A/N: Well, kiddies, we're back. Huge hugs to brenna-louise for all her work beta-reading this story. Thanks to dibdab4 for allowing me to reinvent something she tackled in "Uncovering Love" - have you read that? If not, you really should. A-MA-ZING fic.
Shout-out to all of you who continue to love this story, from my "#1 fan" to the ones who pop in and out. I read and love every review, and I particularly want to acknowledge all of the guest reviewers to whom I cannot write back. To that end: Yes, I wish Charles were MY financial manager, too. However, to be fair, the guy sold a house and two businesses within one year of each other; he's good to go. Also, a few of you have asked about Miss Stephanie. She's no longer Daisy's teacher and so we may not see her again, but please rest assured that she's living a happy, quiet life in Misty Cove. :) I love that you loved her and that you're interested in her future.
Please enjoy this mostly FLUFFY chapter. It covers a few weeks in November, and you can presume that each snippet between the lined cuts is a different day. Song inspiration is from my daughter, who's been asking me FOREVER to find a place for this song; Downton is MY fangirling thing, but Miley Cyrus is hers. It's a lovely song; check it out on my Spotify or just Google it.
When you've finished, please leave a little review if you're so inclined. Thanks!
xx
CSotA
When my world is falling apart
When there's no light to break up the dark
That's when I, I ... I look at you.
When the waves are flooding the shore
And I can't find my way home any more
That's when I, I ... I look at you.
When I look at you, I see forgiveness
I see the truth:
You love me for who I am
Like the stars hold the moon
Right there where they belong
And I know I'm not alone.
~Miley Cyrus, "When I Look At You"
November, 2015
Charles hummed in his half-asleep state, the remnants of a very lovely dream floating through his mind. He groaned as he imagined Elsie's hands upon him and then gasped into wakefulness as he realized he was no longer dreaming.
"El-" he began, but she silenced him with her fingers on his lips; he reacted with a speed that seemed unnatural given his grogginess and nipped her fingertip, making her smile brightly.
"Shh," she warned, tilting her head toward the door. "I think one of them was up a while ago, getting a drink of water."
"Did you lock the door?" he murmured, and she nodded.
"Yes, of course. So just stay quiet."
She pushed his t-shirt up and trailed kisses over his torso. But when she moved a bit further down, slipping her hands under the waistband of his pants, he laid his hands on her shoulders.
"Wait," he said. "Come back up here with me. Please."
She playfully trailed her fingernails up his torso as she did as he asked, lying on her side and facing him as he sat up and removed his shirt. He leaned over and kissed her sweetly, then trailed his lips to the soft spot behind her ear followed by the smooth skin on her collarbone, sliding aside the strap of her nightgown as he did so.
"Charlie," she whispered - a warning, albeit slight - as he cupped her breast. "Don't. Please." She reached her hand up and placed it over his, stopping him.
"Why not?" he asked, moving his hand to cup her bottom instead as he trailed kisses over to her shoulder.
She pushed him away a bit, and saw the hurt expression on his face. "I … I'm sorry, Charlie."
He sighed a bit and looked at her curiously. "What is it, Elsie? You've not let me touch you for almost three weeks. Are you uncomfortable? I know I've been a bit crabby lately with the stress of the house and all, but …" He gave a nervous laugh. "I hope you're not going off me."
Her eyes widened. "No! Oh, good heavens, is that what you think?" She sat up and waved a hand in the air, indicating her body. "Look at me, Charlie. It's … Well, it's not very appealing, is it? I'm swelling up and getting stretch marks. I'm getting fat, my skin is splotchy … Trust me, you're better off not seeing it all just now."
He sat straight up and looked down at her, reaching for her hand and taking it gently in his.
"Are you serious? Do you truly think that I'll find you … wanting, somehow? Unattractive?"
She nodded, biting on her lip.
Charles swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He glanced at the clock - Just gone five, he noted with relief, no way those kids are up - and coaxed Elsie to come and stand, her legs between his knees; she obeyed silently, looking at him curiously.
