P O V: Alex Cabot
New York Family Court
60 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10013
July 20th, 2023.
"Olivia Benson, do you acknowledge Jenny, I'm sorry Alexis is now your child, that you are responsible for her care...that you are given the responsibility to love and nurture this child?"
Olivia looks down at the fifteen-year-old girl standing beside her in between Olivia and Noah. Jenny has legally changed her name to Alexis, a combination of Alex and Christine. Today Olivia is officially adopting her with her raised right hand. She answers. "Yes, your honor, I am aware of my responsibilities to provide for Alexis legally, and it is my pleasure to adopt her." She lays her left hand across Alexis' shoulders.
"Captain Benson, are you going to raise the adopted child the same way you are raising your other children in the home?"
"Yes, your honor, Alexis will receive the same amount of love, time, medical, vision, and dental benefits. Alexis will be provided with the same security and nurturing. I promise to provide my children with a safe, loving, and harmonious home. Each child will be encouraged to be authentic and capitalize on their uniqueness."
"Captain Benson, how do you plan on handling sibling rivalry?"
"Sibling rivalry, even among kids who have always been part of the family, is typical. My plan is when they fight to separate them, listen to their feelings and encourage them to work out their differences. Help them understand how the other feels and how we can work together to create an environment where they are both happy."
"Noah."
Stiffening at the judge's shift of focus to himself. Noah squeezes my hand. "It's okay, Noah. Answer truthfully, and take your time. Remember what we talked about last night?" Whispering into his ear, I do my best to comfort him.
"Yes, your honor?"
"How do you feel about your mom adopting another child?"
"I'm happy, your honor; Alexis is my friend. Alexis saved my life on the stage of the Winter Garden. If Alexis hadn't seen Mike coming out of the left side of the stage with the gun and pushed me down. I would've been killed. I owe Alexis my freedom, my breath, so sharing my mom with her is the least I could do. Every child deserves a happy, loving home, as my mom has provided me."
"Wow, Noah, you are a very thoughtful young man and smart."
"Thank you, your honor. My mom has raised me to be compassionate, insightful, and loyal."
"Captain Benson, will you allow religious freedom for your adopted child?"
"Yes, your honor. Growing up, I was not raised by any specific religion, so I have always allowed Noah to explore his religious journey. Alexis will also be encouraged to research and experience religions."
"Ms. Cabot, do you have the documents we need to proceed?"
"Yes, of course, your honor."
Olivia is crying softly, holding Alexis closer to her body. Judge Carmichael speaks into her microphone, addressing Olivia. "It is my obligation here as the judge to make sure you are proceeding with this adoption voluntarily, with eyes wide open. Raising two children who wish to pursue careers in the show business industry will challenge the most prepared parents to ensure you won't have any regrets. Captain Benson, you already have your plate complete with running an elite unit of the NYPD."
"Yes, your honor, which is why I am so lucky to have such a great support system, my friend Alex and her wife, Casey, have opened their home to help us. My wife, Amanda, is my co-parent, partner, and best friend, the light of my life. She is behind me one hundred percent in filing for adoption."
"Very well, Amanda, your turn." Judge Carmichael turns to her, almost grinning. "These last few years have been tough for you. I'm well aware of the documented history of gambling, alcohol abuse, and physical and mental abuse you suffered at the hands of your parents. Also, your sister's record; I'm very sorry for your loss; seeing your best friend murdered in front of you must have been traumatic. Add to the trauma of hearing of your sister's passing death-by-cop and losing your nephews who your sister kidnapped as infants. I understand where you might feel your family has fallen apart and wish to fill the void by adoption. However, my concern is, are you emotionally ready for such a responsibility? Children take energy; they test your patience."
The judge's fears are valid. Amanda has suffered hit after hit this year. Kim was shot to death by cops when they invaded Kent's home during the Tony awards. She was trying to burn the evidence, turned, and fired at officers who returned fire. Olivia and Amanda apprehended Kent onstage after he shot at Noah, who Jenny/Alexis saved. The police got enough to convict Kent of Christine's murder and my mother's.
The DNA test showed her nephews were the two babies kidnapped in GA, and they were ordered by a judge to be returned to their parents. Amanda hasn't been allowed contact for six months because their parents want them to have a fresh start and forget their past.
"Yes, they do, your honor. I'm aware of the sacrifices, time, money, and work which go into raising children. I have twin boys of my own, whom I love very much and have always provided for, even if it means I must go without something—losing my sister and best friend, and the boys I believed to be my nephews. Yes, it was traumatic."
"Their passings have left holes in my heart that will never be sealed. I am not adopting Alexis to quite the ache because nothing can do that; I am adopting her to give her the home she deserves, to help encourage her feisty, funny, loving spirit. Alexis didn't get a choice in losing her parents, but she stood up to her abuser. A man who tried to groom her to break her and used her for his sexual pleasures. Alexis is a brave, smart little girl who needs a place to feel safe, loved so she can heal."
"Ms. Cabot, as their attorney, a close friend, and a sworn officer of this court, do you feel they are competent to raise Alexis in the capacity she needs?"
"Judge Carmichael, without a doubt, I have faith in their love, devotion, and strength. Amanda was a grown-up before she was a kid, and yes, she had some stumbling blocks, but she got help. Amanda had to grow up fast, but the thing about growing old young is you learn to fast-forward through the innocence stuff, and you build yourself to be tough."
"There are no better women I could think of who I would endorse adopting Alexis. In the year since she came into their lives, Olivia and Amanda have enrolled Lexi in family and individual therapy. Noah, my wife Casey, our son, Amanda's kids, and Christine's daughters have all attended. Our family meets at the dinner table every night to discuss our day. We are working on ways to identify triggers and help each other when we feel depressed or angry. We encourage the kids to open up and encourage each other."
"All of us have been through trauma; Amanda, Casey, and I were victims of rape, and we have each developed positive ways to deal with PTSD and triggers, all of which we share with Alexis. Few of us could pretend even to know the challenges she has faced. Many kids would break with the hand Alexis had given in life; if you look at where she came from or where she started, the fact she is alive is a miracle. Just to stay alive would be enough for many kids."
"Not for Alexis; she has an unquenched thirst for life, to learn, and grow to inspire other kids to stay alive even when it seems hopeless."
"Our home provides the kids with the foundation to grow into happy, authentic young men and women. They are given chores each week, allowances when completed, and appropriate punishment when they act out or refuse to comply; with what we tell them."
"Alexis has started a new school, maintained straight A's, and been on the honor roll every semester. We have given her a choice if she wants to pursue a career in the theatre. Alexis has chosen to attend school and only take jobs that allow her to continue her educational journey on her terms. Three days a week, she volunteers at an outreach center for youth who have faced abuse or sexual exploration."
"Getting cut in the heart and soul as young as we did taught us time is the only healer. We will teach Alexis and all our children that you depend on yourself and your family when life gets tough."
"Beautiful words, Ms. Cabot; honestly, you have left me in tears. I believe every word you have said with this in mind. Alexis, it is my opinion you couldn't be in better hands. I am signing the adoption certificate, and with this act done, let me offer my congratulations to you, Alexis Benson-Rollins."
"Thank you, judge Carmichael. I think I have finally fallen in love with my family. My mom and dad would be happy to know I have found people who love me unconditionally, as these amazing people do daily."
A/N: Thank You to anyone who reads and likes my fic. I have no time or patience for people who can only take the time to leave rude or homophobic comments. Seriously, that accomplishes nothing except making yourself look like a giant piece of crap. If you want to leave a positive comment, please find me on Twitter Mileycfan4eva.
