"Perry! How's Natalie?"

Christina asked as Perry walked into the courtroom with a bright smile as he nodded,

"Awake, and Della and I are adopting her."

Christina looked to him in shock,

"Adopting her? I mean you're not married, don't get me wrong. I'm happy that she's awake and I'm happy for you and Della, but she's almost 18. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Perry nodded gently, expecting her response as he smiled.

"Yes, Della and I are sure about this. Nat was the one who asked, apparently she's wanted this since the beginning. Having felt comfortable with us and Paul from the start."

Christina smiled,

"How long is she going to stay in the hospital, now that she's awake?"

Perry nodded,

"Another week to make sure that there's no residual poison in her system."

Christina smiled as they sat down and Perry called Jeremy Waverly back to the stand,

"So, Mr. Waverly, would you like to the court the real truth? How it was you who poisoned the defendant's water in order to, oh I don't know, perhaps… murder her like you murdered her Aunt and Uncle?"

Perry asked after multiple questions from him and Christina as Jeremy was showing signs of anger. Which to Perry, in his experience, meant that he was getting close. Jeremey sighed as he looked to Elizabeth,

"My wife was in on it too. Yes! Yes, it was my wife and I who killed Natalie's Aunt and Uncle. But it was Natalie that was always calling the police on us because of us being in the drug business. We had to get them, especially Natalie, out of the building."

Christina and Perry looked to each other as Perry asked the bailiff to handcuff Jeremy and Elizabeth as the judge cleared Natalie of all charges as Paul and Della hugged each other in celebration.

"Tell Natalie I wish her the best."

Christina said as they packed up after shaking hands.

"Thanks, Christina."

Perry said as they rushed to Natalie's hospital room as she and Peter looked up with smiles,

"So?"

Natalie asked as Perry beamed,

"You're cleared of all charges. The Waverly's are behind bars for a long time."

Perry laughed as Natalie hugged him tightly,

"Thanks, Dad."

Natalie said as Perry teared up, the adoption wasn't even final and Natalie was already calling him 'Dad'. Della smiled brightly at the scene as Natalie looked up to her with the brightest smile,

"They said that if everything goes well, I'm headed home tomorrow."

Everyone smiled as Natalie was able to go to the school of her dreams.

Epilogue:

Four years later:

It was a few weeks after Natalie graduated from USC as she walked into the Mason Law office holding an envelope, grinning like an idiot. She knew exactly what was in the envelope but she had kept the reason why she had it a surprise.

"Mom, Dad, Paul, Peter! Could you guys come into Dad's office please? I've got some news!"

The trio walked in and stopped short with surprise seeing the envelope in Natalie's hand,

"You're not pregnant are you?"

Della asked as Natalie laughed shaking her head,

"No, Mom. This is the results of my bar exam! I took it the week of graduation and I wanted to keep that a secret so I could surprise you guys with the results. Now, I haven't opened it yet. It came a few days ago."

Everyone nodded as Natalie opened the letter and squealed happily,

"I passed! I'm a lawyer now."

Everyone laughed and hugged Natalie as dinner reservations were made to celebrate Natalie's accomplishment.

Natalie smiled brightly,

This is where I belong. With Mom, Dad, Paul, and Peter – the five of us as a family.

Perry smiled as he looked at his daughter with upmost pride. He knew that he made the right choice four years ago in taking her case and in the time that he worked to clear her name, allow her to get close and eventually adopting her with Della.

And all was well for the family as the amazing day went on.