Disclaimer Seth Rollins, and the various other superstars mentioned in this story are the property of the WWE and/or the actors / sports entertainers / superstars that portray them. This story is intended as tribute only and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights.

Original characters are the property of myself, and only children of my own imagination. Any resemblance to any real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

The Girl Who Lives
Part Twenty-Five

While they had left the house in plenty of time to get to the Courthouse, when they arrived, Seth found there was no available parking nearby and ended up having to park in a municipal lot, several blocks away. The three of them had to hurry to get there on time and by the time they got inside the building, made it through the metal detectors, and were heading to the third floor, where family court was held, they were running to make sure they would be on time.

"Seth, Kayla, Payton!"

As they were rushing past an open door that lead into a room they had never seen, Seth heard their names being called and all three of them stopped. Bethany was standing in the door way. "Sorry," Seth said, drawing in a deep breath. "I know we're late, but parking was impossible so we ended up parking a ways a way and we had to rush over here."

"It's okay," Bethany said, smiling. She was wearing a proper woman's business suit today, navy blue, with a lighter blue blouse under it. "You're fine. C'mon in, I just want to make sure you folks know what's going on."

They walked into the room and then stopped suddenly. It was a small room, made even smaller by the fact that it was full of people. Seth froze, looking around for a moment, his brain not quite understanding what his eyes were seeing. "What the-" he muttered.

"Payton!" came a happy shriek, and someone shot across the room and threw her arms around Payton, who hugged the person back.

"Leah!"

"Hey guys," Roman said, grinning at the looks of surprise on the faces of the Rollins family.

Roman, Jessica and Leah were there, as well as Dean, Cinnamon and Neil. And if that wasn't enough, Stephanie and Hunter were there and their three daughters and Beth and Evan, Payton's grandparents. Seth stared around, amazed. "You," he started to say, then paused, not knowing exactly what he did want to say, and realizing that there was a burning sensation behind his eyes.

"I thought it would be good for you to have some friendly faces in the courtroom today," Bethany said, smiling. "People who believe that you'll make good parents because they're parents themselves. So, I called your bosses," she paused and motioned towards Hunter and Stephanie, "And they talked to your friends here, and made the arrangements. And, of course Payton's grandparents wished to be here as well.

"Thank you," Seth said, his voice a harsh whisper. "This-this means so much to me."

Hunter had moved closer and put his hand on Seth's shoulder. "This is one of the biggest days of your life," he said. "You need the support of your friends-"

"-and family," Dean interrupted, "he's our brother, remember?"

"And family," Hunter agreed. "We know everything is going to be fine, but it never hurt to have a show of support."

"This must be so exciting for you," Stephanie said, smiling.

"Exciting and nerve wracking," Kayla admitted. "This last year has been pretty stressful."

"Well, it all ends today, hopefully," Bethany said, then looked at Payton. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm scared," Payton admitted with a nervous grin. "I-I-I want this so badly and I'm so afraid I'll screw it up."

"You won't," Bethany reassured her. "Even if you have to talk to Judge Knight in his chamber, you'll do fine. Just be honest with him. He's a very good man and he only wants what's best for you."

"What's best for me, is Uncle Seth and Aunt Kayla," Payton said firmly.

Juvenile court proceedings were not open to the public, but people who had a vested interest in the case were allowed to go inside, providing no one had any objections. Less than two minutes before the hearing was scheduled to begin, everyone filed into the courtroom. As Seth and Kayla had discovered earlier, the courtrooms for family/juvenile court were more informal, most likely to be less intimidating for children. The judge did sit at the head of the room, but the bench wasn't as high. The "witness" area was a chair next to the judge's bench, an adjustable chair. There was no jury area either. In general, the room was more open, and slightly more inviting than a regular courtroom, at least compared to the ones Seth had seen on TV. The only courtroom he had been in before this one was one he had visited with his High School Con. Law class and he barely remembered it.

One thing was the same, however. A few minutes after they were situated in the room, the bailiff entered and announced that the county juvenile court was now in session and that Judge Devin Knight was presiding and they should all rise. Everyone rose to their feet and the judge came into the room via a door in the back. Seth noted, with some relief, that Devin Knight was an older man, perhaps in his early '60s, with silver streaked dark hair and the look of man who had been a good father to his children and was likely now to be a doting grandfather. It was a kind face, not the face of a pushover, but the face of a man who would want what was best for Payton. Please, Seth thought, and he knew that Kayla was thinking the same thing, let him realize that what's best for Payton Caldwell is to become Payton Rollins.

He sat down at the bench and looked briefly through a pile of papers. When he looked up, he was smiling. "I have been familiarizing myself with this case," he said. "And I believe all findings from the state are that Seth and Kayla Rollins are fine, upstanding people who will make wonderful parents for Payton Caldwell." He looked over at Gina Picard, who Seth realized had been sitting quietly off to the side. "Is this true?"

