"Do I look okay?"

Robyn shot JJ some side-eye as she swung her legs beneath the bench she was sitting on in the courthouse.

"You're not even the one being adopted."

"They don't just take a picture of the person getting adopted," JJ shot back as he fixed his hair using a shiny doorknob as a mirror, "I know, I've been through this."

Robyn rolled her eyes.

"One, you were a baby," she said, holding up a finger dramatically then adding another, "Two, we've all been adopted."

JJ's face scrunched up in confusion.

"Huh?"

Robyn crossed her arms loosely over her chest.

"Mom had to adopt me and Momma had to adopt the twins because they didn't give birth to us."

Somehow, JJ's nose scrunched even further.

"But Mom is your bio-mom."

"Yeah, but Momma gave birth to me and that's what counts under the law," Robyn explained like she was talking to a two–year –old.

JJ looked at her skeptically.

"How do you know all this?"

Robyn shrugged one shoulder.

"I read a lot."

JJ sat back and shook his head.

"Those laws are stupid," he said through an exhale, then cast his eyes furtively at Robyn, "They must have spent so much money to have you. What a disappointment."

Robyn reached out and shoved JJ.

"Jerk."

Willow suddenly came running over.

"Hey, hey, hey," she waved her hands in front of them, "A bit of decorum, please. We are in a courthouse."

She spotted Tara gesturing for her as she entered the courtroom with Kayden.

"Okay, we're in," she said and caught each by the arm while gesturing Lily and Emily forward, "All of you, behave."

She guided all of the children into the family courtroom and sat them in the benches with Ira and Michelle. Ira stood to give Willow a quick hug and then Willow joined Tara at the front table. Kayden sat on the side and Brandon, Kayden's social worker, sat on the opposite side surrounded by relevant papers and files.

Willow had been holding out hope that Hallie would come out and sit on the bench but it was their old cantankerous friend Judge Hayden instead.

She shot a wary glance with Tara, who took her hand under the table.

They went through some formalities but before things could proceed, a woman suddenly burst through the doors.

"Stop!"

The whole courtroom spun to look at who was interrupting and the judge looked unamused.

"Young lady, this is not a wedding ceremony, you cannot just barge in here and object. Who may I ask, are you?"

Kayden rose from his seat, shaking.

"Roxy."

Roxy took another step forward but the bailiff stopped her.

"And who the hell are you?" Roxy spat, "Some jumped up mall security guard."

Tara began to stand but Kayden put his hand on her arm.

"Mom, no," he said softly, "Let me deal with this?"

Tara looked at Kayden for a long moment, then nodded once.

"We request a brief recess," Tara asked in a shaken but clear voice.

"Why not," Judge Hayden sighed, "I didn't finish the crossword anyway. 10 minutes."

Kayden was quick to walk out before he lost his nerve and took his aunt to a corner in the corridor.

"Roxy…what are you doing here?"

Roxy was even thinner and paler than the last time Kayden had seen her. She twitched and her hands were shaking as much as him.

"Saving you from whatever scam these people are trying to pull on you."

Kayden looked down.

"They're not trying to pull a scam."

Roxy rolled her eyes dismissively.

"Well it doesn't matter now anyway," she waved a hand and pushed her chest out proudly, "I'm ready to take you back so you don't have to go through with all this nonsense."

Kayden's eyes slowly softened with sadness.

"Roxy, I… I wasn't safe with you," he said, confused as to why she would think he'd ever go back with her, "You let him hurt me."

"I can't control what someone else does with their fists," Roxy spat and grabbed Kayden's t-shirt, "You are my blood, not theirs."

Kayden knew Brandon was hovering then by the flashes of movement in his peripheral vision but he extracted himself without incident.

"Roxy," he pleaded gently, "Please stop."

"What is it?" Roxy sneered, gesturing him up and down, "They get you some nice clothes and suddenly you forget your blood kin?"

Kayden blinked once.

"They're my family," he said softly and Roxy looked wounded, "They make me h-happy."

He swallowed deeply but held his head high. Roxy rolled her eyes again.

"Yeah, well, I'm getting Tony's widow pension now so I don't even need those state payments anyway. You'd just be in the way."

Kayden nodded and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Okay. Bye Roxy."