Charles rested his hands on her hips and placed a kiss to her abdomen - above where the baby lay - allowing his forehead to rest on her breastbone for a moment. When he pulled his head back, Elsie saw that his eyes were damp.
"Charlie?" she asked quietly.
"Oh, Elsie," he said, his voice thick, "my beautiful, beautiful wife. How could you ever think I'd find you wanting?"
"But all of the- "
"All of the things you mentioned," he said, silencing her with his raised eyebrows and expressive eyes, "are part of what is making you more and more remarkable every day. They're all part of this amazing, wonderful miracle, this baby that neither of us ever expected or dared to hope for. Every mark on your body, every change, every extra pound, is there because you are giving of yourself for this most precious gift. How on earth could I ever find that not beautiful?"
She laughed quietly, shaking her head. "It's not, I can assure you," she insisted.
"It is," he argued, sliding his hands up the back of her thighs and squeezing her hips. He brushed his fingertips over her belly, and she giggled when it tickled.
"I don't believe you," she said.
"Well," he said, lifting the hem of her nightgown a bit. "Perhaps I can show you."
She opened her mouth to deny him, but then closed it again before saying anything.
"If you feel uncomfortable, just tell me. But please, Elsie, don't shut me out because you think I'll find you ... less of yourself, somehow. I could never think that."
He tugged on the hem again; after a few seconds she nodded, and he lifted the nightie over her head and discarded it to the floor. His mouth opened a bit and he gasped, shaking his head at how marvelous she looked to him.
"Beautiful," he murmured, and he gently reached his hands up to cup her breasts, kissing them gently and sighing with relief as her head tipped back again, a hum of desire escaping her lips.
"Come here," he said again, scooting back on the bed. He extended his hand and she took it, kneeling beside him and running her hands up and down his torso once again.
"I love you so much, Charlie," she marveled, watching her fingers as they trailed through the hair on his chest. "Sometimes I can't even express it. And it rarely occurs to me that you might feel the same."
"But you know I do," he said. "Somewhere, in your heart, you know it."
She nodded. "I do, because you're so wonderful about reminding me all the time."
He sat up to kiss her, a long, lingering, deep kiss, and then she pushed him back on the pillows.
"Off," she said, flicking a finger toward his pajama bottoms; he readily complied, his eyes widening as he wondered what, precisely, she had planned.
She chuckled as she stretched her leg out to straddle him, sitting back on his thighs as she caressed him with her soft hands.
"Are you sure?" he asked softly, his breath staggered as she continued to touch him.
"Doesn't look like we have much choice now," she said, motioning to her stomach. "I expect you must remember that, though," she smirked, knowing how much he loved it like this.
But he just shook his head noncommittally as he reached out and placed his hands on her legs. He massaged them lightly as she raised herself up; she leaned down to meet him as he stretched his upper body toward her. Their lips met as he joined them slowly, carefully, catching her deep moan with his mouth and effectively silencing her.
She watched him watch her as she slowly moved over him; eventually, however, she had to close her eyes, her desire climbing as he moved deep within her, her head now thrown back. She reached her hands out blindly and he caught them in his own, lacing their fingers together as she squeezed, tightly, and lost herself to him once again.
"It's a miracle that we barely made a sound," she said later, lying on her side as he cradled her in his arms from behind.
"I know," he chuckled, his lips and tongue gently kissing her shoulder, back, and the top of her arm. "I'm rather proud of that, actually. God, Els, please don't make me wait another three weeks before we can do this again."
"Well, once this baby comes, you'll have to wait," she teased. "Surely you remember all of this, Charlie? I swear, sometimes you make me forget you've ever been through this all before. The necessary accommodations, shall we call them? Fewer positions available? I'm sure you didn't mind, though," she laughed.
"Certainly not," he agreed, waggling his eyebrows. "Watching my gorgeous wife hovering above me? That, my dear, is just about perfect."
"And all the … well, the afterward things we'll have to look forward to, such as they are. I'm not sure what to expect at all, really, and I'm counting on you to help me here."
