The next week, Mrs. Tobias called Chuck and Casey telling them their case was up and the judge wanted to speak to them. Chuck was such a nervous wreck that he wasn't able to drive, after calling their family Casey drove them down to the courthouse. They walked up the stairs, when they got right inside Casey turned Chuck toward him.
"Calm down."
"I can't. What if the judge hates people like us?"
"Two men that are legally married and love one another?"
"Yeah."
"I know a few people in the NSA/CIA that could get it done." Casey smirked.
Chuck just shook his head. They met up with their lawyer outside the courtroom, also seeing Ellie, Awesome, Claire, Morgan and Alex.
"Thanks for coming." Chuck whispered., hugging his sister and brother in law.
"We wouldn't have missed it." Ellie said, wiping tears from her eyes.
Everyone went inside the courtroom, the judge came in. After everyone was settle,
"John Casey-Bartowski and Chuck Bartowski, are you willing to raise this child as your lawful child?"
"Yes." They both answered.
"This child will inherit from you, he will be treated no differently than a biological child do you agree?"
"Yes." They both said.
"Everything seems to be in order. Congratulations John, Chuck. And to you Stephen Bartowski."
After leaving the courthouse, everyone went to Chuck and Casey's place. When Chuck opened the door, the two of them smiled as they saw the "Welcome home Stephen Bartowski! Banner.
"How did you do this?" Chuck asked.
"Well, I do have a key and plenty of helpers." Ellie said, pointing at the others.
"Yeah, and we have food arriving in about 15 minutes. There's a cooler of beer and soda in the kitchen. So let's celebrate!" Awesome, said eagerly heading to the kitchen.
Shortly after everyone had got a drink the food arrived.
"Who ordered all this, there's enough for an army." Chuck asked. As he stared at the array of food that was covering almost every surface of the kitchen.
"Devon, he ordered the food." Ellie said.
"I asked him to get a few pizzas and chicken wings. Not every kind of party food he could get." She added laughing.
Awesome looked a little disappointed, but cheered up when Casey said,
"It's here now and needs to be eaten. Dig in everybody."
Everyone formed a line and the food started to disappear. Chuck and Casey disappeared for a while to feed and change Stephen. They put him down to sleep as the party wasn't loud. Chuck kept tight hold of the baby monitor when they went back to their friends. It was an unusual celebration as not much partying was happening. They spent the rest of the day munching on the food and talking about Stephen and how to organize the house and their lives around him. They ended up with a notepad going around those with experience of children for them to write things to do or get. Surprisingly there wasn't much food left by the time everyone headed home. Stephen was out like a light in his crib. Chuck was watching him sleep from the doorway when Casey came up behind him wrapping his arms around him.
"I can't believe he's officially ours." Chuck whispered.
"He is a Bartowski, god help us all." Casey teased as Chuck slapped his arm.
"Hey!"
"What? It's true." Casey smiled.
"Why do I love you?"
"Good question, I don't even know why."
"It's a mystery to me too." Chuck said with a grin, not realizing that Casey couldn't see it.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. Why would anyone?" He said sadly, as he pulled away from Chuck.
"Hey, what's the matter? I was joking."
"If you say so." He muttered.
"Yes. I say so. Because it's the truth. Where is all this coming from? You know I love you...Don't you? I'd never lie to you, especially about that."
Casey stood in the doorway looking anywhere but at Chuck.
"I guess."
Chuck carefully walked over and took Casey's face in his hands, looking him in the eye.
"John Casey, listen to me, and listen well. I love you with all my heart and I always will. Do you believe me?"
Casey looked to be close to tears.
"But why?"
"Because. There are thousands of reasons. For one you've saved my life countless times. Why does anyone love someone? You just do. No one saw this coming, especially our families. We both tried to say it with our wedding vows, were you not listening? Why do you love me, Casey? Can you put it into words on the fly?"
Casey frowned,
"No, I don't think I can...Just so you know, I was listening and your vows were beautiful."
Chuck used his thumb to wipe away a tear.
"So were yours. Now, come with me and I'll do my very best to show you how much I love you. Is that okay with you?"
"Yeah. Sorry."
"For what?"
"Being silly."
"Your feelings are not silly. Just let me know now when you feel like this. So I can prove to you that you're wrong." Chuck said grinning.
"Okay." He said with a hesitant smile.
"There's that cute smile." Chuck said as he pulled him to their bedroom.