He started to leave but there was a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey Kay," Roxy said and looked earnest as Kayden looked back, "You got 20 bucks I can borrow?"

Kayden paused, then silently reached into his breast pocket on the suit Ira had bought for him and handed her the bills he had in there. He wanted to buy everyone ice-cream after but now he just wanted away from this woman and back in with his family to make it official.

"I gotta go. The judge is waiting," he said, then paused one last moment, "Roxy?"

He met her gaze.

"I hope you find a family too."

And with one step forward he left his past behind and walked into his future, flanked by Willow and Tara either side who had been waiting in the doorway. They kissed him either side of his head and settled back into their seats only to stand immediately when the judge returned to the bench.

"Now, where were we?" he asked in a bored tone and finally looked at them all for the first time, "Oh. I remember you. The women who think they've defied biology and have fatherless children. I believe you called me, in witness of my clerk, something approximate to the gluteus maximus for expressing my disbelief."

Willow's head turned sharply and made a gesture for her father to get the kids out of there. Michelle was already up and ushering the girls out, but Robyn slipped back in at the last second.

"We don't have fathers, dingus."

Willow and Tara turned, horrified, but before they could chastise her, the judge laughed.

"No one has had the audacity to address me like that in my court…ever," he chuckled and smiled at Robyn, "I like your gumption."

His head tilted dismissively.

"But everyone has a father."

Robyn took another step forward.

"No, everyone has a sperm and an egg that they came from. It's what happens after they come together that you put labels on. And we don't have fathers," she said emphatically, "If you're so interested, our sperm donor was number 1872GZ. He is Caucasian and has red hair and green eyes. He's a medium build with AB+ blood type who majored in Chemistry in college and was 28 when he donated. He describes himself as organized, easy-going, patient, encouraging, and analytical. He likes to play chess and ping pong and watch soccer on TV."

Willow and Tara looked stunned whilst the judge looked intrigued.

"And that last thing is the only thing I have in common with him. Something I have in common with my other adopted brother and my non-biological uncles and millions of other men — and women — around the world. So you can sit there and preach that this man that I couldn't pick out on the street is my father, but he's not. He's probably a nice guy. He sure did a nice thing helping my moms have me and my sisters. And I'd say thanks if I ever met him. But he'll never be my parent. I already have two of those."

She rolled her eyes.

"And trust me, it's enough."

Judge Hayden settled his arms on the bench.

"Well," he said with an impressed nod, "You've clearly raised an intelligent and articulate young girl."

He picked up a pen and noted something on his legal pad.

"If a little uncouth."

"Hey!" Willow's brow furrowed angrily.

But Robyn didn't need help defending herself.

"I'd rather be un-couth than have that hair-do—"

Judge Hayden put his hand up; he'd endured as much of a disturbance to proceedings as he was willing to tolerate.

Willow flicked her hand to indicate for Robyn to sit down quickly.

"Moving on," Judge Hayden said and looked through the documents in front of him, "Mr. West, is it your sincere desire to be adopted by these two women and to enter into this family with… all that that entails?"

Kayden stood up and buttoned his jacket as Ira had shown him.

"Yes, sir."

The judge just about acknowledged him and wrote something in front of him.

"Any objection from the state?"

Brandon stood importantly.

"State approves this adoption application in full."

The judge nodded once.

"Adoption and name change approved. I don't do pictures."

He excused himself before any of them had a chance to process what had happened. Then suddenly all at once, it hit them all in different ways; Willow laughed, Tara started crying and Kayden just stood there with his mouth open. It took Robyn calling everyone back in and for them all to be pulled into various hugs for them to process what had happened and then there was hysterical laughter and joy filling the room.

The court reporter was kind enough to take the photo the judge denied (but they didn't want him in it anyway). Kayden stood front and center with a smile breaking off of his face, holding his adoption certificate as he took his first picture as Kayden Kaleb Rosenberg-Maclay.

They were politely ushered out of the courtroom so the next case could come in. Willow and Tara shook hands with Brandon, who had tears in his eyes.

"This is my first adoption."

Tara brought him into a hug.

"Never lose that heart."

Willow nudged Tara and they both quickly took Robyn off to the side.

"Robyn," Tara said softly, bending down to her level and holding her arms, "We didn't know you knew all that about your donor."