"We're learning together, love," he mumbled.
She turned in his arms. "What do you mean?" she asked, her brow wrinkled.
"I've ... not been through all of this, really … not exactly," he said haltingly. "Not in the way you think I have. Alice ... well, she didn't want me near her when she was pregnant," he said. "But it doesn't matter. I don't want to talk about her, or that time. Not now … not here, not when I have these precious moments with you before the day gets busy and noisy and full of kids."
"You poor thing," she said softly, caressing his cheek with her thumb before placing a chaste kiss to his lips. "But you're so … " Loving, caring, amazing, her mind was filling in, but she stopped speaking; he'd said he'd rather not discuss it, and she wanted to respect his wishes.
For now, she thought.
He kissed her forehead and pushed her back over onto her other side, gently, wrapped her up in his arms again, and intertwined his legs with hers.
"I've only ever been this way with you," he said. "Only you."
She hummed a reply, and smiled as she felt him relax behind her, the weight of his arm heavier as he drifted off; she didn't see as he smiled sadly into her hair, thinking just before he dozed off once again how very, very lucky he was to have this amazing woman in his life.
"Who was that?" Elsie asked. She and Tommy were in the kitchen, preparing dinner, and he'd just gone to answer the phone.
"Chief Vyner," Tommy replied. "He said for you to call him as soon as you have a moment."
Elsie took a deep breath. "Alright."
"He sounded happy," Tommy added. "So maybe it's good news."
"Mm," she answered, her mind already going full-tilt over all of the possibilities.
"I'm heading out to the barn," Tommy said. "Do you want to come with me?"
Elsie turned and smiled sadly at him, shaking her head. "No," she said softly. "Not today."
Tommy opened his mouth to reply, to encourage her to come back out, given that she'd been avoiding the barn all week. But he thought the better of it at the last minute; shrugging nonchalantly, he brought his backpack to his room, dropped it on his bed, and headed out.
Elsie dried her hands and picked up the phone.
"Vyner."
"It's Elsie Carson. Tommy said you called?"
"Are you sitting down?"
Elsie swallowed, reaching for the chair arm behind her as she grabbed it, steadied herself, and sat. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Charles come in from the backyard, and he wordlessly sat beside her and took her empty hand in his.
Vyner, she mouthed, and he nodded.
" … won't need you to testify," the chief was saying. "Your husband's niece is up tomorrow, and the DA thinks she can clinch the entire thing. It's possible that you'll be called after that, but highly unlikely given the contents of your deposition."
"My God," she whispered, and she felt Charles squeeze her hand. "He said it's unlikely I'll have to testify," she explained, tilting the phone away from her mouth.
"And Mary?" Charles asked.
"Tomorrow," she whispered. "Yes - sorry, yes, I'm still here."
Charles watched as a variety of expressions passed over his wife's face: anger, disgust, sorrow, and more.
"Yes, he is," he heard her say. He raised an eyebrow at her, but she shook her head once, trying to focus.
"Yes, we are. Is that going to be a problem?"
A pause, then, "Oh, for Christ's sake … Yes, yes, I understand. Alright, I'll tell them. But they'd better not do that. There's nothing whatsoever that he could possibly say- Yes, I see. Thanks, Chief … Yes, I'll suggest that to him. Thanks again. Bye."
She pressed the red button to hang up and sat back forcefully in the chair, her head tilted back and her eyes shut tightly.
"They're calling Mary tomorrow," she repeated. "And he suggests that she have a ride. He's rather worried about the cross-examination; evidently she didn't do so well during prep and they're afraid she may break down."
"Wonderful," he sighed sadly. "Just what she needs."
"That's not all," Elsie added. "There is a very slight chance that they'll want to speak with Tommy."
"What?"
She lifted her head and squeezed his hand, kissing the back of it. "It's unlikely," she reiterated.
"They'd have to do that in chambers," Charles said. "He's a minor."
"Yes, and he was verifying that we are Tommy's legal guardians, and not Mary. One of us would have to go with him - or both."
