Author's note: YAH! It's finished! I might consider doing another different story with the same characters, but I'd like you to review before I do anything. So review and tell me what you think.
I rested my head against the mirror in the bathroom so I could think about a few things. When I finally got the thoughts I needed, I went back out to find Miss Grant. We went back to the judge, who was still there, waiting patiently for me. "Okay Jessi. Now I need you to finish answering the questions and then you can be done with this."
"What do I think of the Rabb's? I think they're really cool people. Putting it simply, they're probably the second best thing that has ever happened to me. The first was a family I lived with until Miranda came back the first time. I refuse to live with her until she decides I don't belong with her and in the process hurts David too." I was getting all worked up, but I wasn't finished. "I finally have friends at school here who like me, a little sister who looks up to me, a younger brother living in a different household that also loves me, plus an older brother who'd play football with me whenever I want. And the best thing is that I have two parents there who love me like their own daughter, as they told me before tucking me in. I wouldn't dream of calling them mom and dad, but I'm now starting to like the sound of that. So I think the Rabb's are what I deserve to have, because that'll be a first for me."
The two of them stared at me as I finished and slumped in my chair. Why sit up straight anymore? I didn't see any need too. The judge finally cleared his throat and raised his eyebrows. "So you feel pretty strongly about them. I see what you're talking about. But, here's another question for you. Did you know that your father, uh, Nicholas, has said he feels about the same way about you? I know you haven't seen him since you were about three or so, but he'd like a chance to speak with you and David after I'm done."
I jerked myself up. "He what? Just wants to talk to us, huh? Whatever," I muttered angrily. This was my one chance for happiness and he was going to ruin it for me. And I didn't even know the guy.
"Well, before we bring David and Nick in, I have one more question for you. I've read about your less-than-pleasant attitude and temper from the past. Who do you think out of the families you have a choice of would help you control that best and give you the best chance for improvement?"
"It sounds like I'm trying to make sure I can go with the Rabb's," I commented, "But I really think that Mac, Harm, Sydney, and Austin are the best people."
He jotted some final notes and set them on the table in front of us. He motioned to Miss Grant, who then got up and opened the door to bring in David and Nicholas. David came through the door and when he spotted me, his face lit up. I almost felt sad that we wouldn't live in the same house together, but seeing how much he loved his other family too, I couldn't ask them to have him live with me just so I could be selfish and have him to myself. Then Nicholas stepped through the door and took a seat across from Miss Grant but only two chairs away from me. He smiled kindly and from the picture I had in my brain of him, he was a perfect match.
I shot him angry glares but made sure David couldn't see me. He didn't back down, just smiled and then looked at the judge. "So I guess I should start since I asked for this by special request? I'm going to start simple. My name is not on your birth certificates, either of you too, but DNA test proved you are my biological children. So basically, this means that I have never given up my rights as a father to the two of you."
My mouth dropped open wide. I knew what it meant immediately. It meant that he could take us no matter what we wanted. At least, until he did something wrong, which I was sure he would do. "No," I cried.
Miss Grant moved to my side and knelt down by my chair. She started to whisper about controlling my temper and he had more to talk about. Then she said that he wasn't sure about taking us. I turned away from here, but I didn't say anything else aloud, letting him continue. "Jessi, I know you think I'm being mean. I'm not trying to. But you are my daughter and David is my son legally."
I glared at him. "No kidding."
"Anyway, I'm not going to take you if that's not what you want. I want to do what's best for the two of you, so I'd like to give you a choice. There is one requirement to this however," he said as my look of immediate happiness vanished. "I want you to spend a little time with me, or at least write me letters no matter where you choose. I see that because of the mistakes Miranda and I have made, you two have had a very rough life and you really don't know who I am. So I'll understand if you choose another family over me, but I want to stay in contact with you, because whether you want to believe it or not, I love you and you will always be my children."
He had tears in his eyes as he finished talking. David and I too were almost crying. I couldn't believe he would let us do whatever we wanted, not what Miranda wanted. Then he continued as he choked back a sob. "I am the only reason that Miranda brought this lawsuit. She knew that I held the parental rights still and she wanted to use me to get you two back. I am so sorry for whatever happened to the two of you, but as of now, you'll never have to go through that again."
I was bawling, but I couldn't bring myself to give him a hug. It would have been too uncomfortable for me. David sat there, silently letting tear after tear roll down his cheek. I wasn't sure that he understood exactly what it meant, but by the way he was crying I was pretty sure he knew exactly what we were now going to be able to do.
He didn't move from his spot as the judge began to ask us the last part. "Jessi, David, did you understand what Nicholas just said?" When we nodded, he kept going. "Then I'm going to ask you this. Do you agree to abide by Nicholas' rules?"
"Abide?" asked David.
"Follow," I whispered. "Yes."
"Yeah."
"Then I need to know, where do you think the two of you should live? And remember it has to be reasonable. Your foster families, Miranda, or Nicholas are your choices."
"I want to live with the Rabb's," I said shakily. "But I promise that I will write letters and visit when Miss Grant schedules us to visit you."
The judge wrote something on another form. Then he handed it over to Nick and finally he gave it to me. "We'll need the Rabb's to sign this, and your signature as well Jessi. With your actual name," he said as he winked at me.
I laughed through my tears as I took the paper to sign it. The judge then turned to David, whose little face was smudged with tears and his nose was all red. I hugged him tightly as his response to the question. "I wanna live with mommy and daddy and Janna and A.J."
They had him print his name on a separate form and then he turned to me proudly to show how good a job he had done. We hugged tightly again, holding on like we'd never let go. Miss Grant got up from her seat to go let the families in, and by that afternoon, papers were filed for the two of us to be adopted under the conditions Nicholas had assigned.
We walked out of the courthouse all holding hands. David and I were in the middle and our families stood on the opposite sides. He chattered all the way through the lunch Harm and Mac treated us all too, but for some reason, I didn't feel like talking. I was extremely happy and all, but I couldn't seem to get past the silence and bring myself to talk.
I kept thinking back over the memories I had of my father and mother, though I'd never admit aloud that I wanted their love too. I tried to put on a happy face, but I just had a feeling. It wasn't a bad feeling, but I think it was almost like homesickness from a home I'd never known. Sydney must have noticed me, because she came over to sit next to me in the restaurant. "Jessi, isn't it great? You're my big sister. You're a Rabb now!"
I hugged her and put on a smile. "Of course it is."
"Then what's wrong?"
"I'm just a little sad, that's all."
"Didn't everything turn out the way you wanted?"
"Yeah, it did. I'll be fine. I think if I go home, I'll feel better. Maybe I'll play with Shelby a little. That always makes me feel better," I said. Then I realized it. I was talking like I was Jessica Rabb, like I was a part of the family, and like I really belonged.
I sat up straighter and felt more confident. I'd visit Nick and maybe even call him father one day, but never would he be my dad. My dad was Harm and my mom was Mac. I had Austin as an older brother and Sydney and David for younger siblings. Nick could help me fill in my past, but the Rabb's would fill my present.
When we reached home, I went straight to my room. Now that it was painted blue and had dolphin borders, it felt more like mine. I thought back to the night I had wished I were anywhere but here because they'd never want me. Now I knew they did. And now I know that I'm glad I'm here and not there.
*End!*