Robyn shrugged one shoulder.

"I found the papers when I was looking for my birth certificate."

"Why were you looking for your birth certificate?" Willow frowned.

"So I could apply for the Peace Corps," Robyn said with an exaggerated sigh.

"Getting a decade ahead of yourself, there," Willow replied unsurely.

"That doesn't matter," Tara interrupted quickly, "The papers. You must have read them a lot to memorize it."

Robyn shook her head.

"Nah. I can remember anything I read once."

Willow and Tara exchanged concerned looks and Robyn rolled her eyes.

"Moms, chill out. I was putting on a show," she said and started doing a mocking tone, "'He sure did a nice thing', who am I, Scout Finch?"

Willow and Tara's look of concern changed to one of delight.

"You are our favorite second-born child," Tara smiled, kissing Robyn's forehead.

"It's true, we don't love anyone else's second-born child more than we love you," Willow nodded quickly, surely.

Robyn arched an eyebrow.

"Isn't Kayden your second-born now?"

Willow glanced at Tara.

"You're our favorite first-born daughter," she amended and it was Tara's turn to nod quickly.

"Definitely," she smiled and pulled Robyn into another hug, "If you do have any more questions…"

Robyn waved a hand.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," she shrugged, indifferent, "Hey, aren't we late?"

Willow checked her watch and her eyes widened.

"Crap! Come on guys, let's go!"

"Where is it?" JJ asked across the crowd.

"It's in the other building," Tara explained with appropriate hurriedness, "We have to leave and walk around the block."

"Make that run!" Willow said and started to push their clan out to get to the other courthouse.

Looking like escapees from a psych ward during a fancy dress party they all hurried around the block and into the other courthouse where the rest of their friends were also gathered in nice clothing.

Jesse was the first to gather their attention to point out the Rosenberg-Maclays were coming and there were lots of anticipatory faces. As they held their breath, Tara pushed Kayden forward, who smiled bashfully.

"I'm adopted."

Cheers rose up to the air and everyone crowded around Kayden to embrace him.

Angel came up in a tux and nodded at Kayden with the hint of a smile. Kayden gave the exact same look back.

"If everyone wouldn't mind…" Angel said and cocked his head.

Everyone followed him like a shoal of fish into a small room that they all just about fit it with enough space to leave a trail between the door and where the officiant stood. Angel stood with her and nervously moved from foot to foot.

There was no music but at some point, everyone's eyes went to the door and Buffy arrived in a long white dress, holding hands with Liam who was in a tux that mirrored Angel's.

Liam walked Buffy down the aisle to lots of oohs and awws and Angel picked him up to hold for the duration of the ceremony.

When it came to the vows, Angel cleared his throat and spoke clearly even as Liam hung out of him.

"Passion. It is born, and though uninvited, unwelcome, unwanted…like a cancer it takes root. It festers. It bleeds. It scabs… only to rupture and bleed anew. It grows…it thrives…until it consumes. It lives, so it must die. It lies in all of us. Sleeping, waiting, and though unwanted, unbidden, it will stir- open its jaws and howl. It speaks to us, guides us. Some to despair…it drives others to murder and others to madness. Passion rules us all, and we obey. What other choice do we have? Passion is the source of our finest moments: the joy of love, the clarity of hatred, and the ecstasy of grief. It hurts sometimes more than we can bear. Passion is the source of hope and the cause of despair. It is the source of life and the cause of death. If we could live without passion, maybe we'd know some kind of peace. But we would be hollow. Empty rooms, shuttered, and dank. Without passion, we'd be truly dead."

Everyone seemed a little stunned that Angel said so much and so eloquently, but Buffy didn't. Angel stared deep into Buffy's soul.

"Buffy Anne Summers you are the match to ignite my passion. Not just for you, but for life. Our life. Our family. And it is without you that I would truly be dead."

A smile bloomed on Buffy's face and she reached out to cup Angel's cheek.

"Angel, when I look into the future, all I see is you. All I want is you," she said simply, "So how's forever? Does forever work for you?"

Angel's eyes softened and the only thing that broke their stare was Liam clapping happily.

They exchanged rings that were tied to Liam's shirt. They kissed and everyone cheered with more than a few wet eyes.