Charles nodded, thinking. "It's because Laura and Richard were siblings, I presume."
"Yes," she said. "Although I'm not quite sure what bearing that would have on the fire. Sarah set it because she snapped, although the way she planned it out was very, very calculated. She's not crazy, Charlie, of that I'm positive. But she didn't have anything against Tommy or Laura, from what I can glean from various things. She was after Richard, I'm sure of it." She shook her head, and her eyes misted. "That poor, poor woman was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Neither of them heard Tommy come in, but he sniffled, alerting them to his presence.
"Tommy," Elsie said softly. "I'm so sorry, dear. I … I didn't know you were there."
But the look she found on Tommy's face wasn't one of deep sorrow; no, Tommy Barrow was, at that very moment, quite angry indeed.
"She can rot in hell if I have anything to say about it," he said lowly. Elsie felt Charles's hand twitch in hers and she squeezed it, hoping to shush him before he admonished the boy for voicing what they all were thinking.
But Charles surprised them all by simply saying, "Agreed."
Tommy met his gaze, and his own softened just a bit as a sliver of fear crept in. "Would you come with me? If I had to go and speak to the judge … would you?"
Charles was touched. "I would," he said, his voice rumbling. He inclined his head and his face softened just a bit. "I promise," he added.
Tommy nodded and then headed past the table on his way to his room.
"Thank you," he said quietly as he passed Charles. Elsie reached out and brushed his arm with her hand, but he kept walking before he lost all control completely.
"That went well," she said sarcastically.
"Oh, I think it did," Charles mused.
Elsie looked at him curiously. "Penny for them?"
Charles licked his lips, his gaze focused in the direction of Tommy's room.
"I think the boy is well on his way to becoming a man," he said quietly. "And he is very, very angry."
"Do you blame him?"
"No, not at all," Charles said. "In fact, I think we should be rather proud of him. It's a lot to deal with, and he's doing admirably."
"Well," Elsie said, getting up from her chair, "I'd say he has an excellent model for how to be a good, thoughtful man."
Charles caught her hand in his and pulled her down onto his lap, making her laugh as he tucked his head under her chin; she wrapped her arms around him and cradled him there for a moment, then placed a kiss to his head.
"It's true," she said. "Just like you're a wonderful example for Daisy, and just as I know you'll be a wonderful father to our little addition."
He rubbed her abdomen with his hand, and was rewarded with a small, fluttering kick.
"Well, hello there, little one," he said softly, his voice rumbling through his chest.
"He likes your voice," Elsie said.
"He? Are you so sure?" Charles asked.
"Ha! Not at all," she admitted. "But why not?"
He snuggled in more closely, smiling when she leaned down to kiss his forehead. "And you don't want to find out?" he asked, for what must have been the fifteenth time that week.
"Charlie, if you really need to know, then we can find out!" she laughed. "Otherwise, no, I'm perfectly fine having it be a surprise."
"Alright," he acquiesced. "As long as he - or she - is happy and healthy, then I don't care."
"Agreed."
Elsie was just finishing up a cup of tea when the phone rang. She grabbed it absentmindedly as she scanned the newspaper in front of her.
"Did you know there's a York County Adoption Day?" Phyllis asked as soon as Elsie picked up the phone. "With two separate days for adoptions?"
"Hi Phyllis. No, I didn't. Where?"
"The first is at the Probate Court."
"Well, we were planning on Bangor, but I think we'll do York County if at all possible. Whereabouts is it? And when?"
"November twenty-first if you do the court. I think the other is the sixteenth, but that might be tough. And it's at a children's museum, which may be a bit … juvenile. For Tommy, anyhow."
Elsie had whistled softly. "That's soon. Alright - let me talk to Charles and Tommy. Can I call you right back?"
"Sure."
She hung up and went down the hall to the bedroom, where Charles was folding the laundry.
"Hey, Mum," he teased lightly. "What brings you in here?"
