Well, this is it. What I've been working up to, the whole series. It's not quite the last part (still got some ideas up my sleeves!) but this is it; A-Day!
Big thanks go to all of those people who sent me such great feedback and encouragement! Thanks so much!

OOOO

We're going to need to get a move on, if we don't want to be late," Harm announced, sticking his head around the children's bedroom door.

"We're almost done," Mac told him, from where she was sitting on the bed, braiding Tiegan's hair, "How about you get everyone else settled in the car, then Tiegan and I will be down in just a minute?"

Harm nodded and Tyler followed him out of the room and downstairs, because he was exasperated about how long it was taking the 'girls' to get ready.

Mattie joined them, a minute later and helped Mac with the with Tiegan's hair ribbons, which she was having some difficulty with.

"They keep sliding out," she explained, "even when I put them over the top of the band and tie them tight."

"I always used to loop them through the band on the underside," Mattie suggested, "That way they're sort of attached to the band and they won't come out."

"Well," Mac noted, finishing up, "now we know that for next time, don't we?"

They all made their way downstairs and outside and once Mattie had climbed in and helped secure Tiegan in her booster seat, they were finally on their way.

"You ladies sure are looking pretty, today," Harm complimented 'his girls.'

The thought seemed even more special to him, because there were now three important 'ladies' in his life.

They made it to the courthouse with plenty of time to spare, but the children didn't seem to notice about how early they were, even though Harm had earlier told them that they were going to be late if they didn't leave soon. They were too nervous to notice this little discrepancy. Today was the big day when the judge was going to sign the adoption papers, but first, both children were going to need to talk to the judge and answer her questions. They had been told that it was all pretty straight forward, but they all couldn't help but be nervous.

Tiegan and Tyler undid their seatbelt, but before either child could move, Harm and Mac turned in their seats.

"Hang on a minute, Ty, Tieg," their Father told them.

Both children looked anxiously to their parents, who now both reached out and took each of their hands, between the front and back seats.

"We just need to say something," their Mother explained, "before we go into court and we want to give you both something."

Harm had reached into the glove box, taking out two long, thin jewelry boxes, before turning back round and taking the kids' hands again. Mattie watched on, knowing what this was about, for she had had a hand in it's planning, too.

"Mommy and I just want to tell you how important you both are to us," Harm told both their children, "This is all going to go just fine, but it doesn't change a thing about the way we feel about you."

"We both really love you two, whether we adopt you or not," Mac added, "You'll always be our children and nothing could ever change that."

Mattie leaned over and hugged them both, "And you'll always be my little bro' and little sis.' Always."

Harm handed both children their present, which they took their time opening. Tiegan's gift was a gold chain and heart-shaped pendant, with a picture of Harm and Mac and Mattie on the front of it and the back of it was engraved; 'Love always, Mommy, Daddy and Mattie.'

Tyler's gift was a watch, with the same engraving on the back of it.

Both children were struck mute, this having been the first piece of jewelry they had ever been given and certainly the first present given to them with such loving sentiment and thought.

"Honey?" Mac asked, softly, as Tiegan began to cry, softly.

"Thank you," Tyler thanked them both, choked up, "I love it."

Mattie helped him put it on, because he was having some trouble securing the pin through the strap, because his hands were shaking so much. Harm and Mac had meanwhile exited the car and moved to where Tiegan was still sitting, tears streaming down her face.

"I think today is just very special, huh Sweetie?" Mac suggested, as she hugged her daughter, while Harm stroked her hair, lovingly.

The little girl nodded, so Harm lifted her from the car, while Mac got Tyler and helped Mattie out. They had a short walk around to compose themselves, before making their way inside the building, to courtroom number four.

The courtroom was actually very small and intimate, despite how it had seemed from the outside. This probably wasn't the largest room in the building.

Tyler couldn't help letting his eyes wander around, while they were waiting for their turn. Their judge, Justice Katelyn Williams was a young judge, with fair hair and kindly eyes. Still, once their names were called, Tyler couldn't help but shake a little.

"There's no need for you to be worried, Sweetie," Mac told him, stroking his hair and the back of his neck as she led him forward, to the area in front of the judge.

"Hi Tyler, thank you for coming here, today. I just want to ask you a couple of quick questions," Judge Williams took the sight of the little boy in, as he held onto his adoptive-mother-to-be's hand with a vice grip, "There's no need for you to be scared."

Tyler just looked back at her with big, soulful eyes.

"Okay, Tyler," Katelyn proceeded, seeing that he probably wasn't going to get any calmer, "First of all, I want to ask, how have the last few months with Mr. and Mrs. Rabb been? Have you enjoyed living with them?"

Tyler nodded, but Mac instructed him, softly,

"Speak up when you're talking to Justice Williams, Sweetie…She needs to hear you say it…"

"Yes, I have," Tyler's voice quivered, "very much. And with my sister, Mattie…They're all really nice."

"Okay, good," Justice Williams nodded Tyler seemed to settle some, at this, "And how about continuing to live with them? Would you like that?

"Yes," Tyler nodded, "more than anything. Are you going to sign the adoption certificate, so we can?"

Judge Williams began to laugh softly, along with many people in the court, even the bailiff.

"Yes," she nodded, "I am, just as soon as I've spoken to your sister. Thank you, Tyler…Tiegan? May I speak to you, next, please?"

Mac led Tyler back to where Harm had arisen, to walk Tiegan forward. Mac took her seat again, but Tiegan promptly halted her and Harm's walk towards Justice Williams.

"No," Tiegan insisted, quietly, "Mommy too…"

Mac stood up again, passing Tyler to his big sister, who seated him on her lap.

"Okay, let's go then," Harm nodded, when Tiegan took her Mother's hand and seemed to be more settled because of it.

"Good morning, Tiegan," Justice Williams greeted the little girl, just as kindly as her brother.

"G'morning," Tiegan proved to be even more quiet and nervous than her brother, but as long as Justice Williams could hear her, there wouldn't be a problem.

"I'd just like to ask you, as I asked your brother, do you like living with Mr. And Mrs. Rabb?"

"Yes," Tiegan's little voice quivered, "I do."

"And would you like them to adopt you?"

"Yes, I really would…"

"Very good. I've looked over all of these reports and petitions, from social services, Tyler and Tiegan's previous foster parents and also from your family and friends. It seems as if you are just two of many people, Mr. and Mrs. Rabb, who love and cherish these children. I am hereby granting the petition and signing the adoption certificates. Tyler and Tiegan Rabb, you two can now go home with your Mum, Dad and Sister. Congratulations!"

The family took some time to huddle and celebrate, before they left the court, obviously very happy.

Justice Williams sighed in content. It was moments like this that made her job worthwhile.

OOOO