Buffy blushed and even Angel smiled bashfully as they presented themselves as a married couple for the first time.

"Willow? Tara? Will you be our witnesses?" Buffy requested and both Willow and Tara looked at each other, touched.

"Of course we will," Willow replied for them, "Oh Buff, I'm so happy for you."

She hugged Buffy and then Tara hugged Buffy too.

"And I'm so happy for you guys too!" Buffy said with an unending smile.

Willow and Tara signed what needed to be signed and then hung back as people started to file out to the restaurant where they were all going to celebrate the day's events.

Tara took Willow's hand and kept a few feet back so they had some space.

"Finally. Our son is ours."

"I feel like I'm high," Willow replied giddily, then quickly added, "Not like that one time I smoked pot."

"Ssh!" Tara said with a wide-eyed look.

"Whoops," Willow closed her lips together but no one had heard, "Just saying, running on good old endorphins."

Tara chuckled and smiled.

"Today is a good day."

"Today is a GREAT day," Willow amended with a grin.

Tara gently squeezed her wife's fingers as she watched their children kid with each other as all siblings should.

"Today is the best day."

She looked at all of their celebrating family and imagined all of the happiness that was to come.

"So far."

Kayden rolled over in bed and held his pillow to the side of his face.

He didn't take such luxuries for granted yet; you couldn't when you slept years with no pillow at all. But he also didn't think of those times every time he felt the cool press of cotton against his cheek either.

As he dozed, he smiled at how well the first week back at school had gone after summer vacation. He knew people now, from spending the summer doing guitar lessons and they would say hello to him in the halls. Teachers called him Kayden Rosenberg-Maclay now when they called for attendance. And best of all, Dylan had promised to come by for his birthday party later today.

He rolled over again and checked the time — it was late. At some point, or perhaps gradually, he'd transitioned from getting up at the crack of dawn to be seen in the best (morning) light to sleeping in as teenagers do. It hadn't been a conscious action but there was something about the words 'adoption approved' that had settled peace in him and allowed him to give in to little indulgences like that over the past few months.

He sat up and stretched, then swung his legs out of bed, putting his feet in his slippers. The warm ones Tara had gotten him now that Fall was starting to set in.

He brushed his teeth and combed his hair, spending extra minutes to make sure it fell just so. Then he got dressed in black jeans and a blue-and-yellow pattered shirt that he'd bought just because Dylan had said he liked his pencil case in the same design.

After another quick check of his hair, he left his bedroom, greeted Woofy who was sleeping on JJ's floor while JJ snored and continued down the two sets of stairs. Hastily gathered in the hallway, Willow threw some confetti over Kayden's head.

"There you are, lazy bones," she teased gently, knowing she could, "You're getting as bad as JJ."

"What she means is," Tara continued with a pointed glance at her wife, "Happy Birthday."

"Happy Birthday, nugget," Willow smiled and hugged him sidelong while kissing the top of his head.

Upon hearing those words, Lily and Emily skid out to throw themselves at Kayden's legs.

"HappyBirthdayHappyBirthdayHappyBirthday," they said in unison as they jumped up and down.

"Hey, thanks," Kayden smiled down at them, starting to blush under all of the attention.

Robyn stood in the doorway to the living room with her arms folded lightly over her chest. She nodded once; a brief lift of her chin.

"Happy Birthday bro."

Kayden nodded back over to her.

"Thanks, sis."

Lily tugged on Kayden's hand.

"Kayden come see the card I made you, it has Legos! I glued them on and the glue got stuck to my fingers and I had to peel it off but some is still stuck there, see? So I glued it on but then MY FINGER got stuck to the card and Emily pulled but she couldn't get it off so Robyn had to and she made it hurt worser on purpose!"

"Last time I do you a favor," Robyn muttered under her breath.

Kayden let himself be dragged in to be shown the lovingly-constructed birthday card that had a big K in Legos on the front.

"Did you draw the guitar, Em?" Kayden guessed and Emily nodded shyly with her chin resting on her hands, "It's really cool. You got the strings exactly right."

A few minutes later, Willow and Tara walked in. Willow had a plate in her hand.

"Sufganiyah," she said as she placed it down.

"Aka jelly donuts," Tara explained before Kayden could have a chance to look confused, "Your favorite."