She grabbed a shirt and started folding. "Phyllis called. On the twenty-first, there's a National Adoption event at the courthouse in Alfred. It's right here in York County, about half an hour away."*
"That would be great. Should we ask Tommy?" He tossed a pair of Daisy's jeans into her basket and reached for another.
Elsie nodded. "Yeah, I think so. It's just easier all around. And he's ready."
Charles was silent, continuing to fold things and sort into baskets for the kids to put away; Elsie helped him finish, then reached over and tucked herself under his arm.
"What is it?" she asked.
"The usual," he said with a sad smile.
She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his chin. "We've been through this. You're a marvelous father, Charlie, and you'll continue to be one no matter which child we're discussing."
"I know you feel that way," he said slowly, "but …"
"Shall we ask them? Can we do it now? Because I guarantee that the only person in this house that doesn't think you're an amazing, wonderful father is you."
Charles looked at her, words failing him as he tried to verbalize his thoughts. They were a mess, but luckily it was a mess that Elsie was rather used to by now.
"Having had a rotten father is a rather good way to figure out what not to do," she reminded him quietly. "Trust me; I know."
"Yeah," he whispered, pulling her closer.
"So. A week. Can you arrange it by then?"
"Can I- Oh. Yes, of course," he smiled. "I'd nearly forgotten."
"Well, hopefully, they will have, too."
"Carson residence," Charles said, half listening to the caller's voice as he taped a moving box shut.
"Mr. Carson, it's Chief Vyner."
"Chief?" Charles held his breath, waiting for the other man to speak.
The Chief didn't beat around the bush. "It's over," he said with evident relief. "Guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and guilty of the crime of arson. The mental incapacity defense didn't stick. She's going away for the rest of her life, Mr. Carson, with no chance of parole for the next twenty years at the very least."
"My God," Charles managed.
"Your niece was superb, really nailed the case," the Chief added. "And that letter that O'Brien sent to your wife? The DA said she crumbled under cross-examination on that one, admitted she'd plotted the entire thing. Tell Elsie and Tommy that they don't have anything to worry about ever again from this one."
There was a kindness in the Chief's voice that wasn't often there, and Charles both heard and appreciated it.
"I will. Thank you."
"Thank you, Mr. Carson. Without your encouragement, I'm convinced that your niece never would have come forward with everything she knew."
"Well, then, that's alright," Charles said. "Good night, Chief."
He hung up and turned to find Elsie standing in the doorway, staring at him with wide, brilliantly blue eyes.
"Charlie?"
He opened his arms to her and she practically dove into his embrace.
"It's over," he said. "It's really over. She's never getting out of prison."
Elsie couldn't even speak. She wrapped her arms tightly around her husband, clutching the back of his shirt fiercely as she sobbed into his chest, the emotion pouring out of her as Charles held her, steadying her in a way that no one else could.
Adoption Day arrived, and Tommy presented himself in the living room wearing the same tie he'd worn for his mother's funeral. It took Elsie by surprise, and she had to catch her breath; the boy looked so different today than he had then, and she had to remind herself that he was, in fact, the same Tommy Barrow.
Except, of course, he wasn't.
"I want to keep my name," he said suddenly.
Charles looked at Tommy carefully, examining him, and noticed the boy wipe his palms on the sides of his pants … but surreptitiously, as though he was sneaking the movement.
"Alright," Charles said slowly. "That can be arranged."
"No," Tommy said. "I don't mean just my name. But I want to keep it somehow."
"Huh?" Daisy asked. "Like, two last names?"
"Or a middle name," Elsie suggested. "You don't have one, do you?"
"How'd you know that?" Tommy asked, eyes widened.
But Elsie just chuckled. "School records. It's not common, so it stuck in my mind. Oh, yes, and the seven thousand forms we've filled out over the past few months."
"Right," Tommy said, feeling silly. "Well, then, yes. Like a middle name. Use Barrow as a middle name … because it was my Mum's name, and I don't want to give that up."
"Nor should you," Charles said understandingly. "Whatever you decide is fine with us. You know that."
"Right."
