"Don't you dare start crying," Ignis chided.
"You know I can't help it," Gladio replied. "I mean, come on. They look so cute."
Ignis couldn't argue with that. They were all at the mall, where they'd just been fitted in matching suits. It was an indulgence Ignis wouldn't normally consider, but given his constant state of joy over the lawsuit having been dropped, a little extra money spent didn't seem like anything to worry about.
Prompto's suit was burgundy to match Ignis's, and Noctis's navy blue to match Gladio's. It would be perfect for the family photos they'd planned afterwards.
At the moment, the store attendant was affixing a matching burgundy bow tie around Prompto's neck while Noctis fidgeted with the one she'd just placed around his own.
"Fine, you can cry now ," Ignis conceded, "but not at the ceremony."
"You know my dad's gonna cry like a baby."
"I'm aware," Ignis replied, "but that doesn't excuse you ."
"You look really handsome, by the way."
"I could say the same for you. I'm glad I've been able to keep the weight off."
"Yeah, well, if you gaining it back means we don't have to go through another family crisis, I'm okay with that. Besides, even though I know you won't believe me, you've always looked great to me," Gladio flirted, sneaking an arm around Ignis's waist and giving him a peck on the cheek.
He knew Ignis wasn't one for physical displays of affection, but Ignis let it pass just this once, his attention drawn to the boys while the attendants pulled at the fabric and fussed over the fit of their shirts and the length of their sleeves.
When it was all done, and they were back in their regular clothes walking through the mall, Prompto pulled at Ignis's sleeve.
"Can we get ice cream now? You promised."
"Yes, darling. You and Noctis were very well-behaved during the fitting."
"I dunno," Gladio said. "Does anyone even want ice cream?"
Noctis, too used to Gladio's teasing, didn't take the bait, but Prompto abandoned Ignis immediately to press himself to Gladio's side and urgently remind him of his promise. Meanwhile, Noctis began his impassioned case as to why he deserved sprinkles this time.
On the day of the adoption, Ignis woke before dawn. He'd been restless all night, thinking of all the logistics of the adoption day. They'd have to dress themselves and the boys, pick Clarus up from the airport (Iris was completing her school finals and couldn't make it), arrive to the courthouse early to meet up with Ardyn and Aranea, complete the final adoption paperwork, make it in time for their family photo shoot afterwards, and then they'd have to return to the house and get everything ready for the small party they were throwing with the Nox Fleurets and Aurums.
Despite all the stress he was under, Ignis continually reminded himself of how lucky they were to have reached this day. He couldn't help but remember the moment he'd seen Noctis coloring from across the room, the moment Prompto had first run up to him, and the way he and Gladio had agreed in an instant to change their lives forever. After the most eventful year of his life, Ignis was ready to fulfill the promise he'd made on that day.
They arrived at the courthouse and waited on a couple of wooden benches for their family to be called into the courtroom. Ardyn was sitting cross-legged across from Noctis on the floor, teaching him a card trick with the deck he apparently carried around everywhere now.
Meanwhile, Prompto was providing Clarus with a lengthy description of the tricks the neighbor's dogs Umbra and Pryna could perform and how he'd written a letter to Santa Claus asking for a dog this year and fully expected him to pull through. Gladio gave Ignis yet another pleading look, and Ignis playfully rolled his eyes back. Perhaps he did feel a little guilty for not wanting to fulfill Prompto's dream, but a dog on top of everything else felt like too much.
Aranea sat quietly on Ignis's other side. He turned his attention to her instead.
"Everything alright, Ara?"
"Huh? Yeah. I'm just...thinking of my sister."
"Me too," Ignis confessed. "I'm always thinking about her."