"Thanks," Kayden couldn't keep the smile off his face, "They look really good."

What seemed like under a minute later, JJ arrived in boxers and mussed hair, rubbing the heel of his hand into his eye.

"I heard the word donut."

"How did you hear that from two floors away?" Willow frowned.

JJ grabbed a donut and fell onto the couch with his legs over the armrest.

"I don't have old lady hearing."

Moments later, he felt a cushion hit his torso. He scoffed.

"Real mature, maw."

"That was me," Robyn said, picking up the cushion and slamming it at JJ's chest again, "You squirted jelly on my shoe!"

"Do not get jelly on my sofa," Tara stood up and held her hands out,

"Yeah if you can't eat responsibly, then go eat over the sink," Willow nodded, right as a big blob of jelly fell onto the floor.

Tara arched an eyebrow while Willow blushed.

"I'll go eat over the sink."

"Just clean it up," Tara said quietly.

She closed her eyes and just smiled.

"Presents!" she announced, "Let's get Kayden his presents."

Everyone scrambled around to eagerly present Kayden with his gifts and he had to stop for a moment to really accept all of the love being poured in his direction.

He got a pretty great haul; guitar socks from Lily, new wireless earbuds from JJ, a giant gummy bear from Emily, and something that looked like a hole punch from Robyn but was actually a machine which turned recycled plastics to guitar picks.

Then Tara offered him a big gift-wrapped box and for a second Kayden flashed to being six years old in Chuck-E-Cheese being handed a similarly sized gift, but this time there was no insecurity that he'd have to try and sell it to the kid on the 5th floor to get money for food in two weeks.

"Thanks, Mom."

Tara took Kayden's face in her hands and kissed the top of his head.

"I love you," she whispered into his hair.

"Love you too, Mom," Kayden answered before eagerly tearing off the wrapping paper on his new 3D model kit.

His eyes lit up; touched that they'd listened to things he'd said and his desire to design buildings.

"So cool!"

Willow gently shoved a box across the table.

"And something to draw all your plans with."

Kayden popped open the box and a custom pen was inside, engraved with his name; Kayden Rosenberg-Maclay.

"This is so cool," he repeated through a shaken breath.

Willow sat back smugly.

"I have a pen guy."

Kayden twirled the pen in his hands and stood up to give them both a hug.

"Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Momma. I love it."

Tara kissed Kayden's cheek.

"Happy Birthday."

Everyone else chimed in with similar greetings and Kayden grinned whilst being surrounded by his presents, which he tested out one by one.

Willow and Tara left the kids fighting over who would make themselves sick on giant gummy bear first to go back to the kitchen.

"He loved your pen, darling," Tara smiled as she refilled their coffee, "That was such a thoughtful idea."

She kissed Willow's cheek as she swung up onto the stool beside her.

"Only because you had the genius idea to get him that kit," Willow smiled back, "Inspired. I didn't even know things like that existed. Architect -in-a-box."

"I hope he enjoys it," Tara smiled softly, "Can you believe it's been a year since he first walked through those doors?"

"Seems like no time at all," Willow shook her head, "And I also can't imagine life where we didn't have all five of them."

"Finally, truly complete," Tara agreed, "And he deserves to be spoiled today."

"The grandparents will be over later," Willow raised an eyebrow, "Apparently my Dad and Rose have a little rivalry going over who can get him the best present. If that's not spoiled, I don't know what is!"

Sure enough, Ira arrived a couple of hours later with a pep in his step. Unable to contain himself, he clapped his hands in front of him and brought Kayden outside with him before even saying hello.

He threw his hands up at the side of the house and took an eager step back.

"Happy Birthday!"

Kayden opened his half-closed eyes and saw a new bike sitting up against the wall. It was a nice bike; bright green, electric, with hooks for his backpack.

"Whoa," he said, rushing up to feel the sleek bars.

"Do you like it?" Ira asked, sweet and eager and once again full-bearded.

Kayden closed his palm around one handlebar and threw his leg over the seat. He slid one foot onto the pedal, then the other, and rose up on the seat to push up and ride around the front yard.

"Pops, I love it!"

Ira laughed heartily as Kayden did a loop around him as if he was five years old and learning for the first time.