Just then, Daisy ran to the front window and her jaw dropped. "Papa?" she asked in a whisper. "Is that … Is that for us?"
Charles just smiled, seeing Tommy turn to look.
"No way!"
A stretch limousine was pulling up in front of the house; the chauffeur parked and then got out, waiting by the side of the car for the small family to make their way out.
"You did it," Tommy marveled, smiling at Charles and then letting out a laugh. "You really did it!"
"Well, it's a special occasion," Elsie said quietly. She put her arm around Tommy's shoulders and kissed his forehead, fleetingly thinking of how in another year he'd be towering over her.
"Yeah," he replied. He climbed in, and Daisy followed. Charles and Elsie stood outside of the car for a moment, enjoying a sweet - but brief - kiss.
"You ready, Mrs. Carson?" he asked.
"You bet."
They climbed into the limo and headed for the courthouse.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
"Aunt Mary!" Daisy yelled, running up the stairs and into her aunt's arms.
"Hello, darling," Mary said softly.
"You came." Daisy was beaming, and turned to smile at her father.
"Daisy?" he asked gently.
"She asked me last night," Mary explained. "I checked with Tommy to see if he minded, but he only reinforced her request."
Charles looked at the children, immensely proud that they'd thought to include their aunt.
"I'm glad," Elsie said kindly. "After all, you're Tommy's family, too."
Mary nodded her thanks and, together, the group of five made their way into the building.
After going through security and having Elsie and Mary's handbags searched, they proceeded down to Room 35, which was where the guard at the door told them the adoptions would take place.
"Judge Lane's a peach," he said. "You lucked out with her; she loves doing these. Congratulations to you."
"I didn't expect this, is all," Tommy said to Daisy.
"Which part? It's a courthouse."
"I know," he said quietly. "I just thought we'd be in some kind of … I dunno, conference room."
Mary and the children walked around and peered at the portraits hung high on the wall, and Elsie found a place to sit in the front row of chairs. Charles joined her in the neighboring seat.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"I am." She reassured him with a pat on the hand. "Just tired."
The judge entered the room and greeted everyone. She appeared to be about fifty years old, and was tall and lean with a friendly smile.
When she got to Tommy and Daisy, who were now back with Charles and Elsie, she offered Tommy her hand.
"You must be Thomas Barrow," she said.
"Yeah - Tommy," he said, giving her a firm handshake. "I never go by Thomas."
"Very well," she acknowledged.
"I'm the oldest one here," he observed, and she chuckled.
"You are, but there's something rather nice about that. It's harder for teens to find adoptive homes."
Charles let out a little hum as Elsie said, "Well, we're thrilled Tommy wants to join our family."
"Indeed." The judge glanced at her watch. "Okay, it's showtime!"
She moved to her bench and everyone stood.
"I'm the Honorable Kathryn Lane, and it's my pleasure to welcome you all here today. November is National Adoption Month, and it's been with great joy that I've been able to preside over several of these ceremonies over the years. It is, without a doubt, one of the best aspects of my job.
"More than 100,000 children in the US are in foster care, waiting for an adoptive family, and the average wait time is about three years. Of those, over twenty percent will age out at 18 years old before ever receiving an adoptive placement, meaning they'll be out on their own.* I thank you all for being here today and for standing up for these kids. For saying 'You matter to me.' For saying 'We want you as part of us.'"
She continued on a bit, and Elsie felt Daisy tuck her hand in Elsie's larger one; she clasped it, smiling and giving her girl a little wink.
Tommy was standing proud, still, listening intently to what the judge had said. He gave Charles a glance and Charles gave a brief flick of his prodigious eyebrows, as if to say, "She's right - told you so. We do want you to be part of our family."
Judge Lane then moved through the families, one at a time, and asked them a series of questions. The questions changed a bit depending on each case and each child's situation; when she got to Tommy, he and his family stood.
"For the record, I'm going to ask you all to introduce yourselves," she began. They all complied, including Mary.
"And you are Tommy's aunt?" Judge Lane asked.
"I am," she confirmed.
