Jack's hand squeezes my waist before whispering in my ear. "I think maybe we need to get them to bed they must be dog-tired and overwhelmed."

I know Jack is right but I don't want this moment to end. They look so carefree taking turns playing cowboy and trying to imitate their father that I am loathed to end this carefree moment but I know Jack is right and the night needs to come to an end.

"I know you boys must be tired so maybe we leave the tour of the house for tomorrow."

The boys all rush to answer simultaneously with Lincoln "No, can we please see the rest of the house now," Grayson "Je suis trop excité, je ne pense pas pouvoir dormir [I'm too excited I don't think I can sleep]," and Zachery "Please, we're not tired can we do it now."

Jack and I hold each other's gazes and it appears neither of us has the heart to deny them because with the subtle nod of his head Jack acquiescences.

We take them through the entire ground floor through this great room into the sunroom leading back out to the small reception room across into the larger one and into the main living room where Jack and I give each other a startled look as we realize we have momentarily forgotten about Patrick and his team along with Detective Constable Keller. Still, I'm sure Craig has them in the guest wings and didn't want to interrupt our reunion with the boys which I am appreciative of I know Jack will be too. I purposely don't take the boys to the guest wings since there are guests there and I don't wish to intrude. We walk into the main living room through into the mudroom and into my private kitchen.

The boys walk out of my private kitchen into the chef's kitchen where Jack and I almost stumbled into them at their abrupt halt at noticing Craig the butler and Martin the chef. Zachery immediately scurries behind me holding onto my waist while Lincoln and Grayson each take a hand of Jack's.

"Sorry, we wanted to be on hand in case we were needed."

"That's okay and I appreciate it."

I gently unwrap Zachery's hands from around me and bring him in front of me making sure to keep my arms wrapped around him.

"Boys I'd like you to meet Craig the butler and Martin the Chef."

"Craig, Martin this is Zachery, Lincoln, and Grayson our sons."

The boys politely reciprocate Craig and Martin's greeting. Both Craig and Martin enquire if we need anything from them before I dismiss them before we make our way upstairs.

We show the boys the two guest rooms which are empty and take them to the master suite where we let them know this is where Jack and I will be in case they need us in the night before taking them to each of their rooms where they are overwhelmed with the size of it and their own individual wardrobes complete with I hope everything they might need or want.

We all hear a knock before we hear Craig.

"Ms. Stillman, Patrick and Mr. Keller would like a word."

"We'll be down in a moment. Thank you, Craig."

"Boys why don't you choose your PJs and change into them and use the bathroom and settle in a while your dad and I go take care of this before saying goodnight to you all."

Jack and I have the biggest grins as we make our way downstairs into the main living room.

"Ma'am I apologize for interrupting at this late hour but we wanted to make sure you have all the details as to the temporary custody."

Jack looks at me with fear in his eyes.

"Lisa and I are their parents why only temporary custody?"

I can see Detective Constable Keller and Partick exchange an uneasy look.

Patrick looks at Keller before a silent exchange takes place between them before he explains. "Ma'am, Sir at this moment in time it's a legal nightmare as all three boys' identities are wrapped up with their adoptive parents."

"Meaning what?" I hope they have the answers Jack and I are looking for.

"I have spoken to Keller and he agrees the procedure will be; while we have proven you are both their biological parents we have to go to court to get permanent custody and explain to a judge the circumstances before you get full custody."

I need to know what type of timeframe we are looking at before I can voice that Jack beats me to it.

"How long?"

"Keller has given me a rundown of all the things they look for when determining custody. It could take weeks or months maybe even longer that's why doing everything to make sure CCWS (Canadian child welfare system) doesn't have any red flags about your living situation, environment and your suitability for care will be paramount in moving things along expediently."

Keller hands Jack a folder.