Seth found himself holding his breath for what seemed like a long time, but in truth was less than five seconds, waiting for Gina's answer. She never liked me, he found himself thinking, Well, I never liked her, the nasty witch.

"Yes, your honor," Gina said.

She's wonderful, Seth thought. We should have her over for dinner when this is over with.

"And it is also the opinion of the state, and child welfare, that Payton is a good fit for the Rollins family?"

Again, Seth's breath caught in his throat. Don't be a bitch, Gina, please don't be a bitch.

"Yes your honor," Gina said again, then added, "from everything observed, Payton already is a member of the Rollins family."

You're the best, Gina. I'm glad you were our caseworker, you really know your stuff.

"Good," Judge Knight smiled, a warm smile. "All attempts to contact the child's blood family have been exhausted?"

"Yes, your honor,"Gina said. "Payton's only blood family are her grandparents, who are in the courtroom today to show their support for Payton, Kayla and Seth. Due to health and age issues, they both feel that the best thing for the future health, happiness and well being of Payton is to be adopted into the Rollins family. Both Mr. and Ms. Rollins agree that they will do what they can to make sure Payton continues to have a relationship with her maternal grandparents, both of them feeling this connection an important one."

"Excellent!" Judge Knight said, and Seth thought he really did look pretty happy. He turned his attentions to Bethany. "Does your client agree with the findings of the state in regards that the best thing for Payton Caldwell is to become a member of their family?"

"They do, your honor," Bethany said.

"And they understand that adoption is a permanent measure, one that will obligate them to caring for Payton just as if she were theirs by blood? That once this is finalized, as far as the law is concerned, she is just the same as any child by blood?"

"Yes, your honor," Bethany said, "and I can further assure you that permanent, legal custody, is exactly what the Rollins have hoped for since petitioning the court for adoption. The Rollins' have spared no effort to insure a proper, safe, environment where they hope Payton will not only thrive, but flourish in their care. In other words, your honor, they could not love Payton more if she were born flesh of their flesh."

Judge Devin Knight was still smiling as if every word he heard was a small and joyful symphony to his ears. The more Seth saw that smile, the more he liked this guy. "Excellent," he said, yet again. "And there is no one in this courtroom who objects to this adoption, or knows of anyone who would?"

Silence filled the room.

"Very good," the Judge said, nodding. "Well then, this seems pretty clear cut to me, but before I make my judgment, I would like the opportunity to talk to Payton alone for a moment. Does anyone object?"

"I do," a small voice said and it took a moment for Seth to realize it was Payton who spoke, Payton who was sitting between Kayla and him, clutching tightly to both of their hands, Payton who looked pale, frightened, but determined.

"I'm sorry, your honor," Bethany began, "Payton is young, she doesn't realize-"

"-No," the judge interrupted Bethany. "I did ask the question of everyone, she has the right to answer." He turned his attention to Payton, who had slid off the bench they were seated on, and was standing now. She had let go of Seth and Kayla's hand and was standing on her own, a slight sway to her body as if she might faint if this situation became any more stressful. Seth found himself leaning forward, ready to grab her at a moment's notice if she did start to fall. "Well, young lady, why do you object to talking to me in private? Do I scare you?"

"A little," Payton admitted, and a titter of laughter went through the courtroom. Seth wanted to glare at everyone, didn't they realize how intimidating this was for the girl?

"-But that's not why I'm ob-ob-objecting," Payton continued, almost tasting that last word. "Mister Judge, sir, I know why you want to talk to me alone."

"Oh?" the judge's brows raised and the faintest trace of a grin hovered on his lips. "You do?"

"Yes," Payton said, her head nodding as well. "You want to give me the chance to say how I feel about Uncle Seth an' Aunt Kayla without having to worry that they'll hear me, in case I want to say anything bad. But I don't have anything bad to say!" Her voice grew stronger as she spoke and the swaying she had been doing subsided as if her own words gave her confidence and strength. "Two doctors have asked me if there is anything I want to say without them hearing. Ms. Picard has asked me, and so has Ms. Laughlin. All of them have told me that anything I say will never get back to Aunt Seth and – I mean Uncle Seth and Aunt Kayla. But I have nothing to say about them that I don't want them to hear. I love them. And I want them to be my parents. They love me, they want me to be their kid. They say it to me all the time, but they don't just say it, they show it."

She took a couple of hesitant steps forward, still speaking, but wanting to get closer to the judge, perhaps so she would not have to talk so loud. "I think about this a lot, Judge sir, I have thought about it a lot."