"Alright." The judge noted something in her file. "And Thomas Barrow has relinquished his parental rights," she added, reading from one of the papers in front of her.
"He wasn't my biological father," Tommy offered. "But I don't know who that was."
"I see," she said quietly. "But as his name is on your birth certificate, this is an important paper to have."
She was quiet as she scanned a few things in the file that Phyllis had provided: case history, home visit information, and the like.
"Ah, you're the nurse at Tommy's school," she said, looking up at Elsie, who nodded.
"Yes, that's how we met," she said, smiling at Tommy.
The judge's eyes flicked to Elsie's abdomen, and then back to the paperwork. Charles bristled a bit, but Elsie calmed him by gently taking his hand in her free one, rubbing her thumb across the back of his fingers. The judge, however, said nothing about the baby.
Finally, Judge Lane closed the file.
"You've certainly been through quite an ordeal, all of you," she said. "Tommy, I am so very sorry to hear about your mother." She turned to Mary. "And your husband, Mrs. Carlisle."
"Thank you," they both said.
"Everything appears to be in order," she said. "Alright, Mr. and Mrs. Carson. Is it your intention to provide Tommy with a loving home? To care for him and address any needs that he may have?"
"It is," they replied in unison.
"And Tommy, is it your wish for the Carsons to adopt you? To become a permanent part of their family?"
"Yes, Your Honor. It is."
"Well, then - congratulations to you all," she said, smiling as she turned her attention toward Daisy. "Would you like to bang the gavel?"
Daisy's face brightened and she nodded frantically. "Yes, please."
Judge Lane handed it to Daisy, who banged it firmly on the wooden disc.
The remaining families in the courtroom applauded, and Elsie wrapped Tommy in a hug and kissed him on the head.
"Welcome to the family," she said quietly, and he nodded into her shoulder, swallowing a lump that had appeared in his throat.
The next ten minutes were spent with Judge Lane going through a few other items of paperwork and obtaining Elsie and Charles's signatures on several things. She came upon the request to make Tommy's official name Thomas Barrow Carson and signed off on that as well.
She handed the file to Charles and came down from behind the bench to take a picture with the family, as she had with the other parties before them. As they were the last group, they were able to take their time taking photos, and Charles found himself with a moment to speak privately with the judge.
"You've got quite a lot of changes happening very quickly," she said to him. "It's going to be a wild ride."
"It is," he agreed, his eyes briefly meeting Elsie's loving gaze from across the room. "But I think we can make a go of it."
"I am sure you can," Judge Lane replied. "I see a lot of families come before me, Mr. Carson. Lots of families, lots of situations, lots of things that make me a bit wary. But you, your wife, and your niece … well, you've certainly got it together given the tragedy you've all been through."
She offered him her hand. "Congratulations, Mr. Carson. Do drop me a line sometime and let me know how it's going, please."
He looked at her, a bit surprised. "I shall."
She smirked. "You seem surprised that I'd be interested."
"I am, I admit it." He remembered something then, and voiced it to her. "The security guard mentioned that adoption ceremonies are one of your favorite things to do."
"Yes," she murmured, looking across the room at where Tommy seemed to be explaining something to Daisy. "I was adopted myself, when I was about your son's age," she said, the word son spoken without hesitation, as though Tommy always had been Charles's son. "My parents died in a tragic accident, and my neighbor took me in. A year later, she legally adopted me. I'd have been bounced around the system without her, and as I grew up I learned more and more about what that would have meant."
"And so you became a solicitor, and then a judge," he nodded. "I see."
"I think your wife is ready to leave," the judge hinted. "Congratulations again, Mr. Carson. Please do let me know how you all make out."
Charles shook her hand. "I will," he promised. "And thank you."
"They're here!" Elsie called down the hallway. "Everyone ready?"
Charles maneuvered his way out of the bedroom, dodging boxes and the occasional hamper of clothing. "I am!"
"We are!" Daisy yelled from her room, and her voice echoed through the emptiness. "Tommy's outside with Max, but they're ready, too."
