Four days later, Mark, Callie, Sloan, and Everett sat in the high-rise office of a lawyer Lucia recommended to them. Today was the last day they could meet with Archer before Sloan returned to school in Atlanta. They had put this moment off for as long as possible knowing it was a difficult decision for Sloan to make. However, they couldn't reschedule and if this was going to happen it would have to happen now. Archer was generally booked solid but he managed to squeeze them in as a favor to Lucia. The two of them had been friends for years and he promised to handle their guardianship case personally.

Callie didn't relish having to explain the situation to her mother, but Lucia was surprisingly understanding. She was grateful that her mother didn't have anything negative to say about their plans. She and Mark were certain that becoming Everett's guardians was the right thing.

She cradled Everett in her arms and watched him sleep. She envied his blissfully unaware state. All he knew was that he was safe and comfortable. Callie only hoped that they could always make him feel that way. She smirked slightly thinking about her role as a 'grandmother'. Callie would have to find some inventive ways to make Mark pay for making her a grandmother before her 40th birthday.

Mark reached over and squeezed Sloan's hand. He could see the apprehension on her face and felt ill prepared to comfort her. There was no denying this was a major decision for her to make as a parent. However, it was her decision and he couldn't help her make it. They had put off the inevitable as long as possible but Sloan needed to get back to school because Spring Break was over and they needed to get back to Seattle to tie up loose ends.

The abstract idea of giving Everett to Mark and Callie was very different from the concrete act. Sloan was worried about what Everett would think of her in the future. She had her mother's negative words floating in her head. Her mother was convinced that all she would ever do was pop out children and foist them onto other people.

Mark soothingly said, "Everett will always be your son, Sloan. We are not taking him from you. We are just taking care of him for you. Signing this piece of paper isn't going to change that. I wouldn't lie to you and Mr. Archer explained all of the details. You could turn around tomorrow and decide you'd like to have Everett back."

She sniffled. "I know that you wouldn't keep him from me. I'm just worried about what he will think about this when he's older. Will he think that I abandoned him just like I abandoned the older brother he never knew? I mean this is beginning to become a pattern. I get pregnant accidentally and dump my responsibilities off on someone else."

Callie bit her tongue because she knew that was Sloan's toxic mother speaking. However, the woman raised her and it wouldn't win Callie any points to bad mouth her right now. She knew from experience that even bad parents were still your parents and you loved them in spite of how horrid they were to you.

Mark shook his head. "Sweetheart, you aren't abandoning Everett and you didn't abandon your first born. You were responsible and you loved your baby boy enough to know that you weren't prepared to raise him. That's nothing to feel ashamed of in my opinion."

Sloan asked, "I can come visit him whenever I want, right?"

Callie clutched her other hand. "Of course you visit whenever you want. That would be the case even if we didn't have Everett. We are your family. You are always welcome in our home. We promise. If you want to see Everett and Skype just isn't doing it then we will buy you a ticket and you can come home for a weekend to see him."

Mark nodded in agreement.

Sloan blew out a slow breath and then quickly signed the paperwork in front of her before she lost her nerve. Afterward she sat back and wrung her hands slightly. "I did it."

Mark stood up and pulled her into a hug. "Yes, you did and I'm proud of you."

Callie looked at the lawyer. "What do we have to do now?"

He smiled warmly and shook his head. He couldn't get over how grown up Callie was now. He remembered her being a little girl and it didn't seem so far into the past. He said, "You don't have to do anything. I will have the paperwork filed with the county clerk and it will be on record. I'll have my secretary make copies for you and Ms. Riley so that you can keep them for your records."

Mark said, "Thank you for your help."

"It is my pleasure. Just give me a moment and I'll have the copies ready for you," said Archer. He walked out of his office with the paperwork to give them to his secretary and to give the family a moment alone.

Callie stood up and pulled Sloan into a one armed hug. "Are you okay?"

Sloan nodded and blinked back tears. "I'm okay." She looked down at Everett's sleeping face. "I know that he will be safe with you and Dad. I'll never be able to thank the two of you enough for doing this."

Mark put an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "All you need to do his finish college. I just want for you to have a good life."

He handed her his handkerchief to dry her eyes.

She asked, "What time is my flight tonight?"

Callie said, "Your plane leaves at 10:00 but we're going to take you to the airport at 8:30 just to make sure you get through security okay. Mark and I thought that we could all get dinner together before you leave."

Sloan shook her head. "No, I don't think I want to do that. I think I want to be alone for a little bit. I still need to pack."

Mark nodded in understanding. "Next time, sweetheart. Do you want us to bring Everett to the airport when we see you off."

She shook her head again. "No, I think it would be better to say goodbye to him at the hotel. There's no way I'd be able to hold it together at the airport."

The lawyer walked back into the room with two manila envelopes. He handed one to Mark and the other to Sloan. "There is a copy of the paperwork and my card is in there as well. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to give me a call."

Mark said, "Thank you again."

They exited the lawyer's office and went back to the parking garage.

Callie handed Everett to Sloan as they approached the car. She could see the young woman was yearning to hold her son. In a few short hours, they would be nearly 700 miles apart. It was enough to cause anyone some serious anxiety.

Once everyone was settled in the car Mark started driving back toward the hotel. He said, "I know you aren't in the mood to eat at a restaurant but you should at least get room service before you leave. It'll be midnight before the plane touches down in Atlanta."

Callie said, "Since I'll be staying behind at the hotel to watch Everett I can pack for you while you are eating diner."

Sloan studied Everett's face as he squirmed slightly in his car seat. She smiled a little realizing that Mark and Callie were trying their best to take care of her. Sloan said, "I guess room service wouldn't be so bad."

Mark relaxed a little hearing that Sloan was willing to eat. He was concerned that leaving Everett behind might send her into a depression. He didn't know much about the Riley side of the family but the Sloan's were predisposed to depression. His own mother self-medicated with prescription pills long before it was the trendy thing to do. He used indiscriminant sex to self-medicate.

He worried that if Sloan was struggling that she wouldn't come to him just like she didn't say a word about Everett until she was in over her head. Mark vowed to take a more active role in Sloan's life even if it annoyed her a little bit. He couldn't be blamed for not being there for her when she was a child but he had no excuses now.

When they arrived at the hotel Mark climbed out of the car and left his car in the hands of the valet.

Once Mark was in the room alone with Callie he said, "I'm worried about her."

She nodded. "So am I but we knew this was going to be hard on her. We just have to make sure that continues to feel like she's a part of Everett's life. That means as many pictures, phone calls, and Skype video conferences as we can manage."

Mark had a seat on the bed and looked at Callie. "Well, it is official. We're Everett's guardians. How do you feel about that?"

She smiled. "I am happy. I like knowing that he's going to be with us and that Sloan will get to focus on school. I remember being in college and I don't think I would have been capable of being a mother and a student. I know a lot of women do it and I applaud them because I was a wreck in college."

He smirked and pulled her onto his lap. "I don't believe you. I can't imagine you not in complete control."

She giggled and asked, "Do you not remember my complete melt down at the hospital when I found out George was having an affair? It takes a lot to crack me but when it happens…well, it is a spectacular sight."

Mark chuckled. "I happen to vividly remember that meltdown."

Callie kissed him softly. "You were there to pick up the pieces for me. You are always there to pick up my pieces. I'm lucky to have found you."

He nuzzled her neck and caressed her back. He said, "You have been there to pick up my pieces, too. We've always been that for each other and we always will be, Callie."