, Benji’s hand shook so badly, but he was able to get his signature on the paper. He couldn’t help but grin at Lucy as she signed too. They even had Angie sign below their names, and when she looked up at them, the future in her eyes, Benji had to do everything to keep it together.
When Mark handed back the paperwork, the judge stamped it and nodded, looking up at Benji, Lucy, and Angie.
“I’m going to metaphorically take off my judge’s robes here for a second, since I know you to be good, Christian people. A child you raise will likely be your greatest contribution to God’s kingdom, not your own acts. And I truly believe that a family is God’s masterpiece. Benjamin, you are getting the gift of something truly special. A beautiful young lady who you will help mold into an adult who will mirror you and your wife,” he said. He paused as lips curved, and Benji’s body broke out in gooseflesh. He swore he heard Autumn ask once against if the judge had said wife, and he almost looked to Lucy. Hadn’t she told her mother that they had to get married for this to happen? Before he could, though, the judge captured his gaze. “I am very proud of the three people I see in front of me, and I will never forget this case. I pray that you live long, happy lives—and that the teenage years don’t drive you into the ground.”
They laughed, Benji’s face hurting from smiling so hard as he looked down at Angie. As much as he wanted to believe she would be a great teenager, he would never forget the story of Lucy Sinclair as one. Or hell, himself.
They were doomed.
But he didn’t care as long as he was with Lucy, being doomed together.
“So let’s get this started, huh?” the judge asked and they all grinned up at him.
Benji actually held his breath as he squeezed Angie’s hand.