Elsie took a deep breath and looked around the room. She felt her eyes fill with tears, and Charles drew her into a gentle, warm embrace, rubbing circles on her back and feeling the baby move around, nudging him in the hip.
"Someone's active today," he murmured into Elsie's hair, and she nodded.
"It's alright, you know," he said quietly. "We'll be here almost every day anyhow, and Anna and John will take such good care of the place. They'll love it almost as much as you have."
"Almost," she agreed, wiping at her eyes. "It's just hard, Charlie. I worked so hard to get here, to have a place that I love, space to grow."
"And you've done marvelously with it all," he told her. "And it's still yours, it's just … too small now." He reached down and rubbed her belly, and she laid her hand over his. "This little one is going to need that lovely room that overlooks the hydrangeas," he added, and Elsie chuckled.
"Yes, that's true," she admitted. "And we can come back tomorrow?"
"We can come back whenever you'd like," he assured her.
"Alright."
She let him lead her out the front door and to her truck. They'd loaded the things they'd need immediately into the truck, like food and clothing for a few days. John was following with Charles's Volvo, and Anna would come and pick him up later on. And the movers would follow them all, with everything else except the piano; that had been moved the day prior, by the same men who'd so carefully moved it into Mary's home.
As Elsie got over to the truck, she turned to look at the paddock and saw Scarlett up against the fence, watching them.
"Hold on a minute," she said to Charles, and she headed over to the paddock ... slowly.
Tommy pointed out the truck's window, and Daisy followed his gaze.
"No way," she whispered, but Tommy nodded, a smile plastered on his face.
"Just take it slow," he whispered, as if he could will Elsie to hear him.
Elsie moved to the edge of the fence, standing about two feet away from it. Scarlett dipped her head in Elsie's direction, trying to get closer, and Elsie reached her hand out and petted Scarlett between the ears. Her petting earned a nuzzle from her girl, and Elsie moved even closer to her, slowly lifting her arm and hugging Scarlett's head gently. She placed a kiss to her forehead and Scarlett nuzzled Elsie's neck and shoulder.
"I'm not leaving for good, you know," Elsie said to her. "I'll be back all the time. And you love Anna, and she and John will take good care of you."
Scarlett let out a soft whinny, startling Elsie, who backed away a bit but brushed her fingers over Scarlett's nose.
"I'll see you tomorrow, love," she said, and she wiped her eyes as she turned back toward the truck. She opened the door and climbed in gingerly, a bit sore from all the packing they'd done over the last several days.
"Let's go," she said, her voice thick. Charles just looked at her and gave one brisk nod, then started the truck and pulled into the driveway.
Daisy watched out the window as the house and the barn grew smaller behind them, but Tommy's gaze was focused on Elsie. He reached forward and placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently; she reached her own hand up and placed it over his, patting it once in thanks.
"I'm proud of you," he said softly. "She's a pretty good listener, isn't she?"
Elsie laughed through her tears, and turned to face both of the children - her children.
"She really is," she agreed.
"And we'll be back tomorrow," Tommy reminded her.
"We will," Charles interjected. "And whenever else you'd all like to come by."
"And we have your shower to look forward to!" Daisy added. That earned a full laugh from Elsie.
"Oh, my, I suppose we do," she laughed. "And with you and Aunt Becky in charge, I think I should be scared!"
"No, you don't have to be scared," Daisy assured her. "We did a good job - and Mrs. Mason helped!"
Elsie looked over to Charles, who was trying his best not to laugh.
"That does not reassure me," she chuckled.
He reached over and took her hand, kissing the back of it before resting them both on his knee as he made his way onto the main road.
TBC...
* True story on the Adoption Day in York County, and the words the Judge said at the adoption ceremony here are a quote I pulled from an article about that particular event - although the one I quoted from was, in fact, the one at the museum. Bonus points to you if you knew Alfred is a real Maine town. My aunt lives about 30 minutes from there, but has a camp the next town over. I spent summers there when I was a kid. Misty Cove is NOT a real town, but if it were it'd be just in that area.