When the judge nodded, giving Payton permission to move closer, she walked over to his bench and sat in the witness chair, smoothing the skirt of her dress. "I had a very sick brother," she said. "His name was Preston and he could be a real pain, but he was my baby brother and I loved him. He needed a lot of attention because he was sick. So much attention that my mom an' dad didn't have time for me."

She said the last in such a matter-of-fact tone of voice that Seth's heart went out to her, as it had a million times before.

If Payton knew that her words caused others discomfort, she showed no signs but continued. "Uncle Seth an' Kayla always have time for me. Uncle Seth is the greatest wrestler in the whole wide world and he's very busy because of that, but he always finds time for me. Always. Because he loves me. Aunt Kayla, too. They love me so much that they make me go to bed at the same time every night, even if I don't feel like it. They make me eat stuff I don't like because it's good for me. They made me study last summer, which I didn't want to, but they did it so when I went back to school, I wouldn't have to go into a class with littler kids than me. I went right into fourth grade, like all the rest of the kids. I love them, Mr. Judge, sir, and they love me too. I don't have to go off alone ad tell you that, I can say it right here. I know they love me and they know I love them. So, why not ask me here, right here, in front of them, what you'd ask me in private. Because when it comes to them? I don't have anything to say about them that wouldn't say to them."

Silence filled the room as Payton stopped talking, looking at the judge, an earnest expression on her young face. Seth wanted to jump up and cheer and he was pretty sure Kayla did too, but out of respect for this being a court of law, they remained seated. I love you, so much, Seth thought as if Payton might suddenly become telepathic.

"I see," Judge Knight said, his voice grave, but his eyes twinkling as he studied the young girl sitting next to him, nervously wiping her palms on her pretty dress. "Well, I was going to offer you a soda pop if we went to my chambers."

"That's all right," Payton said, almost primly. "Soda is bad for my teeth. Uncle Seth and Aunt Kayla only let me have one glass of soda a week and I'm saving that for Friday, if we have pizza."

A ripple of laughter went through the courtroom and even Seth had to smile at that.

The judge didn't laugh, but he did smile broadly. "Well then, Payton," he said, warmly. "If you don't want to have a soda and you really don't have anything you want to say about your aunt and uncle in private, maybe it is time to wrap this up. You seem like a very smart young lady and I'm sure you have better things to do then sit in a stuff courtroom."

"Oh, no, sir," Payton objected. "I'll sit in this stuffy courtroom all day and night if it means that Uncle Seth an' Aunt Kayla become my forever parents."

Again more laughter, but Judge Knight nodded, looking solemn. "All right then, I think I've made my decision." He looked over at Seth and Kayla. "Will the two of you approach the bench?"

Seth and Kayla got to their feet, exchanging looks, but walked to the bench. Seth expected Bethany to accompany them, but she stayed where she was, as if she knew her part in this was over and now it was between the three of them and the judge.

When they were almost to the bench, the judge made a motion, indicating they should stop where they were. Then he rose from the bench and held out his hand to Payton, who barely hesitated before taking it. Together, the two of them walked over to Seth and Kayla. "You can stand with them," the judge said, and Payton went over, then stood between them as the judge looked at the three of them.

"Being a judge in the juvenile court system is not always the easiest job," Judge Knight began. "Often I have to make decisions I find unpleasant and even distasteful. On days when that happens, I often wonder why I wanted to take this job anyway."

"But," he continued, "every so often a day like this comes. A day when I know I have the power to make decisions that will positively impact the lives of people, in this case, three people. Being a juvenile court judge gives me a power most judges do not have, it grants me the power to make families. And that's what I'm going to do today. I will take one couple, who have no children, and one little girl who has no parents, and turn them into a unit of three. A family."

"So, while most judges would just bang their gavel and declare this to be so, I think a situation like this calls for a little more ceremony than that. So, at this time, I would like to ask, Seth and Kayla Rollins, do you promise to take Payton Caldwell, not only into your home, but into your hearts? Do you promise to love and cherish her, to offer her guidance as she heads on the path towards adulthood, just as if she were flesh of your flesh and blood of your blood?"

As he was speaking, Seth felt the hairs on his neck standing on end, not with dread, but with a feeling that something ancient was happening here, a ceremony that was more binding than the court order itself would be. That what they were doing now was speaking out to the universe, to fate, telling them that forevermore, they would be Payton's parents and nothing, not even death could change that.

"We do," Seth and Kayla said in perfect unison, as if they had been rehearsing for weeks to get it right.

The judge smiled, then looked at Payton. "And do you, Payton, promise to take Seth and Kayla Rollins as your parents. To love them and honor them, to treat them just the same as you would if they were your parents by flesh and blood?"

"Better!" Payton said, then realized that wasn't the response expected and hurried to change it. "I mean, yes, I will, I mean I do!"