From the doorway, Willow smiled at how besotted Ira was with his new grandson and how the feeling was clearly mutual. Kayden brought his bike back to the wall, then threw his arms around Ira.

"Thanks, Pops," he said, putting his head in Ira's neck before moving over to Michelle, who'd been standing beside Ira looking doting the whole time, "Thanks, Grandma."

"Oh you're quite welcome," she said, holding her own face under the weight of her smile, "Show us again."

Kayden beamed and got back up on his bike to show off.

Tara laid out some blankets with treats and lemonade for everyone to help themselves to and they had a bit of an impromptu garden party.

A little while later, Rose pulled up in her Tesla and parked on the street.

"Hi everyone," she smiled as she got out of the car.

The girls all rushed up to say hello and Rose bent down to hug them all. She pulled back on Robyn and smiled a quiet little smile.

"Sometimes you look just like your grandma Lisa, do you know that?"

She kissed Robyn's forehead and stood up.

"And there's the birthday boy."

She walked over to hug Kayden and began to admire his new bike when she was pulled away to finish her hellos.

When she finally got back to Kayden, she sat next to him on the lawn.

"I'm giving you the same gift I gave JJ on his 15th birthday and what I will give all of the girls on their 15th birthday," she said, leaning in conspiringly, "A year's notice."

When Kayden just looked confused, Rose smiled and bumped his shoulder.

"If you save enough to put 50% toward a car — and I believe your parents have a generous matching scheme with your allowance — I will make up the other 50%," she explained with an affectionate tousle of Kayden's hair, "As long as you buy from one of my old dealerships. I get a great deal there. Are you in?"

Kayden's jaw hung open, then he threw himself at Rose, an action that would have been unheard of for him even months before.

"You're the best, Nana Rose."

Rose smiled; that had been JJ's reaction verbatim.

"You're more like your brother than you think."

She winked and pulled something out of her pocket.

"Plus I got you one of these," she gave him a button with the pride colors, "Robyn fleeced me but I expect nothing less."

"She made me one too," Kayden said, holding open his shirt to show one that said 'two moms and I still have to put up with dad jokes'.

Rose chuckled.

"She's become quite the little button maker."

"She wants to intern for a political candidate when she's old enough and she thinks this is good practice," Kayden replied with a nod of his head.

Rose shook her head from side to side.

"That girl is going to go far," she said and frowned, "Sometimes I worry how far."

Ira came over and stood over them, tall.

"Are you over here pipping my present to the punch again, Rose?"

Kayden was quick to scramble up.

"No way, Pops," he shook his head emphatically, "I'm going to need my bike to save on all that bus fare for my new car."

Rose's eyes twinkled from the grass.

"Don't worry Ira, I'll make sure the car I get him has a bike rack."

Playful bickering went back and forth but Kayden was lost to it because from down the street, Dylan came into view on his skateboard.

"Nice board," Robyn complimented as he stopped outside the house, "Hey, you want a button? Two bucks."

As she shoved her wares under his nose, she noticed he was smiling at someone behind her. She took one look over her shoulder and upon seeing the look on Kayden's face, smirked.

"Oh you're Dylan," she said with an exaggerated nod, "This one's on the house."

She slapped a button with a unicorn on it onto his shirt and watched as Kayden seemingly floated over.

Kayden raised his hand.

"Hey."

Dylan raised his hand back.

"Hey."

Every other person on the lawn shared a knowing look.

After sundown, as Willow went around the yard to collect the trash that the various guests in and out all day had left behind, she noticed Kayden reaching down to help her.

"Hey nugget, it's your birthday. No helping," Willow insisted gently.

Kayden just shrugged and picked up another empty.

Willow smiled. She put an arm around his shoulders.

"Good birthday, kiddo?"

"Best birthday," Kayden replied emphatically and it made Willow's heart full.

She winked at him.

"You only think that."

Kayden did a double-take.

"Huh?"

"Tara and I have been a family for over 20 years and with kids for almost as long. In all of that time, I've learned one inalienable truth," she replied and held a hand up wistfully, "Best birthdays, best days…they just keep getting better. Especially now we're all together like we should have been from the start."

Kayden smiled as he took in what Willow was saying.

"Okay then," he replied slowly, "Today is the best birthday…"

He full-blown grinned.

"So far."