"Throughout this whole thing, I've been thinking about what she really wanted. She picked a horrible man to marry, but at the end of the day, she left his family and that legacy behind, and...I'll be honest, I'm not sure if you two would've been her first choice, but I know if she got to know you, and if she could see how you've brought this family together, me and even Ardyn, who I'm sure she hated...Ugh, this isn't coming out right...I'm just trying to say, regardless of what Aulea thought she wanted, I think this is what she really wanted. For the boys to have a loving family. And I have to believe, in spite of everything, that she would've wanted me in their lives eventually, and if anyone else had adopted them, especially Dino, I just can't imagine I'd ever get to be in their lives. I'm just trying to say, this family never would've come together without the two of you, and um...I'm glad it did."
Ignis heard a sniffle to his right and felt Gladio's hand cup his own. Ignis couldn't deny that he was equally touched. Aranea didn't say much, if anything, about being an aunt, and she even still seemed a little outwardly wary of Prompto and Noctis. Even though Gladio and Ignis knew she was growing fond of them, and was dedicated to their well-being because of her sister, it was nice to hear that she was invested and planned to be part of their lives.
It was further reassuring to have the closest thing to Aulea's blessing they would receive. Ignis always thought about Aulea and what she would've wanted for her sons, and Ignis was determined to give them that, all his best, every day.
When Ignis turned to find Aranea sniffling as well, he took his leave. "I cannot be around you two," he announced. "Someone has to keep it together during the ceremony, and I know it's not going to be Gladio. I thought I could at least count on you, Aranea," he added wryly.
She shooed him away, and Ignis went to the next bench where Clarus was chatting with Prompto, showing Prompto pictures of his own pet dog at home. Ignis quickly redirected himself, worried about what would happen if Prompto ever-so-sweetly begged him one more time.
He stood a few feet away instead, observing them all. He thought about the last time he was in a courthouse all those years ago, afraid he was going to be imprisoned over one small mistake, in disbelief at the trajectory his life was taking. If only he could've assured himself that this was where he'd end up, with a family of his own, completely content and optimistic about his future.
A woman stepped out and called their names. They filed inside, and everyone took their seats except for Ignis, Gladio, Noctis, and Prompto who stood in front of the judge.
"Welcome everyone," the judge smiled. "Adoptions are the only cases where pictures are encouraged, so if you have a camera, by all means. If you're ready, we'll go ahead and begin?"
Ignis nodded as he squeezed Gladio's hand and wrapped an arm around Noctis's shoulders. He tried to stay focused and present through each of the judge's questions, but it was difficult not to let his mind drift to the past that had brought him here or the wonderful future that lay ahead of them.
"Back on June 15th, you filed a petition for adoption. Was all the info on that petition true and correct?"
They nodded.
"Is it still your desire to adopt the minor children Prompto and Noctis?"
"Yes."
"Do you understand upon adoption, they will become your lawful children as if they were your natural-born children, with all the rights, duties, and responsibilities of the parent-child relationship?"
Ignis's yes was firm, but Gladio's was weak, and Ignis just knew if he looked over, he'd find him crying. Ignis tried to keep it together as best he could.
"The record will reflect Mr. Scientia and Mr. Amicitia signed the adoption agreement in the presence of the court. The court believes the adoption is in the children's best interest. The adopted parent and children are now children and parent under the law, with all the right duties and responsibilities of the parent child relationship. I offer you congratulations on the adoption of your sons."
Ignis looked down at Noctis in his little navy blue suit, and Noctis looked right back at him, his face blossoming into that rare smile Ignis could never get enough of.
Gladio pulled Ignis into a hug, holding him tight, and the boys quickly joined, Noctis's arms wrapped around their waists and Prompto's around their legs.
As they embraced, Ignis observed Clarus, Ardyn, and even Aranea all holding tissues in their hands, tears streaming down their faces. Ardyn and Clarus at least smiled back at him, but Aranea stared at her lap. He felt the first inkling of a tear, and, as he backed out of the hug, Gladio handed him a crumpled-up tissue he'd been keeping in his pocket.
"I think you can give yourself permission to cry now," he grinned through his own tears. "We did it, Iggy. Noctis and Prompto are our sons."