"Well then by the powers granted to me by the court of the state of Iowa, I do decree that from here forward, you are now the Rollins family. And from this day forward, unless you are legally old enough to change it, you shall be known as Payton Rollins." The judge smiled at the three of them. "You may now have your first true group hug as a family."

Seth scooped down and drew Payton in his arms, drawing her up so she was face to face, and he wrapped his other arm around Kayla and the three of them held each other tightly, and even though he knew it wasn't exactly manly of him, he felt the tears gathering in his eyes, spilling down his cheeks, he realized that ever since he was a kid, he'd thought the only thing he'd wanted was to be at the top of his career, to be the WWE wrestler that held the championship. And while he had that, it had been wonderful, but not nearly as wonderful as this was, to have Kayla, his wife and Payton his daughter and to know that they were and always would be, a family. Unashamed, he tightened his arms around them, these two people who were so important to him, knowing that also in this courtroom, watching this, were his brothers and their families. Payton's grandparents, who were now, in a sense, surrogate parents to him and Kayla as in all of them wanted what was best for Payton and would do what they could to make sure of that.

I have everything I could ever want, he thought. Everything that really matters.

When they drew apart, he saw Kayla and Payton's eyes were red too. "I love you both," he said, "so very much."

The End

Authors Notes: Well, here we are at the end of this tale, the longest story I have written to date for this fandom. Possibly the longest story I've ever written. 25 chapters. A whole bunch of words.

This is one of those moments I've been looking forward to and dreading at the same time. I want to see this ending, I wanted to see Payton end up where she should be, and for these three people to become a family. But I enjoyed the journey so much too.

I hope all of you who have joined me on this journey found the ending satisfying. And I hope you'll share your opinions with me as so many of you have from the start.

As for the future? I don't have any plans to do a direct sequel to this story, but rest assured you have not heard the last of Payton Caldwell Rollins. I have a short story in the works that focuses on her, but I have a long term project that involves all three families having a chance to spend some time together. So, you could say it's a continuation of this story and the next adventure for Cinnamon, Dean and Neil. And, giving Jessica, Leah, and Roman a little more time too. Jessica has been in my world the longest of the three wives, but she's had the least amount of time devoted to her. I hope all of you will consider joining me for that adventure too.

Special Thanks To:

Guest: Tada! Updated and finished! I hope this ending meets with your approval.

Torrie: As soon as they find a way for me to send cupcakes through the internet, I'll send you one, I promise!

Angela: Yeah, I wanted to let the readers know that this was not an easy battle, but I also didn't want to go through every struggle every moment of frustration. I hope I struck the right balance.

I'm sure some kids have been saved from pretty bad situations from having a social worker that didn't automatically assume life was rainbows and puppies. I hope now that you've finished this, you realize that yeah, Gina was tough, but she also wasn't stupid, she knew what was best for Payton.

Thank you. I wanted so hard for readers to get the feeling that these three people, Kayla, Seth, and Payton are a family and that they're a family built on love. Thank you for letting me know I got that right. Yes, I agree, Payton will have some issues in her life, but I think she's in the right place to work those out.

Zipper: All right, you can mail me a pizza, I won't say no.

You think Seth climbs on his roof all the time, so the neighbors are used to seeing it? I never really thought about that. I do know that I would be pretty shocked to see Seth on the roof too. But I think it just suited him as something he would do.

I know how you feel. I felt the same way as I wrote the ending.

Parvati: Well, it worked out the way you hoped, Seth and Kayla have their little girl. And while no one really lives Happily Ever After, as Kayla said, they're sure going to try.

I hope my author's notes answered your question. I will be continuing with the adventures of Cinnamon, Neil and Dean, but the next story they'll be sharing the limelight with Seth, Roman and their families too.

You're welcome. Again, I hope your exams went better than you hoped they did.

Emilee J: I think it all worked out for the best, don't you?

To everyone who F/F this story: Thank you. Seeing that people loved this story enough to want to make sure not to miss a single chapter meant a lot to me.

To everyone who reviewed: All positive reviews (meaning, not reviews that are deliberately meant to be mean for the sake of being mean) are precious and I thank everyone who left one. I had some dark times while writing this story. I lost my cat, who was more than a cat, he was a best friend. I had a lot of other things go down, went through a lot of hard times. This story was very hard to write thanks to that and I almost gave up on it several times. It was you folks, you readers who took the time to let me know you enjoyed the story that kept me going and I really appreciate it and all of you.

Thank you to everyone who joined me on this journey. And even though we're at the end, I do hope you'll take a moment and let me know what you think. Yes, this story is over, but the more encouragement I get, the more motivated I'll get to write the next story.

Until Next Time
Peace Out
Willow.