"There is a list in there of everything that is required and what they explicitly look for along with some information on the boys. Unfortunately, I know almost nothing of their time before they were remanded into state care but as per Patrick's request I have put as much as I know about the boys into the files as I have been in contact with them since I was the one that transported them from Ottawa back to Toronto where they were placed at the Milestone Foster Home."

With that, we bid both Patrick and Keller goodnight as they make their way to the guest wings before heading upstairs to bid the boys goodnight.

The boys all picked their own rooms from the three that were made up for them with Zachery in the adjacent room to the master suite with Grayson directly opposite the master suite and Lincoln opposite Zach and adjacent to Grayson.

Jack makes his way to drop off the folder in our room as I make my way to Zachery's room where his pursuing the clothes before he notices me. He reminds me so much of Jack when his eyes light up at seeing me he has his father's smile and dark hair which is striking against the color of his eyes which are a match to my own. I can't help but feel a grin break onto my face as his smile turns into a half shy unsure smile that I've seen on his father many a time when his uncertain of what to expect next.

"Zachery, do you have everything you need my son?"

"Yep, I've never had so much to choose from. At the foster home, you get hand-me-downs and go into the storage room to find what you need to the closest size you can find that fits. This is like a dream."

I walk over to him and place my hands on his shoulders before pulling him securely into me holding him close making sure he knows I'm here for him now.

"I know I can't make up for all the things you missed out on or didn't have but your dad and I will try to give you everything you might need going forward, Zachery."

"Zachery is like so long. I like Zach is short and cooler."

Both Zach and I hear a chuckle from the doorway as we see Jack make his way into the room. The closer Jack gets the more ill-at-ease Zach becomes before quickly making his way behind me having me as a buffer between them.

Jack notices and stops. "I know we don't know each other at all Zach but I will try real hard to earn your trust. If you need space from me all you have to do is ask I won't get mad okay son."

Zach appraises Jack for a long moment as if deciding what to do but eventually inches his way next to me before answering "okay, I'd like that."

Zach makes his way into bed, I sit on the bedside before he gently takes my hand and holds it to his chest before closing his eyes and uttering "I thought you were a dream and we'd never find you. Are you really real or like a queen or something you are so pretty and this place is like a castle."

We both hear Jack burst out laughing. "You see Lise I'm not the only one that thinks this place is castle like and you're some type of royalty." Jack places a kiss on the side of my head in affection to soothe my ruffled feathers at the comparison he knows I don't like.

With a shake of my head and a roll of my eyes at Jack, I turn back toward Zach to assure him that I am just a person.

"Zach honey I am not a queen or something and I know this place is massive but I assure you it is not a castle I have been to an actual castle and let me tell you it is nothing like this it's much more colossal not to mention regal."

Jack and Zach although yawing dissolve into laughter and enjoy a moment at my expense at my mentioning being in an actual castle which was my intention.

"We can talk more tomorrow you really need to sleep." I lean over to kiss his forehead goodnight. "Good night Zach honey."

Jack makes his way taking my place. "Zack if you need us for any reason in the night we're right next door and you come on straight in okay son."

"But what if you're sleeping."

"Then you wake your mum or me up cuz that is what we are here for as your parents."

"Okay." Zach yawns and we can see him fighting drifting off to sleep.

Jack bends slowly over making sure Zach is comfortable before placing a kiss on Zach's forehead. "Good night son."

"Nite dad. Nite Mum." Zach barely manages to get a goodnight greeting out before falling asleep.

Both Lincoln and Grayson are fast asleep in their beds. Jack and I both place a goodnight kiss on their foreheads before making our way to our own room.

As I come out of the ensuite bathroom I see Jack in bed reading the folder Keller handed him earlier. Jack is still engrossed in reading that I startle him as I slip into bed. He places the documents in the folder before placing them on the bedside table.

"What's in there?"

"Tomorrow Lise, right now I just want to hold you in my arms to make sure this is all real. That we have three sons and they're here with us right in the next room and across the hall sound asleep."

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