3 weeks later

It was the night before Maddie's 10th birthday party. You and Raf were wrapping up her gifts, including the big framed Adoption papers in a glass case because Raf wanted to go all out for Maddie. They were not signed yet just in case Maddie wasn't ready. You knew she wanted Rafa to be her legal father, she wouldn't have asked him if she could call him papi if she wasn't ready, but Rafael wanted to be sure.

"Are you sure you didn't forget anything?" Raf asked as he saw it was only 3 things, nothing too expensive.

"I asked her several times all she wanted was these."

"Was this before or after….?" Raf asked.

"Both, once before and several after."

Raf sighed, sitting on the couch beside you.

"Come on, don't go blaming yourself again, the Householders are in jail, everything is slowly going back to normal." You whispered.

"I know but I can't help it."

"I know, let's go to bed, a certain little girl will be waking us up as soon as it's daylight."

Raf chuckled, took your hand and headed to the bedroom.

The next Morning

"Papi! Mami! Wake up!" Maddie said, landing on top of you and Raf.

"Oof, mija be careful." Raf said, hugging her.

"Sorry papi." Maddie said, laying her hand on his chest.

"Go out to the living room, and turn on the TV. We will be out in a minute." You whispered.

Maddie left and you turned so your head would be against Raf's chest.

"Come on, we have to finish the cake and get ready." Raf whispered, nudging you.

You both got up and Raf started the coffee, while you set the cake out and started to ice it. Maddie watched as Raf went over to you putting his hands on your hips, saying

"Go get ready, I'll finish this."

"You sure?" You asked as you turned in his arms.

Raf smirked and kissed you.

"Yes, go." He whispered.

Maddie turned back to the TV smiling as a song started on the show she was watching. Raf was focusing on icing the cake but he heard music coming from the living room. He looked up seeing Maddie singing and watching TV. She sang so beautifully, how could anybody hurt her he wondered and frowned, saying

"Maddie? Want to help finish the cake?"

She nodded as she got up, coming over. Raf pulled up a chair, she crawled up, Raf got behind her, putting his hands around her holding the icing bag together they finished the cake together, as you came out.

"Papi, let me take over while you get ready."

"Cake is done, the two of us need to get ready, though."

You looked at Maddie who had icing all over her.

"You two, go get cleaned up. I'll clean up the kitchen." You chuckled.

They both headed down the hall, you shook your head at the mess, and started cleaning. Ten minutes later the doorbell rang and everyone was there. After presents and cake the adults watched Noah, Maddie, and Jesse played with her new toys while they laughed and talked.

"How is Maddie doing?" Liv asked.

"Better, a lot better."

"How's Rafa?"

"He's doing better. He still feels so guilty he second guesses himself with Maddie. He is such a good man and a great papi to Maddie though. I keep telling him it wasn't his fault but he can't seem to believe me."

Liv gave you a smile,

"Keep telling him that, and he will believe one day."

"I plan to."

After cake and all the presents except Raf's special one everyone left. He wanted it to be just the three of you when he gave the adoption papers to Maddie. Maddie was in the floor playing with a game Sonny had given her when Raf said,

"Mija you forgot a present."

She looked at him, walking over to him as you both sat on the couch. You sat beside Raf as Maddie tore off the paper quickly then read it the best she could being 10. She looked at you, then at Rafael.

"Why isn't it signed?"

"I just wanted to be sure that's what you still wanted that mija, well both of you." Raf looked at you.

"I want it, please mami!"

You smiled and nodded.

"Go ahead Rafael, sign it, the both of us want you to join our family."

"You have to sign it too, to say I have your permission to adopt Maddie."

You signed it after Raf did then he got everything together to put back in his briefcase. Maddie followed him to his office, but Raf didn't know she was behind him as he put everything in his briefcase.

"When are you going to ask mami?"